How to Make a Cute Pony Bead Cat (Free Pattern!)

This step-by-step tutorial will show you all the tricks and tips to make adorable pony bead cats!

Pony bead critters are officially making a comeback, and this cat is one you’ll want to add to your collection. Just like the classic lizards and snakes from the 90s, this pattern is easy, nostalgic, and totally fun to make.

If you’ve already mastered my lizard and snake tutorials, you’re ready for the next step—and these pony bead cats are it. The finished project is super cute, whether you clip it to a backpack, turn it into a keychain, or just keep it as a tiny bead pet.

How to Make a Pony Bead Cat

Materials

29 body color pony beads
15 belly color pony beads
2 eye color pony beads
1 nose color pony bead
2 feet of ribbon, yarn, or string
printable cat pattern
scissors
keyring (optional)

Step-by-Step Tutorial

First row — Start by threading 6 body color pony beads onto your string. Push them to the middle of the string.

Left ear, step 1 — Make the left ear by looping the left end of the string thorough the second bead from the left.

Left ear — Pull the string all the way through so that the first bead is on top of the second bead.

Right ear, step 1 — Make the right ear by looping the right end of the string through the second bead from the right.

Right ear — Pull the string through so that the first bead is on top of the second bead.
At this point, you make need to loosen and tighten the string to move the ears to the remaining two beads in the center.

Second row, step 1 — For each row after this, you are going to use this traditional pony beading method: First, reference the pattern to see which colors to use. Following the order in the pattern, thread the beads on to the left end of the string.
Leave them near the end. Thread the right end of the string through the beads going the opposite direction to the left.

Second row complete — Pull both ends of the string tight so that the beads sit below the previous row. You can play with how tight to pull your rows: too tight will cause them to pucker and too loose will cause them to sag.

Tail, step 1 — Follow the pattern to make the body of the cat. When you get to the last row of the cat, thread all 7 of the beads for the tail onto the right side.

Tail, step 2 — Loop just the right side of the string up to the 5th row. Pass the right string through the beads in the 5th row.

Tail, step 3 — Tie the string off around the string that passes between the 4th and 5th rows. To hide the knot, you can pass the string back through the 4th row and pull it just tight enough that the knot is pulled into the row. Then, cut the string as close to the row as you can so that none of the string is sticking out.

Finishing off — To finish, tie the left end of the string off around the string between the 7th and 8th rows (last 2 rows). To hide the knot, pass the string back through the last row and pull it just tight enough that the knot is pulled into the row. Then, cut the string as close to the row as you can so that none of the string is sticking out.

Optional Keychain start

If you want to include a keychain you can add it when you make the ears in the first step.

Start by threading the 6 body color pony beads onto your string and push them to the middle.

Add a keychain on either the left or right side right after the last bead on that side.

Then, follow the directions to make the ears. The keychain will stack right on top of the top bead in the ear!

More Free Beading Patterns!

Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basic pony bead cat, you might be looking for some next steps. Here’s a few ideas!

Mini Cats: You can make these cats using thread, a beading needle, and seed beads. These are small enough to make adorable dangle earrings.
Play with Beads: Try using a different type of bead! Ceramic beads, metal beads, wooden beads — they’ll all work, as long as they are either circular or oval in shape.
Play with String: You can use rainbow elastic, silky ribbon, curling ribbon (my favorite!), or yarn to make cats. Each ribbon gives you a different style of pony bead cats.