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Crochet Animals: Every Free Amigurumi Animal Pattern in One Place

Crochet animals are where most people fall for amigurumi. A fox, a frog or a sleepy cat is a ball, a few smaller balls and a face, and by the end of a weekend you have something that looks back at you. This page gathers every animal pattern on I Love Crochet in one place, sorted by where the animal lives, so you can find the next one quickly.

There are two kinds of links below. Our own free patterns are written and photographed here, with every round on the page. Roundups collect free patterns from other designers that we opened and checked, with the yarn and hook each one uses. If you are new, start with the skills list at the end; six short guides cover the parts that make a toy look finished.

Jump to: Farm and Forest Animals · Wild Animals · Ocean and River Animals · Cats and Dogs · Dragons, Dinosaurs and Fantasy Animals · Winter and Holiday Animals · Teddy Bears and Plushies · Skills · FAQ

Which Crochet Animal Should You Make First?

Pick by shape, not by animal. A body that is one ball or one egg, with the head worked in the same piece, is the easiest: the cat loaf, the frog, a seal or a chubby bird. Next come animals with a separate head and four short legs, like the fox, the bunny and the panda. Long parts such as a giraffe neck, an elephant trunk or dragon wings take more shaping and more sewing, so save them for your third or fourth toy.

Every pattern here is worked in the round in single crochet with increases and decreases, so once you can make a ball you can make any of them. Worsted or DK yarn with a hook one or two sizes smaller than the label suggests gives the tight fabric that keeps stuffing from showing.

Farm and Forest Animals

Maple the crochet fox amigurumiHeather the crochet highland cowPuddle the crochet duck

The classic first animals. Round bodies, short legs, and shapes everyone recognises.

Wild Animals

Mochi the crochet pandaSunny the crochet slothMomo the crochet monkey

Zoo and jungle animals. Most add one special part: a trunk, long neck, or arms that hug.

Ocean and River Animals

Shelly the crochet sea turtleOllie the crochet sea otterJelly the crochet jellyfish

Sea creatures are some of the quickest animals to make: few legs, and many are one piece.

Cats and Dogs

Toast the crochet cat loafPebble the crochet kittenBiscuit the crochet puppy

Pets you can copy in your own cat’s or dog’s colors.

Dragons, Dinosaurs and Fantasy Animals

Ember the crochet baby dragonRex the crochet dinosaur

Spikes, wings and horns. A good next step once a simple animal feels easy.

Winter and Holiday Animals

Pip the crochet penguinCocoa the crochet reindeerFrost the crochet polar bear

Animals for the Christmas tree, a gift or an advent swap, plus bats for Halloween.

Teddy Bears and Plushies

Bramble the crochet teddy bear

Soft toys made to be held, and tiny animals for keyrings and fingers.

Skills That Make Any Animal Look Better

Six short guides cover the finishing steps that separate a lumpy toy from a neat one.

FAQ

What is the easiest crochet animal for a beginner?

One whose body and head are a single piece, like a cat loaf, a frog or a round bird. You only need a magic ring, single crochet, increases and decreases, and there is little or nothing to sew on.

What yarn is best for crochet animals?

Cotton or acrylic in worsted or DK weight. Cotton shows stitches crisply and holds its shape; acrylic is softer and cheaper. Chenille or blanket yarn makes very soft, quick toys, but the stitches are harder to see, so it suits a second or third project better than a first.

Are crochet animals safe for babies?

Use embroidered eyes and noses instead of safety eyes or buttons for children under three, sew every part on firmly, and use a tight stitch so stuffing cannot be pulled out. Our guide to embroidering faces shows how.

How long does a crochet animal take?

A small one-piece animal can take an evening. A toy with a separate head, four legs and ears usually takes a weekend, mostly because of the sewing.

This page grows as new animals are added. Pick a shape you can already make, choose the animal you love, and start with the ball.

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