How to Crochet an Adorable Squirrel

Crochet Techniques Used

Magic Ring

A magic ring or a magic circle is often used as the base for any round project. An alternative method is to chain two stitches and work your first round of stitches into the first chain space made. Although the magic ring has a nicer finished appearance, the chain two method can often work better when you are working with thicker yarn. To learn how to crochet a magic ring, make sure to check out my complete tutorial.

Single Crochet Stitches

Making a single crochet stitch is the basic crochet stitch that is used throughout this crochet pattern. If you are new to crocheting, make sure to check out my beginner’s guide for crochet stitches to learn how to make a single crochet.

Slip Stitches

I prefer to make my patterns so that you join the last stitch to the first stitch with a slip stitch. This way you know which round you are on in the pattern. To do this you will want to use a slip stitch.

Increasing and Decreasing

Increasing or decreasing the overall number of round stitches gives the crochet squirrel its shape. To make an increase stitch in the project, you will make two single crochet stitches in the same stitch. A decrease stitch is when two single crochet stitches are combined into one stitch.

Changing Colors

You can change colors at any time in your project. To do this you will simply pull your new color through the old color and continue stitching with the new color. Make sure to tie the yarn tail together so that it doesn’t pull apart.

Attaching Safety Eyes

I like to use plain black safety eyes. Feel free to use your desired size, and make sure that the eyes can fasten securely to your project.

Sewing Pieces Together

To sew the different crochet pieces together, you can easily use some yarn, of the same color your animal is made from, and a yarn needle or tapestry needle. Sew the pieces as desired. Make sure that they are completely secured before finishing off.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: I recommend using soft velvet yarn in your desired color. If using one strand, make sure it is a size #5 bulky weight, or you will need two strands of #4 medium weight.
• Crochet Hook: Size 5.50 mm crochet hook recommended.
• Fiberfill Stuffing: To fill the crochet squirrel before finishing it out.
• Black Safety Eyes: 2 mm safety eyes or larger. Feel free to use whatever size you prefer.
• Yarn Needle: This is used to assemble the squirrel once all of the body pieces are created.
• Scissors: You will need to have some scissors on hand to cut the yarn.

Squirrel Crochet Pattern: Step-by-Step Instructions

Abbreviations

• Ch – chain
• St/sts – stitch / stitches
• Sc – single crochet
• Inc – increase
• Dec – decrease
• Sl st – slip stitch

Please note that this pattern is written in US Terms.

Recommended Skill Level

Intermediate

Making the Head and Body

Round 1: ch 5, sk 1 ch space, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, 4 sc in last st, turn. Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in last st. Join with sl st to the first st made.

Round 2: ch 1, (inc, sc) 6 times around. Join with sl st.

Round 3: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Round 4: ch 1, (inc, 2 sc) repeat around. Join with sl st.

Round 5: ch 1, sc in next 12 sts. (inc, sc) 3 times, sc in next 6 sts. Join with sl st.

Round 6: ch 1, sc in next 12 sts. (inc, 2 sc) 3 times, sc in next 6 sts. Join with sl st.

Round 7 - 9: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st. (30 sts)

Round 10: ch 1, (dec, 2 sc) repeat around. Join with sl st.

Round 11: ch 1, (dec, sc) repeat around. Join with sl st.

Round 12 – 13: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st. (16 sts)

Round 14: ch 1, inc in each st around. Join with sl st. (32 sts)

Round 15: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st. (32 sts)

Round 16: ch 1, (inc, 2 sc) repeat 4 times. Sc in each of the remaining stitches around, until you reach the last three sts. Inc, sc in remaining 2 sts. Join with sl st.

Round 17 – 20: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Round 21: Ch 1, sc in next 16 sts, (inc, sc) 4 times, sc in next 6 sts, (inc, sc) 4 times. Join with sl st.

Round 22: Ch 1, sc in next 16 sts, (inc, 2 sc) 4 times, 5 sc, (inc, 2 sc) 4 times, join with sl st.

Round 23 – 24: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Round 25: ch 1, sc in next 16 sts, dec, sc in next 12 sts, dec, sc in next 4 sts, dec, sc in next 12 sts, dec. Join with sl st.

Round 26 – 27: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Round 28: ch 1, sc in next 14 sts, dec 2 times, sc in next 10 sts, dec 3 times, sc in next 10 sts, join with sl st.

Round 29: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st.

Round 30: ch 1, (dec, 3 sc) repeat around. Join with sl st.

Round 31: ch 1, (dec, 2 sc) repeat around. Join with sl st.

*add stuffing and insert safety eyes

Round 32: ch 1, (dec, sc) repeat around. Join with sl st.

Round 33: ch 1, dec around. Join with sl st.

Thread the yarn tail through a yarn needle and weave through the stitches. Pull the yarn tight to close. Tie a knot, and weave in the ends of the yarn tail.