The egg is the basic form for many of the Amigurumi figures. This free crochet egg pattern is for a plain egg that can be used for bodies, heads, and even entire Amigurumi pieces – it is the cornerstone of Amigurumi crochet.
I used Caron’s Simply Soft for the egg shown here. I like the slight shininess and the sharp bold colors of this yarn; however, Simply Soft can be difficult to work with as it has a tendency to split. If you are a new crocheter, you might want to use a generic 4-ply acrylic like Red Heart and switch to Simply Soft when you get more practice.
While the egg pattern is given in rounds, remember that Amigurumi crochet is worked in spirals. To crochet in a spiral, simply continue your stitches from round to round without joining. Crocheting in spirals is much easier and doesn’t have a noticeable join like working with true rows can. I’ve referred to rows here simply to make it easier to count. It will be much easier if you mark the beginning of each round with a stitch marker or a bit of contrasting colored yarn.
After you get the hang of this, you’ll find you don’t need to count anymore and can shape your crochet egg as you go to make it bigger, smaller, taller, fatter, etc.
Crochet Stitches Used:
yo = yarn over the hook (done before every stitch)
Single Crochet: Insert hook, yo, pull through leaving two loops on the crochet hook. Yo and pull through the two loops leaving one loop remaining on the crochet hook.
Increase: Make two single crochet in a single stitch in the prevous row.
Decrease: Insert hook into stitch to be decreased. Yo, pull through leaving two loops on the crochet hook. Insert hook into next stitch, yo and pull through both loops on the crochet hook leaving one stitch on the hook. To keep from making a gap, pull the loop tight on the hook before making the next double crochet and fold your work a bit to close the space between the stitches.
Free Amigurumi Egg Pattern
Crochet Egg Row 1: Using the magic circle or another method, form a ring with 6 single crochet. (6 stitches total)
Crochet Egg Row 2: 2 single crochet in each stitch (12)
Crochet Egg Row 3: 2 sc in each (24)
Crochet Egg Row 4: 1 sc in each (24)
Crochet Egg Row 5: 1 sc in each, decreasing in stitches #2 and #13 (22)
Crochet Egg Row 6: 1 sc in each around, decreasing in stitches #8 and #16 (20)
Crochet Egg Row 7: 1 sc in each (20)
Crochet Egg Row 8: 1 sc in each around, decreasing in #3 and #11 (18)
Crochet Egg Row 9: 1sc, 1sc, decrease around (14) – last stitch will not be a decrease
Crochet Egg Row 10: 1 sc, decrease unbtil only 8 stitches are left
Stuff hard using small tufts of stuffing at a time. If you use a big piece it will make your egg lumpy. When to stuff your amigurumi is a matter of preference. (see Amigurumi Tips)
Crochet Egg Row 11: 1sc, decrease, 1sc, decrease (6)
Crochet Egg – Finishing
Insert crochet hook into next stitch, yo, and pull through the stitch and all the way through the loop on the hook to end.
Tuck a bit more stuffing in to fill your egg.
Insert hook through a stitch on the opposite side from the outside of the egg to the inside. Grab the yarn end with your crochet hook and pull it through the stitch then pull on the end to close the opening. Turn your egg to the other side, insert hook through a stitch and pull the yarn end through and pull on the end to close the opening. Insert your hook one more time on the opposite site (there shouldn’t be a noticeable stitch at this point) and pull the yarn end through. Finish by sliding as much of the tail into the egg and cutting the end. Tuck the cut end into the egg.
You can crochet down to two stitches, but I’ve found ‘sewing’ the opening shut makes a much smoother and rounded end.
Amigurumi Tips
When it comes to stuffing any crochet item, it is often a matter of preference when the stuffing is added. There are pros and cons to each.
While you are still crocheting the piece – fuzz can get caught in your stitches and it might make it tougher to make tight decreases.
When most of the crochet piece is done – it’s a bit harder to stuff and you lose a little bit of support the stuffing could give while you are making the crochet piece.
I’ve found the smaller the crochet piece the later I stuff and the bigger the piece the earlier and more often I stuff. You will find yourself developing your own method as you make more Amigurumi and other stuffed crochet projects.
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