This free crochet monkey pattern has been inspired by our recent visit to the ZOO, where we saw lots of cute monkeys. They were so much fun to watch and our daughter just loved them! So of course, I couldn’t help myself but crochet one for her. 🙂 This Amigurumi monkey is pretty easy to make and the head and body are crocheted in one piece so less sewing for you to do! 🙂

Free Crochet Monkey Pattern – Notes

Skill level: intermediate crochet skills and knowledge

Finished size when seated: 20cm / 8 inches

Finished size from head to toes: 27cm / 10.5 inches

Free Crochet Monkey Pattern – Materials and Equipment

Yarn I used for this free crochet monkey pattern:

– Fine Sport #2 = 4 ply

– 55% cotton and 45% acrylic

– 2x ball of dark brown yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 70 – (50g/160m)

– 1x ball of light brown yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 07 – (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

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, 12mm 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 Monkey Pattern – Abbreviations Used

This free crochet monkey 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

– TC: triple 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

– DEC: standard decrease

– 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 Monkey Pattern – Let’s Get Started!

You may find these Amigurumi tutorials handy before you get started with this free crochet monkey 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 Ears

Crochet from the end of the ear.

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-R11 (5 rounds): SC in each ST around {36}

R12: SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 4 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {30} – watch this step by step video tutorial on How to crochet an invisible decrease for Amigurumi

R13: (SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {24}

FO and leave a long piece of yarn for sewing.

How to Crochet the Eyes

Crochet from the centre of the eye.

R1: MR – 6 x SC into the ring {6} – don’t make the MR too tight and leave a small hole in the middle for the safety eyes

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}

You will now crochet the decorative hem

R6: (Chain 1 ST and SL ST into next ST) x repeat all the way round

FO and leave a long piece of yarn for sewing.

How to Crochet the Snout

Crochet from the front of the snout.

R1: Chain 6 ST {6} – watch this step by step video tutorial on How to crochet Amigurumi around a foundation chain to help you out with R1 to R4

R2: SC in 5 ST starting from 2nd CH from the hook; go through back bump of each CH as well, now work on the opposite side of the chain, INC in next ST, SC in next 3 ST, INC in last ST {12}

R3: INC in first ST, SC in next 3 ST, INC in next 3 ST, SC in next 3 ST, INC in last 2 ST {18}

R4: (SC in next ST, INC) x 1, SC in next 3 ST, (SC in next ST, INC) x 3, SC in next 3 ST, (SC in next ST, INC) x 2 {24}

R5: (SC in next ST, INC) x 1, SC in next 3 ST, (SC in next 2 ST, INC) x 3, SC in next 3 ST, (SC in next 2 ST, INC) x 2, SC in last ST {30}

R6: (SC in next 3 ST, INC) x 1, SC in next 3 ST, (SC in next 3 ST, INC) x 3, SC in next 3 ST, (SC in next 3 ST, INC) x 2 {36}

R7: (SC in next 2 ST, INC) x 1, SC in next 3 ST, (SC in next 4 ST, INC) x 3, SC in next 3 ST, (SC in next 4 ST, INC) x 2, SC in last 2 ST {42}

R8: (SC in next 5 ST, INC) x 1, SC in next 3 ST, (SC in next 5 ST, INC) x 3, SC in next 3 ST, (SC in next 5 ST, INC) x 2 {48}

R9: (SC in next 3 ST, INC) x 1, SC in next 3 ST, (SC in next 6 ST, INC) x 3, SC in next 3 ST, (SC in next 6 ST, INC) x 2, SC in last 3 ST {54}

R10-R15 (6 rounds): SC in each ST around {54}

FO and leave a long piece of yarn for sewing.

How to Crochet the Head

Crochet head and body in one piece starting from the top of the head down to the bottom of the body.

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: SC in next 3 ST, INC, (SC in next 6 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 3 ST {48}

R9: (SC in next 7 ST, INC) x 6 {54}

R10: SC in next 4 ST, INC, (SC in next 8 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 4 ST {60}

R11: (SC in next 9 ST, INC) x 6 {66}

R12: SC in next 5 ST, INC, (SC in next 10 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 5 ST {72}

R13-R23 (11 rounds): SC in each ST around {72}

R24: SC in next 5 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 10 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 5 ST {66}

R25: (SC in next 9 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {60}

R26: SC in next 4 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 8 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 4 ST {54}

R27: (SC in next 7 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {48}

R28: SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 6 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 3 ST {42}

R29: (SC in next 5 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {36}

You can now place the eyes:

– stuff the head well first

– use pins with large heads to first mark the spots where the eyes will be placed – insert the pins through the small holes you left in the centre of the eyes (Pic H1)

– remove the eyes while leaving the pins in place; insert the safety eyes through the centre of each eye first and then insert them into the head (Pic H2)

– place the eyes between rounds R14 and R15

– first eye – count 27 stitches from your marker at the start of R14 and place the eye between ST27 and ST28

– second eye – count 37 stitches from your marker at the start of R14 and place the eye between ST37 and ST38

– you can now put the safety backs on and sew the eyes to the head; continue to crochet R30

R30: SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 4 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {30}

R31: (SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {24}

R32: SC in next ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next ST {18}

R33: SC in each ST around {18}

Do not FO as you will now continue to crochet the body as per the pattern in the next section

How to Crochet the Body

Continue to crochet from R33 of the head from the previous section.

R34: Continue where you finished with R33 of the head – INC in each ST around {36}

R35: SC in each ST around {36}

R36: (SC in next 5 ST, INC) x 6 {42}

R37: SC in next 3 ST, INC, (SC in next 6 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 3 ST {48}

R38: (SC in next 7 ST, INC) x 6 {54}

R39: SC in each ST around {54}

R40: SC in next 4 ST, INC, (SC in next 8 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 4 ST {60}

R41-R43 (3 rounds): SC in each ST around {60}

R44: (SC in next 9 ST, INC) x 6 {66}

R45-R48 (4 rounds): SC in each ST around {66}

R49: SC in next 5 ST, INC, (SC in next 10 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 5 ST {72}

R50-R53 (4 rounds): SC in each ST around {72}

R54: (SC in next 11 ST, INC) x 6 {78}

R55-R58 (4 rounds): SC in each ST around {78}

R59: (SC in next 11 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {72}

R60: SC in each ST around {72}

R61: SC in next 5 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 10 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 5 ST {66}

R62: SC in each ST around {66}

R63: (SC in next 9 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {60}

R64: SC in each ST around {60}

R65: SC in next 4 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 8 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 4 ST {54}

R66: (SC in next 7 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {48}

R67: SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 6 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 3 ST {42}

R68: (SC in next 5 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {36}

R69: SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 4 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {30}

R70: (SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {24}

R71: SC in next ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next ST {18}

R72: (SC in next ST, INV DEC) x 6 {12}

R73: SC in each ST around {12}

Stuff well, 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 Arms

Crochet from the bottom of the arm upwards.

R1: Magic ring – 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 9 ST, INC) x 3 {33}

R7-R9 (3 rounds): SC in each ST around {33}

R10: (SC in next 9 ST, INV DEC) x 3 {30}

R11: SC in each ST around {30}

R12: (SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {24}

Change yarn to dark brown colour

R13: SC in each ST around {24}

R14: SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 6 ST, INV DEC) x 2, SC in next 3 ST {21}

R15-R16 (2 rounds): SC in each ST around {21}

You can now start stuffing the arm

R17: (SC in next 5 ST, INV DEC) x 3 {18}

R18-R19 (2 rounds): SC in each ST around {18}

R20: INV DEC, SC in next 16 ST {17}

R21-R22 (2 rounds): SC in each ST around {17}

R23: INV DEC, SC in next 15 ST {16}

You can now stop stuffing the arm

R24-R25 (2 rounds): SC in each ST around {16}

R26: INV DEC, SC in next 14 ST {15}

R27-R28 (2 rounds): SC in each ST around {15}

R29: INV DEC, SC in next 13 ST {14}

R30 -R31 (2 rounds): SC in each ST around {14}

R32: SC in next 2 ST and then SC the opening together to close the arm

FO leaving a long piece of yarn for sewing.

How to Crochet the Legs

Crochet from the bottom of the leg upwards.

R1: Magic ring – 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-R12 (5 rounds): SC in each ST around {42}

R13: (SC in next 5 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {36}

R14: SC in each ST around {36}

R15: SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 4 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {30}

Change yarn to dark brown colour

R16: SC in each ST around {30}

R17: (SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {24}

You can now start stuffing the leg

R18-R19 (2 rounds): SC in each ST around {24}

R20: SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 6 ST, INV DEC) x 2, SC in next 3 ST {21}

R21-R22 (2 rounds): SC in each ST around {21}

R23: (SC in next 5 ST, INV DEC) x 3 {18}

R24-R26 (3 rounds): SC in each ST around {18}

You can now stop stuffing the leg

R27: INV DEC, SC in next 16 ST {17}

R28-R29 (2 rounds): SC in each ST around {17}

R30: INV DEC, SC in next 15 ST {16}

R31: SC the opening together to close the leg

FO leaving a long piece of yarn for sewing.

How to Crochet the Tail

Crochet from the end of the tail.

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-R9 (6 rounds): SC in each ST around {15}

Change yarn to dark brown colour and start stuffing the tail

R10-R37 (28 rounds): SC in each ST around {15}

FO leaving a long piece of yarn for sewing.

If you would like the tail to be extra bendy you can insert a craft wire or a hair curler inside.

Free Crochet Monkey Pattern – Assembly

Head and snout: Pin the snout to the head first making sure that it looks symmetrical. Sew the snout to the head and stuff gradually while sewing. I attached the snout one row below the safety eyes and all the way down to the neck.

Head and ears: Pin the ears to the head first making sure that they look symmetrical from the front and the back. Sew the ears to the head. I attached them between R9 and R21 of the head.

Arms: Pin the arms to the body in a forward facing angle (at about 45°) making sure both arms are symmetrical from the front and back. Sew the arms to the body. I placed them between R37 and R42 of the body.

Legs: Turn the body upside down with the nose facing away from you. Pin the legs to the body as shown in the photo below making sure they look symmetrical. The best way to ensure you are happy with the placement of the legs is to sit your toy up and adjust the placement of the legs if needed. Sew the legs to the body. I placed them between R65 and R73 of the body.

Tail: Pin the tail to the body making sure it is placed in the centre of the lower back. It also helps to sit your toy up to make sure the tail is not placed too low or too high. Sew the tail to the body and add more stuffing if needed. I placed the tail between R57 and R63 of the body.

Nose, mouth and belly button embroidery: Embroider the nose and mouth using the dark brown yarn as shown in the photo below. Use pins to mark the spots where you would like the nose and mouth to be before you start embroidering. I placed the nose between R10 and R11 and the mouth between R3 and R5 of the snout.

Use light brown yarn for the belly button. I placed the belly button between R58 and R62 of the body.

Free Crochet Monkey Pattern – Your Finished Crochet Toy:

You have now finished your toy! I hope you found my free crochet monkey pattern easy to follow and enjoyed making the monkey!
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 Unicorn Pattern
Free Crochet Cat Pattern
Free Crochet Pig Pattern