This Crochet Dinosaur Pattern makes a chubby little amigurumi dinosaur with a round head, a soft green body, a row of cream back plates, short stubby legs, tiny arms, and a thick curved tail. The head and body are worked in one piece, so there is very little sewing. It uses only basic stitches, so it is a fun project for confident beginners. Give it as a gift for a dino-loving child, set it on a desk, or make a whole herd in different colors.
Pattern Information
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate, with shaping, embroidery, and sewing.
Terms: US crochet terminology.
Construction: The head and body are worked in one piece in continuous rounds. The tail, legs, arms, and back plates are worked separately and sewn on. The face is embroidered.
Estimated size: About 14 cm (5.5 in) tall and 16 cm (6.25 in) long including the tail, using DK-weight cotton. Actual dimensions depend on yarn, tension, and stuffing.
Pattern note: This is an original design based on the title concept. Stitch counts have been checked, but the pattern has not been physically crocheted or independently tested. Adjust the shaping and feature placement to suit your yarn.
Materials
- DK-weight cotton yarn in green, approximately 45 g, for the head, body, legs, arms, and tail.
- Cream yarn, approximately 8 g, for the back plates and belly patch.
- Pink thread for the cheeks, and black thread for the nostrils, mouth, and optional embroidered eyes.
- A 2.5 mm hook as a starting point (use a hook small enough to keep the fabric dense).
- Two 8 mm black safety eyes, or black thread for embroidered eyes.
- Fiberfill, stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and removable pins.
Use embroidered eyes if the dinosaur is for a baby or young child.
Stitches and Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | magic ring |
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| inc | 2 sc in one stitch |
| dec | invisible single crochet decrease over the next 2 stitches |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
Work in a spiral without joining or turning unless directed otherwise. Numbers in brackets give the completed stitch count. Repeat parentheses the stated number of times. Move the marker at the start of every round.
Before You Begin
Crochet tightly so the stuffing does not show through the stitches. Stuff firmly but evenly, adding small pieces rather than large clumps. The dinosaur should be a plump, rounded shape, so do not skimp on the filling.
Pin the eyes before you commit. Eyes set low and wide apart give the dinosaur a sweet, baby-like face.
Head and Body (green)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Rounds 7–12: Sc in every stitch. [36 per round; 6 rounds]
Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 8 and 9, with about 10 stitches between them. Fit the backs securely.
Round 13: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 14: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
This is the neck. Stuff the head firmly now.
Round 15: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Round 16: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Rounds 17–23: Sc in every stitch. [36 per round; 7 rounds]
Round 24: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 25: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Stuff the body firmly, pushing the filling into the base.
Round 26: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Round 27: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Round 28: Dec × 6. [6]
Fasten off, thread the tail through the remaining front loops, draw closed, and hide the end. Flatten the bottom slightly so the dinosaur sits.
Tail (green)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. [9]
Round 3: Sc around. [9]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 3. [12]
Rounds 5–6: Sc around. [12 per round; 2 rounds]
Round 7: (3 sc, inc) × 3. [15]
Rounds 8–9: Sc around. [15 per round; 2 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff firmly, curl it gently, and sew the open end to the lower back of the body.
Legs (make 2, green)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Rounds 4–5: Sc around. [18 per round; 2 rounds]
Round 6: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Round 7: Sc around. [12]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff firmly, flatten the foot, and sew to the bottom front of the body, about 6 stitches apart, with the toes pointing forward.
Arms (make 2, green)
Round 1: 5 sc in MR. [5]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 2, sc. [7]
Rounds 3–4: Sc around. [7 per round; 2 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff very lightly and sew to the sides of the body at about Rounds 15–16, angled slightly forward.
Back Plates (make 5, cream)
Make them in graduated sizes for the nicest look.
Plate A (make 1, large): 6 sc in MR. [6] Inc in each stitch. [12] Sc around. [12] Sl st in the next stitch and fasten off with a long tail.
Plate B (make 2, medium): 5 sc in MR. [5] (Sc, inc) × 2, sc. [7] Sc around. [7] Sl st in the next stitch and fasten off with a long tail.
Plate C (make 2, small): 4 sc in MR. [4] (Sc, inc) × 2. [6] Sl st in the next stitch and fasten off with a long tail.
Flatten each plate into a rounded triangle. Sew them in a row down the center back, from the top of the head to the tail, with the large plate in the middle and the small ones at each end.
Belly Patch (cream)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Sl st in the next stitch and fasten off with a long tail. Flatten and sew to the front of the body, on Rounds 17–22.
Face and Assembly
- Back plates: Pin the plates in a row, check from the side, then sew on firmly.
- Tail and legs: Sew them on at the same height, so the dinosaur sits steadily.
- Arms and belly: Sew the arms and belly patch on as described above.
- Nostrils: With black thread, add two tiny stitches on Round 11, about 3 stitches apart.
- Mouth: Embroider a wide, gentle smile on Round 10, about 6 stitches wide.
- Cheeks: With pink thread, add a small patch of 2 or 3 horizontal stitches below and outside each eye.
Hide every tail and give the plates, tail, legs, and arms a gentle tug to check they hold.
Practical Tips and Troubleshooting
The tail droops. Stuff it more firmly and sew it on with extra stitches around the base.
The dinosaur tips over. Flatten the bottom, sew the legs at the same height, and use the tail as a third support.
The plates flop. Stuff each plate with a tiny wisp, or sew along the whole base with small stitches.
The head looks lopsided. Check that the stuffing is even, and roll the head between your palms.
The eyes look uneven. Pin the eyes before inserting them, and check the face from the front and from above before fastening the backs.
FAQ
Can I make it bigger? Yes. Use chunky yarn and a 4 mm hook for a dinosaur about twice the size, and add 2 extra plain rounds to the head and body.
Can I embroider the eyes? Yes. Make two small black satin-stitch ovals between Rounds 8 and 9, with 10 stitches between them, and add a tiny white highlight stitch.
Can I make a triceratops? Yes. Add three small cone horns to the head and a wide frill made from a flat half-circle sewn behind the head.
Can I make it in other colors? Absolutely. Try blue, purple, or orange, and match the plates to a contrasting shade.
More Free Crochet Patterns
- Crochet Turtle Pattern
- Easy Amigurumi Frog Pattern for Beginners
- Crochet Giraffe Pattern
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