Free Crochet Alien Pattern: Make a Kawaii Baby Alien Amigurumi
Every so often a pattern comes along that is impossible to make with a straight face, and this baby alien is one of them. With its round green head, oversized eyes, a little folded scarf, and rosy cheeks, this free crochet alien pattern turns into a chibi amigurumi that stands about 4 inches tall and sits happily on a shelf. Better still, most of it is nothing but single crochet.
I put this pattern together for crocheters who have a few amigurumi under their belt and want something with a bit of flair. Everything is written out below, from the first magic ring to the last dab of blush, so you can follow along at your own pace.
A Quick Look at the Project
You crochet the head and torso as a single piece, working from the top of the head straight down, which means no neck seam to fuss with. The ears, arms, and feet are separate pieces you sew on afterward, and the scarf is its own little tube that slips on and off. Because the alien is meant to sit up by itself, the trick is to keep the bottom lightly stuffed.
Here is what you are signing up for:
- Difficulty: Intermediate, with a bit of finishing at the end
- Height when done: Around 4 in / 10 cm
- How long it takes: A relaxed weekend
- Method: Head and body in one spiral, then everything else attached
What to Gather Before You Start
- Medium worsted weight yarn (weight 4). The sample uses Caron Simply Soft in these shades:
- Soft Green for the head, ears, feet, and the lower part of the arms
- Taupe for the torso, scarf, and the upper arms
- Bone for the scarf trim
- A 2.5 mm crochet hook, which is smaller than the yarn usually calls for and keeps the fabric tight
- Toy stuffing
- A pair of 15 mm black safety eyes
- A tapestry needle
- Blush with a small brush or a cotton swab
- Scissors
Worth repeating: plastic safety eyes are a choking risk for the very young. If this alien is a gift for a baby, leave them out and stitch the eyes with black yarn instead.
Crochet Terms Used
This pattern is written in US terminology.
- ch — chain
- st / sts — stitch / stitches
- sc — single crochet
- hdc — half double crochet
- dc — double crochet
- inc — increase, meaning 2 sc worked into one stitch
- dec — decrease, meaning 2 sc worked together
- sl st — slip stitch
- blo — back loop only
- flo — front loop only
- ( ) — repeat what is inside the brackets the stated number of times
- [ ] — the stitch count at the end of the round
Everything is worked in a spiral rather than joined rounds, so keep a marker in the first stitch and move it up each time.
Step-by-Step Crochet Alien Instructions
Head and Torso
Begin with soft green yarn and work from the head downward. Add stuffing as you go, but keep the base soft so the alien balances on its own.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring [6]
- Rnd 2: inc in every st [12]
- Rnd 3: (sc, inc) 6 times [18]
- Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) 6 times [24]
- Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) 6 times [30]
- Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) 6 times [36]
- Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) 6 times [42]
- Rnds 8–13: sc around [42]
Fix the 15 mm safety eyes in place between rounds 10 and 11, roughly 8 stitches apart.
- Rnd 14: (5 sc, dec) 6 times [36]
- Rnd 15: (4 sc, dec) 6 times [30]
- Rnd 16: (3 sc, dec) 6 times [24]
- Rnd 17: (2 sc, dec) 6 times [18]
- Rnd 18: (2 sc, inc) 6 times [24], then join the taupe yarn
- Rnd 19: (3 sc, inc) 6 times [30]
- Rnd 20: (4 sc, inc) 6 times [36]
- Rnds 21–27: sc around [36]
- Rnd 28: sc around in back loops only [36]
- Rnd 29: (4 sc, dec) 6 times [30]
- Rnd 30: (3 sc, dec) 6 times [24]
- Rnd 31: (2 sc, dec) 6 times [18]
- Rnd 32: (1 sc, dec) 6 times [12]
- Rnd 33: dec 6 times [6]
Fasten off with a slip stitch and hide the tail.
Arms (Make 2)
Start in soft green.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring [6]
- Rnd 2: inc in every st [12]
- Rnds 3–5: sc around [12], then change to taupe
- Rnds 6–10: sc around [12]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Add a pinch of stuffing to the green hand end only.
Feet (Make 2)
Soft green yarn.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring [6]
- Rnd 2: inc in every st [12]
- Rnd 3: sc around [12]
Fasten off with a long tail and tuck in a little stuffing.
Ears (Make 2)
Soft green yarn.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring [6]
- Rnds 2–7: sc around [6]
- Rnd 8: (sc, inc) 3 times [9]
- Rnd 9: (2 sc, inc) twice, 3 sc [11]
- Rnd 10: (3 sc, inc) twice, 3 sc [13]
- Rnd 11: (4 sc, inc) twice, 3 sc [15]
- Rnd 12: (5 sc, inc) twice, 3 sc [17]
- Rnds 13–18: sc around [17]
Fasten off with a long tail. No stuffing needed.
Scarf
Taupe yarn.
- Rnd 1: ch 42
- Rnd 2: join into a ring with a sc without twisting, then sc around [42]
- Rnds 3–19: sc around [42]
Do not fasten off yet. You should have a tube about 3 inches tall and 4.5 inches wide. Fold the top edge down in half to double the collar, then stitch the inner and outer edges together all the way around by pulling each inner loop through to the outer edge. Fasten off, hide the tail inside the fold, and leave the scarf loose so it can come on and off.
Scarf Trim
Join bone yarn at the top edge and ch 1.
- Rnd 1: sc around [42]
- Rnd 2: hdc around in front loops only [42]
- Rnd 3: hdc around [42]
- Rnd 4: hdc in 12 sts, dc in 18 sts, hdc in 12 sts [42]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail, and tack the bone flap down so it sits flat. The run of double crochet marks the front, so keep it facing forward on the alien.
Assembling Your Baby Alien
This is where the little guy comes to life, so go slowly and pin first if it helps.
- Arms: Slip the scarf on and mark where you want the arms to show, one per side. Take the scarf off and sew them in place.
- Ears: Put the scarf back on, then pin the ears just above it on each side of the head and sew them down.
- Feet: Attach the feet to the front underside of the torso so the alien sits upright.
- Nose: Stitch a small nose from soft green yarn over a couple of holes between the eyes.
- Blush: Sweep a little blush inside each ear and on the cheeks.
Pop the scarf on and your kawaii alien is done.
Handy Tips for a Neater Alien
- Crochet on the tight side. The small hook is intentional and keeps the stuffing hidden. If gaps appear, drop down another hook size.
- Keep the bottom flat. An overstuffed base is the main reason these little characters tip over.
- Fill as you close. Stuffing the head and body in stages shapes them far better than doing it all at once.
- Never skip the marker. It is easy to lose your place in a spiral, so keep that marker moving.
- Blush lightly. Add color a touch at a time, since it is easy to overdo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a beginner make this crochet alien?
It is officially intermediate, largely because of the color changes and the removable scarf. Anyone comfortable with a magic ring, single crochet, increases, and decreases can manage it, especially if you tackle the scarf slowly.
Which hook and yarn work best?
Medium worsted weight yarn with a 2.5 mm hook is the sweet spot. The smaller hook makes tight stitches that keep the stuffing out of sight. Bigger hooks and heavier yarn simply produce a larger alien.
How do I make this alien baby-safe?
Leave out the plastic eyes and embroider them with black yarn, sew every piece on securely, and use a washable yarn.
Can I use different colors?
Definitely. Green is the traditional alien shade, but the pattern works in any color, and the scarf is perfect for using up scraps.
Why does my alien keep falling over?
The usual culprit is too much stuffing at the base. Keep the lower rounds light and flat so it has a steady seat.
Wrapping Up
This baby alien is a small make with an outsized amount of charm, and the removable scarf makes it feel like a real little character you can dress up. It stitches up in a weekend and looks adorable on any shelf. Make one, and you will probably be reaching for more yarn to build a whole crew. Enjoy every stitch.
