It’s week four of 12 weeks of roundups including free gift ideas for the handmade holidays! Today’s roundup is all about softies and plushies. I’ve searched the web to bring you 28 free crochet patterns, 10 free knitting patterns, and 14 free sewing patterns for softies and plushies in sizes from minis you can hold in your hand up through jumbo huggable characters. I’ve also included links to several more roundups with over 130 more projects to choose from, so you’re sure to find your next handmade holiday project. Enjoy!
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52+ Free Patterns for Softies and Plushies
Roundup by Underground Crafter
Softies and plushies make great handmade gifts for kids. Minis can be used for gift wrap or ornaments and larger sizes can be decorative pillows, too. This roundup includes free crochet, knitting, and sewing patterns for softies in sizes from hand-held minis up through jumbo huggable plushies!
28 Free Crochet Patterns
These patterns include mythical creatures, animals, monsters, plants, and more in sizes from mini to huggable.
Left column, from top to bottom:
- Serrana the Mermaid by Stitches n Scraps: This pattern includes a detailed tutorial for needle sculpting the face.
- Majestic Max by Oombawka Design: This pony is crocheted using a color-changing cake yarn.
- Amir the Elephant by Jessie At Home: This pattern includes optional lining instructions and a blanket that can be cut with a Cricut or by hand.
- Hogaraga by Lan-Ahn Bui and Josephine Wan: This little monster is excerpted from Little Crocheted Monsters: 12 Mini Mutants to Make.
- Kiki Kitty Super Pillow by Made with a Twist: This simple softie works up quickly with a jumbo blanket yarn.
Second column, from top to bottom:
- Lilly Doll by Meladora’s Creations: This pattern includes the doll and the dress.
- Jolly Little Pirate by Thoresby Cottage: This adorable little pirate pattern includes all the adornments such as the eye patch.
- Ollie the Elf by The Blue Elephants: This adorable elf is crocheted with long underwear but also includes an entire outfit with boots and a hat.
- Vincent the Dragon by Hooked by Kati: This large softie would be a great gift for a fantasy lover.
- Squishy Tree Amis by Divine Debris: This pattern includes two sizes, Big Tree and Kid Sister.
- Mouse by Malloo: This adorable critter was inspired by a Greek children’s book.
Third column, from top to bottom:
- Penelope the Piggy by Needle Klankers: This huggable piggy has an adorable tail.
- Hygge Squirrel by Hooked by Kati: This bushy-tailed character is 7” tall.
- Kai the Kitty by Yarn Society: This napping kitty pattern includes detailed progress pictures.
- Regal the Peacock by Hooked by Kati: This intermediate-level pattern includes video tutorials.
- Crayon Kawaii Cuddler by 3amgracedesigns: This cute pillow also includes instructions for sleepy eyes.
Fourth column, from top to bottom:
- Baby Penguin Amigurumi by Underground Crafter: This little penguin is small enough to use as an ornament and includes an optional scarf pattern.
- Otto the Otter by Friendly Red Fox: This cuddly creature is part of the Amigurumi A to Z series.
- Cactus Plushie by Winding Road Crochet: This on-trend Southwestern character works up quickly in super bulky yarn.
- Birdhouse Kawaii Cuddler by 3amgracedesigns: This simple softie is a great beginner pattern.
- Hygge Hedgehog by Hooked by Kati: This expressive little creature is crocheted with smooth and textured yarns.
- Car by One Dog Woof: This pattern is part of an amigurumi advent calendar.
Right column, from top to bottom:
- Otter Amigurumi by YARNutopia: This pattern includes a complete video tutorial.
- Chinese New Year Pig by All About Ami: This sweet little pig wears striped pajamas.
- Hygge Owl by Hooked by Kati: This pudgy owl has a very serious expression.
- Happy Monkey by Sewrella: This large softie is made with just two skeins of yarn.
- Humpty Dumpty by Crochet 365 Knit Too: This miniature softie was inspired by the nursery rhyme.
- Floppy Disk Cuddle Buddy by Blackstone Designs: Keep it old school with this tech-inspired softie.
10 Free Knitting Patterns
These patterns include animals, aliens, and even a small baby doll.
Left column, from top to bottom:
- Bunny by Handy Little Me: This floppy bunny pattern also includes instructions for crochet overalls.
- Aliens in PJ by Stana’s Critters Etc.: This 3-eyed alien wears striped pajamas.
- Samuel the Skiing Snowman by Phoeny: This cute little snowman has a hat and scarf and instructions for making skis and ski poles.
- Sweet Mini Elephant via Lion Brand: This elephant is knit flat and then seamed.
Center column, from top to bottom:
- Puppy Love Puffball by Love Life Yarn: This puffy critter is made with a faux fur yarn.
- Alien by Creative Crochet Workshop: This beginner-friendly knit pattern includes crocheted embellishments.
- Baby in a Basket Crib by Flutterby Patch: This tiny baby pattern includes a basket, blanket, and pillow.
Right column, from top to bottom:
- Pocket Ted by Frankie Brown: This tiny teddy is sized to fit into a mint tin.
- Sugar Mouse by Phoeny: This little mouse has brushed yarn fur.
- Purrfect Kitty Sock Critter via Lion Brand: This cute kitty is wearing a striped outfit.
14 Free Sewing Patterns
These softies include mythical creatures, animals, insects, and more!
Left column, from top to bottom:
- Unicorn Softie by Felt With Love Designs: This gently-stuffed unicorn is embellished with light embroidery and safety eyes.
- Floppy Finned Fat Quarter Fish by 30 Minute Crafts: This pattern makes 3 fish from 4 fat quarters.
- Tilly the Turtle by While She Naps via AllFreeSewing: This scrappy project combines machine sewing with English Paper Piecing.
- Heart Softie by Underground Crafter: This simple heart can be used as a pin cushion or stuff with lavender as a sachet.
Second column, from top to bottom:
- Sew a Sloth! by Underground Crafter: This boxy sloth pillow pattern includes a video tutorial for adding safety eyes to fabric.
- Wallace the Whale Plush via AllFreeSewing: This sleepy whale is made with quilting cotton.
- Sheep Softie by Swoodson Says: This jumbo felt softie is sized for cuddling.
- Incy Wincy Spider by Sum of Their Stories for AllFreeSewing: This nursery rhyme critter can be hand or machine sewn.
Third column, from top to bottom:
- Dump Truck Floor Pillow by Swoodson Says: This mega sized softie pillow is a great gift for any vehicle lover!
- Kid-Friendly Felt Monsters via AllFreeSewing: This pattern includes templates for 10 different monsters with accessories.
- Monkey Softie by Felt With Love Designs: This smiling monkey was designed as part of Sew a Softie 2019.
Right column, from top to bottom:
- Owl Plushie via Fairfield World: This owl is made with a fat quarter and fabric scraps.
- Duchy by Coloured Buttons: This melancholy dachshund softie can be hand sewn.
- Mini Snowman Softie by Felt With Love Designs: This smiling character makes a great stocking stuffer.
Still looking for more handmade gift idea inspiration? Check out these roundups for over 130 more project ideas!
- 21 Free Crochet Patterns for Animal Softies via The Blue Elephants
- 10 Spectacular Free Crochet Cat Patterns via Oombawka Design Crochet
- 25+ Easy Stuffed Animal Patterns via AllFreeSewing
- 38 Free Crochet and Knit Patterns for Winter Amigurumi via Fairfield World
- 40 Free Crochet Patterns for Animal Softies