Treat your feline friend to the ultimate cozy retreat with this adorable Crochet Axolotl Cat Bed! This whimsical pet cave combines ultimate comfort with cute amigurumi-style aesthetics, featuring iconic axolotl gills, stubby feet, and a sweet face. Perfect for cats who love to burrow and snuggle, it makes a stunning addition to any pet lover’s home.
Why Your Cat Will Love This Axolotl Pet Cave
This handmade pet bed is crocheted using super bulky yarn to ensure a sturdy, thick-walled structure that holds its shape while staying incredibly soft. The enclosed dome design provides a sense of security and warmth, making it the perfect hideaway for daily cat naps. Plus, the playful pink axolotl design brings a touch of modern handmade charm to your living space.
Crochet Pattern: Cozy Axolotl Crochet Cat Bed Free Pattern
Materials
Super Bulky (Weight 6) chenille or t-shirt yarn in Light Pink (approx. 600 yds)
Super Bulky (Weight 6) yarn in Hot Pink (approx. 200 yds)
Super Bulky (Weight 6) yarn in Cream/Off-White (approx. 100 yds)
8.0 mm (U.S. L/11) crochet hook (or size needed to obtain a stiff, structural gauge)
Black worsted weight yarn for embroidering eyes and mouth
Yarn needle and scissors
Stitch markers
Abbreviations
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
inc – increase (2 single crochet in same stitch)
dec – decrease (single crochet 2 together)
sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
FLO – front loops only
BLO – back loops only
Instructions
Note on Construction: This pet bed is worked from the bottom up. To ensure the dome holds its shape, work with a tight gauge. You can optionally insert a flexible plastic hoop or wire inside the opening trim to help keep it perfectly round.
Step 1: The Base (Hot Pink)
Round 1: Start with a magic ring, work 8 sc into the ring. (8 sts)
Round 2: [inc] in each st around. (16 sts)
Round 3: [sc 1, inc] repeat around. (24 sts)
Round 4: [sc 2, inc] repeat around. (32 sts)
Round 5: [sc 3, inc] repeat around. (40 sts)
Round 6: [sc 4, inc] repeat around. (48 sts)
Round 7: [sc 5, inc] repeat around. (56 sts)
Round 8: [sc 6, inc] repeat around. (64 sts)
Round 9: [sc 7, inc] repeat around. (72 sts)
Round 10: [sc 8, inc] repeat around. (80 sts)
Round 11: [sc 9, inc] repeat around. (88 sts)
Round 12: [sc 10, inc] repeat around. (96 sts)
Round 13: In BLO, sc in each st around to create a flat edge. Fasten off Hot Pink.
Step 2: The Main Dome Body (Light Pink)
Round 14-22: Join Light Pink. Sc in each st around. (96 sts)
Now we will create the opening by working in rows instead of continuous rounds.
Row 23: Sc in next 70 sts, ch 1, turn (leave 26 sts unworked for the front opening). (70 sts)
Row 24-38: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (70 sts)
Now we reconnect the round to complete the top of the dome.
Round 39: Sc across the 70 sts, then ch 20 to bridge across the opening. Join to the first st of the row. (90 sts total)
Round 40: Sc in each st and chain around. (90 sts)
Round 41: [sc 7, dec] repeat around. (80 sts)
Round 42: [sc 6, dec] repeat around. (70 sts)
Round 43: [sc 5, dec] repeat around. (60 sts)
Round 44: [sc 4, dec] repeat around. (50 sts)
Round 45: [sc 3, dec] repeat around. (40 sts)
Round 46: [sc 2, dec] repeat around. (30 sts)
Round 47: [sc 1, dec] repeat around. (20 sts)
Round 48: [dec] repeat around. (10 sts)
Fasten off, weave the tail through the remaining stitches to pull closed, and secure.
Step 3: Face Plate & Opening Trim (Cream Yarn)
Attach Cream yarn to any stitch on the lower edge of the front opening.
Round 1: Work single crochets evenly all the way around the rim of the opening. (Aim for approx. 50-60 sts depending on tension).
Round 2: In FLO, inc in every 4th stitch around to flare the face plate outwards flat against the body.
Round 3: Sc in each st around. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Step 4: Gills (Make 6 – 3 for each side)
With Hot Pink, ch 10.
Row 1: Sl st in second ch from hook and next 3 chs, [ch 5, sl st down the chain] to create a branched gill look. Fasten off leaving a long tail.
Fringe: Cut several 4-inch pieces of Light Pink and Hot Pink yarn. Knot them like fringe into the ends of each gill branch to create the fluffy, feathered axolotl gill appearance. Trim neatly.
Sew three gills stacked vertically on the left and right sides of the face plate.
Step 5: Feet (Make 2 in Light Pink)
Round 1: Magic ring with 6 sc.
Round 2: [inc] in each st. (12 sts)
Round 3-6: Sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Fasten off, stuff lightly, and sew to the bottom front of the bed on either side of the opening.
Step 6: Final Details
Using black yarn, embroider two large closed or open eyes and a happy curved smile on the cream face plate above the opening.
Add small pink blush cheeks using Hot Pink yarn or felt circles.
