I started with the stitches used in the pattern, but decided that with Simply Soft being a softer yarn with plies that might be more easily caught by kitty claws I might need to make the covering pieces from tighter stitches, using the dimensions from the pattern. I plan to use a G hook and single crochet. Jim agreed with the plan.

I asked for Jim to measure the area his cat will need to be comfortable to plan for the size couch I need to make. The normal usable space for this 21” X 14” kitty couch would be about 17” X 12”. He needs 20” X 15”, so I need to make my base 24” X 17” and have the back be 24” wide. To make the crochet fabric 24” wide with a G hook takes about 90 sc’s.

He wants no pillows, but a big granny square blanket (as opposed to the blanket with small granny squares given in the pattern for the green sofa, which I did not want to make) with charcoal, heather grey, red, harvest red, autumn red, and white or off white or both.
Mini blanket project for this kitty couch: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/nanapatlee/basic-granny-...

Ruffle without gathers and pleats on corners instead. Because a true pleat involves 3 layers, I went with a simulated pleat by folding the ends in and putting folded ends very close to each other. Made these just on front 2 corners.

Ch 91. Cover for the base made all in one piece similar to the plan by one person for doing a regular size couch. Size of the width of crocheted piece increased to 24” with 17” plus 4” tall, then increasing width to 32” for 17” more height, then back to 24” for 4” height. When done, I sewed the 4 corners, added foam and sewed remaining panel together to form complete cover of base.

I would not use sc if i did another large one with this yarn, as the time and effort involved can be very discouraging. In fact, I would not want to use this yarn for this kind of project at all due to its softness and it being so thin and loosely spun.

When sewing back to couch, I left the foam out for the first seam, which was the front seam. Tried to get it 2” from edge, but didn’t quite make that (1 1/2 to 1 3/4” from edge). Put foam in and sewed back and side seams. Sewed mini granny square afghan to center of back.

Making arms a bit larger to balance out the size of the base--arms 2” longer and 1/2” taller (11” X 4 1/2”) than pattern (9” X 4”); I cut the foam 11” X 9” instead of pattern size 9” X 8”. See photo of foam pieces and resulting arms on finished kitty couch.

There is a facebook group--Kitty Couch Crocheteer’s-- for people making kitty couches to help and share!