The Galaxy Cat Stitch Blanket combines playful texture with bold color, creating a design that feels both cozy and full of personality. There’s something a little magical about this blanket—the kind that makes you smile the moment you see it.
And if you look closely, you’ll spot rows of tiny cat silhouettes tucked into each stitch—making this a perfect project for cat lovers.
Adorable Cat Stitch
The star of this pattern is the cat stitch, a fun and eye-catching crochet stitch that forms small cat-like shapes using a simple repeating sequence. While it looks intricate, it’s surprisingly approachable and works up faster than you might expect. The stitch creates a lightly textured, reversible fabric that looks beautiful from either side, making it ideal for blankets and other cozy projects.
For this blanket, we paired a deep black yarn with a bright variegated yarn to really make the stitch definition pop. The contrast helps highlight each little “cat,” while the shifting colors give the blanket a soft galaxy-inspired look—like stars scattered across a night sky.
It’s a great way to use colorful yarn while still keeping the overall design balanced and visually striking.
Whether you’re making this as a gift, for your home, or for a certain cat who may or may not claim it as their own, this blanket is as fun to crochet as it is to use. With multiple size options included, you can easily customize it to fit your needs—from a small lap blanket to a full-size cozy throw.
Why You’ll Love This Pattern
- Adorable cat-inspired texture – The cat stitch creates rows of tiny cat silhouettes that add a playful and unique touch to your blanket.
- Eye-catching colorwork made simple – Using a black yarn paired with a bright variegated yarn makes the stitch definition pop without complicated color changes.
- Beginner-friendly with a twist – If you’re comfortable with basic stitches, you can absolutely master this pattern while learning something new.
- Fewer ends to weave in – The yarn is carried up the sides, saving time and making finishing much easier.
- Multiple sizes included – Whether you want a small lap blanket or a full cozy throw, you can customize it to fit your needs.
Blanket Sizes Included
This pattern includes four versatile sizes, making it easy to create the perfect blanket for any use. Whether you’re stitching up a sweet baby gift or a cozy throw for your home, you’ll find a size that fits your needs:
- Baby Blanket – perfect for nurseries and gifts
- Lap Blanket – great for everyday comfort
- Throw Blanket – ideal for sofas and relaxing evenings
- Large Throw / Bed Size – for extra warmth and full coverage
Each size is created using the same stitch pattern, so once you learn the repeat, you can easily adjust and make more in different sizes.
This pattern is worked in a multiple of 5 stitches, making it simple to customize the width if you’d like to create a different size beyond those listed.
Perfect For
- Cat lovers (and their very helpful supervisors 🐱)
- Cozy gifts with a personal, handmade touch
- Adding a pop of color to neutral home decor
- Using up or showcasing beautiful variegated yarn
- Crocheters who want a relaxing, repeating pattern with visual interest
Pattern Overview
This blanket is worked in rows using the cat stitch, creating a beautifully textured fabric with a fun, repeating design.
After the setup rows, the pattern settles into a simple repeat of Rows 4–6, making it easy to relax into once you get the rhythm. Yarn colors are changed with each repeat to create the striking contrast between the black background and the colorful cat stitch rows.
To keep things efficient and minimize finishing work, the yarn is carried up the sides rather than cut after each color change. This technique saves time and reduces the number of ends you’ll need to weave in later.
The blanket has a reversible texture, so it looks great from either side, and the combination of bold contrast and shifting colors gives it a soft galaxy-inspired feel.
Get Your Ad Free Printable PDF in our Etsy Shop
Directions: Galaxy Cat Stitch Blanket Crochet Pattern
Skill Level
Intermediate Crocheter
You should be comfortable with the double crochet stitch, yarn color changes, and working stitches two rows below.
Gauge
Approximately 14 stitches and 7 rows every 4 X 4 inches.
Finished Size
- Baby Blanket – 40 X 40 inches
- Lap Blanket – 50 X 50 inches
- Throw Blanket – 50 X 60 inches
- Large Throw / Bed Size – 60 X 70 inches
Varying the Size
To adjust the width, simply adjust your chains by any multiple of 5. To make the project longer or shorter, simply crochet more or fewer rows.
Materials
Lion Brand Re-Spun 100% recycled polyester yarn. Each skein has 658 yards, medium weight #4 yarn. Color: Raven
Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle. Each yarn cake has 3sk yards, light weight #3 yarn. Color: Serpens
- Color A: Lion Brand Re-Spun(Color: Raven)
- Color B: Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle(Color: Serpens)
For this pattern we’ll refer to Color A and Color B.
- Baby Blanket – 40 X 40 inches. 1,800 yards total. 2 Skeins Lion Brand Re-Spun, 3 Yarn Cakes Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle.
- Lap Blanket – 50 X 50 inches. 2,800 yards total. 3 Skeins Lion Brand Re-Spun, 4 Yarn Cakes Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle.
- Throw Blanket – 50 X 60 inches. 3,286 yards total. 3 Skeins Lion Brand Re-Spun, 4 Yarn Cakes Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle.
- Large Throw / Bed Size – 60 X 70 inches. 4,700 yards total. 5 Skeins Lion Brand Re-Spun, 6 Yarn Cakes Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle.
If you are not able to find the yarn locally, you can purchase it online. Savings Center – Pattern Princess
Size H Crochet Hook 5.0mm
Scissors
Yarn Needle
Stitch Markers
Measuring Tape
Stitch Abbreviations (US Terms)
- CH = Chain
- DC = Double Crochet
- DCCL = Double Crochet Cluster
- HDC = Half Double Crochet
- SC = Single Crochet
- SK = Skip
- SP = Space
- ST = Stitch
- STs = Stitches
- SS = Shell Stitch
- YO = Yarn Over
- [ ] = Repeat Between
Crochet Stitches
Chain Stitch (CH ST)
Begin the chain stitch by making a slip knot on the crochet hook. Leave about a 5-inch tail on the yarn. This will be weaved in later.
Next snug up the yarn loop that is on the crochet hook; while it should be firm, it should also be loose enough to slide on the hook with ease.
Keeping the loop on the hook, insert the hook in the chain stitch, wrap the yarn over the crochet hook from back to front. Draw the yarn through the loop. (The first chain stitch is complete).
Double Crochet (DC)
Yarn over, insert hook through both loops and pull up a loop. Next, yarn over and pull through two loops on the hook. Lastly, yarn over again and pull through the last two loops on the hook.
Double Crochet Cluster
Yarn over insert the hook into the space and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through two loops. There should be two loops on the hook.
Next, yarn over, insert the hook into the same space and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through two loops. (There should be 3 loops on the hook).
Finally, yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook.
Half Double Crochet (HDC)
Yarn over, insert the hook through both loops of the next stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook.
Shell Stitch (SS)
A shell stitch is a term for a special crochet stitch that consists of a set of (2 double crochet, chain 1, 2 double crochet). All worked into one stitch or space.
Single Crochet (SC)
Insert the hook, pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through the two loops on the hook.
Pattern Notes
This pattern is written in U.S. Crochet Terms.
This pattern repeats Rows 4–6, changing yarn colors at the beginning of each repeat.
Chain 3 at the beginning of the row counts as a double crochet.
For this pattern we will be working an extended double crochet cluster where the stitches are worked between the shell stitches two rows below. (this is what creates the cat stitch design)
How to Make Your Color Changes Shine. You’ll be working a 3-row repeat (Rows 4–6) and changing color every repeat.
- Each color shows one full “cat row set”
- The cats will appear stacked in color blocks
- This creates a subtle striped effect without breaking the pattern
You can find the photo tutorials within the written pattern. And the video tutorials of the cat stitch and carrying the yarn up the side after the written pattern.
Carrying Yarn Up the Side
Since you’re changing colors every few rows, you can save time and avoid a pile of yarn tails by carrying your yarn up the side instead of cutting it each time.
Simply drop the unused color at the end of the row and pick it back up when needed, gently pulling it up along the edge as you work.
Tip: Keep the carried yarn relaxed—too tight will cause puckering, and too loose may create loops along the edge.
This technique works especially well in this pattern since the colors are reused frequently. A border will easily hide the carried yarn for a clean finish.
Begin Cat Stitch Pattern
Using Color A: Lion Brand Re-Spun (Color: Raven)
Place a slip knot on your crochet hook.
Chain any number of stitches in a multiple of 5.
- Baby Blanket = 140 chain stitches
- Lap Blanket = 175 chain stitches
- Throw Blanket = 175 chain stitches
- Large Throw / Bed Size = 210 chain stitches
Row 1
Continue using yarn color A
DC in the 4th CH from the hook and in each ST across. Turn
Row 2
Continue using yarn color A
CH 3 (Counts as a DC). DC in the next ST. [SK 4 CH STs. In the next ST work a SS (2DC, CH 1, 2DC)]. Repeat between [ ] across. When there are 6 STs left SK 4 CH STs and work 1 DC in the last 2 STs. Turn
Row 3
Continue using yarn color A
CH 3 (Counts as a DC). DC in the next ST. [SK to the CH SP in the middle of the SS. Work a SS (2DC, CH 1, 2DC)]. Repeat between [ ] across. Finish the row with 1 DC in the last 2 STs. Turn
Row 4
Switch to Color B: Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle (Color: Serpens)
This row creates the ‘cat’ shapes. It’s also the first row of the repeat.
CH 3 (Counts as a DC). DC in the next ST. [Between the two shell stitches two rows below, work an extended double crochet cluster. SK to the CH SP in the middle of the SS. Work a SS (2 DC, CH 1, 2DC). Between the two shell stitches two rows below, work an extended double crochet cluster]. Repeat between [ ] across. Finish the row with 1 DC in the last 2 STs. Turn
Row 5
Continue using yarn color B.
CH 3 (Counts as a DC). DC in the next ST. [SK to the CH SP in the middle of the SS. Work a SS (2DC, CH 1, 2DC)]. Repeat between [ ] across. Finish the row with 1 DC in the last 2 STs. Turn
Row 6
Continue using yarn color B.
CH 3 (Counts as a DC). DC in the next ST. [SK to the CH SP in the middle of the SS. Work a SS (2DC, CH 1, 2DC)]. Repeat between [ ] across. Finish the row with 1 DC in the last 2 STs. Turn
Rows 7 and Beyond
Continue repeating rows 4-6 changing yarn color for each repeat.
- Baby Blanket = 72 rows
- Lap Blanket = 90 rows
- Throw Blanket = 108 rows
- Large Throw / Bed Size = 126 rows
Carrying yarn up the side
When row 6 is complete, add a stitch marker. Go to the other side and pick up yarn color A. Crochet the row and you’ll end up by yarn color B. Remove the stitch marker from yarn color B. Slip the loop around the loop of yarn color A. Snug up the yarn. Continue crocheting the next two rows.
When it is time to switch colors, bring yarn color B through the loop of yarn color A. Make sure that the yarn laying against the side of the project isn’t too loose or tight. Continue with the pattern.
Crochet Border
Round 1
Use Yarn Color A
CH 1 (Does not count as a ST). Starting on the ending row corner, work across the ending row by making SC in each stitch EXCEPT the DC Cluster STS. Skip those. Work 3 SC in the corner ST. 2 SC in each row going down the sides.3 SC in the corner ST. 1 SC in between each ST across starting foundation row. 3 SC in the corner ST. 2 SC in each row going up the other side. 3 SC in the corner ST. Join with a SL ST into the first ST to close the round.
Round 2
Change to Yarn Color B
CH 1 (Does not count as a ST). Work 1 HDC in each ST around with 3 HDC in each corner ST. End with a SL ST into the first ST to close the round.
Round 3
Change back to Yarn Color A
CH 1 (Does not count as a ST). Work 1 SC in each ST around with 3 SC in each corner ST. End with a SL ST into the first ST to close the round.
Finishing
After you work the last ST, cut off the yarn leaving about a 12-inch long tail. Pull the yarn tail through the last loop on the hook.
Thread the yarn needle with the yarn tails and weave them through the crochet stitches back and forth until the yarn feels secure. Snip off the excess yarn.
Video Tutorials on our You Tube Channel
Right Hand Cat Stitch Video Tutorial
Left Hand Cat Stitch Video Tutorial
We hope you enjoy crocheting this blanket as much as we loved designing it. And don’t be surprised if a certain cat decides it belongs to them. 🐱
XO
Vicky & Casey
You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.