Axel – The Little Axolotl | Free Crochet Pattern

Meet Axel, a sweet little axolotl with feathery gills, a cheerful smile, and a contrast-trimmed tail. This cuddly amigurumi friend is made with beginner-friendly stitches, but the sewing-intensive assembly makes the overall project best suited to an intermediate crocheter.

Skill level: Intermediate (beginner-friendly stitches; sewing-intensive assembly)
Terms: US crochet terms
Finished size: Approx. 4.5 in. (11.5 cm) long without the tail; 6 in. (15 cm) long with the tail, lying down

Prefer a printable copy?
Download the Free Axel PDF
Looking for your next cuddly project?
Discover more lovable amigurumi patterns in the Lily & Willow Co. Etsy shop.
Browse My Crochet Patterns on Etsy →

Materials

Yarn Requirements (#3 DK)

  • Main Color (MC) – Soft pink, approx. 140–160 yd
  • Contrast Color (CC) – Bright coral or dark pink, approx. 20–25 yd

Tools & Notions

  • 3.5 mm (US E/4) crochet hook
  • 8–9 mm safety eyes
  • Polyfill fiberfill stuffing
  • Tapestry needle and stitch marker
  • Black embroidery floss for the mouth

Upscaled size: Approx. 10–11 in. (25–28 cm) with the tail using bulky or chenille yarn and a 5.5–6 mm hook.

Gauge: Gauge is not critical for this amigurumi, but maintain consistent, fairly tight tension so stuffing does not show and the finished proportions stay consistent.

Abbreviations & Techniques (US Terms)

  • MR: Magic ring / adjustable loop
  • sc: Single crochet
  • sl st: Slip stitch
  • inc: Increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
  • dec: Invisible decrease
  • st(s): Stitch(es)
  • Rnd: Worked continuously around a piece
  • ( ) x N: Repeat the sequence inside parentheses N times

Part 1: Head

1.1 Head – Main Color (MC)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
Rnd 2: inc x6. (12)
Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x6. (18)
Rnd 4: sc, inc, (2 sc, inc) x5, sc. (24)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x6. (30)
Rnd 6: 2 sc, inc, (4 sc, inc) x5, 2 sc. (36)
Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) x6. (42)
Rnds 8–13: sc around for 6 rounds. (42)

Eye placement: Insert the safety eyes between Rnds 9 and 10, spaced 8–9 sts apart. Secure them before closing the head.

Rnd 14: (5 sc, dec) x6. (36)
Rnd 15: 2 sc, dec, (4 sc, dec) x5, 2 sc. (30)
Rnd 16: (3 sc, dec) x6. (24)
Rnd 17: sc, dec, (2 sc, dec) x5, sc. (18)
Rnd 18: (sc, dec) x6. (12)
Rnd 19: dec x6. (6)

Stuff the head firmly, adding small amounts of fiberfill as the opening narrows. Fasten off, close the remaining opening, and weave the yarn tail inside the head.

Part 2: Body

2.1 Body – Main Color (MC)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
Rnd 2: inc x6. (12)
Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x6. (18)
Rnd 4: sc, inc, (2 sc, inc) x5, sc. (24)
Rnds 5–10: sc around for 6 rounds. (24)
Rnd 11: sc, dec, (2 sc, dec) x5, sc. (18)
Rnds 12–13: sc around for 2 rounds. (18)

Stuff the body firmly. Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing the body to the head. Leave the 18-stitch opening unclosed.

Part 3: Gills, Legs & Tail

3.1 Small Gills (Make 4) – Contrast Color (CC)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
Rnds 2–6: sc around for 5 rounds. (6)

Do not stuff. Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.

3.2 Large Gills (Make 2) – Contrast Color (CC)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
Rnds 2–8: sc around for 7 rounds. (6)

Do not stuff. Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.

3.3 Legs (Make 4) – Main Color (MC)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
Rnds 2–5: sc around for 4 rounds. (6)

Do not stuff. Flatten the open edge and sc 3 through both layers to close. Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing. Attach the front legs between Rnds 11 and 12 of the body and the hind legs between Rnds 4 and 5.

3.4 Tail Base – Main Color (MC)

Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR. (4)
Rnd 2: (sc, inc) x2. (6)
Rnd 3: (2 sc, inc) x2. (8)
Rnd 4: (3 sc, inc) x2. (10)
Rnds 5–10: sc around for 6 rounds. (10)

Stuff lightly, keeping the final edge flat. Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.

3.5 Contrast Tail Edging – Contrast Color (CC)

Join the contrast-color yarn in any stitch of Rnd 10. Sl st around. (10)

Fasten off and weave in the contrast-color yarn tail. Keep the main-color sewing tail free for assembly.

Progress Check

  • Head
  • Body
  • 4 small gills
  • 2 large gills
  • 4 legs
  • Tail

Part 4: Final Assembly & Positioning

  1. Head to body: Center the body’s open 18-stitch edge on the back of the head, spanning approximately Rnds 8–13. Whip-stitch it securely in place. Add a small amount of fiberfill to the neck cavity just before closing the seam.
  2. Mouth: Using black embroidery floss, embroider a small V-shaped or curved smile centered between the eyes around Rnd 10.
  3. Gills: Arrange one small, one large, and one small gill vertically on each side of the head, spanning approximately Rnds 7–12. Sew securely in place.
  4. Legs: Sew the front legs to the upper body between Rnds 11 and 12. Sew the hind legs to the lower body between Rnds 4 and 5, angling them slightly forward.
  5. Tail: Flatten the open edge of the tail and sew it to the center of the lower back of the body, spanning approximately Rnds 3–7.
  6. Final touches: Check that all parts are attached securely, weave in any remaining yarn tails, and gently shape the finished piece.

Share Your Creation

We’d love to see your finished Axel! Share your photos on Instagram and tag @lilyandwillowco or use #AxelTheAxolotl to be featured in our maker showcase.

Copyright & Terms: This crochet pattern is for personal use. Do not reproduce, redistribute, resell, translate, or share this pattern, in whole or in part, in digital or printed form without written permission from Lily and Willow Co. Finished items made from this pattern may be sold in small quantities, provided credit is given to Lily and Willow Co.

Support: Contact Lily & Willow Co. through Etsy Messages for pattern assistance.

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