Knit a Sweater Covered in Dancing Cats

May 22, 2026 by Sarah White

I fear that my preference for cats over dogs is reflected in how often I write about knitting patterns that include cats (fairly often, including a vest, a stack of nesting cats, a set of cat socks with matching sweater, a different sweater, a pair of mittens, all in the past six years or so) than I do about dogs (there’s hats for dogs, and mittens with dogs, but that post is from 2014).

And here it is again, as I write about the Crazy Cats Pullover from Maschenwunder Manja Vogelsang.

But how could I resist it? Are these silly cats dancing? Falling down? Performing some sort of ritual? Who can say?

Do I also very much want to knit one of these sweaters for myself? Yes, I do. Or for my cat-loving daughter. Or both.

I don’t know why this pattern popped up in the popular patterns on Ravelry again a couple of years after it was first published, but I’m glad it did!

The sweater is worked from the top down in one piece with a circular yoke covered in cats. It calls for sport weight yarn and there are seven available sizes.

The actual chest measurement of the finished sweater ranges from 35 to 58.5 inches, or 89 to 149 cm. Since that smallest size is billed as extra small, it’s clear there is meant to be a good bit of positive ease in the design, but the pattern notes don’t say exactly how much.

You can find the pattern on Ravelry, where it is available in English, French and German. Because it’s been out for a while there are lots of good projects to look at, including lots of different colors, a cardigan conversion and more. Though this neon version from the designer is pretty great, too.

[Photo: Maschenwunder Manja Vogelsang]

Have you read?

Adorable Ghost Knitting Patterns

Adding a bit of knitting to your fall decor is a lot of fun, whether it’s knit pumpkins or a bunch of adorable knit ghosts like these.

Knit ghosts can be super simple like this free ghost knitting pattern from Trixie Zynch on Ravelry. Using about 50 yards of worsted weight yarn, they’re worked from the bottom up and are super cute as a pair.

This fuzzy little ghost from Forest Knitting Toys is holding a pumpkin and wearing a witch hat, though of course the accessories are optional, as is the fuzzy yarn. The main yarn is chunky and the ghost measures about 10 cm/4 inches tall. It’s worked in the round.

Another fuzzy ghost in more of a Pacman style is this ghost plushie form South Stitch Girls. It’s worked in the round with bulky yarn and includes a sweet little bow you can make in whatever color you like.

The ghost doll from Edith Grace Designs has little arms and a curl at the top of its head. The body is worked flat using DK weight yarn and you could also work it in glow in the dark yarn for extra fun. The body and head are worked in one piece with the arms knit separately.

The Grim Grinning Ghosts from Susan Claudino are super cute and you can knit them in any yarn and gauge you like to make ghosts of different sizes. These are worked in the round with the body done in one piece and the arms are knit separately. The ghosts shown were knit in sock yarn, DK and worsted weight yarn. You can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Make a ghost with funny striped legs with this ghost shelf sitter design from Claire Fairall Designs. It’s worked in three colors of DK weight yarn, and the letters spelling out boo are made with strips of garter stitch sewn into shape.