Leonardo The Lobster Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

What Makes This Pattern Special

Meet Leonardo, a cheerful lobster amigurumi worked in worsted weight yarn with a 4 mm hook. The finished piece measures roughly 10 inches (25 cm) tall and 7 inches (18 cm) wide, a comfortable handheld size that still shows off the curved claws and segmented tail. You will work in continuous spirals, using single crochet as the base stitch and shaping the body with invisible decreases for a clean, professional finish.

Skill level is Intermediate, so expect a few techniques beyond the basics. You will surface crochet the belly ridge, add short rows to angle the claws, and switch colors for the banded tail segments. A small gauge swatch helps you confirm the tight tension needed for stuffing that holds its shape without showing through the stitches. The claws use simple increases around a magic ring, while the legs are short tubes joined to the body as you go.

Worked in a soft coral yarn with cream accents, Leonardo has a smooth, dense texture that invites squeezing. The pattern includes stitch counts for every round, step by step photos for the trickier joins, and tips for keeping the tail curve even as you stuff. Take your time with the antennae, and you will end up with a sturdy little lobster ready for a shelf or a gift box.

Materials and Supplies You'll Need

Material	Details
Yarn	worsted yarn in orange, black, red
Hook	4 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 = 2 inches with 4 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 flat pieces sewn 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)
ch	Chain

Step-by-Step Crochet Instructions

body, orange 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)

tail, orange 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)

claws (make 2), orange yarn

Row 1: Ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (6)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc across (6)

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing

legs (make 6), orange 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 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 orange yarn for the antennae.

antennae (make 2), orange 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)

Assembling Your Amigurumi

1. Stuff body, antennae 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 tail to the body. Pin in place before sewing to check positioning. Use whipstitch for a secure attachment.

3. Sew legs to the body. Align carefully and pin in place before sewing. Check from all angles, then sew firmly with whipstitch.

4. 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.

5. Sew claws in place following the reference photo. Pin first to check positioning, then whipstitch with matching yarn, weaving in the ends securely.

6. 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.

Helpful Tips and Cleaning Advice

These tips will help you crochet Leonardo the Lobster smoothly with your 4 mm hook.

• Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round so you can locate increases and decreases without losing your place.
• Use invisible decreases on every shaping round to keep the fabric tight and prevent stuffing from showing through the gaps.
• Stuff the body and claws firmly before closing the final round, then add a little extra fiberfill into the claws so they hold their shape nicely.
• Check your gauge after the first few rounds; tighter stitches give a denser fabric that holds stuffing well, while looser stitches can let the filling peek out.
• When attaching the legs and antennae, work through both loops of the body stitches with a yarn needle so the pieces stay secure during play.
• Keep your tension even throughout the project so the finished lobster sits balanced and the surface looks smooth.

Follow these care instructions to keep Leonardo looking his best.

• Hand wash gently in cool water with a mild detergent, then squeeze out excess water without wringing.
• Reshape the lobster and air dry flat on a towel away from direct sunlight to prevent color fading.
• Spot clean small marks with a damp cloth and a tiny amount of soap rather than fully washing the piece.
• Store the lobster in a clean, dry place to protect the yarn fibers over time.

Your Questions, Answered

What skill level is required for this pattern?

This pattern is rated Intermediate. It uses techniques such as invisible decrease and surface crochet, so familiarity with these methods is recommended.

What hook size and yarn weight should I use?

Use a 4 mm crochet hook with worsted weight yarn for the best results. This combination produces a tight, even fabric that helps the stuffing stay securely inside.

How long does it take to finish Leonardo?

The time for this project is 2-4 hours, depending on your crochet pace and experience level.

Can I use a different yarn weight or hook size?

You can substitute yarn, but changing weight or hook size will alter the finished size and may affect stitch density. Adjust your hook as needed to maintain a firm gauge.

Can I sell finished items made from this pattern?

Yes, finished toys made from this pattern is sold. Please credit the designer when listing items online or at markets.

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