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Grinch and His Friends Amigurumi Pattern

Grinch and His Friends Amigurumi Pattern
4.9★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
1.9K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

🧸

Cute Companion

An adorable friend to cherish, handcrafted with love to bring comfort and joy for years to come.

About This Grinch and His Friends Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern contains complete instructions to crochet three mini amigurumi characters inspired by the Grinch tale: the Grinch, Cindy Lou, and Max. Every round is written out so you can follow the shaping from the bottom up and stuff as you go for clean results. The pattern uses plush yarns for soft texture and includes accessory details like scarves, braids, and a collar.

Grinch and His Friends Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

You will find materials lists, abbreviations, and step-by-step rounds for each toy, plus assembly and embroidery guidance. Video links are referenced throughout to help with tricky steps like sculpting eye sockets and sewing hair.

Why You'll Love This Grinch and His Friends Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it brings together three beloved characters into a cohesive miniature set that is fun to crochet and decorate. I enjoy working with plush yarns and seeing how texture adds personality to each toy. The pattern includes detailed shaping and embroidery tips that help create expressive faces, which is my favorite part. I also love that there are small accessories and hair techniques to practice, giving you a chance to try new skills while finishing a cute collectible.

Grinch and His Friends Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress Grinch and His Friends Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Grinch and His Friends Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Grinch and His Friends Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how easily this pattern adapts to color swaps — you can change the Grinch's color to any green shade or even playful pastels for a unique twist.

I often make the toys larger or smaller by switching yarn weight and hook size; try bulky yarn with a larger hook for a chunky version or thinner yarn for tiny keychain pals.

I like to add wire inside the limbs if I want posable arms for display; just add thin floral wire before closing the pieces.

I sometimes replace the sewn eye beads with embroidered eyes or safety eyes of different sizes for different expressions — experiment to change personality.

For hair and wigs, try different yarn textures such as mohair or boucle to create a fluffy or sleek hairstyle; you can also trim or style the strands after sewing.

I recommend swapping the scarf color combinations to match holiday themes — red/white for Christmas, pastel combos for spring, or team colors for gifting.

If you enjoy embroidery, play with eyebrow and eyelash shapes to create grumpy, surprised, or sweet expressions on the faces.

Try making tiny accessories like a miniature present, tiny hat, or a different collar style for Max to add character and storytelling to your set.

I like to group these as ornaments by attaching a small loop to the top of the head so they hang on a tree — just add a few extra chains and secure them inside the head before closing.

Finally, I often design a whole set in matching yarns and create a display scene — think a tiny sleigh or tiny blanket — and it becomes a wonderful handmade gift collection.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping stitch markers while working rounds can lead to losing your place and uneven shaping; use stitch markers at the beginning of each round and when the pattern indicates special placement. ✗ Not stuffing as you go causes large empty gaps or overstuffed sections later; stuff gradually after every few rounds to maintain smooth shaping and adjust firmness. ✗ Changing yarn color without securing tails properly results in loose ends and visible joins; weave in or knot and hide tails as instructed and trim excess yarn before continuing. ✗ Forgetting to install safety eyes at the recommended round will misplace the eyes and distort facial proportions; place safety eyes between the specified rounds and count stitches to keep even spacing. ✗ Pulling stitches too tightly when using plush yarn can flatten the texture and make stitching hard to see; maintain a relaxed tension and use the recommended hook sizes for best results.

Grinch and His Friends Amigurumi Pattern

Make a festive trio of amigurumi characters — the Grinch, Cindy Lou, and Max — using plush yarns and simple shaping. This pattern gives you step-by-step round-by-round instructions, assembly guidance, and video references so you can follow along easily. Perfect for holiday gifts, ornaments, or a playful handmade collection, you'll enjoy creating charming little characters with personality.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Grinch and His Friends Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Plush yarn Wolans Bunny Baby (100g/120m, 100% polyester) pistachio (46) - Grinch main color
  • 02
    Plush yarn Himalaya Dolphin Baby (100g/120m, 100% polyester) khaki (361) - for nose and eyebrows (Grinch)
  • 03
    DK weight yarn YarnArt Jeans (50g/160m, 55% cotton/45% acrylic) white (62) and red (26) - scarf for Grinch
  • 04
    Plush yarn Himalaya Dolphin Baby (100g/120m, 100% polyester) bright pink (309), skin (353), red (318) - Cindy Lou
  • 05
    Plush yarn Himalaya Dolphin Fine (100g/175m) yellow (502) - Cindy Lou hair
  • 06
    Plush yarn Himalaya Dolphin Fine white (501) - for eyes embroidery (Cindy Lou)
  • 07
    DK weight yarn YarnArt Jeans (50g/160m, 55% cotton/45% acrylic) white (62) and pink (74) - scarf for Cindy Lou
  • 08
    Plush yarn Wolans Bunny Baby (100g/120m, 100% polyester) caramel (19) - Max main color
  • 09
    Plush yarn Himalaya Dolphin Baby (100g/120m, 100% polyester) dark brown (336) - Max muzzle/ears details
  • 10
    Plush yarn YarnArt Mink (50g/75m, 100% polyamide) brown (333) - Max forelock
  • 11
    DK weight yarn YarnArt Jeans (50g/160m, 55% cotton/45% acrylic) red (26) - Max collar

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Sewing eye beads D=8 mm
  • 02
    Nose 12x10 mm (black and brown) for Max
  • 03
    Iris yarn (25g/150m 100% cotton) black (for embroidery) and pink (for Cindy's smile)
  • 04
    Crochet hook size 3.5 mm
  • 05
    Crochet hook size 2.5 mm (for Cindy's hair and small details)
  • 06
    Crochet hook size 2.0 mm (for scarves)
  • 07
    Stuffing material (fiberfill/polyester)
  • 08
    Tapestry needle for sewing
  • 09
    Scissors
  • 10
    Stitch marker (a scrap of contrasting color)
  • 11
    Pins for positioning wig/hair strands (optional)
  • 12
    Glue (a drop to secure plush yarn ends, optional)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Grinch :

Info :

Crochet from the bottom to the top. Stuff the toy with fiberfill as you crochet.

Round 1 :

7 sc into MR (7)

Round 2 :

7 inc (14)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, inc)*7 (21)

Round 4 :

Back loops only: 7 sc, HDC 3 together, 4 sc, HDC 3 together, 8 sc (21)

Info :

Click the link to watch how to crochet the 4th round.

Round 5-7 :

21 sc (3 rounds) (21)

Round 8 :

(5 sc, dec)*3 (18)

Round 9 :

6 sc, chain 7 and start crocheting in the 3rd chain from hook: HDC inc, 4 sl sts (arm), 6 sc, chain 7 and start crocheting in the 3rd chain from hook: HDC inc, 4 sl sts (arm), 6 sc (18)

Round 10 :

(1 sc, dec)*6 (12)

Info :

Click the icon to watch how to crochet rounds 9 and 10.

Round 11 :

12 sc (12)

Round 12 :

12 inc (24)

Round 13 :

11 sc, 4 inc – in the center (make shift stitches if needed) 9 sc (28)

Round 14-15 :

28 sc (2 rounds) (28)

Round 16 :

9 sc, 2 dec, 4 sc – in the center, 2 dec, 7 sc (24)

Round 17 :

24 sc (24)

Round 18 :

(2 sc, dec)*6 (18)

Round 19 :

18 sc (18)

Round 20 :

(1 sc, dec)*6 (12)

Info :

If you use safety eyes - install the eyes between rounds 17 and 18. The distance between the eye stems is 5 sc.

Round 21-22 :

12 sc (2 rounds) (12)

Round 23 :

6 dec (6)

Info :

Fasten off, break yarn, and hide the tail inside.

— Forelock :

Info :

Attach the basic color yarn to the top. Chain 3, and start crocheting in the 2nd chain from hook 2 sl sts, sl st in the base. Chain 4 and start crocheting in the 2nd chain from hook 3 sl sts, sl st in the top, chain 3 and start crocheting in the 2nd chain from hook 2 sl sts, sl st in the base. Fasten off, break yarn, and hide the tail inside.

Info :

Click the icon to watch the video about how to crochet the forelock.

— Assembly :

Infos :

Sculpt the eye sockets. Click the icon to watch how to sculpt the eyes. - embroider the whites on the outer side of the eye with white plush yarn; - embroider the eyelashes with black thread; - embroider the eyebrows in round 19 with dark green thread (the length is 2 sc). The distance between the eyebrows is 3 sc. Embroider the nose between the eyes (between rounds 16 and 17). The length of the nose is 1 sc. Make 2 stitches; - Embroider the mouth as guided in the photo.

— Scarf :

Info :

With YarnArt Jeans yarn and a 2 mm crochet hook. Work in back and forth rows. Chain 1 at the beginning of each row. Start crocheting with red yarn.

Round 1 :

Chain 3 and start crocheting in the 2nd chain from hook 2 sc, chain 1.

Round 2-3 :

Change to white yarn, 2 sc, chain 1 (2 rounds) with white color

Round 4-5 :

Change to red yarn, 2 sc, chain 1 (2 rounds) with red color

Info :

Repeat rounds 2-5 until you reach the desired length of the scarf. Click the link to watch how to crochet the scarf.

— Cindy Lou :

Info :

Crochet from the bottom to the top. Stuff with fiberfill as you crochet, Start crocheting with pink yarn.

Round 1 :

7 sc into MR (7)

Round 2 :

7 inc (14)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, inc)*7 (21)

Round 4 :

BLO: 7 sc, HDC 3 together, 4 sc, HDC 3 together, 8 sc (21)

Round 5-7 :

21 sc (3 rounds) (21)

Round 8 :

(5 sc, dec)*3 (18)

Round 9 :

6 sc, chain 7 and start crocheting in the 3rd chain from hook: HDC inc, 4 sl sts (arm), 6 sc, chain 7 and start crocheting in the 3rd chain from hook: HDC inc, 4 sl sts (arm), 6 sc (18)

Round 10 :

(1 sc, dec)*6 (12)

Round 11 :

12 sc (12)

Info :

Change to beige yarn. Cut pink yarn and secure it.

Round 12 :

12 inc (24)

Round 13 :

11 sc, 4 inc – in the center, 9 sc (28)

Round 14-15 :

28 sc (2 rounds) (28)

Round 16 :

9 sc, 2 dec, 4 sc – in the center, 2 dec, 7 sc (24)

Round 17 :

24 sc (24)

Round 18 :

(2 sc, dec)*6 (18)

Info :

If you use safety eyes - install the eyes between rounds 16 and 17. The distance between the eye stems is 5 sc.

Round 19 :

18 sc (18)

Round 20 :

(1 sc, dec)*6 (12)

Round 21 :

6 dec (6)

Info :

Fasten off, break yarn, and hide the tail inside.

— Cindy Assembly :

Infos :

Sculpt the eye sockets similar to the Grinch but between rounds 16 and 17. - embroider the whites on the outer side of the eye with white plush yarn; - embroider the eyelashes and eyebrows in round 18 with black thread (the length is 2 sc). The distance is 3 sc; - embroider the nose between the eyes (between rounds 15 and 16) with beige thread. The length of the nose is 1 sc. Make 2 stitches; - embroider the mouth in round 14 with pink thread as guided in the photo.

— Hair :

Info :

Crochet with yellow plush HIMALAYA Dolphin Fine yarn and a 2,5 mm crochet hook.

Round 1 :

6 sc into MR (6)

Round 2 :

6 inc (12)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, inc)*6 (18)

Round 4 :

(2 sc, inc)*6 (24)

Round 5 :

(3 sc, inc)*6 (30)

Round 6 :

(4 sc, inc)*6 (36)

Round 7 :

36 sc (36)

Round 8 :

(chain 8 and start crocheting in the 2nd chain from hook: 7 sc, skip 1 stitch, sl st in the next stitch)* repeat to the end of the rounds. I made 18 strands.

Info :

Click the icon to watch how to crochet the hair strand.

Info :

Put the wig on the head and pin 14 strands. Leave 4 hair strands in the center on the front side. Sew them to the base gently. Sew the hair strands to the head (see photo).

Info :

Click the icon to watch how to sew the hair.

— Braids (make 2) :

Info :

Start crocheting with red yarn and a 2,5 mm crochet hook. Chain 6 and start crocheting in the second chain from hook: 1 sc, change to yellow yarn, cut red yarn (chain 12 and start crocheting in the 2nd chain from hook 11 sl sts, sl st in the next stitch on the chain foundation)* repeat 2 times.

Info :

Click the icon to watch how to crochet the braids.

— Bow (make 2) :

Info :

Crochet with red yarn. Chain 2 and start crocheting in the 2nd chain from hook: DC, chain 2, sl st in the base, chain 2, DC in the base, chain 2, sl st in the base.

Info :

Break yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing. Wrap around the center of the bow with the remaining yarn tail. Braid the hair and tie the bow. Fasten off. Secure the ends of the plush yarn with a drop of glue. Sew the braids to the head (see photo).

Info :

Click the link to watch how to crochet the bow.

— Scarf (Cindy) :

Info :

With YarnArt Jeans yarn and a 2 mm crochet hook. Work in back and forth rows. Chain 1 at the beginning of the row. Start crocheting with pink yarn.

Round 1 :

hain 3 and start crocheting in the 2nd chain from hook 2 sc, chain 1.

Round 2-3 :

Change to white yarn, 2 sc, chain 1 (2 rounds) with white color

Round 4-5 :

Change to pink yarn, 2 sc, chain 1 (2 rounds) with pink color

Info :

Repeat rounds 2-5 until you reach the desired length of the scarf. (Click the link to watch how to crochet the scarf.)

— Max :

Info :

Crochet from the bottom to the top. Stuff with fiberfill as you crochet. Crochet with brown yarn.

Round 1 :

7 sc into MR (7)

Round 2 :

7 inc (14)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, inc)*7 (21)

Info :

In the next round, crochet the paws and tail.

Round 4 :

BLO: 7 sc, HDC 3 together, 4 sc, HDC 3 together, 8 sc, Chain 5 and start crocheting in the 2nd chain from hook 4 sc (tail) (21)

Round 5-7 :

21 sc (3 rounds) (21)

Round 8 :

(5 sc, dec)*3 (18)

Round 9 :

6 sc, chain 7 and start crocheting in the 3rd chain from hook: HDC inc, 4 sl sts (arm), 6 sc, chain 7 and start crocheting in the 3rd chain from hook: HDC inc, 4 sl sts (arm), 6 sc (18)

Round 10 :

(1 sc, dec)*6 (12)

Round 11 :

12 sc (12)

Round 12 :

5 sc inc, 3 DC inc, 4 sc inc (24)

Round 13 :

11 sc, 4 DC inc – in the center, 9 sc (28)

Round 14-15 :

28 sc (2 rounds) (28)

Round 16 :

9 sc, 6 dec – in the center (marked with stitch markers in the photo), 7 sc (22)

Round 17 :

22 sc (22)

Round 18 :

(2 sc, dec)*5, 2 sc (17)

Info :

If you use safety eyes - install the eyes between rounds 16 and 17. The distance between the eye stems is 5 sc.

Round 19 :

17 sc (17)

Round 20 :

(1 sc, dec)*5, 2 sc 12)

Round 21 :

6 dec (6)

Info :

Fasten off, break yarn, and hide the tail inside.

— Max Assembly :

Infos :

Sculpt the eye sockets. Click the link to watch how to sculpt the eyes. - embroider the whites on the outer side of the eye with white plush yarn; - install the nose in the center of the muzzle between rounds 14 and 15; - embroider the eyebrows in round 18 with black thread (the length is 2 sc). The distance is 3 sc; - embroider the mouth in round 13 with black thread as guided in the photo.

— Ears (make 2) :

Info :

Attach dark brown yarn to the toy. Crochet both ears in round 19. The distance between the ears is 7 stitches.

Info :

Skip 4 stitches from the eyes and attach yarn in round 19. Chain 10 and start crocheting in the 3rd chain from hook 8 DC. Skip 2 stitches, fasten off and make sl st in the next stitch. Fasten off, break yarn, and hide the tail.

Info :

Click the icon to watch how to crochet the ears.

— Forelock (Max) :

Info :

Embroider the forelock on the top of the head with brown YarnArt Mink yarn. Make 8-10 stitches. Create the hairstyle.

— Collar :

Info :

Chain the required number of chains with red yarn. I made 35 chains. Put the collar onto the toy, tie it into a few knots, and hide the tail inside the toy.

Assembly Instructions

  • Install safety eyes for each toy at the specified rounds: Grinch between rounds 17 and 18, Cindy Lou between rounds 16 and 17, and Max between rounds 16 and 17; ensure the eye stems are separated by 5 single crochet stitches.
  • Sculpt the eye sockets by pulling and shaping the head as shown in the photos, then embroider whites, eyelashes, eyebrows and nose according to each character's instructions (follow the round numbers given for placement).
  • For Cindy Lou, attach the wig: pin 14 hair strands around the wig base leaving 4 strands centered on the front, sew the wig base to the head and secure individual strands gently to the base.
  • Sew braids and bows to Cindy Lou's head: make two braids and two bows, secure with glue on plush yarn ends if needed, and stitch in place following the photo reference.
  • For Max, crochet and attach ears by adding dark brown yarn to round 19, chain the required number for ears and sew in position, then embroider a forelock with YarnArt Mink (8-10 stitches).
  • Make scarves and collars from YarnArt Jeans or DK yarn: work back-and-forth small strips, attach around the necks, tie into knots, and hide tails inside the toys for a neat finish.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers to keep track of your rounds, especially where the pattern requires counting for eye and limb placement.
  • 💡Stuff gradually as you crochet to maintain smooth shaping; overstuffing can distort the toy's proportions.
  • 💡Install safety eyes before closing the head as instructed to ensure correct placement and spacing.
  • 💡Pin wigs, hair strands, braids, and bows in place before sewing to check symmetry and positioning against the photos.
  • 💡Weave in yarn tails and hide ends inside the toy for a clean, finished look and to prevent loose ends from showing.

Bring holiday cheer with this lovable trio — the Grinch, Cindy Lou, and Max — crafted in plush yarn for a soft, cuddly finish. Make them as ornaments, gifts, or a festive display that sparks smiles. Happy crocheting and enjoy every tiny stitch! 🎄🧶

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The height of each finished toy is approximately 10 cm / 3.9 inches when using the recommended plush yarns and hook sizes.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights but it will change the final size; adjust your hook size accordingly and expect different textures and proportions.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate, so basic knowledge of crochet stitches and shaping (inc/dec, working in BLO/FLO) is recommended for best results.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete the trio in 5-7 hours depending on experience, speed, and how many accessories or details you add.