Simple Halloween Ghost Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
There is something endlessly charming about a tiny crocheted ghost sitting on a shelf, hanging from a garland, or peeking out of a Halloween basket. Whether you are a seasoned crafter or someone who just picked up a hook for the first time, making an amigurumi ghost is one of the most satisfying and approachable Halloween projects you can take on. This pattern is designed to be beginner-friendly, using basic stitches that most crocheters already know, while still producing an adorable, polished finished product that looks like it came straight from a boutique Halloween shop.
In this post, you will find a complete, step-by-step Halloween ghost amigurumi crochet pattern, including a full materials list, gauge information, stitch abbreviations, and tips for getting the best results. Whether you want to make one ghost or an entire haunted army of them, this pattern scales beautifully and works up quickly, making it perfect for last-minute Halloween decorations, handmade gifts, trick-or-treat bag decorations, or even a spooky mobile for a nursery.
Let’s get started.
What Is Amigurumi?
Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting or knitting small stuffed animals and characters. The word itself combines the Japanese words for “knitted” and “stuffed doll.” The style originated in Japan and has become wildly popular around the world, celebrated for producing cute, round, and expressive little figures using basic crochet techniques. Most amigurumi pieces are worked in continuous rounds rather than rows, which gives them their characteristic smooth, seamless surface. Ghosts are a perfect amigurumi subject because their rounded tops and gently flowing “skirts” translate naturally into the round-based construction of this craft.
Materials You Will Need
Before you start crocheting, gather everything on this list so the process goes smoothly from beginning to end.
Yarn: Worsted weight yarn (size 4) in white or off-white for the ghost’s body. You will also want a small amount of black yarn or black felt for the eyes, and optionally orange or purple yarn if you want to add decorative accents. White yarn with a slight sheen gives a ghostly, luminous effect that is especially pretty for ornaments or garlands.
Crochet Hook: A 3.5mm or 4.0mm crochet hook works well with worsted weight yarn for amigurumi because the tighter gauge prevents the stuffing from showing through the stitches. Check your yarn label for its recommended hook size, but generally going one size smaller than recommended creates the firm, dense fabric ideal for stuffed toys.
Polyfill Stuffing: Regular polyester fiberfill stuffing works perfectly. You will not need very much for a single ghost — a small handful is usually enough.
Safety Eyes: Two 9mm or 12mm black safety eyes give your ghost that classic amigurumi look. If you are making this for a child under three years old, skip the safety eyes and embroider the eyes with black yarn instead for safety reasons.
Yarn Needle: For weaving in ends and closing the bottom of the ghost.
Stitch Markers: Helpful for marking the beginning of each round, especially when you are learning.
Scissors: Sharp scissors make clean cuts and help with finishing.
Optional: Black felt and fabric glue, a small piece of wire or pipe cleaner for posing if desired, ribbon or twine for hanging as an ornament.
Gauge
Exact gauge is not critical for amigurumi, but as a reference point: with worsted weight yarn and a 3.75mm hook, 9 single crochet stitches and 9 rounds equals approximately 2 inches by 2 inches. Your finished ghost will be approximately 4 to 5 inches tall and about 3 to 4 inches wide at the widest point, depending on your tension and the yarn you choose. If you want a bigger ghost, simply use bulky yarn and a larger hook.
Stitch Abbreviations
MR — Magic Ring (also called Magic Circle)
ch — Chain
sl st — Slip Stitch
sc — Single Crochet
inc — Increase (two single crochets in the same stitch)
dec — Decrease (invisible decrease: insert hook into front loop of next stitch, then front loop of following stitch, yarn over, pull through both loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops)
BLO — Back Loop Only
FLO — Front Loop Only
st — Stitch
sts — Stitches
rnd — Round
All rounds are worked in a continuous spiral unless otherwise noted. Do not join rounds or turn your work unless the pattern specifically instructs you to do so.
The Pattern
Part One: The Ghost Body (Head and Upper Body)
Round 1: Start with a magic ring. Work 6 sc into the magic ring. Pull the tail to close the ring. (6 sts)
Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12 sts)
Round 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 sts)
Round 4: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (24 sts)
Round 5: Sc 3, inc repeat around. (30 sts)
Round 6: Sc 4, inc repeat around. (36 sts)
Rounds 7–13: Sc in each stitch around. (36 sts) — Work these 7 rounds even without increasing or decreasing. This creates the rounded, plump body of the ghost.
Now insert your safety eyes between Rounds 9 and 10, spacing them about 6 to 8 stitches apart. The exact placement is a matter of personal preference — placing them farther apart creates a wider, sillier expression, while placing them closer together creates a more classic, cute look. Once the eyes are placed, lock the backings firmly onto the posts.
If you are using embroidered eyes instead of safety eyes, do not worry about this step yet — you will add the eyes after closing the piece.
Round 14: Sc 4, dec repeat around. (30 sts)
Round 15: Sc 3, dec repeat around. (24 sts)
Round 16: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (18 sts)
At this point, begin stuffing your ghost. Fill it firmly enough to hold its shape but not so firmly that the stitches are stretched and gaps appear. Stuff as you go from this point forward.
Round 17: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (12 sts)
Round 18: Dec around. (6 sts)
Do not fasten off yet. Continue to the wavy hem section below.
Part Two: The Ghost’s Wavy Hem (the “Skirt”)
This is the most distinctive part of a Halloween ghost amigurumi — the fluttery, wavy bottom hem that makes it look like it is floating. You will work this section back on Round 16 using the front loops you left behind during the decrease section.
Actually, let’s walk through this more carefully. After completing Round 18, close the bottom of the body:
Finish stuffing the ghost completely. Cut your yarn, leaving a long tail. Using your yarn needle, thread the tail through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close the hole. Weave in this tail securely.
Now rejoin your yarn to work the wavy hem separately:
Rejoin: With your hook and white yarn, join with a slip stitch to any stitch in Round 13 (the last even round before the decreases begin). You are now going to work downward and outward to create the ghost’s wispy, flowing bottom.
Hem Round 1: Working into Round 13, sc in each stitch around. (36 sts)
Hem Round 2: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (48 sts)
Hem Round 3: Sc in each stitch around. (48 sts)
Now for the wavy “points” that make the ghost look like it is floating:
Hem Round 4 — Creating the Waves: Ch 3, sl st into the same stitch, sc into the next 2 stitches — repeat this sequence all the way around. This creates little raised points or scallops along the bottom edge of the ghost, mimicking the classic fluttery shape of a floating ghost.
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Part Three: Finishing Touches
The Face: If you used safety eyes, your ghost’s face is already set. To add a small round mouth, use a length of black yarn and embroider a small oval or circle of chain stitches just below and between the eyes. Alternatively, cut a tiny oval from black felt and attach it with fabric glue. You can also use three small French knots to create an “OOO” expression, which looks adorably surprised.
Optional Blush: If you want to give your ghost a little personality, use a pink or peach colored pencil or a small amount of pink makeup blush applied with a cotton swab to add rosy cheeks on either side of the face. This gives the ghost a friendlier, more whimsical appearance.
Hanging Loop: To turn your ghost into an ornament or garland piece, cut a 12-inch length of white yarn, fold it in half, and use your hook to pull the folded end through the top of the ghost (at the magic ring closure). Pull the loose ends through the folded loop and pull tight to secure. You now have a loop from which to hang your ghost.
Tips for Making Your Ghost Look Its Best
Tension matters. If your stitches are too loose, the stuffing will show through and your ghost will look lumpy. If you find this happening, try going down half a hook size.
The magic ring is your friend. Starting with a magic ring rather than a chain gives your ghost a clean, tight top with no hole. Take a few minutes to practice this technique if you have not used it before — it makes a noticeable difference in the finished look.
Invisible decreases are key. The invisible decrease (working through front loops only) creates smooth, nearly seamless decreases rather than the bumpy, visible decreases you get from the standard method. For amigurumi where the surface is highly visible, it is worth the tiny bit of extra effort.
Stuff gradually. Rather than waiting until the end to stuff your ghost, add small amounts of stuffing as you work through the decrease rounds. This allows you to distribute the stuffing more evenly and prevents you from overstuffing, which can cause distortion.
Use a stitch marker at the start of each round. When working in continuous spirals, it is easy to lose track of where a round begins and ends. A simple loop of contrasting yarn or a plastic stitch marker placed at the start of Round 1 and moved up with each new round keeps you from miscounting.
Ideas for Customizing Your Ghost
One of the best things about this pattern is how easily it can be customized. Here are some ideas to make your ghosts unique.
Color variations: While white is the classic choice, try making ghosts in soft gray for a more eerie look, or lavender and pale blue for a pastel Halloween aesthetic. A very pale yellow creates a nice “old ghost” effect, and glow-in-the-dark yarn is available from several specialty yarn brands if you want a ghost that actually glows.
Witch ghost: Add a tiny crocheted witch hat on top of the ghost using black yarn. Simply crochet a small cone shape and a flat circle for the brim, seam them together, and sew the hat onto the top of the ghost at a jaunty angle.
Pumpkin ghost: Stitch or glue a tiny orange crocheted pumpkin into the ghost’s arms (made from two small rounds of white crocheted yarn) for an adorable trick-or-treating ghost.
Mini ghosts: Scale this pattern way down using fingering weight yarn and a 1.5mm hook to create tiny ghost charms perfect for earrings, keychains, or stitch markers. The same basic construction works at any scale.
Scary ghost: Skip the blush, make the eyes larger, and embroider a jagged, open-mouthed frown for a ghost that looks more menacing than cute — a great contrast piece when displayed alongside the friendlier versions.
Making a Ghost Garland
These ghosts look stunning strung together into a Halloween garland. To make one, crochet seven to ten ghosts and attach a hanging loop to each one. Cut a length of orange or black ribbon and thread it through each hanging loop at even intervals. Hang the garland across a mantle, along a staircase railing, or above a doorway for an impressive handmade Halloween decoration that guests will definitely notice and comment on.
If you want a more polished garland, alternate ghosts with crocheted pumpkins or small crocheted bats using the same worsted weight yarn and similar basic construction. The contrast between orange pumpkins and white ghosts is cheerful and very on-brand for Halloween.
Caring for Your Finished Ghost
If you used high-quality acrylic yarn, your finished ghost can be spot-cleaned with a damp cloth or gently hand-washed in cool water and laid flat to dry. Avoid hot water or machine drying, which can cause acrylic to become frizzy or lose its shape. If you used cotton yarn, hand-washing is also recommended.
Store your Halloween ghosts in a breathable fabric bag or box between seasons to keep them clean and free of dust. Avoid storing them compressed for long periods, which can permanently flatten the stuffing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a complete beginner make this pattern? Yes. If you know how to make a magic ring, single crochet, and basic increases and decreases, you have all the skills you need. The wavy hem is the trickiest part, but it is essentially just a chain and slip stitch sequence that is very forgiving to work.
How long does it take to make one ghost? Most crocheters complete one ghost in one to three hours, depending on experience level and pace. Once you have made two or three, the pattern becomes intuitive and the time drops significantly.
What if I do not know how to do a magic ring? You can substitute a foundation of chain 2, then work 6 single crochets into the second chain from the hook. Pull the tail gently to tighten the center as much as possible. The result is slightly less tidy than a magic ring but perfectly functional.
Can I sell items made from this pattern? Yes, you are welcome to sell finished ghosts made from this pattern. Please do not copy or redistribute the written pattern itself.
Final Thoughts
The Halloween ghost amigurumi is a perfect project for the season — quick enough to make in a single evening, cute enough to display proudly, and versatile enough to adapt in a dozen different ways. Whether you hang them as ornaments, line them up on a windowsill, or give them away as handmade gifts, these little guys have a way of making people smile.
If you make a ghost using this pattern, consider sharing a photo in your favorite crochet community or tagging it with a Halloween crafts hashtag so other crafters can find your version for inspiration. There is something genuinely wonderful about seeing all the different ways people bring the same pattern to life, and the crochet community is one of the most generous and encouraging creative spaces around.
Happy hooking, and happy haunting.
