Alice the Axolotl

Terminology
This pattern is written in American crochet terminology, which differs from British terminology in some
instances. The following table of terms used in this pattern will help should you wish to translate one to the
other.
American (US) British (UK)
ch chain ch chain
slst slip stitch ss slip stitch
sc single crochet dc double crochet
hdc half double crochet htr half treble crochet
dc double crochet tr treble crochet
skip miss

Abbreviations & Symbols

cm centimeters
g grams
invdec invisible decrease
mm millimeters
Rnd(s) Round(s)
st(s) stitch(es)
() Round brackets indicate:
A group of stitches to be worked into the same stitch or space, or
The amount of stitches you should have on completion of the round or row it follows, or
Explanatory notes within the pattern.
[] Square brackets contain a group of stitches to be worked the amount of times indicated after
the brackets
* Asterisks indicate a point of repeat
“ inches

Special Stitch Explanation

Invdec
This is a good way of decreasing in amigurumi when you need a tight, smooth fabric as this technique will
eliminate bumps and holes in the fabric and will, as its name suggests, be almost completely invisible.
Insert hook into front loop only of first stitch, do not wrap yarn, insert hook into front loop only of next
stitch. You will now have a total of three loops on your hook. Wrap your yarn around hook and pull through
both of the 2 front loops on the hook, wrap yarn around hook again and pull through last 2 loops on hook.
You have now ‘invisibly’ decreased by one stitch.

Embroidered Stitches and Yarn Ends

To hide the starting and fastening off ends of embroidered stitches, first thread your yarn needle with the
appropriate yarn. Tie a knot in the end of your yarn and push needle into and out of toy between crochet
stitches, coming out where you want the first embroidery stitch to be. As you pull on the yarn the polyester
toy filling will catch the knot securely inside the toy. When you have worked the required embroidery
stitches you can finish off by passing the needle in and out between different crochet stitches a few times
until the yarn is securely caught up in the polyester filling. When secure, pull on end of yarn and snip off
close to toy. Hide the ends of any yarn tails inside the work in the same way when you have finished sewing
the pieces together.

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Stitch Marker Use
Place marker in first stitch of each round. Move marker up with each completed round.

Stitch Placement
Work in both loops of the stitch unless specified otherwise.

Gauge (Tension)
Exact gauge is not crucial for this pattern. Just make sure your crochet hook is small enough to create a
tight fabric that the stuffing can’t poke through.
With the yarn and hook specified axolotl measures approximately 4½” (11 cm) tall.

Materials for each

1 Light worsted weight, (DK/8 ply) yarn in the following color suggestions:
Light Pink (15g), Mid Pink (5g)
2 2 ply crochet thread Dark Pink (10 yds)
3 A length of Black sewing cotton
4 2 x 9 mm black plastic safety eyes
5 Polyester toy stuffing

Equipment
1 3 mm and 1.75 mm crochet hooks
2 Scissors
3 Large yarn needle
4 Small sewing needle
5 Stitch marker
6 Tweezers (for stuffing small or narrow parts)

For this pattern I recommend using a 3 mm hook with Light Worsted Weight (DK/8 ply) yarn and a 1.75 mm
hook with 2 ply thread. The 2 ply thread shown in this example is ‘Rico Essentials Crochet’ - Fuchsia (005)
but any 2 ply yarn, thread or embroidery floss will do just as well.

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Seated Axolotl

Head
Make 1 piece starting at top. Working in continuous spiral rounds.
With Light Pink yarn make 2 ch.
Rnd 1 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6 sts)
Rnd 2 2 sc in each of next 6 st. (12 sts)
Rnd 3 [Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4 Sc in each st around.
Rnd 5 [Sc in each of next 2 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 6 Sc in each st around.
Rnd 7 [Sc in each of next 3 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 8 [Sc in each of next 4 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnd 9 [Sc in each of next 5 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (42 sts)
Rnd 10 [Sc in each of next 6 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (48 sts)
Rnds 11-13 Sc in each st around. (3 rounds)
Rnd 14 [Sc in each of next 6 st, invdec] 6 times. (42 sts)
Rnd 15 [Sc in each of next 5 st, invdec] 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnd 16 [Sc in each of next 4 st, invdec] 6 times. (30 sts)
Attach safety eyes between Rnds 10 and 11 spacing them 10 stitches apart.
Rnd 17 [Sc in each of next 3 st, invdec] 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 18 [Sc in each of next 2 st, invdec] 6 times. (18 sts)
Stuff the Head.
Rnd 19 [Sc in next st, invdec] 6 times. (12 sts)
Rnd 20 Invdec 6 times. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for finishing. Thread yarn tail onto yarn needle, pick up front
loop only of remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close the hole. Fasten off. Weave in end.
With Black yarn, sew a mouth spanning 5 stitches between Rnds 12 and 13. Pull the stitch into
a smile and backstitch mouth in place with a smaller sewing needle and Black sewing cotton
(fig.1). With Mid Pink yarn, sew a few freckles over the forehead area.

Gills
Make 2 pieces. Working in rows.
With Mid Pink yarn make 6 ch.
Row 1 (Right Side) Working in back loops only (fig.2): Skip ch closest to hook, sc in each of next 5 ch
(fig.3), [6 ch, skip ch closest to hook, sc in each of next 5 ch] 5 times (figs.4-5).
(6 lobes of 5 sc made)
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.

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 fig.1 Backstitch mouth in place with fig.2 Skip ch closest to hook, sc in fig.3 First lobe of 5 sc made.
sewing cotton. back loops only of next 5 ch.

fig.4 Make 6 ch, skip ch closest to fig.5 Repeat fig.4 until you have 6 fig.6 Pull up a loop of thread in the
hook, sc in back loops only of next 5 lobes. Row 1 is now completed. top righthand st of first lobe, make 1
ch. ch then sc in same st.

Change to 1.75 mm hook.

Note: For neatest results work the first 5 sc of each lobe under 2 loops on the edge of the
chains instead of just in the left over loops of the chains (fig.7).
Row 2 With Right Side facing, pull up a loop of Dark Pink 2 ply crochet thread in first stitch of Row 1,
1 ch (does not count as a st), sc in same st as join (fig.6), sc in each of next 4 st, 3 sc in top loop
of skipped ch (fig.8), sc in each of next 5 st (fig.9), [sc in each of next 5 st, 3 sc in top loop of
skipped ch, sc in each of next 5 st] 5 times (fig.10). (78 sts)

fig.7 Sc under two loops at edge of fig.8 Make 3 sc in top loop of fig.9 Sc in each of the 5 sc down the
5 ch. skipped ch. other side of the lobe.

Note: Work all slst for picot edging in Row 3 through both layers:
Row 3 With Right Side facing out, fold work in half so that the lobes are lined up in two sets of three.
With loop still on hook and hook at back of work (fig.11), insert hook through first pair of
stitches from front to back (fig.12), slst in this st, slst in next st, *[(slst, 3 ch, slst) in next st, slst
in next st] 5 times, slst in each of next 3 st, repeat from * to end once more, [(slst, 3 ch, slst) in
next st, slst in next st] 5 times, slst in next st.
Fasten off. Weave in all yarn ends except the Mid Pink one at the end of Row 1.
Sew base of Gills together (fig.14). With Right Sides facing forwards sew Gills vertically to sides
of Head between Rnds 7 and 14 (fig.15). Sew down front and back of Gills for extra stability.

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fig.10 Repeat figs.7-9 5 more times. fig.11 For Row 3, fold work in half fig.12 Slst through both layers of
Row 2 is now completed. with Right Sides facing out. first and last st from Row 2.

fig.13 Showing the first picot made. fig.14 Sew base of Gills together. fig.15 With Right Side of Gills facing
Continue working all slst in Row 3 forwards sew to sides of Head
through both layers. between Rnds 7 and 14.
Body
Make 1 piece, starting at base. Working in continuous spiral rounds.
With Light Pink yarn make 2 ch.
Rnd 1 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6 sts)
Rnd 2 2 sc in each of next 6 st. (12 sts)
Rnd 3 [Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4 [Sc in each of next 2 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 5 [Sc in each of next 3 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 6 [Sc in each of next 4 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnds 7-8 Sc in each st around. (2 rounds)
Rnd 9 [Sc in each of next 4 st, invdec] 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnds 10-11 Sc in each st around. (2 rounds)
Rnd 12 [Sc in each of next 3 st, invdec] 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnds 13-14 Sc in each st around. (2 rounds)
Rnd 15 [Sc in each of next 2 st, invdec] 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnds 16-17 Sc in each st around. (2 rounds)
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.
Stuff the Body and sew between Rnds 17 and 18 of Head. With a length of Dark Pink 2 ply
crochet thread embroider 4-6 horizontal running stitches over chest area.
Tail
Make 1 piece starting at tip. Working in continuous spiral rounds.
With Light Pink yarn make 2 ch.
Rnd 1 3 sc in second ch from hook. (3 sts)
Rnd 2 2 sc in each of next 3 st. (6 sts)
Rnd 3 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 5 st. (7 sts)
Rnd 4 Sc in each of next 3 st, 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 3 st. (8 sts)
Rnd 5 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 7 st. (9 sts)

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Rnd 6 Sc in each of next 4 st, 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 4 st. (10 sts)
Rnd 7 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 9 st. (11 sts)
Rnd 8 Sc in each of next 5 st, 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 5 st. (12 sts)
Rnd 9 [Sc in each of next 3 st, 2 sc in next st] 3 times. (15 sts)
Rnd 10 [Sc in each of next 4 st, 2 sc in next st] 3 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 11 [Sc in each of next 5 st, 2 sc in next st] 3 times. (21 sts)
Rnd 12 [Sc in each of next 6 st, 2 sc in next st] 3 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 13 [Sc in each of next 7 st, 2 sc in next st] 3 times. (27 sts)
Rnd 14 [Sc in each of next 8 st, 2 sc in next st] 3 times. (30 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.
Stuff the Tail and sew to side of Body between Rnds 1 and 13 (fig.16).

fig.16 Sew tail to side of body fig.17 Row 1 of Hand/Foot fig.18 Oversew lobed edges
between Rnds 1 and 13. completed. together.
Arms
Make 2 pieces, starting at wrist. Working in continuous spiral rounds.
With Light Pink yarn make 2 ch.
Rnd 1 5 sc in second ch from hook. (5 sts)
Rnds 2-7 Sc in each st around. (6 rounds)
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing. Stuff the Arms. Set aside.
Hands
Make 2 pieces. Working in rows.
With Light Pink yarn make 3 ch.
Row 1 Skip ch closest to hook, slst in each of next 2 ch, [3 ch, skip ch closest to hook, slst in each of
next 2 ch] 5 times (fig.17). (6 lobes of 2 slst made)
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.
Fold Hand in half so the lobes are lined up. Oversew edges of lobes together with small
stitches (fig.18) leaving base of Hand open. Fit open base of Hand over end of Arm and sew
between Rnds 1 and 2 of Arm (fig.19). Pinch top of Arms flat so that the flat seam will be at
right angles to the flat face of the Hand and sew closed (fig.20). Sew flat seams of Arms into
neck creases at sides of Body.

fig.19 Sew base of Hand/Foot fig.20 Arm - sew seam flat at right fig.21 Leg - sew seam flat so it is
between Rnds 1 and 2 of Arm/Leg. angles to flat face of Hand. parallel with flat face of Foot.

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Legs
Make 2 pieces, starting at ankle. Working in continuous spiral rounds.
With Light Pink yarn make 2 ch.
Rnd 1 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6 sts)
Rnds 2-6 Sc in each st around. (5 rounds)
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing. Stuff the Legs. Set aside.
Feet
Make 2 pieces. Working in rows.
With Light Pink yarn make 3 ch.
Row 1 Skip ch closest to hook, sc in each of next 2 ch, [3 ch, skip ch closest to hook, sc in each of next
2 ch] 5 times (fig.17). (6 lobes of 2 sc made)
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.
Fold Foot in half so the lobes are lined up. Oversew edges of lobes together with small stitches
(fig.18) leaving base of Foot open. Fit open base of Foot over end of Leg and sew between
Rnds 1 and 2 of Leg (fig.19). Pinch top of Leg flat so that the flat seam will run parallel with the
flat face of the foot (fig.21). Sew flat seams of Legs at a slight angle between Rnds 5 and 8 of
Body with front Leg situated over tail join (fig.22) and back Leg approximately 6 sts from tail
join (fig.23). To stop the Legs moving around, sew a stitch through the back of each Leg and
into the Body where both parts touch.

fig.22 Position of Front Leg. fig.23 Position of Back Leg. fig.24 Crochet in back loops only.

fig.25 Sew inner loops of tops of sc fig.26 Insert needle from bottom to fig.27 …insert needle through loop
together (forms bottom edge of Fin). top at end of Fin then pull tight to shape into a point.

fig.28 Sew leftover loops from fig.29 Tie both yarn ends together, fig.30 Sew Fin to top of Tail.
foundation ch together (forms top knot off tightly and weave in the
edge of Fin). shorter end.

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Fin
Make 1 piece, starting at bottom edge. Working in rows.
With Mid Pink yarn make 25 ch.
Row 1 (Right Side) Working in back loops only (fig.24): Skip ch closest to hook, slst in next 2 ch, sc in
next ch, hdc in each of next 6 ch, sc in next ch, slst in each of next 4 ch, sc in next ch, hdc in
each of next 6 ch, sc in next ch, slst in each of next 2 ch. (24 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.
Fold Fin in half with right sides facing outwards and oversew inner loops of tops of sc together
(fig.25) (forms bottom edge). Insert needle from bottom to top at end of Fin (fig.26), insert
needle through loop (fig.27) and pull tight to shape end into a point. Sew leftover loops from
foundation ch together (fig.28) (forms top edge). Tie both yarn ends together (fig.29), knot off
tightly and weave in the shorter end.
Sew front and back sides of bottom edge of Fin down length of top of Tail. All stitches in the
Fin should be made just above the leftover loops from the foundation chain (fig.30).

Vertical Axolotl

Head
Follow Pattern and instructions for Seated Axolotl’s Head (page 4).

Gills
Follow Pattern and instructions for Seated Axolotl’s Gills (pages 4-5).

Tail and Body

Make 1 piece starting at tail tip. Working in continuous spiral rounds.
With Light Pink yarn make 2 ch.
Rnd 1 3 sc in second ch from hook. (3 sts)
Rnd 2 2 sc in each of next 3 st. (6 sts)
Rnd 3 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 5 st. (7 sts)
Rnd 4 Sc in each of next 3 st, 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 3 st. (8 sts)
Rnd 5 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 7 st. (9 sts)
Rnd 6 Sc in each of next 4 st, 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 4 st. (10 sts)
Rnd 7 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 9 st. (11 sts)
Rnd 8 Sc in each of next 5 st, 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 5 st. (12 sts)
Rnd 9 [Sc in each of next 3 st, 2 sc in next st] 3 times. (15 sts)
Rnd 10 [Sc in each of next 4 st, 2 sc in next st] 3 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 11 [Sc in each of next 5 st, 2 sc in next st] 3 times. (21 sts)
Rnd 12 [Sc in each of next 6 st, 2 sc in next st] 3 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 13 [Sc in each of next 7 st, 2 sc in next st] 3 times. (27 sts)

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Rnd 14 [Sc in each of next 8 st, 2 sc in next st] 3 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 15 [Sc in each of next 4 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnd 16 Sc in each st to end.
Rnd 17 [Sc in each of next 4 st, invdec] 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 18 Sc in each st around.
Rnd 19 [Sc in each of next 3 st, invdec] 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 20 Sc in each st around.
Rnd 21 [Sc in each of next 2 st, invdec] 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 22 Sc in each st around.
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.
Stuff the Body and sew between Rnds 17 and 18 of Head.

Arms
Follow Pattern and instructions for Seated Axolotl’s Arms (page 7).

Hands
Follow Pattern and instructions for Seated Axolotl’s Hands (page 7).

Fins
Make 2 pieces, following pattern and instructions for Seated Axolotl’s Fin (page 9).
Sew front and back sides of bottom edge of Fins down each side of the Tail. All stitches in the
Fin should be made just above the leftover loops from the foundation chain (fig.30).

Legs
Follow Pattern and instructions for Seated Axolotl’s Legs (page 8).

Feet
Follow Pattern and instructions for Seated Axolotl’s Feet (page 8).
Sew flat seams of Legs in front of Fins with top of flat seams level with tops of Fins.

Horizontal Axolotl

Head
Follow Pattern and instructions for Seated Axolotl’s Head (page 4) attaching safety eyes
between Rnds 8 and 9, spacing them 12 stitches apart (the 12 stitch gap between the eyes will
be situated at the top of the Head).
With Black yarn sew a single horizontal stitch spanning 4 rounds at front center of Head.
Backstitch mouth in place with a thinner needle and Black sewing cotton (fig.1). With Mid Pink
yarn sew a few freckles over the top of the Head.

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Gills
Follow Pattern and instructions for Seated Axolotl’s Gills (pages 4-5)
Sew the Gills to the sides of the head between Rnds 12 and 13.

Tail and Body

Follow Pattern and instructions for Vertical Axolotl’s Tail and Body (pages 9-10).

Arms
Follow Pattern and instructions for Seated Axolotl’s Arms (page 7).

Hands
Follow Pattern and instructions for Seated Axolotl’s Hands (page 7).

Fins
Make 2 pieces, following pattern and instructions for Seated Axolotl’s Fin (page 9).
Sew front and back sides of bottom edge of Fins down each side of the Tail. All stitches in the
Fin should be made just above the leftover loops from the foundation chain (fig.30).

Legs
Follow Pattern and instructions for Seated Axolotl’s Legs (page 8).
Sew flat seams of Legs just below Fins with top of flat seams level with tops of Fins.

Feet
Follow Pattern and instructions for Seated Axolotl’s Feet (page 8).
Sew flat seams of Legs below Fins with top of flat seams level with tops of Fins.

Pattern & Images © 2020 Moji-Moji Design (Janine Holmes)

This pattern is an original design and all content, including the inherent design and all images are the copyright and
design right of Moji-Moji Design (Janine Holmes). Reproducing, distributing, or selling this pattern, either in the
original or any modified format, via any media, whether digital or physical, is strictly prohibited.

Axel and Alice Axolotl © 2020 Moji-Moji Design Page 11