No-Sew Pocket Crab · Free Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

I know y'all love those no-sew patterns! I'm keeping them coming! ;) Let's say hello to my no-sew POCKET CRAB, which is an adorable mini crab that takes less than 20 minutes to whip up. 

LINKS

• Download the PDF pattern from my store, Ravelry, or Etsy
• Watch the video tutorial here 
• Save it on Pinterest here 

The Pocket Crab is a quick, easy, and completely no-sew amigurumi! With this crochet pattern, you can create an army of tiny crabs that make great keychains, funny stocking stuffers, Easter egg fillers, party favors, class Valentine’s Day gifts with and more. Surprise someone with a mini baby crab today! Since this small amigurumi takes a familiar crocheter about 20 minutes or less to finish, they make great last-minute gifts and stock for craft fairs. This pattern is also compatible with a variety of yarn types and weights, including plush yarn, blanket yarn, and super bulky weight chenille velvet yarn. 

About the Project

• Easy / beginner-friendly
• Works up quickly
• No-sew 
• Stashbuster project; great for using up leftover yarn scraps
• Can be turned into a keychain

This pattern is available as a:

• Free video tutorial
• Free written pattern
• Paid ad-free PDF pattern with photo references

Uses

• Keychain: add a keyring
• Ornament: add a hanging loop for your Christmas tree
• Scent Sachet: stuff it with a satchel of lavender (or your favorite scent) to make it into a soothing diffuser for your car, office, or room 
• Party favor: great for birthday parties or Valentine's Day class gifts (scroll down for free printable gift tags!)
• Baby mobile: add it to a crib mobile in a beach-themed or underwater-themed nursery
• Gift: for family and friends as a last-minute birthday gift, Christmas holiday gift
• "Pocket pal" or fidget: suitable as a portable therapy aid or security toy for kids 
• Cat toy: add some catnip inside, and these would make great little cat toys! You can also make them as charitable donations to cat rescues, the Humane Society, and cat adoption shelters 
• Craft fair product: sell it at markets; it's the perfect market prep pattern to work up because it's quick, easy, and doesn't require any sewing
• Charity: these make adorable Random Acts of Kindness gifts

Free Printable Adoption Certificate

Make this a fun amigurumi gift for little ones by including this free printable adoption certificate! These can be made as birthday party favors for toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary students. 

Sign up in the form above, and don't miss out on the free underwater animal crochet patterns that you can make in conjunction!

Free Valentine's Day Gift Tags

Looking for something quick and easy (with NO SEWING) to make as class Valentines for your child? I'm sure it'd be memorable for any student to receive a handmade crab with an adorable gift tag! 

Grab your free copy of this printable by signing up below. 

Yarn

This mini crab was designed using medium weight 4 yarn to make a tiny critter of approximately 4.5-5cm in width. If you'd like to make a larger crab, try using thicker yarns. As you can see below, this pattern works with different weights and textures of yarn. 

Left: dark red crab (Upcycled Alpaca yarn, medium weight 4)

Center: orange crab (Feels Like Bliss yarn, bulky weight 5)

Right: bright red crab (Hobbii Honey Bunny, super bulky weight 6)

PDF Pattern

The PDF pattern is printable, ad-free, easy to read, includes photo references, and helps support Sweet Softies! (If you enjoy my free patterns, you can consider it as a donation to me when you buy one of my pattern PDFs! It allows me to maintain my blog and continue sharing more free patterns.)

You can get the PDF pattern from my store, Ravelry, or Etsy.

Bonus: The PDF pattern download will also come with printable Valentine's Day gift tags!

Printable & ad-free PDF pattern

NO-SEW POCKET CRAB

Free Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

Terms of Use & Copyright Notice © 2025 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website (www.sweetsofties.com). No wholesale. You may not translate, copy, alter, or sell my patterns in part or in whole in any way. My patterns may not be used in video tutorials or teaching online classes. My patterns may be used in teaching in-person classes ONLY with written consent from me. You may link to this pattern but you may not copy any part of the pattern instructions on other websites.

Crochet Pattern Information

Size:

Approximately 4.5-5cm across

Level of Difficulty:

★★☆☆☆ Familiar Beginner. Requires familiarity with stitches used (below) and changing yarn colors.

Stitches/Terms Used:

• FO = fasten off
• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• inc = increase (insert 2 sc in same st)
• dec = decrease (sc 2 sts together)
• BLO = back loops only
• FLO = front loops only

Materials:

• Medium weight 4 yarn in desired color
• 2.75mm crochet hook (I use these)
• 6mm plastic safety eyes
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Scissors
• Yarn needle

Crochet Instructions

Note: The free version of this pattern (below) does not include photo references. If you'd like photo references to guide you through the different steps towards completion, they are available in the printable PDF pattern. 

Part 1: Body

Start with red yarn.

R1: Insert 8 sc in a MR. Tighten the ring. (8)

R2: Inc around. (16)

R3: (Sc 3, inc) x 4. (20)

R4: Sc around. (20)

Without FO, continue with the next part.

Part 2: Legs & Claws

Note: The legs and claws will all be crocheted in a single round. 

Work in FLO for this entire round!

Sl st 2.

Three legs: (Ch 4, sl st 3 starting in the 2nd ch from hook. Sl st into the next st.) x 3.

Right claw: Sl st in the next st. Ch 5, sl st 2 starting from the 2nd ch from hook, ch 2, sl st in the 2nd ch from hook, sl st in each of the last two starting chains.

Sl st 6.

Left claw: Ch 4, sl st in the 2nd ch from hook, ch 3, sl st 2 starting from the 2nd ch from hook, sl st 2 in the last two starting chains.

Sl st 2.

Three legs: (Ch 4, sl st 3 starting in the 2nd ch from hook. Sl st into the next st.) x 3.

Sl st 3.

Either switch to white yarn or continue with red yarn for the belly.

Part 3: Belly

Flip the crab over.

R1: Crochet into the unworked back loops of the body’s R4. (Sc 3, dec) x 4. (16)

Insert 6mm eyes between R3-R4, 4 sts apart. (You can also opt for 5 sts apart depending on preference.)

R2: Dec around. (8)

FO with a tail for sewing the opening closed after stuffing the body.

Video Tutorial

Ready to crochet this project with me? Follow the step-by-step video tutorial below! 

Want to share your finished amigurumi? I'd love to see it on Instagram, @SweetSofties!

Thank you for reading, and hope you had a fun time crocheting this project!  If you'd like to help out my blog, feel free to check out my post, "5 Ways to Support my Blog!"

You might like my other designs if you enjoyed this one!  Simply click on the image below for the pattern, or check out all my free patterns here.

  

I'd love to see your finished work from my designs!  Here are links for sharing photos of your creations: 

• Sweet Softies FB Page 
• Sweet Softies FB Group 
• Instagram, @SweetSofties

As always, you are more than welcome to SHARE this post with any fellow crocheters who'd like to try this pattern!  Thank you for reading, and I wish you all a wonderful day!

Best wishes,

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.