There is something about a crochet monkey that never fails to make people smile — those round ears, that cheeky little face, the curled tail just begging to be stitched in a spiral. Monkeys are one of my favourite things to crochet because they suit every occasion: a big squishy plush for the sofa, a pocket-sized pal for a keyring, a soft lovey for a new baby, or a classic sock monkey hat for those first photo sessions. They are also wonderfully forgiving projects, because a slightly wonky ear only adds to the charm.
For this roundup I have gathered twenty of my favourite monkey makes, and every single one links to a pattern that is genuinely free. You will find striped one-piece amigurumi, button-jointed mini monkeys, plush chenille sock monkeys with barely any sewing, floppy snugglers and granny-square loveys for babies, two sweet sock monkey hats, and two clever appliqués — including a Tunisian crochet face that is perfect if you fancy trying a new technique. Whether you crochet for your kids, your grandkids, your craft stall or simply for the joy of it, there is a monkey here with your name on it.
1. A Big Rainbow-Striped Monkey You Make Almost in One Piece
If you shy away from amigurumi because of all the fiddly sewing, this cheerful giant is the monkey for you. Apart from the arms, nearly everything — head, body and legs — is crocheted in one continuous piece, so the stripes flow unbroken from his tummy right down his legs. The pattern page even shares a jogless join trick so your colour changes stay neat, and there are separate little sections for the muzzle, the inner-ear patches and that all-important curled tail. Worked in bright bands of red, white, green and blue in the sample, he is a proper statement plush for a child's bedroom. Change the stripe colours to soft pastels and he becomes the sweetest baby-shower gift imaginable.
Pattern: Monkey Amigurumi by Joanne Loh at Craft Passion — Get the free pattern
2. The Classic Brown Monkey With the Big Round Face
This is the monkey most of us picture first: warm brown yarn, a big flat cream face piece and a neat oval muzzle sewn on top, finished with embroidered brows and nostrils that give him a gently surprised expression. The pattern uses worsted weight yarn — about 120 grams of brown — with 12 mm safety eyes, so he works up sturdy and huggable. Because the face pieces are crocheted flat and stitched on at the end, you can rearrange them before sewing to get the expression just right. He is a brilliant first "proper" amigurumi if you have only made simple balls and bunnies before. A timeless design that suits boys and girls alike.
Pattern: Crochet Monkey Amigurumi by The Friendly Red Fox — Get the free pattern
3. Mischief, the Cheeky Monkey With the No-Sew Tail
Ashley Parker named this little fellow Mischief, and one look at his grin tells you why. The body and head are worked as a single piece, and cleverly, the tail is crocheted directly onto the body as you go — which means one less part to sew on and a tail that will never come adrift in the wash. The ears are simple semi-circles and the muzzle is stitched on last, so assembly stays quick and painless. He has a lovely rounded, toddler-friendly shape with no sharp extras, making him a great choice for younger children. Try him in a soft grey-brown with a cream tummy for a modern nursery look.
Pattern: Mischief the Monkey by Ashley Parker at The Loopy Lamb — Get the free pattern
4. A Big, Easy Monkey That Is Perfect for Beginners
Some monkeys are dainty; this one is delightfully chunky. StringyDingDing's big monkey is rated easy, uses worsted yarn with a 4.0 mm hook, and — my favourite detail — the head and nose are worked as one piece, so the face shapes itself without any extra sewing. The proportions are generous and simple, which makes him very forgiving if your stitch count wanders a little. He would look wonderful in a warm caramel with a cream face, or go playful with a mustard body and brown ears. The full pattern is written out free on the page; there is also an optional printable PDF you can buy if you prefer crocheting away from a screen.
Pattern: Big Monkey Amigurumi by StringyDingDing — Get the free pattern
5. A Baby-Zoo Monkey With Almost No Sewing at All
Designed for little ones, this sweet zoo monkey stands about 11 inches tall and is worked in DK yarn with a 2.0 mm hook for a firm, baby-safe fabric. The clever part is the construction: the pieces are joined as you crochet, so there is hardly any sewing at the end — just a tidy monkey that comes together like magic. Colour bands worked into the body give him a dressed, storybook feel without fiddly separate clothes. Embroider the eyes instead of using plastic ones and he is safe for the very youngest babies. The pattern is free on the blog, with an optional ad-free PDF available to buy if you like a printed copy.
Pattern: Monkey Amigurumi by Baby Crochet Designs — Get the free pattern
6. Milo, the Sweet-Faced DK Monkey
Milo is a gentle little soul with a softly rounded head and a cream muzzle that you sew on at the end, once he is stuffed and shaped. He is worked in DK yarn with a 3.5 mm hook and stands about 22 cm tall — just right for small arms to carry around. Cilla walks you through every stage with clear photos, including exactly where to place the safety eyes so he gets that sweet, wide-awake look. His slim arms and legs make him poseable on a shelf between adventures. The written pattern is free on her blog; if you want it without the ads, an optional ad-free PDF with extra assembly photos is sold through her shops.
Pattern: Milo the Monkey by Cilla Richards at Cilla Crochets — Get the free pattern
7. Daikichi, the Caramel Monkey With the Embroidered Nose
Daikichi has a completely different personality from the striped giant at the top of this list: soft caramel tones, deep brown limbs, and a face worked flatter at the front so the embroidered features sit beautifully. The finishing touch is a tiny French-knot nose — such a small detail, but it gives him a thoughtful, storybook expression. Joanne designed him as a companion piece to her crochet cat, and the two look adorable displayed together. Because the colours are muted, Daikichi suits grown-up spaces too — imagine him perched on a craft-room shelf or a reading nook chair. A lovely make for anyone who prefers their amigurumi calm and classic.
Pattern: Daikichi the Monkey by Joanne Loh at Craft Passion — Get the free pattern
8. A Plush Chenille Sock Monkey With Barely Any Sewing
The classic sock monkey gets a luxury upgrade here, worked in soft velvet chenille yarn for the squishiest finish imaginable. Sara's "flip flop" method means most pieces are joined with crochet rather than sewing, so assembly is quick and the joins are strong — ideal for a toy that will be loved hard. He keeps all the traditional touches: heather-grey body, cream face and that famous red mouth. The bulky yarn means he grows fast despite his generous cuddly size. If you have a skein of blanket or velvet yarn waiting for the right project, this is it. He makes a wonderful handmade gift for baby showers and first birthdays.
Pattern: Flip Flop Sock Monkey by Sara at Darling Maple Designs — Get the free pattern
9. A Tiny Flying Sock Monkey, Vest, Hat and Wings Included
Pure whimsy in six and a half inches: a miniature sock monkey dressed in a little vest and hat, with wings on his back ready for storybook adventures. Sharon finishes him with button eyes and includes both written instructions and video help, so you can follow along whichever way you learn best. She also explains the difference between yarn-over and yarn-under stitches and how each changes the finished look — a genuinely useful lesson tucked inside a fun project. He is small enough to hang from a nursery mobile or sit on a bookshelf between the picture books. A charming weekend make for the young at heart.
Pattern: Flying Sock Monkey by Sharon Ojala at Amigurumi To Go — Get the free pattern
10. The Clinging Monkey That Little Hands Can Hold
This beginner-friendly monkey was designed with toddlers in mind: the face is worked directly into the head using colour changes, so there are no separate pieces to sew and no hard parts anywhere. Big round ears frame a simple, friendly expression, and there is deliberately no tail — instead, little hands can grip his rounded body easily, which is exactly why he is known as the clinging monkey. You only need basic stitches and a 4.5 mm hook, making him a confidence-building first amigurumi. He works beautifully as a pram or car-seat companion in soft cotton yarn. If you crochet for grandchildren, expect requests for a whole troop in different colours.
Pattern: Crochet Monkey Pattern by Red Ted Art — Get the free pattern
11. A Pocket-Sized Monkey for Keyrings and Favours
Good things come in small packages, and this palm-sized monkey is the proof. He is a brilliant stash-buster — the face is worked as a soft beige insert, the ears and muzzle details use tiny amounts of contrast yarn, and the expression is finished with French-knot eyes and a wide embroidered smile, so there are no plastic parts to buy. Because he is small, he works up in an evening, which makes him perfect for party favours, stocking fillers or a sweet little keyring for your project bag. Add a loop of chain stitches at the top of his head and he hangs beautifully. Make a handful in different browns and creams for a whole monkey family.
Pattern: Pocket Monkey by Pocket Yarnlings — Get the free pattern
12. Bobo, the Button-Jointed Little Mischief
Bobo's party trick is his button-jointed arms and legs, which means he can sit, wave and strike poses like a proper little character doll. He measures about 14 cm in fine yarn with a 2.0 mm hook, but the pattern notes explain how to scale him up with DK yarn and a bigger hook if you prefer. The instructions are photo-rich and written in US terms, and there is even a suggestion to tie a satin ribbon at his neck for a dressed-up finish. A quick note before you start: you will need a free account on the Amigurumi Today site to read the pattern online — creating one costs nothing, and a printable PDF is also sold in their store if you prefer.
Pattern: Bobo the Monkey by Amigurumi Today — Get the free pattern
13. A Tiny 10 cm Monkey for Bag Charms and Dollhouses
If Bobo caught your eye but you want something even smaller and simpler, this tiny cousin is rated easy and finishes at just 10 cm tall. The head, body and legs are worked in one piece, so only the arms, ears, muzzle and tail need sewing on at the end. The sample uses a smooth cotton-blend yarn with a 2.0 mm hook, which gives that neat, polished finish mini amigurumi needs. Pop a keyring finding through the top and you have the cutest bag charm, or make several as cake toppers for a jungle-themed party. Like the pattern above, it is free to read online once you create a free Amigurumi Today account.
Pattern: Tiny Monkey by Amigurumi Today — Get the free pattern
14. A Floppy Monkey Snuggler in Squishy Blanket Yarn
Part plush, part lovey, the snuggler is the make babies reach for first — and this monkey version, worked in plush chenille blanket yarn, is about 13 inches of pure cuddle. The body is left unstuffed so it flops and drapes like a comfort blanket, while the head is softly filled to keep his sweet face. It is a fast project because the bulky yarn and big stitches grow quickly, and the design includes an embroidered-eye option if the snuggler is destined for a newborn. The pattern is free on the blog; a printable PDF is also available in the designer's shop if you like working from paper. Expect this one to become a much-loved bedtime regular.
Pattern: Monkey Snuggler by The Friendly Red Fox — Get the free pattern
15. A Granny-Square Monkey Lovey in Soft Grey
Loveys are usually brown or cream, which is exactly why Caitie's soft grey version stands out — modern, calm and beautiful in a contemporary nursery. The blanket part is a classic granny square of about 28 cm, edged and finished so it drapes softly, with the monkey's head worked from the top down and attached securely in the centre. It is a satisfying mix of two crochet joys: meditative granny-square rounds, then a small amigurumi head to bring it to life. The full pattern is free on her blog, and there is an optional low-cost ad-free PDF that includes a handy granny square chart if you prefer one. A thoughtful handmade gift for a new baby.
Pattern: Monkey Lovey by Caitie at Thoresby Cottage — Get the free pattern
16. The Hug Me Monkey Lovey, Made for Cuddles
Nicole's Hug Me series is loved for a reason: each lovey has a character head and long arms that seem to hug back, and the monkey might be the cutest of the bunch. The blanket body is soft and simple to work, while the head, ears and muzzle give you just enough amigurumi to enjoy without a big time commitment. Choose embroidered sleepy eyes for a newborn-safe finish, or safety eyes for an older baby's first comfort toy. The pattern is free on her blog, with an optional ad-free PDF available if ads are not your thing. Worked in warm brown and cream, it coordinates with almost any nursery palette.
Pattern: Hug Me Monkey Lovey by Nicole Chase at The Nicole Chase — Get the free pattern
17. A Sock Monkey Hat for Baby's First Photos
There is a reason the sock monkey hat is a newborn-photography classic: those round ears and the red-trimmed mouth turn any sleepy baby into a picture-perfect little monkey. This pattern generously includes three free sizes on the page — newborn to 3 months, 3 to 6 months, and 6 months to 1 year — all worked with a 3.5 mm hook. The face details are crocheted and sewn on, so the hat stays soft against delicate skin with nothing scratchy inside. Use a machine-washable yarn and it becomes a practical everyday hat long after the photo session is over. A wonderful quick gift that always gets a delighted reaction at baby showers.
Pattern: Sock Monkey Hat by Jenny and Teddy — Get the free pattern
18. A Toddler Sock Monkey Hat With Plenty of Character
Once your little monkey is on the move, you need a hat that keeps up — and this one is made for busy toddlers. The toddler size, fitting roughly ages 1 to 3 years with an 18 to 20 inch head circumference, is written out completely free on the blog, worked in turning rounds for a neat, close fit. If you need other sizes, they are available as a paid pattern in the designer's Etsy shop — a fair arrangement, and the free toddler size is the one most of us will reach for anyway. The face, ears and mouth details give it that unmistakable sock monkey charm. It photographs beautifully for autumn family pictures.
Pattern: Sock Monkey Hat by Daisy Cottage Designs — Get the free pattern
19. A Flat Monkey Appliqué for Blankets, Bunting and Cards
Not every monkey needs stuffing. Jan's clever appliqué is built from flat layered pieces — a pear-shaped body, a round head, two ears with cream inner patches, a tan face patch and a tail you shape into a spiral — all sewn together, then stitched onto your project. At about 5 inches tall in worsted cotton with a 4.0 mm hook, it is the perfect finishing touch for a baby blanket, nursery bunting or a safari-themed wall hanging. The face is embroidered, with closed curved eyes and a gentle smile, so there are no hard parts anywhere. Mix and match it with the other safari animals in her appliqué series for a whole menagerie.
Pattern: Crochet Monkey Appliqué by Jan Bay at Unique Baby Gear Ideas — Get the free pattern
20. Milowe, a Tunisian Crochet Monkey Face to Try Something New
We finish with a little adventure: a monkey face worked in Tunisian simple stitch, paired with regular crochet ears and a back panel, so you learn a new technique on a project that takes almost no yarn. Milowe measures about 3.5 by 2.5 inches and is rated advanced beginner — and if you do not own a Tunisian hook, the designer explains how a regular straight hook can stand in. A full video tutorial sits alongside the written instructions, which makes those first Tunisian rows feel much less daunting. Sew the finished face onto a tote, a cushion or a child's cardigan for instant personality. The written pattern is free on her blog; an ad-free PDF is also offered on Ravelry and Etsy if you want a copy for your library.
Pattern: Milowe the Monkey by Noorain Nizami at Noor’s Knits — Get the free pattern
Conclusion
From a rainbow-striped giant you crochet almost in one piece to a tiny Tunisian face that fits in your palm, monkeys really do offer something for every hook and every occasion. My soft spot is for the loveys and the snuggler — there is nothing quite like handing a new mum a handmade comfort toy and watching her face light up — but the sock monkey hats run them very close for pure photo charm. Whichever one you start with, I hope this little troop keeps your hook busy and your gift drawer full. Which monkey will you make first — a cuddly plush, a baby lovey or a cheeky hat? Tell me in the comments, and do share a photo of your finished monkey; I would love to see the colours you choose!
