32 Free and Easy Crochet Animal Patterns
This collection of some of the cutest stuffed crochet animals that I could find is a mixture of easy patterns for beginners and more advanced animal designs for those who have crocheted amigurumi before.
And the best part is that all of these animal amigurumi patterns are free patterns to use and, let’s not forget, are oh so cute! My favorite is definitely the stuffed chicken, which you can find first below. (of course!)
All About Crochet Amigurami
Scroll on down to learn more about amigurumi, as well as find the free pattern collection of some of the most loveable and cutest animals to crochet, like cats, dogs, lions, tigers, an octopus and more!
What is Amigurami?
According to Wikipedia, amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures. It can be used to create stuffed crochet toys, small projects like keychains, and crocheted dolls as well.
Before starting an amigurumi project, there are a few things you should know. Below, explore about the basic stitches, techniques and supplies you’ll want to have on hand when crocheting an amigurumi animal or toy.
Stitches and Techniques for Amigurumi Animals
- Single Crochet: A beginner-friendly basic stitch that is most commonly used in Amigurumi patterns, as well as other types of amigurumi designs. Learn how to single crochet.
- Back Loop Single Crochet: A single crochet that is worked in the back of the v of the single crochet stitch. This technique can be used to create texture on animals and more. Learn how to back loop single crochet.
- Front Loop Single Crochet: Working in the front loop is very similar to the back loop technique, but you will be working in the front loop of the v of the single crochet or the part that is closest to you.
- Single Crochet Increase & Invisible Decrease: These methods create seamless transitions in your toy when you’d like to make a leg go from bigger to smaller or vice versa.
- Magic Loop: The magic loop is a crochet technique that creates a closed, tight bottom of a circle. It can be used for hats, place mats, circles and these cute animals too! Learn more about the Magic loop (or circle) to use this method.
- Changing Yarn Colors: You can learn more changing colors in crochet with our free tutorial. This is helpful for a smooth transition from one color to the next in these toys.
- Attaching Parts: You will need to know how to attach arms, legs, heads, and tails to some of these animals.
Crochet Supplies for Amigurumi Animals
- Stitch Markers: A stitch marker is important to keep track of the rounds you are working in the animal patterns. You will work most toy designs in continuous rounds vs. joined rounds, so it is critical to be able to keep track of the rounds with this marker.
- Crochet Hook: Most animal patterns will use a smaller sized crochet hook than the yarn they are using calls for. This is because it will create a tighter single crochet stitch in the pattern, which in turn makes a cleaner looking end product.
- Safety Eyes: Most of the crocheted animal toys you will find to make use safety eyes. These are usually plastic snap together pieces that form an eye in amigurumi. If you prefer not to use safety eyes, you can surface crochet eyes onto almost any animal instead with yarn or embroidery thread.
- Yarn: While almost any yarn can be used for amigurumi patterns, the most commonly used weight is Light/DK or Medium/Worsted weight yarn. An animal made with DK yarn will be slightly smaller than one made with worsted weight medium yarn, but that is typically the preferred outcome. I also suggest using a brighter yarn as a beginner because it can be tough to see stitches in dark yarns like black, for example. The types of fiber uses can vary, but the post popular are a cotton yarn or acrylic yarns (they are easy to find in fun colors)
- Pins: Pins make it easy to attach extra pieces (nose, yarn eyes, etc.) of the crocheted toy, so when they are sewn on they are in the correct spot.
- Yarn Needle: You will need this to attach legs, tails etc. as well as weaving in ends. I love using bent tip tapestry needles for amigurumi, but straight needles can be used for eyebrows and lines too.
- Stuffing: Most amigurumi animal toys will have stuffing or fiber fill, so this is an important material to have on hand. Polyfill is my personal favorite.
- Scissors: You will need scissors to cut the yarn end when you are done crocheting your animal design. A good pair of stork scissors are great for cutting yarn smoothly.
- Wooden Stick: A popsicle stick is useful to help fill and shape the amigurumi projects.
- Wire: Sometimes you will see an amigurumi pattern that requires wire to shape ears, tails and other parts of the animal.
Note: You may find occasionally some animal patterns may require supplies besides what are listed above. Make sure to read through the pattern you want to crochet to make sure you have everything you need to crochet the animal you picked.
The Best Free Crochet Animal Patterns
Use one or all of these adorable animal crochet patterns! You’ll find these amigurumi crochet patterns listed by skill level, ranging from beginner patterns to complex patterns. This will make it easy to sort through all the different animal patterns and amigurumi projects below.
Extra: I also included a few paid toy and plushie patterns at the end if you’d rather have a PDF version instead.
Easy Crochet Animal Patterns
In this section, you will find the easy skill level animal patterns to crochet.
Crochet Chicken Amigurumi
Skill Level: Easy
Designer: The Loopy Lamb
If you are a chicken lover, then you are going to adore this cute pattern for a chicken stuffie. If you’ve never crocheted with faux fur yarn before, then this is your chance! Get the free chicken pattern below.
Unicorn Crochet Softie
Skill Level: Easy
Designer: One Dog Woof
This crochet unicorn is one of my favorite crochet animal toys to make! You can use the free crochet pattern or purchase the PDF if you’d prefer. Plus, It makes a great gift as well! Get the rainbow unicorn crochet pattern to make your new favorite stuffed toy today.
Flamingo Amigurumi
Skill Level: Easy
Designer: Blackstone Designs
This easy crochet flamingo is a larger sized amigurumi, uses simple stitches, and large yarn, which means it’s quick to make. Get the free pattern for this crochet plushie below and start making a new cuddly softie!
Crochet Spring Bunny Pattern
Skill Level: Easy
Designer: All about Ami
This cute bunny pattern is great for beginner crocheters to amigurumi. It has the option to make floppy bunny ears or ears that stand up. It also has a detailed tutorial with easy step instructions on how to sew on the bunny nose in two different ways. Get this gorgeous pattern below to get started on your very own crocheted bunny that is the perfect size to fit in your hand.
Crochet Amigurmi Narwhal Pattern
Skill Level: Easy
Designer: Rose & Lily
This adorable crocheted narwhal pattern is easy to make. You will use her original whale crochet pattern and then follow along to make the horn for the narwhal. Find the free narwhal pattern below as well as the free YouTube video too!
Itty Bitty Crochet Cat
Skill Level: Easy
Designer: Thoresby Cottage
This adorable pattern collection of bitty crochet kitties is perfect for cat lovers! This tiny crochet animal is a great beginner amigurumi pattern that includes detailed, easy instructions. Get the pattern below for this easy to make little project that you can have finished in less than a couple of hours.
Jelly Fish Crochet Pattern
Skill Level: Easy
Designer: One Dog Woof
If you love crocheting simple patterns, then these crochet jellyfish are it! They are made with one simple stitch. Make the tentacles with spiral rounds (curly cues) and are so easy to crochet!
Penguin Amigurmi
Skill Level: Easy
Designer: The Woobles
This little penguin is easy to crochet and is the right size to fit in the palm of your hand. Get the free step-by-step photo tutorial to learn how to crochet a penguin.
Squid Amigurmi
Skill Level: Easy
Designer: Pocket Sushi
This small crocheted squid is easy to make and has a full video tutorial to go along with it. It shows you step-by-step how to crochet this amigurumi squid, so you’ll be able to make one easily!
Platypus Crochet Amigurumi
Skill Level: Easy
Designer: Knot to Shabby Crochet
You’ll LOVE this beginner-friendly crochet platypus pattern! It uses basic crochet stitches and works up fast! Get the adorable pattern for Patty the Platypus below.
Crochet Mouse
Skill Level: Easy
Designer: YarnHild
Not only can you use this free mouse crochet pattern, you can also use the free video tutorial as well for help. These adorable crochet creatures are so, so cute!
Crochet Bear
Skill Level: Easy
Designer: Friendly Red Fox
This adorable Teddy Bear is easy to crochet because of the simple and detailed instructions. If you want to crochet a classic toy, then this cute crochet bear is the one! Get the free bear pattern below.
Crochet Chicken
Skill Level: Easy
Designer: Repeat Crafter Me
This adorable stuffed chicken plush is easy to crochet and makes a great gift for anyone who has chickens or loves chickens! Make this stuffie today with the free chicken pattern below!
Crochet Shark
Skill Level: Easy
Designer: Elisa’s Crochet
This simple to make shark is the perfect amigurumi for a beginner to try. It has an easy-to-make shape and detailed instructions. If you’d prefer the PDF pattern to the free version, that is available too.
Crochet Reindeer Amigurumi
Skill Level: Easy
Designer: Grace & Yarn
This red nosed crochet Christmas reindeer is perfect to make as a gift for the holidays. This crocheted toy is the perfect doll size for a toddler and is sure to be well-loved! Get the free reindeer pattern below.
Crochet Elephant Amigurumi
Skill Level: Easy
Designer: Loops & Love Crochet
This cute floppy ear crocheted elephant is made with super bulky yarn, which makes it quick to crochet. The photo instructions make this amigurumi easy to assemble and a perfect project for those new to the art of amigurumi.
Crochet Bee Amigurumi
Skill Level: Easy
Designer: Studio Milanina
You’ll love how fast these adorable crocheted bees work up and how easy they are to put together. The best part is that this amigurumi pattern is a free PDF download! Get the bee pattern today!
Crochet Pig Amigurumi
Skill Level: Easy
Designer: Stringy Ding Ding
Follow along with the step-by-step photo tutorial to make these adorable little piggies! These are a very beginner-friendly amigurumi and are easy to understand.
Intermediate Crochet Animal Patterns
In this section, you will find the intermediate skill level animal patterns to crochet.
Crochet Butterfly Amigurumi Pattern
Skill Level: Intermediate
Designer: Loops and Love
Next up is a butterfly amigurumi crochet pattern. This project is all about creating a colorful, unique and cute butterfly. So, gather your colorful yarns and let’s make this beautiful butterfly come to life!
Crochet Frog with Crown
Skill Level: Intermediate
Designer: Amigurumi Today
If your little one loves fairy tales, they’ll love this adorable amigurumi frog design! This crochet frog prince has long legs and measures about inches in length. Get the pattern below.
Crochet Giraffe
Skill Level: Intermediate
Designer: AllaboutAmi.com
This cute baby monkey with a banana is a fun crochet amigurumi pattern to make. The best part is that it has wire in it to make it pose able! Get the detailed photo tutorial and instructions to start crocheting this monkey today!
Crochet Giraffe
Skill Level: Intermediate
Designer: Lennutas.com
This cute baby giraffe toy is a fun crochet amigurumi pattern to try. Get the giraffe crochet pattern below to make this crochet stuffed animals for yourself or as a gift.
Crochet Cow Pattern
Skill Level: Intermediate
Designer: Jess Huff
Learn how to crochet Caroline the Cow with this free amigurumi pattern. She is 14″ tall when finished, and you can choose whether to include the horns or not. Make this cute cow pattern today or explore our collection of free cow patterns as well.
Cute Crochet Lamb
Skill Level: Intermediate
Designer: Sewrella
This cute lamb is such a fun amigurumi pattern! It uses single crochets and the bobble stitch to create the lambs fur. Get the free lamb pattern below to get started on this cute crochet animal pattern.
Crochet Lion Pattern
Skill Level: Intermediate
Designer: Jess Huff
Let’s talk about this super cute crochet lion amigurumi pattern. This project is perfect for anyone who loves creating adorable, cuddly creatures. You’ll get to bring to life a charming lion with a fluffy mane and a friendly face.
Crochet Fox Pattern
Skill Level: Intermediate
Designer: Craft Passion
You’ll love how quick it is to make this fox crochet pattern with its simple instructions! It is considered an intermediate pattern, but has photos and detailed steps to help. Get the fox amigurumi pattern below.
Crochet Tiger Cuddly
Skill Level: Intermediate
Designer: Cuddly Stitches Craft
Next up, a tiger amigurumi crochet pattern. This project is all about making a cute, stripey tiger with a playful look. It’s great for anyone who loves wildlife or wants to make a unique gift. Grab your yarn and hooks, and let’s start this tiger pattern!
Crochet Sea Turtle
Skill Level: Intermediate
Designer: Whistle & Ivy
This cute turtle pattern is a rated a bit higher than easier in skill because of the hexagons on the shell. Although it is still mostly an easy pattern to crochet. Follow along with the designer’s photo tutorials and instruction to make the most adorable amigurumi crochet turtle!
Crochet Bunny
Skill Level: Intermediate
Designer: Lennutas.com
This lovely crocheted bunny has a full photo tutorial as well as video tutorial to help you through all the details. Get the bunny crochet pattern below to make this adorable stuffed toy right away.
Crochet Back Cat
Skill Level: Intermediate
Designer: Amidorable Crochet
This cute stuffed animal crochet black cat has bright blue safety eyes, which make it extra adorable! This little guy is the perfect cat amigurumi for a Halloween companion.
Complex Crochet Animal Patterns
In this section, you will find the experienced or complex skill level animal patterns to crochet.
Crochet Raccoon Baby
Skill Level: Complex
Designer: Amigurumi Today
You’ll love crocheting this baby raccoon amigurumi pattern! The finished size of this tiny project is just 5 inches! How cute. Get the free raccoon pattern below to get started as soon as possible.
Crochet Amigurumi Octopus Pattern
Skill Level: Complex
Designer: Halime Özel
Make this DIY baby octopus toy amigurumi with a rattle, sewn on eyes and detailed joins, it is more for the experienced crocheter to make since it has many components to crochet. The best part is that you can get the FREE PDF version of this crocheted octopus pattern.
More Crochet Stuffed Animal Patterns & Amigurumi Patterns to Make
I also found some paid crochet animal patterns you may enjoy too if you were looking for something a bit different from the free patterns shown above.
- No-Sew Amigurumi Dinosaur Pattern
- Large Fleece Bunny & Bear Amigurumi Toy Pattern
- Emu Amigurumi Pattern
- Whale Amigurumi Pattern & Kit
