Amigurumi Squirrel Free Pattern: Your Complete Guide to a Cuddly Crocheted Friend

There is something almost magical about turning a ball of yarn and a crochet hook into a tiny, stuffed animal that looks like it wandered straight out of an autumn woodland. Amigurumi, the Japanese art of crocheting small stuffed figures, has exploded in popularity over the past decade, and for good reason. The projects are relatively compact, endlessly customizable, and deeply satisfying to complete. Among the most beloved characters in the amigurumi world is the squirrel — with its fluffy tail, rounded belly, and bright little eyes, it captures everything charming about the craft.

This post gives you a full, free amigurumi squirrel pattern that is beginner-friendly yet detailed enough to produce a polished, professional-looking finished piece. Whether you are making this as a gift, a decoration, or simply for the joy of creating, you will find everything you need right here.

What Is Amigurumi?

Before diving into the pattern itself, a quick word about the craft for anyone just getting started. Amigurumi (編み包み) literally translates to “knitted or crocheted stuffed toy” in Japanese. The technique became popular in Japan in the 1980s and 1990s through craft magazines and has since become a global phenomenon, with communities of makers sharing free and paid patterns across every social media platform imaginable.

The defining characteristic of amigurumi is the continuous spiral worked in single crochet, which creates a tight, even fabric that holds stuffing without gaps. Most amigurumi figures are worked in rounds, with a magic ring as the starting point, and assembled from separately crocheted pieces. The style tends toward rounded, exaggerated proportions — large heads, small bodies, simplified limbs — which gives the finished toys their characteristic charm.

Materials You Will Need

Getting the materials right before you start makes the whole process smoother. Here is what you need for this amigurumi squirrel pattern.

Yarn: Worsted weight (size 4) yarn works well for a beginner because it is easy to see your stitches clearly. You will need approximately 100 grams in your main color (a warm brown, grey, or chestnut tone works beautifully for a squirrel) and around 20 grams in a lighter contrast color for the belly and inner ears. A small amount of white yarn for the eye highlights is optional but adds a lot of personality.

Hook: A 3.5mm crochet hook is recommended for worsted weight yarn when working amigurumi. Going down a hook size from what the yarn label recommends is intentional — the tighter tension prevents the stuffing from showing through the fabric.

Safety eyes: Two 9mm or 12mm safety eyes. Black is the classic choice, but amber or brown safety eyes give a warm, naturalistic look.

Polyfill stuffing: Regular polyester fiberfill stuffing works perfectly. You want to stuff firmly but not so hard that the seams stretch.

Tapestry needle: For sewing pieces together and weaving in ends.

Stitch markers: Helpful for marking the beginning of each round in the continuous spiral.

Scissors: A small, sharp pair for cutting yarn cleanly.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

The pattern uses US crochet terminology throughout.

MR — Magic ring
Ch — Chain
Sl st — Slip stitch
Sc — Single crochet
Inc — Increase (2 single crochets in the same stitch)
Dec — Invisible decrease (insert hook through front loops of next two stitches, yarn over, pull through both loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops)
BLO — Back loops only
St — Stitch
Rnd — Round
( ) x — Repeat instructions in parentheses the stated number of times

Pattern Notes

Work in continuous spiral rounds unless otherwise noted. Do not join rounds or chain up at the end unless the pattern specifically says to do so. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you complete each one — this keeps your count accurate and your sanity intact.

The finished squirrel measures approximately 18 to 20 centimeters (7 to 8 inches) tall when assembled, depending on your tension and the yarn you choose.

The Pattern

Head

Start with your main color yarn.

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
Rnd 2: Inc x 6 (12)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: (Sc 3, inc) x 6 (30)
Rnd 6: (Sc 4, inc) x 6 (36)
Rnd 7: (Sc 5, inc) x 6 (42)
Rnd 8–14: Sc around (42) [7 rounds even] Rnd 15: (Sc 5, dec) x 6 (36)
Rnd 16: (Sc 4, dec) x 6 (30)

Before continuing, insert safety eyes between rounds 9 and 10, with approximately 8 to 10 stitches between them. This is the point where you need to place them, because once you close the head further it becomes difficult to attach the washers securely.

Rnd 17: (Sc 3, dec) x 6 (24)
Rnd 18: (Sc 2, dec) x 6 (18)

Stuff the head firmly now. Continue stuffing as you work the final rounds.

Rnd 19: (Sc 1, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 20: Dec x 6 (6)

Close with a slip stitch, cut yarn, and weave the end through the remaining stitches to close. Fasten off securely.

Muzzle

The muzzle gives the squirrel its characteristic snout and makes the face immediately recognizable.

With contrast (lighter) color yarn:

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
Rnd 2: Inc x 6 (12)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: Sc around (18)

Do not stuff the muzzle. Flatten slightly and sew it onto the front of the head centered below the eyes, around rounds 11 to 13. Use your tapestry needle and matching yarn, and take your time with this step — a well-placed muzzle makes an enormous difference to the overall expression of the finished toy. Once attached, use a length of dark brown or black yarn to embroider a simple Y-shape onto the muzzle to create the nose and mouth.

Body

Switch to main color yarn.

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
Rnd 2: Inc x 6 (12)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: (Sc 3, inc) x 6 (30)
Rnd 6: (Sc 4, inc) x 6 (36)
Rnd 7–12: Sc around (36) [6 rounds even] Rnd 13: (Sc 4, dec) x 6 (30)
Rnd 14: Sc around (30)
Rnd 15: (Sc 3, dec) x 6 (24)
Rnd 16: Sc around (24)
Rnd 17: (Sc 2, dec) x 6 (18)

Stuff the body firmly. Continue crocheting.

Rnd 18: (Sc 1, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 19: Dec x 6 (6)

Close and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

For the belly patch, cut a small oval shape of contrast color yarn and sew it onto the front of the body before assembly, or simply embroider a few rows of surface slip stitch in the contrast color to create the lighter belly area.

Arms (Make Two)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
Rnd 2: Inc x 6 (12)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4–6: Sc around (18) [3 rounds even] Rnd 7: (Sc 1, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 8–14: Sc around (12) [7 rounds even]

Stuff lightly — the arms should be slightly floppy and posable rather than rigid. Flatten the top of the arm and sew closed with a few stitches. Leave a long tail for attaching.

Legs (Make Two)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
Rnd 2: Inc x 6 (12)
Rnd 3: (Sc 2, inc) x 4 (16)
Rnd 4: Sc in BLO around (16)
Rnd 5: Sc around (16)
Rnd 6: (Sc 2, dec) x 4, sc 4 (13)
Rnd 7–12: Sc around (13) [6 rounds even]

Stuff lightly and flatten the top for sewing. Leave a long yarn tail.

Ears (Make Two in Main Color and Two in Contrast Color)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
Rnd 2: Inc x 6 (12)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: Sc around (24)

Fasten off. Place one main color ear piece and one contrast piece together with wrong sides facing and whip stitch around the edges to join them. You will have a rounded ear with main color on the outside and contrast color on the inside. Do not stuff. Leave a long tail for sewing to the head.

For a classic squirrel look with pointed ear tufts, after joining your ear pieces, pinch the top of each ear slightly before sewing onto the head. A couple of stitches through both layers at the pinch point will hold the shape in place.

Tail

The tail is the most distinctive and impressive part of this pattern. It is worked flat and then curled and shaped during assembly.

Row 1: Ch 6, sc in second ch from hook and across (5)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, inc, sc 3, inc (7)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, inc, sc 5, inc (9)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, inc, sc 7, inc (11)
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, inc, sc 9, inc (13)
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, inc, sc 11, inc (15)
Row 7–10: Ch 1, turn, sc across (15) [4 rows even] Row 11: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 11, dec (13)
Row 12: Ch 1, turn, sc across (13)
Row 13: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 9, dec (11)
Row 14: Ch 1, turn, sc across (11)
Row 15: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 7, dec (9)
Row 16: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 5, dec (7)
Row 17: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 3, dec (5)

Do not fasten off. Sc evenly around the entire perimeter of the tail piece, working into the row ends along the sides. Join with a slip stitch when you return to the start. Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.

Fold the tail piece in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and whip stitch the two long edges partially together, leaving enough of an opening to push a moderate amount of stuffing in for a little body. The tail should be puffy but still flat enough to curve naturally. Leave the straight end open for attaching to the body.

To create that distinctive squirrel tail curl, simply sew the tip of the tail to a point about halfway up the tail’s length, pulling it into a gentle curve before securing. This single step transforms a flat piece into something that looks genuinely squirrel-like from the very first glance.

Assembly

Assembly is where the magic truly happens, and also where patience pays the biggest dividends. Work on a clean, flat surface with good lighting so you can see your pieces clearly.

Begin by sewing the head to the body. Position the head at the top of the body with the face pointing forward and the widest part of the body at the bottom. Use a tapestry needle and main color yarn to whipstitch around the entire join, going through both the last round of the body and the last round of the head. Go around twice for extra security, especially if the toy is intended for young children.

Next, attach the ears to the top of the head. Position them symmetrically, around rounds 3 to 5 of the head, tilted very slightly outward for a natural, alert expression. Pin them in place with stitch markers or straight pins before committing to sewing, since it is much easier to adjust placement before the needle starts making holes.

The arms are sewn onto the sides of the body roughly at rounds 14 to 16, and the legs are attached to the bottom sides of the body, angled slightly forward so the squirrel can sit in a stable, upright position. If you want the squirrel to appear to be holding something — an acorn, a tiny crocheted mushroom, a little ball of yarn — position the arms closer together at the front before sewing.

Finally, attach the tail to the back of the body at the base, curving it up and over the back. Secure the tip of the tail to a point between the shoulder blades with a few hidden stitches so the curl stays in place and does not flop to one side.

Adding Details and Finishing Touches

Once assembly is complete, small details make an enormous difference. Use a length of dark brown embroidery floss or thin yarn to add three or four tiny claw lines at the tip of each paw. A small stitch or two in white yarn on the safety eyes creates a highlight that gives the squirrel a bright, lively look.

If you want to add a tiny acorn for your squirrel to hold, work a small brown hemisphere (magic ring, 6 sc, inc x 6, sc around for two rounds) and a flat cap in dark brown with a short chain stem. Sew the acorn between the two arms so it sits securely.

Weave in all remaining yarn ends very carefully. Taking a few extra minutes to weave each end through multiple directions in the fabric prevents them from working loose over time, particularly important if the toy is going to be handled by children or washed.

Customization Ideas

One of the great joys of amigurumi is how endlessly the same basic pattern can be adapted. A grey yarn gives you a classic city squirrel, a deep russet-red gives you a European red squirrel, and a warm chestnut brown calls to mind the woodland squirrels of countless autumn illustrations. Adding a tiny knitted scarf or a miniature acorn backpack transforms the squirrel into a character with its own personality.

For a larger version of the pattern, simply use bulky weight yarn and a 5mm or 6mm hook. The proportions stay the same and the finished toy will come out roughly twice the size, making it ideal as a nursery decoration or a pillow-style plush.

Care Instructions for Your Finished Squirrel

Amigurumi toys crocheted from acrylic yarn can generally be hand-washed in cool water with a small amount of gentle soap, then reshaped and laid flat to dry. Avoid the dryer, which can cause acrylic yarn to become stiff and misshapen. Cotton yarn versions should be treated similarly. If the toy is used as a gift for a baby or young child, washing before gifting is always a