Free Amigurumi Monkey Crochet Pattern: Make Your Own Adorable Stuffed Monkey

There is something truly magical about turning a simple ball of yarn into a character that makes someone’s face light up. Amigurumi, the Japanese art of crocheting or knitting small stuffed figures, has taken the crafting world by storm — and for good reason. These little creatures are endlessly customizable, surprisingly quick to make once you get the hang of the technique, and they make some of the most heartfelt handmade gifts you can give. Today, I’m sharing a complete free amigurumi monkey crochet pattern that’s perfect for beginners and intermediate crocheters alike.

This pattern will walk you through creating a sweet little stuffed monkey from head to toe — or rather, from the top of those round ears to the tip of that curly tail. Whether you’re making it for a baby shower gift, a child’s birthday, a holiday stocking stuffer, or just because you love crocheting adorable things, this pattern delivers a charming finished result every single time.

Let’s get started.

What Is Amigurumi and Why Is It So Popular?

Before diving into the pattern itself, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate what makes amigurumi so special. The word combines the Japanese words “ami” (meaning knitted or crocheted) and “nuigurumi” (meaning stuffed doll). The style originated in Japan and became a global phenomenon through the internet crafting community, particularly in the early 2000s.

What sets amigurumi apart from other crochet projects is the method of working in continuous rounds rather than flat rows, which creates seamless, three-dimensional shapes. The technique produces that perfectly round, plush aesthetic that makes amigurumi look almost cartoon-like in the best possible way. Small details like safety eyes, embroidered smiles, and carefully shaped limbs give each piece a personality that feels alive.

Monkeys are one of the most beloved amigurumi subjects for several reasons. Their playful nature translates beautifully into yarn, their long arms and curly tail offer fun design challenges, and both children and adults tend to absolutely adore them. Plus, who can resist a tiny crocheted monkey face with big round eyes?

Materials You’ll Need

Before casting on your first stitch, gather all of your materials so your crafting session goes smoothly. Here is everything you’ll need for this free amigurumi monkey crochet pattern.

Yarn: Worsted weight yarn (Category 4) works best for this pattern. You’ll need approximately 150 yards of medium brown for the body, 50 yards of tan or beige for the face, inner ears, and belly, and a small amount of dark brown or black for accent details. You can absolutely use any brand you like. Lion Brand Pound of Love, Red Heart Super Saver, Caron Simply Soft, and Paintbox Simply DK are all great choices for amigurumi work.

Hook: A 3.5mm crochet hook is recommended for worsted weight yarn to create a tight fabric that won’t let stuffing peek through. If your tension runs loose, size down to a 3.25mm hook.

Safety eyes: Two 12mm black safety eyes are ideal for this pattern. If you’re making this monkey for a child under three years old, embroider the eyes with black yarn instead for safety.

Polyfill stuffing: A generous amount of polyester fiberfill will keep your monkey plump and huggable. Don’t skimp on this — a firmly stuffed amigurumi holds its shape beautifully and lasts for years.

Tapestry needle: You’ll need this to sew pieces together and to weave in your yarn ends.

Stitch markers: These are helpful for marking the beginning of each round so you don’t lose your place.

Scissors: A sharp pair makes all the difference when cutting yarn cleanly.

Optional: A small piece of wire or pipe cleaner can be inserted into the tail to make it poseable and curly. If you do this for a child’s toy, make sure the wire is fully enclosed and cannot poke through.

Abbreviations and Stitches Used

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology. Here’s a quick reference for the abbreviations you’ll encounter.

MR — magic ring
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
inc — increase (two single crochets in the same stitch)
dec — invisible decrease (insert hook through front loops only of the next two stitches and single crochet together)
BLO — back loop only
FLO — front loop only
st — stitch
rnd — round

Pattern Notes

All pieces are worked in continuous rounds unless otherwise stated. Use a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round. The monkey is assembled by sewing all separate pieces onto the body. Stuff each piece firmly before closing. Leave a long tail of yarn when finishing off each piece for easy sewing.

The finished monkey stands approximately 8 to 9 inches tall when complete, depending on your tension. A slightly tighter gauge will produce a smaller monkey; looser tension will yield a larger one.

The Head

Start with your tan or beige yarn.

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: Sc 3, inc repeat around. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: Sc 4, inc repeat around. (36 sts)
Rnd 7: Sc 5, inc repeat around. (42 sts)
Rnd 8–14: Sc around. (42 sts, 7 rounds)

Switch to brown yarn.

Rnd 15–18: Sc around. (42 sts, 4 rounds)
Rnd 19: Sc 5, dec repeat around. (36 sts)
Rnd 20: Sc 4, dec repeat around. (30 sts)

Attach safety eyes between rounds 10 and 11, approximately 6 stitches apart. Embroider a small nose with dark brown yarn just above where the tan and brown sections meet. If desired, use a tapestry needle and black yarn to stitch a curved smile.

Rnd 21: Sc 3, dec repeat around. (24 sts)
Rnd 22: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (18 sts)

Stuff the head firmly.

Rnd 23: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (12 sts)
Rnd 24: Dec around. (6 sts)

Fasten off and close the hole using your tapestry needle. Leave a long tail for sewing.

The Body

With brown yarn.

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: Sc 3, inc repeat around. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: Sc 4, inc repeat around. (36 sts)
Rnd 7–14: Sc around. (36 sts, 8 rounds)
Rnd 15: Sc 4, dec repeat around. (30 sts)
Rnd 16: Sc 3, dec repeat around. (24 sts)
Rnd 17: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (18 sts)

Stuff the body firmly.

Rnd 18: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (12 sts)
Rnd 19: Dec around. (6 sts)

Fasten off and leave a long tail. Close the hole and set aside.

The Arms (Make Two)

With brown yarn.

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3–4: Sc around. (12 sts, 2 rounds)

Switch to tan yarn for the hand section.

Rnd 5–6: Sc around. (12 sts, 2 rounds)

Switch back to brown yarn.

Rnd 7–16: Sc around. (12 sts, 10 rounds)

Stuff lightly — you want the arms to be a bit floppy and poseable rather than stiff. Flatten the top of the arm and sc across through both layers to close. Leave a long tail for sewing.

The Legs (Make Two)

With brown yarn.

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3–5: Sc around. (12 sts, 3 rounds)
Rnd 6: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (9 sts)
Rnd 7–16: Sc around. (9 sts, 10 rounds)

Stuff firmly from the foot upward. Flatten the top and sc across to close. Leave a long tail for sewing.

The Ears (Make Two — Outer Ear in Brown, Inner Ear in Tan)

Outer ear (brown):
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc around. (18 sts)

Fasten off. Leave a long tail.

Inner ear (tan):
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)

Fasten off. Leave a long tail.

To assemble each ear, place the tan inner ear on top of the brown outer ear and sew them together around the edge with your tapestry needle. Sew each completed ear onto the sides of the head, positioned between rounds 6 and 10.

The Tail

With brown yarn, chain 25.

Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc across. (24 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. If you’d like a curly tail, wrap your finished tail around a pencil or your finger while it’s still slightly damp and let it dry fully — this sets the curl naturally. Alternatively, thread a small pipe cleaner or wire through the inside before sewing it on, and shape it into a gentle curve.

Sew the tail to the lower back of the body.

Assembly

Now comes the most satisfying part of the whole project — putting your monkey together and watching the personality emerge.

Begin by sewing the head to the body, positioning the face slightly forward (the tan section of the head should be at the front) and making sure everything is centered. Take your time here and check the alignment from all angles before securing it fully.

Next, sew the arms to either side of the upper body, just below where the head sits. Pin them in place first to confirm you’re happy with the position. Some crocheters like the arms positioned straight out at the sides; others prefer them angled slightly downward for a more natural resting look.

Attach the legs to the lower body, making sure they’re even and symmetrical. Your monkey can sit nicely if the legs are angled slightly forward rather than pointing straight down.

Finally, sew the tail onto the lower back and curl it up or to one side however you like. Weave in all remaining yarn ends carefully so they don’t unravel over time.

Customization Ideas

One of the most exciting things about making your own amigurumi is how easy it is to put your own spin on the design. Here are some ideas to inspire you.

You could dress your monkey in a tiny crocheted outfit — a little hat, a miniature scarf, or even a tiny vest. If you search for amigurumi clothing patterns, you’ll find hundreds of free options online that can be adapted to fit this size.

Consider changing the color palette entirely. A grey and white monkey has a lovely modern look, while a bright rainbow monkey made with multicolor yarn becomes something whimsical and one-of-a-kind. You could even make a family of monkeys in different sizes by adjusting your hook size and yarn weight.

Adding embroidered details can elevate your finished monkey significantly. A few small stitches can suggest eyebrows, freckles, or even tiny toenails on the feet. Use contrasting yarn and a sharp tapestry needle for the cleanest results.

If you’re making this pattern as a baby gift, consider using organic cotton yarn instead of acrylic. Organic cotton is hypoallergenic, washable, and incredibly soft against delicate skin. Just keep in mind that you’ll want to embroider rather than use safety eyes for any toy given to very young children.

Helpful Tips for Amigurumi Beginners

If this is your first amigurumi project, welcome — you’re going to love this craft. A few tips will make your experience much smoother.

Tension is everything in amigurumi. Your stitches should be firm and even so that the stuffing doesn’t show through gaps in the fabric. If you can see light through your work when you hold it up, try going down a hook size.

The magic ring can feel tricky at first, but it becomes second nature quickly. Take your time with it, and if it frustrates you, a simple chain-2 and six single crochets into the second chain from the hook works as a substitute — it just leaves a slightly larger hole at the center.

Don’t rush the sewing-together stage. The assembly is what gives your amigurumi its character and proportions. Spending an extra ten minutes pinning pieces into place before sewing them permanently is always worth it.

Keep a small amount of extra stuffing nearby as you work, because it’s always better to add a pinch more before closing a piece than to wish you had afterward.

Finally, trust the process. Your first amigurumi might not look exactly like the photos, and that’s completely fine. Every handmade piece has its own charm, and with every project you complete, your skills grow.

Storing and Caring for Your Finished Monkey

A finished amigurumi monkey made with acrylic yarn can typically be spot-cleaned or gently hand-washed in cool water. Reshape it while damp and let it air dry flat — avoid putting it in a dryer, as heat can distort the shape and flatten the stuffing.

If you’ve used cotton or a natural fiber, follow the care instructions on the yarn label, as natural fibers can be more sensitive.

Store your finished amigurumi away from direct sunlight to prevent the colors from fading over time. If it’s a display piece rather than a play toy, a light dusting with a soft cloth every now and then keeps it looking fresh.

Final Thoughts

Making this free amigurumi monkey crochet pattern is one of those projects that’s as enjoyable to create as it is to give away. From the moment you work that first magic ring to the satisfying moment when you sew on the last piece and see your little monkey staring back at you with those big round eyes, every step of the process is rewarding.

Whether you’re new to amigurumi or you’ve made dozens of them, there’s always something special about finishing a new character. If you make this monkey, I’d absolutely love to see your finished creation. Share your photos in the comments below or tag your work on social media — the crafting community is one of the warmest and most encouraging spaces on the internet, and your work deserves to be celebrated.

Happy crocheting, and enjoy every single stitch.