About This Pattern
This duckling is a small, four-part project: head, wings, feet, body. It fits into one or two quiet evenings, worked in short sittings. You need a steady 3.5mm hook, worsted yarn in yellow and black, and patience for the facial shaping. The finished bird stands about 15cm tall, depending on your tension. It asks for safety eyes, fiberfill, and a calm table to work on.
In the basket
Plush Yarn (Himalaya Dolphin Baby or equivalent – 100g/120m) – Main color
Plush Yarn (Himalaya Dolphin Baby or equivalent – 100g/120m) – Additional colors
Semi-Cotton Yarn (YarnArt Jeans 50g/160m)
Color options
Abbreviations
- ch
- chain stitch
- ss
- slip stitch
- ring
- magic ring (amigurumi ring)
- sc
- single crochet
- hdc
- half double crochet
- inc
- increase (2 sc in one stitch)
- dec
- decrease
- (…) × 6
- repeat instructions in parentheses 6 times
Amigurumi duckling crochet pattern for a quiet evening
Creating the Head
Begin with yellow yarn for the beak portion.
- Round 1Chain 5, working from the second chain from hook: inc, 2sc, 3sc in the final chain, 3sc (10 stitches total)Rounds 2-3: 10sc (10) for 2 rounds At this stage, your piece should appear slightly flat and beak-shaped.(10)
- Round 4Work 2 triple increases, 3sc, 2 triple increases, 3sc (18) Note: A triple increase means working 3 sc into one stitch.Change to your main color yarn.
- Round 51sc, inc, 2 triple increases, 8inc, 2 triple increases, inc, 3sc (36)Rounds 6-12: 36sc (36) for 7 rounds Inserting Safety Eyes: Position eyes between rounds 5 and 6, spacing them 12 stitches apart (6 increases between eyes). Verify they’re level with the beak before securing. For a more expressive look, carefully trim the plush fibers around each eye with nail scissors.
Note: Your stitch marker should run along the chin area.
- Round 13(4sc, dec) × 6 (30)
- Round 14(3sc, dec) × 6 (24)
- Round 15(2sc, dec) × 6 (18)Begin stuffing the head, leaving the beak unstuffed. Pull the fabric outward at the cheek areas and stuff generously for rounded, plump cheeks.
- Round 16(1sc, dec) × 6 (12) – Complete stuffing
- Round 176dec (6)Slip stitch, fasten off, leaving a tail. Use your tapestry needle to close the remaining hole.
Crafting the Wings (Make 2)
- Round 1Work 7sc in magic ring (or chain 2 and work 7sc in second chain from hook) (7)
- Round 27inc (14)Fold the piece in half and work 7 hdc through both layers to close. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Making the Feet (Make 2)
- Round 1Work 6sc in magic ring (or chain 2 and work 6sc in second chain from hook) (6)
- Round 26inc (12)
- Round 3(1sc, inc) × 6 (18)
- Round 418sc (18)
- Round 53sc, 6dec, 3sc (12)
- Round 63sc, 3dec, 3sc (9)
- Round 73sc, dec, 4sc (8)Do not stuff the feet. Work 2 more sc, fold in half, and work 4 sc through both layers. Fasten off. Shape the feet with your fingers to create the proper webbed appearance.
Building the Body
- Round 1Work 7sc in magic ring (or chain 2 and work 7sc in second chain from hook) (7)
- Round 27inc (14)
- Round 3(1sc, inc) × 7 (21)
- Round 4(inc, 2sc) × 7 (28)
- Round 5(3sc, inc) × 7 (35)
- Round 61sc, inc, (4sc, inc) × 6, 3sc (42)
- Round 7Attach the legs: 14sc, 4sc joining first leg, 6sc, 4sc joining second leg, 14sc (42)
- Round 842sc (42)
- Round 9(4sc, dec) × 7 (35)
- Round 1035sc (35)
Forming the Tail
Chain 3, work 1 sc in the first chain. Pinch the edges together as shown in reference photos and work 6sc through both layers to form the tail. Move your stitch marker to mark the new beginning of the round.
- Round 11Work 23sc around, then 1sc in the last stitch where you finished the tail (24)Critical Step: Lightly stuff the body and check tail alignment with the feet. The tail should be symmetrical. Due to tension variations, you may need to adjust where you begin forming the tail by one stitch in either direction.
- Round 12(2sc, dec) × 6 (18)Change to white yarn.
- Round 13Attach wings: 4sc, 2sc joining first wing, 7sc, 2sc joining second wing, 3sc (18)Verify wing placement is symmetrical with legs and tail. Lightly stuff to check positioning.
- Round 1418sc (18)Work 1 more sc, slip stitch, and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing the head to body. Stuff the body firmly, keeping the bottom slightly flat for stability.
More pictures
Before the first stitch
- Check you have 50-60 grams of your main color and 5-20 grams for accents.
- Set a stitch marker ready, since the head's round beginning will shift.
- Read through the Facial Sculpting steps once before you reach round 7-8.
Minutes per piece
- Head and facial shaping about 1.5-2 hours, because of 8 rounds plus needle-sculpted cheeks
- Wings, feet, and body about 2.5-4 hours, because the body alone runs 10 rounds, with two feet and two wings to repeat
Other yarns that work
- Acrylic, worsted weight Holds its shape well for stuffing, keeps the same 3.5mm hook, and stays close to the original 15cm size.
- Cotton-acrylic blend, worsted weight Gives a slightly stiffer fabric, may need a touch more stuffing, and drapes less at the wings.
Where it ends up
- A shelf companion for a child's room, paired with other small amigurumi animals.
- A soft toy for quiet play, alongside a simple crocheted basket.
- A gift for a new parent, paired with a plain knit blanket.
Joining up
- Step 1 Facial Sculpting: Using a long needle and strong thread, create definition in the face by sculpting: Insert needle between rounds 7-8 at point 1
- Step 2 Bring out at point 2 (beside eye)
- Step 3 Insert at point 3 (beside same eye)
- Step 4 Exit at point 4 (near point 1)
- Step 5 Insert at point 1, exit at point 5 (beside other eye)
- Step 6 Insert at point 6 (beside same eye)
- Step 7 Return to point 4 Pull both thread ends to create rounded cheeks. When satisfied with the shape, secure with knots and hide thread ends inside the head.
- Step 8 Embroidering Details: Eye Highlights: Using white plush yarn, embroider small highlights at the bottom of each eye. Eyelids and Eyebrows: With black semi-cotton yarn, create 2 stitches for each eyelid and 1 stitch for each eyebrow. Cheeks (Optional): Add a sweet blush with pink plush yarn using 3-4 small stitches on each cheek.
- Step 9 Attaching the Head: Use two knitting needles to position the head evenly on the body. The neck line should sit very close to where you created the facial sculpting. Sew securely using the long tail from the body or strong thread. Add extra stuffing around the neck area for stability.
Small notes
- Your finished duckling's dimensions will vary based on your personal tension, yarn quality, hook size, and crochet technique. The original pattern uses the "tick" method and produces a 15cm tall duckling.
- Use a hook no larger than 3.5mm and maintain tight tension to prevent gaps in your work. The stuffing should not show through your stitches.
- Proper stuffing is crucial for achieving the adorable rounded shape. Stuff firmly but not overly tight, emphasizing the cheeks and belly while leaving hands and feet softer. Shape as you go.
- Lightly singe plush yarn ends with a lighter to prevent fuzzing and create clean finishes.
Little questions
Why does the head use a tail-shaping step?
The tail forms by pinching the chain and working through both layers. This gives the head its duckling silhouette. Check it against the feet for symmetry before you stuff further.
Can I skip the facial sculpting steps?
You can, but the cheeks will look flatter without it. The nylon thread pulls gentle definition between rounds 7 and 8. It takes a few extra minutes and changes the whole expression.
How much yarn do I really need?
Plan on 50-60 grams for the body color and 5-20 grams for the beak and accents. Black is only needed in small amounts for the face. Buy a little extra if your tension runs loose.
Why two knitting needles for head attachment?
Long pins or knitting needles hold the head steady while you join it to the body. This keeps the angle even on both sides. Pin first, then check the duckling can stand before sewing permanently.
Original pattern: https://amigurumicorner.com/amigurumi-duckling-crochet-pattern/
About the Author
Tamsin Okoro Who writes the patterns at Yarn Gallery, how a pattern gets from the hook to the page, and what this site will never do.
