Moths never get the attention butterflies do, and honestly, that is part of their charm. They are softer, stranger and a little bit gothic, with fuzzy bodies, feathery antennae and wings in colours no butterfly would dare — dusty rose, candy corn, ghostly green and midnight black. When I started looking for crochet moth ideas, I expected a handful of plush toys and not much else, but the moth corner of the crochet world turned out to be wonderfully deep, from pocket-sized minis and flat appliqués to a full C2C afghan, a bandanna and even an open-back top with a luna moth spread across it.
So here are twenty of my favourite moth designs, all genuinely free and all properly moth-shaped: cuddly plushies in chenille and chunky yarn, delicate appliqués for blankets and bags, two very different takes on the rosy maple moth, a trio of death's-head designs for the spooky season, and a couple of folklore fellows for good measure. I have noted the yarn, the size and the honest little details for each one as we go. Pick your favourite, wind up a skein, and let's make something that flies a little differently.
1. Mimuu Moth, the Plush Antennae Charmer
We are starting with the sweetest little creature on this list: the Mimuu Moth from Sweet Softies, an original character with two plush antennae, a pair of soft wings and a fur-yarn body that looks made for hugging. The pattern is written in simple rounds with a fur yarn body and plush yarn head, so it works up relatively fast and makes a lovely first amigurumi if you are still building confidence. The wings are small and rounded rather than dramatic, which gives the finished moth a gentle, sleepy look that suits a nursery shelf or a bedside table. Make it in cream and blush for a soft nursery feel, or go bold with a deep plum body and golden wings. It is the kind of make that earns compliments from everyone who picks it up.
Pattern: Mimuu Moth by Sweet Softies — Get the free pattern
2. A No-Sew Moth in Soft Chenille
If sewing pieces together is the part of amigurumi you dread, the No-Sew Moth from Yarn Toy Studio was designed for you. The head and body are crocheted as one piece, the little arms and legs are integrated as you work, the antennae are crocheted directly onto the head, and the four large wings are worked in turning rows straight from the back of the body, so there is almost nothing to attach at the end. It is worked in super bulky chenille yarn in cream, pastel green and powder pink, with a 4.5 to 5.0 mm hook, and finishes around seven to nine inches tall. The bobble arms and feet give it a cheerful, slightly chunky personality, and the pink-and-cream antennae are the detail that makes people smile. This is a wonderful weekend make and a great market-stall piece too.
Pattern: No-Sew Moth by Yarn Toy Studio — Get the free pattern
3. Candi the Candy Corn Moth
Here is a moth with a story: Georgina Kyllo designed Candi the Candy Corn Moth for her granddaughter Nova, who loves candy corn, and the little plush is shaped exactly like its namesake sweet, with a striped yellow, mango and white body and dark wings. The full pattern is free on her Substack, written in continuous rounds with just chain and single crochet stitches, so even a newer crocheter can follow it happily. Each candy corn measures about five inches in Premier Parfait Chunky yarn with a 5 mm hook and 12 mm safety eyes, which makes it a perfect pocket-sized gift or Halloween treat. The designer also sells an ad-free PDF of the same pattern on Ravelry for five dollars, but the complete written version on her blog costs nothing. Make a whole candy-corn family in different stripe orders and they look adorable lined up on a mantel.
Pattern: Candi the Candy Corn Moth by Georgina Kyllo — Get the free pattern
4. Rose Maple Moth in Extra-Bulky Yarn
The rosy maple moth is one of nature's prettiest insects — pink and yellow like a sunset — and the Rose Maple Moth from Red Agape Blog captures it in gloriously squishy extra-bulky yarn. The full pattern is free on the blog, worked in Premier Parfait Chunky with a 4 mm hook, which gives the finished moth a dense, cuddly feel and a satisfyingly quick finish. The pink and yellow colouring does all the decorative work for you, so even a simple body-and-wings construction looks striking on a shelf. This is the moth to make if you love chunky yarn and instant gratification, and it pairs beautifully with the wire-supported rosy maple moth at the end of this list if you fancy a matching pair. Try it in the classic pink and butter yellow first, then experiment with lilac and cream.
Pattern: Rose Maple Moth by Red Agape Blog — Get the free pattern
5. Luna Moth Plush With Wire Antennae
Stella Taubenheim's Luna Moth at Stella's Yarn Universe is the real deal for luna lovers: a proper three-dimensional luna moth with a soft body, broad forewings, elegant tailed hind wings, embroidered details and wire antennae and legs that hold their shape. The complete written pattern is free on her website, with full instructions for the body, both wing pairs, embroidery and assembly, and an ad-free PDF is sold on Etsy and Ravelry for makers who prefer a printable copy. The pale green and white colouring with its little eyespots is instantly recognisable, and the wire details lift it from cute plush to something that looks almost like a specimen. Display it pinned to a board, perched on a bookshelf or hanging in a hoop, and it will stop guests mid-sentence. This one is worth every round.
Pattern: Luna Moth by Stella Taubenheim at Stella’s Yarn Universe — Get the free pattern
6. Luna Moth Appliqué for Blankets and Bags
Not every moth needs to be three-dimensional, and Tiffany Bliss's Luna Moth Appliqué proves how lovely a flat moth can be. The free pattern gives you a winged appliqué worked from a small chain body with knotted yarn antennae, purple embroidery and little eyespots, sized to sit prettily on a blanket corner, a tote bag, a cushion or a child's cardigan. Appliqués are wonderfully forgiving projects: they use up scraps, finish in an evening and instantly personalise anything plain. Sew this luna onto a denim jacket pocket or scatter a few across a baby blanket in different greens and lavenders. If you have never tried appliqué before, this is a gentle, charming place to start, and the finished moth has all the luna magic with none of the assembly fuss.
Pattern: Luna Moth Appliqué by Tiffany Bliss — Get the free pattern
7. Molly the Moth, the Ribblr Favourite
Molly the Moth by CloverCrafts is one of those patterns the crochet community has clearly taken to heart, with dozens of makers sharing their finished moths and nearly all of them recommending it. It is a free interactive ePattern on Ribblr, which means you follow it row by row in the app with stitch tutorials, progress tracking and automatic US and UK term switching, and you will need a free Ribblr account to use it. The moth itself is an intermediate amigurumi with a wing colour, a body colour and accent colours for the mouth, legs, wings and antennae, finished with safety eyes and stuffing. The intermediate rating comes from the colour changes and shaping rather than anything scary, so a confident beginner who has made one amigurumi before will manage it happily. Molly looks wonderful in dusty pastels, but a monochrome version in black and cream is strikingly elegant.
Pattern: Molly the Moth by CloverCrafts — Get the free pattern
8. Little Moth, the Beginner Pocket Pal
Sometimes you just want a tiny moth, and the Little Moth by One more stitch is exactly that: a beginner-friendly pocket moth offered as a free interactive ePattern on Ribblr. Because it is rated for beginners, the shaping stays simple and the whole thing comes together quickly, which makes it a perfect first moth, a stash-buster or a little gift to tuck into a card. You will need a free Ribblr account to follow the interactive version, with its row-by-row tracking and built-in stitch videos doing much of the hand-holding for you. Make it in a single soft colour for a minimalist look, or give it contrasting wings and a darker body for more character. A basket of these in different shades makes the sweetest spring display, and children love carrying one in a pocket.
Pattern: Little Moth by One more stitch — Get the free pattern
9. Baby Moth, Low-Sew and Pocket-Sized
The Baby Moth by bobacat._.123 is another Ribblr freebie, and its selling point is right in the name: it is low-sew, with only the wings needing to be sewn on, so you spend your time crocheting instead of assembling. It is a free interactive ePattern on Ribblr, so a free Ribblr account unlocks the row-by-row instructions, and makers rate it highly for ease, with every reviewer recommending it. The little moth takes a body colour, a wings colour, a detail colour for antennae, feet and wing markings, plus 6 mm safety eyes, a 3 mm hook and a little stuffing. Its small size makes it ideal for keychains, bag charms and party favours, and it works up fast enough to make a whole flutter of them in a weekend. Try a cream body with dusty rose wings for a soft look, or go full rainbow across a set.
Pattern: Baby Moth by bobacat._.123 — Get the free pattern
10. A Tiny Moth Applique for Scrap Yarn
Dani West's Moth Applique is the smallest moth on this list at just five and a half by four centimetres, and that tininess is its superpower. It is a free Ravelry download, worked with a 5 mm hook, and the pattern includes a video alongside the PDF, so you can watch any tricky step as well as read it. A moth this small is perfect for decorating greeting cards, scrapbook pages, hair clips, gift wrap and the corners of larger blankets, and because it uses only a few metres of yarn, it is the ultimate scrap-buster. Make a dozen in a rainbow of colours and scatter them over a plain cushion cover, or stitch one onto a plain pouch for an instant upgrade. Quick, cute and endlessly useful — every crocheter needs a tiny appliqué like this in their repertoire.
Pattern: Moth Applique by Dani West — Get the free pattern
11. Death's Head Hawk Moth Amigurumi
Now we turn to the darker side of the moth world, and PatternObsession's Death's Head Hawk Moth is a magnificent place to start. This is a full amigurumi set rather than a single toy: the free pattern on the blog includes a caterpillar, a removable wing suit and a little skull hat, so one project gives you a whole spooky display. It takes around five to seven hours to complete, which makes it a satisfying Halloween weekend project rather than a quick evening make, and the skull detail on the thorax is what makes the death's-head so recognisable. Style it in browns and creams for a natural-history look, or go full gothic with black wings and a bone-white skull. It is a brilliant shelf piece for October, and a talking point all year round.
Pattern: Death’s Head Hawk Moth by PatternObsession — Get the free pattern
12. Death Head Moth and Skulls C2C Afghan
If you would rather sleep under your moth than cuddle it, Ariana Wimsett's Death Head Moth and Skulls afghan at Magic Yarn Pixels is the answer. This one works a little differently from the rest of the list: the free download is the C2C chart with its legend, a grid of one hundred by eighty squares, while the written row-by-row instructions are sold separately on Etsy and Patreon. Corner-to-corner crochet is wonderfully rhythmic once you learn the rhythm, and a big graphic moth-and-skulls panel makes a dramatic throw for a sofa or bed. Work it in high-contrast black and cream for maximum drama, or soften it with charcoal and dusty mauve. It is the boldest piece in this collection, and the one most likely to make guests ask where on earth you found it.
Pattern: Death Head Moth and Skulls C2C by Ariana Wimsett at Magic Yarn Pixels — Get the free pattern
13. Death's-Head Hawkmoth Video Tutorial
Some makers learn better by watching than by reading, and ComplicatedKnots' Death's-head Hawkmoth video tutorial is the video entry on this list. The free tutorial walks you through the hawkmoth step by step on video, which is a blessing for the fiddly parts like wing shaping and antenna placement that can be hard to picture from text alone. The written version of this maker's patterns lives on her Patreon, but the video itself is the free way in, and it is a great choice if you like to crochet along with someone. Pause, rewind, replay the tricky round as many times as you need — nobody is judging your pace. Make it in realistic browns for a natural look, or in deep burgundy and black for a moodier Halloween moth.
Pattern: Death’s-head Hawkmoth (Video Tutorial) by ComplicatedKnots — Get the free pattern
14. Celeste the Psychedelic Moth Ragdoll
Celeste the Psychedelic Moth Ragdoll by Mersadie Sheppard is the most gloriously colourful moth on this list, and its construction is unusual too. It is a free Ravelry download worked in the ragdoll style, where two flat panels are single-crocheted together, with two strands of yarn held together throughout and a mix of 10 mm and 5 mm hooks. The ragdoll method gives a flatter, more graphic moth than a round amigurumi, which suits the psychedelic colourwork beautifully — think swirling brights and bold wing patterns rather than realistic insect colours. It is a fantastic stash-buster for oddments of bright yarn, and it hangs beautifully on a wall or a door handle. If your taste runs to rainbow brights and retro vibes, Celeste is your moth.
Pattern: Celeste the Psychedelic Moth Ragdoll by Mersadie Sheppard — Get the free pattern
15. Alien Love Bug, the Oversized Green Moth
Robyn Musto's Alien Love Bug is described by its maker as an oversized crochet moth, and the name fits: a vibrant green plush body, large pink wings and matching antennae, worked in super bulky yarn with a 5 mm hook. It is a free Ravelry download, published in September 2025, and it has already gathered a little fan club of makers who rate it five stars for clarity. The green-and-pink combination is pure fun — it looks like something from a cheerful alien garden — and the super bulky yarn means it grows fast and feels wonderfully squishy. This is the moth to make for a child who loves bugs, or for anyone whose shelves could use a pop of unexpected colour. Pair it with the other plush moths on this list and it steals the show every time.
Pattern: Alien Love Bug by Robyn Musto — Get the free pattern
16. Moth Booty From the Booty Crew
Sarah Townsend's Moth Booty is part of her Booty Crew series, and it is every bit as charming as that name suggests: a plush little moth with a fuzzy body, worked in a mix of bulky and worsted yarn with a 5.5 mm hook, finished with red button-style eyes and glitter safety eyes for sparkle. It is a free Ravelry download, and the pattern's cheerful, slightly cheeky character makes it a brilliant gift for a friend with a sense of humour. The fuzzy yarn does much of the work here, giving the moth a soft, almost furry texture that begs to be picked up. Make it in classic moth browns for a woodland feel, or in bright pink and cream for a Valentine's twist. Small, funny and very huggable — the Booty Crew knows what it is doing.
Pattern: Moth Booty by Sarah Townsend — Get the free pattern
17. Goth Moth Bandanna, a Wearable Moth
Not every moth on this list is a toy, and the Goth Moth Bandanna by The Yarn Yeti is the wearable exception that proves it. This free Ribblr ePattern — free with a free Ribblr account — is a bandanna worked in black and purple with a moth appliqué at its centre, so you wear the moth rather than shelving it. Bandannas are having a real moment as hair accessories, and a gothic moth version feels perfectly timed for autumn, festivals and Halloween outfits. The dark palette keeps it wearable with almost anything, from a plain black top and jeans to a floaty dress, and the moth motif gives it a story that a plain bandanna never has. If you love moths but already own enough plush toys, this is your make.
Pattern: Goth Moth Bandanna by The Yarn Yeti — Get the free pattern
18. Ivory Moth Open-Back Top
The Ivory Moth Open-Back Top by Made With Sally is the most ambitious garment on this list, and the most breathtaking. The free pattern on her blog gives full step-by-step instructions for a top whose back carries a luna moth motif — thorax, upper wings, lower wings with their long luna tails, side panels, neck ties and antennae — worked in ivory with pale sage accents. It comes in six sizes from XS to 2XL and is rated intermediate to advanced, so it is a project to savour rather than rush, and an ad-free PDF is sold for makers who want a printable copy. Worn as part of a complete layered outfit over a camisole with jeans or a long skirt, the moth spanning the open back is pure artistry. This is the piece to make when you want your crochet to be the outfit, not just an accessory.
Pattern: Ivory Moth Open-Back Top by Made With Sally — Get the free pattern
19. Mothman Amigurumi, the Folklore Fellow
A quick honest note before this one: Mothman is not a real moth species, but the famous folklore cryptid of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and EmberMischief's Mothman Amigurumi captures him as a cute, huggable plush rather than a creature of nightmares. It is a free interactive ePattern on Ribblr — free with a free Ribblr account — worked in worsted weight yarn with a 3.5 mm hook, with big wings, glowing-style eyes and a shape that is equal parts spooky and sweet. Folklore fans will love him for Halloween displays, cryptid collections and bookshelf guardians, and he makes a brilliant conversation piece for anyone who loves a good legend. Keep him in classic black and grey with red eyes for the traditional look, or try a pastel version for a gentler cryptid. Either way, he watches over your yarn stash with great dedication.
Pattern: Mothman Amigurumi by EmberMischief — Get the free pattern
20. Rosy Maple Moth With Wire-Supported Wings
We are finishing where we started, with a second rosy maple moth — but Abi's crafty corner's version is a very different beast from the chunky one at number four. This free Ribblr ePattern, free with a free Ribblr account, builds its moth around thin crafting wire threaded through the antennae, wings and legs, so the finished moth can hold itself up and pose its wings instead of flopping. The pattern uses seven shades — light, medium and deep yellow, brown, light pink, bright pink and cream — and makers rate it five stars, with several finished moths shared in journals. The wire technique is the real lesson here: once you have tried it on a moth, you will want to use it on butterflies, dragonflies and fairies too. Make this one in the classic rosy maple palette and display it standing proud, wings spread, like the little sunset it is.
Pattern: Rosy Maple Moth by Abi’s crafty corner — Get the free pattern
Conclusion
And that is twenty moths, my friend — plushies in chenille, chunky and fur yarn, two luna designs, two rosy maples, a death's-head trio, a C2C afghan, a video tutorial, a ragdoll, a bandanna, an open-back top and one very watchful cryptid. If you are new to amigurumi, start with the Little Moth, the Baby Moth or the no-sew design; if you want a showpiece, the Stella luna, the Ivory top or the C2C afghan are calling your name. Whichever you choose, remember the moth-maker's golden rule: the wings are the whole story, so take your time on them and let the colours sing.
Now tell me — are you team cuddly plush moth or team dramatic death's-head moth, and which of these twenty is going on your hook first? I read every comment, and I cannot wait to see your makes!
