How to Make a Crochet Animal

A crocheted animal is a thoughtful handmade gift that could become a beloved family heirloom. Use basic crochet stitches to produce a generic animal body that can be manipulated into a range of animals by using different shades of yarn and types of animal appendages and accessories. The crocheted animal is small enough to be made into a key chain or ornament, but you can increase the size by multiplying the stitches.

Things You'll Need

• 1 skein of worsted weight yarn in preferred color
• 1 skein of worsted weight yarn in preferred color
• Crochet hook, size G
• Pair of large-eye blunt needles
• 6 stitch markers
• 4 ounces of polyester or cotton stuffing
• 1 yard of black embroidery thread
• Sewing needle, size 11

Instructions

1. Work in the round to create the animal body. Chain two stitches in the light pink yarn and work six single crochet stitches into the first chain. Place a stitch marker after the sixth single crochet to note the beginning of the round. Single crochet 18 stitches in the second round and complete Rounds 4 through 18 with 25 single crochet stitches. Decrease to 18 single crochet in Round 19 and 12 in Round 20. Finish Round 21 with six single crochet and fasten off with a tail of desired length. Weave the tail through the last round and pull to complete the body. If the animal does not have a tail, finish off and bind in Round 21.

2. Chain two stitches in the the first color yarn, or Yarn A, to start the leg. Work six single crochet to complete the first round and add a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of the round. Complete Rows 2 through 8 with six single crochet and fasten off. Repeat this pattern to create three additional legs. If the desired animal is a bird, work six single crochet stitches to complete the first round and decrease by two in each row to make wings.

3. Chain two stitches with the second color of yarn, or Yarn B to start the ears. Work four single crochet in the first chain and place a marker to note the beginning of the round. Single crochet four stitches in the second round and increase to eight stitches in the third and fourth rounds. Fasten off and repeat the pattern once more to make the second ear. Skip this step if making a bird.

4. Start the nose by chaining two stitches with Yarn B. Work in six single crochet in the first round and fasten off to complete.

5. Stuff the four legs and the body. Attach the legs to the lower half of the body with a weave stitch. Sew the ears to the top of the body and the nose to the desired location of the face with the same stitch. If the desired animal is a bird, sew the first four stitches to the face and wrap the remaining three around these stitches to form a beak. Make two french knots with the black embroidery thread and large eye needle to indicate the eyes. Add any additional accessories to further determine the animal.

Tips & Warnings

• Color selection plays an important role in determining what kind of animal you wish to crochet. A small piglet, for example, may use two different forms of pink, where a kitten may be constructed from black and white.

• Sew three small whiskers off the nose for a cat, or a small tongue for a dog.

References

• "Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet"; Ana Paula Rimoli; 2008
• "Super-Cute Crochet: Over 35 Adorable Animals and Friends to Make"; Nicki Trench; 2009