The dinosaur is one of the most requested kids' makes, and the shapes are friendlier than they look. A typical dino is a rounded body that tapers into a tail, a head, four stubby legs, and a row of spikes or plates along the back. The signature is that ridge: small triangles sewn down the spine, which read as a stegosaurus at a glance.
The style sets the difficulty. A rounded cute dino worked in one body-and-tail piece is a beginner make. A long-necked brontosaurus or a standing T-rex adds shaped limbs and a neck, which lean intermediate. All of them use the same magic ring, increases, and decreases as the rest of amigurumi.
What you need
- Yarn
- Amigurumi cotton or worsted (CYC 4) with a 3.0 mm hook, plus a contrast color for the spikes. About 120 yards.
- Skill
- Beginner to intermediate. The triangle spikes are the one new piece, and they are quick to make.
Dinosaur projects to make
- 1Cute round dino. A single body-and-tail piece with short legs. The easiest first dinosaur.
- 2Stegosaurus with plates. A row of contrast triangle plates down the back. Teaches making and placing small pieces.
- 3Long-neck brontosaurus. A shaped neck and tail. Teaches even tube shaping over a long piece.
- 4Standing T-rex. Larger back legs and tiny arms. Teaches limb shaping and balance.
Where to find free dinosaur patterns
Dinosaur patterns are plentiful and often free. Ravelry filters dinos by free, and amigurumi blogs publish step-by-step photo tutorials. Look for round-by-round counts and a photo of the spike placement.
Stitches you will use
- Single CrochetUS: sc / UK: dc
- Chain StitchUS: ch / UK: ch
- Slip StitchUS: sl st / UK: ss
Looking for more? See all crochet amigurumi patterns.