This is the eighth in a series of 12 weeks of roundups for the handmade holidays, and it’s also part of my monthly charity spotlight series. I’m sharing 40 free crochet patterns for amigurumi animals (with a few mythical creatures thrown in for good luck). These make great gifts for children and teens on your handmade holiday list, or wonderful donations to this month’s featured charity, Cancer Kickin’ Critters.
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November’s Featured Charity: Cancer Kickin’ Critters
Cancer Kickin’ Critters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that distributes crocheted and knit softies to children and teens with cancer, including those in the hospital and through support groups. The organization was started by Noelle Buice when she was just 17 years old after her best friend was diagnosed with lymphoma. Cancer Kickin’ Critters accepts crochet and knit softies in all sizes. You can also donate knit squares in any size, with a yarn tail at least 3 times the size of the square still attached. These squares are made into “Critter Creation Kits” so the recipients can make their own critters.
If you’re near Fairfax, Virginia, you can drop off your critters at the location listed on the website, or you can contact Noelle by sending an email to cancerkickincrittersATgmailDOTcom to get the mailing address. If you include your contact information, or if you tag Cancer Kickin’ Critters on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with a picture of your donation, they will even give you a social media shout out when your projects arrive. You can see my recent donation below.
How To Make Great Softies for Cancer Kickin’ Critters
Cancer Kickin’ Critters accepts softies and squares in all sizes. Please use a soft, machine washable yarn so that the critters can get plenty of hugs, even with sensitive skin, and so they can be washed after a hospital visit. Include a critter birth certificate (available for download here) with each softie you donate that identifies the yarn used in case of allergies. You can find free patterns and more tips on the How Can I Help? page on the Cancer Kickin’ Critters website.
40 Free Crochet Amigurumi Animal Patterns
Roundup by Underground Crafter
These patterns include animals of all types and in all sizes, as well as a few mythical creatures (because why not?). If made with a machine washable yarn, every one would make a great donations to Cancer Kickin’ Critters.
28 Crochet Land Animals
These animals spend most of the time on the ground.
- Fox by Olena’s Crafts
- Hyena by MadeByMary – measures 10”/25.5 cm tall when sitting
- Monkey by All About Ami – measures 5.5”/14 cm tall and includes photo tutorial
- Teddy Bear by Val Pierce – measures 4.25”/11 cm tall when seated
- Mini Amigurumi Turtle Friend by Rebeckah’s Treasures – measures 1.75”/4.5 cm long in thread or 3.5”/9 cm long in sport yarn and includes a photo tutorial
Second row, from left to right:
- Plush Owl by Repeat Crafter Me – measures 7”/18 cm tall
- Little Spring Lamb by Create-a-holic Writer via AllFreeCrochet – measures 4.5”/11.5 cm long
- Sweetheart Cat by Divine Debris – measures 10.5”/26.5 cm long
- Henry the Hedgehog by Bergere de France via AllFreeCrochet
- Wolf by The Crafty Cattery – includes Swedish translation
- Fluffy Dog by Ami Amour – measures 7”/18 cm tall, includes a video tutorial for brushing technique
Third row, from left to right:
- Majestic Max Pony by Oombawka Design Crochet – measures 8”/20.5 cm tall with photo tutorial for the special stitch
- Gunther the Goat by Happy Crocheting
- Camille and Leon Chameleon Cousins by Trifles n Treasures
- Pig by Crafty is Cool
- Chubby Sheep by Underground Crafter – measures 3.75”/9.5 cm tall and includes option for ornament loop and special stitch photo tutorial
Fourth row, from left to right:
- Friendly Mini Giraffe by The Friendly Red Fox
- Stanley the Squirrel by Melissa’s Crochet Patterns
- Flamingo Friend by Blackstone Designs – measures 13”/33 long
- Zebra by Repeat Crafter Me – measures 18”/46 cm tall
- Spike the Sloth by Winding Road Crochet – measures 8”/20.5 cm tall and a one skein project!
- Gift Pocket Red Panda by Underground Crafter – measures 12”/30.5 cm long and includes a gift card pocket!
Fifth row, from left to right:
- Boxy Elephant by 5 Little Monsters
- Kitty in a Romper by Underground Crafter – measures 17”/43 cm tall
Sixth row, from left to right:
- Sloth by mohu – measures 2”/5 cm tall and includes written pattern and international stitch symbols
- Candy the Cow by The Magic Loop – measures 5”/13 cm tall
- Fold Up Teddy Playset by Creative Crochet Workshop – includes teddy dolls, play mat, and play set accessories patterns
- Cuddly Lion and Panda by Emma Varnam – each measures 12”/30.5 cm tall
7 Crochet Water Animals
These animals live most or all of their lives in water. Shown clockwise from top left.
- M. Richard the Whale by FreshStitches – measures 13”/33 long
- Bernard the Ball Shark by One Dog Woof
- Plush Octopus by Whistle and Ivy
- Fish by YARNutopia – includes video tutorial
- Axolotl salamander by Suvi’s Crochet – measures 10”/25.5 cm long
- Nelly the Hippo by Lucia Forthmann – measures 13”/33 cm tall
- Erick the Giant Eel by Adrialys Designs – measures 32”/81.5 cm long
3 Crochet Mythical Creatures
These animals exist in the hearts and minds of children everywhere! Shown from left to right.
- Serrana the Mermaid by Stitches n Scraps – measures 19”/48 cm tall and includes photo and video tutorials
- Cuddles Unicorn by B.Hooked Crochet – measures 14”/35.5 cm tall when sitting and includes detailed assembly photos
- Snowicorn by Dora Does – this cross between a snowman and a unicorn measures 4.5”/11.5 cm
2 Crochet Christmas Critters
These animals are dressed for the holidays. Shown from left to right.
- Stuffy the Penguin by The Stitchin’ Mommy – measures 5”/13 cm tall, excluding hat
- Rudolf the Reindeer by Val Pierce – measures 4”/10 cm tall (not including antlers)
Cute this little things