This Crochet Monkey Pattern makes a chubby little amigurumi monkey with a round brown head, a cream face mask, big round ears with pink centers, long dangly arms, short legs, and a long curly tail. The face is made from a separate cream piece, which gives the monkey its cheeky look. It uses only basic stitches and simple shaping. Give it as a gift, hang it from a shelf by its arm, or make a whole troop in different shades.
Pattern Information
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate, with shaping, embroidery, and sewing.
Terms: US crochet terminology.
Construction: The head, body, face mask, ears, arms, legs, and tail are worked separately in continuous rounds, then sewn together. The face is embroidered.
Estimated size: About 20 cm (8 in) tall when sitting, not counting 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 medium brown, approximately 50 g, for the head, body, arms, legs, ears, and tail.
- Cream or tan yarn, approximately 10 g, for the face mask, belly patch, and paw pads.
- Pink yarn, approximately 3 g, for the inner ears.
- Black thread for the mouth, nostrils, and optional embroidered eyes, and pink thread for the cheeks.
- 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 monkey 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 ears need no stuffing, and the arms, legs, and tail need only light stuffing.
Pin the eyes and face mask before you commit. The mask goes on first, and the eyes sit inside its upper edge.
Head (brown)
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]
Round 7: (5 sc, inc) × 6. [42]
Rounds 8–14: Sc in every stitch. [42 per round; 7 rounds]
Pin the face mask at the center front on Rounds 9–14. Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 10 and 11, with about 8 stitches between them, so they sit inside the upper part of the mask. Fit the backs securely.
Round 15: (5 sc, dec) × 6. [36]
Round 16: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 17: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Stuff the head firmly now, and keep adding small amounts as the opening narrows.
Round 18: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Round 19: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Round 20: Dec × 6. [6]
Fasten off, thread the tail through the remaining front loops, draw closed, and hide the end.
Body (brown)
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]
Round 13: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 14: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff firmly, flatten the bottom slightly so the monkey sits upright, and leave the opening for sewing to the head.
Face Mask (cream)
Ch 9.
Round 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in the next 6 ch. Work 3 sc in the last ch. Turn and work 6 sc along the other side of the chain, then 2 sc in the last stitch. [18]
Round 2: Inc in the first st, sc in the next 6 sts, inc in each of the next 3 sts, sc in the next 6 sts, inc in each of the last 2 sts. [24]
Round 3: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Sl st in the next stitch and fasten off with a long tail. Press into a wide oval. Sew to the pinned position on the face, with small stitches all around the edge. Embroider two small nostril dots and a wide, gentle smile on the lower half.
Ears (make 2, brown)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Fasten off with a long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten the ear.
Inner ears (make 2, pink): 6 sc in MR. [6] Inc in each stitch. [12] Sl st in the next stitch and fasten off with a long tail. Flatten and sew to the center of each ear. Sew the ears to the sides of the head at about Rounds 8–11, so they stick out like handles.
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.
Arms (make 2, brown with cream paws)
Round 1: With cream, 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. [9]
Round 3: Sc around. Change to brown on the final yarn-over. [9]
Rounds 4–14: Sc around in brown. [9 per round; 11 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff very lightly, leaving the top unfilled. Sew to the sides of the body just below the head, angled slightly forward.
Legs (make 2, brown with cream paws)
Round 1: With cream, 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: Sc around. Change to brown on the final yarn-over. [12]
Rounds 4–8: Sc around in brown. [12 per round; 5 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff lightly, leaving the top unfilled. Sew to the lower front of the body with the feet pointing forward.
Tail (brown)
Round 1: 5 sc in MR. [5]
Rounds 2–22: Sc around. [5 per round; 21 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff very lightly, or insert a piece of pipe cleaner for older children and adults to hold the curl. Curl it into a loose spiral and sew the open end to the center back near the bottom.
Assembly and Face
- Head to body: Pin the head over the body opening, with the closure underneath, and sew all around with small, strong stitches. Check that the head sits straight before finishing.
- Ears and mask: Sew them on if you have not already, checking symmetry from the front.
- Arms and legs: Sew them on at the same height on each side.
- Belly patch and tail: Sew the belly patch to the front, then add the tail.
- Cheeks: With pink thread, add a small patch of 2 or 3 horizontal stitches on each side of the mask.
Hide every tail and give each ear, limb, and the tail a gentle tug to check it holds.
Practical Tips and Troubleshooting
The face mask looks flat. Add a tiny wisp of stuffing under it before sewing the last side.
The ears stick out too far. Sew them slightly closer to the face, and pinch the bases together.
The monkey will not sit up. Flatten the bottom of the body, and sew both legs on at the same height.
The tail will not curl. Wrap it around a pencil, steam lightly, and let it dry, or use the pipe cleaner option.
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. The monkey will be about one and a half times larger.
Can I embroider the eyes? Yes. Make two small black satin-stitch ovals between Rounds 10 and 11, with 8 stitches between them, and add a tiny white highlight stitch.
Can I add a banana? Yes. Make a yellow cone (6 sc in MR, then 4 rounds of 6 sc, stuffed lightly), curve it, and sew it into one hand.
Can I make it in other colors? Absolutely. Try gray for a baby gorilla, or pastel shades for a nursery set.
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