Optimus Prime—Inspired Amigurumi "Prime Buddy"

Detailed, step-by-step crochet amigurumi pattern to make a small, stylised robot inspired by Optimus Prime. This is an original, fan-inspired toy pattern: not an exact replica. Finished toy is approximately 11”/28 cm tall. Skill level: intermediate (color changes, shaping, sewing pieces).

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight/Aran (category 4). Primary colors: red (body & shoulders) 70 yds / 64 m (approx 50 g), blue (legs & head) 100 yds / 91 m (approx 75 g), grey/silver (facemask & details) 30 yds / 27 m, yellow (small details) 10 yds / 9 m, black scraps for accents. Use any smooth, worsted acrylic or cotton blend for good stitch definition.
• Hook & needle sizes (see conversions below). For this pattern you’ll need a firm 3.5 mm crochet hook for amigurumi fabric and a yarn needle for sewing.
• Safety eyes: 9 mm or embroider eyes if for a child under 3.
• Stitch markers, polyester stuffing, sewing needle, small bits of felt or duplicate stitch yarn for insignia.

Hook & Needle Sizes (provided with US, UK Old, Metric)

• Recommended crochet hook for this amigurumi: US E/4 — Metric 3.5 mm — UK 9
• If you prefer a slightly denser fabric use: US F/5 — Metric 3.75 mm — UK 8
• If you prefer a softer, larger finished toy use: US G/6 — Metric 4.0 mm — UK 7
• Knitting needles (if you choose to knit panels instead of crocheting): common sizes used for details: US 6 — 4.0 mm — UK 8; US 7 — 4.5 mm — UK 7; US 8 — 5.0 mm — UK 6

Yarn Amounts (Imperial & Metric)

• Blue (main head/legs): ~100 yds / 91 m (~75 g)
• Red (torso/shoulders): ~70 yds / 64 m (~50 g)
• Grey/Silver (faceplate, accents): ~30 yds / 27 m (~25 g)
• Yellow & black scraps: ~10 yds / 9 m each (small amounts)

Gauge

Amigurumi gauge: 18 sc x 20 rows = 4” (10 cm) using 3.5 mm hook with worsted/Aran yarn. Exact gauge isn’t critical but affects final size; stuff firmly for crisp shaping.

Finished Size

Approximately 11”/28 cm tall from bottom of feet to top of antennae using 3.5 mm hook and worsted yarn. Adjust hook or yarn weight to change size.

Abbreviations (US terms)

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• inc = single crochet increase (2 sc in same st)
• dec = single crochet decrease (invisible/2 sc tog)
• sl st = slip stitch
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• FO = fasten off
• [ ] = repeat instructions inside brackets

Special Notes

• Pattern is worked mostly in continuous rounds (spiral) unless noted. Use a stitch marker to mark round start.
• Color changes: carry yarn inside when possible and twist at color join to avoid holes. For small color areas (faceplate, yellow details) you may opt to embroider instead.
• Safety: For children under 3, do not use safety eyes; embroider instead and secure all seams.

Pattern Overview

Pieces: Head (with faceplate), Helmet/crest, Torso, Arms (x2), Legs/Boots (x2), Shoulder panels (x2), Antennae (x2), Small insignia.

Head (worked in blue)

1. Start with magic ring.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
3. R2: inc around (12)
4. R3: [sc, inc] x6 (18)
5. R4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24)
6. R5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30)
7. R6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36)
8. R7-R12: sc around (36) — work even 6 rounds for height
9. R13: [4 sc, dec] x6 (30)
10. Place safety eyes between R9 and R10 spaced about 6 sts apart. If embroidering, mark position now.
11. R14: [3 sc, dec] x6 (24)
12. R15: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18)
13. R16: [sc, dec] x6 (12)
14. Begin stuffing firmly.
15. R17: dec around (6)—FO and weave through remaining stitches to close. Hide tail inside head.

Faceplate (grey)

1. Ch 8, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (7)
2. Turn, ch1, sc across for 6 rows (7 sts x 7 rows) or until rectangle covers front face area. Round edges by sc across short ends and across long ends to create slightly curved rectangle. Sew flat to front, aligning center over eyes; leave an opening where mouth would be and embroider mouth lines in black.

Helmet/Crest (red with grey trims)

1. Magic ring.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
3. R2: inc around (12)
4. R3: [sc, inc] x6 (18)
5. R4: sc around (18)
6. R5: Change to red. sc around (18)
7. R6-R8: sc around (18) to form helmet cap. FO leaving long tail for sewing. Position the cap over the top of the head and sew along head rounds R7-R9 so helmet sits slightly forward.
8. Create side vents: work small rectangles (grey) 4 sts x 3 rows; attach under helmet sides.

Antennae (x2)

1. In grey: ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (5), turn and sc 2 rows to make a flat narrow strip. Roll the strip and sew base to helmet top; secure firmly. Alternatively, crochet a 3.5”/9 cm i-cord for a tubular antenna and sew in place.

Torso (red with grey front panel)

1. Magic ring.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
3. R2: inc around (12)
4. R3: [sc, inc] x6 (18)
5. R4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24)
6. R5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30)
7. R6: sc around (30)
8. R7-R12: sc around (30) — work even for torso height
9. R13: [3 sc, dec] x6 (24)
10. R14: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18)
11. Stuff firmly for chest shape and leave opening for neck. DO NOT FO; you will attach head later. Before closing, sew small grey rectangular panel in front for grille: ch 10, sc 3 rows (approx 9 x 3), attach and embroider vertical lines for vents. Add yellow small rectangles for lights near top of grille.

Arms (make 2, worked in red, inner arm blue)

1. Start with inner arm (blue) for upper arm length: ch 9, join to work in rnds around or work in rows to make a tube 6 rows high, seam closed. For clarity: sc in long chain and continue around to create a small tube 8 sts circumference.
2. Sew/attach red shoulder panel to top of blue tube: create a wing-shaped shoulder piece by ch 6 then sc back across, increase on short end to create fan. Sew this to torso at shoulders and insert the inner tube, sewing to secure at shoulder seam.
3. Hand/Palm: switch to grey, decrease to small rounded paw: start magic ring 6 sc, inc to 12, sc around 2 rounds, dec to 8, stuff lightly and close. Sew to lower arm end.

Legs/Boots (make 2, worked in blue with grey boots)

1. Upper leg (blue): Magic ring, R1 6 sc, R2 inc to 12, R3 [sc, inc] to 18, R4-R8 sc around to desired upper leg length.
2. Boot (grey): Change to grey, sc around decreasing slightly to create boot shape over last 3 rounds. Add sole by creating an oval sole: ch 8, sc across, turn and work around the oval (12-14 sts total) to create a flat sole, sew sole to open bottom of foot to make boot.

Shoulder Panels (x2, red)

1. Ch 10, sc back across, increase at ends to create a slightly curved rectangular/shell panel, 3 rows. Sew onto top of torso at the shoulders overlapping the arm seams.

Insignia

Use yellow felt or duplicate stitch a small shield shape on torso center. Keep it small and stylised: 1”/2.5 cm tall. Use black to outline.

Assembly

1. Sew helmet to head aligning front edge with R7–9 of head.
2. Attach faceplate centered over eyes and sew securely, tucking bottom edge under top of torso when joining head to torso.
3. Sew head to torso: insert head into torso neck opening and whipstitch through both. Reinforce with extra stitches for secure join.
4. Sew arms into shoulder panels then to body at side seams. Position slightly forward.
5. Sew legs to base of torso evenly spaced to balance toy; add a little extra stuffing into hips so the toy sits upright.
6. Sew antennae to helmet. Add embroidered details: mouth line, grille lines, and small black accents for windows/visors.

Finishing

• Weave in all ends and trim threads.
• Use a small amount of glue for felt insignia if preferred, but sewing is more secure.
• Firmly secure safety eyes and check seams. For child-safe toy, embroider eyes and ensure all small bits are sewn tightly.

Optional Knitted Panels (if you prefer knitting)

You can knit the faceplate or grille panels on small needles (US 6/4.0 mm) in stockinette or garter stitch then sew them on for a smoother look. Cast on an odd number of stitches to center embellishments.

Care Instructions

Spot clean only or hand wash gently in cool water and reshape. Air dry flat. Avoid tumble drying to keep shape and color.

Troubleshooting & Tips

• If your head looks too floppy, decrease hook size 0.25–0.5 mm or stuff more firmly.
• For cleaner color changes, fasten off and join new color rather than carrying long floats.
• Use a small amount of nylon thread inside seams for extra strength where limbs attach if the toy will be much handled.

Variations

• Make a smaller micro version using DK yarn and 2.75 mm hook. Adjust counts down by 2-4 sts per round proportionally.
• Create a poseable version by inserting short lengths of pipe cleaner or thin gauge floral wire in arms and antennae before final stuffing and sewing.

Notes & Copyright

This pattern is an original, fan-inspired creation intended for personal use and small-scale charity craft sales only. For commercial pattern sales or mass production please contact the pattern author.

Created by purlJam with the help of magic AI dust. Shop Verde for patterns and yarn.

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