I love spring flowers in full bloom, which is why I made this cheerful Amigurumi caterpillar that is just as bright and colorful. This free crochet caterpillar pattern is very simple and a great project for Amigurumi beginners. I hope that working on this cute crochet toy will brighten up your day. 🙂
Free Crochet Caterpillar Pattern – Notes
Skill level: beginner crochet skills and knowledge
Finished size – length: 24cm / 9.5 inches
Finished size – height: 12.5cm / 5 inches
Free Crochet Caterpillar Pattern – Materials and Equipment
Yarn I used:
– Fine Sport #2 = 4 ply
– 55% cotton and 45% acrylic
– 1x ball of green yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 60 – (50g/160m)
– 1x ball of yellow yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 35 – (50g/160m)
– 1x ball of purple yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 72 – (50g/160m)
– 1x ball of orange yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 77 – (50g/160m)
– 1x ball of pink yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 42 – (50g/160m)
I like to purchase my YarnArt Jeans from Amazon HERE or from Etsy HERE. If you would like to check some great substitutes for YarnArt Jeans then have a read of my Best Yarn for Making Amigurumi tutorial. You can find the substitutes towards the end of the article.
Or just simply use any 100% cotton that will work just as well. You can also use 100% acrylic if you prefer to work with this type of yarn.
Other materials used: polyester fibre fill, a long piece of thin black yarn for eye lash embroidery, a button of medium size, ribbon – 8mm wide
Crochet hook: I used 2.5mm = B/1, if using different weight of yarn then refer to hook size recommendations on the yarn but go one size smaller. I highly recommend this ergonomic crochet hook set from Amazon as it comes in a stylish case and with other accessories such as stitch markers etc.
Other equipment used: scissors, yarn needle, pins with large heads, stitch marker or thin yarn to use instead, 8mm safety eyes
Choking hazard warning: the use of safety eyes or buttons poses a choking risk for children under the age of 3 therefore I recommend using embroidery instead.
Free Crochet Caterpillar Pattern – Abbreviations Used
This pattern is written using US crochet terminology
MR: magic ring – watch this step by step video tutorial on How to crochet a magic ring for Amigurumi
ST: stitch
SC: single crochet stitch
HDC: half double crochet stitch
DC: double crochet stitch
CH: chain stitch
SL: slip stitch
INC: increase = two single crochet stitches in the same stitch
L INC: large increase = three single crochet stitches in the same stitch
INV DEC: invisible decrease = insert the hook into the front loop of the first stitch (two loops on hook) and immediately insert it again into the front loop of the next stitch (three loops on the hook). Yarn over and draw through the first two loops on the hook (two loops on the hook). Yarn over and draw through the two loops on the hook to finish your invisible decrease. Watch this step by step video tutorial on How to crochet an invisible decrease for Amigurumi
BLO: back loops only
FO: fasten off
(…..) x 6: repeat the pattern inside the brackets by the given number (in this example, repeat the pattern in the brackets 6 times)
{…}: number shown inside these brackets equals the number of total stitches at the end of each round
Free Crochet Caterpillar Pattern – Let’s Get Started!
You may find these Amigurumi tutorials handy before you get started with this free crochet caterpillar pattern. And don’t forget to watch my step by step video tutorials for extra help with my patterns.
To view the free online pattern, please continue to scroll down. You can also download the ad-free and printable version of this pattern for a small fee here. Your generous contribution will help towards the cost of materials and running this website so I can continue to publish my free online patterns for everyone to enjoy.
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How to Crochet the Body
Crochet 5 balls using the pattern below:
R1: MR – 6 x SC into the ring {6} – watch this step by step video tutorial on How to crochet a magic ring for Amigurumi
R2: INC in each ST around {12}
R3: (SC in next ST, INC) x 6 {18}
R4: SC in next ST, INC, (SC in next 2 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next ST {24}
R5: (SC in next 3 ST, INC) x 6 {30}
R6: SC in next 2 ST, INC, (SC in next 4 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {36}
R7: (SC in next 5 ST, INC) x 6 {42}
R8-R15 (8 rounds): SC in each ST around {42}
R16: (SC in next 5 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {36} – watch this step by step video tutorial on How to crochet an invisible decrease for Amigurumi
R17: SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 4 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {30}
R18: (SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {24}
R19: SC in next ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next ST {18}
R20: (SC in next ST, INV DEC) x 6 {12}
R21: SC in each ST around {12}
FO closing the hole using a yarn needle – watch this step by step video tutorial on How to close a hole in an Amigurumi piece
How to Crochet the Legs
Crochet 2 legs for each ball of the body using the pattern below:
R1: MR – 6 x SC into the ring {6}
R2: INC in each ST around {12}
R3: (SC in next 3 ST, INC) x 3 {15}
R4-R5 (2 rounds): SC in each ST around {15}
R6: (SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC) x 3 {12}
R7: SC in each ST around {12}
Stuff well, FO and leave a long piece of yarn for sewing
How to Crochet the Antennae
Crochet 2 antennae using the pattern below:
R1: MR – 6 x SC into the ring {6}
R2: INC in each ST around {12}
R3-R4 (2 rounds): SC in each ST around {12}
Start stuffing
R5: INV DEC all around {6}
R6-R8 (3 rounds): SC in each ST around {6}
FO and leave a long piece of yarn for sewing
How to Crochet the Head
R1: MR – 6 x SC into the ring {6}
R2: INC in each ST around {12}
R3: (SC in next ST, INC) x 6 {18}
R4: SC in next ST, INC, (SC in next 2 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next ST {24}
R5: (SC in next 3 ST, INC) x 6 {30}
R6: SC in next 2 ST, INC, (SC in next 4 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {36}
R7: (SC in next 5 ST, INC) x 6 {42}
R8-R15 (8 rounds): SC in each ST around {42} – leave your stitch marker in at the start of R11 as you will need to refer to it when placing the eyes
R16: (SC in next 5 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {36}
R17: SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 4 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {30}
You can now place the eyes:
– stuff the head well first
– place eyes between rounds R11 and R12
– leave 6 STs in between the eyes
– it helps to use pins with large heads to first mark the spots where the eyes will be placed – you can make a decision whether you are happy with the placement and if it looks symmetrical before you insert the safety eyes; the safety eyes usually make a large hole in between the stitches so it is not recommended to change the placement of the eyes once they are in (Pic H1)
– you can now insert the safety eyes and put the safety backs on (Pic H2)
R18: (SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {24}
R19: SC in next ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next ST {18}
R20: (SC in next ST, INV DEC) x 6 {12}
R21: SC in each ST around {12}
Stuff well, close the hole with a needle and weave the yarn end in
Free Crochet Caterpillar Pattern – Assembly:
Body – you can either sew the balls together or use an easier method as described below:
Step 1: take a long piece of yarn and thread your needle
Step 2: insert the needle into the MC of the first ball (Pic B1) and pull the yarn all the way through the centre of all 5 balls; leave a long tail showing at the front of the body (Pic B2)
Step 3: use a button to secure the yarn at the bottom end of the body (Pic B3) and then pull the yarn through all 5 balls again
Step 4: repeat the process back and forth between the front and back of the body, while pulling on the yarn tightly each time
Step 5: you will need to pull the yarn through the body about 4 times until you have two yarn tails showing at the front of the body (Pic B4)
Step 6: tie a tight knot with the yarn ends and pull the knot into the body with a needle
Body and legs: Pin a pair of the legs to each ball of the body between R8 and R13 of each ball (leaving 6 STs in between). Make sure both legs are symmetrical from the front and the side. Sew the legs to the body adding more stuffing if needed.
Head and antennae: Pin the antennae to the head first making sure they look symmetrical from the front, side and back and then sew them to the head. I placed the antennae between R3 and R6 on each side of the head.
Head and body: Pin the head to the body in a forward facing angle (at about 45°) making sure the head looks straight and symmetrical from the front and back. I attached the head between R3 and R9 of the first ball of the body.
Eye lash embroidery: You can embroider the eye lashes using a long piece of black thread yarn.
Free Crochet Caterpillar Pattern – Your Finished Crochet Toy:
You have now finished your crochet toy and as a final touch you can attach a nice bow to its neck. I hope you found my free crochet caterpillar pattern easy to follow and enjoyed making the caterpillar!
I would very much welcome your feedback so please do leave a comment in the comment box at the bottom of this page. And don’t forget that I love to see your finished toys so please share your photos on Instagram with the hashtag #cuddlystitchescraft
Visit my free Amigurumi patterns for more crochet toys you will love!
More Free Amigurumi patterns for you to enjoy:
Free Crochet Dragon Pattern
Free Crochet Sheep Pattern
Free Crochet Cow Pattern
Hi I loved making your caterpillar and look forward to making more!
Just two comments, if I may?
Firstly, it might be an idea for beginners, as the first balls are made first to remind them where to stuff each one? You mention stuffing the legs, but not the balls?
Also, to try and decrease any ‘fiddliness’ for joining, I stopped at the first ball (12 stitches), changed to next colour and continued from row 2, which gave me enough room to stuff as I went, without having to join at the end? Hope this makes sense! Just thought I would throw in that suggestion for you, hope you don’t mind 🙂
Hi Liz, thank you so much for your detailed feedback. I am always open to suggestions from my followers and happy to hear what people find easier so I can reflect on this when working on my future patterns. So, thank you so much for the comment and I am really happy you liked making the caterpillar. 🙂
Love, Petra