Free pattern · Christmas · 2026-10-29

Mini Crab Crochet Pattern Free: Christmas Amigurumi Ornament

Quick answer: A small round red crab with two little flat red pincer claws on its sides, tiny black embroidered eyes and a small green bow on its chest, with a hanging loop at the top. About 9 cm finished, Worsted weight yarn, a 3.5-4.0 mm hook, beginner level, about 1-2 hours. Free with a Craftuary account.

A small round red crab with two little flat red pincer claws on its sides, tiny black embroidered eyes and a small green bow on its chest, with a hanging loop at the top. This is a quick, beginner-friendly Christmas crochet pattern: 3 pieces worked in spiral rounds of single crochet, about 9 cm when it's finished. It's free with a Craftuary account.

Finished size	about 9 cm
Yarn	Worsted weight
Hook	3.5-4.0 mm
Level	Beginner
Time	about 1-2 hours
Rounds	22, each with its stitch count
Price	Free

Jump to the pattern Printable PDF (free) Save it on Pinterest

New to crochet? Learn the stitches step by step in Crochet 101, the free Craftuary Academy course (10 short video lessons, each with a practice pattern).

What you need

Worsted weight (CYC 4). A (red) about 25 yd (23 m), D (green) about 5 yd (5 m); C (black) small amount
Hook: 3.5-4.0 mm
Stuffing, a stitch marker and a yarn needle

Shop the supplies

Worsted weight yarn 3.5 mm crochet hook Fiberfill stuffing Stitch markers Yarn needles Worsted yarn at LoveCrafts

As an Amazon Associate and a LoveCrafts affiliate, Craftuary earns from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and helps keep the free patterns free.

What you'll make

3 pieces (Body, Claw, Bow), 22 rounds in all, every round with its stitch count written at the end so you can check as you go.

Little Christmas Crab crochet amigurumi close up

Tips

Work in continuous spiral rounds and move your stitch marker up every round.
Count your stitches at the end of each round; the number in brackets is what you should have.
Use a hook a size smaller than your yarn label suggests, so the stuffing doesn't show.
These make lovely gift toppers and tree ornaments; add a hanging loop before you sew the last piece.

The free pattern

US crochet terms. The number at the end of each round is how many stitches you should have.

Size: about 9 cm (3.5 in) tall in worsted yarn (approximate; it depends on your tension)

Yarn: Worsted weight (CYC 4). A (red) about 25 yd (23 m), D (green) about 5 yd (5 m); C (black) small amount

Hook: 3.5-4.0 mm (smaller than the yarn label, for a tight fabric with no stuffing showing)

Notions: a little yarn for the embroidered details, fiberfill stuffing, stitch marker, yarn needle

ABBREVIATIONS (US terms): MR magic ring, sc single crochet, inc 2 sc in one stitch, dec single crochet 2 together (invisible decrease recommended), st(s) stitch(es), sl st slip stitch, FO fasten off, Rnd(s) round(s)

Notes: Worked in continuous spiral rounds; move your stitch marker up each round. The number in brackets is the stitch count at the end of the round.

Body (make 1, colour A), about 6.7 cm (2.7 in) across at its widest

Rnd 1 6 sc in MR 6
Rnd 2 inc in each st around 12
Rnd 3 (sc, inc) x 6 18
Rnd 4 (sc 2, inc) x 6 24
Rnd 5 sc, inc, (sc 3, inc) x 5, sc 2 30
Rnd 6 (sc 4, inc) x 6 36
Rnds 7-10 sc in each st around 36
Rnd 11 (sc 4, dec) x 6 30
Rnd 12 sc, dec, (sc 3, dec) x 5, sc 2 24
Rnd 13 (sc 2, dec) x 6 18

Stuff firmly, and keep stuffing as you close.

Rnd 14 (sc, dec) x 6 12
Rnd 15 dec in each st around 6

FO, weave the tail through the front loops of the last 6 stitches and pull closed.

Claw (make 2, colour A), about 2.2 cm (0.9 in) across at its widest

Rnd 1 6 sc in MR 6
Rnd 2 inc in each st around 12
Rnds 3-5 sc in each st around 12

FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Bow (make 1, colour D), about 2.2 cm (0.9 in) across at its widest

Rnd 1 6 sc in MR 6
Rnd 2 inc in each st around 12

Sl st in the next st to finish. FO, leaving a long tail.

Assembly

Flatten each Claw (do not stuff) and sew its open end closed. Then, with colour A, take one tight stitch across the middle of the rounded tip, from the edge about 3 stitches in, and pull it snug, so the tip parts into two pincers.
Sew the claws to the body between Rnds 11 and 13. One on each side, flat against the body, angled up and out.
Embroider the tiny eyes on the body at Rnd 6 with colour C.
Sew the bow to the body between Rnds 9 and 10. Centred on the front, below the eyes, pinched in the middle.
Thread a length of colour A through the top of the body and tie it into a hanging loop.
Weave in all ends.

Want it on paper, or with pictures of every stage?

Free account: the printable PDF in US Letter and A4. Premium: a 3D build video of every round and a step-by-step picture guide.

Get the printable PDF free What premium adds →

Premium Edition · $4.99

See every round of the Little Christmas Crab built in 3D

Pause, turn and step through it while you crochet
All 486 stitches, 4 pieces, and how they join
Finished size shown: about 6.5 cm

The photo shows the finished toy. The 3D is a step-by-step guide that shows where each stitch goes, so it looks simpler and blockier than real yarn.

Get it for $4.99 Watch the free preview

All 64 Christmas editions for $9.99, that's $0.16 each.

Included with Pro Annual. The pattern below stays free.

Questions

Is the Little Christmas Crab crochet pattern free?

Yes. The Little Christmas Crab pattern is free with a Craftuary account, as a US Letter and an A4 PDF.

What yarn and hook do I need for the Little Christmas Crab?

Worsted weight yarn and a 3.5-4.0 mm hook, plus stuffing, a stitch marker and a yarn needle.

How big is the crochet little christmas crab?

About 9 cm, depending on your yarn and tension.

Is the Little Christmas Crab pattern good for beginners?

Yes. It uses single crochet, increases and decreases in spiral rounds, and every round ends with its stitch count so you can check as you go. Most makers finish it in about 1-2 hours.

Get it

The whole pattern is above, free to read. The printable PDF (US Letter and A4) is free with a Craftuary account. Premium members also get the 3D build video and a step-by-step picture guide.

Get the free pattern

The pictures are previews; your finished piece will vary with your yarn and tension.

Free Christmas crochet patterns Free amigurumi patterns: crochet toys and ornaments Easy crochet patterns and ideas for beginners Free crochet patterns: amigurumi, ornaments and toys

Free guides: How to crochet · Crochet stitches · How to crochet in the round · Crochet pattern maker · How to crochet a scarf · How to crochet a beanie · Crochet waffle stitch · How to change colors in crochet · How to double crochet (dc) · How to half double crochet (hdc) · Single crochet vs double crochet · How to attach safety eyes to crochet amigurumi · How to fasten off crochet and weave in the ends · Front post double crochet (FPdc) · How to slip stitch crochet (sl st)