Capybaras are everywhere right now, and it is easy to see why. That calm face, the round body and the tiny ears are just plain relaxing to look at. Good news for crocheters: a capybara is mostly one big oval, so a crochet capybara is a very friendly shape to make, even if you are new to amigurumi.
Below are 12 free capybara patterns we opened and checked one by one. You will find tiny keychain capybaras, a capybara with a yuzu on its head, one in a hoodie and a plush one in a cap. Each one lists the yarn, hook and skill level so you can choose fast.
Crochet Capybara Free Patterns
This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
What You’ll Need
- Light and dark brown yarn in cotton or plush
- Crochet hook set (2 mm to 5.5 mm)
- Small safety eyes (6 mm to 10 mm)
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Black embroidery floss
- Locking stitch markers
- Keychain rings with jump rings
1. Little Capybara
Photo: Little Crochet Farm
This little capybara is about 2.5 inches tall and made in two shades of brown. It starts with a magic ring and has separate front and back paws, two ears and an embroidered snout, eyes and whiskers. The page links tutorials for the invisible decrease and back loop stitches. The designer says it is small enough to use as a keyring or bag charm.
- Designer: Little Crochet Farm
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Sport (#2)
- Hook: 2 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Pocket Capybara
Photo: Sweet Softies
This no-sew pocket capybara takes about 30 minutes in chunky chenille velvet yarn. It is about 3.5 inches long and 2.5 inches tall. Hang it as a keychain or ornament, or keep it on your desk. Note that the free version is a video tutorial, and the written PDF with photos is a low-cost download. It is a big hit as a party favor or craft fair item.
- Designer: Sweet Softies
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Chenille velvet, weight 5 (see pattern)
- Hook: 5 mm
- Price: Free video tutorial + paid written PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Sitting Capybara (Two Sizes)
Photo: Darya Neustroeva / Amigurum
Here the head, body and legs are worked as one piece, so the only parts to add are the ears. That means very little sewing. You get two sizes: about 4.3 inches long in plush baby yarn or a mini of about 2 inches in cotton. The eyes are sewn-on beads, and the nose and eye whites are embroidered for a calm, sleepy look.
- Designer: Darya Neustroeva / Amigurum
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Plush baby yarn or cotton-acrylic blend (see pattern)
- Hook: 2.5 mm or 2 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Sandy the Capybara
Photo: Abby Sy / Ollie + Holly
Sandy is a spa-day capybara with a little yuzu on its head and a towel. You can even add small magnets so the yuzu and towel stay in place. It is about 3.5 inches tall including the yuzu, with embroidered eyes and blush. The pattern is in US terms and aimed at confident beginners. It is one of the most charming capybaras out there.
- Designer: Abby Sy / Ollie + Holly
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Aran (#4) cotton
- Hook: 2.75 mm (C)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Capybara Amigurumi (With Hoodie Option)
This capybara is about 4.5 inches tall and comes in two versions: plain or wearing a little hoodie with a tie string. The body is one piece, and the legs, ears, snout and hood are sewn on. It is worked in continuous rounds with invisible decreases, in worsted yarn you probably already have. The hoodie makes it a fun gift for teens.
- Designer: Amanda / Loops and Love Crochet
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Mr. Cappy the Capybara
Photo: Krissy / Loopsy Daisy Crafts + Designs
Mr. Cappy is a plush capybara about 7 inches tall, wearing a little red cap. It is low-sew, because the arms and legs are attached while you work the body. Only the ears and hat are sewn on. The eyes and nose are embroidered, so it is a good choice for little kids. Plush yarn makes it extra soft to squeeze.
- Designer: Krissy / Loopsy Daisy Crafts + Designs
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6) plush
- Hook: 4 mm and 5.5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Niko and Poku the Capybaras
Photo: Elisa Sartori / Elisa’s Crochet
Niko and Poku are a pair of small capybaras about 4 inches long. Each one has a head and body worked together, two ears and four unstuffed legs. The face is fully embroidered, so there are no safety eyes. It uses light yarn in two colors and a 2.5 mm hook. Make two in different browns for a cute matching set.
- Designer: Elisa Sartori / Elisa’s Crochet
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Light (#3)
- Hook: 2.5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Capybara With YouTube Tutorial
Photo: Crafter.frog / Ribblr
This chunky capybara is made in plush yarn with cotton details and a 5 mm hook, so it grows fast. It is an interactive Ribblr pattern, which means you can track your rows and switch between US and UK terms. There is also a free YouTube video from the designer. You claim it for free on Ribblr, and the designer says you can sell what you make.
- Designer: Crafter.frog / Ribblr
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Chunky plush and cotton (see pattern)
- Hook: 5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Capybara Keychain With Popcorn Legs
Photo: @elya_amigurumi / Irinely
This plush capybara keychain is made in one piece. The legs are worked in popcorn stitches, and the ears are crocheted right onto the body afterward, so there is almost nothing to sew. The eyebrows and nose are embroidered. The designer rates it hard because plush yarn makes stitches hard to see, so try it once you are comfortable with fuzzy yarn.
- Designer: @elya_amigurumi / Irinely
- Skill level: Advanced
- Yarn: Plush yarn (see pattern)
- Hook: 3.5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Capybara Keychain in a Skirt
Photo: Julia Gavrilova / Amigurumi Space
This mini capybara is about 2.4 inches tall and wears a pink skirt and bow. It has bobble stitch details on the head and body, a sewn-on muzzle and an embroidered face. It is made to hang from a keyring on a bag or backpack. A sweet gift for a capybara-loving friend, and a quick way to use cotton scraps.
- Designer: Julia Gavrilova / Amigurumi Space
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Cotton-acrylic blend (see pattern)
- Hook: 2 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Cute Capybara With Orange
Photo: @v_ujut / Amigurumi Space
This four-legged capybara has a little orange sitting on top of its head, a nod to the famous photos of capybaras relaxing with fruit. The head and body are one piece that you stuff as you go. The four legs and two ears are not stuffed, and the eyes are black beads. The page calls it beginner friendly with basic stitches.
- Designer: @v_ujut / Amigurumi Space
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Cotton-acrylic blend (see pattern)
- Hook: 2.5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Capybara Keychain by Amivui Studio
Photo: Amivui Studio
This gray capybara keychain is described as beginner friendly and quick to make. The head, legs, body, arms and ears are made separately, and the safety eyes go between rounds 6 and 7 of the head. There is a list of abbreviations and a video tutorial link. Make a few in different shades for a little capybara family on your keys.
- Designer: Amivui Studio
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: see pattern
- Hook: 2.5 mm to 3 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First amigurumi ever? Start with #11 Cute Capybara With Orange or #7 Niko and Poku. Both use basic stitches.
- Need a 30-minute gift? Make #2 Pocket Capybara if you like learning from video.
- Want a keychain? Try #10 Capybara Keychain in a Skirt or #12 Amivui Capybara Keychain.
- Hate sewing? Pick #3 Sitting Capybara or #6 Mr. Cappy. Both have the limbs built in.
- Want something extra cute? Go for #4 Sandy with the yuzu and towel, or #5 with the hoodie.
FAQ
What yarn is best for a crochet capybara?
For small, neat capybaras, cotton or cotton blend in sport or light weight shows every stitch and keeps the shape. For soft, squishy capybaras, plush or chenille yarn is lovely but harder to see, so go slow. Pick two browns, one light and one darker, for the body and the snout or paws.
How do I make the capybara’s face look calm and sleepy?
Place the eyes wide apart and low on the sides of the head, not close together on the front. Small eyes, 4 to 8 mm, look more relaxed than big ones. Embroider a short, wide nose on a darker snout. Many patterns above use embroidered eyes or beads for this soft, sleepy look.
Can I turn any capybara pattern into a keychain?
Yes. Use thinner yarn and a smaller hook to shrink the toy, then stitch a keyring or a loop of yarn firmly through the top of the head before you close it. Keep the stuffing firm so it holds its shape. For safety, avoid keychains as toys for children under 3.
Pick your favorite, grab two shades of brown yarn and make a capybara that is as calm as the real thing.
Pingback: 10 Crochet Highland Cow Free Patterns - I Love Crochet
Comments are closed.