Monkey Amigurumi For Handmade Gifts And Nursery Decor
Finished Size: Approximately 10 inches (25 cm) tall and 7 inches (18 cm) wide
Skill Level: Beginner
Estimated Time: 2-4 hours
Hook Size: 3.5 mm
Yarn: worsted yarn
Notions: Yarn needle, stitch marker, polyfill
Gauge: Approximately 12 sc x 14 rounds = 4 inches with 3.5 mm hook
Why Crocheters Love This Design
Welcome to a cozy corner of the crochet world where loops of yarn slowly take the shape of a curious little monkey, ready to perch on a shelf or squeeze into the arms of a child who needs a soft companion. This pattern uses a 3.5 mm hook paired with worsted weight yarn, a combination that fills out stitches quickly while still letting every detail of the face and paws read clearly. The finished monkey stands approximately 10 inches (25 cm) tall and stretches about 7 inches (18 cm) wide, a comfortable handheld size that feels just right for small hands and quiet bedtime stories.
Because the skill level is marked Beginner, the instructions lean on the most reliable amigurumi building blocks: a magic ring to start the head, simple increases and decreases to shape the body, and basic single crochet rounds worked in a continuous spiral. There is no decreases to wrestle with, no the stitch detail to slip into at the end, and no color changes to juggle. The texture stays smooth and even, giving the monkey a soft, rounded look that feels gentle against the cheek and easy to photograph from every angle.
You will work through clearly counted rounds, with stitch totals written out so you can pause, count, and pick the project back up without losing your place. The pieces are sewn together with a yarn needle, the muzzle is lightly stuffed for a little extra squish, and small safety eyes are added before the head closes up. A crocheter might choose this project because it delivers a finished toy in a relaxed weekend of stitching, something that can be gifted at a baby shower, tucked into a nursery basket, or simply enjoyed as a cheerful handmade decoration on a desk or bookshelf.
Grab your hook, wind a fresh skein, and settle into a few calm evenings of stitching. By the time the last piece is sewn on, you will have a plump, huggable monkey that carries the quiet satisfaction of
Important Notes Before Beginning
This little monkey makes a wonderful project for anyone who loves handmade toys and wants a satisfying, beginner friendly crochet experience. The shape is simple enough to keep you relaxed while still offering enough variety in the pieces to hold your interest from start to finish. It works up quickly, uses basic stitches throughout, and the finished monkey has plenty of personality, making it a great gift for children, a cute shelf companion, or a fun first amigurumi for crocheters who are just starting to explore the world of stuffed toys.
For yarn, a medium weight acrylic or cotton blend works best because it gives the stitches a clean, defined look while keeping the stuffing soft and huggable. A 3.5 mm hook paired with worsted weight yarn produces a monkey that stands roughly 10 inches tall and 7 inches wide, which is a nice size for little hands to carry around. Classic monkey colors are warm brown for the body with tan or cream for the face, belly, and inner ears, but you can easily swap in gray, black, or even pastel shades for a playful twist. Just keep in mind that switching to a much thinner or thicker yarn will change the finished size, so adjust your hook and stuffing amount accordingly if you decide to experiment.
One common pitfall when crocheting amigurumi is stuffing the pieces too tightly before closing them up, which can leave visible lumps and make the seams harder to seam neatly. To avoid this, add small amounts of stuffing at a time and gently shape each piece as you go, keeping the fill light and even. Taking a few extra minutes at this stage gives your monkey a smooth, rounded look and makes the final assembly much easier.
Gather These Supplies First
| Material | Details |
|---|---|
| Yarn | worsted yarn in brown, cream, black, light brown |
| Hook | 3.5 mm crochet hook |
| Stuffing | Polyfill or fiberfill |
| Eyes | Safety eyes or embroidery thread |
| Extras | Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors |
Gauge: Approximately 12 sc x 14 rounds = 4 inches with 3.5 mm hook. Not critical but aim for tight, even stitches, if stuffing shows through, go down one hook size.
Crochet Stitches in This Pattern
Note: This pattern uses US crochet terms. All rounds are worked in continuous rounds unless stated otherwise. Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sc | Single crochet |
| inc | Increase (2 sc in same stitch) |
| dec | Decrease (sc 2 together) |
The Full Pattern, Step by Step
head, brown yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
Rnd 6: sc around (30)
Rnd 7: sc around (30)
Rnd 8: (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
Rnd 9: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
Rnd 10: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 11: dec around (6)
Rnd 12: fasten off, close hole (6)
Switch to cream yarn for the muzzle.
muzzle, cream yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: (1 sc, inc) x 3 (9)
Rnd 3: sc around (9)
Rnd 4: (1 sc, dec) x 3 (6)
Rnd 5: fasten off, close hole (6)
Switch to black yarn for the eyes.
eyes (make 2), black yarn
Use 6 mm safety eyes or embroidered eyes; place them on the upper half of the head, about one eye-width apart.
If using safety eyes, insert the posts before closing the head opening and secure the backs firmly on the inside.
If embroidering, work two small black satin stitches, then add a tiny white stitch highlight if desired.
Switch to brown yarn for the body.
body, brown yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: (11 sc, inc) x 2 (26)
Rnd 6: sc around (26)
Rnd 7: sc around (26)
Rnd 8: sc around (26)
Rnd 9: sc around (26)
Rnd 10: sc around (26)
Rnd 11: (11 sc, dec) x 2 (24)
Rnd 12: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
Rnd 13: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 14: dec around (6)
Rnd 15: fasten off, close hole (6)
arms (make 2), brown yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 3 (2 sc, inc) x 2 (17)
Rnd 4: sc around (17)
Rnd 5: sc around (17)
Rnd 6: sc around (17)
Rnd 7: sc around (17)
Rnd 8: sc around (17)
Rnd 9: sc around (17)
Rnd 10: sc around (17)
Rnd 11: sc around (17)
legs (make 2), brown yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: sc around (18)
Rnd 5: sc around (18)
Rnd 6: sc around (18)
Rnd 7: sc around (18)
Rnd 8: sc around (18)
Rnd 9: sc around (18)
Rnd 10: sc around (18)
Rnd 11: sc around (18)
Switch to cream yarn for the feet.
feet (make 2), cream yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: sc around (24)
Rnd 6: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
Rnd 7: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 8: dec around (6)
Rnd 9: fasten off, close hole (6)
Switch to brown yarn for the tail.
tail, brown yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: sc around (6)
Rnd 3: sc around (6)
Rnd 4: sc around (6)
Rnd 5: sc around (6)
Rnd 6: sc around (6)
Rnd 7: sc around (6)
Rnd 8: sc around (6)
Rnd 9: sc around (6)
ears (make 2), brown yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: (2 sc, inc) x 2 (8)
Rnd 3: sc around (8)
Rnd 4: sc around (8)
Rnd 5: sc around (8)
Rnd 6: (2 sc, dec) x 2 (6)
Rnd 7: fasten off, close hole (6)
Switch to cream yarn for the hand.
hand (make 2), cream yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: sc around (24)
Rnd 6: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
Rnd 7: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 8: dec around (6)
Rnd 9: fasten off, close hole (6)
foot (make 2), cream yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: dec around (6)
Rnd 4: fasten off, close hole (6)
tail tip, cream yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: sc around (6)
Rnd 3: sc around (6)
Rnd 4: sc around (6)
Rnd 5: sc around (6)
Rnd 6: sc around (6)
Rnd 7: sc around (6)
Rnd 8: sc around (6)
Rnd 9: sc around (6)
Rnd 10: fasten off, close hole (6)
Final Stitch Counts
- head: 30 stitches at widest point
- muzzle: 9 stitches at widest point
- eyes (x 2): See pattern
- body: 26 stitches at widest point
- arms (x 2): 17 stitches at widest point
- legs (x 2): 18 stitches at widest point
- feet (x 2): 24 stitches at widest point
- tail: 6 stitches at widest point
- ears (x 2): 8 stitches at widest point
- hand (x 2): 24 stitches at widest point
- foot (x 2): 12 stitches at widest point
- tail tip: 6 stitches at widest point
How to Assemble the Finished Parts
1. Stuff head, body, hand, foot firmly with polyfill for stability. Shape as you go, pressing and molding to match the reference photo. Add extra stuffing to the base for a sturdy foundation.
2. Sew muzzle to the front of the head. Center between the eyes, slightly below the eye line. Stuff lightly with polyfill before closing for a 3D effect. Pin in place before sewing to check alignment from all angles.
3. Attach eyes to the head. Position on the upper half of the head, spaced about one eye-width apart. Secure firmly with embroidery thread or fabric glue. Embroider a small line below each eye for a more expressive look.
4. Sew ears to the sides of the head. Position on the upper sides of the head, angled outward. Pin in place before sewing to check alignment from all angles. Use the long tail left for sewing and whipstitch around the base.
5. Sew arms to the body. Align carefully and pin in place before sewing. Check from all angles, then sew firmly with whipstitch.
6. Sew legs to the body. Align carefully and pin in place before sewing. Check from all angles, then sew firmly with whipstitch.
7. Sew tail to the body. Align carefully and pin in place before sewing. Check from all angles, then sew firmly with whipstitch.
8. Attach tail tip to the body. Secure firmly with embroidery thread or fabric glue. Pin in place, check positioning from all angles, then sew or glue firmly.
9. Sew feet in place following the reference photo. Pin first to check positioning, then whipstitch with matching yarn, weaving in the ends securely.
10. Sew tail tip in place following the reference photo. Pin first to check positioning, then whipstitch with matching yarn, weaving in the ends securely.
11. Check all seams are secure. Gently tug each attached piece to test. Trim any loose yarn ends with sharp scissors. Weave in all remaining tails with a needle, passing through at least 3 stitches in each direction to prevent unraveling. Give the finished piece a gentle squeeze to distribute stuffing evenly and shape the final form.
Pro Tips and Care Advice
These beginner-friendly tips will help you crochet a well-shaped monkey amigurumi using a 3.5 mm hook. Each suggestion focuses on a specific technique to keep your stitches even, your stuffing smooth, and your finished doll looking nicely finished.
- Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round and move it up as you work, because amigurumi is worked in continuous spirals and it is easy to lose track of where each round begins.
- Keep your tension firm and consistent so the fabric is tight enough that the stuffing does not show through the stitches, which is a common problem for beginners.
- Use simple decreases (work two stitches together) rather than advanced methods, and hook under both loops of each stitch to keep the decrease neat and the fabric stable.
- Stuff the monkey gradually as you close each section, adding small amounts of fiberfill and pushing it into the narrow tips of the arms, legs, and muzzle with the end of your hook or a chopstick so there are no lumps.
- Check your gauge by crocheting a small swatch before starting the body, because a 3.5 mm hook paired with the recommended yarn should produce a firm fabric; loose stitches will leave gaps that reveal the stuffing.
- Leave a long yarn tail when you fasten off each piece, then use a needle to sew the parts together with a whip stitch, pulling the thread firmly so the seams sit flat against the body.
- Embroider the eyes, nose, and mouth before attaching the head to the body, which gives you better control over facial placement and avoids distorting the shape of the finished doll.
- Weave in all loose ends on the inside of the amigurumi after assembly, trimming them close to the fabric so they do not peek through to the right side or come undone with use.
What yarn should I use for the monkey amigurumi?
Worsted weight yarn works nicely for the monkey amigurumi and gives it a soft, squishy feel. Choose a smooth, non-shedding acrylic or cotton blend in your favorite color. Avoid fuzzy or eyelash yarns, since they can hide your stitches and make counting difficult.
How long does it take to crochet the monkey amigurumi?
The monkey amigurumi typically takes 2-4 hours to complete, depending on your pace and experience. Beginners may finish closer to the 4-hour mark as they get used to the stitch rhythm. More confident crocheters often wrap it up in about 2 hours.
Is the monkey amigurumi pattern beginner-friendly?
Yes, the monkey amigurumi is rated as a Beginner pattern, so it uses only basic stitches like single crochet and simple increases and decreases. The pieces are worked in continuous rounds, which is easy to learn with a stitch marker. No advanced techniques are required, making it a great first doll project.
Can I sell finished monkey amigurumi dolls made from this pattern?
You are welcome to sell finished monkey amigurumi dolls made from this pattern, whether at craft fairs, online shops, or local markets. Please credit the pattern designer when listing or sharing your work. Mass production or reselling the pattern itself is not allowed.
What hook size do I need for the monkey amigurumi?
You will need a 3.5 mm crochet hook for the monkey amigurumi. This hook size pairs well with worsted weight yarn and creates a tight fabric that keeps the stuffing from showing through. Using the recommended hook helps your stitches stay even and your finished doll hold its shape.
How do More Amigurumi Ideas You'll Love
Love this pattern? Check out more free crochet patterns: