Art the Clown Crochet Plush (24 inches)

Beginner · Simple Shapes Amigurumi · Worsted Weight

A tall, slender black-and-white clown doll worked from basic spheres and cylinders. Signature pale head, black suit body, and embroidered grin—no complex shaping.

Finished Size

Approximately 24 inches (61 cm) tall when stuffed and assembled (standing).

Gauge

5 sc and 5 rnds = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in single crochet, worked tightly in the round. Check gauge. If your swatch is larger, go down a hook size; if smaller, go up one size. Tight fabric is essential so stuffing does not show.

Difficulty

Beginner. Uses magic ring, sc, inc, dec, and whipstitch assembly only.

Materials

• Worsted weight (4) yarn
  • Color A (White / pale skin): approx. 220 yd (200 m) — head
  • Color B (Black): approx. 380 yd (350 m) — torso, arms, legs, collar, face details
  • Optional Color C (Dark gray or black scrap): bow tie or buttons
• Hook: US E-4 (3.5 mm) or US F-5 (3.75 mm) — one to two sizes smaller than yarn label for dense fabric
• Polyester fiberfill (generous amount — large firm toy)
• Yarn / tapestry needle
• Stitch marker
• Straight pins (for assembly)
• Optional: 12–14 mm black safety eyes (or embroider eyes)
• Black embroidery floss or worsted scrap for smile and brows
• Scissors

Abbreviations (US)

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• inc – increase (2 sc in same stitch)
• dec – invisible decrease (sc2tog through front loops)
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• sl st – slip stitch
• MR – magic ring
• FO – fasten off
• [ ] – stitch count at end of round
• ( ) – work instructions in parentheses the stated number of times

Work in continuous spirals unless noted. Do not join or turn. Mark the first stitch of every round and move the marker up.

Pattern Notes

• Stuff firmly as you go, especially the head and torso, so the 24" figure stands and holds shape.
• Use invisible decreases for a smooth surface.
• Art the Clown is intentionally lanky: long limbs, smaller head relative to height, black clothing, white head, wide black smile.
• This is a decorative plush inspired by a fictional character; keep facial details stylized (no realistic gore).

Head (Color A – White)

Make 1. Sphere, firm.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. [6] Rnd 2: inc in each st around. [12] (6 inc → 6 + 6 = 12 ✓) Rnd 3: (sc, inc) around. [18] (6 inc → 12 + 6 = 18 ✓) Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around. [24] (6 inc → 18 + 6 = 24 ✓) Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) around. [30] (6 inc → 24 + 6 = 30 ✓) Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) around. [36] (6 inc → 30 + 6 = 36 ✓) Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) around. [42] (6 inc → 36 + 6 = 42 ✓) Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) around. [48] (6 inc → 42 + 6 = 48 ✓) Rnd 9: (7 sc, inc) around. [54] (6 inc → 48 + 6 = 54 ✓) Rnd 10: (8 sc, inc) around. [60] (6 inc → 54 + 6 = 60 ✓)

Rnds 11–22: sc in each st around. [60] (12 rounds even — ~2.4" height band) (If using safety eyes, insert now between Rnds 16–17, about 8–10 sts apart, centered on face.)

Rnd 23: (8 sc, dec) around. [54] (6 dec → 60 − 6 = 54 ✓) Rnd 24: (7 sc, dec) around. [48] (6 dec → 54 − 6 = 48 ✓) Rnd 25: (6 sc, dec) around. [42] (6 dec → 48 − 6 = 42 ✓) Rnd 26: (5 sc, dec) around. [36] (6 dec → 42 − 6 = 36 ✓) Rnd 27: (4 sc, dec) around. [30] (6 dec → 36 − 6 = 30 ✓) Stuff head very firmly, shaping a smooth round ball (~4–4.5" diameter). Rnd 28: (3 sc, dec) around. [24] (6 dec → 30 − 6 = 24 ✓) Rnd 29: (2 sc, dec) around. [18] (6 dec → 24 − 6 = 18 ✓) Rnd 30: (sc, dec) around. [12] (6 dec → 18 − 6 = 12 ✓) Rnd 31: dec around. [6] (6 dec → 12 − 6 = 6 ✓) FO, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through front loops of remaining 6 sts and pull closed. Weave in end. Head height ≈ 5–5.5".

Torso (Color B – Black)

Make 1. Tall cylinder with slight shoulder shaping.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. [6] Rnd 2: inc in each st around. [12] Rnd 3: (sc, inc) around. [18] Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around. [24] Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) around. [30] Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) around. [36] Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) around. [42] Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) around. [48] (6 inc → 42 + 6 = 48 ✓)

Rnds 9–40: sc in each st around. [48] (32 even rounds ≈ 6.4") Stuff firmly as you go, keeping sides straight (Art’s slim torso).

Rnd 41: (6 sc, dec) around. [42] (6 dec → 48 − 6 = 42 ✓) Rnd 42: (5 sc, dec) around. [36] (6 dec → 42 − 6 = 36 ✓) Rnds 43–44: sc around. [36] Stuff to top. Do not close fully — leave open for neck join. FO, leaving a very long tail for sewing to head. Torso length ≈ 8–8.5".

Arms (Color B – Black)

Make 2. Long slim tubes, slightly tapered.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. [6] Rnd 2: inc in each st around. [12] Rnds 3–28: sc in each st around. [12] (26 even rounds ≈ 5.2") Lightly stuff lower ¾ only (leave top ~1" softer for easy sewing). Rnd 29: (sc, dec) around. [8] (4 dec → 12 − 4 = 8 ✓) Rnd 30: sc around. [8] FO, leave long tail. Flatten open end slightly. Each arm ≈ 6".

Legs (Color B – Black)

Make 2. Longer tubes than arms for lanky proportion.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. [6] Rnd 2: inc in each st around. [12] Rnd 3: (sc, inc) around. [18] Rnds 4–6: sc around. [18] (foot/boot base) Rnd 7: (sc, dec) around. [12] (6 dec → 18 − 6 = 12 ✓) Rnds 8–36: sc in each st around. [12] (29 even rounds) Stuff firmly, especially the foot end, then moderately up the leg. FO, leave long tail. Each leg ≈ 7–7.5".

Optional Simple Collar / Ruffle (Color B or A)

Make 1 flat strip (beginner-friendly stand-in for clown collar).

Ch 31. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. [30] Rows 2–4: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. [30] FO, leave long tail. Optional: work one row of (sc, ch 2, sc) in every other stitch along one long edge for a tiny ruffle look.

Face Embroidery (after head is closed)

Using black yarn or embroidery floss and tapestry needle:

1. Eyes (if not using safety eyes): Satin-stitch or French-knot two solid black ovals, level, ~8–10 sts apart on the front of the head (centered on Rnds 16–18 area).
2. Brows (optional): Two short straight stitches angled slightly downward above eyes for a blank/sinister look.
3. Smile: Wide curved line across lower face (about Rnds 20–22). Make it broader than a normal smile—Art’s trademark. You may add a few short vertical stitches along the curve to suggest teeth if desired (keep stylized).
4. Secure all ends inside the head.

Assembly

Pin all pieces before sewing. Use matching yarn tails and whipstitch or mattress stitch.

1. Head to torso: Center the open top of the torso on the bottom of the head. Sew firmly all around. Add a final bit of stuffing at the neck if needed before closing the seam completely so the head does not wobble.
2. Legs: Sew open tops of legs to the bottom of the torso, side by side, centered, about 1–2 sts apart. Angle slightly outward if you want a stable standing base. Legs should bring total height near 24" with head + torso.
3. Arms: Sew open tops to the sides of the torso just below the neck/shoulder line (approx. Rnds 9–12 of torso). Hang straight or slightly forward.
4. Collar: Wrap the collar strip around the neck seam; sew ends together at back and tack lower edge to torso.
5. Optional details: Small black yarn bow at neck; 2–3 French-knot “buttons” down torso front.

Weave in all ends securely.

Finishing

• Roll and squeeze the figure so stuffing settles evenly and seams sit smooth.
• Spot-check height: head ~5.5" + torso ~8.5" + legs ~7.5" + seam bulk ≈ 24".
• If the doll is top-heavy, add a bit more stuffing in the feet/legs or a small weight (sealed pellet bag) in the foot bases before final closing (optional; not required).
• Surface can be gently brushed or steamed on low (do not crush stitches) for a neater look.

Care

Spot clean only. Do not machine wash. Reshape while damp if needed and air dry.

Design Credits & Notes

Beginner simple-shapes construction scaled for a 24-inch Art the Clown–inspired plush. Character likeness is stylistic for craft use. Adjust limb length ± a few rounds if you want a slightly shorter or taller figure while keeping the same stitch counts.

Enjoy your 24" Art the Clown plush!