Catch cozy vibes with this playful PokéBall-Inspired Cat Cave crochet pattern! Perfect for Pokémon fans and feline friends alike, this clever design transforms the iconic red-and-white PokéBall into a snug hideaway for your kitty. With its bold colors, rounded shape, and inviting entrance, it’s a fun fusion of geeky charm and pet-friendly comfort—ideal for adding a touch of whimsy to your home while giving your cat a cozy place to nap. 🧶🐾🔴⚪
Designed for structure and style, this pattern invites you to explore sturdy stitches, colorwork techniques, and optional embellishments like a black stripe or button detail to complete the PokéBall look. Customize the size to suit your cat’s lounging preferences or add a soft cushion inside for extra plushness. Whether tucked in a corner, displayed in a game-themed room, or gifted to a fellow Pokémon-loving pet parent, this PokéBall Cat Cave Amigurumi is a joyful and satisfying project—perfect for stitching up a little handmade adventure, one loop at a time! 💖✨🎮
🧶 PokéBall-Inspired Cat Cave Crochet Pattern
Is your cat ready to be caught? This cozy PokéBall-inspired cat bed combines geeky charm with ultimate comfort! The hinged dome creates a secure hideaway, and the plush base gives them the perfect spot to curl up and nap. Whether you’re a Pokémon fan or just love creative pet furniture, this project is sure to be a hit!
✨ Skill Level
Intermediate – You’ll need to be comfortable working in the round, changing colors smoothly, and shaping large circular pieces.
📏 Finished Dimensions
- Base diameter: 20-22 inches (51-56 cm)
- Dome height: 8-10 inches (20-25 cm)
- Entrance: Approximately 12-14 inches wide
Perfect for most cats and small dogs!
🧶 Materials You’ll Need
Yarn: Super Bulky (Category 6) or T-shirt yarn
- Red: 250-300 yards (230-275 meters)
- White: 300-350 yards (275-320 meters)
- Black: 80-100 yards (73-91 meters)
- Dark Gray or Charcoal: 15-20 yards (14-18 meters)
Other Supplies:
- 10mm (US N/P) crochet hook
- Large yarn needle
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
- Round cushion or stuffing (optional)
- Flexible plastic canvas or cardboard circle for structure (optional but recommended)
📐 Gauge
7 stitches and 8 rows = 4 inches in single crochet
Don’t skip the gauge swatch! Since this is furniture-sized, being off by even a little can make a big difference.
🔤 Abbreviations (US Terms)
- MR – Magic Ring
- sc – Single Crochet
- inc – Increase (2 sc in one stitch)
- dec – Decrease (single crochet 2 together)
- sl st – Slip Stitch
- ch – Chain
- BLO – Back Loops Only
- FO – Fasten Off
🔴 Part 1: The Red Dome Top
This is the iconic top half of the PokéBall! We’ll work from the center outward to create that perfect dome shape.
Starting with Red Yarn:
Round 1: MR, 6 sc into ring, sl st to join (6)
Round 2: inc in each st around (12)
Round 3: (sc, inc) around (18)
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) around (24)
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) around (30)
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) around (36)
Round 7: (5 sc, inc) around (42)
Round 8: (6 sc, inc) around (48)
Round 9: (7 sc, inc) around (54)
Round 10: sc in each st around (54)
Now we’ll add the black stripe right in the middle of the dome!
Switch to Black Yarn:
Rounds 11-13: sc in each st around (54)
This creates the signature black stripe across the center of the dome!
Switch back to Red Yarn:
Rounds 14-17: sc in each st around (54)
Your dome should now have a nice curved shape with the black stripe perfectly centered. FO and weave in all ends securely.
💡 Pro Tip: Cut a circle of plastic canvas or sturdy cardboard about 7-8 inches in diameter. Before finishing, insert it inside the dome near the opening edge to help it hold its shape. This is especially helpful if your cat likes to sit on top!
⚪ Part 2: The White Base
The base is where your cat will actually lounge, so make it comfy! It needs to be larger than the dome so the dome sits on top like a lid.
Starting with White Yarn:
Round 1: MR, 6 sc into ring, sl st to join (6)
Round 2: inc in each st around (12)
Round 3: (sc, inc) around (18)
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) around (24)
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) around (30)
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) around (36)
Round 7: (5 sc, inc) around (42)
Round 8: (6 sc, inc) around (48)
Round 9: (7 sc, inc) around (54)
Round 10: (8 sc, inc) around (60)
Round 11: (9 sc, inc) around (66)
Round 12: (10 sc, inc) around (72)
Round 13: (11 sc, inc) around (78)
Round 14: sc in each st around (78)
Now we’ll create the raised wall:
Round 15: Working in BLO only, sc in each st around (78)
This creates a nice ridge that defines where the wall begins!
Rounds 16-19: sc in each st around (78)
This gives you a comfortable 4-round wall height. FO and weave in ends.
Place a round cushion, pet bed insert, or soft stuffing inside to make it extra cozy!
🔘 Part 3: The Button Detail
No PokéBall is complete without that iconic center button! We’ll make it in three layers for that authentic look.
Black Outer Ring:
Round 1: MR, 6 sc into ring (6)
Round 2: inc in each st around (12)
Round 3: (sc, inc) around (18)
FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Dark Gray Middle Ring:
Round 1: MR, 6 sc into ring (6)
Round 2: inc in each st around (12)
FO, leaving a long tail.
White Center Circle:
Round 1: MR, 6 sc into ring (6)
Round 2: (sc, inc) around (9)
FO, leaving a long tail.
Assembly: Sew the white circle centered on the gray ring, then sew the gray ring centered on the black ring. Set aside – you’ll attach this complete button to the front of the dome at the very end!
🔗 Part 4: Attaching the Dome to Base
Here’s where the magic happens and it becomes a functional cat cave!
Positioning:
- Lay the base flat on your work surface.
- Place the dome on top of the base. The dome should sit comfortably with the black stripe running horizontally like the equator of a globe.
- Position the dome so it covers roughly the back half to two-thirds of the base, leaving a generous front opening as the entrance. The dome’s edge should rest on top of the base wall, not inside it.
Attaching:
- Using white yarn and your yarn needle, start at the center-back where the dome’s bottom edge meets the top of the base wall.
- Whip stitch or single crochet through both the last round of the dome and the top round of the base wall. Work your way around one side.
- Continue stitching around the back and down the other side.
- Stop when you’ve attached approximately 50-55% of the dome’s circumference (about 27-30 stitches on each side from center back). The entire front section should remain unattached, creating a natural wide entrance opening.
- Secure your yarn and weave in ends.
The dome is now attached like a hinged canopy – secure at the back and partway down the sides, with a generous opening at the front!
Adding the Button:
Position your three-layer button at the front-center of the dome, right on the black stripe. It should be clearly visible when you look at the entrance. Sew it securely through all layers with your yarn needle, making sure it’s centered and lies flat against the dome.
🎨 Finishing Touches
- Weave in all remaining yarn ends thoroughly so they don’t become cat toys
- Gently shape the dome with your hands to ensure it has a nice rounded curve
- Fluff up the cushion or stuffing inside the base
- Optional: Add a drop of catnip spray inside to entice your cat to try their new bed
- Optional: Place a book or small weight at the very back bottom of the base if you have an especially energetic cat who might tip it
💡 Customization Ideas
🎯 Different PokéBalls: Use pink and white for a Heal Ball, blue and red for a Great Ball, black and yellow for an Ultra Ball, or white and red for a Premier Ball!
✨ Size adjustments: Add 1-2 more increase rounds to both the base and dome for large cats or dogs. For kittens, stop increases 1-2 rounds earlier on both pieces.
🏷️ Personalization: Embroider your pet’s name on the white base or add a small hanging name tag
🌈 Color variations: Not into Pokémon? Use your favorite sports team colors, match your home decor, or create a rainbow version!
🎀 Extra details: Add a small loop at the top of the dome to hang a toy, or sew a small pocket on the side for treats
🐾 Tips for Success
Tension is everything: Keep your tension consistent throughout the entire project. Loose stitches will make the structure floppy and saggy, while overly tight stitches will make it stiff and difficult to shape.
The size relationship is crucial: The base MUST be larger than the dome opening for this to work properly. That’s why the base goes to 78 stitches while the dome stops at 54 – giving you a 24-stitch difference for a proper fit!
Preview before sewing: Before you permanently sew the dome to the base, use stitch markers or pins to temporarily attach it. This lets you adjust the entrance size and positioning until it’s perfect.
Yarn choice matters: T-shirt yarn creates a more substantial, furniture-like finish that holds its shape well. Super bulky acrylic yarn is softer, more budget-friendly, and easier on your hands for this large project.
Structure support options: If your dome seems floppy after finishing, try these fixes:
- Insert a plastic canvas circle inside the dome opening
- Lightly spray the inside with fabric stiffener
- Add a second layer of fabric or felt inside for stability
- Use a thicker yarn or smaller hook for more structure
Color changes: When switching colors, change in the last yarn over of the previous color for the cleanest stripe line.
Let it settle: After finishing, let the cat cave sit for a day or two. The yarn will relax and settle into its final shape.
🎉 You Did It!
Your cat now has the coolest bed in the neighborhood! This project takes some time and yarn, but the result is absolutely worth it. Not only is it functional and comfortable, but it’s also a total conversation starter when guests come over.
Don’t be discouraged if your cat ignores it at first – cats can be funny about new things! Try placing treats inside, putting it in their favorite napping spot, or adding something with your scent like an old t-shirt to make it more inviting.
Snap a photo of your cat in their new PokéBall cave and share your creation with fellow crafters! There’s nothing quite like seeing your furry friend curled up in something you made with your own hands.
Happy hooking, and may your cat be successfully caught! 🐱✨🎮
