Cat’s Cradle 2 at a Time

I am writing these instructions so that you can use any regular quilt ruler that has a 45° angle line, but you can also use the Creative Grids Cat's Cradle Tool Quilt Ruler. Be aware that I have written these instructions to cut all the various pieces to the exact size you will need, so that you won’t have to trim down the finished unit. However, the instructions which come with the ruler have you cut your pieces oversized and then trim down the finished block.

A Cat’s Cradle unit is a square composed of a square, a large triangle, and two small triangles. Measurements are based upon the finished size of this square.

Math and Cutting Instructions:

• For the small square:
  • Divide the desired finished size of the whole Cat’s Cradle unit by two, then add ½".
  • Cut two squares to this measurement.
  • Example for a 6" finished Cat’s Cradle:
    • 6 ÷ 2 = 3.
    • 3 + ½ = 3½.
    • Cut these squares to 3½".
• For the small triangles:
  • Add ¾" to the measurement found for the small square.
  • Cut two rectangles which are the size of the small square on the short side and the longer measurement you just calculated on the long side.
  • Example for a 6" finished Cat’s Cradle:
    • 3½ + ¾ = 4¼.
    • Cut these rectangles to 3½" × 4¼".
• For the large triangle:
  • Add ½" to the desired finished size of the whole Cat’s Cradle unit.
  • Add ¾" to the measurement you just calculated.
  • Cut one rectangle using these two measurements.
  • Example for a 6" finished Cat’s Cradle
    • 6 + ½ = 6½.
    • 6½ + ¾ = 7¼.
    • Cut this rectangle to 6½" × 7¼".

Sewing Instructions:

1. Sew one square to the end of one small rectangle, right sides together, using a ¼" seam allowance.
2. Open this new strip and press the seam allowance towards the rectangle.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 with the second square and small rectangle.
4. Stack these two strips, right sides together, with the squares on opposite ends. Do NOT nest the seams, instead match the ends of the strips.
5. Sew these strips together along one long edge, using a ¼" seam allowance.
6. Open this new rectangle and press the seam allowances towards the small rectangles. The seam allowance will twist in the center. This new rectangle should be the same size as the large rectangle you have cut.
7. Place this piece wrong side up on your cutting mat. Then either:
   1. Align your ruler so that the 45° angle line lines up with either an edge of this rectangle or with any of the seams. The edge of the ruler should exactly cross the point of the seams that define the square. The square should be fully underneath the ruler, with the edge crossing diagonally across the small rectangles. OR
   2. If you are using the Creative Grids Cat’s Cradle Tool, find the marks on the ruler that say “Place on Seam Line” and line these lines up with the seams that define the small square.
8. Draw a line along the edge of the ruler.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 on the opposite corner of this unit. You should now have two parallel lines which cross diagonally across the small rectangles.
10. Stack this unit on top of the large rectangle, right sides together.
11. Sew on the drawn lines.
12. Cut the units apart between the seams by placing the ¼" mark of any ruler on one seam and cutting.
13. Then trim a small sliver off the second unit in the same manner to even up the seam allowance to exactly ¼".
14. Open the Cat’s Cradle units and press the seam allowances towards the large triangle and trim off the dog-ears.

Split Cat’s Cradle Variation:

A Split Cat’s Cradle has a HST unit in the corner instead of a square. There are two ways you can do this:

1. You can make a pair of HSTs before you do Step 1 above.
   1. Divide the desired finished size of the whole Cat’s Cradle unit by two, then add 7/8". Cut one square of each desired fabric and make the HSTs according to the simple Half Square Triangles tutorial. I recommend you press the seam allowances of the HSTs towards the fabric which will be the outer corner of the Cat’s Cradle.
   2. Use one (or both, if desired) of the HSTs in place of the small squares, making sure you line them up the correct direction before you sew them to the ends of the small rectangles in Step 1 and check again before you sew the strips together in Step 4.
      1. In the most common configuration, you will want the seam of the HST to be aligned so that it crosses diagonally across what will be the outer corner of the Cat’s Cradle. Make sure that the color you want to be on the outer point is positioned that way.
      2. If you are making the variation that has the seam of the HST running from the corner to the center of the Cat’s Cradle, place the HST appropriately. This is also directional, so make sure you have the correct colors to the right and left sides of the center seam of the HST. OR
2. You can do a flip-and-fold corners over the square after you have completed the Cat’s Cradle.
   1. Cut a square of contrasting fabric which is the same size as the small squares you cut for the Cat’s Cradle.
   2. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of a contrasting square.
   3. Place this contrasting square over the square of the Cat’s Cradle, right sides together.
   4. Sew on the line.
   5. Trim the seam allowance to ¼", open the corner triangle, and press the seam allowance towards the corner of the block.
   6. Repeat Steps A-E for the second Cat’s Cradle, if desired.

Note: to use the HST method to make a Split Cat’s Cradle, you will have to use my exact measurements in this tutorial. If you choose to use the over-sized measurements that are printed on the Creative Grids Cat’s Cradle Tool instructions, you will have to do the Flip-and-Fold corner method after you have trimmed the Cat’s Cradle down to its proper size. If you are using the over-sized measurements, you will still need to use my math to cut the contrasting square to the proper size.