Crochet Caterpillar Pattern Free: Easy Amigurumi for Beginners
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Time to read 4 min
Perfect for Beginners: This pattern uses basic stitches and chunky chenille yarn, making it a stress-free project that works up quickly into a soft, high-quality plushie.
Unique Segmented Design: Learn a clever "body hump" technique using yarn dividers to create the caterpillar's signature plump, segmented look without complex shaping.
Customizable Character: From adding tiny feet and antennas to a hand-stitched smile and white eye-liner detail, this guide covers the small touches that give your amigurumi a professional, expressive personality.
This free caterpillar crochet pattern is equal parts adorable, beginner-friendly, and totally addictive to make. Whether you’re brand new to amigurumi or an experienced crocheter looking for a fast, satisfying project, this cheerful little caterpillar is the perfect choice. With its plump, segmented body and sweet little face, it’s guaranteed to bring smiles to anyone who sees it.
Skill Level
Easy / Beginner-Friendly
Crochet Stitches & Abbreviations
● mc – magic circle
● ch – chain
● sc – single crochet
● inc – increase
● dec – decrease
● sl st – slip stitch
Materials You’ll Need
To make your amigurumi caterpillar plushie, gather:
● 1 skein Premier Yarns Basix Chenille in Emerald
● A few yards Loops & Threads Soft Classic in Sage
● 12" white worsted weight yarn
● 16mm safety eyes
● 6.5mm crochet hook
● 5.0mm crochet hook
● Polyfil stuffing
● Yarn needle
💡 Tip: Using chenille or velvet yarn makes your caterpillar incredibly soft and squishy. If you want a smaller, more detailed caterpillar, use worsted weight yarn with a smaller hook.
Crochet Caterpillar Pattern
BODY
Using Emerald Yarn and 6.5mm Hook
- Round 1: mc with 6 sc (6)
- Round 2: inc in every st around (12)
- Round 3: inc in every st around (24)
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Rounds 4-26: sc in every st around (24)
- NOTE: Around round 7, I recommend snapping in your safety eyes. They should go between rounds 1-2 with one stitch showing in between them.
- Stuff with polyfil as you go, but do not overstuff.
- Round 27: dec x12 (12)
-
Round 28: dec x6 (6)
- Cut a 12" tail, close the hole and weave it in
Adding Body Humps
- See this video tutorial on how to add the three dividers.
- Cut 3 strands of sage worsted weight yarn, about 12" each. You will use these to add the three bumps below.
- Hump 1: Between rounds 8-9
- Hump 2: Between rounds 14-15
- Hump 3: Between rounds 20-21
Antennas x2
Using Worsted Weight Sage and 5.00mm Hook
- Round 1: mc with 6 sc (6)
- Round 2: inc in every st around (12)
- Round 3: sc in every st around (12)
-
Round 4: dec x6 (6)
- Add polyfil
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Rounds 5-7: sc in every st around (6)
- Cut an 8" tail and sew onto the top of the head on round 5
Shop Crochet Plushie Patterns
Feet x8
Using Worsted Weight Sage and 5.00mm Hook
NOTE: These are worked into the body.
- There are 4 pair of feet, one pair on each body hump.
- 1st Pair: With the eyes facing you, insert your hook under one stitch between rounds 5-6, aligned under the eye. Pull the yarn through and add 6 sc in a circle, then add another round of 6 sc. Cut an 8" tail, close the foot then tuck in your tails.
- 2nd Pair: Repeat between rounds 10-11.
- 3rd Pair: Repeat between rounds 16-17.
- 4th Pair: Repeat between rounds 22-23.
Smile
Using Worsted Weight Sage and Yarn Needle
- Cut 12" white worsted weight yarn.
- Insert needle into right side of head and come out just below the right eye. Then insert needle one stitch to the left, then come out one over to the right and one stitch down, pull yarn then place needle inside before tightening, then insert needle back into that same stitch, this creates the smile shape.
- Then move needle over to the stitch where the beginning tail is. Tie the two together and tuck into body.
White Eye Liner
Using Worsted Weight White and Yarn Needle
- Cut a 12" strand of white worsted weight yarn and grab your needle.
- Insert the needle into the right side of the head and come out at the bottom center of the right eye, pull yarn so there’s at least 4 inches hanging, then insert needle at the top center of the right eye.
- The white yarn should be hugging the right side of the right eye.
- Repeat this above the left eye.
- Then bring the end tail back to the same stitch where the beginning tail is. Tie the two together three times then tuck into the head.
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The Easiest Way to Start: Beginning Crochet Classes
If you are currently researching the best crochet hooks for beginners or looking for the easiest crochet stuffed animals for beginners to start your journey, you don't have to figure it out alone. My beginning crochet classes are designed specifically to take the guesswork out of the craft, guiding you step-by-step from your first slip knot to a finished, huggable friend.
About the Designer
Marcy Gardner
Hi! I'm Marcy, a crochet designer in North Carolina. I help crafters turn yarn into adorable keepsakes through beginner-friendly crochet patterns and plushie kits. I’ve been crocheting since 2012 and fell in love instantly! My work has been featured in Simply Crochet and Crochet World Magazines. I am the author of Crochet Snuggle Buddies, Hooked on Growth, and Do You Know Hank the Hippo? I also enjoying hosting Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast.
