Easy Crochet Monkey Toy Pattern by Lena Mart
If you’ve been searching for an adorable, beginner-friendly amigurumi project that’s guaranteed to bring smiles, look no further. This easy crochet monkey toy pattern by Lena Mart is exactly what your hook has been waiting for. Whether you’re making it as a gift for a little one, adding it to your stuffed animal collection, or simply looking for a fun weekend project, this charming little monkey is the perfect choice. With clear, step-by-step instructions and simple techniques, even newer crocheters will find this pattern approachable and rewarding.
In this post, we’ll walk through everything you need to know: the materials, gauge, stitch abbreviations, construction notes, and the full pattern itself. By the end, you’ll have a sweet, squishy monkey toy ready to cuddle.
Why You’ll Love This Crochet Monkey Pattern
There’s something universally lovable about a stuffed monkey. Maybe it’s the long dangly arms, the big round eyes, or the little round tummy — whatever it is, crochet monkeys have been a fan favorite in the amigurumi world for years. What makes Lena Mart’s version stand out is how it balances simplicity with personality. The finished toy looks detailed and professional, but the construction process is surprisingly straightforward.
This pattern is ideal for anyone who has mastered the magic ring, knows how to single crochet, increase, and decrease, and is ready to take on a full amigurumi project. If you’ve made a simple ball or flat circle before, you already have most of the skills you need.
The finished monkey measures approximately 8 to 9 inches tall when made with the recommended yarn and hook. It’s a great size for small hands to hold and hug, making it a wonderful handmade gift for babies and toddlers. (Always supervise young children with handmade toys and make sure all parts are securely attached.)
Materials You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather all your materials so you can crochet without interruption. Here’s what this pattern calls for:
Yarn: Worsted weight yarn (Category 4) in the following colors — brown (main color), tan or cream (contrast color for the face, belly, and inner ears), and a small amount of black for the nostrils and any surface details. Approximately 100–150 yards of brown and 40–50 yards of tan/cream will be sufficient.
Hook: US size E/3.5mm or F/3.75mm crochet hook. Use whichever produces a firm, tight fabric that prevents the stuffing from showing through.
Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill, enough to firmly stuff all body parts.
Eyes: Two 9mm or 12mm black safety eyes. If you’re making this toy for a child under three years old, embroider the eyes with black yarn instead of using safety eyes, as safety eyes can be a choking hazard.
Yarn needle: For sewing pieces together and weaving in ends.
Stitch markers: Helpful for keeping track of rounds.
Scissors: A sharp pair for cutting yarn cleanly.
Optional: A small amount of pink yarn or embroidery floss for the mouth and cheek details.
Gauge
Gauge is important in amigurumi because a loose fabric will allow the stuffing to show through or give the toy a floppy, unpolished appearance. Aim for approximately 4.5 stitches and 5 rows per inch in single crochet with your chosen yarn and hook. If your gauge is slightly different, your finished monkey may be a bit larger or smaller, but the proportions should still work out well.
Abbreviations and Stitch Guide
Throughout this pattern, the following abbreviations are used:
MR — Magic ring (also called a magic circle)
ch — Chain
sl st — Slip stitch
sc — Single crochet
inc — Increase (2 single crochets in the same stitch)
dec — Invisible decrease (insert hook in the front loop of the next two stitches and sc them together)
st(s) — Stitch(es)
rnd — Round
BLO — Back loop only
FLO — Front loop only
[…] x — Repeat the instructions inside the brackets the specified number of times
All rounds are worked in a continuous spiral unless otherwise noted. Do not join rounds unless the pattern specifically says to do so. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round so you don’t lose your place.
Construction Overview
The monkey is worked in separate pieces that are then assembled. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll make:
The head and body are worked as two separate pieces and sewn together. The arms (two) are worked in brown with a tan palm, the legs (two) are worked in brown with tan feet, and the tail is a long, slightly curved piece worked in brown. The ears (two) are small rounds worked in brown with a tan inner ear detail, and the face patch is a flat oval worked in tan. The nostrils are added with embroidery after assembly.
Take your time when assembling, as neat seaming makes all the difference in the finished look.
The Pattern
Head
Using brown yarn and your hook, begin with a magic ring.
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into the MR. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] x 6. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] x 6. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] x 6. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: [Sc 4, inc] x 6. (36 sts)
Rnd 7: [Sc 5, inc] x 6. (42 sts)
Rnds 8–15: Sc in each st around. (42 sts) — 8 rounds even
Rnd 16: [Sc 5, dec] x 6. (36 sts)
Rnd 17: [Sc 4, dec] x 6. (30 sts)
At this point, attach your safety eyes between rounds 10 and 11, spacing them about 10 to 12 stitches apart. If you are embroidering the eyes, you’ll add them after stuffing and closing.
Rnd 18: [Sc 3, dec] x 6. (24 sts)
Stuff the head firmly with fiberfill now.
Rnd 19: [Sc 2, dec] x 6. (18 sts)
Rnd 20: [Sc 1, dec] x 6. (12 sts)
Rnd 21: Dec x 6. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a tail. Use your yarn needle to close the remaining 6 stitches by weaving through the front loops, pulling snug, and securing. Weave in the end.
Face Patch (worked in tan/cream yarn)
The face patch is a flat oval that gives the monkey its characteristic lighter-colored muzzle area.
Ch 5.
Rnd 1: Starting in the 2nd ch from hook: sc 3, then 3 sc in the last ch. Rotate and work along the other side of the chain: sc 2, then 2 sc in the last ch. (10 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc, sc 2, inc 3 times, sc 2, inc 2 times. (16 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc, sc 2, [sc 1, inc] x 3, sc 2, [sc 1, inc] x 2. (22 sts)
Sl st to join and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. This piece will be sewn onto the lower front of the head before final assembly.
Body
Using brown yarn:
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] x 6. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] x 6. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] x 6. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: [Sc 4, inc] x 6. (36 sts)
Rnds 7–9: Sc in each st around. (36 sts)
Now switch to tan/cream yarn for the belly section:
Rnds 10–14: Sc in each st around. (36 sts) — 5 rounds in tan
Switch back to brown yarn:
Rnds 15–17: Sc in each st around. (36 sts)
Rnd 18: [Sc 4, dec] x 6. (30 sts)
Rnd 19: [Sc 3, dec] x 6. (24 sts)
Stuff the body firmly.
Rnd 20: [Sc 2, dec] x 6. (18 sts)
Rnd 21: [Sc 1, dec] x 6. (12 sts)
Do not fasten off yet — leave the opening open for attaching to the head or continue decreasing if you prefer a fully closed body that gets sewn at the neck.
Rnd 22: Dec x 6. (6 sts)
Fasten off and close as you did the head. Set aside.
Arms (make 2)
Using tan/cream yarn:
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnds 3–4: Sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Switch to brown yarn:
Rnd 5: [Sc 2, dec] x 3. (9 sts)
Rnds 6–18: Sc in each st around. (9 sts) — 13 rounds even
Add a small amount of stuffing to the hand portion only. Leave the upper arm lightly stuffed or unstuffed so it hangs naturally when attached.
Rnd 19: Dec x 4, sc 1. (5 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to the body. Flatten the top of the arm slightly before sewing for a neater join.
Legs (make 2)
Using tan/cream yarn:
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] x 6. (18 sts)
Rnds 4–6: Sc in each st around. (18 sts)
Switch to brown yarn:
Rnd 7: [Sc 1, dec] x 6. (12 sts)
Stuff the foot firmly.
Rnds 8–18: Sc in each st around. (12 sts) — 11 rounds even
Add more stuffing as you go.
Rnd 19: Dec x 6. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Close the tip and leave a long sewing tail for attaching to the body.
Ears (make 2)
Using brown yarn:
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] x 6. (18 sts)
Sl st to join, fasten off, leaving a sewing tail.
Now work the inner ear in tan/cream:
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Sl st to join, fasten off, leaving a sewing tail.
Place the tan inner ear piece on top of the brown outer ear piece and sew around the edges to join them, leaving the flat edge open for attaching to the head.
Tail
Using brown yarn, chain 40.
Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, sc in each chain across. (39 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long sewing tail. The tail can be left flat or you can fold it lengthwise and sew it into a slight tube shape for a rounder look. Curl the tip by curling the yarn around your finger and tacking it in place with a few stitches.
Assembling Your Monkey
This is where your little monkey comes to life. Take your time with this stage, as good assembly is the difference between a toy that looks polished and one that looks a bit off.
Start by pinning the face patch to the lower front of the head, centered between the eyes and below them. Use your yarn needle and tan yarn to sew it in place with small, neat stitches around the entire perimeter. Once secured, embroider two small nostrils near the top center of the face patch using black yarn, making two small oval shapes or simple straight stitches.
If you’re adding an embroidered smile, use black yarn or embroidery floss to stitch a gentle curve just below the nostrils. Optional pink cheeks can be added by making two small flat circles in pink yarn (work rounds 1 and 2 of the ear pattern, then fasten off) and sewing them on either side of the face patch.
Next, pin the head to the top of the body and sew firmly all the way around the neck seam. Make sure the face is centered and pointing forward before you commit to sewing.
Attach the ears to the sides of the head at about round 5 or 6, one on each side, roughly in line with the eyes. Sew through both layers of the ear and into the head several times for a secure join.
Pin the arms to the sides of the body at about the level of round 7 from the neck seam, with the palms facing inward. Sew each arm on firmly, going through the flattened top of the arm and into the body several times.
Pin the legs to the bottom of the body, one on each side of center, with the feet pointing forward. Sew each leg on very securely, as legs bear the most stress during play.
Finally, attach the tail to the lower back of the body, curling the tip upward. Tack the curl in place if you like.
Weave in all remaining ends carefully, taking extra time to hide any color change tails inside the body of the toy.
Tips for a Beautiful Finished Monkey
A few small habits will elevate your finished toy significantly. Always stuff firmly — under-stuffed amigurumi look deflated and shapeless. Use the invisible decrease technique for smooth, gap-free decreasing. When seaming pieces together, use the same yarn as the piece you’re attaching so the stitches blend in naturally. If a seam looks uneven, don’t be afraid to unpick it and redo it — a few extra minutes here makes a real difference.
If you want your monkey to be pose-able or to sit up on its own, insert a small amount of plastic pellets or weighted stuffing into the bottom of the body before closing it up.
Variations and Customization Ideas
One of the best things about making your own toys is the ability to customize. Try making the monkey in different colorways — a grey monkey with a white belly, a golden monkey with an orange face patch, or even a fun rainbow-striped monkey using color change techniques on the body. Add a little bow tie or a tiny crochet hat. Lengthen the arms and tail for an extra dramatic, dangling look. Change up the eye placement slightly for different expressions — eyes placed further apart give a wider, more surprised look, while eyes closer together create a more focused little face.
You can also adjust the size of the finished toy by changing your yarn weight and hook size. Use bulky yarn for a giant cuddle monkey, or lace weight yarn for a tiny ornament-sized version.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this pattern take to complete? Most crocheters with intermediate experience can finish this monkey in a weekend of casual crocheting, roughly 8 to 12 hours total. Beginners may take a bit longer, especially with assembly.
Can I use a different yarn weight?
