Amigurumi Monkey Crochet Pattern: Your Complete Step-by-Step Guide to a Cuddly Handmade Friend
There is something undeniably charming about a handmade amigurumi monkey. Whether you are crafting one as a gift for a child, a decoration for a nursery, or simply as a creative project to enjoy on a quiet afternoon, this little crocheted creature has a way of bringing smiles to everyone who sees it. Amigurumi — the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures — has grown into one of the most beloved niches in the fiber arts community, and monkeys are consistently one of the most requested characters. With their round heads, big eyes, expressive faces, and playful curled tails, they lend themselves perfectly to the amigurumi style.
In this complete guide, you will find everything you need to make your own amigurumi monkey crochet pattern from scratch. This tutorial is written for confident beginners and intermediate crocheters. If you know how to make a magic ring, single crochet, increase, and decrease, you have everything you need to get started. By the end, you will have a finished monkey that stands approximately 6 to 7 inches tall, depending on your yarn weight and tension.
Let’s dive in.
Materials You Will Need
Before you pick up your hook, gather all your materials. Having everything ready before you begin makes the process much smoother and more enjoyable.
Yarn: You will need worsted weight yarn (size 4) in three colors. Choose a main body color — brown, tan, or even a fun novelty color like teal or coral if you want a whimsical version — along with a lighter color for the face and belly (cream or beige works beautifully), and a small amount of dark brown or black for facial details like the nose and mouth.
Hook: A 3.5mm or 4.0mm crochet hook works well with worsted weight yarn. Many amigurumi makers prefer to go slightly smaller than the yarn label recommends. This tightens your stitches and prevents the stuffing from showing through.
Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill stuffing is the standard choice. Use enough to give your monkey a firm, satisfying feel without overstuffing to the point that seams strain.
Safety eyes: Two 9mm or 12mm safety eyes in black. If you are making this monkey for a child under three, embroider the eyes with black yarn instead of using safety eyes, which can be a choking hazard.
Yarn needle: A blunt tapestry needle for sewing pieces together and weaving in ends.
Stitch markers: These are incredibly helpful for keeping track of the beginning of each round.
Scissors: A sharp pair of embroidery scissors or general craft scissors.
Optional: Wire armature or pipe cleaners if you want to make posable limbs or a curled tail.
Understanding Amigurumi Basics
If you are new to amigurumi, a few conventions will help you follow this pattern more smoothly. Amigurumi is almost always worked in continuous rounds, meaning you do not join at the end of each round with a slip stitch. Instead, you simply keep crocheting in a spiral. This is why stitch markers are so important — place one at the beginning of each round and move it up as you go.
All stitches in this pattern are worked in American crochet terminology. The foundation of nearly every amigurumi piece is the magic ring (also called a magic circle), which allows you to begin crocheting in the round without leaving a hole at the center of your work.
The abbreviations used throughout this pattern are as follows: MR stands for magic ring, sc means single crochet, inc means increase (two single crochets in the same stitch), dec means invisible decrease (insert hook into the front loop of the next two stitches and single crochet them together), sl st means slip stitch, ch means chain, and FO means fasten off.
Pattern: Amigurumi Monkey
Head
The head is the centerpiece of your monkey and sets the tone for everything else. Work it in your main body color.
Round 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring. (6 stitches)
Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)
Round 3: [Sc 1, inc] repeat 6 times. (18 stitches)
Round 4: [Sc 2, inc] repeat 6 times. (24 stitches)
Round 5: [Sc 3, inc] repeat 6 times. (30 stitches)
Round 6: [Sc 4, inc] repeat 6 times. (36 stitches)
Round 7: [Sc 5, inc] repeat 6 times. (42 stitches)
Rounds 8 through 14: Sc in each stitch around. (42 stitches, 7 rounds)
Round 15: [Sc 5, dec] repeat 6 times. (36 stitches)
Round 16: [Sc 4, dec] repeat 6 times. (30 stitches)
At this point, attach your safety eyes between rounds 10 and 11, spacing them approximately 10 stitches apart. If you are embroidering eyes, do this after finishing and stuffing the head.
Round 17: [Sc 3, dec] repeat 6 times. (24 stitches)
Round 18: [Sc 2, dec] repeat 6 times. (18 stitches)
Stuff the head firmly with fiberfill.
Round 19: [Sc 1, dec] repeat 6 times. (12 stitches)
Round 20: [Dec] repeat 6 times. (6 stitches)
Fasten off and leave a long tail to close the opening. Use your yarn needle to pull the tail through the front loops of the remaining stitches, cinch closed, and weave in the end.
Face Muzzle
The muzzle gives your monkey that classic, expressive look. Work this piece in your lighter contrast color.
Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6 stitches)
Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)
Round 3: [Sc 1, inc] repeat 6 times. (18 stitches)
Round 4: Sc in each stitch around. (18 stitches)
Do not stuff the muzzle. Flatten it slightly and sew it centered onto the face, just below the eyes. Once it is partially sewn on, use your yarn needle and dark yarn to embroider a small nose at the top center of the muzzle and a simple curved smile beneath it. Finish sewing the muzzle closed around the edges.
Body
Work the body in your main color, switching to the contrast color for the belly portion.
Round 1: MR, 6 sc in main color. (6 stitches)
Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)
Round 3: [Sc 1, inc] repeat 6 times. (18 stitches)
Round 4: [Sc 2, inc] repeat 6 times. (24 stitches)
Round 5: [Sc 3, inc] repeat 6 times. (30 stitches)
Rounds 6 through 8: Sc in each stitch around. (30 stitches)
Switch to contrast color for rounds 9 through 13, working sc in each stitch around. (30 stitches)
Switch back to main color.
Round 14: [Sc 3, dec] repeat 6 times. (24 stitches)
Round 15: Sc in each stitch around. (24 stitches)
Round 16: [Sc 2, dec] repeat 6 times. (18 stitches)
Stuff the body.
Round 17: [Sc 1, dec] repeat 6 times. (12 stitches)
Round 18: [Dec] repeat 6 times. (6 stitches)
Fasten off and close as with the head.
Arms (Make Two)
Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6 stitches)
Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)
Round 3: [Sc 1, inc] repeat 6 times. (18 stitches)
Round 4: Sc in each stitch around. (18 stitches)
Round 5: [Sc 1, dec] repeat 6 times. (12 stitches)
Rounds 6 through 15: Sc in each stitch around. (12 stitches, 10 rounds)
Do not stuff the arms, or stuff them very lightly so they stay floppy and posable. Flatten and sew closed. Attach to the sides of the body, positioned roughly at round 14 of the body.
Legs (Make Two)
Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6 stitches)
Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)
Round 3: [Sc 1, inc] repeat 6 times. (18 stitches)
Rounds 4 through 5: Sc in each stitch around. (18 stitches)
Round 6: [Sc 1, dec] repeat 6 times. (12 stitches)
Rounds 7 through 18: Sc in each stitch around. (12 stitches, 12 rounds)
Stuff legs lightly. Flatten and sew closed. Attach to the bottom of the body so that they face forward and the monkey can sit on its own.
Ears (Make Two)
Round 1: MR, 6 sc in main color. (6 stitches)
Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)
Round 3: In contrast color, sc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten and sew the ears to the sides of the head at approximately round 7.
Tail
The tail is one of the most fun parts of this monkey. You can make it straight and then curl it into shape, or insert a pipe cleaner to make it posable.
Chain 30. Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc in each chain back to the beginning. (29 stitches)
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Attach the tail to the lower back of the body. If you want a curly tail, wrap it around a pencil or your finger after attaching, spritz lightly with water, and let it dry in place. For a posable tail, insert a pipe cleaner before sewing.
Assembly Tips
Assembling your amigurumi monkey is where the magic really happens. Lay out all your finished pieces before you begin sewing to get a sense of the overall look and positioning.
Start by attaching the head to the body. Use your yarn needle and a long tail to sew around the neck, making sure the head is centered and faces forward. Pull tight and secure with several knots before weaving in the end.
Next, pin the arms in place before sewing. A simple straight pin or a small locking stitch marker can hold them while you assess symmetry. The arms should hang naturally at the monkey’s sides, with the hand portion (the rounder end) pointing slightly downward.
Repeat the same process for the legs. Most crocheters position amigurumi monkey legs so the toy can sit in a relaxed pose, with the legs extending forward from the lower half of the body.
The ears go on last before any finishing work. Place them symmetrically on either side of the head, with the contrast color inner ear facing forward. Sew through both layers of the ear and into the head several times to make sure they are firmly attached — ears are one of the pieces that take the most handling on a finished toy.
Adding Personality With Embroidery
Once your monkey is assembled, you have the opportunity to add small embroidered details that bring it to life. Using dark yarn or embroidery floss, you can add eyebrow arches just above the safety eyes to give your monkey a curious or mischievous expression. A few straight stitches in a slightly lighter tone on the muzzle can suggest nostrils. You can even embroider tiny fingernail or toenail details on the hands and feet if you want to go the extra mile.
The expression on your monkey’s face is entirely up to you. A gently curved upward mouth creates a cheerful, open expression. A more subtle straight line creates a more neutral, contemplative look. If you embroider a slight frown and add drooping eyelids with a few stitches of yarn above the safety eyes, you can even create a sleepy or sad monkey character — perfect for a story-based toy or a collection of characters with different moods.
Yarn Color Ideas and Customization
One of the greatest joys of making your own amigurumi monkey crochet pattern is the freedom to customize it entirely. Traditional monkeys use warm browns and creamy beiges, but nothing is stopping you from making a vibrant purple monkey with lime green accents, a pastel rainbow monkey for a nursery collection, or a realistic-looking spider monkey in rich dark chocolate and rust tones.
Consider using variegated yarn for the body if you want a subtle, multicolored effect without switching yarns. Tweed or heathered yarn gives the finished monkey a slightly textured, vintage look that many crafters love. If you are making this as a gift and know the recipient’s favorite colors, personalize it completely — a red and white monkey, a blue and yellow monkey, or any combination you can imagine will be just as adorable as a classic brown one.
You can also scale the pattern up or down by changing your yarn weight and hook size. Using bulky yarn and a 6mm hook will give you a large, huggable monkey that would make a wonderful nursery pillow. Using fingering weight yarn and a 2.25mm hook will produce a tiny, dainty miniature that could be used as a bag charm or ornament.
Finishing Touches and Care Instructions
Once your amigurumi monkey is fully assembled and you have woven in all your ends, give it a light blocking if needed. Gently mist with water and reshape by hand, then allow to air dry completely. This is especially helpful if any parts of the monkey look uneven or if the muzzle attachment looks puckered.
For care, most crocheted amigurumi can be surface-cleaned with a damp cloth. If you used machine-washable yarn, you can place the finished monkey in a mesh laundry bag and wash it on a gentle cycle in cold water, then reshape and air dry. Avoid putting it in the dryer, as heat can distort the fiberfill and change the shape of your work.
If you used safety eyes and the monkey is intended for a small child, always double-check that the washer backing on each eye is firmly seated and cannot be removed. As mentioned earlier, for children under three, always embroider the eyes instead.
Sharing Your Finished Monkey
When your amigurumi monkey is complete, celebrate it! This kind of project takes time, attention, and genuine skill. Share your finished creation on social media and tag it with popular amigurumi communities — there are wonderful, supportive groups on Instagram, Pinterest, and Ravelry where crocheters share their work, offer feedback, and find inspiration.
If you enjoy making this pattern, consider keeping a crochet journal where you note any modifications you made, the yarn brands and colors you used, and how the recipient responded to the finished toy. Over time, these notes become a personal pattern library that is invaluable when you want to recreate or iterate on a design.
Amigurumi monkey crochet patterns also make wonderful gifts for teachers, new parents, and anyone going through a difficult time who might appreciate a small handmade token of care and creativity. The hours you spend crafting something by hand are hours of intention, and that comes through in the finished piece in a way that no store-bought toy can replicate.
Happy crocheting, and enjoy every stitch of your new little monkey friend.
