Free Scarecrow Crochet Pattern: Create Barnaby the Autumn Amigurumi Friend!

My dearest creator,

Welcome. There is a special kind of magic that arrives with the autumn season—a gentle hush, a crispness in the air, and a palette of colors that warms the soul. It is this very magic we are going to capture today, stitch by stitch. We are not simply making a doll; we are crafting an heirloom, a keeper of seasonal stories. I call him Barnaby, and he is a scarecrow whose only purpose is to bring a gentle, whimsical joy to your home.

He is a friend to the crows and a guardian of the pumpkin patch, born from yarn and heartfelt intention. So, let us begin this wonderful journey together. Let's create a treasure that will mark the turning of the leaves for years to come.

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

Barnaby is the embodiment of "Whimsical Harvest Guardian." In our creation, we turn the traditional notion of a scarecrow on its head. Instead of a figure of fright, he is a beacon of friendship. The little crows are not pests to be shooed, but companions to be held close. This project is an exercise in storytelling, where every detail—from his mismatched button eye to the charming patches on his overalls—contributes to a narrative of warmth, friendship, and the cozy nostalgia of the autumn season. This is the project you will place on your mantel with pride, a handmade testament to the beauty of the harvest.

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

With every creation, we grow as artisans. This project is a beautiful opportunity to refine several key techniques:

• Expressive Embroidery: You will learn how the simplest stitches—a line for a smile, an 'X' for an eye—can conjure a world of personality. This is the heart of giving your amigurumi a soul.
• Artful Asymmetry: By combining a button eye with a stitched one, you will master the art of intentional imperfection that breathes life and character into a piece.
• Textural Yarn Work: We will go beyond stitches to create the illusion of straw with fringing techniques, turning simple yarn into a rich, tactile experience.
• Complex Assembly: Structuring and securely attaching the tower of crows is a wonderful challenge in balance and composition, elevating your work from a single figure to a complete, storytelling scene.

🧶 The Alchemist's Trove: Materials & Tools

Gather your elements, dear creator. For this magical transformation, you will need:

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Aran/10-ply) cotton or acrylic blend yarn in the following colors: Light Beige, Golden Yellow, Burnt Orange, Rich Teal, Soft White, Royal Blue, Earthy Brown, Jet Black, and Saffron Yellow.
• Crochet Hook: 2.5mm or 2.75mm (C/2) - use a hook size smaller than your yarn recommends to create tight, seamless stitches.
• Embellishments: One small light blue button (approx. 10mm), and black embroidery floss.
• Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill for a firm, huggable shape.
• Tools: Yarn needle, stitch marker, scissors, and sewing pins.

💡 The Language of the Craft: Stitches & Abbreviations

This pattern is written in US crochet terms. Here is our shared language:

• 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
• hdc: Half Double Crochet
• dc: Double Crochet
• BLO: Back Loop Only
• [...]: Total stitch count for the round

💡 The Artisan's Advisor: Pro Tips & FAQs

How do I achieve the frayed "straw" look on the cuffs?▼

A wonderful question! After completing the arms and legs, do not fasten off. Instead, chain 5, then slip stitch back into the same stitch. Repeat this around the entire cuff. This creates little loops. Afterwards, you can cut the loops and unravel the yarn slightly with a needle to create a beautifully rustic, straw-like fringe.

Is a button eye safe if this is a gift for a child?▼

Your thoughtfulness is commendable. For any creation intended for small children, safety is paramount. While a securely sewn button is fine for a decoration, I strongly advise against it for a toy. Instead, create a beautiful embroidered eye using light blue and black floss to mirror the button's look. You can create a spiral or satin stitch circle to achieve this safely and beautifully.

Any tips for assembling the tower of crows?▼

Patience and pins are your best friends here. Before sewing, stack the three finished crows and use sewing pins to find their center of balance. The bottom crow should be sewn securely to the scarecrow's hand and forearm for a stable base. Then, sew the middle crow to the bottom one, and the top crow to the middle one, using several anchoring stitches. A tiny drop of fabric glue at the connection points can also add invisible strength.

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

📖 Woven into Being: The Complete Barnaby the Autumn Friend Pattern

Head

Using Light Beige yarn.

Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR [6]

Rnd 2: inc in all 6 st [12]

Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x 6 [18]

Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 [24]

Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 [30]

Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) x 6 [36]

Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) x 6 [42]

Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) x 6 [48]

Rnd 9-17: sc in all 48 st (9 rounds) [48]

Rnd 18: (6 sc, dec) x 6 [42]

Rnd 19: (5 sc, dec) x 6 [36]

Rnd 20: (4 sc, dec) x 6 [30]

Rnd 21: (3 sc, dec) x 6 [24]

Begin stuffing the head firmly. Place button eye and embroider details between rounds 14 and 15. The button eye on one side, and the 'X' stitch eye on the other, about 8 stitches apart. Embroider the mouth and nose.

Rnd 22: (2 sc, dec) x 6 [18]

Finish stuffing. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Body

Start with Rich Teal yarn for the shirt.

Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR [6]

Rnd 2: inc in all 6 st [12]

Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x 6 [18]

Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 [24]

Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 [30]

Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) x 6 [36]

Rnd 7-12: sc in all 36 st (6 rounds) [36]

Switch to Soft White yarn for the overalls base.

Rnd 13-15: sc in all 36 st (3 rounds) [36]

Rnd 16: (4 sc, dec) x 6 [30]

Rnd 17-18: sc in all 30 st (2 rounds) [30]

Rnd 19: (3 sc, dec) x 6 [24]

Rnd 20: sc in all 24 st [24]

Rnd 21: (2 sc, dec) x 6 [18]

Stuff body firmly. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing to the head.

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Earthy Brown for the boots.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]

Rnd 2: inc x 6 [12]

Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x 6 [18]

Rnd 4: In BLO, sc in all 18 st [18]

Rnd 5: sc in all 18 st [18]

Switch to Soft White.

Rnd 6-15: sc in all 18 st (10 rounds) [18]

Stuff the leg lightly. Do not overstuff. Add frayed cuff detail as described in the FAQ. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Arms (Make 2)

Start with Light Beige.

Rnd 1: 5 sc in MR [5]

Rnd 2: inc x 5 [10]

Rnd 3-5: sc in all 10 st [10]

Switch to Rich Teal.

Rnd 6-16: sc in all 10 st (11 rounds) [10]

Stuff only the hand part lightly. Fold the top opening flat and sc across to close. Add frayed cuff detail. Leave a long tail for sewing.

Hat

Using Burnt Orange yarn.

Rnd 1-8: Follow rounds 1-8 of the Head pattern [48]

Rnd 9-13: sc in all 48 st [48]

Rnd 14: In FLO, (3 sc, inc) x 12 [60]

Rnd 15: (4 sc, inc) x 12 [72]

Rnd 16: sc in all 72 st [72]

Fasten off and weave in ends. Make a small pumpkin and a ribbon with teal yarn to embellish.

Crows (Make 3)

Using Jet Black yarn.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]

Rnd 2: inc x 6 [12]

Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x 6 [18]

Rnd 4-6: sc in all 18 st [18]

Rnd 7: (sc, dec) x 6 [12]

Stuff lightly. Fasten off. Embroider eyes with white floss and a small beak with Saffron Yellow.

🧵 The Final Flourish: Assembly & Embellishment

This is where the true alchemy happens and your creation comes to life.

1. Body & Head: Sew the head securely to the top of the body.
2. Legs & Arms: Attach the legs to the base of the body, allowing Barnaby to sit. Sew the arms to the sides of the body, around round 12.
3. Overalls: With Soft White yarn, chain a length long enough for a suspender strap. Sew it from the front of the overalls, over the shoulder, to the back. Repeat for the other side. Sew on two white buttons at the front where the suspenders meet the overalls.
4. Hair: Cut many strands of Golden Yellow yarn (about 4 inches long). Using your hook, latch hook them onto the head in a spiral, starting from where the hat will sit. Trim and style the hair to look rustic.
5. Final Touches: Place the hat on the head, sewing it in place with a few stitches. Tie the Earthy Brown yarn around the neck as a scarf. Sew on the colored patches to the overalls. Finally, assemble and sew the crow stack to his arm and hand. Place the pumpkin next to him to complete the scene.

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

You have done it. From simple strands of yarn, you have woven a story, a character with a soul. Your Barnaby is now ready to take his place in your home, a testament to your skill and the quiet joy of creation. May he be a reminder that even the simplest things can hold the deepest magic. Treasure this piece, for it contains a part of you, the creator. Well done.