Massive Peach Axolotl

A jumbo beginner amigurumi axolotl made from simple shapes: a round head, a fat cylinder body, a paddle tail, stubby legs, and six ruffled gills. Peachy orange is the skin; orange makes the tail, spots, and inner gills; red makes the outer gills and smile; blue milk yarn makes a squishy belly and a wavy back fin.

Skill level: Beginner

Finished size: About 22 inches (56 cm) long from nose to tail tip, 6 inches (15 cm) across the body, and about 11 inches (28 cm) tall including gills. Size will grow if your gauge is looser than stated.

Materials

Yarn (worsted weight / category 4 unless noted)

• Peachy orange (Color A): 250 m / 273 yd — head, body, legs
• Orange (Color B): 120 m / 131 yd — tail, inner gills, spots, cheeks, foot pads
• Red (Color C): 100 m / 109 yd — outer gills, smile
• Blue milk yarn (Color D): 150 m / 164 yd — belly, back fin, optional eye discs

You have 280 m A, 280 m B, 280 m C, and 255 m D, which is enough at the stated gauge.

Hooks

• US G-6 (4 mm) for Colors A, B, and C
• US I-9 (5.5 mm) for Color D only

Notions

• Polyester fiberfill, about 12–16 oz (340–450 g)
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker
• Pins
• Scissors
• 2 safety eyes, 12–14 mm or dark scrap yarn/embroidery floss for pupils
• Optional: dark embroidery floss for nostrils

Safety note: Safety eyes are a choking hazard. If this toy is for a child under 3 years, embroider the eyes instead.

Gauge

With US G-6 (4 mm) and Color A, in single crochet in the round:

20 sc and 20 rnds = 4 inches (10 cm)

The fabric should be firm so stuffing does not show. If you have holes, go down to 3.5 mm for Colors A–C.

With US I-9 (5.5 mm) and Color D:

14 sc and 14 rnds = 4 inches (10 cm)

Blue is meant to be softer and slightly larger — that is why the belly and fin use the bigger hook.

Abbreviations (US)

Pattern Notes

• Work in a continuous spiral unless a row is specified. Do not join at the end of each round.
• Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round and move it up.
• Invisible decrease: Insert hook under the front loop of the next st, then under the front loop of the following st (2 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through both front loops (2 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through both loops.
• Magic ring alternative: Ch 2, work the stated number of sc into the 2nd ch from the hook, then pull the starting tail to close the hole.
• Stuff as you go. A piece this large is very hard to stuff from one end.
• Counts in [brackets] are the stitch count at the end of that round.
• Head and body are both left open at 96 sts so they sew together 1:1.
• Leave long tails (18 inches / 46 cm) on pieces that are sewn on.

Head

Color A (peachy orange), 4 mm hook.

Start at the crown. The open end is the neck.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]

Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12] (6 inc → 6 + 6 = 12 ✓)

Rnd 3: (sc, inc) 6 times [18] (6 inc → 12 + 6 = 18 ✓)

Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) 6 times [24] (6 inc → 18 + 6 = 24 ✓)

Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) 6 times [30] (6 inc → 24 + 6 = 30 ✓)

Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) 6 times [36] (6 inc → 30 + 6 = 36 ✓)

Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) 6 times [42] (6 inc → 36 + 6 = 42 ✓)

Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) 6 times [48] (6 inc → 42 + 6 = 48 ✓)

Rnd 9: (7 sc, inc) 6 times [54] (6 inc → 48 + 6 = 54 ✓)

Rnd 10: (8 sc, inc) 6 times [60] (6 inc → 54 + 6 = 60 ✓)

Rnd 11: (9 sc, inc) 6 times [66] (6 inc → 60 + 6 = 66 ✓)

Rnd 12: (10 sc, inc) 6 times [72] (6 inc → 66 + 6 = 72 ✓)

Rnd 13: (11 sc, inc) 6 times [78] (6 inc → 72 + 6 = 78 ✓)

Rnd 14: (12 sc, inc) 6 times [84] (6 inc → 78 + 6 = 84 ✓)

Rnd 15: (13 sc, inc) 6 times [90] (6 inc → 84 + 6 = 90 ✓)

Rnd 16: (14 sc, inc) 6 times [96] (6 inc → 90 + 6 = 96 ✓)

Rnds 17–32: sc in each st around [96] (16 rnds)

Eyes: If using safety eyes, insert them between Rnds 22 and 23, 20 sts apart, centered on what will be the face. Add washers on the inside. If you are using optional blue eye discs (see Extra Pieces), sew those on first and push the safety-eye posts through the disc centers.

Stuff the head firmly, pushing extra filling toward the face so the snout rounds forward. Do not close the 96-st neck. FO, leaving an 18 inch (46 cm) tail.

Body

Color A (peachy orange), 4 mm hook.

Start at the rear (closed end). The open end is the neck, sewn to the head.

Rnds 1–16: Work exactly as Head Rnds 1–16 [96]

Rnds 17–56: sc in each st around [96] (40 rnds)

Stuff firmly as you go, especially from Rnd 40 onward. FO, leaving an 18 inch (46 cm) tail. The rear is a rounded dome; the tail sews onto that dome.

Tail

Color B (orange), 4 mm hook.

Start at the tip.

Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR [4]

Rnd 2: (sc, inc) 2 times [6] (2 inc → 4 + 2 = 6 ✓)

Rnd 3: (sc, inc) 3 times [9] (3 inc → 6 + 3 = 9 ✓)

Rnd 4: sc in each st around [9]

Rnd 5: (2 sc, inc) 3 times [12] (3 inc → 9 + 3 = 12 ✓)

Rnd 6: sc in each st around [12]

Rnd 7: (3 sc, inc) 3 times [15] (3 inc → 12 + 3 = 15 ✓)

Rnd 8: sc in each st around [15]

Rnd 9: (4 sc, inc) 3 times [18] (3 inc → 15 + 3 = 18 ✓)

Rnds 10–11: sc in each st around [18]

Rnd 12: (5 sc, inc) 3 times [21] (3 inc → 18 + 3 = 21 ✓)

Rnd 13: sc in each st around [21]

Rnd 14: (6 sc, inc) 3 times [24] (3 inc → 21 + 3 = 24 ✓)

Rnds 15–16: sc in each st around [24]

Rnd 17: (7 sc, inc) 3 times [27] (3 inc → 24 + 3 = 27 ✓)

Rnd 18: sc in each st around [27]

Rnd 19: (8 sc, inc) 3 times [30] (3 inc → 27 + 3 = 30 ✓)

Rnds 20–21: sc in each st around [30]

Rnd 22: (4 sc, inc) 6 times [36] (6 inc → 30 + 6 = 36 ✓)

Rnds 23–24: sc in each st around [36]

Rnd 25: (5 sc, inc) 6 times [42] (6 inc → 36 + 6 = 42 ✓)

Rnds 26–27: sc in each st around [42]

Rnd 28: (6 sc, inc) 6 times [48] (6 inc → 42 + 6 = 48 ✓)

Rnds 29–30: sc in each st around [48]

Rnd 31: (7 sc, inc) 6 times [54] (6 inc → 48 + 6 = 54 ✓)

Rnds 32–36: sc in each st around [54] (5 rnds)

Stuff lightly. A tail stuffed hard will not paddle. FO, leaving an 18 inch (46 cm) tail for sewing.

Legs (make 4)

Color A (peachy orange), 4 mm hook.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]

Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12] (6 inc → 6 + 6 = 12 ✓)

Rnd 3: (sc, inc) 6 times [18] (6 inc → 12 + 6 = 18 ✓)

Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) 6 times [24] (6 inc → 18 + 6 = 24 ✓)

Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) 6 times [30] (6 inc → 24 + 6 = 30 ✓)

Rnds 6–11: sc in each st around [30] (6 rnds)

Rnd 12: (3 sc, dec) 6 times [24] (6 dec → 30 − 6 = 24 ✓)

Stuff the foot firmly and the top of the leg only lightly.

Rnd 13: sc in each st around [24]

FO, leaving an 18 inch (46 cm) tail. Do not close the opening; it is flattened when sewn to the body.

Foot Pads (make 4)

Color B (orange), 4 mm hook.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]

Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12] (6 inc → 6 + 6 = 12 ✓)

Sl st in first sc. FO, leaving a 12 inch (30 cm) tail. Sew one pad to the bottom (MR end) of each leg.

Outer Gills — Red (make 6)

Color C (red), 4 mm hook.

Make 2 small, 2 medium, and 2 large. Stuff each stalk lightly so the gill can droop. Do not stuff the ruffle.

Small (make 2)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]

Rnd 2: (sc, inc) 3 times [9] (3 inc → 6 + 3 = 9 ✓)

Rnds 3–14: sc in each st around [9] (12 rnds)

Rnd 15: 3 sc in each st around [27] (9 × 3 = 27 ✓)

Rnd 16: sc in each st around [27]

FO and weave in the end.

Medium (make 2)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]

Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12] (6 inc → 6 + 6 = 12 ✓)

Rnds 3–18: sc in each st around [12] (16 rnds)

Rnd 19: 3 sc in each st around [36] (12 × 3 = 36 ✓)

Rnd 20: sc in each st around [36]

FO and weave in the end.

Large (make 2)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]

Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12] (6 inc → 6 + 6 = 12 ✓)

Rnd 3: (sc, inc) 6 times [18] (6 inc → 12 + 6 = 18 ✓)

Rnds 4–24: sc in each st around [18] (21 rnds)

Rnd 25: 3 sc in each st around [54] (18 × 3 = 54 ✓)

Rnd 26: sc in each st around [54]

FO and weave in the end.

Inner Gills — Orange (make 6)

Color B (orange), 4 mm hook.

These sit in front of the red gills and add a second layer of color. Make 2 of each length.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]

Rnd 2: (sc, inc) 3 times [9] (3 inc → 6 + 3 = 9 ✓)

Work even rounds as follows, then FO leaving a 12 inch (30 cm) tail. Stuff very lightly.

• Short (make 2): Rnds 3–8 — sc around [9] (6 rnds)
• Medium (make 2): Rnds 3–10 — sc around [9] (8 rnds)
• Long (make 2): Rnds 3–12 — sc around [9] (10 rnds)

Belly Patch

Color D (blue), 5.5 mm hook.

Worked as an oval around a starting chain, in a continuous spiral.

Ch 21.

Rnd 1: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 18 ch, 3 sc in last ch; rotate and work along the other side of the chain, sc in next 18 ch, 1 sc in the same ch as the beginning 2-sc [42] (2 + 18 + 3 + 18 + 1 = 42 ✓)

Rnd 2: inc in next 2 sts, sc 18, inc in next 3 sts, sc 18, inc in last st [48] (6 inc → 42 + 6 = 48 ✓)

Rnd 3: (sc, inc) 2 times, sc 18, (sc, inc) 3 times, sc 18, (sc, inc) 1 time [54] (6 inc → 48 + 6 = 54 ✓)

Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) 2 times, sc 18, (2 sc, inc) 3 times, sc 18, (2 sc, inc) 1 time [60] (6 inc → 54 + 6 = 60 ✓)

Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) 2 times, sc 18, (3 sc, inc) 3 times, sc 18, (3 sc, inc) 1 time [66] (6 inc → 60 + 6 = 66 ✓)

Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) 2 times, sc 18, (4 sc, inc) 3 times, sc 18, (4 sc, inc) 1 time [72] (6 inc → 66 + 6 = 72 ✓)

Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) 2 times, sc 18, (5 sc, inc) 3 times, sc 18, (5 sc, inc) 1 time [78] (6 inc → 72 + 6 = 78 ✓)

Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) 2 times, sc 18, (6 sc, inc) 3 times, sc 18, (6 sc, inc) 1 time [84] (6 inc → 78 + 6 = 84 ✓)

Rnd 9: sc in each st around [84]

Rnd 10: (7 sc, inc) 2 times, sc 18, (7 sc, inc) 3 times, sc 18, (7 sc, inc) 1 time [90] (6 inc → 84 + 6 = 90 ✓)

Rnd 11: sc in each st around [90]

Rnd 12: (8 sc, inc) 2 times, sc 18, (8 sc, inc) 3 times, sc 18, (8 sc, inc) 1 time [96] (6 inc → 90 + 6 = 96 ✓)

Rnds 13–14: sc in each st around [96]

Sl st in next st. FO, leaving a 24 inch (61 cm) tail for sewing.

Back Fin

Color D (blue), 5.5 mm hook.

A long ruffled strip sewn from the crown, along the spine, and out onto the tail.

Ch 91.

Row 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across [270] (90 sts × 3 = 270 ✓)

The strip will curl into a wave — that is the fin. FO, leaving a 24 inch (61 cm) tail.

Spots (make 8)

Color B (orange), 4 mm hook.

Small spots (make 4)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]

Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12] (6 inc → 6 + 6 = 12 ✓)

Sl st in first sc. FO, leaving a 12 inch (30 cm) tail.

Large spots (make 4)

Rnds 1–2: as Small spots [12]

Rnd 3: (sc, inc) 6 times [18] (6 inc → 12 + 6 = 18 ✓)

Sl st in first sc. FO, leaving a 12 inch (30 cm) tail.

Optional: make 2 extra small spots in Color C (red) if you want mixed spots.

Cheeks (make 2)

Color B (orange), 4 mm hook.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]

Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12] (6 inc → 6 + 6 = 12 ✓)

Sl st in first sc. FO, leaving a 12 inch (30 cm) tail.

Extra Pieces (optional)

Eye discs (make 2) — Color D, 5.5 mm hook

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]

Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12] (6 inc → 6 + 6 = 12 ✓)

Rnd 3: (sc, inc) 6 times [18] (6 inc → 12 + 6 = 18 ✓)

Sl st in first sc. FO, leaving a 12 inch (30 cm) tail. Sew to the head at the eye position, then insert safety eyes through the centers (or satin-stitch a pupil in dark yarn).

Assembly

Pin every piece before you sew. Use whip stitch or mattress stitch with the matching yarn tail. Hide all ends inside the toy.

1. Head to body Hold the 96-st neck of the head against the 96-st opening of the body, face forward. Match stitch to stitch (96 = 96 ✓). Sew all the way around, adding more stuffing at the last 3 inches (8 cm) so the neck does not dent.

2. Tail Flatten the tail so it is a vertical paddle (taller than it is wide). Sew the 54-st opening onto the rear dome of the body, centered. The tail should stick straight back and slightly down.

3. Belly Pin the blue oval to the underside, from just behind the neck seam to just in front of the tail. Sew around the edge. The larger 5.5 mm fabric should sit slightly puffy — do not stretch it tight.

4. Back fin Pin the un-ruffled chain edge of the fin along the center of the back, starting on the crown of the head (about Rnd 8), down the spine, and along the top edge of the tail. Sew the chain edge only; let the 3-sc ruffle stand up.

5. Legs Flatten each 24-st leg opening. Sew:

• Front pair: on the sides of the body, about 2 inches (5 cm) behind the neck seam, slightly toward the belly
• Back pair: on the sides, about 2 inches (5 cm) in front of the tail, slightly toward the belly

They should splay out like an axolotl’s, not hang straight down. Foot pads already face the floor.

6. Gills (this is the face of the toy) Work one side, then copy it on the other.

On the right side of the head, behind and a little above the eye:

• Sew the small red gill toward the face (front of the cluster)
• Sew the medium red gill in the middle, fanned up
• Sew the large red gill toward the back, fanned up and slightly back

Bases sit close together, ruffles spread apart. Then sew the short, medium, and long orange inner gills just in front of the matching red gills, so orange peeks out from the red ruffles.

Repeat as a mirror image on the left side. Step back: you should see three gills per side, small-to-large from nose to tail.

7. Spots Scatter 4 large and 4 small orange spots on the head and upper body. Do not cover the belly or the fin path. A few on the sides of the tail look natural.

8. Cheeks Sew one orange cheek circle on each side of the face, just below and slightly forward of each eye.

Face

Smile: With Color C (red) and the yarn needle, embroider a shallow V or a 5-stitch wide curve, 2 rounds below the eyes and centered.

Nostrils (optional): Two tiny stitches in red or dark floss, about 4 sts apart, just above the smile.

Pupils (if you skipped safety eyes): Satin-stitch a small oval on each blue disc (or directly on the peach fabric) with dark yarn. A single straight stitch of Color B (orange) as a highlight makes the eye look alive.

Weave in every remaining end. Steam is not needed; if a seam looks puffy, roll it between your palms.

Finishing Checklist

• Head and body seam is stuffed full and smooth
• Tail is flattened into a paddle, not a round cone
• Four legs splay to the sides, foot pads down
• Three red gills + three orange inner gills on each side, fanned small → large toward the tail
• Blue belly covers the underside; blue fin runs crown to tail tip
• Eyes are secure (or embroidered); smile is centered
• No yarn tails showing

Your massive axolotl is done. It will slump and squish a little — that is the right look.