11 Crochet Stuffed Animals Free Patterns
Crochet stuffed animals are some of the most loved handmade gifts. Kids drag them everywhere, adults keep them on shelves, and they are a great way to use up yarn from your stash.
This list has 11 free patterns we checked one by one. You will find quick no-sew pocket animals, a cuddly sloth, a classic sock-monkey style toy, a baby lovey and a big highland cow. Every pattern is free to read on the designer’s site.
Crochet Stuffed Animals Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Crochet hook set (2.5 mm to 6 mm)
- Worsted weight acrylic yarn
- Super bulky plush yarn
- Safety eyes in mixed sizes
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Stitch markers
- Yarn needles and small scissors
1. Holly the Highland Cow
Photo: Jess Huff
Holly is a big, shaggy highland cow, about 14 inches tall when standing. She has long bangs made with chain loops, upturned horns and little cloven hooves. She is worked top-down in single crochet and uses a doll joint for the head. It is a bigger project, but the result is a show-stopper toy that looks great in photos.
- Designer: Jess Huff
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Zippy the Sloth
Photo: Holly Lanier / Storyland Amis
This sloth is cuddle-sized at about 8 inches tall, with a cream face, a brown body and little cream claws. The eye patches can be felt or crochet, and the nose is embroidered. It is mostly single crochet worked in rounds, then sewn together with whipstitch. Sloths are a hit with kids and teens alike.
- Designer: Holly Lanier / Storyland Amis
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.75 mm (F)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. No-Sew Llama
Photo: Ana / Little Crochet Farm
This plush llama is made in soft chenille yarn and stands about 7 inches tall. The body is worked in one piece, so you skip most of the sewing. Bright yellow, red and green details give it a happy, folk-art look. It uses single crochet, half double crochet, bobbles and a few loop stitches on the head.
- Designer: Ana / Little Crochet Farm
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Super bulky chenille (#6); worsted also works
- Hook: 6 mm (J)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Leggy Teddy
Photo: Jade / Sweet Softies
A pocket-size, no-sew teddy bear made with super bulky yarn, so it works up very fast. It has a felt muzzle, safety eyes and long little legs. It is a great project for craft fairs, party favors or a quick hug-in-a-pocket gift. The designer rates it for a “familiar beginner,” meaning you should know the basic amigurumi stitches.
- Designer: Jade / Sweet Softies
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. The Original Stripy Giraffe
This tall, rainbow-striped giraffe is a fun way to use up scrap yarn. Made in worsted yarn, the designer’s version is about 19 inches tall. The pattern is mostly single crochet in continuous rounds, with simple increases and decreases. Pick your own stripe colors to match a nursery or a child’s favorite colors.
- Designer: Emma Dent (I Love Buttons by Emma), shared on Oombawka Design Crochet
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Sport (#2), or worsted (#4) for a bigger giraffe
- Hook: 3 mm for sport, 4 mm (G) for worsted
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Crocheted Triceratops
Photo: Erica Dietz / 5 Little Monsters
Dinosaur fans will love this blue triceratops with a green frill and three white horns. It is about 10 inches tall and sits with its legs to the side. The body is single crochet in spiral rounds, and the frill is a flat piece with a pretty picot edge. It is a fun, sturdy toy for little dino lovers.
- Designer: Erica Dietz / 5 Little Monsters
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Fuzzy Hedgehog
Photo: June Gilbank / PlanetJune
This palm-sized hedgehog is about 4.5 inches long and has only two pieces to stitch together. The trick is the body yarn: an eyelash or fur yarn makes it look spiky and soft at the same time. The head is worsted yarn with an embroidered nose. It is a quick, satisfying make with a big cute payoff.
- Designer: June Gilbank / PlanetJune
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4) plus eyelash or fur yarn
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E) and 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free (optional donation for PDF)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Elephant Lovey
Ellie the elephant has a curled trunk, contrast inner ears and little arms, all attached to a star-shaped striped blanket. It is about 11 inches tall from head to blanket edge. The blanket uses a cluster V-stitch, so it feels soft and squishy. This is a lovely baby shower gift that you can personalize with colors or a bow.
- Designer: Amanda / Loops and Love Crochet
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E) and 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Bibi the Blacknose Sheep
Photo: Stella Sharafi / Stella’s Yarn Universe
This tiny sheep is based on the Valais Blacknose breed, with a fluffy white body, black face, black knees and curly beige horns. It is only about 3 inches long. The fluff comes from holding a fine yarn and a boucle yarn together. A free video helps with the trickier parts like the horns.
- Designer: Stella Sharafi / Stella’s Yarn Universe
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Fingering (#1) + aran boucle held together; DK for black parts
- Hook: 2.5 mm (B/C)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Mini Raccoon
Photo: Natalina / Natalina Craft
A round little raccoon with grey markings, a black nose and a striped tail. It is tiny: about 1.5 inches with worsted yarn or 2.5 inches with plush yarn. That makes it perfect for a keychain or a bag charm. It is worked in spiral rounds with single crochet and invisible decreases, and the designer made it fast and beginner friendly.
- Designer: Natalina / Natalina Craft
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Light worsted (#3) or chunky plush yarn
- Hook: 2.75 mm (C) or 4.5 mm (7)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Kimira the Sock Monkey
Photo: Joanne Loh / Craft Passion
This is a crochet take on the classic sock monkey. Kimira is about 18 inches tall with striped arms, legs and tail in white, red, green and blue, plus a red muzzle with a stitched smile. It is mostly single crochet in spiral rounds. It is a larger project, but it makes a fun heirloom-style toy.
- Designer: Joanne Loh / Craft Passion
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Light worsted (#3)
- Hook: 2.5 mm (B/C)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- Brand new to amigurumi? Start with #3 or #10. Both are made to be beginner friendly.
- Need a gift by this weekend? Try #4 or #7. Bulky or fuzzy yarn makes them fast.
- Baby shower coming up? #8 is a soft lovey, and #5 is a bright, sturdy nursery toy.
- Want a big wow project? Go for #1, #11 or #5.
- Making for a dino or animal fan? #6 and #2 are kid favorites.
FAQ
What is the best yarn for crochet stuffed animals?
Worsted weight acrylic is a solid all-round choice because it is soft, cheap and easy to wash. For extra cuddly toys, use plush or chenille yarn with a bigger hook. Cotton gives neat, crisp stitches, which is nice for small or detailed animals, but it is less stretchy.
How do I stop stuffing showing through?
Use a hook one or two sizes smaller than the yarn label suggests. This makes tighter stitches so the fiberfill stays hidden. Stuff firmly but do not overstuff, as that stretches the stitches. Invisible decreases also help close up gaps.
Can I sell stuffed animals made from free patterns?
It depends on the designer. Many of the designers in this list allow small-scale sales of finished items if you credit them, but rules differ. Always check the copyright note on the pattern page before you sell, and never share or sell the pattern itself.
Pick an animal, gather your stash, and enjoy making a new friend one stitch at a time.