Independent craft blog since 2007
Since I’ve been getting into easy decorating with candy lately, I of course love this candy cake slideshow from Martha. Some of my faves: this licorice lace cake, this jellybean cake, this truffle tower cake, and out of season, I suppose, but I love this peppermint cake still.
There are craft themes that come and go, and then there are dinosaurs. Dinosaurs seem to survive every decorating trend, every toy-box clear-out and every stage of childhood. One minute you are crocheting a pastel dinosaur for a new baby, and the next you are being firmly informed by a five-year-old that your green creature is clearly a Tarbosaurus and not a T-Rex.
A good dinosaur crochet pattern can become almost anything you need it to be. Use cotton yarn for a small, firmly stitched amigurumi dinosaur, reach for chunky chenille to make a gloriously squishy bedtime companion, or turn the theme into a baby lovey for a handmade shower gift.
This roundup includes free crochet dinosaur patterns for T-Rex toys, triceratops, stegosaurus, brontosaurus, colourful fantasy dinosaurs and beginner-friendly no-sew projects. There are quick little dinosaurs for using up leftover yarn, as well as larger amigurumi patterns for those afternoons when you are quite happy to settle in with a hook, a cup of coffee and absolutely no plans to tidy the craft room. Still looking for more ideas? Check out these Pattern on Etsy.
The Tiny-Rex pocket dinosaur from Sweet Softies is an excellent place to begin when you want a quick and approachable dinosaur crochet pattern. It is worked as a no-sew amigurumi, with the arms, legs and spikes crocheted directly into the main piece.
A video tutorial is included, making this especially useful for beginners who like to see each stage demonstrated. The pocket-sized finished dinosaur would be lovely as a stocking filler, desk companion or little handmade surprise tucked into a child’s backpack.
This free baby T-Rex pattern from The Mary Jay is another clever no-sew option. The head and body are crocheted continuously, while the tail is attached as you work rather than being sewn on afterwards.
It is a particularly tempting choice for anyone who enjoys amigurumi but tends to leave all the limbs sitting in a little pile beside the finished body. We have all had one of those projects glaring accusingly at us from the basket.
The free Toby the Tarbosaurus crochet pattern from The Nicole Chase creates a detailed dinosaur with a rounded body, sturdy tail and a line of spikes travelling over his head and back.
The pattern is written to be approachable for newer amigurumi makers and also includes suggestions for changing the size. Use worsted-weight yarn for the original version or switch to plush yarn when you want a much larger and cuddlier dinosaur.
Join the free Crochetasaurus Rex crochet-along from The Loopy Lamb to make a cheerful T-Rex toy one stage at a time.
Crochet-along formatting can make a bigger amigurumi project feel less overwhelming because the instructions, materials and assembly information are organised into manageable sections. It is a good weekend project for crocheters who enjoy following a more structured tutorial.
The free T-Rex dinosaur crochet pattern from Amigurumi Today makes a detailed seated dinosaur measuring approximately 15 centimetres tall when worked with the suggested materials.
The tiny teeth and careful shaping give this one a slightly more realistic look than the rounder kawaii dinosaurs. It is rated for advanced crocheters, so save it for when you are ready for a project with a little more bite.
The Rainbow Stegosaurus pattern from Sweet Softies is a quick no-sew amigurumi that stands on its own.
Those colourful back plates make it ideal for using small amounts of leftover yarn. You could work them in a full rainbow, school colours, soft nursery shades or every bright scrap you find at the bottom of the basket.
The free Brodie the Stegosaurus pattern from DIY Fluffies includes both written instructions and a complete video tutorial.
The design can be worked in different yarn weights, so you can make a smaller traditional amigurumi or size it up with blanket yarn. I rather like patterns that let us justify buying the same colours in three different yarn weights.
The free Hello Stegosaurus crochet pattern from The Button Ship has a classic handmade-toy shape with a long body and a row of contrasting plates.
The pattern uses UK crochet terminology, so US crocheters will need to remember that the listed double crochet is equivalent to US single crochet. This one has a charming old-fashioned nursery-toy feel that would look lovely worked in muted mustard, sage or dusty blue.
The free stegosaurus dinosaur pattern from Storyland Amis includes detailed written instructions and step-by-step photographs.
Its rounded body and oversized plates give it plenty of personality without making it frighteningly realistic. The designer also shows several colour variations, which is always helpful when you are staring at the yarn shelf unable to decide between purple and green.
The free Hug Me Triceratops lovey pattern from The Nicole Chase combines a small triceratops head and arms with a soft square comfort blanket.
The finished lovey blanket measures approximately 12 inches square, making it a thoughtful handmade baby-shower gift. The little horns and shaped frill add just enough dinosaur detail while keeping the overall design sweet and nursery friendly.
The free triceratops crochet pattern from Amigurumi Today features the dinosaur’s distinctive three horns and large shaped frill.
This is a lovely pattern for crocheters who want something more detailed than a generic cartoon dinosaur. Try it in earthy greens and browns for a more traditional look or go completely off-piste with pink horns and a rainbow frill.
The free brontosaurus pattern from StringyDingDing uses a clever construction method in which the head continues into the neck before being joined to the back to form the body.
Most of the main dinosaur is therefore created as one connected shape, although the limbs, spots and tail are added separately. The finished long-neck dinosaur has a wonderfully solid, cuddly silhouette.
The free dinosaur amigurumi pattern from StringyDingDing creates a cheerful rounded dinosaur with stubby legs, optional cheek details and a line of back spikes.
The pattern is rated easy and uses medium-weight yarn, making it a sensible first dinosaur project for anyone already comfortable working in continuous rounds. Choose contrasting colours for the spots and spikes to make those details stand out.
The free Spiky Dino crochet pattern from Amigurumi Today makes a larger upright dinosaur measuring approximately 27 centimetres tall when crocheted with the suggested yarn and hook.
Its oversized head, long limbs and colourful spikes give it a playful storybook appearance. This is one to make when you want a substantial toy rather than a tiny shelf-sized amigurumi.
The free Dino Baby Lovey from Okie Girl Bling ’n’ Things combines a soft dinosaur character with a round, colourful crochet comfort blanket.
The blanket section is worked separately using a larger hook, while the dinosaur head and features use tighter amigurumi stitches. It is a useful pattern for combining leftover cake yarn with coordinating solid colours.
For something delightfully silly, take a look at the free Bananasaurus crochet pattern featured on CraftGossip.
This quirky project combines a banana and a dinosaur in one gloriously odd creature, and the design became especially popular through social media. The smaller version is no-sew, making it a fun choice for craft markets, novelty gifts or anyone whose crochet basket could use a little less seriousness.
The earlier CraftGossip feature, Dinosaur Crochet Pattern, introduces Henry, a traditional crochet dinosaur chosen for a forest-themed nursery.
This is a nice internal option for readers who want a larger, classic dinosaur toy rather than one of the newer mini or no-sew designs. It also comes with the comforting reminder that sometimes choosing the pattern takes longer than making the actual toy.
Cotton and cotton-blend yarns create firm stitches and crisp shaping, which is particularly helpful for horns, plates, tails and small amigurumi details. Acrylic yarn is economical, widely available and comes in just about every dinosaur colour imaginable—including several that no self-respecting palaeontologist would recognise.
Chenille and blanket yarn create wonderfully squishy dinosaurs, but they can make small stitches harder to see. Use a stitch marker at the beginning of every round and count regularly, rather than trusting that you will remember where you started after someone asks what is for dinner.
Whichever yarn you choose, use a hook slightly smaller than the one normally recommended on the label. Amigurumi fabric needs to be firm enough to stop the stuffing from showing through.
Pin the legs, tail, horns and spikes into place before sewing. Check the dinosaur from the front, back and side, and make sure it can sit or stand without leaning dramatically to one side.
Stuff long necks and tails gradually as you work. Trying to push stuffing all the way into the end afterwards can be surprisingly difficult and may leave the finished dinosaur looking a little underfed.
For toys intended for babies or children under three, embroider the eyes rather than using plastic safety eyes. Despite the name, safety eyes can still become a small-parts hazard if they work loose.
You can also personalise almost any dinosaur crochet pattern with stripes, spots, embroidered claws or different-coloured back plates. Dinosaurs are marvellous like that—nobody can prove your purple-and-orange T-Rex did not exist.
Beginners will probably feel most comfortable starting with Tiny-Rex, the Rainbow Stegosaurus or the simple StringyDingDing dinosaur. These patterns use accessible shaping and minimise complicated assembly.
For a baby gift, choose one of the dinosaur lovey patterns. More experienced amigurumi makers may enjoy the detailed T-Rex, triceratops or large Spiky Dino.
Whichever pattern you choose, these free dinosaur crochet patterns are a lovely way to turn a few balls of yarn into something with real personality. From tiny no-sew dinosaurs to chunky prehistoric cuddle companions, there is enough variety here to create an entire crocheted Jurassic shelf.