As a passionate crafter and someone who truly cherishes the magic of handmade creations, I can tell you there's nothing quite like the joy of bringing a charming character to life with your own crochet hook. And let me tell you, Labubu, the brainchild of the wonderfully talented Julia Kor from Fionadolls, is about to become your new favorite project! Standing at a perfectly huggable 8 inches (20 cm) tall, including those utterly irresistible ears, this plush amigurumi toy is an absolute must-make for anyone who loves crafting cute, squishable companions.
Imagine holding this sweet little friend in your hands – crafted from the softest plush yarn, Labubu features the most endearing embroidered face, those signature fluffy ears, and an expression that just begs for a cuddle. Whether you're whipping up a gift for a special little one, adding a whimsical touch to your own amigurumi collection, or simply seeking a deeply satisfying creative outlet, this pattern is incredibly beginner-friendly. It guides you through basic stitches, all worked in those relaxing, continuous rounds we love for amigurumi.
Why This Labubu Pattern Will Steal Your Crocheting Heart
I’ve seen countless patterns in my time, and what sets a truly great one apart is its ability to be both accessible and inspiring. Labubu's pattern absolutely nails this, and here’s why I’m so excited for you to try it:
Effortless Customization: This is where your creative spirit can truly shine! The beauty of Labubu is how easily you can swap out colors. Imagine a whole family of Labubus in different hues – a playful rainbow of little friends just waiting to be made. It's fantastic for using up those smaller yarn scraps too!
A Masterclass in Amigurumi Shaping: If you're looking to gently level up your amigurumi skills, this pattern is a gem. You’ll get wonderful practice with essential techniques like increases and decreases, which are fundamental to creating those lovely, defined shapes. Plus, it offers a great opportunity to get comfortable with smooth color changes.
The Ultimate Handmade Gift: Who wouldn't adore receiving a Labubu? Seriously, kids absolutely light up when they see these plush characters, and collectors will appreciate the unique, handmade touch. It’s a gift that carries so much love in every stitch.
So, go on! Grab your trusty hook, dive into your yarn stash for some beautiful colors, and let’s embark on the wonderful journey of bringing your very own Labubu to life. Trust me, you're going to love it.
Gathering Your Labubu Crafting Essentials
Before we dive into the delightful world of stitching, let’s make sure you have all your materials ready. Having everything at hand ensures a smooth and enjoyable crocheting experience.
Your Yarn Palette:
For the Main Body (Blue & Peach): You’ll want to reach for a lovely plush yarn. Brands like Alize Softy Plus or Premier Parfait Chunky are excellent choices, or anything similar that gives you that wonderfully soft, squishy texture.
Blue: You'll need approximately 30g for Labubu's main sections.
Peach: A smaller amount, about 10g, will be perfect for those charming accent areas.
For the Delightful Details:
Black/Brown & Pink Cotton Yarn: These are crucial for bringing Labubu's sweet face to life through embroidery. A good quality cotton yarn will give you crisp, clean lines.
White Plush Yarn: Just a tiny bit of this will create those adorable little teeth!
Your Trusty Tools & Extra Bits:
Crochet Hook: A Size G/6 (4 mm) hook is recommended for the suggested yarn, ensuring a nice, tight fabric. If you're aiming for a miniature Labubu, a 2 mm hook would be ideal.
Safety Eyes: You'll need 14 mm safety eyes. The pattern doesn't specify, but I always think a touch of glitter in the eyes adds that extra spark of personality!
Stuffing: High-quality polyester fiberfill is key to giving your Labubu its wonderfully plump, huggable shape.
Tapestry Needle & Scissors: Essential for finishing touches, weaving in ends, and assembling your creation.
Stitch Marker: While optional, I can’t stress enough how much a stitch marker can simplify working in continuous rounds. It helps you keep perfect track of your stitches and avoid any pesky counting errors!
Decoding the Labubu Pattern: Abbreviations and Key Techniques
To ensure we're all speaking the same crochet language, here are the standard US crochet terminology abbreviations you'll encounter throughout this pattern. Familiarizing yourself with these will make the instructions flow effortlessly.
US Terminology Used:
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
inc = increase (working 2 single crochets into the same stitch)
dec = decrease (single crochet 2 together, or sc2tog)
BLO = back loop only
MR = magic ring (or, if you prefer, you can use the alternative: chain 2 and work your stitches into the 2nd chain from the hook)
rnd(s) = round(s)
A Few Important Notes Before You Begin:
Continuous Spirals: One of the hallmarks of amigurumi is working in continuous spirals.
This means you won’t be joining rounds with a slip stitch and chaining up; you’ll simply keep crocheting into the first stitch of the previous round. This creates a seamless fabric, perfect for plush toys. Maintain Tight Tension: This is a crucial tip, especially when working with plush yarns. You want to crochet tightly enough to prevent any of your stuffing from showing through the stitches. A good, firm tension creates a sturdy and professional-looking finished piece.
Bringing Labubu to Life: Your Step-by-Step Crochet Journey
Alright, with our materials gathered and our abbreviations understood, let's get our hooks moving! This pattern is broken down into manageable sections, making the creation of your Labubu a truly enjoyable process.
1. The Adorable Ears (Make 2)
We'll start with these signature fluffy ears, crafted in two pieces for that lovely dual-color effect.
Back Piece (Pink): Begin by chaining 5. Work a single crochet into the 2nd chain from your hook, then work 2 more single crochets. You’ll then increase (work 2 sc into the same stitch) three times. Now, carefully work down the other side of your starting chain with 3 single crochets. You should have 9 stitches. Fasten off your yarn.
Front Piece (Blue/Peach): Chain 5, then single crochet into the 2nd chain from your hook, followed by 2 more single crochets. Increase three times, and then work 3 single crochets down the other side of your chain. You’ll again have 9 stitches.
Assembly: Carefully place the front and back pieces of the ear together, aligning the edges. Now, single crochet around the edges, working through both layers to neatly join them. This creates a sturdy, professional-looking ear.
2. Crafting Labubu's Charming Head
This is where Labubu’s personality truly starts to emerge!
Rounds 1-4: Start with your peach yarn. Create a magic ring, and then follow your pattern for increase rounds until you reach 24 stitches at the end of Round 4.
Round 5: Switch to your blue yarn for this round. Work a back loop only (BLO) increase round to achieve 30 stitches. This creates a subtle ridge that adds lovely definition.
Adding the Eyes: This is a magical moment! Carefully insert your 14 mm safety eyes between Rounds 2 and 3, ensuring they are 7 stitches apart. Take your time to get the placement just right – it makes all the difference!
Round 8: Now, it's time to attach those lovely ears! You'll do this by single crocheting 3 stitches through both the ear and the head. This method secures the ears firmly in place as you continue working.
Rounds 11-14: Continue with your decreasing rounds to begin closing the head. As you work through these rounds, start to stuff the head firmly with polyester fiberfill. You want it squishy but well-shaped. Once you’ve completed the final decrease round, fasten off your yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing.
3. Shaping the Arms & Legs
These smaller components will be stitched separately and then attached to the body, allowing for neat and precise shaping.
Arms: Begin with your peach yarn for the hands, then switch to blue for the rest of the arm. Remember to stuff them lightly – just enough to give them form without making them too rigid. Set them aside for assembly later.
Legs & Body: You'll crochet both legs individually first. Once you have two identical legs, you'll join them with a slip stitch and then seamlessly work into them to begin the main body rounds. This technique creates a wonderfully natural transition from legs to body.
4. The Final Assembly & Delightful Details
This is where all your hard work comes together, and Labubu truly comes to life!
Head to Body: Using a long tapestry needle and the yarn tail you left on the head, carefully sew the head securely to the body. Take your time here to ensure a neat, strong join.
Defining the Muzzle: For that adorable defined muzzle, use a durable yarn (something like YarnArt Jeans works wonderfully) and a long needle. Carefully thread it through the muzzle area, pull gently, and secure the yarn to create that sweet, characteristic indentation. This small detail makes a huge impact!
Embroidery Magic: Now for the personality!
Nose: With your pink cotton yarn, create a small nose. I recommend 5-7 vertical stitches, topped with one horizontal stitch across the middle for a clean, finished look.
Smile & Teeth: Use black cotton yarn to embroider a charming smile. Then, with your white plush yarn, carefully stitch in those tiny, endearing teeth. These little details really bring out Labubu’s playful expression.
My Personal Tips for Amigurumi Success
As a seasoned crafter, I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way that can make your crocheting experience even more rewarding. These small details can make a big difference in the final look and feel of your Labubu:
Stuffing is Key! Don't be shy with the stuffing. A well-stuffed amigurumi is a squishy, structured, and resilient one. Push the polyester fiberfill firmly into all areas, especially into the head and limbs, to ensure Labubu holds its shape beautifully.
Embrace Your Stitch Marker: Seriously, if you're working in continuous spirals, a stitch marker is your best friend. It simply clips into the first stitch of each round, eliminating any guesswork and helping you stay perfectly on track.
Mastering Your Tension: I can't emphasize this enough – consistent and relatively tight tension is crucial for amigurumi, particularly with plush yarn. This prevents any unsightly gaps where your stuffing might peek through, giving your Labubu a polished, professional finish.
Your Labubu: Ready for Hugs and Adventures!
Congratulations! Your very own Labubu is now complete, radiating charm and ready to bring smiles to everyone who sees them. This pattern is truly a delightful fusion of simplicity and creative potential, making it an ideal project for amigurumi enthusiasts of all skill levels, from curious beginners to seasoned pros.
Every stitch you made contributed to bringing this lovable character to life, and that's something truly special. I hope you enjoyed every moment of crafting your Labubu! Now, don't be shy – I'd love to hear about your Labubu and see your finished creation. What color combinations did you choose? Did you add any personal touches? Share your stories and photos; there's nothing quite like connecting with fellow crafters!