Amigurumi Squirrel Free Pattern | Hooked by Kati
If you’ve been looking for a sweet little amigurumi squirrel to add to your crochet project list, you’ve come to exactly the right place. This free pattern from Hooked by Kati walks you through every step of creating an adorable, fluffy-tailed squirrel that’s perfect for beginners and intermediate crocheters alike. Whether you’re making it as a nursery decoration, a gift for a nature-loving friend, or simply because squirrels are undeniably charming, this project is one you’ll want to bookmark and come back to again and again.
Amigurumi — the Japanese art of crocheting or knitting small stuffed creatures — has taken the crafting world by storm, and it’s easy to see why. These little figures are endlessly customizable, surprisingly portable to work on, and deeply satisfying to finish. A squirrel is one of the most beloved designs in the amigurumi world, thanks to its iconic bushy tail, round eyes, and perky little ears. Once you make one, you’ll likely want to make a whole woodland family to go with it.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know before you pick up your hook.
What You’ll Need
Before you start crocheting, gather your materials. Having everything ready at your workspace makes the process smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s what you’ll need for this amigurumi squirrel pattern:
Yarn: A light worsted weight or DK weight yarn in your choice of squirrel colors works beautifully here. Classic combinations include warm brown and cream, grey and white, or even a rusty cinnamon shade for a red squirrel variation. You’ll need a main color (MC) for the body, a contrast color (CC) for the belly and inner ears, and a small amount of dark brown or black for details.
Hook: A 2.5mm or 3mm crochet hook is ideal for amigurumi work. Using a hook slightly smaller than what the yarn label recommends creates a tighter fabric that keeps the polyfill stuffing from showing through.
Safety eyes: 9mm or 10mm black safety eyes give the squirrel its sweet, characterful expression. If you’re making this for a child under three years old, embroider the eyes instead using black yarn for safety.
Polyfill stuffing: A good quality polyester fiberfill stuffing keeps your squirrel plump and huggable. Stuff firmly but not so tightly that the fabric stretches.
Yarn needle: For sewing pieces together and weaving in ends.
Stitch markers: These are a lifesaver in amigurumi work, where you crochet in continuous rounds. Mark the first stitch of each round to keep your count accurate.
Scissors: A sharp pair for cutting yarn cleanly.
Optional: Wire armature or pipe cleaners if you want your squirrel to be poseable, though this pattern works beautifully without them too.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
This pattern is written in 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 (2 sc in the same stitch)
dec — Invisible decrease (insert hook through front loops of next 2 stitches, yarn over, pull through both, yarn over, pull through 2 loops)
st(s) — Stitch(es)
BLO — Back loop only
FLO — Front loop only
Rnd — Round
Rep — Repeat
The pattern is worked in continuous rounds (also called a spiral) unless otherwise noted. Do not join rounds with a slip stitch unless the pattern specifically instructs you to do so.
Gauge
Exact gauge isn’t critical for amigurumi, but as a general reference, 5 sc x 5 rows = approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch) with the recommended hook and yarn weight. What matters most is that your stitches are tight enough that stuffing isn’t visible through the fabric. If you can see through your work, go down a hook size.
Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked from the bottom up for the body and head, and each limb and feature is made separately before being assembled. Take your time with the assembly stage — the placement of the arms, ears, and especially that glorious tail will define the personality of your finished squirrel.
The squirrel’s finished size is approximately 18–20 cm (7–8 inches) tall when seated, depending on your tension and yarn weight.
The Pattern
Head
Start with your main color (MC).
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] rep around (18 sts)
Rnd 4: [sc 2, inc] rep around (24 sts)
Rnd 5: [sc 3, inc] rep around (30 sts)
Rnd 6: [sc 4, inc] rep around (36 sts)
Rnd 7: [sc 5, inc] rep around (42 sts)
Rnds 8–16: sc in each st around (42 sts)
Rnd 17: [sc 5, dec] rep around (36 sts)
Rnd 18: [sc 4, dec] rep around (30 sts)
Before continuing to decrease, attach safety eyes between Rnds 11 and 12, approximately 10–12 stitches apart. Stuff the head firmly.
Rnd 19: [sc 3, dec] rep around (24 sts)
Rnd 20: [sc 2, dec] rep around (18 sts)
Rnd 21: [sc, dec] rep around (12 sts)
Rnd 22: dec around (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Use your yarn needle to close the remaining hole, then set the head aside.
Snout
Using your contrast color (CC):
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts)
Rnd 2: [sc, inc] rep around (9 sts)
Rnds 3–4: sc in each st around (9 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Lightly stuff the snout before attaching it to the head, centered just below the eyes. Use black yarn or embroidery floss to stitch a small nose and mouth onto the snout before or after attaching it to the head, whichever you find easier.
Ears (make 2 outer ears in MC, 2 inner ears in CC)
Outer ear:
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts)
Rnd 2: inc in each st (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] rep around (18 sts)
Rnd 4: sc in each st around (18 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Inner ear:
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts)
Rnd 2: inc in each st (12 sts)
Rnd 3: sc in each st around (12 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Place the inner ear on top of the outer ear, wrong sides together, and sew around the edge to join them. Fold the base of the ear slightly inward to give it a natural cupped shape before sewing to the head. Attach ears to the top of the head, spaced about 8 stitches apart.
Body
Using MC:
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts)
Rnd 2: inc in each st (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] rep around (18 sts)
Rnd 4: [sc 2, inc] rep around (24 sts)
Rnd 5: [sc 3, inc] rep around (30 sts)
Rnd 6: [sc 4, inc] rep around (36 sts)
Rnds 7–9: sc in each st around (36 sts)
Rnd 10: sc 18 MC, switch to CC, sc 18 (36 sts)
Continue with CC for the belly section:
Rnds 11–16: sc in each st around in CC for belly stitches, MC for back stitches, maintaining the color divide (36 sts)
Note: You can simplify this by working the full round in MC and then surface-stitching or embroidering the belly in CC afterward if managing two colors at once feels tricky.
Rnd 17: [sc 4, dec] rep around (30 sts)
Rnd 18: [sc 3, dec] rep around (24 sts)
Stuff the body firmly.
Rnd 19: [sc 2, dec] rep around (18 sts)
Rnd 20: [sc, dec] rep around (12 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Do not close the hole yet — you’ll sew the head on using this opening.
Arms (make 2)
Using MC:
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts)
Rnd 2: inc in each st (12 sts)
Rnds 3–4: sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnd 5: [sc 4, dec] rep around (10 sts)
Rnds 6–12: sc in each st around (10 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long sewing tail. Stuff lightly — just enough to give shape without making them stiff. Flatten the top of the arm and sew closed, then sew to the sides of the body at approximately Rnd 14, with the opening of the arm facing down.
Legs (make 2)
Using MC:
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts)
Rnd 2: inc in each st (12 sts)
Rnd 3: sc in each st around BLO (12 sts)
Rnds 4–10: sc in each st around (12 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff firmly. Sew legs to the bottom of the body, positioning them so the squirrel sits upright and stable.
Tail
The tail is one of the most satisfying parts of this project. It’s worked as a large, fluffy piece and can be made extra textured using a loopy stitch or by holding two strands of yarn together.
Using MC (or a slightly fluffier yarn if you have one):
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts)
Rnd 2: inc in each st (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] rep around (18 sts)
Rnd 4: [sc 2, inc] rep around (24 sts)
Rnd 5: [sc 3, inc] rep around (30 sts)
Rnd 6: [sc 4, inc] rep around (36 sts)
Rnds 7–10: sc in each st around (36 sts)
Rnd 11: [sc 4, dec] rep around (30 sts)
Rnd 12: sc in each st around (30 sts)
Rnd 13: [sc 3, dec] rep around (24 sts)
Rnd 14: sc in each st around (24 sts)
Rnd 15: [sc 2, dec] rep around (18 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff the tail lightly — it should be fluffy and light, not dense. Sew to the back of the body, curving it upward so it arches over the squirrel’s back in that signature squirrel pose. Pin it before sewing to find the position you love most.
Assembly
Once all pieces are made, lay them out and take a moment to plan the final look before committing to sewing anything. This is also a good moment to smile at the little pile of parts you’ve created — amigurumi assembly is genuinely one of the most joyful parts of the hobby.
Sew the head to the body first, aligning it so the snout faces forward. Then attach the snout to the face if you haven’t already, using pins to find the perfect placement before sewing. Attach the ears, then the arms, then the tail. The legs can be sewn or simply left unattached at the base of the body if you want the squirrel to be able to sit in different positions.
Weave in all ends carefully and trim.
Tips for the Best Results
Tension consistency makes a big difference in amigurumi, so if you find your work getting looser as you go (which is very common), keep adjusting your grip. Joining a new color is cleanest when done at the beginning of a round rather than mid-round. When sewing pieces together, use the same yarn as the piece you’re attaching so the seam blends seamlessly. Taking photos as you go not only documents your progress but also helps you compare positioning — sometimes what looks right in your hands looks slightly off once you see it in a photo.
If you want to add extra character to your squirrel, consider holding a tiny acorn made from a scrap of brown yarn and tan yarn — a simple small dome shape in tan attached to a tiny cup in brown creates an adorable prop that photographs beautifully.
Customization Ideas
One of the best things about amigurumi is how easily patterns adapt to your vision. Try making your squirrel in grey yarn for a classic grey squirrel look, or in warm russet shades for a red squirrel. You can give it a little acorn, dress it in a tiny crocheted scarf, or even make it a whole woodland family with a fox, hedgehog, and owl using companion patterns from Hooked by Kati.
Seasonal customizations are also a joy — imagine a little squirrel in a tiny Santa hat for a Christmas ornament, or a pastel-colored version for spring. The base pattern remains the same; it’s the finishing touches that tell the story.
Sharing Your Make
If you use this free pattern to make your own amigurumi squirrel, please share it! Tag your finished projects on Instagram and Pinterest so other crafters can find inspiration. Seeing how other people bring the same pattern to life with their own color choices and yarn textures is one of the most rewarding parts of the crochet community. You’re also welcome to sell finished items made from this pattern — just please credit Hooked by Kati as the pattern designer.
If you have any questions about the pattern, drop them in the comments below. The crafting community is wonderfully generous with its knowledge, and there’s a good chance someone else has had the same question and will have a helpful tip to share.
Final Thoughts
This amigurumi squirrel free pattern from Hooked by Kati is a wonderful project for anyone who loves woodland creatures, the meditative rhythm of crochet, or the satisfaction of creating something beautiful with their own two hands. The pattern is straightforward enough for someone who has made a handful of amigurumi projects before, while offering enough small details — the shaded belly, the expressive snout, the signature arched tail — to keep it interesting for more experienced crafters too.
Take your time, enjoy the process, and don’t worry too much about perfection. The slight variations in handmade work are exactly what makes each squirrel unique. Yours will be the only one exactly like it in the world, and that’s something worth celebrating.
Happy crocheting!
