About this pattern

Meet the sweetest little axolotl swimming straight from the MrsCrochetWorld studio! This no-sew amigurumi works up in one continuous piece — no scary seaming, no awkward joins. Just a chubby pink body, six wiggly external gills, and the cutest squished face. Perfect for beginners who want a quick, satisfying make.

📋 Materials

• Hook: 3.5 mm (E/4)
• Yarn: DK / Sport weight (light worsted) — Main Color (MC): soft pink; Contrast (CC): cream/white for belly + gill tips
• Safety Eyes: 8 mm black
• Stuffing: Polyfill
• Tapestry needle for weaving ends
• Stitch markers (1–2)
• Optional: pink embroidery floss for blush cheeks

Finished size: approx. 10–12 cm / 4–4.75 in long.

📚 Abbreviations (US Terms)

• MR – magic ring
• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• inc – increase (2 sc in same stitch)
• dec – invisible decrease
• sl st – slip stitch
• BLO – back loops only
• FO – fasten off
• ( ) x N – repeat pattern in brackets N times
• [N] – total stitch count at end of round

🐉 Body & Head (worked as one piece, MC, bottom-up)

Start at the tail tip and work upward toward the head. Work in continuous spirals; use a stitch marker.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
2. R2: (inc) x 6. [12]
3. R3: (sc, inc) x 6. [18]
4. R4–8 (5 rounds): sc in each st. [18] — this forms the tail tube
5. R9: (2 sc, inc) x 6. [24]
6. R10–12 (3 rounds): sc in each st. [24] — body widens
7. R13: (3 sc, inc) x 6. [30]
8. R14–16 (3 rounds): sc in each st. [30]
9. R17: (4 sc, inc) x 6. [36] — widest part, body/head transition
10. R18–22 (5 rounds): sc in each st. [36] — head section, classic flat axolotl shape
11. Begin stuffing firmly. Insert safety eyes between R20 and R21, approx. 7 stitches apart, slightly toward the front.
12. R23: (4 sc, dec) x 6. [30]
13. R24: (3 sc, dec) x 6. [24]
14. Continue stuffing as you close.
15. R25: (2 sc, dec) x 6. [18]
16. R26: (sc, dec) x 6. [12]
17. R27: (dec) x 6. [6]
18. FO leaving long tail. Weave through final 6 sts and pull tight to close.

🌸 Gills (make 6 — 3 pairs, MC with CC tips)

Tiny puffy bumps that attach directly to the head — no sewing required if you work them on. For the simplest beta version, make 6 separate small puffs and attach with the working yarn before fastening off.

1. R1: with MC, 5 sc in MR. [5]
2. R2: (inc, sc) x 2, inc. [8]
3. R3: sc in each st. [8]
4. Switch to CC.
5. R4: sc in each st. [8]
6. R5: (sc, dec) x 2, sc, sc. [6]
7. Stuff lightly. FO leaving long tail for attaching.

Attach gills: sew 3 gills on each side of the head along R18–R20. Space them evenly: one near the top, one in the middle, one slightly lower. They should fan outward like classic axolotl frills.

✨ Finishing

• Use the tail end from R27 to secure and hide inside the body.
• With pink embroidery floss, add small blush circles below each eye (2–3 wraps in a tight oval).
• Optional: embroider a tiny "u" shape for the smile, 2 sts below and centered between the eyes.
• Gently shape the head flat by pressing — axolotls have wide, slightly squished faces.

🎨 Color Notes & Variants

• Classic Leucistic: soft pink body + white/cream gill tips (shown)
• Wild Type: olive/brown body + dark red gill tips
• Golden: pale yellow body + peachy gill tips
• Galaxy: deep purple body + white gill tips with rainbow speckles
• Mint: pastel green body + cream gills

📸 Photo Tips

• Photograph from slightly above for the iconic flat-face axolotl angle.
• Best on pale backgrounds (cream linen, soft pink) to highlight the gills.
• Tag #mrscrochetworld and #mcwbeta on socials — we may feature your make!