Why does the ear pattern mention starting with grey and then black?

That's simply how the color changes are laid out for this particular ear, with one shade starting the piece and another taking over partway through. Follow the round-by-round color notes in the pattern itself for the exact order.

Do I need to stuff the arms as firmly as the body?

The arms are small, so a lighter, even stuffing keeps them soft and bendable rather than stiff. Save the firmer stuffing for the body so it holds its rounded shape.

What's the best way to attach the ears and arms to the body?

Pin them in place first so both ears and both arms sit evenly before sewing, since amigurumi pieces shift easily once you start stitching. A yarn needle and matching color thread keep the seams nearly invisible.

Can I skip the embroidery thread and crochet the face instead?

You could, but the pattern is written to use black embroidery thread for the eyes and mouth because it gives cleaner, thinner lines than yarn. Embroidery thread is worth keeping on hand for this one.

Crochet a Pusheen cat amigurumi at home

LevelIntermediate
Time4-6 hours
Hook2 mm
YarnSport/DK

About This Pattern

This little cat is all soft mood, the kind of quiet joy Pusheen has become famous for online. I love how the shape rounds up into something so simple and expressive without a single fussy detail. It's a project that puts a smile on your face before you even weave in the last end. Working the grey body round after round feels like humming along to a favorite song.

Your hands will spend most of their time in plain single crochet, round after round, which is exactly the kind of rhythm I like on a quiet afternoon. You'll practice steady increases and decreases to shape the body from a tight start to a rounded belly. The ears ask for a bit more attention since the color changes every couple of rounds. Nothing here is technically hard, just steady and repetitive in the best way.

Once it's stuffed and the face is embroidered on, this cat settles onto a shelf like it's always lived there. It's small enough to tuck onto a windowsill or prop against a stack of books. The grey body and simple black features give it that calm, watchful cat look. I like mine sitting near my coffee mug, keeping an eye on my crochet basket.

Set the ears aside and move to the body, beginning with a magic ring and shaping it through a run of increase rounds.
Keep crocheting even rounds on the body until the sides grow tall enough to hold a generous amount of fiberfill.
Stuff the body firmly as you go so the shape stays round instead of collapsing once you close the top.
Crochet the tail starting in black, then change colors every two rounds until round 23 for a striped effect.
Sew the ears, arms, tail, and any final details onto the body once every piece has been stuffed and closed.
Finish by embroidering the face with black thread, giving the amigurumi its calm, familiar Pusheen expression.

On the desk

Yarn

Yarn Art Jeans (Sport or DK lightweight yarn).
Crochet hook in 2mm-2.5mm sizes.
Black embroidery thread for expressions.
Polyester Fiberfill
Yarn needles
Safety eyes size 5mm. You should avoid if the receiver is a baby under 3 years.

Stitch shorthand

MR — Magic Circle
SC — Single Crochet
DC — Double Crochet
SLST — Slip Stitch
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
INC — Double Crochet Increase
DEC — Decrease
FLO — Front Loop Only: Written in pattern for working in the FL of the top loops.