Introducing the Small Crochet Alligator! This cutie is quick to make and full of personality, featuring the option to make him all one color or add a colored tummy in the color of your choosing. Its compact size makes it ideal for using up leftover yarn while creating something irresistibly cute.
Whether you keep it as a miniature plush or attach it to a keychain to carry a bit of handmade happiness wherever you go, this little alligator is sure to bring smiles. With simple shaping and playful details, it’s a fun project that works up quickly and makes a delightful addition to any crochet collection, a gift for someone, or to be sold at craft fairs.
The Small Crochet Alligator is the perfect advanced beginner-friendly crochet project. Most of the stitching is single crochet, with basic increasing and decreasing, but it does include some optional color changing and surface stitching, bobbles, and working around both sides of a foundation chain. An all-around great opportunity to practice building those amigurumi skills!
Read on to learn more about the inspiration and yarn choice for the Small Crochet Alligator, or scroll down to the bottom to find the free pattern.
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The Inspiration
This year, I decided that I wanted to add more variety to the blog in the patterns that I was designing. The feedback I received from my audience was that they were excited for this, too. This will mean a variety of things, but what it mostly means is that I will be adding more doll and animal patterns.
The first doll pattern is already on the blog. You can find it HERE. For the animals, I’ve decided that it will be fun to start with the letter A and work right on through the alphabet, then go back and either do it again, or, more likely, pick and choose animals to create based on what I would like to design and the recommendations I receive. So if you have a recommendation, please let me know in the comments.
The audience also gave great feedback that having more small, quick projects would be appreciated. I couldn’t agree more. I love the quick projects too! That said, for most, if not all, of the animals I design, I thought it would be fun to have a miniature worsted-weight version as well.
One of my children LOVES alligators, so A is for Alligator lest an uprising starts in our home, lol. I hope that you enjoy making these Small Crochet Alligators while I finish designing the larger ones to be released at a later date. Happy Crocheting!
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The Yarn
The Small Crochet Alligator was made using Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn. It is a worsted-weight, size 4, softer acrylic yarn that comes in a wide range of colors and styles. It can be purchased at Hobby Lobby, in-store or online, and at the time of writing, on Amazon. I like that I can get it locally, so you may see it being used even more in my designs.
One thing to note about Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn is that they do have a dye lot, so if you are working on a larger project, you will want to buy all the yarn you need to complete the project. I’ve found that colors can be pretty consistent from dye lot to dye lot, but they may not be an exact match.
The colors used in the design for the green are Light Sage and Dark Olive. Their tummy colors are Cream, which, in my opinion, is a soft yellow, and Desert Glaze, which is an orange.
Honestly, the alligators take such a small amount of yarn to make that they’re the perfect project for scrap yarn, so any green you might have would make a fun option, and the tummy color really can be just about any color as well.
Substitutions
Any brand of worsted-weight acrylic yarn should work well for making the Small Crochet Alligator, but note that due to variations among brands, the finished size may vary slightly. Also note, if mixing yarn brands, that it’s important to ensure that the thickness of the yarns are the same to ensure consistency in stitching.
If cotton yarn is preferred, this too should work fine. You can see the miniature version in some of the images. He was made using the same pattern, a 1.50 mm hook, and size 10 cotton crochet thread.
As always, I’d love to see/hear about your experiences with making the design and the products you chose to use. Tag me on social media @jenhayescreations and use the hashtag #jenhayescreations to share!
The Pattern
Difficulty
Advanced Beginner
Materials
- Crochet Hook, Size E/4 (3.5 mm) (I use Clover Amour hooks)
- Stitch Marker(s)
- Scissors
- Stuffing
- Pins
- Tapestry Needle
- Safety eyes, 6 mm
- Keychain (optional)
- Dritz Disc Needle Pullers (optional)
- Chopstick, dowel, tweezers, or something similar to help with stuffing small parts
- Hobby Lobby, I Love This Yarn (worsted 4-Medium, 100% Acrylic, 355 yds/325 m, 7 oz/199 g), Color (A) Light Sage OR Dark Olive, used approx. 35 yds/32 m, Color (B) Cream OR Desert Glaze, used approx. 9 yds/8 m
- The miniature Small Crochet Alligator shown in some of the images was made using hook size 1.50 mm and size 10 crochet thread. Color (A): Hobby Lobby Artiste #10 thread, Snow Pea, Color (B): Hobby Lobby Artiste #10 thread, Lemon. The same pattern is used with a minor change: use 3 mm safety eyes or embroider them.
Gauge
- Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) and worsted yarn, the first 3 Rnds of the body measure approx. 1 1/8 inches (2.9 cm) in diameter.
- Using hook size 1.5 mm and size 10 crochet thread, the first 3 Rnds of the body measure approx. 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) in diameter.
Finished Measurements
- Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) and worsted yarn, the Small Crochet Alligator measures approx. 3.25 inches (8.25 cm) tall.
- Using hook size 1.50 mm and size 10 crochet thread, the Miniature Small Crochet Alligator measures approx. 1.5 inches (3.5 cm) tall. (See the Materials section for more details.)
Design Notes
- The pattern is written in English using US crochet terminology.
- The pattern is written primarily in continuous rounds. It will be helpful to place a stitch marker at the beginning stitch of the round and move it up at the start of each additional round.
- At the end of each round, the number of stitches for completion is noted in parentheses.
- Further design notes, tips, and options will be provided throughout the pattern to help aid in construction.
- Color changes in the pattern should be made during the last step of the stitch
- Caution! If using safety eyes, consider who will be using the item. Safety eyes are not recommended for children under three or those prone to putting things in their mouths, as they may cause a choking hazard. Crocheted or hand-embroidered eyes are a great alternative!
- For more details about making the Miniature Small Crochet Alligator, see the Materials section.
Abbreviations/Stitches Used
- approx. – approximately
- back bar of the ch/back ridge – horizontal bar on the backside of a ch
- bo – bobble (described below under special stitches)
- ch(s) – chain(s)
- MR – magic ring (aka magic circle, adjustable ring)
- sc – single crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease)
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- tog. – together
- [ ] / ( ) – work instructions between brackets/parentheses as many times as directed
- * – repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed
Special Stitches
Bobble (bo): Two types of bobbles are used in the pattern, a 3dcbo (three double crochet bobble) and a 6dcbo (six double crochet bobble)
To create a 3dcbo
With the working loop on the hook:
- Yarn over, insert hook into the next stitch,
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (three loops on the hook),
- Yarn over and pull through two loops (one leg made, two loops on the hook),
- Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch,
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (four loops on the hook)
- Yarn over and pull through two loops (two legs made, three loops on the hook),
- Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch,
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (five loops on the hook)
- Yarn over and pull through two loops (three legs made, four loops on the hook),
- Yarn over and pull through all four loops. (3dcbo completed)
To create a 6dcbo
With the working loop on the hook:
- Repeat instructions 1-9 of the 3dcbo,
- Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch,
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (six loops on the hook),
- Yarn over and pull through two loops (four legs made, five loops on the hook),
- Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch,
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (seven loops on the hook),
- Yarn over and pull through two loops (five legs made, six loops on the hook),
- Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch,
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (eight loops on the hook),
- Yarn over and pull through two loops (six legs made, seven loops on the hook),
- Yarn over and pull through all seven loops. (6dcbo completed)
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Let’s Make Our Small Crochet Alligator!
Arms
Make 2
Using Color (A)
- Rnd 1: 5sc in MR. (5sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch 2 and then 5sc in 2nd chain from hook. (5sts)
- Rnds 2-4: Sc in each st around. (5sts for 3 Rnds)
- The arm is not stuffed, except for the starting tail.
- Press the top tog. and sc the two edges tog. (2sts)
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail for stitching the arm to the body.
Legs
Make 2
Using Color (A)
>Design Note: The legs begin by working around both sides of the foundation chain.
- Ch 4
- Rnd 1: Working in the back bars of the ch: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook (mark the first st as the starting st), sc in the next ch, 3sc in the next ch (final st completed, corner rounded, and the first st on the other side of the ch worked), Working on the other side of the ch: sc in the next ch, 2sc in the next ch. (8sts)
- Rnd 2: [2sc in the next st, sc in the next st] 4 times. (12sts)
- Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. (12sts)
- Rnd 4: Sc2tog, sc in the next st, [sc2tog] 3 times, sc in the next st, sc2tog. (7sts)
- Rnd 5: Sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog, sc in the next 3sts. (6sts)
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail for stitching the leg to the body.
- Firmly stuff and shape the leg.
Head
>Design Note: The head starts with making the snout, which is worked around both sides of the foundation chain.
Using Color (A)
- Ch 6
- Rnd 1: Working in the back bars of the ch: 2sc in the 2nd ch from the hook (mark the first st as the starting st), sc in the next 3ch, 4sc in the next ch (final st completed, corner rounded, and the first st on the other side of the ch worked), Working on the other side of the ch: sc in the next 3ch, 2sc in the next ch. (14sts)
- Rnd 2: Sc in each st around. (14sts)
- Rnd 3: Sc in the next st, 3dcbo, sc in the next 3sts, 3dcbo, sc in the next 8sts. (14sts)
- Rnds 4-7: Sc in each st around. (14sts for 4 Rnds)
- Rnd 8: [2sc in the next st, sc in the next 6sts] 2 times. (16sts)
- Rnd 9: [Sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in the next st] 4 times. (20sts)
- Rnd 10: Sc in the next 4sts, 6dcbo, sc in the next 4sts, 6dcbo, sc in the next 10sts. (20sts) >Design Tip: Due to the bulkiness of the 6dcbo the following st sometimes gets covered. Pay attention to this if your stitch count is off.
- Rnds 11-12: Sc in each st around. (20sts for 2 Rnds)
Insert the safety eyes at the front base of the 6dcbo between Rnds 9 and 10.
Firmly stuff and shape the head and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.
- Rnd 13: [Sc in the next 8sts, sc2tog] 2 times. (18sts)
- Rnd 14: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 6 times. (12sts)
- Rnd 15: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 4 times. (8sts)
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail to close up the hole. Close the hole with a tapestry needle, stitching only through the front loops until the hole pulls nicely closed, secure, and weave in the end.
Body
>Design Note: The color will change several times when making the body to create the colored tummy. Either the technique of using long floats between color changes or cutting and starting the new color each time can be used. I personally cut the colors each time and then knotted the tails together for added security.
>Design Note: The tummy will likely appear slightly skewed in the colored section due to working in continuous Rnds. Don’t stress it. Trust the process. Once everything is stitched tog., the other appendages balance everything out.
>Design Option: The body can also be made completely in Color (A). To do this, simply omit the color changes, working all sts in the same color.
Using Color (A)
- Rnd 1: 6sc in MR. (6sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch 2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
- Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
- Rnd 3: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 6 times. (18sts)
- Rnd 4: Sc in the next 6sts, Switch to Color (B): sc in the next st, 2sc in the next 4sts, sc in the next st, Switch to Color (A): sc in the next 6sts. (22sts)
- Rnd 5: Sc in the next 6sts, Switch to Color (B): sc in the next 10sts, Switch to Color (A): sc in the next 6sts. (22sts)
- Rnds 6-7: Sc in the next 6sts, Switch to Color (B): sc in the next 10sts, Switch to Color (A): sc in the next 6sts. (22sts for 2 Rnds)
- Rnd 8: Sc in the next 6sts, Switch to Color (B): sc in the next st, [sc2tog] 4 times, sc in the next st, Switch to Color (A): sc in the next 6sts. (18sts)
- Rnd 9: Sc in the next 6sts, Switch to Color (B): sc in the next 6sts, Switch to Color (A): sc in the next 6sts. (18sts)
- Rnd 10: Sc in the next 6sts, Switch to Color (B): sc in the next st, [sc2tog] 2 times, sc in the next st, Switch to Color (A): sc in the next 6sts. (16sts)
- Rnd 11: Sc in the next 6sts, Switch to Color (B): [sc2tog] 2 times, Switch to Color (A): sc in the next 6sts. (14sts)
- Rnd 12: Sc in the next 6sts, sc2tog, sc in the next 4sts, sc2tog. (12sts)
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail for stitching the body to the head.
- Firmly stuff and shape the body.
Tail
Using Color (A)
- Rnd 1: 6sc in MR. (6sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch 2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
- Rnd 2: Sc in each st around. (6sts)
- Rnd 3: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in the next st] 3 times. (9sts)
- Rnd 4: Sc in each st around. (9sts)
- Rnd 5: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in the next st, sc in the next st] 3 times. (12sts)
- Rnd 6: Sc in each st around. (12sts)
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail for stitching the tail to the body.
- Firmly stuff and shape the tail.
Assembly
Pin all the pieces together to determine the desired placement for the entire Small Crochet Alligator and stitch securely in place.
>Design Tip: Add additional stuffing before closing the holes when stitching the head, tail, and legs to fill in the gaps between two pieces, as appropriate.
General placement and stitching suggestions:
- Head: Position the head over the body, centered with the tummy, with the back of the neck at the back of the head. Stitch into place.
- Tail: Position the tail at the back of the body over approx. Rnds 2-7. Stitch into place.
- Legs: Position the legs at the base of the tummy on either side, with the bottom resting at approx. Rnd 3, and overlapping the contrast color portion by approx. 2-3sts, the outer and bottom edges of the legs resting at the edge of the contrast color.
- Arms: The arms can be placed in a variety of positions. Pictured, they rest at the sides of the body over approx. Rnds 8-10, approx. 2sts away from the contrasting tummy portion, angled slightly downward.
- 1-3 Rows of Spikes: (optional) Using Color (A), and a sl st fasten onto the bottom center of the tail at approx. Rnd 2, *ch 2, sl st into the next Rnd, repeat from * up the center of the tail and onto the back, ending at the neck. If making 3 rows of spikes, repeat this process up the left and right side of the tail, leaving approx. 1 st between the rows of spikes.
Adding a Keychain
Optional
It’s easy to turn the Small Crochet Alligator into a keychain by using a length of yarn and a tapestry needle to whipstitch a chain with a keyring (or another choice of clasp) to the head.
Reach Out, Share, and Follow Along!
As always, I’d love to see your creation if you’re willing to share! Comment below or tag me on social media. You can find me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram (tag @jenhayescreations and use the hashtag #jenhayescreations to show off your work and have a chance to be featured), and stay tuned to find me in the future on YouTube!
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Copyright and Use Policy
This pattern and its photos are copyright of Jennifer Hayes (Jen Hayes Creations) and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not copy, sell, republish, distribute, or translate my patterns, photos, or tutorials in part or whole. Share this pattern on social media by using the social sharing buttons or a link to the pattern. You are welcome to sell any finished items produced from this pattern. Please credit Jen Hayes Creations as the designer and include a link to the pattern listing if selling the finished piece online. Thank you!
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