Free Amigurumi Pig Pattern: Crochet Pip, the Affectionate Piglet!

My Dearest Creator,

Welcome back to the quiet hum of the atelier. Today, we embark on a creation that is more than just yarn and stitches; it is a vessel for affection, a tangible piece of our heart given form. We will be crafting Pip, the Affectionate Piglet, a project whose very purpose is to whisper "I love you" without saying a word.

As you work each stitch, imagine the love you are weaving into this precious being. This is the true alchemy of our craft—turning simple thread into an heirloom of emotion. Let's begin.

🎨 The Artisan's Vision: Why This Project is Special

Pip is the embodiment of a warm hug. Designed in a relaxed, gentle pose, this piglet isn’t just an amigurumi; it's a story of comfort and love. The act of creating Pip—from the plump, huggable body to the carefully embroidered message on the heart pillow—is an act of meditation on love itself. This creation is destined to become a treasured keepsake, a constant, soft reminder to its recipient that they are dearly cherished.

✨ Skills You'll Master (And Why They Matter)

With every project, we grow as artisans. Here's what Pip will teach you:

• Advanced Shaping: You'll craft a single, flowing piece for the body and head, mastering the increases and decreases that create a natural, organic form. This skill is the key to amigurumi that feels alive.
• The Art of Embroidery: We will breathe life into Pip through embroidery. You'll learn to create expressive, clean lines for the eyes and snout, and craft elegant lettering for the heart's message. This is how we give our creations a soul.
• Intentional Assembly: The final placement of each piece tells a story. You'll practice precise attachment to achieve that perfect, loving posture, turning a collection of parts into a cohesive, emotional scene.

Patricia's Meditation: Remember that the space between stitches holds as much importance as the stitches themselves. It is the breath in the music, the pause in the story. Work with patience and let your creation unfold naturally.

🧶 The Alchemist's Trove: Materials & Tools

To begin our work, gather these essential supplies:

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Aran, 10-ply) yarn. I recommend a soft cotton or cotton-blend for excellent stitch definition.
  • Rose Pink (approx. 150g)
  • Cherry Red (a small amount for the heart symbol)
• Crochet Hook: 3.5mm (US E-4). Adjust if needed to match your tension and yarn, ensuring stitches are tight enough that no stuffing shows through.
• Embroidery Floss: Black floss for the facial details and text.
• Tapestry Needle: For seamless assembly and weaving in ends.
• Fiberfill Stuffing: For giving Pip a firm, huggable form.
• Stitch Marker: To keep track of your rounds without fail.
• Scissors: A sharp pair for clean cuts.

💡 The Language of the Craft: Stitches & Abbreviations

This pattern is written in standard US crochet terminology.

• MR: Magic Ring
• sc: Single Crochet
• inc: Increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
• dec: Invisible Decrease (work in front loops only)
• sl st: Slip Stitch
• ch: Chain
• [...] xX: Repeat instructions in brackets X times
• (...): Total number of stitches in the round

💡 The Artisan's Advisor: Pro Tips & FAQs

How can I make my embroidery look clean and professional?▼

The secret to elegant embroidery is threefold: tension, strand count, and patience. First, split your 6-strand embroidery floss down to 2 or 3 strands for finer details. Second, use small, consistent back-stitches for clean lines. Finally, avoid pulling the floss too tight, which can pucker the crochet fabric. Let the thread rest gently on the surface.

My stuffing is showing through the stitches. What should I do?▼

This is a common tension issue. It means your stitches are a little too loose for the yarn and hook combination. Try going down a hook size (e.g., from 3.5mm to 3.25mm or 3.0mm). This will create a denser, tighter fabric that holds the stuffing in perfectly. Consistent tension is a hallmark of the experienced artisan.

Any tips for achieving the perfect reclining pose?▼

The magic is in the stuffing and leg placement. Stuff the body firmly, but leave the "neck" area (where the body narrows before the head) slightly less stuffed to allow for a gentle bend. When attaching the legs, place the front two slightly more forward than the back two. Use pins to test the positioning before you sew, ensuring the piglet rests naturally on its belly before committing with your needle.

The full, step-by-step pattern begins below.

📖 Woven into Being: The Complete Pip, the Affectionate Piglet Pattern

Head and Body (in one piece)

Using Rose Pink yarn. Work in a continuous spiral.

Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR (6)
Rnd 2: [inc] x6 (12)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36)
Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42)
Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] x6 (48)
Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] x6 (54)
Rnd 10-20: sc in all 54 stitches (11 rounds) (54)
Rnd 21: [7 sc, dec] x6 (48)
Rnd 22: [6 sc, dec] x6 (42)
Rnd 23: [5 sc, dec] x6 (36)
Rnd 24: [4 sc, dec] x6 (30)
Rnd 25-26: sc in all 30 stitches (2 rounds) (30) --- This is the 'neck'.
Rnd 27: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36) --- Start of the head.
Rnd 28: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42)
Rnd 29: [6 sc, inc] x6 (48)
Rnd 30: [7 sc, inc] x6 (54)
Rnd 31-39: sc in all 54 stitches (9 rounds) (54)
Start stuffing the body firmly. Continue to stuff as you go.
Rnd 40: [7 sc, dec] x6 (48)
Rnd 41: [6 sc, dec] x6 (42)
Rnd 42: [5 sc, dec] x6 (36)
Rnd 43: [4 sc, dec] x6 (30)
Rnd 44: [3 sc, dec] x6 (24)
Rnd 45: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18)
Finish stuffing the head firmly.
Rnd 46: [sc, dec] x6 (12)
Rnd 47: [dec] x6 (6)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Weave the tail through the front loops of the final 6 stitches and pull tight to close the hole. Weave in the end securely.

Snout

Using Rose Pink yarn.

Rnd 1: ch 6. Starting from 2nd ch from hook: inc, 3 sc, 4 sc in last ch. Working on the other side of the chain: 3 sc, inc in last st. (14)
Rnd 2: [inc] x2, 3 sc, [inc] x4, 3 sc, [inc] x2 (22)
Rnd 3-4: sc in all 22 stitches (2 rounds) (22)

Fasten off, leaving a very long tail for sewing. Embroider two nostrils onto the front of the snout using black floss before attaching.

Ears (Make 2)

Using Rose Pink yarn.

Rnd 1: Start 4 sc in a MR (4)
Rnd 2: [sc, inc] x2 (6)
Rnd 3: [2 sc, inc] x2 (8)
Rnd 4: [3 sc, inc] x2 (10)
Rnd 5: [4 sc, inc] x2 (12)
Rnd 6: sc in all 12 stitches (12)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff. Fold the base of the ear flat and add a single stitch to hold the fold before sewing to the head.

Legs (Make 4)

Using Rose Pink yarn.

Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR (6)
Rnd 2: [inc] x6 (12)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18)
Rnd 4: In back loops only, sc in all 18 stitches (18)
Rnd 5-6: sc in all 18 stitches (2 rounds) (18)
Rnd 7: [sc, dec] x6 (12)
Rnd 8-10: sc in all 12 stitches (3 rounds) (12)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff the bottom part of the leg firmly, and stuff the top part lightly.

Tail

Using Rose Pink yarn.

Chain 13. Starting from the 2nd ch from the hook, work 2 sc in each chain across (24). The piece will curl naturally. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Heart Pillow (Make 2 identical panels)

Using Rose Pink yarn.

First, create the two top lobes of the heart.

Lobe 1:
Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR (6)
Rnd 2: [inc] x6 (12)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18)
Rnd 4: sc in all 18 stitches (18)
Fasten off.

Lobe 2:
Repeat Rnds 1-4, but do not fasten off.

Joining the lobes:
Rnd 5: ch 1, sl st to any stitch on Lobe 1 to join. sc in the same stitch and in the next 17 stitches around Lobe 1. sc in the ch-1 space. sc in all 18 stitches of Lobe 2. sc in the other side of the ch-1 space. (38)
Rnd 6: sc in all 38 stitches (38)
Rnd 7: [17 sc, dec] x2 (36)
Rnd 8: [4 sc, dec] x6 (30)
Rnd 9: sc in all 30 stitches (30)
Rnd 10: [3 sc, dec] x6 (24)
Rnd 11: sc in all 24 stitches (24)
Rnd 12: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18)
Rnd 13: [sc, dec] x6 (12)
Rnd 14: [dec] x6 (6)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail on one panel for sewing. Weave in the end on the other.

🧵 The Final Flourish: Assembly & Embellishment

This is where your creation truly comes to life. Proceed with a patient hand.

1. Embroider Details First: Before assembling, embroider the details. On the face of the pig (around Rnd 35-38), embroider two closed, curved eyes with black floss. On one of the heart panels, embroider "I ❤️ you". Use Cherry Red yarn for the heart symbol and black floss for the text.
2. Attach the Snout: Pin the snout to the center of the face, just below the eyes (around Rnds 33-39). Stuff it lightly just before you finish sewing it on to give it a defined shape.
3. Attach the Ears: Pin the folded ears to the top of the head, around Rnds 42-45. Position them so they have a gentle, floppy appearance. Sew them securely.
4. Attach the Legs: Place the body on a flat surface to determine the best placement for the legs to create a stable, reclining pose. Pin all four legs into position on the underside of the body before sewing. The front legs should be slightly forward.
5. Attach the Tail: Sew the tightly curled tail to the rear of the piglet.
6. Assemble the Heart: Place the two heart panels together, with wrong sides facing each other. Using the long tail, whip stitch around the edge to join them. Stuff the heart firmly before you sew it completely closed.
7. Final Pose: Position the heart pillow under one of the piglet's front legs/paws. Add a few well-placed stitches to secure the paw to the heart, locking in that loving embrace. Weave in any remaining ends.

💌 From Patricia's Hook & Heart: A Final Word

And there it is. Before you now sits not merely a crocheted pig, but a moment of love made tangible. You have poured your skill, your time, and your heart into this creation, and it shows in every perfect stitch. Whether you are gifting Pip to someone special or keeping him as a comforting presence in your own space, know that you have created something truly beautiful.

I am so proud of the work we have done together today. May your hooks always be busy and your heart always full.

With warmest regards,
Patricia Poltera