Amour Kittens: Free Valentine Crochet Pattern

An Introduction from Patricia to Your Amour Kittens

Hello, my dearest crafters! It's Patricia Poltera, and today, my heart is simply overflowing with joy as I share the pattern for these utterly charming Amour Kittens. Inspired by the sweetest image of two little feline friends sharing a token of affection, this project is perfect for Valentine's Day, an anniversary, or just to celebrate love and friendship in its many forms. Crafting these two, a sleek black kitten and a pristine white one, complete with their bright red heart, is a journey into pure sweetness.

I'm so delighted to offer this pattern to you completely free. It's your enthusiasm and the lovely community we've built here at the Pattern Parlour that allows me to continue designing and sharing. Seeing your finished creations is truly the best reward, so thank you for your wonderful support. Shall we begin stitching up some love?

Materials You'll Need for Your Amour Kittens

To create your pair of Amour Kittens and their shared heart, you'll need the following. I recommend a good quality cotton yarn for nice stitch definition and a subtle sheen, just like in the inspirational image.

Yarn (DK weight / Light Worsted / 8 ply recommended):

For the Black Kitten:
- Main Color (MC1 - Black): Approx. 60g
- Embroidery (Eyes, Whiskers - White): Small amount of white embroidery floss or fine yarn
For the White Kitten:
- Main Color (MC2 - White): Approx. 60g
- Inner Ear Detail (Pink): Tiny amount of pale pink
- Embroidery (Eyes, Nose, Whiskers - Black): Small amount of black embroidery floss or fine yarn
For the Heart & Accessories:
- Heart & Collar Strings (Red): Approx. 20g of bright red
- Small Heart on Ear (Red): Tiny scrap of bright red (same as above)

Hooks & Notions:

The Absolute Essentials:
- Crochet Hook: 3.0mm (or a D/3 hook in US terms). Adjust if needed to achieve a tight gauge.
- Polyester Fiberfill Stuffing: For giving your kittens and heart a soft, huggable form.
- Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): For sewing parts together and embroidering details.
- Scissors: A good, sharp pair.
- Stitch Markers: To keep track of your rounds.
My 'Game Changer' Recommendations (Optional, but oh-so-helpful!):
- Pins: Essential for positioning parts accurately before sewing, especially for the kittens' pose with the heart.
- Embroidery Needles: Finer needles can be helpful for the detailed facial embroidery.
- Forceps or a Hemostat: Useful for stuffing smaller parts like tails and paws.
- Fabric Stiffener (Optional): For the whiskers if you want them to be more defined.

Skills Required & Techniques Demystified for Your Amour Kittens

This pattern is best for those with some amigurumi experience, so I'd classify it as Intermediate. The individual shapes are straightforward, but the neatness, assembly of multiple components, facial embroidery (especially whiskers), and the small heart applique require a bit of patience and precision.

Key Techniques Used:

Working in a Spiral: For most parts.
Magic Ring (MR)
Single Crochet (sc)
Increase (inc)
Invisible Decrease (dec)
Chain (ch): For the collar strings.
Basic Sewing: For assembling the kittens and the heart.
Embroidery: For facial features and the small heart applique (alternative).
Working in Rows (potentially for ears if preferred, though the pattern will specify rounds).
Making Appliques (for the tiny heart on the ear).

Crochet Abbreviations (US Terms):

MC1: Main Color for Black Kitten (Black)
MC2: Main Color for White Kitten (White)
st(s): stitch(es)
MR: magic ring
sc: single crochet
inc: increase (2 sc in next st)
dec: invisible decrease (sc 2 sts together using front loops only)
sl st: slip stitch
ch: chain
Rnd(s): Round(s)
FO: fasten off
FLO: front loop only
BLO: back loop only
[...] x...: repeat instructions in brackets ... times
(...): stitch count at end of round

A Note on Photos & Your Unique Amour Kittens

Each handmade creation is a reflection of its maker! Your yarn choice, tension, and stuffing style will give your Amour Kittens their own unique personalities. The photos (once we conjure them!) will show my interpretation based on the lovely image you shared, but please embrace any small differences that make your pair special. That’s the charm of bringing yarn to life with your own hands!

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The Amour Kittens Amigurumi Pattern

General Notes:

Work in continuous rounds unless specified. Use a stitch marker.
Stuff parts firmly but smoothly.
For the whiskers, you can use multiple strands of embroidery floss. For a more defined look, try stiffening them slightly after embroidery or consider using a very fine, flexible (and safe) alternative if you are experienced.

Black Kitten

Head (Using MC1 - Black)

Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6) Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12) Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] x 6. (18) Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] x 6. (24) Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] x 6. (30) Rnd 6: [Sc 4, inc] x 6. (36) Rnd 7: [Sc 5, inc] x 6. (42) Rnds 8-14: Sc in each st around (7 rounds). (42) Rnd 15: [Sc 5, dec] x 6. (36) Rnd 16: [Sc 4, dec] x 6. (30) Rnd 17: [Sc 3, dec] x 6. (24) Start stuffing the head firmly. Rnd 18: [Sc 2, dec] x 6. (18) Rnd 19: [Sc 1, dec] x 6. (12) Finish stuffing. Rnd 20: Dec x 6. (6) FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Weave tail through FLO of final 6 sts and pull to close.

Ears (Make 2, using MC1 - Black)

Rnd 1: Start 4 sc in a MR. (4) Rnd 2: [Sc 1, inc] x 2. (6) Rnd 3: [Sc 2, inc] x 2. (8) Rnd 4: [Sc 3, inc] x 2. (10) Rnd 5: Sc in each st around. (10) FO, leaving a tail for sewing. Do not stuff. Flatten.

Body (Using MC1 - Black)

Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6) Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12) Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] x 6. (18) Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] x 6. (24) Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] x 6. (30) Rnd 6: [Sc 4, inc] x 6. (36) Rnds 7-12: Sc in each st around (6 rounds). (36) (This forms the wider base) Rnd 13: [Sc 4, dec] x 6. (30) Rnds 14-17: Sc in each st around (4 rounds). (30) Rnd 18: [Sc 3, dec] x 6. (24) Rnds 19-20: Sc in each st around (2 rounds). (24) FO, leaving a long tail for sewing to the head. Stuff firmly, ensuring the base is flat and stable for sitting.

Forelimbs (Make 2, using MC1 - Black)

Rnd 1: Start 5 sc in a MR. (5) Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (10) Rnds 3-10: Sc in each st around (8 rounds). (10) Stuff lightly, leaving the top open for sewing. FO, leaving a tail for sewing.

Tail (Using MC1 - Black)

Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6) Rnds 2-18: Sc in each st around (17 rounds). (6) (Adjust length if desired) Do not stuff, or stuff very lightly only at the base if preferred. FO, leaving a tail for sewing.

White Kitten

Head (Using MC2 - White)

Work as for Black Kitten Head.

Ears (Make 2, using MC2 - White for outer, Pale Pink for inner)

Outer Ear (Make 2 with MC2 - White): Rnd 1: Start 4 sc in a MR. (4) Rnd 2: [Sc 1, inc] x 2. (6) Rnd 3: [Sc 2, inc] x 2. (8) Rnd 4: [Sc 3, inc] x 2. (10) Rnd 5: Sc in each st around. (10) FO, leaving a tail for sewing. Do not stuff. Flatten.
Inner Ear Lining (Make 2 with Pale Pink yarn): Ch 3. Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 1, 3 sc in last ch. Working on other side of foundation ch, sc 1. (5 sts total, creates a small oval/triangle). FO, leaving a tail to sew to outer ear.
Sew Pink Inner Ear Lining onto the front of each White Outer Ear piece.

Body (Using MC2 - White)

Work as for Black Kitten Body.

Forelimbs (Make 2, using MC2 - White)

Work as for Black Kitten Forelimbs.

Tail (Using MC2 - White)

Work as for Black Kitten Tail.

Small Red Heart Applique (For White Kitten's Ear, using Red yarn)

This is very small and can be tricky. Option 1 (Crocheted): Rnd 1: In a MR, [ch 2, 2 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, ch 1, 1 dc (point of heart), ch 1, 1 sc, 1 hdc, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st to MR]. Pull MR tight. Shape carefully. FO, leaving a tail to sew onto one of the white kitten's ears. Option 2 (Embroidered): Use red embroidery floss to carefully embroider a small heart shape onto one ear.

Shared Heart (Using Red yarn)

Make 2 identical flat heart pieces: Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6) Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12) Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] x 6. (18) Rnd 4: [Sc 5, inc] x 3. (21) Rnd 5: Sc in each st around. (21) Now we form the two lobes. You'll work on one lobe, then rejoin yarn for the second. First Lobe: Rnd 6a: Sc in next 10 sts. Leave remaining 11 sts unworked for now. (10) Rnd 7a: Dec, sc 6, dec. (8) Rnd 8a: Dec, sc 4, dec. (6) FO, weave in end. Second Lobe: Rejoin yarn in the next unworked stitch from Rnd 5 (the stitch immediately after the 10 worked for the first lobe). Rnd 6b: Sc in next 11 sts (this includes the "middle" stitch that might feel tight). It might be easier to count 10 for this lobe and one central unworked stitch. Aim to use all remaining stitches from Rnd 5. If it's 10 for this lobe leaving one center st unworked, that's fine. Let's aim for sc in next 10 sts. Rnd 7b: Dec, sc 6, dec. (8) Rnd 8b: Dec, sc 4, dec. (6) FO. This method makes two distinct lobes on a wider base. Alternative simpler flat heart (make 2): Ch 2. Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (or use MR). Sl st to first sc. (6) Rnd 2: Ch 1, [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] x 3. Sl st to first sc. (9) Rnd 3: Ch 1, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts] x 3. Sl st to first sc. (12) Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc 2, (hdc, dc) in next st, (dc, hdc) in next st, sc 2, sl st (valley), sc 2, (hdc, dc) in next st, (dc, hdc) in next st, sc 2. Sl st to first sc. (Creates heart shape). FO.

Once you have two flat heart pieces, hold them wrong sides together. Sc around the edges through both layers to join, stuffing lightly before you fully close.

Collar Strings (Make 2, using Red yarn)

Ch 35-45 (or desired length to go around kitten's neck and reach the heart). FO.

Assembly Instructions for Your Amour Kittens

This is where your pair comes together! Pin everything carefully.

Kitten Assembly (Repeat for both kittens, using respective colors):
- Ears to Head: Sew the ears to the top of the head, slightly curved forward. For the white kitten, ensure the pink inner linings are visible, and sew the tiny red heart applique to the front of one ear.
- Head to Body: Sew the head securely to the body.
- Forelimbs to Body: Sew the forelimbs to the upper front/sides of the body. Position them so they can angle inwards towards where the heart will be.
- Tail to Body: Sew the tail to the lower back of the body. Arrange it in a gentle curl beside the kitten.
Facial Features (Repeat for both kittens, using contrasting embroidery floss):
- Eyes: Embroider sleepy, closed eyes (curved lines) as seen in the image. White floss on the black kitten, black floss on the white kitten.
- Nose: For the white kitten, embroider a small black 'V' or 'Y' shaped nose. For the black kitten, if desired, use a very dark grey or a single strand of white to suggest a tiny nose, or omit if it looks too stark – it's very subtle in the image.
- Whiskers: Using 2-3 strands of embroidery floss, embroider 2-3 long whiskers on each side of the muzzle area. White floss on the black kitten, black floss on the white kitten. Try to make them straight and even. (Optional: apply a tiny bit of fabric stiffener carefully to the floss whiskers once embroidered if you want them more rigid, avoiding the main crochet fabric).
Positioning and Joining Kittens with Heart:
- Place the two kittens side-by-side, facing slightly towards each other.
- Position the large red heart between them.
- Angle the inner forelimbs of each kitten so their paws are touching or "holding" the sides of the heart. Securely sew the paws to the heart.
- Take one red collar string, tie it gently around the black kitten's neck (or stitch it neatly at the back), and then sew the ends of the string to the top indent/center of the shared heart.
- Repeat with the other red collar string for the white kitten, attaching it to the other side of the heart's indent.
- You may want to add a few discreet stitches between the kittens' bodies if you want them permanently snuggled together.
Final Touches: Weave in all remaining ends securely.

Tips & Tricks for Your Amour Kittens

Symmetry is Sweet: Take extra care when embroidering faces and placing ears to get them as symmetrical as possible. Use pins as guides!
Stuffing Matters: Stuff firmly for good shape, but avoid over-stuffing, which can stretch stitches. The base of the bodies needs to be flat and stable.
Whiskers with Wow: If embroidering whiskers, use a long needle to pass the floss through the head from one side to the other for the longest whiskers, then back through to secure. Or, embroider each one individually by bringing the needle up from inside the head, making the whisker stitch, and going back down very close by, securing the end inside.

Customization Corner:

Monochromatic Kittens: Make both kittens the same color, or choose other sweet pairings like grey and pink!
Different Heart: Try a pastel heart, or even a tiny striped one.
Personalized Tag: Add a tiny embroidered initial on the heart or a paw.

Gifting Your Handmade Lovebirds:

Present them on a small decorative cushion or in a gift box lined with soft fabric.
Include a little card: "Handmade with love by [Your Name]."

Frequently Asked Pattern & Finishing Questions for Your Amour Kittens

Q: My kittens don't sit stably. What can I do? A: Ensure the base of the body is stuffed firmly and shaped to be as flat as possible. When sewing the head on, make sure it's balanced. If they are still a bit wobbly, you can insert a small, flat piece of plastic canvas or cardboard (covered in fabric if you like) into the very base before fully stuffing the body.
Q: The tiny heart applique for the ear is too fiddly! Any tips? A: It is quite small! Take your time. Using a smaller hook than for the main project can help with tiny details. Alternatively, as mentioned, carefully embroidering the heart shape directly onto the ear with red floss is a good option, or even cutting a tiny heart from red felt and neatly stitching it on.
Q: How do I get the whiskers to look neat and not droopy? A: Use good quality embroidery floss (2-3 strands). Ensure your stitches are anchored well inside the head. Pull them taut but not so tight they pucker the face. If they still droop, a tiny dab of clear fabric glue or stiffener applied very carefully to the base of each whisker (where it exits the head) can help, or stiffen the floss strands before embroidering. Always test on a scrap first.

A Final Word & Caring for Your Adorable Amour Kittens

There you have it – your very own pair of Amour Kittens, ready to share their sweet message of affection! I hope you've adored bringing them to life as much as I enjoyed designing this pattern for you. Each stitch made with love truly shows in the final creation. These little ones are a testament to the warmth and connection that handmade items can bring.

Remember, your support of Patricia Poltera's Amigurumi Pattern Parlour, through your makes, your kind words, and your enthusiasm, is what allows me to keep crafting and sharing these patterns freely. Thank you immensely. May your hooks always be happy and your yarn basket full!

Warmly, Patricia

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