Free Squirrel Crochet Pattern: A Step-by-Step Guide to Your New Favorite Woodland Friend
There is something undeniably charming about a squirrel. With their twitchy little noses, fluffy tails, and that perpetually busy energy, squirrels have a way of making any space feel a little more alive. Whether you spotted one darting through your backyard or you just love the idea of a tiny woodland creature sitting on your bookshelf, this free squirrel crochet pattern is exactly what you have been waiting for. Best of all, you do not need to be an advanced crocheter to bring this little guy to life. With some basic stitches, a little patience, and the instructions below, you will have an adorable amigurumi squirrel ready to display, gift, or cuddle in no time.
This pattern is written for crocheters who are comfortable with basic amigurumi techniques, including working in the round, increasing, decreasing, and simple shaping. If you have made a basic amigurumi ball or simple stuffed animal before, you are ready to tackle this project. Complete beginners can absolutely give it a try with a little extra time and perhaps a few YouTube tutorials open in another tab.
What You Will Need Before You Start
Getting your supplies together before you sit down with your hook makes the whole process smoother and more enjoyable. Here is a complete list of everything you will need for this free squirrel crochet pattern.
Yarn: You will need two colors of yarn in a worsted weight (size 4). The main color will be your squirrel’s body, traditionally a warm brown, grey, or russet tone. The second color, which you will use for the belly and inner ears, should be a lighter cream or beige. You do not need a full skein of either — a partial skein of each is more than enough. If you want to get creative, you could make a black squirrel, a white squirrel, or even a fantastical purple squirrel. This is your project and there are no rules.
Crochet Hook: A 3.5mm or 4mm hook works well with worsted weight yarn for amigurumi. You want your stitches to be tight enough that the stuffing does not show through, so if your tension tends to run loose, size down to a 3.5mm.
Polyester Fiberfill Stuffing: A small bag of fiberfill goes a long way in amigurumi projects. You will need enough to fill the body, head, and tail of your squirrel.
Safety Eyes: A pair of 9mm or 10mm black safety eyes gives your squirrel that classic amigurumi look. If you are making this squirrel for a child under three years old, skip the safety eyes and embroider the eyes instead using black embroidery floss.
Yarn Needle: You will need a blunt tapestry needle to sew the pieces together and weave in your ends.
Scissors: A small, sharp pair of scissors makes trimming yarn ends clean and easy.
Stitch Markers: A few locking stitch markers help you keep track of your rounds, especially as you move through the body shaping.
Optional: A piece of wire or a pipe cleaner can be inserted into the tail before stuffing to help it hold a curve or an upright position.
Understanding the Abbreviations
This free squirrel crochet pattern uses standard US crochet terminology. Here is a quick reference for all the abbreviations you will encounter.
Magic ring (MR), chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), increase (inc — two single crochets in the same stitch), decrease (dec — invisible decrease: insert hook into front loop of next stitch and front loop of stitch after that, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through two loops), and round (Rnd).
Gauge and Finished Size
Gauge is not critical in amigurumi since we care more about the overall shape and the tightness of the fabric than exact measurements. However, for reference, with a 4mm hook and worsted weight yarn, the finished squirrel should be approximately 6 to 7 inches tall when seated, with the tail arching over the back adding another 2 to 3 inches visually.
Free Squirrel Crochet Pattern Instructions
The Head
Start with your main body color.
Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, sc 6 into the ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) repeat 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: (Sc 3, inc) repeat 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: (Sc 4, inc) repeat 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnd 7: (Sc 5, inc) repeat 6 times. (42 sts)
Rnds 8–14: Sc in each stitch around. (42 sts) — 7 rounds even
Rnd 15: (Sc 5, dec) repeat 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnd 16: (Sc 4, dec) repeat 6 times. (30 sts)
Before you continue decreasing, attach your safety eyes between Rounds 10 and 11, spaced about 10 stitches apart. This is also the moment to think about whether your squirrel has a happy, curious, or slightly mischievous expression — moving the eyes just a few stitches can change the whole personality of the finished piece.
Rnd 17: (Sc 3, dec) repeat 6 times. (24 sts)
Begin stuffing the head firmly at this point. Continue stuffing as you work the final rounds.
Rnd 18: (Sc 2, dec) repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 19: (Sc 1, dec) repeat 6 times. (12 sts)
Rnd 20: Dec 6 times. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Use your yarn needle to close the remaining 6 stitches and weave in the end securely. Set the head aside.
The Muzzle
The muzzle gives your squirrel its characteristic cheeky look. Use your main color or a slightly contrasting shade if you like.
Rnd 1: Magic ring, sc 6. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each stitch. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnds 4–5: Sc in each stitch around. (18 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Lightly stuff the muzzle and pin it to the front of the head, centered below the eyes. Sew it in place using the long tail. Once attached, use black embroidery floss to stitch a small Y-shape or a simple curved line for the nose and mouth. This tiny detail brings the whole face together.
The Body
Switch to your main color.
Rnd 1: Magic ring, sc 6. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each stitch. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) repeat 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: (Sc 3, inc) repeat 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: (Sc 4, inc) repeat 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnds 7–18: Sc in each stitch around. (36 sts) — 12 rounds even
Rnd 19: (Sc 4, dec) repeat 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 20: (Sc 3, dec) repeat 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 21: (Sc 2, dec) repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Stuff the body firmly and evenly before closing.
Rnd 22: (Sc 1, dec) repeat 6 times. (12 sts)
Rnd 23: Dec 6 times. (6 sts)
Fasten off and close the remaining stitches. Weave in the end. Set the body aside.
The Belly Patch (Optional but Recommended)
This piece adds a lovely realistic touch and uses your lighter contrast color.
Rnd 1: Magic ring, sc 6. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each stitch. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) repeat 6 times. (24 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten the piece and sew it onto the front of the body before attaching the head, centering it on the lower front half of the body.
The Ears (Make Two)
Outer ear (main color):
Rnd 1: Magic ring, sc 6. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each stitch. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc in each stitch around. (18 sts)
Inner ear (contrast color):
Rnd 1: Magic ring, sc 6. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each stitch. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Fasten off both pieces. Place the inner ear on top of the outer ear, wrong sides together, and single crochet around the edge to join them. Flatten and pinch the bottom of each ear to create a slight fold, then sew them firmly to the top of the head, positioned toward the back corners. If you want that classic squirrel silhouette with pointed ears, you can fold the sides inward before sewing to create a triangular shape.
The Arms (Make Two)
Rnd 1: Magic ring, sc 6. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each stitch. (12 sts)
Rnds 3–10: Sc in each stitch around. (12 sts) — 8 rounds even
Lightly stuff the arms. Flatten the top opening and sew closed with a few stitches rather than crocheting shut, which gives a flatter top edge that attaches more neatly to the body. Sew the arms to either side of the body, positioned at about the shoulder level. A slightly forward angle gives the squirrel a curious, reaching pose.
The Legs (Make Two)
Rnd 1: Magic ring, sc 6. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each stitch. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnds 4–5: Sc in each stitch around. (18 sts)
Rnd 6: (Sc 1, dec) repeat 6 times. (12 sts)
Rnds 7–14: Sc in each stitch around. (12 sts) — 8 rounds even
Stuff the legs moderately — not so firmly that they stand straight out, but enough to give them shape. Flatten the tops and sew them to the bottom of the body, positioned so the squirrel can sit in a natural, slightly forward-leaning posture.
The Tail
The tail is the most recognizable feature of any squirrel, and this piece is what gives your amigurumi its unmistakable charm.
Rnd 1: Magic ring, sc 6. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each stitch. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) repeat 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: (Sc 3, inc) repeat 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: (Sc 4, inc) repeat 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnds 7–20: Sc in each stitch around. (36 sts) — 14 rounds even
Rnd 21: (Sc 4, dec) repeat 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 22: (Sc 3, dec) repeat 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 23: (Sc 2, dec) repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 24: (Sc 1, dec) repeat 6 times. (12 sts)
Before fully closing, insert a pipe cleaner or piece of wire folded at both ends (so no sharp tips are exposed) into the tail if you want it to hold a shape. Stuff the tail generously — a fuller tail looks more realistic and dramatic. Close with a dec round and fasten off, leaving a long sewing tail.
Sew the tail to the back of the squirrel’s body, angling it so it curves up over the back in a classic squirrel pose. Take your time positioning it before committing to the stitches.
Assembly
Once all of your pieces are complete, it is time to bring your squirrel together. Attach the head to the body first, using a long piece of yarn threaded through your tapestry needle and working around the base of the head in small, even stitches. Pull the yarn gently but firmly so the join is clean and the head sits securely. Next, sew on the arms, then position the tail. Do a final check of your squirrel from all angles before weaving in any remaining ends.
If you want to add a tiny acorn in your squirrel’s paws, a simple oval shape crocheted in brown with a small flat cap in a darker color does the trick beautifully and makes the finished piece look even more like a scene from a woodland storybook.
Tips for the Best Results
Working in a tight tension is the single most important thing you can do for clean amigurumi results. If you can see gaps between your stitches, your hook is too large or your tension is too loose. The stuffing showing through those gaps can make the finished piece look lumpy or uneven.
When stuffing, add fiberfill in small handfuls and smooth it out from the outside as you go. Overstuffing too quickly creates lumps that are hard to correct later. A smooth, even fill gives you a rounder, more polished shape.
Use a stitch marker from the very first round and move it up at the end of every round without fail. In amigurumi, it is remarkably easy to lose track of where one round ends and the next begins, and getting off by just a few stitches can throw off your shaping noticeably.
Do not rush the face. Spend a few extra minutes testing different eye placements and nose embroidery options before committing. The expression on the face is what makes an amigurumi feel alive, and getting it right is worth the extra time.
Ways to Customize Your Squirrel
One of the best things about a free squirrel crochet pattern like this one is how easily it lends itself to personalization. You can make a family of squirrels in different colors — grey for a classic Eastern grey squirrel, deep russet for a red squirrel, or even ivory for a rare white squirrel. Changing the yarn weight changes the finished size, so using a bulky yarn and a larger hook gives you a big, snuggly squirrel while using fingering weight and a 2mm hook produces a tiny, delicate miniature.
You can add a tiny scarf, a knitted sweater, or a little crocheted hat to turn your squirrel into a seasonal decoration for autumn or winter. A squirrel holding a pumpkin makes an absolutely delightful Halloween or
