Crochet Tutorial: Summer Sunflower Crab Amigurumi – Free Crochet Pattern

This cheerful crab amigurumi is designed as a summer crochet doll with bright sunflower overalls, a matching sun hat, tiny sandals, and sweet garden accessories. It is a lovely project for makers searching for a cute crochet crab doll, a handmade amigurumi gift, or a charming summer nursery decor toy.

The finished set has the warm, playful look people love in a collectible amigurumi doll. If you enjoy making pieces that look ready for a boutique handmade toy shop, a crochet pattern for gifts, or a cottage garden plush display, this design gives you that same detailed and polished result.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Overview

This pattern recreates the full character shown in the image: a seated coral-pink crab amigurumi with a rounded rectangular body, long dangling legs, two raised eyestalks, one upright claw, one extended arm holding a wide-brim sun hat, small side walking legs, yellow short overalls, sunflower pocket embroidery, sunflower crossbody bag, flower details, sandals, a potted sunflower, a tiny watering can, and a small trowel.

The style is detailed but beginner-friendly if you work slowly and count every stitch carefully. Most pieces are made with tight single crochet in continuous rounds. Clothing and accessories are built separately, then layered onto the body to match the exact look of the pictured doll.

Materials

• Light worsted or DK cotton yarn in:
  • Coral pink for the crab body
  • Golden yellow for overalls, hat, sandals, and sunflower petals
  • Olive green and leaf green for stems, straps, and leaves
  • Brown for sunflower centers and soil
  • Cream or off-white for cheeks and eye whites
  • White for tiny flower petals
  • Blue for small flower accents
  • Beige/taupe for watering can and trowel handle
  • Gray for trowel blade
  • Black for smile and eye pupils if not using black safety eyes
• 2.25 mm to 2.75 mm crochet hook
• Polyfill stuffing
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• Sewing pins or clips
• Small buttons for overall straps and flower accents
• Two 6 mm to 8 mm safety eyes, or black beads
• Thin cardboard or plastic canvas scraps for hat brim and sandal soles if desired

Finished Size

Using DK cotton and a 2.5 mm hook, the crab doll sits about 10 to 11 inches tall from the bottom of the legs to the top of the eyestalks when seated, not including the raised claw. The accessories are scaled to the doll and should not be enlarged if you want the same proportions as the image.

Gauge and Construction Notes

• Work most amigurumi parts in continuous spirals unless noted.
• Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round.
• Stuff firmly but do not overstuff. The body must stay slightly flat in front, not fully round.
• The crab body is built from an oval-like lower section and shaped upward into a softly squared torso.
• The long legs are attached low so they hang forward naturally in a seated pose.
• Small side walking legs are sewn in layered clusters on both sides of the body.
• The overalls are made separately and stitched onto the body for the most accurate fit.
• Read the full pattern once before starting the accessories.

Abbreviations

• MR = magic ring
• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• inc = 2 sc in same stitch
• dec = invisible decrease
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• BLO = back loop only
• FLO = front loop only
• st = stitch
• rep = repeat

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Main Crab Body

Body Base

With coral pink:

1. Ch 11.
2. Round 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 9, 3 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of chain, sc 8, inc in last st. (22)
3. Round 2: Inc, sc 8, 3 inc, sc 8, 2 inc. (28)
4. Round 3: Sc 1, inc, sc 8, rep 3 times: sc 1, inc, sc 8, rep 2 times: sc 1, inc. (34)
5. Round 4: Sc 2, inc, sc 8, rep 3 times: sc 2, inc, sc 8, rep 2 times: sc 2, inc. (40)
6. Round 5: Sc around. (40)
7. Round 6: BLO sc around. (40)
8. Rounds 7-12: Sc around for 6 rounds. (40)

This section forms the lower body and gives a gentle base curve. Keep the stitches very even because the overalls will sit smoothly over this section later.

Shape the Upper Body

1. Round 13: Sc 12, dec, sc 4, dec, sc 16, dec, sc 4. (37)
2. Round 14: Sc around. (37)
3. Round 15: Sc 10, dec, sc 5, dec, sc 15, dec, sc 4. (34)
4. Round 16: Sc around. (34)
5. Round 17: Sc 9, dec, sc 4, dec, sc 13, dec, sc 3. (31)
6. Round 18: Sc around. (31)
7. Round 19: Sc 8, dec, sc 4, dec, sc 11, dec, sc 3. (28)
8. Rounds 20-25: Sc around for 6 rounds. (28)

Stuff the body firmly from the lower portion upward. Press the front and back lightly with your hands while stuffing so the body becomes rounded but slightly flatter across the front, like the photographed crab.

Top Closure

1. Round 26: Sc 5, dec, sc 4, dec, sc 8, dec, sc 3. (25)
2. Round 27: Sc around. (25)
3. Round 28: Dec around, leaving last st unworked if needed to keep symmetry. (13-14)
4. Finish stuffing.
5. Round 29: Dec around to close. Fasten off, weave through front loops, and pull tight.

Long Dangling Legs

Make 2 with coral pink. These are long, narrow, lightly stuffed, and attached low on the body so the doll sits with its legs extended forward.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (12)
3. Rounds 3-24: Sc around. (12)
4. Round 25: Sc 4, dec, sc 4, dec. (10)
5. Rounds 26-28: Sc around. (10)
6. Stuff lightly, especially near the top. Keep the lower portion more filled so it holds shape.
7. Flatten top opening and sc 5 through both layers to close. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Sew the legs to the lower front of the body, about 5 stitches apart. Angle them downward so they hang naturally. The toes will be covered by sandals later.

Side Walking Legs

Make 8 with coral pink, 4 for each side. These are short, stubby side legs placed in overlapping rows.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: Sc around. (6)
3. Round 3: Sc around. (6)
4. Round 4: Sc 2, inc, sc 3. (7)
5. Round 5: Sc around. (7)
6. Stuff only the tip very lightly.
7. Flatten opening and sc 3 across. Fasten off with sewing tail.

Sew 4 side legs on each side of the body, starting slightly below the arm area and extending toward the lower torso. Overlap them slightly so they fan outward. The visible photo shows rounded, petal-like leg segments rather than sharp pointed legs, so keep them soft and padded.

Eyestalks

Make 2 with coral pink.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rounds 2-6: Sc around. (6)
3. Round 7: Inc around. (12)
4. Round 8: Sc around. (12)
5. Stuff lightly.
6. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

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Eye Whites

Make 2 with white.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (12)
3. Fasten off.

Insert a 6 mm to 8 mm safety eye or sew a black bead/pupil into the center of each white circle. Sew the whites to the widened tops of the eyestalks.

Attach the eyestalks to the top front of the body, spaced about 5 to 6 stitches apart. Angle them slightly outward and forward, matching the playful look in the image.

Cheeks

Make 2 with cream.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (12)
3. Fasten off, leaving tail.

Sew them to the front body below the eyes. Place the small embroidered smile between and slightly below them.

Mouth

With black embroidery yarn, stitch a short shallow smile centered between the cheeks. The smile is small and simple, not wide. Add one tiny straight stitch at each end if needed.

Right Raised Claw

This is the crab’s left side from the viewer’s perspective, the upright claw standing beside the head.

Arm Stem

With coral pink:

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rounds 2-8: Sc around. (6)
3. Round 9: Sc 2, inc, sc 3. (7)
4. Round 10: Sc around. (7)
5. Stuff lightly.

Upper and Lower Pincer

Make 2 pieces:

1. Round 1: 5 sc in MR. (5)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (10)
3. Round 3: Sc around. (10)
4. Round 4: Sc 3, inc, sc 6. (11)
5. Round 5: Sc around. (11)
6. Round 6: Dec, sc 3, dec, sc 4. (9)
7. Stuff lightly and flatten slightly into a curved claw shape.

Sew the two pincer pieces to the top of the arm stem in a V formation, leaving a small open gap between them. Curve them inward so the claw looks soft and rounded. Attach the finished arm to the upper side of the body and angle it upward.

Left Hat-Holding Arm

This arm stretches outward and slightly upward.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rounds 2-14: Sc around. (6)
3. Round 15: Inc around. (12)
4. Rounds 16-17: Sc around. (12)
5. Stuff lightly, mostly near the hand end.
6. Flatten opening and close with 6 sc through both layers.

Sew this arm high on the opposite side of the body and angle it outward so it can support the hat. The hat can be lightly stitched to the arm after final styling.

Yellow Short Overalls

The overalls are a key visual feature. They should fit snugly, with a bib front, two shoulder straps, short legs, and a front sunflower panel.

Lower Shorts Section

With golden yellow, make 2 legs.

1. Ch 18, join carefully to form a ring.
2. Rounds 1-4: Sc around. (18)
3. Fasten off first leg only.

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Make second leg the same, but do not fasten off.

1. Join legs with ch 4.
2. Round 5: Sc around first leg 18, sc 4 across chain, sc around second leg 18, sc 4 on opposite side of chain. (44)
3. Round 6: Sc around. (44)
4. Round 7: Sc around. (44)
5. Round 8: Sc 18, dec, sc 4, dec, sc 16, dec, sc 4. (41)
6. Round 9: Sc around. (41)
7. Round 10: Sc 17, dec, sc 4, dec, sc 14, dec, sc 4. (38)
8. Round 11: Sc around. (38)
9. Round 12: Sc 16, dec, sc 4, dec, sc 12, dec, sc 4. (35)
10. Round 13: Sc around. (35)

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Slip the shorts onto the body to test fit. The shorts should sit low enough to reveal the upper coral body and cheeks above the bib line.

Bib Front

With yellow:

1. Ch 13.
2. Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 12. (12)
3. Rows 2-9: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (12)
4. Row 10: Dec, sc 8, dec. (10)
5. Rows 11-13: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (10)

Fasten off with long tail. Sew to the upper center front of the shorts.

Straps

Make 2 with yellow.

1. Ch 18.
2. Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in each ch back. (17)

Sew each strap from the top corners of the bib to the upper back of the shorts. Add a small button where each strap meets the bib.

Overall Edging

Work a neat border around leg openings and top edge if needed:

• Join yellow yarn at edge.
• Sc evenly around openings.
• On the bib top corners, add 2 sc in corner stitches for a softer shape.

Sunflower Pocket Embroidery

Embroider or applique two tiny sunflowers centered on the bib pocket area.

• Make 2 mini brown centers: 6 sc in MR.
• With yellow, attach and work 8 petals around each center: sl st, ch 2, 2 dc in same st, ch 2, sl st in next st or a smaller version with sl st, ch 2, hdc, ch 2, sl st.
• Sew both sunflowers onto the bib.
• With green yarn, embroider short stems and tiny leaf stitches below them.

Sun Hat

The hat is wide-brimmed, shallow, and soft. It has a green stripe and a sunflower decoration on the brim.

With yellow:

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: Sc 1, inc around. (18)
4. Round 4: Sc 2, inc around. (24)
5. Round 5: Sc 3, inc around. (30)
6. Round 6: Sc 4, inc around. (36)
7. Round 7: BLO sc around. (36)
8. Rounds 8-11: Sc around. (36)
9. Round 12: Sc 5, inc around. (42)
10. Round 13: Sc around. (42)
11. Round 14: Sc 6, inc around. (48)
12. Round 15: Sc around. (48)
13. Round 16: Sc 7, inc around. (54)
14. Round 17: Sc around. (54)

Fasten off. For a stronger brim, lightly steam shape or slip a thin plastic canvas ring between a fabric lining and the underside if desired.

Hat Stripe

With green, surface sl st around the hat near the crown-to-brim transition, approximately between Rounds 10 and 11.

Hat Sunflower

Make 1 small sunflower:

• Center with brown: 6 sc in MR, then inc around. (12)
• Petals with yellow: In each stitch work sl st, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st.

Sew the sunflower to the brim edge on one side.

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Sunflower Crossbody Bag

Bag Front and Back

Make 2 brown circles.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: Sc 1, inc around. (18)
4. Round 4: Sc 2, inc around. (24)

Fasten off one circle. On the second, do not fasten off.

Join Bag

1. Place circles together, wrong sides inward.
2. Sc around through both layers for 18 stitches.
3. Leave top opening of about 6 stitches.
4. Fasten off.

Petals

With yellow, join to front edge of bag.

• In each of 12 evenly spaced points around outer edge, work: sl st, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st.

Strap

With green:

1. Ch 42 to 48 depending on desired drape.
2. Row 1: Sl st back along chain.

Sew strap diagonally so the bag sits at the lower front right side of the overalls, matching the photo.

Tiny Flowers

You will need several small flowers: one near the raised claw, one blue flower near the hat-holding arm, and one white flower on each sandal.

Five-Petal Flower

Make as needed in white, pink, yellow, or blue.

1. With chosen color, make MR.
2. Into ring, repeat 5 times: ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st.
3. Pull ring tight and fasten off.

Add a French knot or tiny center stitch in yellow or cream if desired.

Sandals

Make 2 with yellow and beige sole edging.

Sole

With beige or light taupe:

1. Ch 7.
2. Round 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 5, 3 sc in last ch, sc 4 on opposite side, inc in last st. (14)
3. Round 2: Inc, sc 4, 3 inc, sc 4, 2 inc. (20)
4. Fasten off first sole. Make a second identical sole.

Optional: make 2 cardboard inserts slightly smaller than the soles for structure.

Top Strap

With yellow:

1. Ch 10.
2. Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 9.
3. Fasten off.

Sew the strap across the front upper area of each sole, leaving the front toes visible. The image shows three small rounded crab toes peeking out. To mimic this, place the sandal over the lower end of each leg and embroider or lightly stuff the front toe bumps before stitching the sole underneath if desired.

Assemble Sandals

• Sew or tack the soles to the bottoms of the leg ends.
• Add a tiny white flower with yellow center to one side of each sandal strap.
• Work a neat yellow edging if needed around the sole.

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Potted Sunflower

Pot

With terracotta:

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: Sc 1, inc around. (18)
4. Round 4: BLO sc around. (18)
5. Rounds 5-9: Sc around. (18)
6. Round 10: Sc 2, inc around. (24)
7. Round 11: Sc around. (24)

Fasten off. Lightly stuff base or insert a small weight. Add a brown soil circle inside the rim.

Soil Insert

With brown:

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: Sc 1, inc around. (18)
4. Round 4: Sc 2, inc around. (24)

Sew into pot near top edge.

Stem

With green:

1. Round 1: 5 sc in MR. (5)
2. Rounds 2-12: Sc around. (5)

Insert floral wire if desired for stiffness.

Leaves

Make 2 with olive green.

1. Ch 8.
2. Work along chain: sc, hdc, dc, dc, hdc, sc, 3 sc in last ch.
3. On opposite side: sc, hdc, dc, dc, hdc, sc.
4. Sl st to finish.

Fasten off and sew one leaf on each side of the lower stem.

Sunflower Head

Center with brown:

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: Sc 1, inc around. (18)

Petals with yellow:

• Join yellow and in each stitch work: sl st, ch 2, dc, hdc, ch 2, sl st in next st.

Sew flower head to stem top, then sew stem into pot.

Watering Can

With beige/taupe:

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: Sc 1, inc around. (18)
4. Round 4: Sc 2, inc around. (24)
5. Rounds 5-8: Sc around. (24)
6. Round 9: Sc 2, dec around. (18)
7. Round 10: Sc around. (18)

Do not stuff much. Flatten base slightly so it sits on the table.

Spout

1. Round 1: 4 sc in MR. (4)
2. Rounds 2-6: Sc around. (4)
3. Round 7: Inc, sc 3. (5)
4. Round 8: Sc around. (5)

Sew to front side at a slight upward angle.

Handle

Ch 10, sl st back. Sew both ends to upper back side of can.

Trowel

Handle

With brown:

1. Ch 6.
2. Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 5.
3. Work 2 more rows of sc.

Blade

With gray:

1. Ch 5.
2. Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 4.
3. Row 2: Ch 1, turn, inc, sc 2, inc. (6)
4. Row 3: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 2, dec. (4)
5. Fasten off.

Sew blade to handle. Lightly shape into a pointed garden trowel.

Placement Guide for Exact Look

• Eyestalks: centered on top front, slightly apart, slightly angled outward.
• Cheeks: directly below eyes, symmetrical and slightly raised outward from center.
• Smile: small and centered.
• Raised claw: sewn high on one side and pointing upward.
• Hat arm: sewn high on other side and extended outward.
• Side legs: four per side, layered and fanned slightly back.
• Main legs: attached low in front, long enough to extend beyond overall shorts.
• Overalls: snug and high-waisted, bib centered, straps narrow.
• Bag: crossbody from upper left shoulder area to lower right front.
• Hat: lightly stitched to the outstretched arm after shaping.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew the body parts first and check balance before attaching clothing. Put the overalls on after the legs, side legs, and arms are fixed in place. Stitch the bib and straps securely so they do not shift.

Attach the cheeks slightly padded for a soft raised look. Embroider the smile after the cheeks are in place. Add the tiny flowers last. The final charm of this doll comes from the small details, so pin everything before sewing permanently.

Care Notes

Use cotton yarn for the crispest shape and best stitch definition. If the doll is for display, avoid heavy handling of the hat brim and flower petals. If the doll is for gentle play, stitch every accessory down more securely and avoid loose buttons for small children.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Both eyes aligned evenly
• Cheeks placed at the same height
• Smile centered
• Overalls fitted smoothly
• Straps sewn firmly
• Bag sitting diagonally across body
• Hat shaped with gentle downward brim
• Sandals even and secure
• Potted sunflower standing upright
• All yarn tails woven in neatly

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap whenever possible. Do not twist or wring the doll. If deeper cleaning is needed, hand wash gently in cool water, reshape while damp, and air dry flat away from direct sun.

Store in a dry, clean place. To preserve the exact photo-inspired shape, keep the hat brim flat, avoid crushing the side legs, and place tissue around delicate flower petals during storage.