Who says the holiday magic is limited to December? It’s Christmas in July — the perfect excuse to break out the festive yarn, crank up the carols (we see you, Mariah), and get a head start on handmade gifts without the winter rush!
Why Celebrate Christmas in July?
Aside from being delightfully out-of-season fun, Christmas in July is a great time to:
🎁 Plan and prep your holiday projects – Christmas List – Free PDF Download
🎁 Shop sales and stock up on supplies
🎁 Test out new holiday patterns or gift ideas – Christmas Patterns
🎁 Get festive without the stress
Plus, if you’re a maker, now’s the time to think about what you’ll offer during the real holiday rush — and maybe even launch a few early bird items!
Only 5 Months Until Christmas – Let the Crafting Begin! ✨🎄
Can you believe it? We’re officially just 5 months away from Christmas — and if you’re a maker, you know what that means…
It’s time to get those hooks moving and the yarn flying!
Whether you’re planning handmade gifts, prepping for holiday markets, or dreaming of cozy decor, now is the perfect time to start. No last-minute stress, no tangled lights at midnight—just joyful, intentional crafting.
🎁 5 Things You Can Start Crocheting Now:
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Ornaments – Small, quick, and perfect for stocking stuffers or gift toppers
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Amigurumi Gifts – Personalized plushies bring big smiles
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Winter Wearables – Hats, scarves, mittens (yes, even in July!)
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Home Decor – Garland, stockings, wreaths & table runners
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Gift Tags & Wrapping Accents – Handmade touches make every package special
Santa Cat Gift Bag Crochet Pattern
Materials:
Small amounts of worsted yarn in desired colors:
30 yards MC
10 yards CC
20 yards red (hat)
1 yard pink or black (mouth)
10 yards White Bernat Pipsqueak yarn
Crochet hook size H (5.0 mm)
Small white pompoms, safety eyes, safety nose
Finished cat bag measures approximately 4 ½ tall by 3” wide.
Gauge: 9 sc = 2”, 10 rows = 2”
STITCHES:
Invisible decrease: https://youtube.com/shorts/0NC5nXyDvwI?feature=share
Directions:
Rnd 1: With MC yarn, ch 2 (or magic circle). Sc 6 in second ch from hook. Do not join. Work in continuous rnds throughout unless otherwise specified.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc (12 sc).
Rnd 3: *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (18 sc).
Rnd 4: *1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (24 sc).
Rnd 5: *1 sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (30 sc).
Rnd 6: *1 sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (36 sc).
Rnds 7-13: Sc in each st. Join with sl st at end of Rnd 13. Fasten off MC. Turn.
Rnd 14: Join Pipsqueak yarn, sc in each st around. Join with sl st. Fasten off Pipsqueak. Turn.
Rnds 15: Attach red yarn (or desired color for hat). Ch1, sc in each st. Do not join.
Rnds 16-17: Sc in each st.
Rnd 18: *Inv dec, sc in next 4 sc,* repeat around (30 sc).
Rnds 19-20: Sc in each st.
Rnd 21: *Inv dec, sc in next 3 sc,* repeat around (24 sc).
Rnds 22-23: Sc in each st. Join.
Rnd 24: *Sc, ch 1, skip 1 sc,* repeat around. Join. Fasten off.
Drawstring: Using same color yarn as hat, make a chain 12″ long and knot both ends. Pull through loops made in Rnd 24 of hat.
Snout:
Rnd 1: With CC yarn, ch 2 (or magic circle). Sc 6 in second ch from hook. Do not join. Work in continuous rnds throughout unless otherwise specified.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc (12 sc).
Rnd 3: *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (18 sc).
Rnd 4: *1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (24 sc). Join with sl st. Fasten off leaving 12” length for sewing.
Insert safety nose into Rnd 1.
Insert safety eyes in Rnd 3, 4 sts apart.
Trim or burn back of safety eyes and nose so they don’t stick through the body of the cat.
With pink (or black) yarn, embroider mouth in Rnd 3 and a line from the mouth up to the nose.
Whiskers:
Cut 2 pieces of CC (or MC) yarn 4” in length. Pull through 1 piece on each side of nose. Trim to 1”.
Ears: (Make 2)
Row 1: With CC yarn, ch 3, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch (2 sc).
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc 2 sts tog (1 sc). Fasten off leaving 6” length for sewing.
Sew ears to hat at Rnd 17.
Weave in all ends.
Sew a pompom to each end of drawstring.
Decorate hat as you wish with pom poms, rick rack, etc. You can sc Rnd 14 of hat with eyelash or bulky yarn to make a fringe. For bulky or eyelash yarns, work from wrong side so the bulk of the “fringe” falls on the right side.
The cat is so much fun to make, because you can change eye color, hair color, hat color and embellishments so that you never make the same cat twice. Use colors from your stash or decorate it to look like one of your cats or your favorite cartoon cat.
Get the free PDF for the Santa Cat Gift Bag in My Fingers Fly Crochet Family on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19jVcHPkzd/
PDF is available at half price through 7/28/2025
Christmas Cat Gift Bag Crochet Pattern – Purr-fectly Festive Holiday Wrapping! 🎄🐱🎁
More Cat Patterns
🎉🎂 It’s a Birthday Bash – and YOU Get the Gifts! 🎂🎉
We’re celebrating with a special Birthday Sale – because what’s a party without a little something sweet?
🎁 28% OFF everything in the shop!
🧶 Crochet patterns, handmade goodies, fiber artist swag, and more!
📅 Now through July 29 – don’t miss out!
Whether you’ve had your eye on a cuddly critter, a cozy pattern, or a colorful tag set, now’s the perfect time to treat yourself (or stock up on gifts!).
🛍️ Shop the sale: My Fingers Fly on Etsy
Thanks for being part of this amazing community – you make every year more creative and joyful! 💕
Let’s celebrate with yarn, joy, and a whole lot of handmade happiness!
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
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I’m so proud to have my designs featured on Lion Brand Yarn Pattern Marketplace. Not only can you purchase great designs, but you can also purchase the yarn and supplies you need to make them.
I decided to turn the tables on the AI-generated crochet images. There was an adorable cat crocheted into a craft basket that everyone loved! I thought, “I can do that,” so I did. This photo is the one that appeared on Facebook. I’ve omitted the links, because it’s clickbait.
