If you want to purchase an ad-free PDF version of this pattern, you can find it HERE on etsy or HERE on ravelry. The PDF is a two-in-one, so it can also make an adorable keychain! You can find the keychain version of the pattern in this other post: Dinosaur Keychain.
When I first started to crochet, I found the best projects were the ones I could finish quickly. When you’re starting out learning to crochet it can be hard to keep up the motivation to finish bigger projects.
That’s what makes this pattern perfect for beginners! You can use whatever color yarn you have on hand to make a sweet little dinosaur rather quickly. (And if you’re more experienced you can whip it up in less than an hour!)
I love how this dinosaur fits in the palm of your hand – the size is perfect for a desk buddy or to fit in a child’s hand. Either way I’m sure you’ll love this little buddy!
NOTE: If you are wanting to sell finished products you’re welcome to, just make sure you link back to my pattern here and credit me with the design. Thank you!
Abbreviations
- Sc – single crochet
- Inc – increase
- Dec – decrease
- FO – Finish off
- Rnd – round
- MC – main color you’re working with
- CC – contrasting color (AKA second color) you’re working with
- sts – stitches
Materials
- Size E 3.50mm crochet hook
- Two colors of worsted weight yarn
- 1 pair of 12mm safety eyes
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Stuffing (I use polyester fiberfill)
Head
Begin with MC
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a Magic Ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc in each sc around (12)
Rnd 3: *sc, inc* 6 times (18)
Rnd 4: *sc (2), inc* 6 times (24)
Rnds 5-9: sc 24 each round
If you are using safety eyes, place them in now between rows 7 and 8, with 5 stitches in between them. Snap on the back of the eyes, then begin stuffing the head.
Rnd 10: *sc (2), dec* 6 times (18)
Rnd 11: *sc (1), dec* 6 times (12)
Rnd 12: *dec* 6 times (6)
You should now have 6 sts left. Cut the yarn leaving a tail about 6 inches long. Use a yarn/embroidery needle to thread the tail through the remaining loops. Pull tight to close the hole, similar to closing a drawstring bag. Then weave the tail in back through the head.
Body
Begin with MC
Rnd 1: 7 sc in a Magic Ring (7)
Rnd 2: inc in each sc around (14)
Rnds 3-4: sc 14 each round
Rnd 5: *sc, dec* 4 times, then dec (9)
FO, leaving an 8 inch tail for sewing.
Arms (make 2)
Begin with MC
Rnd 1: 4 sc in a Magic Ring (4)
Rnd 2: dec, sc 2 (3)
Rnd 3: sc 2
Sl st and pull through to finish off, leaving an 8 inch tail for sewing on.
Legs (make 2)
Begin with MC
Rnd 1: 5 sc in a Magic Ring (5)
Rnds 2-3: sc 5 in each rnd
FO leaving an 8 inch tail for sewing on.
Tail
Begin with MC
Rnd 1: 4 sc in a Magic Ring (4)
Rnd 2: inc, sc 3 (5)
Rnd 3: inc, sc 4 (6)
Rnd 4: inc, sc 5 (7)
FO leaving an 8 inch tail for sewing on.
Large Horn
Begin with CC
Rnd 1: 4 sc in a Magic Ring (4)
Rnd 2: inc, sc 3 (5)
Rnd 3: inc, sc 4 (6)
FO leaving an 8 inch tail for sewing on.
Medium Horn (make 2)
Begin with CC
Rnd 1: 4 sc in a Magic Ring (4)
Rnd 2: inc, sc 3 (5)
FO leaving an 8 inch tail for sewing on.
Small Horn (make 2)
Begin with CC
Rnd 1: 3 sc in a Magic Ring (3)
Rnd 2: inc, sc 2 (4)
FO leaving an 8 inch tail for sewing on.
Assembly
First you’ll sew the body to the head. Center the body on the underside of the head, then use the yarn tail you left on the body piece to sew it onto the head.
Next you’ll sew the feet onto the front of the body. Place the feet on the front of the body so that they cover a portion of round 2, all of round 3, and a portion of round 4. This helps ensure the feet are at the base of the body but not too far underneath the dinosaur. (The picture below shows how the feet should look from the front.)
Side Note: With smaller crochet items it’s really easy for woven in tails to come loose. I recommend anchoring pieces together as you go to help reduce the chance of the tails coming out. I made a detailed post explaining how to do that here.
Next you’ll sew the arms on. You’ll want to attach them at the very top of the body right where the body meets the head. The arms are so small it should only take a few stitches. Then anchor the tails from the arms together and weave in the ends.
After that you’ll sew the tail onto the back of the body. Place the tail so it covers rows 2-4 on the center of the back of the body, similarly to how you placed the feet. As you do this, make sure the bottom of the tail covers a lot of row 2 so that it is pulled towards the underside of the body.
Now you’ll start sewing on the horns! Start by taking one of the medium-sized horns and threading your yarn needle with the tail on it. To get the position right, you’ll start by inserting your needle into the stitch on your MR that’s closest to the front of your dino. You’ll also want to make sure it’s centered between the dinosaur’s eyes (see the picture below). Then stitch around the horn, attaching it to the head.
To sew each of the following horns on, start with an initial stitch through the previous one in order to link the horns together. This gives the horns a more continuous, blended look. Start by adding the largest horn just behind the first one you sewed on.
Then behind the large horn sew on the other medium horn, then the two small horns. Anchor the horns to each other and weave in the ends.
And your little crochet dinosaur is complete!
If you made one feel free to post a picture on social media with #lifewithbubbins or tag me on instagram @lifewithbubbins so I can see your lovely creations!
Thanks for following along!
