Crochet Ghost Pattern Free: Cute Amigurumi Ghost
A friendly amigurumi ghost with big black eyes, a tiny embroidered oval mouth, soft pink blush cheeks and a wavy scalloped hem that makes it look like it is floating — worked top-down in single-crochet spirals as one piece plus a flat base disc, with full stitch counts for every round.
Amigurumi · Crochet
- Finished size
- About 15 cm / 6 in tall
- Making time
- About 2–3 hours
- Hook
- 3.5 mm, worsted-weight yarn
- Pieces
- 2 pieces to assemble
- Skill
- Beginner
In this post
Not every Halloween ghost needs to be scary. This crochet ghost pattern free design is the friendly kind — a soft, round little spirit in bright white yarn with big black eyes, a tiny surprised oval mouth, pink blush cheeks, and a wavy scalloped hem that looks like it is happily floating just above the shelf. It is the sort of ghost that gets an "aww" instead of a scream, and that is exactly the point.
This is an original Little Loop Finds design, worked top-down in simple single-crochet spirals with our own stitch math. The head and body are one single piece, so there is almost no sewing: you crochet down from the top of the head, add the face, stuff as you go, finish with one joyful wave round for that floating hem, and close the bottom with a simple flat disc. Every round has its stitch count written out, so you always know you are on track.
Make one for a Halloween shelf, a few for party favours, or a whole cheerful haunting for a mantel. In classic white it reads instantly as a ghost; in pale grey or mint it becomes a sweet year-round plush.
Contents
- Why you'll love this crochet ghost
- Materials you'll need
- Size, gauge and skill level
- Abbreviations — US terms
- The pattern (US terms)
- Finishing and assembly
- Tips for a ghost that looks right
- FAQ
- What to crochet next
Why you'll love this crochet ghost
First, it is wonderfully fast. The whole ghost is one piece in a continuous spiral, and most of it is plain single crochet with no shaping. After the six increase rounds at the top, you settle into fourteen calm, even rounds — perfect evening crocheting. The personality arrives at the very end, with the face and the wave.
Second, that wavy hem sells the float. A straight tube ghost can look like a skittle in a sheet. Here, the final round fans into six soft scallops that flare just enough to suggest drifting — no wire, no stand, no tricks underneath.
Third, the face is tiny work with a huge payoff: two safety eyes, one embroidered oval mouth, two optional blush cheeks. Place the eyes a little wide, drop the mouth a touch lower than you first think, and the expression lands between surprised and delighted.
Finally, ghosts are brilliant batch makes. One takes an evening; three take a weekend. Pair this spirit with a crochet bat for a classic duo, or line it up beside our flip-face witch cat for a whole spooky-cute shelf. They share the same yarn, hook and spiral construction, so your leftover white yarn carries straight across.
Materials you'll need
Worsted-weight yarn is the sweet spot: quick to work, firm enough to hold a round shape, and smooth enough that your stitches — and that all-important face — stay crisp. Choose a smooth acrylic or acrylic-cotton blend in bright white. Avoid fluffy or boucle yarns for your first ghost; they blur the stitch tops and turn a neat face into guesswork.
You need surprisingly little yarn — well under one standard ball for body and base together, which makes this an excellent stash project. The black and pink amounts are tiny scraps.
| Supply | What to get |
|---|---|
| Main yarn | Worsted weight (category 4) in bright white, about 50 g / 110 yards |
| Mouth yarn | Small scrap of black worsted yarn or black embroidery thread for the oval mouth |
| Blush yarn | Small scrap of soft pink yarn or pink embroidery thread, optional, for the cheeks |
| Hook | 3.5 mm (US E-4) crochet hook |
| Eyes | 8 mm black safety eyes, one pair |
| Stuffing | Polyester fibre fill, about 30 g — a generous handful, teased apart |
| Notions | Yarn needle with a large eye, stitch marker, sharp scissors |
| Optional | Pins for positioning the face, a chopstick or stuffing tool, pink felt circles if you prefer felt blush |
A note on hook size: 3.5 mm with worsted yarn is deliberately smaller than most ball bands suggest. Amigurumi needs tight stitches so stuffing does not grin through — especially noticeable on a white ghost, where every gap catches the light. Hold the work up to the light and check for holes as you go.
Size, gauge and skill level
Skill level: Easy beginner. You need a magic ring, single crochet, an increase, and — only in the very last round — a double crochet for the scallops. Everything is explained below, and there are no joins to hide because the body is worked in continuous spirals. If you have never made amigurumi before, our round-up of easy beginner crochet patterns is a friendly place to build confidence with the same basic stitches first.
Finished size: About 15 cm (6 in) tall to the tips of the scallops, and about 9 cm (3.5 in) across. At a looser tension, expect closer to 17 cm (6.75 in). Ghosts, helpfully, have no standard measurements to miss.
Gauge: Not critical, but density matters. As a guide, 10 single crochet stitches measure about 5 cm (2 in) with a 3.5 mm hook, and the fabric should feel firm with no holes when stretched. If you can see daylight between stitches, drop to a 3.0 mm hook.
The pieces: Just 2 — one top-down body-and-head piece, and one flat base disc that closes the bottom and helps your ghost stand. The face is embroidery and safety eyes, not separate crocheted pieces, so assembly is a single short sewing job at the end.
Abbreviations — US terms
US terms throughout. (UK note: a US single crochet is a UK double crochet, and a US double crochet is a UK treble — the wave round is the only place this really matters, so check it before Round 21.)
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | magic ring |
| sc | single crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| inc | increase — 2 sc in the same stitch |
| sk | skip the next stitch |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| rnd(s) | round(s) |
| FO | fasten off |
A note on rounds: Work in continuous spirals — do not join or turn at the end of a round. Mark the first stitch of each round with your stitch marker and move the marker up as you go. The bold number at the end of each line is your stitch count for that round; count at the end of every increase round, because one missed increase now becomes a lopsided ghost later.
Double crochet reminder, for the wave round only: Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops. The wave fans seven of these into one stitch — that fullness makes the scallop curl.
The pattern (US terms)
Work the body from the top of the head straight down — there is no separate head to sew on. Add the safety eyes partway down, while the opening is still wide enough for your fingers, then finish the rounds, stuff, work the wave, and close the bottom with the base disc.
The body and head — white
The top six rounds shape a smooth dome. From Round 7 the sides drop straight down — that gentle cylinder is what gives the ghost its classic sheet-like fall.
- R1: MR, 6 sc (6)
- R2: inc in each st around (12)
- R3: [sc, inc] × 6 (18)
- R4: [2 sc, inc] × 6 (24)
- R5: [3 sc, inc] × 6 (30)
- R6: [4 sc, inc] × 6 (36)
- R7–R20: sc in each st around (36) — 14 rounds even
Pause at the end of Round 11 and check your dome: it should curve smoothly with no corners. Corners mean an increase was missed or doubled — far easier to fix now than later.
Add the eyes now, after Round 14. The eyes sit between Rounds 10 and 11, about 6 stitches apart, centred on the front. Push in one 8 mm eye, count 6 stitches along, and push in the second at the same height. Check from arm's length that both sit level before pressing the washers on until they click — washers do not come back off gracefully.
By Round 20 your ghost should measure roughly 12 to 13 cm (about 5 in) from crown to open edge. A centimetre taller or shorter is fine — tension varies, ghosts forgive.
Stuff before the wave round. Tease the stuffing into soft clouds and fill the head firmly — a well-stuffed crown keeps the dome round instead of dimpled. Fill the body a little more softly, pushing stuffing into the sides, and stop about 1 cm (0.5 in) below the edge. An over-stuffed body fights the base disc and tips the ghost sideways.
- R21 — the wave round: [sk 2 sts, 7 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st] × 6 (6 scallops; 48 sts worked into 36 sts)
Work this round slowly the first time. Each repeat uses 6 stitches of Round 20 — two skipped, one holding the fan, two skipped, one anchoring single crochet — and there are exactly six repeats. The fans will bunch under your fingers; that fullness is correct. Coax each scallop into a soft point and space them evenly. FO, leaving a 20 cm (8 in) tail.
The base disc — white
The base is a flat circle with the same stitch count as the body, sewn in just above the wave round. It traps the stuffing, gives a clean flat underside, and — because the scallops flare below it — stays almost completely hidden, preserving the floating illusion.
- R1: MR, 6 sc (6)
- R2: inc in each st around (12)
- R3: [sc, inc] × 6 (18)
- R4: [2 sc, inc] × 6 (24)
- R5: [3 sc, inc] × 6 (30)
- R6: [4 sc, inc] × 6 (36)
FO, leaving a long tail of about 40 cm (16 in) for sewing. If your disc curls like a tiny bowl, flatten it firmly between your palms — it should sit flat before sewing, or it will round the bottom.
Finishing and assembly
With only one join to sew, finishing is short — but the face embroidery deserves an unhurried ten minutes, because on a plain white ghost the face is the whole design.
1. Embroider the mouth. Thread your needle with black yarn or doubled embroidery thread. The mouth is a small vertical oval, centred below the eyes, its top edge about 2 rounds below the eye line — roughly between Rounds 13 and 15. Bring the needle up at the top, down about 2 rounds lower, and repeat with slightly offset stitches to build a filled oval about 1 stitch wide. Four to six passes give a solid little "o" of surprise. Knot securely inside the body.
2. Add the blush cheeks (optional, strongly encouraged). With pink yarn, work three or four short horizontal satin stitches just below and outside each eye, about 2 stitches wide. Keep them soft and small — a whisper of pink, not war paint. Two tiny pink felt circles, stitched on, give the same sweet effect.
3. Check the stuffing one last time. Roll the ghost between your palms and add or remove tufts until the silhouette is smooth from every angle. A hollow under the eyes makes the face look worried; gentle fullness keeps it cheerful.
4. Sew in the base disc. Sit the disc inside the open bottom, level with Round 20, so the wave flares below it like a little skirt. Whipstitch around the circle with the long tail, catching one stitch of the disc and one of the body wall each pass, pulling snug — not tight, or the bottom puckers. Halfway round, add a final small tuft if the body feels hollow, then finish.
5. Final tidy. Weave in ends by travelling at least 2 cm (0.75 in) inside the stuffing before trimming. Fan the six scallops out evenly, giving each a gentle outward curl. Your ghost should stand level and look very slightly like it knows a secret.
Tips for a ghost that looks right
Place the face lower than feels natural. Beginners almost always set eyes too high, which reads as a surprised forehead rather than a cute face. Eyes between Rounds 10 and 11, with the mouth two rounds below, give that soft baby-ghost expression. When in doubt, go one round lower, not higher.
Count the increase rounds, relax about the even rounds. A miscount in Rounds 1 to 6 changes the whole circumference and throws the wave maths out. Count those rounds twice. In the even rounds, a stitch gained or lost corrects quietly next round — no one will ever know.
Keep the wave round loose. Seven double crochets in one stitch is a lot of yarn through one loop. Work the fans with relaxed tension and wiggle the hook through. A tight wave puckers and cups upwards; a relaxed one drapes into soft scallops that sit flat.
White yarn shows everything. Wash your hands before a session and keep the work in a bag between sessions. The reward: white glows beautifully in window light, which is why this make performs so well in photos.
Make a whole haunting, in sizes. Swap to chunky yarn with a 5.0 mm hook for a statement ghost of about 22 cm (8.5 in), or DK yarn with a 3.0 mm hook for a pocket ghost of about 10 cm (4 in) — keep every count the same, and change the eyes to 12 mm or 6 mm to match.
Safety note for small children. For a child under three, embroider the eyes instead of using safety eyes: small black satin-stitch ovals in the same positions give the same friendly look, with nothing that can work loose.
FAQ
Is this crochet ghost pattern really free and original?
Yes. It is a complete, original Little Loop Finds design with its own stitch counts for the body and base, published in full on this page — no sign-up, no missing final rounds. Make as many ghosts as you like for yourself, for gifts and for Halloween displays.
How long does a crochet ghost take to make?
About 2 to 3 hours for most crocheters. The fourteen even rounds are the bulk of the time but they are steady, mindless stitching. The increases take about 20 minutes, the wave round about 15 careful minutes, and the face and base together about half an hour. A confident beginner's first ghost may take an evening — the second one will fly.
What yarn works best for a crochet ghost?
A smooth worsted-weight acrylic or acrylic-cotton blend in bright white. Smooth yarn keeps the tight amigurumi fabric clean, shows the scallops clearly, and gives the embroidered mouth a crisp edge. Save fluffy yarn for a second ghost once you know the pattern — it makes a lovely misty ghost, but the stitches are much harder to count.
Can I make the ghost bigger or smaller?
Yes — change the yarn and hook together and keep every stitch count exactly as written. Bulky yarn with a 5.0 to 6.0 mm hook gives a ghost of roughly 22 cm (8.5 in); DK yarn with a 3.0 mm hook gives one of about 10 cm (4 in). Match the safety eyes to the scale — 12 mm for the big ghost, 6 mm for the small one.
My scallops are uneven — what went wrong?
Almost always, a skipped stitch was miscounted in the wave round. Each repeat must use exactly 6 stitches: skip 2, fan, skip 2, anchor. If one fan landed a stitch early, every scallop after it shifts. The good news: the wave round is only one round. Unpick back to the start of the round — not the whole ghost — recount Round 20 to confirm you have 36 stitches, and work it again a little more slowly.
How do I wash a finished crochet ghost?
Hand wash in cool water with a little mild detergent, squeeze gently in a towel without wringing, reshape the dome and fan out the scallops, and dry flat away from direct heat. White acrylic brightens up beautifully with washing, so an annual October freshen-up is a kindness, not a risk.
Can I sell ghosts I make from this pattern?
Yes — you may sell finished ghosts made by hand from this pattern in small quantities, crediting Little Loop Finds as the designer. Please do not copy or republish the pattern text and photos themselves.
What to crochet next
Your ghost has started something. Build out the Halloween shelf while your white yarn is still on the table:
- Drape the scene with a crochet spider web behind your ghost — the white-on-dark contrast makes both pieces look twice as good, and the web works up in a single sitting.
- Give your ghost a costume moment with a tiny crochet witch hat perched at an angle on its head — size it down with DK yarn and it fits this ghost beautifully.
Happy crocheting — may your ghost be friendly, your scallops be even, and your Halloween shelf be the cutest kind of haunted.
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