Dex – The Dinky Dino | Free Crochet Pattern



Meet Dex, a dinky little dinosaur with a round head, cream belly patch, cheerful embroidered smile, and a row of bright back spikes. This seated amigurumi uses beginner-friendly stitches with several small pieces to assemble, making it a fun advanced-beginner project.

Skill level: Advanced Beginner
Terms: US crochet terms
Finished size: Approx. 5 in. (12.5 cm) tall, sitting, using #3 DK yarn and a 3.75 mm hook

This complete pattern is free.
Save this page and crochet Dex whenever you’re ready.
Looking for your next cuddly project?
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Materials

Yarn Requirements (#3 DK)

  • Main Color (MC) – Bright Blue (head, body, arms, legs and tail)
  • Contrast 1 (CC1) – Cream / Off-White (belly patch)
  • Contrast 2 (CC2) – Orange, small amount (back spikes)
  • Contrast 3 (CC3) – Black, small amount (mouth)

Tools & Notions

  • 3.75 mm crochet hook
  • 2 safety eyes, 8–10 mm suggested
  • Polyfill fiberfill stuffing
  • Tapestry needle and stitch marker

Upscaled size: Approx. 8 in. (20 cm) using bulky or chenille yarn and a 6.0 mm hook.

Gauge: Gauge is not critical for amigurumi. Keep your tension consistent and fairly tight so the stuffing does not show.

Abbreviations & Techniques (US Terms)

  • MR: Magic ring / adjustable loop
  • ch: Chain stitch
  • sc: Single crochet
  • inc: Increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
  • dec: Decrease (sc 2 together)
  • st(s): Stitch(es)
  • Rnd: Round, worked continuously in a spiral
  • Row: Worked flat, back and forth
  • ( ) x N: Repeat the sequence inside parentheses N times

Part 1: Head and Body

1.1 Head — Make 1, Main Color (MC)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc x 6. (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6. (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
Rnd 6: 10 sc, (4 sc, inc) x 3, 5 sc. (33)
Rnds 7–11: Sc in each st around. (33)

Eye placement: Insert the safety eyes between Rnds 7 and 8, 8 sts apart. Secure the washers before continuing.

Rnd 12: 10 sc, (4 sc, dec) x 3, 5 sc. (30)
Rnd 13: (3 sc, dec) x 6. (24)
Rnd 14: (2 sc, dec) x 6. (18)
Rnd 15: (4 sc, dec) x 3. (15)

Stuff firmly. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing the head to the body.

1.2 Body — Make 1, Main Color (MC)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc x 6. (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6. (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
Rnds 5–9: Sc in each st around. (24)
Rnd 10: (6 sc, dec) x 3. (21)
Rnd 11: Sc in each st around. (21)
Rnd 12: (5 sc, dec) x 3. (18)
Rnd 13: Sc in each st around. (18)
Rnd 14: (4 sc, dec) x 3. (15)

Stuff firmly. Fasten off, leaving enough yarn to sew the body to the head.

Part 2: Limbs and Tail

2.1 Arms — Make 2, Main Color (MC)

Rnd 1: 5 sc in MR. (5)
Rnds 2–5: Sc in each st around. (5)

Fasten off, leaving enough yarn to sew.

2.2 Legs — Make 2, Main Color (MC)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
Rnds 2–4: Sc in each st around. (6)

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

2.3 Tail — Make 1, Main Color (MC)

Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR. (4)
Rnd 2: (Inc, 1 sc) x 2. (6)
Rnd 3: (2 sc, inc) x 2. (8)
Rnd 4: (3 sc, inc) x 2. (10)
Rnd 5: Sc in each st around. (10)
Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) x 2. (12)
Rnd 7: Sc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 8: (5 sc, inc) x 2. (14)
Rnd 9: Sc in each st around. (14)

Fasten off, leaving enough yarn to sew.

Part 3: Belly Patch and Back Spikes

3.1 Belly Patch — Make 1, Cream (CC1)

Worked flat, back and forth in turned rows.

Fdn: Ch 6. (6 ch)
Row 1: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (5)
Row 2: Inc, 3 sc, inc, ch 1, turn. (7)
Row 3: Inc, 5 sc, inc, ch 1, turn. (9)
Rows 4–7: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (9)
Row 8: Dec, 5 sc, dec, ch 1, turn. (7)
Row 9: Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (7)
Row 10: Dec, 3 sc, dec, ch 1, turn. (5)
Row 11: Sc in each st across. (5)

Fasten off, leaving enough yarn to sew the patch down the front of the body.

3.2 Back Spikes — Make 5, Orange (CC2)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
Rnd 2: (1 sc, inc) x 3. (9)
Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. (9)

Fasten off, leaving enough yarn on each spike to sew in place.

Part 4: Final Assembly

  1. Head to body: Sew the head to the body.
  2. Arms: Sew the arms to the sides of the body, R11–13 from the base.
  3. Legs: Sew the legs to the lower sides of the body at the base, on either side of the belly patch, so Dex sits steadily.
  4. Tail: Sew the tail to the back of the body, R5–R10 from the base.
  5. Belly patch: Sew the belly piece down the front of the body, R5–R14 from the base.
  6. Back spikes: Sew the 5 spikes along the center back. From the base: Spike 1 at R3–R5, Spike 2 at R6–R8, Spike 3 at R9–R11, Spike 4 at R12–R14, and Spike 5 at R12–R14.
  7. Mouth: Embroider the mouth on the head at R9–R12 with black yarn (CC3).
  8. Eyes: Attach the safety eyes between Rnds 7 and 8 of the head, 8 sts apart.

Congratulations!

You’ve brought this dinky little dino to life! Share your finished Dex on Instagram and tag @lilyandwillowco or use #LilyAndWillowCrochet.

© 2026 Lily and Willow Co. All rights reserved. This pattern is for personal use. Do not reproduce, redistribute, resell, translate or share this pattern in whole or in part. Finished items made from this pattern may be sold in small quantities with credit to Lily and Willow Co.


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