Little Space Friend: Free Crochet Alien Amigurumi Tutorial
There is something wonderfully otherworldly about crocheting a tiny creature from another planet. The rounded head, the oversized eyes, the strange little antennae — amigurumi aliens have a charm that is almost impossible to resist, whether you are making one for a child, a desk companion, or a gift for someone who loves all things cosmic and cute. This free tutorial walks you through every step of creating your very own little space friend, from the yarn you will need to the finishing touches that bring your alien to life.
If you have crocheted a few amigurumi before, you will find this pattern comfortable and achievable in an afternoon or a lazy weekend. If you are newer to the craft, do not worry — the stitches used here are basic, and the shaping is forgiving. Amigurumi is one of those magical corners of crochet where imperfect tension often results in something even more endearing than you originally planned.
Let us get started.
What Is Amigurumi?
Before diving into the pattern itself, a quick word on amigurumi for anyone who is new to the term. Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures. The word combines the Japanese words for “knitted” (ami) and “stuffed doll” (nuigurumi). While the style originated in Japan and became a global phenomenon through the rise of kawaii culture and internet crafting communities, it has since evolved into an enormous creative space. You can find amigurumi patterns for animals, food characters, mythological beings, and yes — adorable little aliens from the far reaches of the galaxy.
The key characteristics of amigurumi are the use of a tight gauge to prevent stuffing from showing through, continuous rounds rather than joined rounds (to avoid visible seams), and safety eyes that give the finished creature its expressive, personality-filled look.
Materials You Will Need
Getting your supplies together before you start makes the whole process smoother and more enjoyable. Here is what you will need for this little space friend.
Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in your chosen alien color. Traditional alien greens work beautifully, but do not feel bound to convention. Lavender, teal, warm grey, electric blue, or even a speckled yarn that suggests a starry sky can all look stunning. You will also want a small amount of a contrasting color for the antennae tips and any details you want to add.
Hook: A 3.5mm crochet hook is recommended for worsted weight yarn in amigurumi. You want a hook that produces a slightly tighter fabric than normal so the stuffing does not peek through the stitches.
Safety eyes: Two 12mm black safety eyes. If you are making this alien for a very young child, embroider the eyes instead using black yarn, as safety eyes can pose a choking hazard for children under three.
Polyfill stuffing: A good-quality polyester fiberfill stuffing. You want enough to make your alien firm but not stretched.
Yarn needle: For sewing pieces together and weaving in ends.
Stitch markers: Helpful for keeping track of the beginning of your rounds, especially as the piece grows.
Small amount of black embroidery floss or yarn: Optional, for adding a mouth or other facial details.
Scissors: You will need these more than you think.
Understanding the Stitch Abbreviations
This pattern uses standard US crochet terms. Here is a quick reference.
MR — Magic ring (also called a magic loop or magic circle)
ch — Chain
sc — Single crochet
inc — Increase (two single crochets in the same stitch)
dec — Decrease (also called an invisible decrease: insert hook into the front loop of the next stitch, then into the front loop of the stitch after that, yarn over and pull through both loops, yarn over and pull through remaining two loops)
sl st — Slip stitch
BLO — Back loop only
FLO — Front loop only
st — Stitch
( ) — Repeat the instructions inside the brackets the number of times stated
All rounds are worked in continuous spirals unless otherwise noted. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round so you can keep count.
The Pattern
Head and Body (worked in one piece)
The head and body of this alien are worked together as a single continuous piece, which gives the finished amigurumi a seamless, rounded look. Start with your main alien color.
Round 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring. (6 sts)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Round 3: (Sc 1, inc) repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Round 4: (Sc 2, inc) repeat 6 times. (24 sts)
Round 5: (Sc 3, inc) repeat 6 times. (30 sts)
Round 6: (Sc 4, inc) repeat 6 times. (36 sts)
Round 7: (Sc 5, inc) repeat 6 times. (42 sts)
Rounds 8–14: Sc in each st around. (42 sts) — 7 rounds even
This is the widest part of the head. If you are inserting safety eyes, now is the time to do it before you start decreasing. Place them between rounds 10 and 11, approximately 8 to 10 stitches apart from each other. The exact placement is up to you and will significantly affect the personality of your finished alien. Eyes placed closer together give a more nervous or curious look; eyes placed wider apart give a more surprised, open expression.
Round 15: (Sc 5, dec) repeat 6 times. (36 sts)
Round 16: (Sc 4, dec) repeat 6 times. (30 sts)
Round 17: (Sc 3, dec) repeat 6 times. (24 sts)
Round 18: (Sc 2, dec) repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Begin stuffing your alien’s head at this point. Stuff it firmly but not so tightly that you distort the shape. Continue stuffing as you work the body section below.
Round 19: (Sc 2, inc) repeat 6 times. (24 sts) — This begins the body
Round 20: (Sc 3, inc) repeat 6 times. (30 sts)
Round 21: (Sc 4, inc) repeat 6 times. (36 sts)
Rounds 22–27: Sc in each st around. (36 sts) — 6 rounds even
Round 28: (Sc 4, dec) repeat 6 times. (30 sts)
Round 29: (Sc 3, dec) repeat 6 times. (24 sts)
Round 30: (Sc 2, dec) repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Finish stuffing the body. The body should be nicely plump and round, with the head and body forming a gentle figure-eight shape when you look at it from the side.
Round 31: (Sc 1, dec) repeat 6 times. (12 sts)
Round 32: Dec 6 times. (6 sts)
Close the remaining stitches by threading your yarn needle through the front loops of each remaining stitch and pulling tight. Weave in the end securely.
Arms (make two)
Round 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring. (6 sts)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rounds 3–4: Sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Round 5: (Sc 2, dec) repeat 3 times. (9 sts)
Rounds 6–12: Sc in each st around. (9 sts)
Do not stuff the arms, or stuff them only very lightly near the hand. This keeps them floppy and poseable. Flatten the top of the arm slightly and sew the opening closed using a yarn needle. Leave a long tail for attaching the arm to the body later.
Legs (make two)
Round 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring. (6 sts)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Round 3: (Sc 1, inc) repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Rounds 4–5: Sc in each st around. (18 sts)
Round 6: (Sc 1, dec) repeat 6 times. (12 sts)
Stuff the foot section firmly.
Rounds 7–14: Sc in each st around. (12 sts) — 8 rounds even
Stuff the leg lightly. Flatten the top of the leg and sew closed. Leave a long tail for attachment.
Antennae (make two)
Antennae are one of the most charming details on an amigurumi alien and they are wonderfully simple to make. For the tips, switch to your contrasting color.
Using your contrasting color:
Round 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring. (6 sts)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Round 3: Sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Round 4: (Sc 2, dec) repeat 3 times. (9 sts)
Switch to your main alien color.
Round 5: (Sc 1, dec) repeat 3 times. (6 sts)
Stuff the tip firmly.
Rounds 6–12: Sc in each st around. (6 sts) — 7 rounds even
Do not stuff the stalk of the antenna. Flatten and sew closed. Leave a long tail.
Ears (optional, make two)
Some aliens benefit from small, pointed ear-like protrusions on the sides of the head. If you want to add these, here is a simple method.
Round 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring. (6 sts)
Round 2: (Sc 1, inc) repeat 3 times. (9 sts)
Round 3: Sc in each st around. (9 sts)
Round 4: (Sc 1, dec) repeat 3 times. (6 sts)
Do not stuff. Flatten and leave a long tail. Sew to the sides of the head at approximately round 7 or 8 so they sit just above the widest part of the head.
Assembly
Assembly is where your little space friend truly comes to life. Lay all the pieces out in front of you and take a moment to enjoy the sight of a dismembered alien waiting to become a whole creature. This is a genuinely delightful crafting moment.
Attaching the antennae: Pin both antennae to the top of the head before sewing to get a feel for placement. Most alien amigurumi look best with antennae placed about 4 to 5 stitches apart from each other near the top center of the head. Sew them down securely using the long tails and a yarn needle, working through several layers of the head to make sure they hold their position and point upward confidently.
Attaching the arms: Position the arms on either side of the body just below the neck indentation. Pin them and check the symmetry from the front before committing. Sew through the flattened top of each arm and into the body several times before knotting off. The arms should be able to swing forward but should naturally rest at the sides.
Attaching the legs: Place the legs at the bottom of the body, evenly spaced. Your alien should be able to sit comfortably when the legs are attached at the right angle. Test the sitting position before sewing permanently. Sew through the flattened tops of the legs into the base of the body.
Attaching the ears (if using): Position them symmetrically on the sides of the head and sew them flat against the surface.
Adding the Face
The face is where your alien gets its personality. You have already placed the safety eyes during the head construction. Now you can add additional details.
For a simple mouth, use a length of black embroidery floss or black yarn. A small U-shaped smile worked just below the eyes gives a friendly, cheerful expression. A straight horizontal line creates a more neutral, curious look. A wavy or zigzag line gives a slightly mischievous character. Use a yarn needle to bring your floss up through the stuffed head, make your stitch or stitches, and secure the floss by running the needle back through the head and tying off inside.
You can also add tiny nostrils using two small vertical stitches just above the mouth, or add rosy cheeks by using a small amount of pink or peach yarn for a few small stitches in circles on the cheeks. Fabric paint blushers designed for dolls also work beautifully for this effect.
Some crafters like to give their aliens additional details such as spots, stripes, or markings in contrasting colors embroidered onto the body after assembly. This is entirely up to you and is a wonderful way to make each little space friend unique.
Tips for a Polished Finish
A few small habits make a big difference in how your finished amigurumi looks.
Always weave in your ends thoroughly. In amigurumi, ends that are not secured will eventually work their way out through the fabric, especially in pieces that will be handled frequently. Weave the end in one direction, loop around a stitch, and then weave back in the opposite direction before trimming.
Use the invisible decrease rather than a standard decrease whenever possible. The invisible decrease (worked through the front loops only) creates a much smoother surface with far less of the jagged texture that regular decreases can leave behind.
Block your pieces lightly if they look uneven. A small spritz of water and a gentle reshaping while the piece is damp can smooth out a lot of irregularities.
Press the safety eyes firmly into the fabric before removing the backing. Once the locking washer is on the post of a safety eye, it is essentially impossible to remove without damaging the work, so make sure you are happy with the placement before you lock them in.
Variations and Customization Ideas
One of the best things about a basic amigurumi alien pattern is how much room there is for personalization. Here are some ideas to spark your imagination.
A three-eyed version is easy to achieve by simply adding a third safety eye centered above the main two. This gives your alien a decidedly more mysterious and cosmic energy.
You could make a family of aliens in different sizes by adjusting your hook size and yarn weight. A bulky yarn with a 5mm hook will give you a large, huggable alien. A fingering weight yarn with a 2mm hook will give you a tiny alien that fits in a locket.
Glow-in-the-dark yarn exists, and it is absolutely perfect for alien amigurumi. There are several brands available online, and using one for your antennae tips or as an accent color can make your little space friend particularly magical in a darkened room.
You could add a small loop at the top of the head before closing it up, allowing your alien to function as a bag charm, a keychain ornament, or a hanging mobile piece. Just make sure the loop is sewn in very securely if it will bear any weight.
Displaying and Gifting Your Little Space Friend
Once your alien is complete, it deserves a proper home. These little amigurumi creatures make wonderful desk companions and seem to inspire a certain creative fondness in anyone who spots them. They sit neatly on bookshelves among science fiction novels, on windowsills next to succulents, or tucked into the corner of a laptop bag.
As gifts, crochet alien amigurumi are particularly well received by people who love space, science, gaming, fantasy, or just generally appreciate handmade objects. Adding a small tag that says something like “Traveled from Galaxy NGC-2043 to find you” takes the gift from sweet to genuinely memorable.
If you are making multiple aliens to sell, display at a craft fair, or give as party favors, consider making small variations in each one so that every alien is slightly unique. Different eye placements, different color combinations, different numbers of antennae — a whole crowd of slightly different little space friends is an irresistible sight.
Final Thoughts
Crocheting amigurumi is one of those crafts that rewards patience and playfulness in equal measure. Each little creature you finish carries something of your attention and care, and that is part of what makes handmade objects so meaningful.
