Free Monkey Crochet Pattern
Make this adorable amigurumi, Milo the Monkey, using this free crochet pattern.
Milo the Monkey’s free crochet pattern was created as part of a design challenge I participated in with Hobbii yarn. As such, it wouldn’t be right for me not to mention the lush yarn I used, which was gifted to me from Hobbii - Friends Cotton 8/8. It was great to work with and I highly recommend checking it out!
The crochet design challenge was based around the elements, and my idea was to create a set of superhero monkeys with costumes representing the four elements - Earth, Sky, Fire, and Water. The end result was way cuter than I anticipated!
On this page, you’ll find the free crochet pattern to make the amigurumi monkey. If you’d also like to make the costumes, or even make four monkeys in four little super hero outfits, be sure to visit my blog post here which links to the two patterns you’ll need. This is the first pattern you need, or as I call it, the base pattern. Meaning that you can crochet and cuddle the monkey without the outfits, but you can’t really cuddle or play with the outfits without the monkey! 😆
Without further ado, let’s start crocheting Milo the Monkey!
Prefer the PDF Crochet Pattern?
If you would prefer the ad-free PDF Crochet Pattern of Milo the Monkey, it’s available for purchase in my online stores: Ravelry, Etsy, Lovecrafts and Ribblr. On top of being ad-free, the PDF crochet pattern also includes some additional photographs.
Milo the Monkey: Crochet Pattern Information
Materials Needed
DK Yarn in the following colours. Amounts needed are in brackets. I used Hobbii Friends Cotton 8/8.
Colour A - Caramel (86 grams = 129 m / 141 yds)
Colour B - Nougat (25 grams = 37.5 m / 41 yds)
Crochet hook size 3.5 mm (E)
Stuffing
Needle
Scissors
Pins
Stitch marker
Safety eyes 8 mm or additional black yarn/embroidery thread for the eyes
Amigurumi Monkey Size
Using the yarn mentioned above with a 3.5 mm (E) crochet hook and Milo the Monkey turned out to be 22 cm / 8.6 " high and 13 cm / 5.1 " wide. Please note: I do tend to crochet quite tightly, so your monkey may turn out larger.
Gauge
Gauge is not required for this pattern, however for reference my gauge was as follows:
11 sc stitches on 5 cm / 1.96 "
11 rows on 5 cm / 1.96 "
Crochet Pattern Abbreviations
This crochet pattern is written in US Terms.
R# - Row/round number
st - Stitch
ch - Chain
sl st - Slip stitch
mc - Magic circle
sc - Single crochet
inc - Increase
dec - Decrease
FLO - Front loop only
BLO - Back loop only
cc# - Change colour to the yarn indicated (#), e.g. ccB = change to yarn B (Light Brown)
[...] x ... - Repeat the sequence of stitches in brackets x-times
(...) - Total number of stitches at the end of each row/round
Crochet Top Tips & Additional Pattern Information
Pattern Level: While the stitches in this pattern are suitable for beginner crocheters, as there is colour changing required on the head of Milo the Monkey I’ve rated this pattern an intermediate level pattern where some crochet experience is required.
Yarn: The yarn choice is completely up to you, and you can change the yarn weight, material, and colours based on your own personal preference. Just be aware that the weight of your yarn may impact the hook size you need to use and also the size of your final make.
Hook size: I recommend using a smaller hook size than recommended on the yarn label. This will stop the stuffing appearing through your stitches.
Working in rounds: All parts within this pattern are worked in continuous rounds unless otherwise stated.
Stitch marker: Use a stitch marker at the beginning of each round to keep track of the number of stitches in each round.
Stuffing: Unless otherwise stated, stuff all amigurumi parts firmly as you crochet.
Decreases: I recommend using invisible decreases throughout.
Eyes: Please note that safety eyes are a choking hazard and are not suitable for children under 3 years of age. As an alternative, use additional black yarn to crochet or embroider the eyes.
Changing colour: To ensure straight lines for any colour changes, add the new colour in the last yarn over (or 'yarn under' if you're using the X-shaped single crochet) of the sc before the new colour is stated.
Copyright: You are more than welcome to sell your crocheted creations using this pattern on a small scale. However, the pattern itself cannot be reproduced, sold, or redistributed in any way without the designers’ consent. For more information, please read the full copyright notice at the bottom of this page.
Monkey Crochet Pattern
Body
Using Yarn Colour A (Caramel).
Stuff this piece throughout.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] X 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] X 6 (18)
R4: [2 sc, inc] X 6 (24)
R5: [3 sc, inc] X 6 (30)
R6: [4 sc, inc] X 6 (36)
R7: [5 sc, inc] X 6 (42)
R8: [6 sc, inc] X 6 (48)
R9 - R20: sc around (48) - 12 rounds
R21: [6 sc, dec] X 6 (42)
R22: sc around (42)
R23: [5 sc, dec] X 6 (36)
R24: sc around (36)
R25: [4 sc, dec] X 6 (30)
R26: sc around (30)
R27: [3 sc, dec] X 6 (24)
R28: [2 sc, dec] X 6 (18)
Firmly stuff the body. Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off.
See completed body in the image below.
Head
Using Yarn Colour A (Caramel) and Colour B (Nougat). Stuff this piece throughout.
Start with Yarn Colour A.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] X 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] X 6 (18)
R4: [2 sc, inc] X 6 (24)
R5: [3 sc, inc] X 6 (30)
R6: [4 sc, inc] X 6 (36)
R7: [5 sc, inc] X 6 (42)
R8: [6 sc, inc] X 6 (48)
R9 - R11: sc around (48) - 3 rounds
In each of the following rounds, you will be changing colour. Remember to change colour in the last yarn over of the previous stitch colour.
R12: 19 sc, ccB 2 sc, ccA 4 sc, ccB 2 sc, ccA 21 sc (48)
R13: 18 sc, ccB 3 sc, ccA 4 sc, ccB 3 sc, ccA 20 sc (48)
R14: 18 sc, ccB 4 sc, ccA 2 sc, ccB 4 sc, ccA 20 sc (48)
R15: 17 sc, ccB 5 sc, ccA 2 sc, ccB 5 sc, ccA 19 sc (48)
R16: 17 sc, ccB 12 sc, ccA 19 sc (48)
R17: 17 sc, ccB 12 sc, ccA 19 sc (48)
R18: [6 sc, dec] x 2, 1 sc, ccB 5 sc, dec, 6 sc, ccA dec, [6 sc, dec] x 2 (42) - Here you will notice the lighter colour stick out slightly, but this will match up with the mouth when attached.
R19: [5 sc, dec] X 2, 2 sc, ccB 3 sc, dec, 5 sc, dec, ccA [5 sc, dec] X 2 (36)
R20: [4 sc, dec] X 2, 2 sc, ccB 2 sc, dec, 4 sc, dec, ccA [4 sc, dec] X 2 (30)
If using safety eyes, insert them now between R16 and R17. There are approximately 5 stitches in between each eye. See image below. Alternatively, you can embroider the eyes using black thread.
R21: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)
Start stuffing.
R22: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
R23: [sc, dec] x 6 (12)
Finish stuffing firmly.
R24: [dec] x 6 (6)
Cut yarn, leaving a shorter yarn tail for weaving in, then fasten off. Using a needle, weave yarn tail into the FLO of the last 6 sts and pull yarn tail tight to close the gap. Weave yarn tail into head to hide.
Mouth
Using Yarn Colour B (Nougat).
Do not stuff this piece.
To crochet the mouth, you will start by crocheting a chain then you will crochet around both sides of the chain. Sl Sts and Chs are not counted in the total stitch counts.
Start: 11 ch
R1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook 2 sc in ch, sc in next 8 chs, 2 sc in next ch, continue working along the other side of the chain, 2 sc in next ch, sc in next 8 chs, 2 sc in next ch, sl st to first sc in round (24)
R2: ch, 2 sc in same st (as sl st from R1), sc in next 10 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 12 sts, sl st to first sc in round (26)
R3: ch, sc around, sl st to join (26)
R4: ch, sc around, sl st to join (26)
Cut yarn leaving a long yarn tail for sewing and fasten off.
See completed mouth in the image below.
Ears (Make 2)
Using Yarn Colour A (Caramel) and Yarn Colour B (Nougat). Do not stuff.
Start with Yarn B.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
Change to Yarn A.
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
R5: BLO sc around (24)
R6: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
R7: [sc, dec] x 6 (12)
R8: [dec] x 6 (6)
Cut a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off. Weave yarn tail through FLO of last 6 sc and pull tight to close gap.
Using a needle, weave remaining yarn tail through any corner st between R5 & R6 in preparation for sewing.
Repeat steps above to make a second ear.
See completed ears in the image below.
Arms (Make 2)
Using Yarn Colour A (Caramel) & Yarn Colour B (Nougat). Stuff lightly.
Start with Yarn B.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R4 - R6: sc around (18) - 3 rounds
R7: [sc, dec] x 6 (12)
Change to Yarn Colour A.
R8 - R12: sc around (12) - 5 rounds
Stuff hand firmly and stuff the arm up to R12 lightly. Do not continue to stuff.
R13 - R21: sc around (12) - 9 rounds
R22: Hold sides together, ch 1 then sc 6 across to join both sides together (6)
Cut yarn leaving a tail for sewing and fasten off. Repeat steps to make second arm.
See completed arms in image below.
Legs (Make 2)
Using Yarn Colour A (Caramel) and Yarn Colour B (Nougat). Stuff this piece throughout.
Start with Yarn B.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 2 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x 2 (18)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 2 (24)
R5: BLO sc around (24)
R6: sc around (24)
R7: 6 sc, [dec, sc] X 4, 6 sc (20)
R8: 4 sc, [sc, dec] X 4, 4 sc (16)
R9: 5 sc, [dec, sc] X 2, 5 sc (14)
Change to Yarn A.
R10 - R14: sc around (14) - 5 rounds
Stuff foot firmly. Continue to stuff the leg (beyond R9) lightly.
R15 - R18: sc around (14) - 4 rounds
Finish stuffing lightly.
R19: Hold sides together, 1 ch, then crochet both sides together with 7 sc (7) - you may need to remove / add an sc or two to ensure the closed leg is flat horizontal compared to the back of the foot.
Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off. Repeat steps above to make a second leg.
See completed legs in the image below.
Tail
Using Yarn Colour A (Caramel).
Stuff firmly.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc, 2 sc] x 2 (8)
R3 - R31: sc around (8) - 29 rounds
Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off.
See completed tail in image below.
Assembly Instructions for Milo the Monkey
Step 1: Sew nose to head
Sew nose to head using yarn tail from nose. Stuff the nose firmly when you’ve sewn half-way across. The nose sits between R18 and R22 of the head. The Yarn Colour B section of the face should sit in the middle of the mouth.
Step 2: Sew ears to head
Ensure you have weaved the yarn tail of each ear to a corner st between R3 and R4 (refer to ear pattern instructions).
Sew approximately 4 st of each ear to either side of the head. Each ear should sit on each side of the monkey’s head.
The ears should be on a slight angle between R12 and R15. The Yarn Colour B section of the ears should face the front of the head. There are approximately 20 sts between the top of the ears and 22 sts between the bottom of the ears.
Step 3: Sew head to body
Sew the head to the body using the yarn tail from the body. The head sits on an angle with R23 & R24 at the front of the head being attached to the body, and R21 & R22 of the back of the head sitting at the back of the body.
Step 4: Sew arms to body
Sew the arms to the body using the yarn tail from each arm. The arms sit between R25 and R26 of the body with approximately 9 sts between the arms across the front of the body.
Step 5: Sew legs to body
Sew the legs to the body using the yarn tail from each leg. The legs sit between R7 and R8 of the body with approximately 1 st between the legs across the front of the body.
Step 6: Sew tail to body
Sew the tail to the body using the yarn tail from the tail. The tail sits in the middle at the back of the body between R6 and R10.
Step 7: Embroider a nose on the mouth
Using black embroidery thread, embroider a nose on the top of the mouth.
Congratulations, you’ve finished crocheting Milo the Monkey!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this free monkey crochet pattern.
I’d absolutely love to see your creations and share them with the crochet community. You can share your makes with me by posting a picture on social media using the hashtag #CillaCrochets and by tagging me @cillacrochets.
If you liked this pattern, don’t forget to check out my collection of other free animal crochet patterns.
Until next time, happy crocheting,
Cilla x
© 2023 Cilla Crochets. Cilla Richards - All rights reserved. This pattern is for personal use only.
The pattern (or parts of it) may not be reproduced, distributed or resold, translated, published, altered, shared, or posted (for sale or for free) over the internet or offline.
You can sell items made from this pattern if they are handmade by yourself in a limited number and you give credit to the designer. Please add the following text to your item description for any item designed by Cilla Crochets/Cilla Richards that you are selling:
“This product is handmade by [your name] from a design and pattern by Cilla Richards at Cilla Crochets. See www.cillacrochets.com for more information.”
