Free Crochet Alligator Pattern: Create an Adorable Amigurumi Friend!

Welcome, dear creator, to a project that is especially close to my heart. Today, we are not just making a toy; we are breathing life into a story. Within these stitches, we will find a gentle, whimsical friend, a bashful little alligator ready to bring a sunny disposition to any corner of a home. This pattern is an invitation to slow down, to connect with your yarn, and to create a tiny heirloom that radiates pure, simple joy.

So, let us begin our work in the atelier. Prepare your hook, and let's weave some magic together.

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

The soul of this creation lies in the theme of Whimsical Friendship. In a world that often rushes, this little alligator is a testament to the beauty of handmade charm. It's designed to be the perfect, loving addition to a nursery, a handcrafted guardian of sweet dreams. Every curve, from its plump belly to its friendly snout, is designed to evoke a feeling of tenderness and warmth. By making this project, you are creating more than decor; you are crafting a cherished keepsake, a tangible piece of your heart that will be loved for years to come.

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

This pattern is a beautiful journey of texture and form. You will not only practice your foundational amigurumi skills but also learn the subtle art of character creation. We will focus on:

• Working with Plush Yarn: Mastering the tension and feel of chenille yarn to create a flawlessly soft and cuddly fabric.
• Combining Yarn Weights: The alchemy of using a structured worsted yarn for accessories alongside plush yarn for the body, giving our creation both stability and softness.
• Facial Embellishment: Learning how to use felt and simple embroidery to craft a face that is brimming with innocence and personality.

🧶 The Alchemist's Trove: Materials & Tools

Yarn:

• Plush (Chenille) Yarn (e.g., Himalaya Dolphin Baby) in Olive Green and Pale Cream.
• Worsted Weight Yarn (e.g., Schachenmayr Catania) in Sunny Yellow.
• A small amount of Petal Pink embroidery floss for the cheeks.

Tools & Notions:

• 4.0 mm crochet hook (for plush yarn).
• 2.5 mm crochet hook (for worsted yarn).
• 12 mm safety eyes (x2).
• White felt sheet.
• Polyester fiberfill for stuffing.
• Yarn needle, stitch markers, and scissors.
• Fabric glue (optional, for felt).

💡 The Language of the Craft: Stitches & Abbreviations

This pattern is written in US crochet terminology.

• MR: magic ring
• sc: single crochet
• inc: increase (2 sc in one stitch)
• dec: decrease (sc 2 together)
• sl st: slip stitch
• ch: chain
• hdc: half double crochet
• [...] x: repeat instructions in brackets x times
• (...): total number of stitches in the round

💡 The Artisan's Advisor: Pro Tips & FAQs

Any tips for working with plush yarn?▼

Certainly! Plush yarn can be tricky to see your stitches in. I recommend using a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round without fail. Also, maintain a firm, consistent tension to prevent gaps from showing in your fabric. Trust your fingers to feel for the next stitch rather than relying only on your eyes!

How do I best attach the felt behind the eyes?▼

For a clean, secure finish, cut two felt circles slightly larger than your safety eyes. Poke a small hole in the center of each felt circle. Insert the post of the safety eye through the crochet fabric first, then through the felt circle on the inside of the head before snapping the washer into place. This sandwiches the fabric and felt together perfectly.

Can I use a different yarn weight?▼

You can, but it is an act of alchemy! Using a different yarn weight will change the final size of your creation and may affect its softness and structure. If you switch to a standard worsted weight for the whole project, for example, your alligator will be smaller and firmer. Be sure to adjust your hook size accordingly to keep your stitches tight.

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

📖 Woven into Being: The Complete Alligator Pattern

Head

Using the 4.0 mm hook and Olive Green plush yarn.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)

Rnd 2: [inc] x 6 (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 6-10: sc in all 30 stitches (30) - 5 rounds

Now we create the snout.

Rnd 11: 12 sc, 6 inc, 12 sc (36)

Rnd 12-14: sc in all 36 stitches (36) - 3 rounds

Rnd 15: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)

Rnd 16: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)

Insert safety eyes between Rnd 11 and 12, about 8 stitches apart over the snout increases. Begin stuffing the head firmly.

Rnd 17: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)

Rnd 18: [sc, dec] x 6 (12)

Finish stuffing.

Rnd 19: [dec] x 6 (6)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Weave the tail through the front loops of the final 6 stitches and pull tight to close. Hide the end inside the head.

Body

Using the 4.0 mm hook and Olive Green plush yarn.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)

Rnd 2: [inc] x 6 (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 stitches (36) - 6 rounds

Rnd 13: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)

Rnd 14-15: sc in all 30 stitches (30) - 2 rounds

Rnd 16: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)

Rnd 17-18: sc in all 24 stitches (24) - 2 rounds

Start stuffing the body firmly.

Rnd 19: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)

Rnd 20: sc in all 18 stitches (18)

Fasten off, leaving a very long tail for sewing the head to the body. Finish stuffing.

Arms (Make 2)

Using the 4.0 mm hook and Olive Green plush yarn.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)

Rnd 2: [sc, inc] x 3 (9)

Rnd 3-7: sc in all 9 stitches (9) - 5 rounds

Stuff lightly. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Legs (Make 2)

Using the 4.0 mm hook and Olive Green plush yarn.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)

Rnd 2: [inc] x 6 (12)

Rnd 3-6: sc in all 12 stitches (12) - 4 rounds

Stuff firmly. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Belly Patch

Using the 4.0 mm hook and Pale Cream plush yarn.

Row 1: ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 5 ch (6). ch 1, turn.

Row 2-8: sc in all 6 stitches (6). ch 1, turn.

At the end of Row 8, do not turn. Ch 1, and sc evenly around the entire rectangle to create a clean border. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Hat

Using the 2.5 mm hook and Sunny Yellow worsted yarn.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)

Rnd 2: [inc] x 6 (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 6-9: sc in all 30 stitches (30) - 4 rounds

To create the brim, work in the front loops only for the next round.

Rnd 10: In FLO, [2 hdc, inc hdc] x 10 (40)

Rnd 11: [3 sc, inc] x 10 (50)

Sl st to the first stitch to join. Fasten off and weave in ends. Create a chain of ~40 stitches for the hat tie and thread it through the base of the hat.

Boots (Make 2)

Using the 2.5 mm hook and Sunny Yellow worsted yarn.

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 stitches (18)

Rnd 5-8: sc in all 18 stitches (18) - 4 rounds

Fasten off and weave in ends. The boots are designed to slip on and off the feet.

🧵 The Final Flourish: Assembly & Embellishment

This is where our creation truly comes to life. Take your time and enjoy this final, transformative stage.

1. Body & Head: Using the long tail from the body, sew the head securely onto the body's opening. Ensure the snout is facing forward. Use pins to hold it in place as you sew.
2. Belly Patch: Pin the cream-colored belly patch to the front of the body, centered, starting about two rounds down from the neck. Sew it on neatly using the long tail.
3. Legs: Sew the legs to the sides of the base of the body, positioning them so the alligator can sit comfortably.
4. Arms: Sew the arms to the sides of the body, about 2-3 rounds down from the neck seam.
5. Blush: Using the petal pink embroidery floss, make a few horizontal stitches just under the outer corners of the eyes to create a sweet, blushing effect.
6. Final Touches: Place the hat on the alligator's head and tie the chin strap. Slip on the yellow boots. Your whimsical friend is now complete!

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

And there you have it. A friend, woven from yarn and affection. I hope that in creating this little alligator, you found a moment of peace and a spark of joy. May this creation stand as a testament to your skill and your heart, a whimsical friend that brings a smile to anyone who sees it. Thank you for joining me in the atelier. Until our next creation, may your hands be busy and your heart be full.