Crochet Monkey Amigurumi Pattern: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

This crochet monkey amigurumi has a rounded head, compact body, soft ears, little arms and legs, a cream muzzle, and a long tapered tail. The design is made from separate crocheted pieces that are sewn together, with embroidered facial details for a simple handmade finish.

The pattern uses increases and decreases to shape each component, so careful stitch counting throughout the rounds is important.

Pattern testing note: This design has been mathematically reviewed and constructionally checked, but it has not been physically crocheted and tested yet. Final size and proportions may vary with yarn, hook size, tension, stuffing, and individual crochet technique.

Project Overview

What You’ll Make

You’ll make a soft crochet monkey from separate amigurumi components, then sew the pieces together and add the embroidered facial details.

The finished design includes:

1 head
1 body
2 outer ears
2 inner ears
2 arms
2 legs
1 tail
1 muzzle
Embroidered facial details

Project Details

Approximate finished size: 7–9 inches tall
Yarn: Medium/Worsted (#4)
Hook: 3.5 mm
Main color: Warm medium brown
Accent color: Cream
Facial details: Black embroidery thread
Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill
Construction: Separate crocheted pieces sewn together
Eyes: Embroidered

The final size can vary depending on yarn, hook, tension, stuffing, and individual crochet technique.

Materials & Tools

You will need:

Medium/Worsted (#4) yarn in warm brown
A small amount of cream yarn
A small amount of black embroidery thread
3.5 mm crochet hook
Polyester fiberfill
Yarn or tapestry needle
Stitch marker
Scissors

No safety eyes are required for this design because the facial features are embroidered.

Abbreviations

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology.

Abbreviation	Meaning
MR	Magic ring
sc	Single crochet
inc	Increase — 2 sc in the same stitch
dec	Single crochet decrease
FO	Fasten off

Before You Start

Work in Continuous Rounds

The main crocheted components are worked in continuous rounds. Use a stitch marker to identify the beginning of each round and move it as you work.

Count Your Stitches

Keep track of the stitch count at the end of every round. A missed increase or decrease can change the shape of the finished component.

Stuff as You Go

Add fiberfill gradually during the head, body, arms, and legs. Aim for a firm, rounded shape without stretching the crochet fabric.

Shape Before Sewing

Before attaching pieces, gently shape them with your hands. This is particularly helpful for the ears, muzzle, and stuffed limbs.

Construction Order

Finish all crocheted components before beginning final assembly. For the face, attach the muzzle and add the embroidered features before permanently attaching the head to the body.

Original Crochet Monkey Pattern

Head — Make 1

Color: Brown

Round 1

6 sc in MR. (6)

Round 2

6 inc. (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

36 sc. (36)

Round 8

36 sc. (36)

Round 9

36 sc. (36)

Round 10

36 sc. (36)

Round 11

36 sc. (36)

Round 12

(4 sc, dec) × 6. (30)

Round 13

(3 sc, dec) × 6. (24)

Round 14

(2 sc, dec) × 6. (18)

Round 15

18 sc. (18)

Begin stuffing the head. Add fiberfill evenly and shape the piece as you work.

Round 16

(sc, dec) × 6. (12)

Add the final amount of stuffing needed to maintain the rounded shape.

Round 17

6 dec. (6)

Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail. Weave through the remaining front loops and pull the opening closed. Secure the end and hide the yarn tail.

Body — Make 1

Color: Brown

Round 1

6 sc in MR. (6)

Round 2

6 inc. (12)

Round 3

(sc, inc) × 6. (18)

Round 4

(2 sc, inc) × 6. (24)

Round 5

(3 sc, inc) × 6. (30)

Round 6

30 sc. (30)

Round 7

30 sc. (30)

Round 8

30 sc. (30)

Round 9

30 sc. (30)

Begin stuffing the body.

Round 10

(3 sc, dec) × 6. (24)

Round 11

(2 sc, dec) × 6. (18)

Round 12

(sc, dec) × 6. (12)

Add the final stuffing needed to create a rounded torso.

Round 13

6 dec. (6)

Fasten off, leaving a sewing tail. Close the remaining opening securely.

Outer Ears — Make 2

Color: Brown

Round 1

6 sc in MR. (6)

Round 2

6 inc. (12)

Round 3

12 sc. (12)

Fasten off, leaving a sewing tail.

Do not stuff the ears. Flatten them gently while keeping a soft rounded shape.

Repeat for the second ear.

Inner Ears — Make 2

Color: Cream

Round 1

6 sc in MR. (6)

Round 2

6 inc. (12)

Fasten off, leaving a sewing tail.

Place one cream inner ear on each brown outer ear and sew it in place.

Arms — Make 2

Color: Brown

Round 1

6 sc in MR. (6)

Round 2

(sc, inc) × 3. (9)

Round 3

9 sc. (9)

Round 4

9 sc. (9)

Round 5

9 sc. (9)

Round 6

9 sc. (9)

Round 7

9 sc. (9)

Add a light amount of stuffing, mainly toward the lower portion of the arm.

Round 8

(sc, dec) × 3. (6)

Fasten off, leaving a sewing tail. Add a very small amount of additional stuffing only if needed, then close the opening.

Repeat for the second arm.

Legs — Make 2

Color: Brown

Round 1

6 sc in MR. (6)

Round 2

(sc, inc) × 3. (9)

Round 3

(2 sc, inc) × 3. (12)

Round 4

12 sc. (12)

Round 5

12 sc. (12)

Round 6

12 sc. (12)

Add light-to-moderate stuffing to give the lower part a rounded shape without making it overly firm.

Round 7

(2 sc, dec) × 3. (9)

Round 8

(sc, dec) × 3. (6)

Fasten off, leaving a sewing tail, and close the opening.

Repeat for the second leg.

Tail — Make 1

Color: Brown

Leave the tail unstuffed so it remains flexible.

Round 1

6 sc in MR. (6)

Round 2

6 sc. (6)

Round 3

6 sc. (6)

Round 4

6 sc. (6)

Round 5

6 sc. (6)

Round 6

6 sc. (6)

Round 7

6 sc. (6)

Round 8

6 sc. (6)

Round 9

6 sc. (6)

Round 10

6 sc. (6)

Round 11

6 sc. (6)

Round 12

6 sc. (6)

Round 13

(sc, dec) × 2. (4)

Round 14

4 sc. (4)

Round 15

4 sc. (4)

Round 16

4 sc. (4)

Fasten off, leaving a long sewing tail.

Muzzle — Make 1

Color: Cream

The muzzle is worked flat in continuous rounds and left unstuffed.

Round 1

6 sc in MR. (6)

Round 2

6 inc. (12)

Round 3

(sc, inc) × 6. (18)

Round 4

18 sc. (18)

Fasten off, leaving a sewing tail.

Keep the muzzle flat so it sits neatly against the front of the head.

Facial Details

Eye Placement

Place two small embroidered eyes symmetrically above the muzzle.

Use the first eye as a visual reference, then mirror its position on the opposite side.

Nose

Embroider a small black nose near the upper center of the cream muzzle.

Mouth

Add a small mouth detail below the nose.

Check the face from the front before hiding the embroidery ends so the expression remains balanced.

Assembly

Step 1: Prepare the Finished Pieces

Make sure all crocheted components are complete, lightly shaped, and have their sewing tails ready.

Step 2: Attach the Muzzle

Center the cream muzzle on the front of the head and sew it securely in place.

Step 3: Add the Facial Features

Embroider the eyes, nose, and mouth after the muzzle is attached.

Check the expression from the front before securing the embroidery ends.

Step 4: Attach the Ears

Sew one finished ear to each side of the upper head.

Compare both sides from the front before permanently securing them.

Step 5: Prepare the Body

Make sure the body is evenly stuffed and shaped before attaching the other components.

Step 6: Attach the Head to the Body

Position the head over the top of the body and sew the two pieces together securely.

Work around the attachment evenly so the head remains centered.

Step 7: Attach the Legs

Sew the legs to the lower sides of the body.

Use the first leg as the visual reference when positioning the second.

Step 8: Attach the Arms

Sew the arms to the upper sides of the body.

Check that both arms sit at a similar height and angle.

Step 9: Attach the Tail

Sew the tail to the center-back area of the body.

Because the tail is unstuffed, it can be gently shaped after attachment.

Step 10: Secure the Yarn Ends

Weave in all remaining yarn tails securely and trim only after they are anchored.

Finishing

Check the completed monkey from the front and side.

Make sure:

The head is centered on the body.
The ears have a similar orientation.
The arms are positioned at matching heights.
The legs are balanced.
The face is centered on the head.
The tail is securely attached.
No stuffing is visible through the stitches.

Give the finished monkey a final gentle shaping before trimming any remaining secured yarn ends.

Helpful Tips

Keep Your Stitch Counts Consistent

Count every round carefully, especially rounds containing increases or decreases.

Stuff Gradually

Small amounts of stuffing give you more control over the final shape and help prevent lumps.

Compare Paired Pieces

Place both ears, arms, or legs side by side before sewing them into position.

Check Placement Before Sewing

Hold pieces temporarily in place and view the monkey from multiple angles before making the attachment permanent.

Keep the Tail Flexible

Because the tail is unstuffed, it can be gently curved into a different pose after it has been attached.

Troubleshooting

My Head Looks Uneven

Check the stitch count in each increase and decrease round. A missed stitch can alter the shape noticeably.

My Stuffing Is Showing Through

Remove a small amount of fiberfill and reshape the piece rather than adding more. Overstuffing can stretch the crochet fabric.

My Ears Do Not Match

Compare both finished ears side by side before sewing them onto the head. Adjust their orientation if necessary.

My Arms or Legs Sit at Different Heights

Use the first attached limb as your visual guide when positioning the second. Check the placement from the front before sewing permanently.

The Face Looks Off-Center

Check the muzzle placement first, then use it as the reference point for the embroidered eyes. Small visual adjustments can make the face look much more balanced.

Customization Ideas

Try Different Color Combinations

Keep the construction the same while changing the brown and cream shades to create a lighter, darker, or more playful monkey.

Change the Embroidered Expression

A different mouth shape can give the monkey a different personality.

Adjust the Tail Position

The flexible, unstuffed tail can be gently curved into a different pose while keeping the attachment secure.

Create a Character Version

Changing the color palette or embroidered expression can turn the same basic monkey shape into a unique handmade character.

Frequently Asked Questions

What yarn does this crochet monkey pattern use?

The design uses medium/worsted (#4) yarn, with warm brown as the main color and cream for the muzzle and inner ears.

What crochet hook size is used?

The pattern uses a 3.5 mm crochet hook.

Does the monkey use safety eyes?

No. The eyes are embroidered with black embroidery thread.

Is the tail stuffed?

No. The tail is left unstuffed so it stays narrow and flexible.

How can I keep the monkey symmetrical?

Complete paired pieces carefully and compare both sides before sewing them permanently to the body.

How large is the finished monkey?

The intended finished height is approximately 7–9 inches, but the final size varies with yarn, hook size, tension, stuffing, and individual technique.

Has this crochet monkey pattern been physically tested?

Not yet. The pattern has been mathematically reviewed and constructionally checked, but it has not been physically crocheted and tested.

Final Thoughts

This crochet monkey amigurumi is built from simple rounded shapes and separate sewn components, with the cream muzzle, contrasting ears, embroidered face, and flexible tail giving it its character.

Take your time with stitch counting, stuffing, and assembly. Comparing paired pieces before sewing them in place can also help keep the finished monkey balanced and symmetrical.