Few amigurumi projects capture hearts faster than a squishy, huggable monkey made from rich velvet chenille blanket yarn. With its warm caramel limbs, classic cream muzzle, and playful seated posture, this chunky crochet monkey plushie is the ultimate handmade keepsake. Whether you are building an amigurumi safari collection, crafting a nursery baby shower gift, or simply treating yourself to a cozy weekend make, this free comprehensive pattern walks you through every single stitch from ears to tail.
🧶 What Makes This Pattern Special: Unlike standard amigurumi worked with thin acrylic or stiff cotton, this plush monkey is designed specifically for chunky super bulky (#6) chenille blanket yarn. The head features an ingenious one-piece color-change muzzle, the neck utilizes an expandable disc flange that anchors the head securely without wobbling, and the limbs require minimal sewing!
1. Materials & Notions Checklist
Before casting on, gather all necessary supplies. Working with plush chenille blanket yarn requires a slightly smaller crochet hook than the ball band recommends to keep your stitches compact and prevent polyester fiberfill stuffing from peeking through.
- Body Yarn: ~150g (approx. 1 full skein) of Super Bulky #6 Chenille Blanket Yarn in Caramel Brown (such as Premier Basix Chenille or Bernat Blanket).
- Muzzle Yarn: ~30g of Super Bulky #6 Chenille in Winter White / Cream.
- Nose Embroidery: 1 yard of worsted weight acrylic or cotton yarn in deep brown.
- Crochet Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7) ergonomic aluminum hook.
- Safety Eyes: One pair of 15 mm black plastic safety eyes with locking backing washers.
- Stuffing: Premium hypoallergenic polyester fiberfill.
- Tools: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, and sharp craft scissors.
2. Abbreviations & Stitch Glossary (US Terms)
This pattern is worked in continuous spirals without joining rounds unless noted.
- MR: Magic Ring (or ch-2 method).
- SC: Single Crochet.
- INC: Single Crochet Increase (2 sc in the same stitch).
- INV DEC: Invisible Decrease (single crochet 2 stitches together through Front Loops Only).
- FLO: Front Loops Only.
- ST / STS: Stitch / Stitches.
- FO: Fasten Off.
- (N): Total stitch count at the end of the round.
3. Step-by-Step Round-by-Round Pattern
Part 1: The Head & Integrated Muzzle (White to Caramel)
Start with Winter White chenille yarn to form the muzzle.
Switch to Caramel Brown yarn on the final yarn-over of the last stitch in Rnd 6.
📍 Safety Eye Placement: Insert 15 mm safety eyes between Rounds 5 and 6. Use the 8 increases of Round 6 to center them evenly over the white muzzle. Space the eyes approximately 6 stitches apart. Secure with safety washers inside.
Begin stuffing the head firmly. Push stuffing outwards into the cheeks to shape the muzzle.
FO, cut yarn leaving an 8-inch tail. Thread needle through the front loops of all 8 stitches, pull tightly to close the opening, and knot securely inside.
Step-by-Step Eye Sculpting Tutorial
To give the monkey its signature soulful, sweet expression, follow these 6 photo steps to indent the eye sockets before sewing the nose and ears:
- Step 1 (Top Left): Stuffed head before indentation, resting on your work tray.
- Step 2 (Top Middle): Thread a long needle with white chenille yarn and insert it through the bottom neck hole.
- Step 3 (Top Right): Bring needle out right beside the inner corner of the safety eye.
- Step 4 (Bottom Left): Pass needle underneath the rim of the eye and re-insert into the head, exiting back at the bottom neck base.
- Step 5 (Bottom Middle): Take both ends of the yarn at the neck base and pull firmly to sink the eye socket inward into the plush fabric. Tie a secure double knot.
- Step 6 (Bottom Right): Repeat for the second eye. The face now has beautifully defined cheeks and sunken, endearing eyes!
Embroidering the Bar Nose
Using your strand of worsted weight dark brown yarn, find Round 3 on the white muzzle directly between the eyes. Stitch a clean, horizontal bar across 4 to 5 stitches. Pass through the same line 3 to 4 times to build a solid, raised velvet nose bar. Fasten off and hide ends inside the head.
Part 2: Semicircular Ears (Make 2)
Using Caramel Brown yarn. Ears are worked flat in turned rows.
FO, leaving a 10-inch tail for sewing. Sew to the sides of the head at Round 8, with the top of the ear level with the top of the safety eyes.
Part 3: Chubby Body & Flat Neck Disc Flange
Using Caramel Brown yarn. Worked from the bottom base up toward the neck.
Stuff the body firmly with fiberfill, ensuring the belly and hips are nicely rounded.
⚡ The Flat Neck Flange:
Fasten off leaving a 16-inch tail for attachment. This flat circular disc sits flush against the bottom of the monkey’s head, supporting it securely without wobbling!
Part 4: Floppy Arms (Make 2)
Using Caramel Brown yarn.
Stuff only the hand area lightly with stuffing. Leave the rest of the arm unstuffed so it stays delightfully floppy. Press the top opening flat and whipstitch closed. Sew both arms to the sides of the body between Rounds 13 and 14.
Part 5: Chunky Seated Feet & Legs (Make 2)
Using Caramel Brown yarn.
Stuff the foot portion firmly with stuffing. Leave the upper leg flat and unstuffed.
FO, leaving a long tail. Flatten the top opening facing forward and sew to the lower front of the body at Round 4, spacing them about 4 stitches apart.
Part 6: Long Curled Tail
Using Caramel Brown yarn.
Do not stuff the tail. FO leaving an 8-inch tail. Attach centered on the lower back of the body between Rounds 5 and 6.
4. Assembly & Placement Reference Guide
To ensure your monkey sits upright effortlessly on shelves without toppling backward or sideways, reference these underside and back placement photos:
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