Free Snail Amigurumi Pattern: Crochet Pip, the Whimsical Pumpkin Snail!

My dearest creator,

Welcome. There is a certain magic that awakens when the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to blush with colour. It is the magic of autumn, a season of cozy comforts and quiet beauty. It is this very essence that we shall capture today in our atelier, as we breathe life into a new, enchanting creation: Pip, the Pumpkin Patch Snail.

This is more than a pattern; it is an invitation to create a small, tangible piece of seasonal joy. Let us pick up our hooks and weave a story together.

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

Pip is not just any amigurumi; he is a tiny heirloom of happiness. This project was born from a feeling—the gentle, whimsical nostalgia of finding an unexpected friend in a pumpkin patch. Every stitch is designed to evoke the heartwarming spirit of the harvest season. He is a charming keeper of autumn's secrets, ready to bring a touch of handmade magic into your home or become a cherished gift for someone you love.

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

With every creation, we grow as artisans. With Pip, you will refine several key techniques:

• The Art of Plush Yarn: You will build confidence working with soft, velvety chenille yarn to create a truly cuddly and professional-looking finish.
• Sculpting with Stitches: You will learn how to create Pip's plump, curved body and shape his perfectly round pumpkin shell.
• Creating Whimsical Ruffles: We will master the simple technique of using front-loop-only increases to craft the delicate, wavy ruffle at Pip's base.

🧶 The Alchemist's Trove: Materials & Tools

• Yarn: Super Bulky (6) chenille/velvet yarn in Soft Lavender, Vibrant Orange, and Leaf Green.
• Crochet Hook: 5.0mm (H-8) or a size appropriate for your yarn.
• Safety Eyes: One pair of 12mm black safety eyes.
• Embroidery Thread: A small amount of black thread for the facial details.
• Other Essentials: Polyester fiberfill stuffing, a yarn needle, scissors, and stitch markers.

💡 The Language of the Craft: Stitches & Abbreviations

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology.

• MR: Magic Ring
• sc: Single Crochet
• inc: Increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
• dec: Invisible Decrease
• sl st: Slip Stitch
• ch: Chain
• FLO: Front Loop Only
• (...): Total number of stitches in a round

💡 The Artisan's Advisor: Pro Tips & FAQs

Is plush yarn difficult to work with?▼

It can be at first, as the stitches can be hard to see. My advice is to trust your fingers! Feel for the next stitch instead of looking for it. Using a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round is not optional—it is your best friend!

How do I get the pumpkin shape just right?▼

The secret lies in two parts: firm stuffing and the cinching technique. Stuff the pumpkin firmly to give it a solid, round base. After it's closed, we will use a long strand of yarn to wrap around the outside and pull tight, creating those beautiful, deep segments. It's a truly magical transformation!

Can I use a different type of yarn?▼

Of course! An artisan should always feel free to experiment. Please be aware that using a different yarn weight (like worsted weight cotton or acrylic) will result in a smaller snail and a less plush texture. Remember to adjust your hook size to match your chosen yarn for tight, neat stitches.

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

📖 Woven into Being: The Complete Pip the Snail Pattern

Head and Body

Worked as one piece from the top down with Soft Lavender yarn.

Rnd 1: Start with 6 sc in a MR (6)

Rnd 2: inc in each st around (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 each st around (30) - 5 rounds

Rnd 11: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)

Pause here to place the safety eyes between Rnd 8 and 9, about 6 stitches apart. Embroider the mouth and eyebrows with black thread. Begin stuffing the head.

Rnd 12: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)

Rnd 13: [sc, dec] x 6 (12)

Rnd 14: sc in each st around (12)

Rnd 15: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)

Rnd 16-20: sc in each st around (18) - 5 rounds

Rnd 21: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)

Rnd 22-24: sc in each st around (24) - 3 rounds

Continue stuffing the body firmly as you go.

Rnd 25: FLO - [inc] x 24 (48)

Rnd 26: [sc, inc] x 24 (72)

Fasten off and weave in the end. The Rnd 25 back loops remain unworked to create a flat base for the snail to sit on. The final two rounds create the ruffle.

Pumpkin Shell

With Vibrant Orange yarn.

Rnd 1: Start with 6 sc in a MR (6)

Rnd 2: inc in each st around (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 each st around (30) - 5 rounds

Rnd 11: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)

Rnd 12: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)

Begin stuffing the pumpkin firmly.

Rnd 13: [sc, dec] x 6 (12)

Rnd 14: dec x 6 (6)

Finish stuffing. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Use your needle to weave the tail through the front loops of the final 6 stitches and pull tight to close the hole. Do not cut the tail yet; we will use it for cinching later.

Antennae (Make 2)

With Soft Lavender yarn.

Rnd 1: Start with 6 sc in a MR (6)

Rnd 2-5: sc in each st around (6) - 4 rounds

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Do not stuff.

Pumpkin Stem and Vine

With Leaf Green yarn.

Rnd 1: Start with 4 sc in a MR (4)

Rnd 2-3: sc in each st around (4) - 2 rounds

Now, create the vine without fastening off.

Vine: ch 15. Starting from the second ch from the hook, work 2 sc in each ch back to the stem. sl st to the base of the stem to secure.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

🧵 The Final Flourish: Assembly & Embellishment

This is where the true alchemy happens, and our separate pieces become a single, soulful creation.

1. Shape the Pumpkin: Take the long orange yarn tail from the pumpkin. Insert your needle from the bottom center, out the top center, and wrap the yarn around the outside. Pull tightly to create the first indent. Repeat this process 4-5 times, spacing the wraps evenly around the pumpkin to create the segments. Secure the yarn and hide the end.
2. Attach the Shell: Position the finished pumpkin on the back of the snail's body, just behind the neck. Use pins to hold it in place. Using a new strand of orange yarn, carefully sew the pumpkin to the body. Stitch around the base of the pumpkin for a secure attachment.
3. Attach the Stem: Sew the stem and vine piece to the top center of the pumpkin.
4. Attach the Antennae: Sew the two antennae to the top of the head, around Rnd 3-4 from the center.

Take a moment to admire your work. You have woven more than yarn; you have woven a feeling.

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

Your little Pip is now complete, a testament to your skill and patience. Look at the gentle soul you have created, a perfect piece of autumn magic to brighten any corner of your home. May this small snail be a reminder of the simple joy found in making something beautiful with your own two hands.

Thank you for joining me in the atelier. I hope your heart is as full as your hook is now empty. Happy creating!