Baby Axel the Axolotl is the free crochet plushie pattern for this week and one of the Beach Buddies! Before you say it, I know he’s not technically a creature you see at the beach, BUT he’s a sea creature that is so stinking cute and I just had to include him. He’s super easy to make in you have a couple of different pink yarns in your stash, he’s a perfect done-in-a-day project! So let’s get onto the free axolotl crochet pattern!
Axel is a free spirit. He’s the kind of friend that is happy and has fun in any situation and just loves to live life to the fullest. It’s easy for Axel to find joy in all the little things and to look at the bright side when things are tough. You’ll always see him with a smile and that’s something that all of his friends love about him! When he met up with the other Beach Buddies, he was the smallest of the group but his happy demeanor and willingness to explore the seven seas just won their heart and Axel couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of such a fun group.
This is part of my Beach Buddies Collection along with a couple of other patterns. Over the course of the month, I’ll be releasing 7 patterns for free on the blog here. You can check back every time I post a new pattern, OR you can grab the bundle of all the patterns at once, as premium ad-free PDF files, plus a bonus pattern! The pattern bundle is on sale below for $14, which is 70% off what it would be to get each other patterns separately. Click the image or the button below to check it out!
The full free pattern is written out below. For those who’d prefer to print the pattern and take it with you for on-the-go and to markup as you go, you can buy the inexpensive printable PDF from my Etsy and Ravelry shops. The PDF is formatted without ads or comments, so it’s easy to read.
Materials:
- 3.25mm crochet hook / D hook*
- #4 medium weight yarn – I used Yarn Bee Soft Secret in Pink, Light Pink, and Flamingo
- stitch markers*
- tapestry needle*
- 9mm safety eyes*
- Polyfill stuffing*
*denotes affiliate link
Abbreviations:
- ch – chain
- SC – single crochet
- DC – double crochet
- HDC – half double crochet
- sl – slip stitch
Pattern Notes:
- Skill level: Intermediate – some amigurumi experience is helpful but not necessary
- Sizing: 8.5″ tall
- Gauge: 6S X 5R per inch
Useful Amigurumi Tips
- All patterns are in English and written in standard USA terms
- inc – increase by working 2 stitches into the same space
- dec – decrease across 2 stitches using an invisible decrease
- Keep stitches tight to prevent holes for stuffing to show through. If there are holes, go down a hook size.
- All pieces are worked in continuous rounds unless otherwise stated. Use stitch markers to mark the first stitch of each round.
- Safety eyes are used in these patterns, but feel free to stitch on eyes instead for children under 3 years old.
- If you have any questions, email me at [email protected]
Axel the Axolotl: Free Axolotl Crochet Pattern
Head:
Round 1: With yarn in Pink, create a magic loop and work 6 SC into it. Place a stitch marker.
Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).
Round 3: *SC, inc* around (18).
Round 4: *SC 2, inc* around (24).
Round 5: *SC 3, inc* around (30).
Round 6: *SC 4, inc* around (36).
Rounds 7-13: SC around for 7 rounds. Insert safety eyes to round 5 after the last increase round, about 5 stitches apart. Start to add the stuffing.
Round 14: *SC 4, dec* around (30).
Round 15: *SC 3, dec* around (24).
Round 16: *SC 2, dec* around (18). Finish adding stuffing.
Round 17: *SC, dec* around (12).
Round 18: Decrease around (6). Cut the yarn and thread tail through a tapestry needle. Run the needle under the front loops of each stitch and secure the yarn. Weave in the end.
Arms (make 2):
Round 1: With yarn in pink (skin color), create a magic loop and work 6 SC into it. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Round 2: * SC 1, inc in the next* around (9).
Rounds 3-6: SC around for 4 rounds.
Round 7: Decrease twice, SC, increase twice over the next 2 spaces, SC 2. You should have 9 stitches.
Rounds 8-10: SC for 3 rounds. Then BO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Legs (make 2):
Round 1: With yarn in pink (skin color), create a magic loop and work 6 SC into it. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Round 2: * SC 1, inc in the next* around (9).
Rounds 3-6: SC around for 4 rounds. Then BO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Body:
Round 1: With yarn in pink, create a magic loop and work 6 SC into it. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Round 2: SC around for 1 round.
Round 3: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).
Rounds 4-7: SC around for 4 rounds.
Round 8: *SC, inc* around (18).
Rounds 9-13: SC around for 5 rounds.
Round 14: *SC 2, inc* around (24).
Rounds 15-19: SC around for 5 rounds.
Round 20: *SC 3, inc* around (30).
Rounds 21-28: SC around for 8 rounds.
Round 29: *SC 3, dec* around (24).
Rounds 30-31: SC around for 2 rounds
Round 32: *SC 2, dec* around (18).
Round 33: SC around for 1 round. Then BO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Crest:
Row 1: With blush yarn, chain 31.
Row 2: Turn and 2DC in each chain along (60).
Row 3: Ch 2, turn and work 40 DC, then SC to end. BO and leave a long tail for sewing it on later.
Gills (make 2):
Round 1: With yarn in Flamingo, chain 7, turn, and HDC along (6).
Round 2: Chain 8, turn, and HDC along.
Round 3: Chain 7, turn, and HDC along.
Round 4: Turn sideways and SC 4 along the bottom edge. BO and leave a long tail for sewing.
Assembly
Now that we have all the parts of our Axel the Axolotl crochet pattern ready, we can start assembling him! Add stuffing to just the ends of the arms and legs, and all of the body if you haven’t already. First, fold the crest in half to find the center and pin it to the end of the tail. Line up the rest of the crest along the top and bottom of the body and pin it in place. Then use the tail yarn on the crest to sew it in place with a whipstitch.
Next, pin the gills to either side of the face and makes sure they are both curling upwards. Use the tail yarn to sew the gills on and then tuck the ends into the head.
Use the tail from the body to attach the head, going through one space on the body to one space on the head. Use pins to hold it in place as you sew and go through each space around. This makes sure that the head doesn’t wobble around.
Thread a tapestry needle with black embroidery floss and embroider on a wide smile. Secure the ends, trim the floss and tuck the excess inside the head. Position the arms and legs onto the underside of the body and use pins to hold them in place while you make sure the axolotl can stand level, then use the tail yarns to sew the pieces in place.
And you’re done!
I love how Axel the Axolotl turned out and I’m obsessed with that smiling face! Axel is part of a collection of beach and seaside-themed patterns, so check out the 6 other patterns below. Like Axel’s pattern, you can get the others as free patterns on the blog, or visit the shop to grab the bundle of all 7 PDF Beach Buddies patterns.
Beach Buddies Collection
- Jenni the Jellyfish
- Melly the Mermaid
- Axel the Axolotl
- Percival the Pirate
- Shelby the Turtle
- Gulliver the Seagull
- and Danny the Diver
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