Little Lake Crochet Monster Pattern

I’m sharing the thirteenth pattern in the Toy Box Crochet Along with CAL Central Crochet, and the first pattern in the Beach and Ocean theme. The Little Lake Monster is an adorable amphibian designed for hours of play outdoors or inside. This friendly crochet monster is inspired by the legend of Champ, the Lake Champlain monster.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Yarn for the sample was generously provided by Cascade Yarns.

I’m sharing this crochet monster pattern for the Toy Box Crochet Along with CAL Central Crochet! To join the Toy Box Crochet Along:

  • Sign up for Crochet Along updates and the Underground Crafter newsletter to get regular updates, including an update as each CAL pattern and coupon code is released. When you sign up, you’ll also get access to my subscriber vault which includes exclusive free PDF patterns, a coupon code for your choice of any crochet or knitting pattern or ebook from my Ravelry shop, and coupon codes from other indie designers and crafts businesses. 

Scroll down for the free crochet monster pattern for the Little Lake Monster. One of the my favorite things about living in Burlington is having easy access to Lake Champlain. There’s a beach in Leddy Park which is just half a mile from my apartment. The views are amazing! After I moved, I learned about the legend of Champ, a lake monster who supposedly lives in Lake Champlain.

Since moving to Burlington, I’ve had a few Champ sightings… sort of. There’s the wooden Champ burned in effigy during the annual Highlight New Year’s celebration and the Vermont Teddy Bear version. I’ve seen a few on t-shirts and, of course, in the Lake Monsters team logo. But there doesn’t seem to be a consistent idea about how Champ looks, so that gave me a lot of lattitude in designing my own crochet monster!

While I assumed Champ would spend most of their time in the water, I thought they also might want to have the option to walk around on land, coming out of the lake, storming the beach, and then strolling into the wooded park areas for an afternoon sunbath.

That’s why I designed my Little Lake Monster to have Flippers and eyes like a frog. I envisioned Champ as an amphibious character who would swim or stroll to wherever the fun is.

If you make your own Little Lake Monster, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Bluesky as @UndergroundCrafter, Facebook as @UndergroundCrafter, or on Instagram as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and private access to my vault of subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

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Little Lake Monster

Crochet Monster Pattern by Underground Crafter

The Little Lake Monster is an adorable amphibian designed for hours of play outdoors or inside. This friendly crochet monster is inspired by the legend of Champ, the Lake Champlain monster. The Little Lake Monster is the thirteenth pattern in the Toy Box Crochet Along with CAL Central Crochet.

Finished Size

  • One Size: 15″ (38 cm) long when assembled.

Materials

  • Cascade Yarns Pacific Chunky Effects yarn (60% acrylic/40% superwash wool, 3.5 oz/100 g, 120 yd/110 m) – 1 skein each in 305 Snapdragon (CA) and 310 Ultramarine Green (CB), or approximately 70 yd (64 m) in CA and 75 yd (68.5 m) in CB in any smooth bulky weight yarn.
  • KnitPro Waves 2.0 (available online at LoveCrafts | Amazon) US Size 7/4.5 mm crochet hook, or any size needed to obtain correct gauge.
  • Stitch markers.
  • Yarn needle.
  • Fiber filling.
  • Safety eyes – 1 pair. I used 12 mm pink cat safety eyes from the MUCUNNIA 80-piece set.

Gauge

  • Exact gauge is not critical for this pattern. Stitches should be small so fiber filling doesn’t show through.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

  • BL – back loop only – Fiber Flux has a helpful video tutorial demonstrating how to identify the back loop on crochet here.
  • bob – 5-repeat bobble – [Yo, insert hook in st, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops] 5 times in same st, yo and draw through all 6 loops on hook. A helpful video tutorial for this stitch is available below.
  • If you can’t see the bobble video above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
  • CA – Color A
  • CB – Color B
  • ch – chain
  • invdec – invisible decrease – Insert hook in front loop only of each of next 2 sts, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops. A helpful video tutorial for this stitch is available below.
  • If you can’t see the invisible decrease video above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
  • invdecBL – invisible decrease in the back loop – Insert hook in back loop only of each of next 2 sts, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops. A helpful video tutorial for this stitch is available below.
  • If you can’t see the invisible decrease in the back loop video above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
  • pm# – place stitch marker#
  • sc – single crochet
  • sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together (decrease) – A helpful video tutorial for this stitch is available below.
  • If you can’t see the sc2tog video above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
  • sl st – slip stitch
  • st(s) – stitch(es)
  • yo – yarn over
  • [] Repeat instructions within brackets as indicated.

Pattern Notes

  • When possible, crochet over your yarn tails as you work. A helpful video demonstrating how to crochet over yarn tails is available below.
  • If you can’t see the video above demonstrating how to crochet over yarn tails, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
  • A helpful video demonstrating how to crochet along the side of your project is available below.
  • If you can’t see the video above demonstrating how to crochet around the side of your project, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
  • A helpful video demonstrating joining with a whipstitch seam is available below.
  • If you can’t see the whipstitch seam video above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
  • A helpful video demonstrating joining with a single crochet seam is available below.
  • If you can’t see the single crochet seam video above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.

Pattern Instructions

Underside of Body

  • With CA and starting at the tail, ch 2.
  • Row 1: Turn, skip 1 ch, 3 sc in next ch. (3 sts)
  • Row 2: Turn, ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st. (5 sc)
  • Row 3: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and each st across.
  • Rows 4-15: Repeat Row 3, 12 times.
  • Row 16: Turn, ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next st and each st across to last st, 2 sc in last st. (Increases by 2 sts/7 sts)
  • Rows 17-18: Repeat Row 16 twice. (9 sts/11 sts)
  • Rows 19-20: Repeat Row 3 twice.
  • Rows 21-23: Repeat Row 16, 3 times. (13 sts/15 sts/17 sts)
  • Rows 24-26: Repeat Row 3, 3 times.
  • Row 27: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog in first 2 sts, sc in next st and each st across to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (Decreases by 2 sts/15 sts)
  • Row 28: Repeat Row 27 once. (13 sts)
  • Rows 29-30: Repeat Row 3 twice.
  • Row 31: Repeat Row 27 once. (11 sts)
  • Rows 32-33: Repeat Row 3 twice.
  • Rows 34-35: Repeat Row 27 twice (9 sts/7 sts)
  • Rows 36-45: Repeat Row 3, 10 times.
  • Edging Round: (Right Side) Turn, ch 1, working along side of project (see Pattern Notes) sc in side of next 45 rows, turn, 2 sc in foundation chain, turn, sc in side of next 45 rows, join with sl st to first sc, fasten off CA. (99 sts)
  • With yarn needle, weave in ends on wrong side.

Top of Body

  • With CB and starting at the tail, ch 2.
  • Row 1: Turn, skip 1 ch, 3 sc in next ch. (3 sts)
  • Row 2: Turn, ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st. (5 sc)
  • Row 3: Turn, ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next st and each st across to last st, 2 sc in last st. (Increases by 2 sts/7 sts)
  • Row 4: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and each st across.
  • Rows 5-7: Repeat Row 4, 3 times.
  • Row 8: Repeat Row 3 once. (9 sts)
  • Rows 9-15: Repeat Row 4, 7 times.
  • Row 16: Turn, ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, pm1 in first of 2 sts just worked, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, pm2 in second of 2 sts just worked, sc in next 2 sts. (9 sts)
  • Row 17: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and each st across to marked st, 2 sc in marked st, move up marker to first of 2 sts just worked, sc in next st and each st across to marked st, 2 sc in marked st, move up marker to second of 2 sts just worked, sc in next st and each st across. (Increases by 2 sts/11 sts)
  • Row 18: Repeat Row 17 once. (13 sts)
  • Row 19: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and each st across, moving up markers to the same position in this row.
  • Row 20: Repeat Row 19 once.
  • Rows 21-23: Repeat Row 17, 3 times. (15 sts/17 sts/19 sts)
  • Rows 24-27: Remove markers. Repeat Row 4, 4 times.
  • Row 28: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog in first 2 sts, sc in next st and each st across to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (Decreases by 2 sts/17 sts)
  • Rows 29-30: Repeat Row 4 twice.
  • Row 31: Repeat Row 28 once. (15 sts)
  • Rows 32-33: Repeat Row 4 twice.
  • Rows 34-36: Repeat Row 28, 3 times once. (13 sts/11 sts/9 sts)
  • Rows 37-40: Repeat Row 4, 4 times.
  • Row 41: Repeat Row 28 once. (7 sts)
  • Rows 42-45: Repeat Row 4, 4 times.
  • Edging Round: (Right Side) Turn, ch 1, working along side of project (see Pattern Notes) sc in side of next 45 rows, turn, 2 sc in foundation chain, turn, sc in side of next 45 rows, join with sl st to first sc, fasten off CB with long yarn tail (approximately 24″/61 cm) for seaming. (99 sts)

Join Body

  • Position Underside and Top of Body with wrong sides together and right sides facing out. Thread yarn needle with CB from Top of Body.
  • Seam with whipstitch (see Pattern Notes) starting along long, curved edge and working towards tail. Continue around tail and begin seaming on other long, curved edge. Stuff Body with fiber filling as you work.
  • Continue to work seam along second long edge and stuff firmly. Do not seam top edge (neck area). Weave in yarn tails on inside of Body.

Eyes (Make 2)

  • Ch 4, skip 3 ch, join with sl st to next ch to form ring.
  • Rnd 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, place marker in last st to mark position. (6 sts)
  • Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
  • Position safety eye in ring. Attach firmly by securing washer on back.
  • Rnd 3: SlstBL in each st around.
  • Rnd 5: InvdecBL around. (6 sts).
  • Fasten off with long yarn tail (approximately 12”/30.5 cm) for seaming. Thread yarn needle with long yarn tail.
  • Working through both layers, seam back of Eye closed whipstitch join (see Pattern Notes). You will use this same needle and yarn tail to sew Eyes to Body, so do not trim or fasten off.

Neck

  • Round 1: Join CB with sl st to Underside of Body at Edging Round, ch 1, starting in same st, sc in next 18 sts around (including 7 sts across the final Row of each piece + 2 sts on Edging Round for each piece), pm1 in last st, move marker up each Round to mark position.
  • Round 2: [Invdec, sc in next st] 3 times, sc in next 9 sts. (15 sts)
  • Round 3: Invdec 3 times, sc in next 9 sts, fasten off CB. (12 sts)
  • With yarn needle, weave in yarn tails on inside of Body.

Head

  • With CA and starting at muzzle, ch 3.
  • Round 1: Turn, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch, 3 sc in next ch, turn to work on underside of foundation chain, 2 sc in next ch, pm1 in last st, move marker up each Round to mark position. (6 sts)
  • Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
  • Round 3: Sc in each st around, fasten off CA.
  • Round 4: Join CB with slstBL to any st, ch 1, scBL in same st and each st around, pm1 in last st, move marker up each Round to mark position.
  • Round 5: 2 sc in each of first 6 sts, sc in next 6 sts. (18 sts)
  • Round 6: Sc in each st around.
  • Rounds 7-8: Repeat Round 6 twice, stuff Head firmly.
  • Round 9: [Invdec, sc in next st] 4 times, sc in next 6 sts. (14 sts)
  • Round 10: [Invdec, sc in next st] 3 times, sc in next 5 sts. (11 sts)
  • Thread yarn needle with CB from first Eye, weave in yarn until needle exits at Round 4 below the safety eye. Position Eye near top of Head, approximately 2 rows before current row. With yarn needle, attach Eye to Head with whipstitch seam (see Pattern Notes). With yarn needle, weave in ends on inside of Head. Repeat with second Eye.
  • Round 11: 2 sc in next st, sc in next 10 sts, fasten off CB with long yarn tail (approximately 12″/30.5 cm) for seaming. (12 sts)
  • Stuff Head and Neck firmly. Thread yarn needle with CB from Head. Seam Head to Neck with whipstitch seam (see Pattern Notes). With yarn needle, weave in ends on inside of Body.

Flippers (Make 4)

  • With CA, ch 4, skip 3 ch, join with sl st to next ch to form ring.
  • Round 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, pm1 in last st, move up each Round to mark position. (6 sts)
  • Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
  • Round 3: [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] around. (18 sts)
  • Do not fasten off.
  • Fold over Flipper at center diameter.
  • Next Row: Ch 1, working through both layers, join with single crochet (see Pattern Notes) by working sc in next 9 sts across curved edge. (9 sts)
  • Next Row: (Wrong Side) Turn, ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, bob in next st, sc in next 3 sts, bob in next st, sc in next 2 sts. Fasten off CA with long yarn tail (approximately 12″/30.5 cm long) for seaming.
  • Thread yarn needle with CA from first Flipper. Weave yarn tail to ring from foundation chain.
  • With yarn needle, seam Flippers to Body using whipstitch seam (see Pattern Notes) as follows. Position first upper Flipper with wrong side facing down at approximately the fourth row below the neck. Seam across ring. Weave in yarn tail on inside of Body. Repeat with second upper Flipper at opposite side of same Row. Position first lower Flipper with wrong side facing down at approximately the fourth row above the tail. Seam across ring. Weave in yarn tail on inside of Body. Repeat with second lower Flipper at opposite side of same Row.
  • With yarn needle, weave in all remaining yarn tails on inside of Body.
© 2025 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: https://undergroundcrafter.com/2025/05/28/little-lake-crochet-monster-pattern/. Thanks for supporting indie designers!

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