Squirrel Amigurumi Rattle: Free Step-by-Step Pattern with Wooden Ring

Squirrel Rattle Amigurumi Step by Step

This crocheted squirrel doll is absolutely adorable: it combines the softness of amigurumi with a wooden ring, a long little tail, tasseled ears, and a red collar that gives it a very special detail. It is an ideal amigurumi toy for gifting, decorating a nursery, or making a handmade rattle full of charm.

In this free pattern, you will find the complete step-by-step instructions to crochet the head, muzzle, ears, collar, tail, and the pieces that cover the ring. It is a lovely crochet project to practice increases, decreases, facial embroidery, and neat assembly.

Squirrels are often associated with playful, sweet, autumn-inspired details, and in amigurumi form they look especially expressive. This design keeps a simple shape, but includes details that make it stand out: the white muzzle, embroidered nose, red collar, and small crocheted tail.

Reviewed and organized by Patterns Amigurumis. This pattern was edited to improve readability, preserve the complete rounds, and make the step-by-step crochet process easier to follow.

Amigurumi Quick Details

Materials

• Cotton-blend yarn in orange, red, and white. The original pattern mentions YarnArt Jeans.
• Black Iris thread or a similar thread for embroidering details.
• 2.0 mm crochet hook.
• Wooden ring with an outer diameter of 65 mm.
• Small bell or rattle insert.
• Yarn needle or blunt-tip needle for sewing.
• Fiberfill or synthetic stuffing.

Optional or recommended: stitch marker, pins to position the pieces before sewing, and small scissors to cut the threads neatly.

If you have doubts about yarns or tools, check our: complete guide to amigurumi materials

If you need help with color changes, you can see our step-by-step guide to changing color in amigurumi.

Abbreviations

• Rnd: round.
• Ch: chain stitch.
• MR: magic ring.
• Sc: single crochet.
• Inc: increase, crochet 2 Sc into the same stitch from the previous round.
• Dec: decrease.
• Sl st: slip stitch.
• Dc: double crochet.
• Turning ch: chain used to turn and start a new row.

You can review all the techniques in our guide to crochet abbreviations in Spanish

Before You Start

• Crochet with firm tension so the stuffing does not show between the stitches, especially on the head and muzzle.
• Use a stitch marker for the circular pieces, because the head includes several consecutive rounds of 48 stitches.
• Before sewing the muzzle, ears, and head to the ring, hold everything in place with pins to check the symmetry.
• If the rattle will be used by a baby, make sure all seams are very secure and there are no loose threads.
• Read the full pattern before starting, because the final assembly depends on the correct placement of the ring covers.

Complete Step-by-Step Pattern

Muzzle

Crochet with white yarn.

ROUND 1: 6 Sc in MR. (6)

ROUND 2: 6 Inc. (12)

ROUND 3: 12 Sc. (12)

ROUND 4: (1 Sc, 1 Inc) x6. (18)

ROUND 5: 18 Sc. (18)

ROUND 6: (2 Sc, 1 Inc) x6. (24)

ROUND 7: 24 Sc. (24)

Fasten off and cut the yarn, leaving a tail of approximately 20 cm for sewing.

Head

Crochet with orange yarn.

ROUND 1: 6 Sc in MR. (6)

ROUND 2: 6 Inc. (12)

ROUND 3: (1 Sc, 1 Inc) x6. (18)

ROUND 4: (2 Sc, 1 Inc) x6. (24)

ROUND 5: (3 Sc, 1 Inc) x6. (30)

ROUND 6: 30 Sc. (30)

ROUND 7: (4 Sc, 1 Inc) x6. (36)

ROUND 8: 36 Sc. (36)

ROUND 9: (5 Sc, 1 Inc) x6. (42)

ROUND 10: 42 Sc. (42)

ROUND 11: (6 Sc, 1 Inc) x6. (48)

ROUND 12: 48 Sc. (48)

ROUND 13: 48 Sc. (48)

ROUND 14: 48 Sc. (48)

ROUND 15: 48 Sc. (48)

ROUND 16: 48 Sc. (48)

ROUND 17: 48 Sc. (48)

ROUND 18: 48 Sc. (48)

ROUND 19: 48 Sc. (48)

ROUND 20: (6 Sc, 1 Dec) x6. (42)

ROUND 21: (5 Sc, 1 Dec) x6. (36)

ROUND 22: (4 Sc, 1 Dec) x6. (30)

Stuff with fiberfill and insert the small bell or rattle insert.

ROUND 23: (3 Sc, 1 Dec) x6. (24)

ROUND 24: (2 Sc, 1 Dec) x6. (18)

ROUND 25: (1 Sc, 1 Dec) x6. (12)

Do not close the stitches completely. Leave an opening and a yarn tail of 20 to 30 cm for sewing. If needed, add a little more stuffing through the remaining opening in the head.

Ears

Crochet with orange yarn. Make two ears.

ROUND 1: 6 Sc in MR. (6)

ROUND 2: 6 Inc. (12)

ROUND 3: (1 Sc, 1 Inc) x6. (18)

ROUND 4: (2 Sc, 1 Inc) x6. (24)

ROUND 5: (3 Sc, 1 Inc) x6. (30)

ROUND 6: (4 Sc, 1 Inc) x6. (36)

Fold the piece in half and join the edges with Sc.

Fasten off and cut the yarn, leaving a tail of 15 to 20 cm for sewing.

Twist the ear lengthwise and secure it with thread. Make the second ear the same way, but mirrored. Make small tassels or little tufts at the tips.

Snood-Style Collar

Crochet with red yarn.

Make 16 Ch.

Then work back and forth in rows, crocheting 15 Sc per row until you reach the needed length. The original pattern indicates 36 rows.

Fasten off and leave a yarn tail of 15 to 20 cm for sewing.

The finished piece can be gently steamed with an iron, without flattening the crochet fabric.

Then sew the collar directly onto the rattle or ring, so it fits snugly.

At the end, fold the collar and embroider a snowflake with white thread.

Tail

Crochet with orange yarn.

ROUND 1: 6 Sc in MR. (6)

ROUND 2: 6 Sc. (6)

ROUND 3: 6 Inc. (12)

ROUND 4: 12 Sc. (12)

ROUND 5: 12 Sc. (12)

ROUND 6: (1 Sc, 1 Inc) x6. (18)

ROUND 7: 18 Sc. (18)

ROUND 8: 18 Sc. (18)

ROUND 9: 18 Sc. (18)

ROUND 10: 18 Sc. (18)

ROUND 11: (1 Sc, 1 Dec) x6. (12)

ROUND 12: 12 Sc. (12)

ROUND 13: 12 Sc. (12)

Stuff the tail with fiberfill.

ROUND 14: (2 Sc, 1 Dec) x3. (9)

ROUND 15: 9 Sc. (9)

ROUND 16: (1 Sc, 1 Dec) x2. (6)

ROUND 17: 6 Sc. (6)

Fasten off and cut the yarn, leaving a tail of 15 to 20 cm for sewing.

Ring Cover No. 1

Crochet with orange yarn.

ROW 1: Make 10 Ch. Turn the work and, starting from the second chain from the hook, crochet 9 Sc.

ROW 2: Make 1 turning Ch and crochet back with 9 Sc.

Continue crocheting this way until you reach the needed length. The original pattern indicates 32 rows.

Ring Cover No. 2

Crochet with orange yarn.

ROW 1: Make 10 Ch. Turn the work and, starting from the second chain from the hook, crochet 9 Sc.

ROW 2: Make 1 turning Ch and crochet back with 9 Sc.

Continue crocheting this way until you reach the needed length. The original pattern indicates 8 rows.

Assembly and Finishing

1. Stuff the muzzle with fiberfill and sew it to the front part of the head.
2. With black thread, embroider the nose and eyes.
3. Sew the ears to the upper part of the head, on the sides, between rounds 6 and 11 of the head, starting from the center.
4. On the top of the head, make a small tuft with orange threads.
5. With white thread, embroider small V shapes on the forehead.
6. Sew the covers onto the wooden ring. Turn the seam toward the inside of the ring so it looks neater.
7. Sew the head to ring cover No. 1. To do this, find the center of the cover and secure the head with pins.
8. Sew all around so the head stays firm and does not move on the ring.
9. Sew on the snood-style collar.
10. Sew the tail to ring cover No. 2.

The little squirrel is ready. Enjoy the creative process!

My Experience and Tips for Crocheting This Amigurumi

While reviewing and organizing this pattern, the most important thing I notice is the final assembly. The head, collar, ring covers, and tail need to be well aligned so the rattle looks balanced and feels comfortable to hold.

For the head, it is best to add the stuffing little by little, without overpacking it, so it keeps a rounded shape and the stitches do not stretch out. When you insert the small bell, make sure it is well surrounded by stuffing and does not press directly against the crocheted fabric.

The white muzzle defines much of the squirrel’s expression. Before sewing it permanently, I recommend pinning it in place and looking at the piece from the front. The same goes for the ears: if one is more tilted than the other, it will be quite noticeable in this type of doll.

Since this design can be used for babies, it is better to embroider the eyes and nose, as indicated in the pattern, instead of using plastic pieces. I would also check the seams of the ring, collar, and tail very carefully so there are no loose parts.

The detail of the red collar with the embroidered snowflake is small, but it gives the piece a lot of personality. To keep it neat, use simple, gentle stitches without pulling the white thread too tightly, so the red crochet fabric does not pucker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different yarn instead of YarnArt Jeans?

Yes. You can use another cotton-blend yarn of a similar thickness. Keep in mind that if you choose a thicker or thinner yarn, the final size of the squirrel and the fit around the ring may vary.

Can I make it without the small bell?

Yes, if you want to use it only as a decoration or a crocheted teether-style ornament. The original pattern includes a small bell, but if you leave it out, stuff the head well so it keeps its shape.

How can I keep the pieces from looking crooked when sewing?

Before sewing, place pins in the muzzle, ears, head, and tail. Look at the piece from the front, from above, and from the side. Only when everything is centered, sew with small, firm stitches.

Pattern Credits

This pattern belongs to Yar Yarn. You can visit the original Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/yar.yarn/

Did you crochet it? Leave me a comment or share it on social media using #PatternsAmigurumi so I can see it.