No-Sew Crochet Otter Pattern
This no-sew crochet otter with optional fishy is just the cutest thing and you can make it in under an hour!
I’m otterly in love with this crochet otter!
The little fish is the perfect finishing touch and you can either glue or sew it in place. The otter itself is no-sew (my favourite kind of project).
The use of plush yarn means it works up quickly making it perfect for markets, craft fairs and last minute gifts. You could even turn it into a keychain and attach the fish to the keychain itself as a charm.
How to Crochet an Otter
This crochet otter pattern is worked in a continuous spiral from the top down using mostly basic stitches.
We’ll begin by chaining 2 and working 6 single crochet into the second chain from hook. This is my preferred starting method when using plush yarn.
The 2 bobble stitches (ears) on the top of the head are crocheted in a contrasting colour to match the body.
The tail is left unstuffed which allows it to be curved slightly depending on how you want it to look.
Why You’ll Love This Crochet Otter Pattern
More Crochet Patterns
If you love this no-sew crochet otter pattern, you might also like to check out these other no-sew amigurumi patterns:
No-Sew Crochet Otter Pattern
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Materials
- Super bulky yarn in beige and dark brown (I used Premier Yarns Parfait Chunky in Toffee and Chocolate)
- DK weight yarn in light blue for the optional fish (I used Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK in Duck Egg Blue)
- 4.5mm crochet hook
- 2.5mm crochet hook
- 6mm safety eyes
- 4 ply yarn in black or black embroidery floss
- Polyester fiberfill
- Stitch marker, yarn needle, scissors
- Optional: fabric glue
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- inc – increase
- invdec – invisible decrease
- FLO – front loop only
- bo – bobble stitch
- dc – double crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- st/s – stitch/es
- […] – repeat the instructions in brackets
- (…) – indicates stitch count at end of round
Special Stitches
Bobble Stitch (bo)
- Yarn over.
- Insert your hook into the indicated stitch.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull through first 2 loops (2 loops on hook).
- Repeat steps 1-4 three more times in the same stitch (5 loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull though all 5 loops on hook.
- Push bobble to the right side of fabric.
How to Crochet Bobbles in a Contrasting Colour
- Draw through the new colour on the last yarn over of the previous stitch.
- Follow bobble stitch steps 1-5.
- Drop the bobble colour and yarn over with the main colour, pull through all 5 loops on hook.
- Push bobble to the right side of fabric.
Useful Links
Finished Size
The finished otter measures approximately 3.75″ (9.5cm) long. Size may vary depending on tension and materials used.
Gauge
Gauge is not important in this pattern. Use a hook size to match your chosen yarn. Make sure that your stitches are tight enough to prevent stuffing showing through and adjust hook size if necessary.
Notes
- Pieces are worked in a continuous spiral. Mark the first stitch of each round with a removable stitch marker.
- All bobble stitches are worked in the front loop only.
Pattern Instructions
Otter (4.5mm hook, starting with beige super bulky yarn)
R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook (6)
R2: [Inc] x6 (12)
The bobble stitches in the next round are worked in dark brown as indicated in bold. All colour changes take place in the last yarn over of the previous colour. Cut the brown yarn after each bobble and knot the ends together inside the piece to secure.
R3: Sc, inc, FLO bo, inc, [sc, inc] x2, FLO bo, inc, sc, inc (18)
R4-5: [Sc] x18 (18) 2 rounds
R6: 7 sc, 3 dc, 8 sc (18)
R7: [Sc, invdec] x6 (12) – change colour to dark brown in last st
R8: [FLO sc] x12 (12)
Insert safety eyes between R5 and R6 on each side of the 3 dc sts from R6, 4 sts apart.
Stuff the head and continue to stuff as you go.
Using 4 ply black yarn or black embroidery floss, sew a nose between R5 and R6, centred between the eyes (approximately 1 st long). Sew over it 5-6 times or until you have your desired look. Make a short vertical st down from the centre of the nose.
Tip: Add a bit of extra stuffing behind the dc sts from R6 but be careful not to create gaps between the sts.
R9: 3 sc, FLO bo, 3 sc, FLO bo, 4 sc (12)
R10: [Sc] x12 (12)
R11: 3 sc, FLO bo, 3 sc, FLO bo, 4 sc (12)
Stuff the body. Do not stuff past R12.
R12: [Invdec] x6 (6)
R13-14: [Sc] x6 (6) 2 rounds
R15: [Sc, invdec] x2 (4)
Cut the yarn leaving a tail and pull through last st. Weave the yarn tail through the front loops only of the final round and pull to close. Hide the end inside the otter.
Optional: Fish (2.5mm hook, light blue DK weight yarn)
Ch 5, sc in second ch from hook, hdc in next 2 chs, 5 hdc in last ch. Working down other side of ch – hdc in next 2 chs, sc in last ch, sl st to turning ch.
[Ch 3, sc in second ch from hook and next ch, sl st back into turning ch] x2
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Glue or sew the fish at an angle between the otter’s paws.
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