Totoro Plushie — Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

Detailed, stitch-by-stitch amigurumi pattern to make a cuddly Totoro plushie approx 10 in / 25 cm tall. Worked in the round using single crochet (US) / double crochet (UK) technique. Suitable for confident beginner—intermediate crocheters. Website: https://purljam.verde.uk Support: team@verde.uk Socials: #purljam

Finished size

Approx 10 in / 25 cm tall (measured from base to top of ears) using worsted / aran weight yarn and the recommended hook. Adjust hook or yarn weight to change size.

Materials

• Yarn (worsted/aran / US weight 4): Main grey: 150 yards / 137 m; Belly/cream: 50 yards / 46 m; Dark grey (markings): 25 yards / 23 m; Black: 20 yards / 18 m. (Metric & Imperial yardage listed.)
• Hook / needles: Recommended crochet hook US E/4 - 3.5 mm (UK 9). Optional smaller hook for tighter fabric: US D/3 - 3.25 mm (metric 3.25 mm, UK 10). You may list needle size conversions as: US E/4 / UK 9 / 3.5 mm.
• Safety eyes 12 mm (approx 0.47 in) or 10 mm (0.39 in) depending on look. NOTE: Safety eyes are not suitable for children under 3; use embroidered eyes for toys for small children.
• Polyfill stuffing (approx 100-150 g depending on tightness)
• Stitch marker, tapestry needle, small amount of black embroidery floss for mouth and nose, scissors, optional pins for positioning, removable stitch markers for assembly.

Gauge & Tension

Gauge is not critical for amigurumi but should be tight to prevent stuffing showing. Aim for about 16 sc x 18 rows = 4 in / 10 cm when using 3.5 mm hook and worsted yarn. If you have gaps, go down one hook size.

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet (US) / double crochet (UK)
• hdc = half double crochet (US) / half treble (UK)
• inc = increase (2 sc in same st)
• dec = invisible decrease / sc2tog (US) / dc2tog (UK)
• sl st = slip stitch
• st = stitch
• MR = magic ring
• [ ] x n = repeat sequence n times

Notes

• Work in continuous rounds unless instructed otherwise. Use a stitch marker to mark the first st of each round.
• Stuff firmly and evenly as you go to keep a smooth shape.
• When changing colors, carry yarn or fasten off and sew ends neatly inside.

Pattern overview (pieces)

1. Body & Head (worked as one piece)
2. Belly (separate oval panel)
3. Arms x2
4. Legs/Feet x2
5. Ears x2
6. Leaf umbrella (optional) and stem
7. Markings (dark grey chevrons) & facial embroidery

Body & Head (worked in one piece)

Color: Main grey.

Start at base (bottom of body) and work up to head then shape top. Change shaping to create Totoro’s egg-like belly.

R1: MR, 6 sc (6)
R2: inc x6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) x6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) x6 (24)
R5: (3 sc, inc) x6 (30)
R6: (4 sc, inc) x6 (36)
R7: (5 sc, inc) x6 (42)
R8: (6 sc, inc) x6 (48)
R9: (7 sc, inc) x6 (54)
R10: (8 sc, inc) x6 (60)
R11-R18: sc around (60)  -- work even until you have a long cylindrical body (this makes waist and upper body)
R19: (8 sc, dec) x6 (54)  -- start tapering toward neck
R20: (7 sc, dec) x6 (48)
R21: (6 sc, dec) x6 (42)
R22: (5 sc, dec) x6 (36)
R23: (4 sc, dec) x6 (30)
R24: (3 sc, dec) x6 (24)  -- begin head increases to make round top
R25: (3 sc, inc) x6 (30)
R26: (4 sc, inc) x6 (36)
R27: (5 sc, inc) x6 (42)
R28-R34: sc around (42)  -- head height; insert safety eyes between R30 and R31 approx 9-10 sts apart; embroider eyelids if desired
R35: (5 sc, dec) x6 (36)
R36: (4 sc, dec) x6 (30)
R37: (3 sc, dec) x6 (24)
R38: (2 sc, dec) x6 (18)
R39: (sc, dec) x6 (12)
R40: dec x6 (6) -- finish, fasten off and weave in, leaving tail to close. Stuff firmly as you go; add more stuffing into head before closing.

Tip: Leave an opening between body and head rounds to attach belly panel neatly so that belly sits centered and slightly forward.

Belly Panel (oval)

Color: cream/ivory.

Make 1
R1: MR, 6 sc (6)
R2: inc x6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) x6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) x6 (24)
R5: (3 sc, inc) x6 (30)
R6: sc around 30.
Shape into slight oval: fold and seam short edges to make oval dome. Alternatively stitch directly onto body with mattress stitch so it curves forward—position the top edge roughly at Body R11-R12 depending on your tension.

Arms (make 2)

Color: main grey
Make 2
R1: MR, 6 sc (6)
R2: inc x6 (12)
R3-R6: sc around (12) -- lengthen to 4 rounds or as desired
R7: dec, sc 4, dec, sc 4 (10) -- begin tapering
R8-R11: sc around (10)
Stuff lightly; leave tail for sewing. Attach to sides of body at around Body R12-R14 slightly forward of center. Sew with hidden mattress stitch; curve arm seam slightly inward for hugging pose.

Legs/Feet (make 2)

Color: main grey
Make 2
R1: MR, 6 sc (6)
R2: inc x6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) x6 (18)
R4-R6: sc around (18)
Flatten base and sew side-to-side to create foot sole, or stuff lightly for rounded foot. Attach to base of body with secure mattress stitch; position for balancing Totoro.

Ears (make 2)

Color: main grey
R1: MR, 6 sc (6)
R2: inc x6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) x6 (18)
R4: sc around 18
R5: dec, sc 6, dec, sc 6 (16)
R6: sc around 16
Fasten off leaving tail to sew. Fold slightly lengthwise and sew base to top of head (between R28-R30) so ears incline slightly outward. Add a few stitches to flatten base and secure.

Leaf Umbrella (optional)

Color: green
ch 6, join into ring. R1: 6 sc in ring. R2: inc around (12). R3: (sc, inc) x6 (18). R4: sc around 18. Round the edge with sc or picot for a leaf edge. Make a short stem with ch 6-10 and sl st to leaf. Sew leaf on head as accessory or mount on a small dowel for umbrella prop.

Markings & Face

• Eyes: Attach safety eyes between R30-R31, approx 9-10 sts apart. If using embroidery, make small satin-stitched ovals using black yarn or floss.
• Nose: Embroider a small oval or tiny triangle with black embroidery floss centered between the eyes and one round below.
• Mouth: Stitch a small horizontal arc under the nose; keep subtle.
• Chest markings: Using dark grey yarn or embroidery, sew 3–4 inverted U / chevron shapes across belly. Simple method: Chain small arcs and tack down, or use surface slip stitch to embroider chevrons. A common shape: sew 3 V-shaped stitches at even intervals across the belly panel's upper half.

Assembly

1. Position belly panel and tack in place with pins. Use mattress stitch or whip stitch to sew the belly to the front of the body, leaving fullness at bottom for stuffing.
2. Sew legs to lower body base; use pins to balance Totoro so it sits upright.
3. Sew arms to sides; shape slightly forward so Totoro looks like it can hug.
4. Attach ears to top of head; reinforce by stitching through head interior with several passes.
5. Embroider nose and mouth; sew on markings. Weave all ends inside body and trim.

Finishing & Tips

• Use small amounts of stuffing in extremities to keep them soft and floppy compared to the firmer body.
• When sewing pieces on, use pins to check placement, then remove pins and sew securely with back-and-forth stitches.
• If safety eyes gap with yarn and stuffing, place a round felt washer behind each safety eye before tightening the back nut for a neater finish.
• For washing: spot clean only; surface-wash with mild detergent and reshape while damp. Not recommended for machine washing if safety eyes are used.

Variations

• Make a mini Totoro by using DK yarn and a 3.25 mm hook. Scale all yardages down.
• Make Totoro family by changing sizes of yarn and hook: small soot sprites as tiny black pom-poms or mini amigurumi.

Copyright & Use

This pattern is for personal use and small handmade items for sale. Do not reprint or reproduce this pattern for sale. Credit & link back to https://purljam.verde.uk when sharing photos. Support: team@verde.uk

If you need clarification or a downloadable PDF, contact team@verde.uk. Share finished projects with #purljam

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