16 Amigurumi Knitting Patterns for Beginners

How CUTE! These easy amigurumi knitting patterns for beginners make excellent gifts.

By: Caitlin Eaton, Editor, AllFreeKnitting.com

Who says amigurumi is just for crochet? If you've got crochet envy, you'll love this list of 16 Amigurumi Knitting Patterns for Beginners. In this collection, you'll find a variety of adorable critters to knit for your little ones. Even if you don't have any little ones around, these patterns are so cute, I won't judge you if you make one for yourself! Besides being cute, amigurumi knit patterns are also great projects for using up leftover yarn. So bust out your old yarn stash, browse through these patterns, and start making some extra cute amigurumi!

People often say that knitting is best suited to garments, but easy amigurumi knitting patterns for beginners like these can prove them wrong. Not only are they simple to make, but they stand the test of time (and they're a bit more huggable than classic crocheted amigurumi). It goes without saying that such cute projects make great gifts, simply because of the aww-factor. Indeed, you can throw these knit amigurumi toys so quickly that you’ll never need to scramble for a last-minute gift idea again.

Animals aren’t the only cute things out there, and the translation from real life into knitted form has the pleasant side effect of making things — anything — cuter. Or maybe that happens when you stitch on the tiny eyes. Either way, these patterns feature unexpectedly adorable patterns. These knit amigurumi patterns for beginners charmingly combine a cartoonish-appearance with unexpected objects, resulting in fun projects that kids will cherish.
Sign up for our free email newsletter for more amazing patterns!

1. Easy Plush Owl Knitting Pattern

For the ultimate beginner amigurumi pattern, I highly recommend this owl. Made of simple shapes and sewn-on features for the face (including even a little bit of duplicate stitch), this feathered friend is a great way to dip your toes into new skills without being overwhelming.

Get This Pattern

2. Fat Knit Cat Toy

This stuffed cat knitting pattern is great for kids and adults alike, and can even be knit in the colors of your own cat for your kitty to cuddle with during his catnaps! It's purr-fect for everyone.

Get This Pattern

3. Knit Polar Bear

This Knit Polar Bear is a replacement for any teddy bear on the market today, although polar bears can be harder to find than their grizzly cousins. It is a good project to show off your skill and makes an excellent knit gift for any child.

Get This Pattern

4. Flat Knit Octopus

If you're looking for amigurumi knitting patterns for beginners that are maybe a bit less conventional than a kitty or teddy bear, why not a clever octopus? From the adorable safety eyes to the dangly legs, it's impossible to say no to this pattern. Bonus for all the beginners out there: it's knit flat, so no fiddly DPNs or circular needles required.

Get This Pattern

5. Bunny Knitting Pattern

With some extra patience and time, you can create just the cutest little bunny for Easter and beyond. Everything about this pattern is positively squeal-worthy, from the tiny little blush marks to the rotund body. Plus, aren't the smallest things the cutest?

Get This Pattern

6. Beekle the Unimaginary Friend

This one's for the parents and grandparents out there! If your little one loves Beekle the Unimaginary Friend, you can make them one of their very own to cuddle at night with this pattern. Yes, amigurumi knitting patterns for beginners can be used to make even the whackiest-looking creatures.

Get This Pattern

7. Tiny Mouse Knitting Pattern

You know what's cuter than a tiny knit bunny? A tiny knit mouse! (Okay, maybe that's up for debate.) Still, you can't deny that this is the one kind of mouse you would want to find in your house. This beginner-friendly pattern is a joy for knitters of any skill level to make... you might even share your cookies with him.

Get This Pattern

8. Astro Alien Toy

The Astro Alien Toy is easily one of the best free amigurumi knitting patterns for beginners. Its miniature stature makes it a quick and easy knitting pattern that is perfect for your scrap yarn. I can't get over the fact that it doesn't have any arms; it really makes it feel like a friendly little alien!

Get This Pattern

9. Puppy

You literally cannot go wrong with a puppy. If you're trying to knit something cute to put up on your shelves, or struggling to come up with a toy idea for a child you don't know very well? The answer to every question is always "puppy."

Get This Pattern

10. Pizza Slice Amigurumi

Who said that free amigurumi patterns for beginners all had to be animals? You can knit whatever you want—anything in the world. You'll love how easy this Amigurumi pattern is and your kids are sure to love it. You might just want to make a whole pizza.

Get This Pattern

11. Busy Bee Toy

The best things come in small packages! You won't believe all the buzz around this adorable little honey bee. The Busy Bee Toy is a fantastic amigurumi project for anyone enjoying a lazy afternoon.

Get This Pattern

12. Cuddly Amigurumi Giraffe

Giraffes are seriously underrated animals. Show your kids an early love for giraffes with their very own Cuddly Amigurumi Giraffe. We've never seen any free amigurumi patterns so cute (or with such long necks)!

Get This Pattern

13. Skanda Vale Hospice Knitted Elephant

If there's anything in the amigurumi-knitting world that feels better than making something adorable with your own two needles, it's making something that goes to a good cause. These precious knit elephants can be given directly to the hospice or sold yourself to raise money for the inpatient unit, or even knit for someone you love who is going through a rough time.

Get This Pattern

14. Baby Gators

It's true: you can knti something so small and detailed as a beginner knitter! This precious amigurumi pattern cleverly uses garter stitch to create the scales on these little alligators. This pattern just goes to show you that nothing is off-limits when it comes to amigurumi.

Get This Pattern

15. Monster Chunks

These chunky little monsters are super simple to knit, and they make great last-minute handmade gifts! Easy amigurumi knitting patterns for beginners are often made of simple shapes, like these little spheres. I love these as little stocking stuffers or goody-bag inclusions in a kid's birthday party.

Get This Pattern

16. Tiny Perching Pigeons

To round out the cutest collection of easy amigurumi knitting patterns for beginners, how about the cutest little birds? Unlike the pigeons that stalk you for your french fries and poop on your windshield, these squishy little buddies just perch on your shelf and look adorable.

Get This Pattern