purlJam

# Chibi Lobster Amigurumi 🦞

A cheerful, pocket-sized chibi lobster with oversized claws and a tiny curled tail. Perfect for beginners — uses only basic amigurumi stitches and simple shapes!

**Finished Size:** Approximately 5–6 inches (13–15 cm) from antennae to tail
**Skill Level:** Beginner

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## Materials

- **Bulky weight yarn (Weight 5)** in:
  - Red or coral — approx. 60 yards (55 m) — *main color (MC)*
  - Black — small amount for eye embroidery (or use safety eyes)
  - White — small amount for belly accent (optional)
- **Crochet hook:** US H-8 / 5 mm (sized down from typical bulky recommendation for tight amigurumi fabric)
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Yarn needle (tapestry needle)
- Stitch marker
- Scissors
- Optional: Two 8 mm safety eyes
- Optional: Pink yarn or embroidery floss for cheek blush

## Gauge

4 sc × 4 rounds = 1 inch (2.5 cm) worked tightly in the round
*Exact gauge is not critical — just keep stitches tight so stuffing does not show through.*

## Abbreviations (US Terms)

- **ch** — chain
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **sc** — single crochet
- **inc** — 2 sc in same stitch (increase)
- **dec** — invisible decrease (single crochet 2 stitches together)
- **sl st** — slip stitch
- **MR** — magic ring
- **[ ]** — total stitch count at end of round
- **( ) x N** — repeat instructions in parentheses N times

## Notes

- Work in continuous spirals (do not join rounds) unless told otherwise.
- Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round; move it up as you go.
- Stuff firmly as you go — especially the body — for a plump chibi look.
- All pieces are made with MC (red) unless noted.

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## PART 1: Body & Head (make 1)

The body and head are made as one elongated oval/egg shape, worked from the back end forward.

- **Rnd 1:** 6 sc in MR. **[6]** ✓
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around. **[12]** ✓ (6 + 6 = 12)
- **Rnd 3:** (sc, inc) x 6. **[18]** ✓ (12 + 6 = 18)
- **Rnd 4:** (2 sc, inc) x 6. **[24]** ✓ (18 + 6 = 24)
- **Rnds 5–10:** sc in each st around. **[24]** (6 rounds even)
- **Rnd 11:** (2 sc, dec) x 6. **[18]** ✓ (24 − 6 = 18)
- **Begin stuffing firmly. Continue stuffing as you go.**
- **Rnd 12:** sc in each st around. **[18]**
- **Rnd 13:** (sc, dec) x 6. **[12]** ✓ (18 − 6 = 12)
- **Rnd 14:** sc in each st around. **[12]**
- **Rnd 15:** dec x 6. **[6]** ✓ (12 − 6 = 6)
- Finish stuffing, fasten off leaving a 6 inch (15 cm) tail. Use needle to weave through remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close. Weave in end.

*Math check: 6 → 12 → 18 → 24 (3 inc rnds) → 18 → 12 → 6 (3 dec rnds). Symmetrical. ✓*

The narrower end (Rnd 15) is the **head/face**; the rounded fuller end (Rnds 1–4) is the **back/tail end**.

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## PART 2: Large Claws (make 2)

Each claw is a small teardrop shape.

- **Rnd 1:** 6 sc in MR. **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st. **[12]** ✓
- **Rnds 3–4:** sc around. **[12]** (2 rounds even)
- **Rnd 5:** (sc, dec) x 4. **[8]** ✓ (12 − 4 = 8)
- **Rnd 6:** sc around. **[8]**
- **Rnd 7:** (2 sc, dec) x 2. **[6]** ✓ (8 − 2 = 6)
- **Rnds 8–9:** sc around. **[6]** (this forms the small "wrist" connecting to body)
- Lightly stuff the rounded claw tip only; leave the wrist unstuffed and flat.
- Sl st in next st, fasten off leaving a 10 inch (25 cm) tail for sewing.
- **Pinch the rounded end flat** and use the tail later to embroider a "V" line down the middle to suggest the claw opening (see Finishing).

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## PART 3: Tail Fan (make 1)

A small flat fan for the back of the lobster.

- **Ch 5.**
- **Row 1:** Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across. **[4]** ✓
- **Row 2:** ch 1, turn. inc, sc, sc, inc. **[6]** ✓
- **Row 3:** ch 1, turn. sc in each st across. **[6]**
- Fasten off leaving a 8 inch (20 cm) tail for sewing.

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## PART 4: Small Legs (make 4)

Tiny legs for under the body.

- **Ch 4.**
- **Row 1:** Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in each ch across. **[3 sl sts]**
- Fasten off leaving a 6 inch (15 cm) tail.

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## PART 5: Antennae (make 2)

- **Ch 6.**
- Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in each ch across. **[5 sl sts]**
- Fasten off leaving a 6 inch (15 cm) tail.

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## ASSEMBLY

Refer to your finished body. The narrow end (last decrease point) is the **face/front**; the rounded end is the **rear**.

1. **Eyes:** Position safety eyes (or embroider with black yarn) on the face, about 2 rounds back from the closing point and 3–4 stitches apart. If using safety eyes, install before final stuffing — but since the body is already closed, embroider French knots or small satin stitches now.

2. **Claws:** Pin the two large claws to the **front sides of the head**, just below and slightly forward of the eyes. The wrist end (last 2 plain rounds) attaches to the body. Sew securely all around the wrist using the long tail. Then use the tail to embroider a small "V" line at the rounded tip to indicate the pincer opening.

3. **Tail Fan:** Pin the trapezoid-shaped tail fan to the **rear/back of the body** (the original Rnd 1 area), with the wider edge facing outward like a fan. Sew the narrow edge (Row 1) to the body.

4. **Legs:** Pin 4 small legs along the underside of the body — 2 on each side, evenly spaced between the claws and the tail. Sew flat against the body using the tails.

5. **Antennae:** Sew the two antennae to the top of the head, between/just above the eyes. Curl them slightly with your fingers.

6. **Optional cheeks:** Embroider two small pink satin-stitch ovals or French knots below the eyes for chibi blush.

7. **Optional belly:** With white yarn, embroider a few horizontal lines across the underside between the legs to suggest belly segments.

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## Finishing

- Weave in all remaining ends with the yarn needle.
- Give the lobster a gentle squish to redistribute stuffing.
- Optional: Lightly steam-block the tail fan flat.

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## Stitch Count Summary (Verification)

| Part | Start | Peak | End |
|------|-------|------|-----|
| Body | 6 | 24 | 6 (closed) |
| Claw (×2) | 6 | 12 | 6 |
| Tail Fan | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| Leg (×4) | 3 sl st each | — | — |
| Antenna (×2) | 5 sl st each | — | — |

All increases and decreases balance. ✓

Enjoy your adorable chibi lobster! 🦞✨