Crochet Pickle Pattern Free: Cute Amigurumi Pickle
A bumpy little dill pickle with popcorn-stitch texture, a tiny brown stem and a sweet embroidered smile: original design, US terms, beginner friendly.
Amigurumi · Crochet
- Finished size
- 6 in tall
- Making time
- About 2.5 hours
- Hook
- 4.0 mm, worsted yarn
- Set
- 1 size, original design
- Skill
- Beginner
In this post
- Table of contents
- Why you'll love this pickle crochet pattern
- Materials you'll need
- Size, gauge and skill level
- Abbreviations, US terms
- The pickle crochet pattern (US terms)
- Finishing touches and assembly
- Tips and tricks
- Variations to try next
- Troubleshooting tips
- Frequently asked questions
- More free patterns to try
There is something about a smiling pickle that makes everyone laugh, and this free crochet pickle pattern turns that giggle into a squishy little amigurumi you can hold in your hand. It is an original design: a bumpy dill pickle worked in cheerful green yarn, with real popcorn-stitch bumps for that classic pickle texture, a tiny brown stem, and a sweet embroidered face that gives it instant personality.
This pattern is written for confident beginners. If you can work a magic ring, single crochet, and a simple popcorn stitch, you already have every skill you need, and the whole pickle comes together in one evening of relaxed stitching. The finished pickle stands about 6 inches tall, which makes it perfect for stocking stuffers, Christmas tree ornaments, desk buddies, market makes, and the famous Christmas pickle tradition.
Make one in classic dill green, or work a whole jar of them in different shades and line them up on a shelf. Either way, this little pickle is about to become the funniest thing on your hook this week.
Table of contents
- Why you'll love this pickle crochet pattern
- Materials you'll need
- Size, gauge and skill level
- Abbreviations, US terms
- The pickle crochet pattern (US terms)
- Finishing touches and assembly
- Tips and tricks
- Variations to try next
- Troubleshooting tips
- Frequently asked questions
- More free patterns to try
Why you'll love this pickle crochet pattern
Pickles are having a moment. From Christmas pickle ornaments to pickle plushies on backpacks, the humble dill has become a full-blown pop culture icon, and crocheting your own is faster and cheaper than buying one. This pattern captures everything people love about the pickle look: the long, slightly curved body, the bumpy skin, and that unmistakable dill green.
The texture is the star of the show. Instead of sewing on separate bumps, you work real popcorn stitches right into the rounds, so the pickle skin grows its own bumps as you go. It is a wonderful way to learn the popcorn stitch, because the pattern spaces the bumps evenly and you get to practise them fifteen times in one project. If you have never tried a magic ring before, this is a forgiving place to learn it, since the starting rounds are small and quick to redo.
It is also a brilliant stash buster. One pickle takes less than half a ball of green yarn, so you can turn leftover skeins into a whole pickle family: classic dill, sweet gherkin in a lighter green, and a spicy pickle in a deep olive. If small plush projects are your happy place, our mini amigurumi patterns free collection has plenty more one-evening makes to try next.
Materials you'll need
| Supply | What to get |
|---|---|
| Main yarn | Worsted-weight (#4) yarn in dill green, about 70 yds / 64 m |
| Stem yarn | A small amount of worsted-weight yarn in brown |
| Black embroidery floss | For the eyes and smile |
| Pink embroidery floss | For the cheeks (optional, small amount) |
| Crochet hook | 4.0 mm (G) |
| Stuffing | Polyester toy stuffing, a generous handful |
| Tapestry needle | For sewing the stem and arms, and embroidering the face |
| Notions | Scissors, stitch markers, pins for positioning |
Pick a green with a little personality. A true dill green is the classic choice, but a yellow-green reads as a sweet gherkin and a deep olive reads as a spicy pickle, so raid your stash and see what speaks to you. Acrylic is perfectly fine here, and cotton gives the pickle a crisp, defined bump texture that photographs beautifully.
A note on the hook: use a hook about 0.5 mm smaller than the yarn label recommends. Tight, even stitches keep the stuffing hidden and make the popcorn bumps pop out crisply instead of sinking into loose fabric.
Size, gauge and skill level
The pattern is written in one size, worked in continuous spiral rounds. Mark the first stitch of each round with a stitch marker and move it up as you go.
| Size | Finished height | Yarn | Hook | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One size | 6 in / 15 cm | Worsted-weight (#4) | 4.0 mm | About 2.5 hours |
- Finished size: about 6 in (15 cm) tall and 2.5 in (6 cm) wide at the widest point, standing upright on its own.
- Gauge: 18 sc and 20 rounds = 4 in (10 cm) in worsted yarn with a 4.0 mm hook. Gauge is not critical for a decorative pickle, but tight, even stitches make the bumps crisper and keep the stuffing invisible.
- Skill level: beginner. You should know how to work a magic ring, chain, single crochet, increase, and decrease. The popcorn stitch is explained step by step below, and the face is simple embroidery.
If this is your first amigurumi, you picked a good one: the body is a single piece with no shaping tricks, the rounds are short, and the bumps are the only new stitch you will meet.
Abbreviations, US terms
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | magic ring |
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| inc | increase: 2 sc in the same stitch |
| dec | decrease: invisible decrease, sc 2 together through the front loops |
| popcorn | popcorn stitch: 5 dc in the same stitch, drop the loop, insert the hook front to back into the first dc of the group, pick up the dropped loop and pull through, pushing the bump to the right side |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| R | round |
| FO | fasten off |
| [ ] | total stitch count at the end of the round |
A note on the popcorn stitch: after you close each popcorn, gently push the bump outward with your fingertip so it sits on the right side of the fabric. Worked in a spiral, the right side faces out automatically, so one little push per bump is all it takes.
The pickle crochet pattern (US terms)
Work the body in continuous spiral rounds. Do not join at the end of a round: just keep going and move the stitch marker up to the first stitch of each new round. Push each popcorn bump outward as you make it. Stuff firmly as you go, a little at a time, shaping the body into a long oval.
Body: the bumpy pickle
With your green yarn, start at the base of the pickle.
- R1: MR, 6 sc in ring. [6]
- R2: inc in each st around. [12]
- R3: (sc, inc) x6. [18]
- R4: (2 sc, inc) x6. [24]
- R5: (3 sc, inc) x6. [30]
- R6-R8: sc in each st around. [30]
- R9: (4 sc, popcorn) x6. [30]
- R10-R11: sc in each st around. [30]
- R12: (9 sc, popcorn) x3. [30]
- R13-R14: sc in each st around. [30]
- R15: (4 sc, popcorn) x6. [30]
- R16: (3 sc, dec) x6. [24]
- R17-R18: sc in each st around. [24]
Begin stuffing the body now, shaping it into a long, slightly tapered oval. Keep the base rounded so the pickle stands upright.
- R19: (2 sc, dec) x6. [18]
- R20-R21: sc in each st around. [18]
- R22: (sc, dec) x6. [12]
Add the last of the stuffing, filling the top firmly so the pickle keeps its shape.
- R23: dec x6. [6]
FO, leaving a 6 in tail. Thread the tail through the front loops of the last round, pull tight to close, and weave the end into the body.
Stem: the little brown cap
With your brown yarn, work the stem that sits on top of the pickle.
- R1: MR, 6 sc in ring. [6]
- R2-R3: sc in each st around. [6]
- R4: (sc, inc) x3. [9]
- R5: sc in each st around. [9]
FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff the stem: flatten it gently between your fingers. Sew it to the top centre of the body with small whipstitches, going around twice so it stands up straight.
Arms: tiny pickle hugs (make 2, optional)
The arms are optional, but they make the pickle dramatically cuter, so I recommend them.
- R1: MR, 6 sc in ring. [6]
- R2-R5: sc in each st around. [6]
Stuff the lower half lightly with a tiny tuft of stuffing, then flatten the top. FO, leaving a long tail. Sew one arm to each side of the body at about R13, angling them slightly upward like the pickle is ready for a hug.
Face: the embroidered smile
Thread black embroidery floss (use all 6 strands) on your tapestry needle.
- Eyes: embroider two small vertical ovals about 5 stitches apart on the front of the body, centred between R19 and R20. Stack 4 or 5 straight stitches side by side for each eye.
- Smile: centred 2 rounds below the eyes, stitch a short curved line about 4 stitches wide, sweeping up at the ends like a happy grin.
- Cheeks (optional): embroider two small pink dashes just below and outside the eyes.
Keep the face small and centred on the upper third of the body: a tiny face on a big pickle is the whole joke. Step back and check it from arm's length before you knot off.
Finishing touches and assembly
Attach the stem. Place the flattened stem on the top centre of the body and pin it upright. Sew around the base with small whipstitches, going around twice for strength, pulling each stitch snug so the stem cannot wobble.
Position the arms. Hold the pickle up and look at it straight on. The arms should mirror each other at the same height, angled slightly upward. Pin first, sew second, and check the symmetry before you knot off.
Weave every end. Thread each tail onto the tapestry needle and run it through the stuffing for at least 2 inches, changing direction once so it locks in place. Trim flush and the end will disappear inside the stuffing.
Give it a final shape. Roll the finished pickle gently between your palms to even out the stuffing, and press the base flat on the table so it stands on its own. Fluff each popcorn bump outward with your fingertip one last time.
Tips and tricks
A few small choices make the difference between a good pickle and a great one:
Push every popcorn outward. The single most important habit in this pattern. After you close each popcorn, give it a firm push with your fingertip so it pops to the right side. Bumps left pointing inward disappear into the stuffing.
Stuff in stages. Add a little stuffing at R17, more at R22, and a final top-up before closing. Stuffing a long shape all at once leaves lumps; layering it in stages gives you that smooth, firm pickle density.
Keep the bumps evenly spaced. The stitch counts in the bump rounds are designed so the bumps land in neat, staggered rows. Count carefully in R9, R12, and R15: one extra stitch throws the whole row off-centre.
Crochet tighter than you think. Drop half a hook size below the label recommendation if your stitches look gappy. Dense fabric makes the bumps crisp and keeps every bit of stuffing hidden.
Choose the right green. True dill green is the classic, but hold your yarn up in daylight before you start: some greens photograph yellow and some photograph blue. Pick the one that makes you smile.
Variations to try next
Once you have made one pickle, the whole jar is waiting:
- Christmas pickle ornament. Make the pickle in a slightly smaller hook (3.5 mm) so it comes out petite, sew a loop of ribbon or gold cord to the stem, and hang it on the tree. The German Christmas pickle tradition says whoever finds it gets good luck, and a handmade one beats a glass one every time. If you like festive makes, our gummy bear crochet pattern also makes an adorable ornament in candy colours.
- Sweet gherkin. Work the body in a yellow-green and skip the arms for a daintier, sweeter look. Embroider the smile a little smaller for a shy expression.
- Spicy pickle. Use a deep olive green and add two extra bump rows (repeat R15 once more before decreasing) for an extra-warty, extra-funny pickle.
- Pickle keychain. Make the body with a 3.5 mm hook for a firmer, smaller pickle, sew everything extra securely, and attach a keychain ring through the stem with a jump ring. These sell brilliantly at craft fairs. For another pocket-sized make, try the free crochet bunny pattern: same spiral rounds, same evening make.
- Pickle with a Santa hat. For the holidays, crochet a tiny cone hat in red with a white brim and pom pom, and sew it tilted on the pickle's head next to the stem. Instant Christmas card material.
Troubleshooting tips
- The popcorn bumps sink inward. You forgot to push them outward as you worked them. Reach inside with the blunt end of your hook and pop each bump out from the inside, then shape the fabric around it.
- The pickle will not stand up. The base is too round or the top is overstuffed. Press the base flat on the table while the stuffing is fresh, and keep the top stuffing firm but not bulging.
- The bumps look uneven or lopsided. You miscounted in a bump round. Count back from your stitch marker: R9 and R15 need exactly 6 bumps, R12 needs exactly 3, evenly spaced.
- The stuffing shows through the stitches. Your hook is too big or your tension is too loose. Go down half a hook size and pull each stitch snug.
- The face looks lopsided. Mark the eye positions with pins first, count the stitches between them, and check from arm's length before you knot off. Tiny faces magnify tiny mistakes.
- The stem wobbles or leans. You sewed only one round of stitches. Go around the base a second time, pulling snug, and sew through the body stuffing for extra anchoring.
- The pickle looks more like a cucumber. Fair enough, they are cousins. Swap to a darker dill green and make sure all fifteen bumps are popped outward: the bumps are what sell the pickle.
Frequently asked questions
Is this crochet pickle pattern really free?
Yes, the complete pattern above is free, with no email signup and no PDF purchase required.
What skill level is this pickle pattern?
Beginner. If you can work a magic ring, single crochet, increase, and decrease, you have every skill this pattern needs. The popcorn stitch is explained step by step in the abbreviations table, and the face is simple embroidery.
How long does it take to crochet the pickle?
About 2.5 hours: roughly an hour for the body with its bump rounds, 30 minutes for the stem, arms, and stuffing, and 30 minutes for the embroidered face and finishing.
How much yarn do I need?
About 70 yds of worsted-weight green yarn, plus a small scrap of brown for the stem and small amounts of black and pink embroidery floss for the face.
What if I cannot do the popcorn stitch?
You can substitute a bobble stitch (5 unfinished dc closed together) in the same spots, or simply embroider small French-knot bumps after the body is finished. The pickle will still read as a pickle, though the popcorn texture is worth learning.
Can I sell the finished pickles I make?
Yes! You may sell finished pickles made from this pattern in small batches (craft fairs, markets, gifts). Please credit Little Loop Finds as the pattern designer.
Is this pickle safe for babies and toddlers?
The design uses an embroidered face with no safety eyes or buttons, so there are no small hard parts to come loose. Still, always supervise babies with handmade toys and check the stitching regularly.
More free patterns to try
If this pickle made you smile, keep the hook moving. The crochet lizard pattern free is another funny little reptile with the same beginner-friendly spiral construction, and our batch-mate, the crochet mushroom hat pattern, is the perfect next project if you are ready to try wearable crochet. A pickle and a mushroom hat: honestly, that is a Halloween costume waiting to happen.
