Free Capybara Amigurumi Pattern with Turtle Backpack
Designer: Kristina Kuznetsova
Instagram: @kristis.toys
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
A playful little companion with charming accessories and plenty of handmade personality.
The free capybara amigurumi pattern with turtle backpack is designed by Kristis Toys and combines the calm charm of a capybara with fun decorative details. This cute crochet animal makes a wonderful handmade gift idea, desk companion, or nursery accent. You will also find extra capybara amigurumi ideas at the end of the pattern, and we sincerely thank Kristis Toys for sharing this creative design.
This is a beginner-friendly to intermediate crochet project with clear shaping and enjoyable construction. The finished capybara measures approximately 12 cm, making it a perfect small crochet project and soft crochet toy. If you enjoy animal-themed creations, you might also love a sweet amigurumi raccoon featured on one of our other blogs.
The pattern uses cotton yarn for a crisp and well-defined finish, while velvet yarn can be substituted for a larger plush version. With simple materials, safety eyes, stuffing, and basic tools, it remains a relaxing and rewarding project. If you enjoy cozy crochet and mini amigurumi designs, don’t miss a charming amigurumi hedgehog for another fun make. More capybara-inspired ideas can be found at the end of the pattern.
Keep scrolling to discover more adorable capybara crochet ideas below.
Materials and Tools
• YarnArt Jeans yarn:
07 – Beige
70 – Dark Brown
40 – Brown
• Kamteks Prazdnichnaya yarn with lurex (50 g / 160 m): Orange
• Gamma Iris yarn: 0014 – Bright Green
• 2 mm crochet hook (main)
• 0.5 mm crochet hook (for the leaf)
• 6 mm safety eyes
• Polyester fiberfill
• Stitch markers
• Pins
• Yarn needle for sewing parts
• Scissors
Abbreviations
MR – magic ring
ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
inc – increase
dec – decrease
(…) x n – repeat the instructions in parentheses n times
HOW TO CROCHET A CUTE CAPYBARA WITH A TURTLE BACKPACK
Head and Body
R1: 6 sc in MR
R2: inc x 6 (12)
R3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
R5: 9 sc, (1 sc, inc) x 3, 9 sc (27)
R6: 9 sc, (2 sc, inc) x 3, 9 sc (30)
R7: (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)
R8: (5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)
R9: 15 sc, (1 sc, inc) x 6, 15 sc (48)
R10–R11: 48 sc (2 rounds)
R12: (7 sc, inc) x 6 (54)
R13: (8 sc, inc) x 6 (60)
Insert the safety eyes between R9 and R10, placing them near the edges between the increases.
R14–R17: 60 sc (4 rounds)
R18: (8 sc, dec) x 6 (54)
R19: (7 sc, dec) x 6 (48)
R20: 15 sc, (1 sc, dec) x 6, 15 sc (42)
R21: (5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)
R22: (4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)
Begin stuffing the piece.
R23: (1 sc, inc) x 15 (45)
R24–R25: 45 sc (2 rounds)
R26: (14 sc, inc) x 3 (48)
R27: Mark the front center with stitch markers. This area will be used for belly increases. Use the eye placement as a guide so the belly is centered between the eyes.
Example: 19 sc, (1 sc, inc) x 6, 17 sc (54)
R28: 54 sc
R29: 19 sc, (2 sc, inc) x 6, 17 sc (60)
Crochet the same number of stitches before and after the increases as in R27.
R30–R34: 60 sc (5 rounds)
R35: (8 sc, dec) x 6 (54)
R36: (7 sc, dec) x 6 (48)
R37: (6 sc, dec) x 6 (42)
R38: (5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)
R39: (4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)
R40: (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
Finish stuffing, shaping the belly carefully.
R41: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
R42: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
R43: dec x 6, fasten off, hide yarn tail.
Snout
R1: 6 sc in MR
R2: 3 sc in one stitch, 2 sc, 3 sc in one stitch, 2 sc (10)
R3: inc x 3, 2 sc, inc x 3, 2 sc (16)
R4: (1 sc, inc) x 3, 2 sc, (1 sc, inc) x 3, 2 sc (22)
R5: (2 sc, inc) x 3, 2 sc, (2 sc, inc) x 3, 2 sc (28)
R6: 3 sc, 3 sc in one stitch, 7 sc, 3 sc in one stitch, 16 sc (32)
R7: 4 sc, inc, 9 sc, inc, 17 sc (34)
Leave a long tail for sewing.
Legs (2 pcs)
Stuff lightly at the beginning and to the middle.
Start with dark brown yarn.
R1: 6 sc in MR
R2: inc x 6 (12)
R3–R4: 12 sc (2 rounds), change to beige on the last stitch
R5: (2 sc, inc) x 4 (16)
R6: 16 sc
R7: (3 sc, inc) x 4 (20)
R8: (4 sc, inc) x 4 (24)
R9–R10: 24 sc (2 rounds)
R11: (4 sc, dec) x 4 (20)
R12: 20 sc
R13: (3 sc, dec) x 4 (16)
R14: (2 sc, dec) x 4 (12)
Work 2 offset stitches so the leg faces forward. Leave a long tail.
Arms (2 pcs)
Stuff lightly.
Start with dark brown yarn.
R1: 6 sc in MR
R2: (1 sc, inc) x 3 (9)
R3: 9 sc, change to beige on the last stitch
R4: (2 sc, inc) x 3 (12)
R5: 12 sc
R6: (5 sc, inc) x 2 (14)
R7–R10: 14 sc (4 rounds)
Work 1 offset stitch. Leave a long tail.
Ears (2 pcs)
R1: 6 sc in MR
R2: inc x 6 (12)
R3–R5: 12 sc (3 rounds)
Flatten and crochet 6 sc through both layers. Leave a long tail.
Assembly
• Embroider the whites of the eyes with white yarn. Lightly stuff and pin the snout in place, then sew it on.
• Sew the ears between R5 and R6, folding them in half. Adjust position before sewing.
• Attach the arms 1 round below the head, symmetrically.
• Attach the legs 2 sc below the lower edge of the arms.
• Embroider nostrils, a stripe, and eyebrows using doubled black sewing thread. Use 4–5 stitches for the nostrils and 1 stitch for each detail.
Turtle Backpack Amigurumi Pattern
Shell
R1: 6 sc in MR
R2: inc x 6 (12)
R3: (1 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: 36 sc, change to light green on last stitch
R8: 36 sc in back loops only
R9: (1 sc, dec) x 12 (24)
R10: dec x 12 (12), stuff
R11: dec x 6, fasten off
Single crochet around the back-loop edge using green yarn.
Fins
R1: 6 sc in MR
R2–R3: 6 sc (2 rounds)
Do not stuff. Flatten and crochet 3 sc through both layers. Leave tail.
Head
R1: 6 sc in MR
R2: inc x 6 (12)
R3: (3 sc, inc) x 3 (15)
R4–R5: 15 sc
R6: (3 sc, dec) x 3 (12)
R7: 12 sc
Lightly stuff, fold flat, crochet 5 sc through both layers.
Backpack Straps (2 pcs)
Ch 36.
Leave yarn tails at both ends for attaching.
Tangerine Amigurumi Pattern
R1: 6 sc in MR
R2: inc x 6 (12)
R3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
R5–R7: 24 sc (3 rounds)
R8: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
R9: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
R10: dec x 6
Create indentation by pulling the yarn through the center twice. Hide yarn tail.
Leaf
Ch 10.
9 sl st, ch 1.
Opposite side: 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, inc dc, 2 tr, inc dc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, sl st, ch 1.
Other side: 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, inc dc, 2 tr, inc dc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, sl st.
Leave a long tail.
Copyright & Credits
This pattern is designed by kristis.toys; you may sell finished toys made from this pattern, but please credit the designer by tagging @kristis.toys and linking to their social media when sharing your work.
