An Introduction from Patricia to Pudge, the Puddle-Happy Pig
Hello, my dearest maker! It’s Patricia, and today we’re stepping into a world of whimsical mud puddles and mossy treasures. I am so excited to introduce you to Pudge, a cheerful little piglet with a very important belief: every puddle is a portal to a magical realm. He spends his days splashing happily, collecting little gifts like snail shells and shiny pebbles left behind by friendly puddle sprites.
This pattern is a celebration of the “goblincore” spirit—it’s about finding joy in the delightfully grubby, the asymmetrical, and the wonderfully natural. We will embrace intentional imperfections, from a slightly floppier ear to a lopsided smile, to give Pudge a personality that feels truly alive. I am so happy to offer this pattern for free, sustained by the wonderful support and enthusiasm of crafters like you. Thank you for making this possible. Now, let’s get our hands "dirty" and bring this adorable, scruffy friend to life!
Materials You'll Need for Pudge
To capture Pudge's earthy charm, we'll be playing with different textures and colors. This project is perfect for using up lovely scraps of yarn!
Absolute Essentials
- Yarn: Sport weight (Category 2) or DK weight (Category 3) yarn. This will help us achieve a sweet, palm-sized friend.
- Muted Pink (MC): Approx. 50 yards (for the body)
- Fawn Beige (AC1): Approx. 15 yards (for the trotters)
- Dark Mud Brown (AC2): Small amount for the snout and embroidery.
- Light Grey or Tan (AC3): Small amount for the snail shell treasure.
- Crochet Hook: 2.75mm (C-2). Adjust as needed to match your yarn and create a tight fabric.
- Safety Eyes: 6mm or 8mm black safety eyes.
- Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill.
- Yarn Needle & Scissors.
My 'Game Changer' Recommendations
- Mossy Green Yarn (AC4): A small amount of a textured green yarn, like a fuzzy mohair, bouclé, or chenille. This is the secret to making Pudge’s moss patch feel wonderfully real and tactile.
- Brown Embroidery Floss: Using 3-4 strands of standard cotton embroidery floss for the "mud splatters" can create a finer, more controlled texture than yarn.
Skills Required & Techniques Demystified for Pudge
This is a fantastic project for an intermediate crocheter who wants to play with surface textures. The beauty of Pudge is that he isn't meant to be perfect, so you can relax and have fun with these special stitches!
- mr: magic ring
- sc: single crochet
- inc: single crochet increase
- dec: invisible decrease
- sl st: slip stitch
- ch: chain
- BLO: back loop only
- [...] * X: repeat instructions
- (...): final stitch count
Special Techniques You'll Master:
- Loop Stitch: This simple stitch creates wonderful, touchable loops on the surface of your work. We’ll use it to make Pudge’s moss patch. It’s just a matter of wrapping the yarn around your finger before completing a stitch!
- Surface Crochet & Embroidery: This is where Pudge’s story comes to life! After crocheting the main parts, we’ll go back and add details right on top of the fabric. Using surface slip stitches and satin stitches, we'll create raised, 3D "mud splatters" that look and feel like he's just had a grand adventure.
- Embracing Asymmetry: A key part of this design is placing features slightly off-kilter on purpose. One eye might be a stitch higher, one ear floppier. This is what gives Pudge his unique, handcrafted charm.
A Note on Photos & Your Unique Pudge
Remember, Pudge loves being delightfully scruffy. Don't worry about making every mud splatter or moss loop identical. The variation is what makes him special!
Come on, let’s go puddle-jumping with Pudge! The full pattern is just ahead.
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The Pudge the Pig Amigurumi Pattern
This pattern is worked in continuous rounds. Use a stitch marker. The finished size is approx. 4 inches (10cm).
Head and Body
Made as one piece. Start with MC (Muted Pink).
Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] * 6. (18)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] * 6. (24)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] * 6. (30)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] * 6. (36)
Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] * 6. (42)
Rnd 8-15: Sc in each st around. (42) - 8 rounds
Moss Patch Section:
Rnd 16: 18 sc in MC, switch to Mossy Green yarn, work 6 loop stitches, switch back to MC, 18 sc. (42)
Rnd 17: 19 sc in MC, 4 sc in Mossy Green (work these as standard sc into the loop stitches from the round below), 19 sc in MC. (42) This creates a small, integrated moss patch. You can make it larger or more irregular if you wish!
Rnd 18-24: Sc in each st around with MC. (42) - 7 rounds
Rnd 25: [5 sc, dec] * 6. (36)
Rnd 26: [4 sc, dec] * 6. (30)
Rnd 27: [3 sc, dec] * 6. (24) Begin stuffing the body firmly.
Rnd 28: [2 sc, dec] * 6. (18)
Rnd 29: [sc, dec] * 6. (12) Finish stuffing.
Rnd 30: Dec * 6. (6) Fasten off, weave tail through front loops of final 6 stitches, pull tight to close. Hide end.
Snout
Use AC2 (Mud Brown).
Rnd 1: Ch 5. Starting in 2nd ch from hook, 3 sc, 3 sc in last ch. Continue on other side of chain: 2 sc, inc. (10)
Rnd 2: Inc, 2 sc, inc * 3, 2 sc, inc * 2. (16)
Rnd 3: In BLO, sc in each st around. (16)
Rnd 4: Sc in each st around. (16) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Using the same brown yarn, embroider two small vertical lines for nostrils.
Limbs (Make 4)
Start with AC1 (Fawn Beige).
Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. (12) Switch to MC (Muted Pink).
Rnd 4-6: Sc in each st around. (12) - 3 rounds
Rnd 7: [2 sc, dec] * 3. (9) Stuff the trotter (bottom part) lightly. Do not stuff the rest of the leg. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
Ears (Make 2)
Use MC (Muted Pink).
Rnd 1: Start 4 sc in a MR. (4)
Rnd 2: [sc, inc] * 2. (6)
Rnd 3: [2 sc, inc] * 2. (8)
Rnd 4: [3 sc, inc] * 2. (10)
Rnd 5: Sc in each st around. (10) Do not stuff. Fasten off, leaving a tail. For the 'floppier' ear, continue for one more round of sc before fastening off.
Found Treasure: Snail Shell
Use AC3 (Light Grey or Tan).
Rnd 1: Ch 10. Rnd 2: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook. In the next stitches: sc, sc, hdc, hdc, dc, dc, tr, tr. (9 sts of increasing height). Fasten off. Roll the piece tightly into a spiral, with the tallest stitches on the outside. Use the tail to sew the spiral together.
Assembly & Surface Detail Instructions
This is where Pudge's personality truly emerges! Pin all pieces before sewing.
- Placement:
- Snout: Pin the snout to the front of the face, around Rnds 10-15. Give it a slightly upturned, "sniffing" angle before sewing it on. Stuff it lightly just before closing the seam.
- Eyes: This is key for the asymmetry! Place one safety eye between Rnds 9-10. Place the second eye between Rnds 10-11, a few stitches over. Secure them.
- Ears: Pinch the opening of each ear flat. Sew the standard ear to the top of the head. Sew the slightly larger "floppy" ear on the other side, creasing it more dramatically as you sew to give it a good flop.
- Limbs: Sew the four limbs to the base of the body. Angle the front two slightly forward and the back two out to the sides to create a stable, low-to-the-ground posture.
- Surface Details (The Best Part!):
- Mud Splatters: Using brown yarn or embroidery floss, add your mud! Use satin stitch to create irregular patches on the lower body and especially on the fawn-colored trotters. Use surface slip stitch to make little "drips" and connect the patches. Be random and have fun—there's no right or wrong way to be splashed by a puddle!
- Moss Patch: Gently trim the loops of the green moss patch to slightly different lengths to make it look more natural and wild.
- Treasure: Sew the tiny snail shell treasure onto Pudge's back, near the moss patch, as if he's just found it.
Tips & Tricks for Your Puddle-Happy Pig
- Troubleshooting:
- My loop stitches are uneven! Perfect! That's the goal for a natural mossy look. If they're too loose, try holding the yarn a bit tighter around your finger.
- The mud embroidery looks flat. Don't be shy! Use more strands of embroidery floss (3 or 4) and go over your satin stitches a couple of times to build up a nice, raised texture.
- Customization Corner:
- More Treasures: Crochet a tiny mushroom or a flat grey circle for a "shiny pebble" instead of a snail shell.
- Seasonal Pudge: In autumn, use orange and yellow yarn for the moss patch to look like fallen leaves!
- Gifting Your Pudge:
- Pudge is the perfect desk companion or gift for anyone who loves nature, whimsical stories, or the goblincore aesthetic. He's a little reminder to find joy in the small, earthy things.
Frequently Asked Pattern & Finishing Questions
- Q: Can I make Pudge bigger?
- A: Of course! Use a thicker yarn (like worsted weight) and a larger hook (like a 4mm). The pattern works exactly the same, you'll just end up with a bigger, more huggable Pudge!
- Q: How do I make the asymmetry look intentional and not like a mistake?
- A: The key is confidence! Place the features with purpose. A slightly tilted snout, one eye a row higher, a folded ear—when combined, these details read as personality, not error. Pinning everything first helps you check the overall effect before committing.
- Q: I don't have textured yarn for the moss. What can I do?
- A: No problem at all! You can use regular green yarn to make the loop stitches, and then gently brush the loops with a pet slicker brush or a stiff toothbrush to fluff up the fibers. It creates a wonderful, fuzzy effect.
A Final Word & Caring for Your Scruffy Friend
There you have it! Your very own Pudge is ready for adventure. You’ve created a creature with more than just stitches; you’ve woven in a story, texture, and a world of personality. Celebrating the "imperfect" and handmade is one of the greatest joys of crochet, and I hope you had so much fun bringing this scruffy little character to life.
Thank you for your wonderful enthusiasm. It’s the engagement from this amazing community that allows me to dream up these patterns and share them freely.
For care, a gentle spot clean is best to preserve Pudge’s wonderful textures. Happy stitching!