---
title: "Bean There, Week Two – the Cat’s Cradle Quilt Block"
date: 2025-05-16
author: "Phoebe Moon"
featured_image: "https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/cat-cradle-block.jpg"
categories:
  - name: "Quilt Block Tutorial"
    url: "/category/block-tutorial.md"
---

# Bean There, Week Two – the Cat’s Cradle Quilt Block

## How to Make a Cat’s Cradle Quilt Block

This is the block we are making this month.

![cat-cradle-block](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/cat-cradle-block-230x230.jpg)

I used this method in the free [Follow Me Fish Quilt Block and Pattern](https://scrapdash.com/follow-me-fish-quilt-block/). Because there is a detailed tutorial on that page, I am not going repeat it here. This block is very similar to the [Shaded Four-Patch block](https://scrapdash.com/shaded-four-patch/). The tutorial for that block shows a fourth method of making it. I would recommend looking it over just in case you like that method the best.

## Method One uses HSTs

How easy is this! Just 2-1/2″ (unfinished) squares. You will have an awful lot of seams, though. The block finishes to 4-1/2″ square. I recommend pressing seams open or [twirling them](https://scrapdash.com/four-patch-quilt-blocks/) to keep bulk down. Cutting instructions for this method are at the bottom of this tutorial.

![Colorful floral patterned scrapbook paper with geometric designs, ideal for crafting and DIY projects.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Cats-cradle-HSTs.jpg) Need 24 of these blocks



![Vibrant geometric quilt blocks featuring floral and leaf patterns in yellow, red, and green, perfect for DIY quilting projects and scrap fabric arrangements.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Green-Gold-HST.jpg) Need 16 of these blocks



![Efficient scrap metal recycling and management platform by Scrapdash for sustainable waste solutions and scrap yard automation.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Green-HST-corner.jpg) Need 24 of these blocks



![Scrapdash app interface screenshot illustrating recycling and scrap management tools for efficient material tracking.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/red-corner-HST.jpg) Need 16 of these blocks







## method two also uses HSTs

This method starts the same way as the [Shaded Four-Patch block](https://scrapdash.com/shaded-four-patch/) but instead of the square at one end, you use an HST. This gets a bit tricky. You need to make sure the point is going in the correct direction. (Ask me how I know…)

### Make a test block first!

![Orange and floral patterned fabric in quilt corners for sewing or craft projects, detailed close-up with colorful floral motifs and geometric designs.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Cats-cradle-cut-hst.jpg) Graphic showing sewing lines and cutting lines



![Assorted quilt corners with red and white fabric, arranged on a green cutting mat for sewing or quilting project.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CC-packet.jpg) Lines drawn on fabric



![Piecing quilt square with quilting rulers on green cutting mat, showcasing precise fabric cutting and seam allowances for quilting projects.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CC-orange-gold.jpg) Cutting the packet with the Cat’s Cradle ruler



![CC-with-squareup-ruler](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CC-with-squareup-ruler.jpg)Squaring up the 4-1/2″ block







To make the unit in the graphic above, you would sew a 2-1/2″ unfinished Orange HST to a 2-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ White rectangle. Make (2) and sew them together as shown. Keep pressing those seams open. It really will make things easier later on.

Place this unit right sides together with a 4-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ **Gold** rectangle. The dark line is the sewing line. The dotted line is the cutting line. Cut on the dotted line. One unit like this will make two blocks like the one on the left below. Make 24. Repeat this process with the Green HSTs. This time you will only need to make 16.

![cat-cradle-block](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/cat-cradle-block-230x230.jpg)Make 24 using Orange HSTs.





![Colorful patterned wallpaper with floral and geometric designs, vibrant yellow and orange hues, and a green corner detail for interior decor.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/cats-cradle-block-green-230x230.jpg) Make 16 using Green HSTs.









Do it again! Make a unit like the one above, this time using Green HSTs. Place it right sides together with a 4-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ **White** rectangle. Cut on the dotted line. One unit like this will make two blocks like the one below. Make 24. Repeat this process with the Red HSTs. This time you will only need to make 16. Cutting instructions for this method are at the bottom of this tutorial.

![Scrapdash platform interface showing recycling and scrap management features.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Green-and-White-Cats-Cradle-1.jpg) Make 24 using Green HSTs.





![Red and green decorative corner with a Christmas theme, featuring holly leaves and berries, on textured light gray background.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/red-and-white-cats-cradle.jpg) Make 16 using Red HSTs.









## methods three uses a clipped corner

This is the method used in [Follow Me Fish](https://scrapdash.com/follow-me-fish-quilt-block/).

This time you start with a unit like the one below. That’s a 2-1/2″ square matched to a to a 2-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ White rectangle. You will also need a 2-1/2″ square to snub the corner after the unit is completed.

![Orange floral patterned scrapbook paper with geometric borders for craft projects.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Cats-cradle-squares-400x485.jpg) 

![Colorful Moroccan-style tile patterns with vibrant yellow, orange, pink, and teal accents showcasing intricate geometric floral designs.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CC-gold-orange-228x230.jpg) Make 24



![Scrapdash colorful patterned paper collection for crafts and DIY projects.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CC-gold-green-230x230.jpg) Make 16



![CC-green-square](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CC-green-square-230x230.jpg)Make 24



![Scrapdash logo showcasing recycling and scrap management services clean design with eco-friendly symbols.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CC-white-red-230x230.jpg) Make 16







Remember that after you make these blocks, you have to add a white 2-1/2″ square over the colored corner square so you can sew on the diagonal to make the clipped corner. The tutorial is at [Follow Me Fish](https://scrapdash.com/follow-me-fish-quilt-block/). Cutting instructions for this method are at the bottom of this tutorial.

## **This week you will be making the 24 orange blocks.**

![cat-cradle-block](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/cat-cradle-block-230x230.jpg)

Use your favorite method above to make 24 of these blocks.





### Here are the fabric requirements for the **next three weeks.**

#### **Method One:**

- (120) 2-1/2″ white squares. That would require (8) 2-1/2″ strips of white, cut into 2-1/2″ square.
- (40) 2-1/2″ gold squares. That would require (3) 2-1/2″ strips of gold, cut into 2-1/2″ squares
- (40) 2-1/2″ green HSTs. Use your favorite method to make these.
- (16) 2-1/2″ red HSTs. Use your favorite method to make these.
- (24) 2-1/2″ orange HSTs. Use your favorite method to make these.

#### **Method Two:**

- (80) 2-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ white rectangles. That would require (7) 3-1/2″ strips of white
- (20) 4-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ white rectangles. That would require (3) 4-1/2″ strips of white
- (20) 4-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ gold rectangles. That would require (3) 4-1/2″ strips of gold
- (40) 2-1/2″ green HSTs. Use your favorite method to make these.
- (16) 2-1/2″ red HSTs. Use your favorite method to make these.
- (24) 2-1/2″ orange HSTs. Use your favorite method to make these.

#### **Method Three:**

- (80) 2-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ white rectangles. That would require (7) 3-1/2″ strips of white
- (20) 4-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ white rectangles. That would require (3) 4-1/2″ strips of white
- (20) 4-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ gold rectangles. That would require (3) 4-1/2″ strips of gold
- (40) 2-1/2″ green squares. That would require (3) 2-1/2″ strips.
- (16) 2-1/2″ red squares. That would require (1) 2-1/2″ strip.
- (24) 2-1/2″ orange squares. That would require (2) 2-1/2″ strips.
- (80) 2-1/2″ white squares. That would require (5) 2-1/2″ strips.





## Sewalong Schedule

- [Introduction](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-quilt/)
- [Week One: ](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-sewalong-introduction)5/10/25. Making HSTs with Magic
- [Week Two:](https://scrapdash.com/making-the-cats-cradle-quilt-block/) 5/17/25. Three Methods of Making the Cat’s Cradle block.
- [Week Three:](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-week-three/) 5/24/25. Making the Cat’s Cradle Red Blocks
- [Week Four:](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-green-week/) 5/31/25. Making the Cat’s Cradle Green Blocks
- [Week Five](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-week-five/): 6/7/25. Catchup and Cutting Ahead
- [Week Six:](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-week-six-flying-geese/) 6/14/25. Ten Methods of Making Flying Geese Blocks
- [Week Seven](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-week-seven): 6/21/25. Making More Flying Geese
- [Week Eight:](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-week-eight/) 6/28/25. Catchup and Sewing Ahead
- [Week Nine:](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-week-nine/) 7/5/25. Finally putting the blocks together
- [Week Ten:](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-week-ten/) 7/12/25. Adding the borders and finishing. Whew!

If you would prefer to work from a pattern,[ it is available here](https://scrapdash.com/quilt-patterns/bean-there-quilt-pattern/).