Crochet finger puppets are tiny, fast and perfect for using up the yarn ends in your basket. Kids love them for story time, car rides and waiting rooms, and they fit in a pocket. Most take less than an hour once you know the basic body.
Below are 10 free patterns, from a simple beginner tube to full animal sets with pigs, cows, zebras and penguins. Many of them share one base shape, so once you learn it, you can make a whole zoo.
Crochet Finger Puppets Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Worsted or DK yarn scraps in animal colors
- Crochet hook set (3 mm to 4.5 mm)
- Small safety eyes, 6 mm to 8 mm
- Black embroidery floss
- Tapestry needles
- Locking stitch markers
1. Animal Finger Puppets 8-in-1
Photo: Nicole Riley / Nicki’s Homemade Crafts
One body pattern, eight animals: pig, elephant, bear, bunny, chicken, cat, dog and cow. Each puppet is about 3.25 inches tall, not counting the ears. You add ears, snouts and beaks to make each animal. It is a great set for a farm or pet themed play basket.
- Designer: Nicole Riley / Nicki’s Homemade Crafts
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Finger Puppets and Pets
Little people puppets with shirts, arms and painted eyes, plus a cat and a dog. You can pick short hair, long hair or pigtail poms, so kids can make puppets that look like their own family. Worked in the round with single crochet.
- Designer: Brenna Eaves for Furls Crochet
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.75 mm (F)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Zebra Finger Puppet
Photo: Tamara Kelly / Moogly
A black and white striped zebra with a mane, ears and a white muzzle. It is part of a jungle set that also includes a lion, a monkey and a wild man, all free on the same blog. Fun stripes make it a good color-change practice project.
- Designer: Tamara Kelly / Moogly
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Simple Crochet Finger Puppet
Photo: Andy Newton
The easiest one here. It is a seamless tube closed at one end, sized for an average finger. Add button eyes and a bit of yarn hair and you are done. Instructions cover both DK and Aran yarn, so it works with almost any scraps.
- Designer: Andy Newton
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK or Aran
- Hook: 3 mm or 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. 15 Animal Finger Puppets
Photo: Laura Gillard
One spiral base with ideas for lots of animals, including a moose, dog, penguin, koala, unicorn and bear. It is written in US terms and sized for an adult finger, but you can go smaller for kids by changing hook or yarn.
- Designer: Laura Gillard
- Skill level: Advanced beginner
- Yarn: DK
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Farm Animal Finger Puppets
Photo: Jessica F / What I Made Last Weekend
Sheep, duck, chicken, cat, pig, cow, horse and dog, made with a head, neck and body plus small snouts, beaks or ears. The crochet is simple single crochet, and the faces are embroidered. The designer says the embroidery is the trickiest part. A clean PDF is also sold.
- Designer: Jessica F / What I Made Last Weekend
- Skill level: Advanced (for the embroidery)
- Yarn: DK or light worsted
- Hook: 3 mm and 3.5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Royal Bunny Finger Puppets
Photo: Jane Vranic and Sonja Stevens / Sustain My Craft Habit
A bunny finger puppet with removable outfits. Add a cape for a superhero, a robe and crown for a king, or a dress and crown for a queen. It uses about 14 yards of yarn, so it is a sweet Easter basket filler.
- Designer: Jane Vranic and Sonja Stevens / Sustain My Craft Habit
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK or light worsted
- Hook: 4.5 mm (7)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Robin Finger Puppet
Photo: Amy Dawson
A little robin worked in the round with its red breast built right in, so there is very little sewing. The pattern has annotated photos and two versions: a stuffed toy and one with an appliqued breast. Lovely for spring and bird lovers.
- Designer: Amy Dawson
- Skill level: Advanced beginner to intermediate
- Yarn: DK
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E), 3 mm also listed
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Red Heart Little Finger Puppets
Four quick little characters from Red Heart, rated Easy. They use Red Heart Super Saver, which most of us already have in the stash. The free PDF has the details for each character.
- Designer: Red Heart / Yarnspirations
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: see pattern (Red Heart Super Saver)
- Hook: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Peacock Finger Puppet
Photo: Shawna Borst / CrochetBot 3000
A tiny peacock made with size 10 crochet thread in royal blue, green, aqua and more. Thread gives it fine detail and a delicate look. This one is for crocheters who are comfortable with a small steel hook.
- Designer: Shawna Borst / CrochetBot 3000
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Size 10 crochet thread
- Hook: 1.65 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First finger puppet ever? Start with #4. It is a plain tube you can decorate any way you like.
- Want a full set for a play basket? #1 or #6 gives you a whole farm.
- Making for Easter? #7 bunnies with removable crowns are a hit.
- Want animals kids rarely see in toy stores? #5 has a moose, koala and unicorn.
- Love fine detail? Try #10 in crochet thread.
FAQ
What size hook is best for crochet finger puppets?
Most finger puppets use a 3 mm to 4.5 mm hook with DK or worsted yarn. Go smaller for a snug fit on a child’s finger and larger for adults. Try the puppet on after the first few rounds of the body so you can change hook size early.
Are crochet finger puppets safe for babies?
For babies and toddlers, skip safety eyes, beads and buttons. Embroider the eyes and nose with yarn or floss instead, and sew all parts on very firmly. Finger puppets are best used with an adult for children under 3.
How long does it take to crochet a finger puppet?
A simple one takes about 20 to 45 minutes. Puppets with ears, snouts and embroidered faces can take an hour or more, mostly because of the sewing. Make the bodies first in a batch, then add the details.
Make one, and you will probably end up with a whole box of them for story time.