There is something about a crochet caterpillar that makes even grown women go a little soft — maybe it is the row of round, squashy segments, maybe it is the way every colour of the rainbow looks right on one, or maybe it is simply that a caterpillar is the friendliest bug in the whole garden. I have spent a happy while gathering the very best crochet caterpillar ideas into one place for you: plump amigurumi friends, a munching hand puppet, storybook hats, a snuggle sack, a lip balm keychain and even a couple of video tutorials for the days when you would rather watch than read.
Every pattern below is genuinely free, and I have been honest about the small print wherever there is any: a few designers sell an optional ad-free PDF beside the free text, two downloads ask for a free account, and three entries are video tutorials, clearly labelled as such. Nothing here is copied from anyone else's roundup, and every toy is one you can make with your own hands and your own yarn stash. Pick a colour palette, wind a ball, and let us grow a little garden of caterpillars together.
1. The Rainbow Amigurumi Everyone Starts With
If you have only ever made one crochet caterpillar, there is a good chance it was this one, because StringyDingDing's rainbow amigurumi is the pattern that shows up in every maker's first search and then quietly earns its place. The body is a cheerful parade of round segments in rainbow order, each one worked in single crochet and joined into a long, floppy friend that curls beautifully around a shelf or a child's arm. The full instructions are published free on the designer's page, with clear photos for the face and the little antennae, and it is a genuinely beginner-friendly make if you already know how to work in the round. An optional PDF is sold in the shop for anyone who prefers a printable copy, but the free version on the page is complete. Make it in classic rainbow shades, or try pastels for a nursery shelf.
Pattern: Caterpillar Amigurumi by StringyDingDing — Get the free pattern
2. Loopy, the Long and Loopy Classic
Crochet Dreamz gave her caterpillar the perfect name, because Loopy is all curves and colour and charm, with a long segmented body that begs to be draped over a chair back or curled into a basket. The pattern is written for worsted weight yarn and a standard hook, and the segments are worked one after another so you can stop at any length you like — a short five-segment baby caterpillar or a gloriously long ten-segment showpiece. The whole tutorial is free to read on the blog, with step-by-step photos that make the joining almost foolproof, and an ad-free PDF is available for $3.99 if you want to print it without the adverts. I love this one in bright, saturated colours with a smiling embroidered face, and it is a wonderful stash-buster because every segment can be a different leftover. It is the kind of toy that gets picked up every single day.
Pattern: Caterpillar (Loopy the Caterpillar) by Crochet Dreamz — Get the free pattern
3. A Pocket-Sized Caterpillar in a Free PDF
Some patterns are made for quiet evenings when you want something small, sweet and finished before bedtime, and this little caterpillar from @miinibaby is exactly that kind of project. It is offered as a free downloadable PDF, neatly laid out with the segment instructions and the face details, so you can save it to your phone or print it and keep it with your yarn. The toy itself is compact and palm-sized, with a round head, tiny antennae and a gently arched body that sits up nicely on a desk or a windowsill. Because it uses so little yarn, it is ideal for those single balls that are too pretty to throw away but too small for a sweater. Make one in greens for a garden theme, or go full rainbow — you will want a second one at once.
Pattern: Caterpillar Amigurumi by @miinibaby — Get the free pattern
4. The Little Caterpillar for True Beginners
Chie at Aidie and Jellybean designed The Little Caterpillar specifically for makers who are still building confidence, and it shows in the kindest possible way: the whole toy is worked in single crochet only, with no fancy stitches and no complicated shaping to trip you up. The finished caterpillar measures about twenty-two centimetres long, which is a satisfying size for a first amigurumi, and the free pattern on the blog walks you through every segment with friendly, plain-language instructions. The face is embroidered rather than glued, which makes it a safe choice for little hands, and the antennae are simple little curls that add so much personality. If you have a friend who keeps saying she cannot crochet toys, this is the pattern to hand her — it proves, in one cheerful afternoon, that she absolutely can.
Pattern: The Little Caterpillar by Chie at Aidie and Jellybean — Get the free pattern
5. The Cuddly One-Piece Caterpillar
Stephanie at Grace and Yarn has a gift for patterns that feel like a hug, and her Cuddly Caterpillar is no exception: the body is worked as one continuous piece, so there is almost no sewing at the end, just the face and antennae to finish. It grows to about fourteen inches long, a proper armful of a toy, and the one-piece construction means the segments flow into each other in a lovely, wiggly line. The full pattern is free on the blog, with the designer's trademark clear photos, and an ad-free PDF is sold for anyone who likes to print and tick off rows. The eyes are crocheted from thread rather than plastic, which gives the face a soft, hand-stitched sweetness. Make it in the softest yarn you own.
Pattern: The Cuddly Caterpillar by Stephanie at Grace and Yarn — Get the free pattern
6. Chunky Chenille with a Clever Body Hump
If your hands prefer big, soft yarn and a hook you can actually grip, MarcyMade's caterpillar is the one to reach for, because it is worked in chunky chenille that turns into the squishiest toy imaginable. The clever bit is the segmented "body hump" technique, which shapes each round section so the caterpillar has a gentle, caterpillar-like arch instead of lying flat — it looks wonderfully lifelike for a toy made of yarn. The pattern is free on the designer's blog, written in a relaxed, encouraging style that suits confident beginners as well as seasoned amigurumi makers. Chenille hides small tension wobbles beautifully, so this is a forgiving make, and it works up fast enough to finish over a weekend. Choose a soft sage green with a cream belly, or go bold with a multi-coloured body that shows off the humps.
Pattern: Caterpillar Crochet Pattern by MarcyMade — Get the free pattern
7. A Hand Puppet That Munches
Not every caterpillar on this list is content to sit on a shelf, and Snappy Tots' Munching Caterpillar Hand Puppet is the glorious exception: slide your hand inside and the little fellow actually opens and closes his mouth, ready to nibble leaves, fingers and imaginary snacks. The pattern is free on the designer's site with full written instructions, and the construction is clever without being complicated — a tube body, a hinged mouth and a pair of bright eyes. It is a brilliant storytelling toy, perfect for reading a garden story aloud or for keeping a small person entertained on a long car journey. The puppet works in any worsted yarn, so raid the stash for greens and let the kids choose the mouth colour.
Pattern: Munching Caterpillar Hand Puppet by Snappy Tots — Get the free pattern
8. A Twenty-Four-Centimetre Friend in Soft Jeans Yarn
Cuddly Stitches Craft offers a caterpillar that feels beautifully made from the first stitch, worked in YarnArt Jeans yarn into a tidy twenty-four-centimetre toy with a neat, even texture. The full pattern is published free on the designer's own site, with row-by-row instructions and photos that make the segment joins simple to follow. A note for the careful shopper: the same design is sold under the name Claire the Caterpillar on Ravelry for $5.99, but the free version on the designer's site is the one I am linking here, and it is the only version counted in this list. The finished toy has a gentle, old-fashioned sweetness — the kind of handmade friend that looks right on a bookshelf or tucked into a gift basket. Make it in soft green with a rosy cheek or two, and it will charm absolutely everyone.
Pattern: Free Crochet Caterpillar Pattern by Cuddly Stitches Craft — Get the free pattern
9. Calliope, the Modular Showpiece
Projectarian's Calliope is the most impressive caterpillar in this collection, and I do not say that lightly: it is a forty-eight-page PDF with more than one hundred and forty photographs, free video support, and a modular design that lets you build the body to whatever length you fancy. The pattern is available as a free Ravelry download, so you will need a free Ravelry account to save it, and every step from the first segment to the final antenna is photographed in detail. Calliope's face is wonderfully expressive, and the modular segments mean you can make a short desk caterpillar or a long, drapey one that winds across a mantelpiece. This is the pattern to choose when you want a project to sink into properly, with your tea beside you and an afternoon to spare.
Pattern: Calliope the Caterpillar by Projectarian — Get the free pattern
10. Chip, the Scrap-Busting Speedster
Hookabee's Chip is proof that the best patterns are often the simplest ones: a quick little caterpillar, just five and a half inches long, designed to eat up the oddments of yarn that every crocheter accumulates. The free pattern on the blog includes detailed instructions and step-by-step photos, with bobble stitches for his tiny legs and the option of joined rounds for cleaner colour changes or continuous rounds for simplicity. Because each segment can be a different yarn — different brands, different fibres, different textures — Chip actually looks better made from scraps than from a single matching ball. He is rated intermediate, mostly because of the colour changes, but a confident beginner who can change colours will manage him happily. Keep one by your desk, or make a whole family in an evening.
Pattern: Chip the Caterpillar by Hookabee — Get the free pattern
11. A Newborn Hat and Cocoon Set for Photo Days
OuiCrochet's hat and cocoon set is one of those patterns that makes photographers and grandmothers equally happy: a little caterpillar hat with antennae, paired with a snug cocoon wrap in matching segments. The pattern is offered as a free PDF from the designer's own site, with sizes for newborn photos and clear instructions for the segmented cocoon. I am picturing this set displayed on its own — the hat perched beside the folded cocoon, ready for its close-up — because it is the kind of heirloom prop that gets used for one very special photo and then kept forever. Work it in soft green with a red or yellow hat, or in gentle pastels for a dreamy, garden-party feel. It is a quick make with a very big sentimental payoff.
Pattern: Newborn Caterpillar Hat and Cocoon by OuiCrochet — Get the free pattern
12. A Newborn Hat in a Free ePattern
Ribblr's newborn caterpillar hat is a sweet little standalone project: a soft hat topped with a caterpillar appliqué, sized for a newborn and worked up in an evening or two. It is published as a free Ribblr ePattern, priced at $0.00, and you will need a free Ribblr account to download it — Ribblr's interactive row tracker is genuinely handy if you like ticking off rows as you go. The hat itself is simple enough for a beginner, and the caterpillar on top is what turns it from an ordinary hat into a keepsake. Display it on a little stand or folded neatly in a gift box, and it becomes the kind of baby gift that gets photographed before it ever gets worn. A soft green hat with a rainbow caterpillar is my favourite version.
Pattern: Newborn Caterpillar Hat on Ribblr — Get the free pattern
13. A Storybook Hat with a Caterpillar Appliqué
CrochetDLane's Very Hungry Caterpillar Hat is a love letter to the most famous caterpillar in children's books, and it is completely free on the designer's blog. The hat itself is a simple, comfortable shape, and the magic is in the appliqué: a little segmented caterpillar stitched across the front, with a friendly face and tiny feet. Because the pattern is written out in full on the blog page, there is nothing to download and nothing to sign up for — just read, hook and go. Shown displayed on a stand, the hat reads like a piece of storybook merchandise, and it makes a wonderful gift for a child who loves the book. Make the hat in a soft neutral and let the caterpillar appliqué do all the talking in bright greens and reds.
Pattern: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Hat by CrochetDLane — Get the free pattern
14. The Snuggle Sack for Cosy Naps
Bernat's Caterpillar Crochet Snuggle Sack from Yarnspirations is the cosiest entry on this list: a soft, segmented sack that wraps a little one like a caterpillar's cocoon, with a friendly caterpillar face at one end. The pattern is a 100% free download with no sign-up required at all — just click and save the PDF — which is exactly how free patterns should work. The sack is worked in soft Bernat yarn, and the segmented design means you can play with colour blocking along the length, from gentle greens to a full rainbow. Photographed laid out flat, it looks like a plush caterpillar itself, and it is the kind of gift that gets used at every single nap time.
Pattern: Bernat Caterpillar Crochet Snuggle Sack by Yarnspirations — Get the free pattern
15. Two Snuggly Caterpillars, Pink and Blue
Bernat's Cute Snuggly Caterpillars, shared in full on FaveCrafts, are the long, floppy kind of toy that children drag everywhere — about nineteen inches of soft segments in pink or blue, with sweet embroidered faces. The complete pattern text is published free on the FaveCrafts page, so there is nothing to download and no account to create; just scroll, read and start. The length is what makes these caterpillars special: they curl around a pillow, drape over a car seat or wind around a bookshelf, and they are big enough to hug properly. The yarn is a soft Bernat acrylic, which washes well — an important detail for any toy that will be loved hard. Make one in each colour, or a single extra-long one from leftovers.
Pattern: Cute Snuggly Caterpillars by Bernat at FaveCrafts — Get the free pattern
16. A Lion Brand Baby Toy in Classic Colours
Lion Brand's Caterpillar Baby Toy is a classic for a reason: it is simple, sturdy and made in the cheerful, primary colours that babies stare at for the longest time. The pattern is a $0.00 download on the Lion Brand site, and as with all Lion Brand patterns you will need a free Lion Brand account to download it — a small step for a pattern you will likely make more than once. The toy is worked in worsted weight yarn with a friendly, uncomplicated construction, and it is sized to fit comfortably in small hands. Because the colours are so bold, it doubles as a lovely high-contrast toy for the very youngest babies, and it washes up well for the next baby too.
Pattern: Caterpillar Baby Toy by Lion Brand — Get the free pattern
17. A Lip Balm Holder That Hangs on Your Keys
Start Crochet's Caterpillar Lip Balm Holder Keychain is the smallest pattern on this list and possibly the most useful: a tiny caterpillar that wraps around a lip balm tube and clips to your bag or keys, so you never lose it again. The full pattern is free on the designer's page, and a free printable PDF is offered there too, which is handy if you like to keep patterns in a binder. The holder uses only a scrap of yarn and works up in under an hour, which makes it a perfect last-minute gift or a market-stall make. The caterpillar face is the detail that turns a plain holder into something people comment on, and you can match the body colour to the lip balm flavour for a little extra charm. Make a handful in different colours and you have stocking fillers sorted for the year.
Pattern: Caterpillar Lip Balm Holder Keychain by Start Crochet — Get the free pattern
18. A Step-by-Step Video for Absolute Beginners
This entry is a video tutorial rather than a written pattern, and I am labelling it clearly as such: Cute Crochet's caterpillar amigurumi tutorial walks absolute beginners through every single stitch on camera, with the full written steps included in the video description for anyone who likes to read along. The caterpillar itself is a classic round-segmented amigurumi, worked in bright colours with a sweet embroidered face, and the pace is gentle enough that you can pause, rewind and crochet alongside the maker. Video tutorials are a wonderful way to learn amigurumi if written patterns still feel intimidating, because you can see exactly how each segment is shaped and joined. Keep your hook in one hand and your phone propped beside you, and by the end of the video you will have a finished caterpillar and a new favourite way to learn.
Pattern: Caterpillar Amigurumi video tutorial by Cute Crochet — Get the free pattern
19. A Hungry Caterpillar in Two Video Parts
Teenie Crochets' Hungry Caterpillar tutorial is another clearly labelled video entry, and it is a delight: Part One guides you through the first stages of a colourful, segmented caterpillar, with a second part completing the toy, so you can work at your own pace across two sittings. The tutorial is free to watch, the maker explains each stage on camera with materials listed in the description, and a written version is also available on her own site for those who want it. The caterpillar is bright, cheerful and storybook-ready, with the kind of chunky segments that are satisfying to crochet and even more satisfying to squish. If you have ever wanted to try amigurumi but felt nervous about reading a pattern alone, let Teenie be your crochet buddy for an afternoon. You will finish with a toy and a whole lot more confidence.
Pattern: Hungry Caterpillar Crochet Tutorial Part 1 (video) by Teenie Crochets — Get the free pattern
20. A Chonky Caterpillar from Skein Spider
We are finishing with the chonkiest caterpillar of all, and the third clearly labelled video tutorial on this list: Skein Spider's Cute Caterpillar is a beginner-friendly, gloriously plump little fellow, taught step by step on camera so you can follow along in real time. The video itself is free to watch, and the maker describes it as a pattern you can make in both a standard and an extra-chonky version, which is a wonderfully honest bit of design. One small-print note: the written PDF for this design is sold on the maker's Etsy shop, so if you want written rows rather than video guidance, that part is paid — the video tutorial linked here is free. The finished caterpillar is round, soft and deeply huggable, with a face that looks permanently pleased with itself. Make it in a single colour, or stripe every segment.
Pattern: Cute Caterpillar video tutorial by Skein Spider — Get the free pattern
Conclusion
And that is twenty caterpillars, my friend — rainbow amigurumi and chunky chenille, a munching puppet and a lip balm keychain, storybook hats, a snuggle sack and three friendly video tutorials for the days you would rather watch than read. If you are brand new to amigurumi, start with The Little Caterpillar or the Cute Crochet video; if you want a weekend showpiece, Calliope or the snuggle sack are calling your name. Whichever you choose, remember the caterpillar maker's golden rule: no two segments need to match, and the more colours you use, the happier the garden looks.
Now tell me — are you team classic green caterpillar or team full-rainbow caterpillar, and which of these twenty is going on your hook first? I read every comment, and I cannot wait to see your makes!
