Axolotls might be the happiest-looking animals on the planet. That smile, the frilly gills and the soft pink color make them perfect for amigurumi. Kids love them, teens put them on their backpacks, and they make one of the best market-table sellers around.
Below are 13 free crochet axolotl patterns we opened and checked one by one. You will find tiny keychains, no-sew babies you can finish in an evening, squishy chenille plushies, a 15-inch big buddy and a pillow with a book pocket. Each one lists yarn, hook and skill level so you can pick the right one fast.
Crochet Axolotl Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Light pink and dark pink yarn (cotton or worsted)
- Chenille or plush yarn for a squishy axolotl
- Crochet hook set (2.5 mm to 7 mm)
- Safety eyes in mixed sizes
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Locking stitch markers
- Keychain rings with jump rings
1. Mini Amigurumi Axolotl
Photo: Supergurumi
This little axolotl sits only about 5.5 cm (just over 2 inches) tall, so it is perfect for a keychain or a desk buddy. It uses sport weight cotton and mostly single crochet and chain stitches. The head and body are one piece, then you add tiny legs, arms, a tail and six feelers. The claws and mouth are embroidered for a neat finish.
- Designer: Supergurumi
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Sport/fine (#2) cotton, Schachenmayr Catania
- Hook: 2.5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Axolotl Keychain
Photo: Lucy Kate Crochet
This keychain axolotl is made in three parts: head, body and tail. The tail fins are added with surface crochet, and little crocheted gills are sewn beside the eyes. A keychain is sewn right onto the body, so it is ready to clip onto a bag. Pale pink with darker pink details gives it that classic axolotl look.
- Designer: Lucy Kate Crochet
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3) cotton silk in pale pink and dark pink
- Hook: 2.5 mm and 3 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Baby Axolotl
Photo: Sweet Softies
A no-sew baby axolotl worked in one piece. In super bulky yarn it is about 5 inches, and in medium cotton it shrinks to about 3.5 inches. The designer suggests turning it into a keychain, ornament or scent sachet. There is a free video tutorial on the page, which helps a lot if you learn better by watching.
- Designer: Sweet Softies
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6), or medium (#4) cotton for a smaller one
- Hook: 5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Mini No-Sew Axolotl
Photo: The Mary Jay
This tiny axolotl is really quick. You crochet the head and body in the round, add safety eyes, then crochet the darker pink tail fins and gills right onto the piece. No sewing at all. The black stitched mouth is optional. Make a few in different colors and line them up on a shelf.
- Designer: The Mary Jay
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6) in two pinks, plus a little worsted black
- Hook: 6 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. No-Sew Baby Axolotl
Photo: Nicki’s Homemade Crafts
Even the frilly gills are worked in one piece on this baby axolotl, so you skip the sewing. It is about 5.5 inches long and 2 inches wide. The body is worked in the round, the eyes go in as you go, and the tail fins are crocheted on at the end. There is a video on the page too.
- Designer: Nicki’s Homemade Crafts
- Skill level: Easy (advanced beginner)
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6), Ella Rae Cuddle
- Hook: 4.5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Lucy the Axolotl (Almost No-Sew)
Photo: DIY Fluffies
Lucy is “almost” no-sew, because only the tail fin gets sewn on. In sport cotton she is about 4 inches, and in chenille she grows to about 9 inches. That makes it two projects in one: a mini for a keychain and a big squishy one for cuddling. A full video tutorial is included.
- Designer: DIY Fluffies
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Sport (#2) cotton or super bulky (#6) chenille
- Hook: 2.5 mm (cotton) or 5 mm (chenille)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Kiki the Baby Axolotl
Photo: Anvi’s Granny Handicrafts
Kiki is a light purple axolotl with a round head, four legs, six white antennae and a surface-crocheted tail. It needs only basic amigurumi skills and very little sewing, so you can finish it in a few hours. The free version is written text; step photos are in the paid version.
- Designer: Anvi’s Granny Handicrafts
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: DK (#3) or worsted (#4)
- Hook: 2.2–2.5 mm (DK) or 3.5–3.75 mm (worsted)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Amigurumi Axolotl
This peach axolotl is worked from nose to tail in one piece, and only the legs are made separately. It is about 9.5 inches tall, with pink gills and a stitched mouth. A row-by-row video tutorial comes with the written pattern, so it is a great pick if you like to follow along on screen.
- Designer: Oombawka Design Crochet
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: DK (#3), Scheepjes Soft Fun
- Hook: 3.75 mm (F)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Plushy Baby Axolotl
Photo: StringyDingDing
The tail, body and head are one continuous piece, and then you shape the face and add fins, arms and legs. The fun part: the page has bonus versions like a Mint Ice Cream, Butterfly, Tomato and Birthday axolotl. Plushy yarn and a big hook make it soft and quick.
- Designer: StringyDingDing
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Plush yarn (Premier Parfait used); regular #4 makes a smaller one
- Hook: 7 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Mermaid-Tail Axolotl
Photo: The Caffeinated Snail
This axolotl has arms, face frills and a fringed tail but no back legs, which gives it a cute mermaid-tail shape. The head and body are worked in one go, so there is little sewing. The designer says if you can single crochet, you can make it. Great for using basic acrylic from your stash.
- Designer: The Caffeinated Snail
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Medium (#4) acrylic, Red Heart or Caron
- Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Plush Axolotl
A bigger, cuddlier version of a popular axolotl pattern. It is about 8 inches tall and made in soft chenille, worked bottom-up in one piece. The legs, gills and tail fin are made separately and sewn on at the end. Plan on about 175 yards of yarn.
- Designer: Loops and Love Crochet
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4) chenille, Lion Brand A Star is Born: Naptime
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Axolotl Plushie
Photo: Repeat Crafter Me
This one is big: about 15 inches tall and 10 inches wide at the gills. It is worked top-down with six gills, four limbs, a scalloped dorsal fin and optional blushing cheeks. Large 15 mm safety eyes give it a bold, friendly face. Perfect for a kid who wants a real hug-sized axolotl.
- Designer: Repeat Crafter Me
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Red Heart With Love in Bubblegum and Sweet Pink
- Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Axolotl Book Pocket Pillow
Photo: Blackstone Designs
A pillow and a reading buddy in one. This 14 x 18 inch axolotl has a pocket on the front that holds a book. It is made with single crochet in chunky chenille, so it is soft and works up fast. A fun gift for a young reader’s bed or reading corner.
- Designer: Blackstone Designs
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6) chenille, Sweet Snuggles
- Hook: 6.5 mm (K)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- Want a keychain? Start with #2, or make #1 or #6 in cotton and add a ring.
- Hate sewing? Try #3, #4 or #5. They are all no-sew.
- First amigurumi ever? #6 Lucy and #8 both come with full videos.
- Want a big cuddle toy? #12 is 15 inches tall.
- Making a gift for a reader? #13, the book pocket pillow, is a guaranteed hit.
FAQ
What yarn is best for a crochet axolotl?
For a soft, squishy axolotl, chenille or plush yarn in light pink is the favorite. It hides stitches and feels great to hug. For keychains and small axolotls, cotton in sport or DK weight gives crisp stitches and holds its shape. Use a darker pink for the gills and tail fin.
How do you make axolotl gills in crochet?
Most patterns make the gills as small chains or short rows with a few stitches worked back along them, which makes a frilly branch. Some designs crochet them right onto the head so there is no sewing. You usually make three gills on each side of the head.
Is a crochet axolotl good for beginners?
Yes. Many axolotl patterns use only single crochet, increases and decreases. Pick a no-sew or “almost no-sew” pattern with a video, like #6 or #8, for your first one. Chenille is soft but can be harder to see stitches in, so cotton or acrylic is easier while you learn.
Pick your favorite pink yarn and make a smiling axolotl today.
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