Are you ready to give amigurumi crochet patterns a try but not sure where to begin? These soft and cuddly stuffed toys may seem complicated, but with the right pattern and yarn, you’ll be well on your way to a professional-looking finished project.
The key to a successful amigurumi project is to know your skill level and select a project accordingly.
Choosing an Amigurumi Pattern
There are many factors that go into selecting a crochet pattern. Depending on your experience with crochet and with amigurumi projects, you may find some patterns easier than others to complete.
Crochet patterns come in beginner, easy, intermediate and advanced/expert skill levels. The free amigurumi crochet patterns listed below are sorted by skill level to help you easily find the best pattern. If you have never crocheted before, start with one of the beginner or step-by-step patterns. If you have some previous crochet experience but have never made amigurumi before, start with an easy pattern. The intermediate and advanced/expert patterns listed below are best once you have a few finished amigurumi projects under your belt.
25 Free Amigurumi Crochet Patterns
Free Beginner Amigurumi Patterns
- Basic Ball Pattern- Most amigurumi patterns require learning a technique known as the Magic Circle or the Magic Ring. This step-by-step beginner pattern shows you how to begin with The Magic Circle stitch sequence and then increase rows to form a crochet ball. It includes good instructions on how to stuff amigurumi shapes as well.
- Candy Corn Crochet Amigurumi Pattern – If you’re looking for a beginner amigurumi project to complete in one hour or less, start with this Halloween candy corn project. It provides beginners the opportunity to practice simple color changes and increase in- the-round techniques.
- Coral Snake Pattern – If you have a little bit of yarn leftover from some other projects and you’d like to dive into amigurumi, start with this simple snake pattern. Working from the tail of the snake up to the head, it’s a quick project with just six simple single crochet stitches in each round. Gauge isn’t necessary for this project which is also helpful for beginning amigurumi projects.
- Gecko Bookmark Pattern – While technically amigurumi are meant to be stuffed toys, for beginners looking to practice the techniques of adding body parts and basic stitching, try this gecko bookmark pattern. First, create the gecko body and head and then attach the tail, legs, and embellishments for your own literary lizard.
- Pet Pocket Skunk Pattern – If you’re just learning to crochet, this adorable furry skunk pattern makes a terrific first project. The body is crocheted as a flat triangle piece and then sewn together to form a cone. Stuff the cone shape and add a tail to complete this furry pocket pet.
- Unicorn Crochet YouTube Pattern – If you like to pick up craft skills visually rather than from written instructions, you may wish to try this unicorn amigurumi video. It leads you stitch-by-stitch through the entire pattern to complete a cute rainbow unicorn. If you get lost or need to stop, just rewind and watch that section of the tutorial again.
Free Easy Amigurumi Patterns
- Amigurumi Mouse Ornament Pattern – To try your first project with multiple yarn colors, this tiny mouse works up quickly into a holiday ornament or stuffed toy. The body of the mouse is worked from the top of the head to bottom and then coordinating hat and scarf features are added.
- Basic Teddy Bear Pattern – One project that draws people to amigurumi is teddy bears. The classic childhood stuffed toy, this teddy bear pattern offers a good mix of basic amigurumi techniques including crocheting in the round, increasing and decreasing stitches, and sewing on different parts of the teddy bear body. It’s a great pattern to try if you have some crochet experience and looking to start amigurumi.
- Crochet Amigurumi Heart Pattern – With basic amigurumi techniques, this trio of soft hearts come together in under an hour. They can be created in any color and easily turned into keychains, pet accessories, or home decor.
- Lluna the Llama Pattern – If you’re looking for a larger stuffed toy, try out this fun llama pattern. Standing 11” tall when finished, it’s made out of cotton dishcloth yarn and simple increasing and decreasing. Finish the blanket in your favorite colors for a customized project.
- Sparkle and Shimmer Crochet Unicorn Pattern – When Red Heart introduced amigurumi yarn kits complete with everything you need to create a simple amigurumi project, it introduced a whole new set of crocheters to the craft. These adorable matching unicorns are made from 1 ball of the ‘unicorn’ amigurumi yarn.
Free Intermediate Amigurumi Patterns
- DIY Crochet Octopus Pattern – Once you have a few amigurumi patterns completed, trying out different yarns is one way to expand your skills. This cuddly octopus uses bulky-weight blanket yarn, which makes stitches slightly harder to see than standard worsted-weight yarn. The extra care needed for the trickier stitching is worth it for this irresistibly snuggly octopus.
- Francis the Fox Pattern – Spend all day creating this cuddly fox pattern, complete with a coordinating necktie. This pattern calls for a body, legs, and tail made from cotton with a furry beard, ears, and tail made with chunky-weight polyester blanket yarn for some extra fuzz.
- Mini Amigurumi Frog, Parrot and Duck Pattern – Looking to expand your amigurumi experience beyond the basics? This trio of matching critters will provide practice with a number of different amigurumi techniques, including shaping, increasing, decreasing and embroidery. The end result is three tennis-ball-sized critters you’ll be proud of.
- Oliver Crochet Owl Pattern – Two bright blue yarns form the body, head, and wings of this cuddly crochet owl. Intermediate crocheters can practice the increasing and decreasing rounds as well as shaping techniques for the eyes and wings.
- Red Hook Cheeseburger Dog Toy Pattern – If you plan to make amigurumi toys for a special pet, you’ll love this Cheeseburger Dog Toy from crochet designer Amy Gaines. Each piece of the burger is crocheted separately in continuous rounds. Then sew the burger and toppings (lettuce, cheese, and tomato) to the buns for a homemade dog toy.
- Small Cat with Joined Legs Pattern – Designed and crafted by Lilleliiys, these cats use a unique technique for crafting the legs and body together. Rather than create them separately and sew on to the body piece, this pattern practices beginning the legs from the bottom up and joining them in the round to crochet the rest of the body. The product is a nice seamless look for these cuddly kittens.
- Snowman Family Amigurumi Pattern – This trio of father, mother, and child snowmen will make the perfect winter tabletop decorations. The adult snowmen are made with the same pattern and finished with different embellishments. After you finish those two, create the smaller ‘mini’ snowman version in the same style.
- Soft and Sweet Baby Blocks Pattern – Colorwork and crisp edges are the names of the game for these baby blocks. The pattern works each edge of the block flat and then stitches the sides together to form the block shape. It’s a good pattern to try if you’re new to amigurumi but have crochet and piecing experience.
- Two Monkey Amigurumi Pattern – Coordinated brother and sister monkeys make the perfect gift for a toddler or child. The pattern works each monkey top down, adding either a coordinating dress with buttons or pantsuit with stripes. Too cute to pass up!
Free Advanced/Expert Amigurumi Patterns
- Butterfly Amigurumi Pattern – While the finished color blocking may seem complex in these finished butterfly amigurumi, the process is not. Each wing is constructed from flat crochet pieces and then assembled together and stuffed. A contrasting border color is added all around the edge for an extra bold look to the butterfly.
- Crochet Cactus Garden Project – If you’re looking for a unique home decor item or to impress your friends with your amigurumi expertise, consider this garden of crocheted cacti. The pattern includes instructions to make six different amigurumi cacti and then attach them to a round pot filled with crochet soil.
- Crochet Lola Pattern – This stuffed granny is a perfect project for an experienced amigurumi crocheter looking for a fun gift for a child or friend. The body of the doll is crocheted first with the dress and jacket. Add the matching shoes and handbag features next. Finish by adding glasses and Granny Lola’s gray hair.
- Red Heart Gnorbert the Gnome – Red Heart yarn has been a standard for crocheters for decades, in part because of finished projects like this adorable gnome amigurumi. Complete the body and tunic of this huggable guy first and then add on shoes, hat, and details like the mustache and beard.
- Trusty Old Dobbin Hobby Horse Pattern – A classic children’s toy, this hobby horse pattern includes a variety of different crochet and craft techniques. Start by creating the horse head, including nose, ears and mane features. Then crochet a bridle and nosepiece for the adorable critter before attaching it to a painted dowel. Finishing touches include metal grommets and eyes.
Choosing Yarn for Amigurumi
While most of the amigurumi patterns above include information about the best type of yarn to use, amigurumi are often worked in worsted weight yarn. Worsted weight or medium weight yarns are easy to work with and provide a high stitch definition classic to amigurumi projects. Most people select 100% cotton, cotton blend, or acrylic yarns because of their durability and because they clean well. Avoid textured or fuzzy yarns as this will detract from the finished look of the crochet stitches on the amigurumi.
Tips to Crochet Better Amigurumi
Once you choose your amigurumi pattern and purchased yarn, it’s time to start crocheting! As mentioned above, some amigurumi patterns require increasing and decreasing stitches, along with stuffing and shaping. These are crochet techniques that can take some practice to get right, so don’t be discouraged if it takes some practice. Here are some tips that can help you be more successful as you learn to crochet critters of all different sizes:
- Read the pattern instructions completely before you begin. There are some techniques in amigurumi patterns that you may be less familiar with or may need to research online. Make sure you understand what each of the crochet abbreviations means and how to complete each stitch in the pattern.
- Watch for buttons and bobbles for children. If your finished project will end up in the hands of a baby or toddler be careful about adding buttons and textured crochet stitches like bobbles. Embroidery works better for details when chewing or choking may be a safety issue.
- Start with a gauge swatch. Checking your gauge before you begin is important, especially with amigurumi that requires even straight rows. Even small differences in your gauge can make a big difference in the shaping of the finished toy.
- Ask for help from a more experienced crocheter. Sometimes getting the advice from a more experienced crafter can make all the difference in your DIY project. The same applies to crochet, especially when learning to make a specialty item like amigurumi. Ask around at your yarn supply store, check out online forums, or join crochet meet up groups to get some good advice about the technique.
- Practice and persist! As with any new technique, it may take you some time to get the hang of amigurumi. Even though they are small projects, you may need to practice a few before you get the hang of it. Thankfully, they work up quickly and don’t take a lot of yarn to create. Keep practicing and persist until you get the final product.
Related Questions:
What other materials do you need for amigurumi projects?
Besides yarn and the right pattern for your skill level, there are several other items you’ll want to gather before beginning an amigurumi project.
- Ergonomic Crochet Hooks – Many crocheters find that ergonomic crochet hooks work best for amigurumi projects because they require holding a consistent and tight tension which stitching. If you find yourself developing hand or wrist pain while working on amigurumi projects, try an ergonomic hook.
- Stitch markers – Crochet stitch markers are used in patterns like amigurumi that require a specific amount of stitches in a row or require you to increase and decrease stitches in multiple spots in the design. They can also mark the places in your project where you’ll need to sew different parts of the stuffed toy together.
- Yarn Needles – Amigurumi projects are constructed by crocheting individual pieces of the stuffed toy first and then sewing the pieces together. Therefore, you’ll need a yarn needle to complete the final stitching and embroidery details.
- Fiberfill Stuffing – Amigurumi projects can be stuffed with lots of different materials. For beginner projects, it’s recommended to purchase synthetic fiberfill stuffing or material that is safe for small children and pets.
- Embroidery Floss – Many amigurumi projects call for adding the finishing touches on a project with embroidery floss. Using your yarn needle and a contrasting color of embroidery floss, you can add tiny details like noses, mouths, eyebrows, or whiskers.