Crochet Tutorial: The Cotton Candy Piggy – Free Crochet Pattern

This sweet piggy amigurumi is designed to look like a boutique-style handmade crochet doll with pastel party details, a layered skirt, tiny sneakers, balloons, cotton candy, and a mini unicorn friend. It is the kind of collectible plush, nursery decor piece, or handmade baby shower gift many shoppers search for online.

If you love making display-ready amigurumi for gift shops, craft fairs, custom orders, or an Etsy crochet pattern collection, this design gives you a polished result with charming proportions and soft textures. The finished set is perfect for a pastel nursery shelf, birthday table styling, or luxury handmade decor.

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 creates the full scene shown in the image:

• A standing pink piggy doll with a large pink polka-dot bow
• A cream sleeveless top
• A three-tier skirt in dusty pink, baby blue, and soft lavender
• Pink-and-white sneakers
• Three balloons in pink, blue, and yellow
• A fluffy cotton candy prop
• Small pale yellow wings
• A mini white unicorn companion with rainbow mane and tail

The pattern is written in US English with detailed stitch instructions, round counts, shaping notes, and assembly guidance. The construction style is classic amigurumi with tightly worked stitches, light stuffing, and careful shaping to preserve the gentle proportions visible in the photo.

Skill Level

Advanced beginner to intermediate.

A confident beginner can complete this pattern if they are comfortable with shaping, color changes, sewing pieces neatly, and reading round-by-round instructions carefully.

Finished Size

• Main piggy doll: about 12 inches tall from soles to top of head
• Bow adds about 2 inches in height
• Mini unicorn: about 4 inches tall seated
• Balloons: about 2 to 2.5 inches tall each

Finished size depends on yarn, tension, and stuffing density. Use a tight amigurumi tension so the stitches look firm and polished.

Materials

• Sport or light DK cotton yarn in pale pink, dusty rose, cream, baby blue, soft lavender, bright pink, white, yellow, and rainbow accent shades
• 2.25 mm crochet hook for all parts
• Polyfill stuffing
• 10 mm black safety eyes for piggy
• 6 mm black safety eyes for mini unicorn
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Scissors
• Blush powder or pink textile blush for cheeks
• Thin craft wire for balloon stems
• Floral tape or yarn wrap for balloon wires
• Pipe cleaner or flexible wire for cotton candy handle if desired
• White felt scraps are optional for shoe tongues if you prefer added structure

Suggested Color Palette

• Main piggy body: very pale pink
• Snout shading: medium pink
• Bow: dusty pink
• Bow dots: white
• Top: soft cream
• Skirt tier 1: dusty pink
• Skirt tier 2: baby blue
• Skirt tier 3: soft lavender
• Sneakers: bright pink and white
• Wings: buttery pale yellow
• Cotton candy: fluffy pale pink
• Balloons: dusty pink, baby blue, warm yellow
• Unicorn body: white
• Unicorn hoof accents: pale pink
• Unicorn mane and tail: yellow, pink, blue, green, purple

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Abbreviations

• MR = magic ring
• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• inc = 2 sc in same stitch
• dec = invisible decrease
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• tr = treble crochet
• BLO = back loop only
• FLO = front loop only
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• rnd = round

General Notes

• Work in continuous rounds unless noted otherwise.
• Use invisible decreases for a smoother finish.
• Stuff gradually and lightly. The piggy in the photo looks softly shaped, not overstuffed.
• The doll is designed to stand for display with balanced feet and a lightly weighted lower body. Add a small pouch of poly pellets inside the body if you want extra stability.
• The skirt is built as attached ruffled tiers around the lower body.
• Arms are joined after the top section is completed.
• The head is sewn to the body with a slightly forward-facing angle to match the photo.

Main Piggy: Legs and Shoes

Shoe Sole Make 2

With white yarn:

1. ch 7.
2. Rnd 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 4, 3 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of chain, sc in next 4, 2 sc in last st. Total 14 sts.
3. Rnd 2: inc, sc in next 4, inc in next 3 sts, sc in next 4, inc in next 2 sts. Total 20 sts.
4. Rnd 3: sc around in BLO. Total 20 sts.

Fasten off first sole. Do not fasten off second sole if you want to continue directly, but for this design it is easier to build each shoe separately.

Shoe Upper Make 2

With bright pink yarn:

1. Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. Total 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. Total 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc x6. Total 18 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc around. Total 18 sts.

Flatten slightly. Lightly stuff the toe only.

Join Upper to Sole

Place the pink upper on the front half of the sole. Sew around the edge of the upper to the sole, leaving the back half of the sole open for the ankle.

With pink yarn joined at the back opening of the shoe:

1. Rnd 1: sc evenly around opening and remaining free sole edge, working 20 sts total.
2. Rnd 2: sc around. Total 20 sts.
3. Rnd 3: dec, sc 6, dec, sc 8. Total 18 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc around. Total 18 sts.

Change to pale pink for the leg.

Legs Make 2

1. Rnd 5: in pale pink, BLO sc around. Total 18 sts.
2. Rnd 6 to 13: sc around. Total 18 sts.

Stuff the shoes firmly and the legs lightly to medium. The legs should stay cylindrical and slim.

For the first leg, fasten off. For the second leg, do not fasten off.

Join Legs

1. Rnd 14: ch 4, join to first leg, sc in all 18 sts of first leg, sc in 4 ch, sc in all 18 sts of second leg, sc in other side of 4 ch. Total 44 sts.
2. Rnd 15: sc around. Total 44 sts.
3. Rnd 16: sc 18, dec, sc 2, dec, sc 18, dec, sc 2, dec. Total 40 sts.
4. Rnd 17: sc around. Total 40 sts.
5. Rnd 18: sc 8, dec x2, sc 8, dec x2, sc 16. Total 36 sts.
6. Rnd 19: sc around. Total 36 sts.

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Body and Torso

Continue from joined legs in pale pink.

1. Rnd 20: sc around. Total 36 sts.
2. Rnd 21: sc 10, inc, sc 5, inc, sc 10, inc, sc 5, inc. Total 40 sts.
3. Rnd 22 to 24: sc around. Total 40 sts.
4. Rnd 25: sc 8, dec, sc 8, dec, sc 8, dec, sc 8, dec. Total 36 sts.
5. Rnd 26: sc around. Total 36 sts.
6. Rnd 27: sc 7, dec, sc 7, dec, sc 7, dec, sc 7, dec. Total 32 sts.
7. Rnd 28: sc around. Total 32 sts.

Stuff lower body firmly so the doll can stand. Keep the upper torso softer.

Waistline and Top Base

Change to cream at the end of rnd 28.

1. Rnd 29: BLO sc around in cream. Total 32 sts.
2. Rnd 30 to 35: sc around. Total 32 sts.
3. Rnd 36: sc 6, dec, sc 6, dec, sc 6, dec, sc 6, dec. Total 28 sts.
4. Rnd 37: sc around. Total 28 sts.
5. Rnd 38: sc 5, dec, sc 5, dec, sc 5, dec, sc 5, dec. Total 24 sts.

The upper torso should look slim and gently tapered, matching the small dress-top silhouette in the image.

Skirt Tiers

Return to the front loops left from rnd 29 to build the skirt. Work with the doll upside down for easier access.

Top Skirt Tier in Dusty Pink

1. Join dusty pink in any front loop of rnd 29.
2. Rnd 1: FLO work 2 dc in each st around. Total 64 sts.
3. Rnd 2: dc around. Total 64 sts.
4. Rnd 3: hdc around. Total 64 sts.
5. Rnd 4: working a soft ruffle edge, alternate hdc and dc around. Total 64 sts.

Fasten off.

Middle Skirt Tier in Baby Blue

Join baby blue one round below the pink tier base by inserting the hook into a horizontal body row so the ruffle sits layered beneath the first tier.

1. Rnd 1: work 32 evenly spaced sc around torso.
2. Rnd 2: 2 dc in each st around. Total 64 sts.
3. Rnd 3: dc around. Total 64 sts.
4. Rnd 4: hdc around. Total 64 sts.

Fasten off.

Bottom Skirt Tier in Soft Lavender

Join lavender one round below the blue tier start so the skirt falls in three visible layers.

1. Rnd 1: work 34 evenly spaced sc around.
2. Rnd 2: 2 dc in each st around. Total 68 sts.
3. Rnd 3: dc around. Total 68 sts.
4. Rnd 4: hdc around. Total 68 sts.

Fasten off and lightly steam or finger-shape the ruffles so each tier sits clearly below the one above it.

Arms Make 2

With pale pink yarn:

1. Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. Total 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. Total 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3 to 5: sc around. Total 12 sts.
4. Rnd 6: dec, sc 4, dec, sc 4. Total 10 sts.
5. Rnd 7 to 12: sc around. Total 10 sts.
6. Rnd 13: flatten opening and sc through both layers 5 sts.

Stuff the lower hand area only. Leave the upper arm mostly unstuffed so it lies softly against the body.

Sew arms to the torso at the upper cream top area, slightly angled downward and forward as shown in the image.

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Head

With pale pink yarn:

1. Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. Total 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. Total 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc x6. Total 18 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc 2, inc x6. Total 24 sts.
5. Rnd 5: sc 3, inc x6. Total 30 sts.
6. Rnd 6: sc 4, inc x6. Total 36 sts.
7. Rnd 7: sc 5, inc x6. Total 42 sts.
8. Rnd 8: sc 6, inc x6. Total 48 sts.
9. Rnd 9: sc 7, inc x6. Total 54 sts.
10. Rnd 10 to 18: sc around. Total 54 sts.

Insert safety eyes between rnds 13 and 14 with about 10 visible stitches between them. The eyes should sit low and slightly wide to create the gentle childlike expression seen in the image.

Shape the Head

1. Rnd 19: sc 7, dec x6, sc 30. Total 48 sts.
2. Rnd 20: sc around. Total 48 sts.
3. Rnd 21: sc 6, dec x6, sc 24. Total 42 sts.
4. Rnd 22: sc around. Total 42 sts.

Stuff the head firmly but keep the lower face softer so the snout can sit naturally on the front.

1. Rnd 23: sc 5, dec x6, sc 18. Total 36 sts.
2. Rnd 24: sc 4, dec x6, sc 12. Total 30 sts.
3. Rnd 25: sc 3, dec x6, sc 6. Total 24 sts.
4. Rnd 26: dec around. Total 12 sts.
5. Rnd 27: dec around. Total 6 sts.

Fasten off and close.

Snout

With medium pink yarn:

1. Rnd 1: ch 6.
2. Rnd 2: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 3, 3 sc in last ch. On opposite side, sc in next 3, 2 sc in last ch. Total 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: inc, sc 3, inc x3, sc 3, inc x2. Total 18 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc around in BLO. Total 18 sts.
5. Rnd 5: sc around. Total 18 sts.

Lightly stuff. Sew centered between the eyes, with the top of the snout sitting around rnd 15 of the head.

Embroider nostrils using dark rose or brown-pink yarn. Make two vertical oval nostrils with a tiny curved bridge line between them to match the photo style.

Ears Make 2

With pale pink yarn:

1. Rnd 1: MR, 4 sc. Total 4 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. Total 8 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc x4. Total 12 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc 2, inc x4. Total 16 sts.
5. Rnd 5: sc around. Total 16 sts.
6. Rnd 6: sc 3, inc x4. Total 20 sts.
7. Rnd 7: sc around. Total 20 sts.

Flatten each ear gently and sew the bottom edge closed with two or three stitches so the ear cups slightly. Sew to the upper sides of the head, angled outward and slightly below the bow band.

Large Bow Headband

Bow Center Strip

With dusty pink yarn:

1. ch 9.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Total 8 sts.
3. Rows 2 to 12: ch 1, turn, sc across. Total 8 sts.

Fasten off with a long tail.

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Bow Loops Make 2

With dusty pink yarn:

1. ch 16.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Total 15 sts.
3. Rows 2 to 10: ch 1, turn, sc across. Total 15 sts.

Fasten off. Fold short ends together and sew to form a loop. Pinch center.

Bow Tails Make 2

With dusty pink yarn:

1. ch 11.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Total 10 sts.
3. Rows 2 to 7: ch 1, turn, sc across. Total 10 sts.

Fasten off. Cut a shallow V notch in one short edge by folding and trimming yarn ends, or simply embroider the pointed look with shaping stitches when attaching.

Bow Band

With dusty pink yarn:

1. ch 46.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Total 45 sts.
3. Rows 2 and 3: ch 1, turn, sc across. Total 45 sts.

Wrap around the piggy head as a headband and sew securely at the back.

Assemble Bow

Place the two bow loops side by side, overlapping slightly in the center. Add the two tails underneath at slight downward angles. Wrap the narrow center strip around the middle several times and sew firmly.

Sew the bow to the front top of the headband. It should sit oversized and centered, with a slight upward tilt.

White Polka Dots

Using white yarn, make six small French-knot style dots or tiny satin stitched circles on the bow, spacing them as shown in the image.

• Three dots on the left loop
• Three dots on the right loop

Eyebrows and Eyelashes

Embroider thin curved eyebrows in dark brown or black one to two rounds above the eyes. Keep them short and gently arched.

Add small side lashes at the outer corners of the eyes with two or three tiny straight stitches per eye. Keep them delicate.

Cheek Blush

Add soft pink blush beneath each eye and lightly around the snout sides. The blush in the image is gentle and diffused, not bright or sharply placed.

Small Wings Make 2

With pale yellow yarn:

1. Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. Total 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. Total 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc around. Total 12 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc 4, inc, sc 2, inc, sc 4. Total 14 sts.
5. Rnd 5: sc around. Total 14 sts.
6. Rnd 6: flatten and sc through both layers 7 sts.

Make two matching rounded wings and sew them to the upper back, peeking out just behind the shoulders.

Cotton Candy Prop

Handle

With cream or pink yarn around a thin stick or pipe cleaner:

1. ch 8.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Total 7 sts.

Wrap this strip around the stick and sew closed. Make the handle slim.

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Fluffy Candy

You can use brushed yarn, toy stuffing, or looped crochet texture.

For a crocheted base with fluffy finish, use pale pink yarn:

1. Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. Total 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. Total 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc x6. Total 18 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc 2, inc x6. Total 24 sts.
5. Rnd 5: sc around. Total 24 sts.
6. Rnd 6: sc 3, inc x6. Total 30 sts.
7. Rnd 7: sc around. Total 30 sts.

Fasten off. Lightly stuff into an oval cloud shape. Brush the outer stitches gently with a pet slicker brush if your yarn allows. Sew onto the top of the handle.

Place this prop in the piggy’s right hand.

Balloons Make 3

Pink Balloon

With pink yarn:

1. Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. Total 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. Total 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc x6. Total 18 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc 2, inc x6. Total 24 sts.
5. Rnd 5 to 7: sc around. Total 24 sts.
6. Rnd 8: sc 2, dec x6. Total 18 sts.
7. Rnd 9: sc around. Total 18 sts.
8. Rnd 10: sc, dec x6. Total 12 sts.
9. Rnd 11: dec around. Total 6 sts.

Stuff lightly. Close. Add a tiny tied nub at the bottom with two stitches.

Blue Balloon

Repeat the same balloon pattern in baby blue, but work rnds 5 to 8 before decreasing to make it slightly taller than the pink balloon.

Yellow Balloon

Repeat the same balloon pattern in yellow, matching the pink balloon size.

Balloon Strings

Cut three thin craft wires. Insert one into each balloon bottom. Secure with glue if needed inside the balloon nub area. Wrap the lower wire with gray yarn or floral tape.

Twist all three wires together at the lower end so the piggy can hold the bundle in the left hand. Slightly curve the balloon wires to mimic the photo arrangement:

• Blue balloon highest and most central
• Pink balloon lower left
• Yellow balloon lower right

Mini Unicorn

Head and Body Worked as One Piece

With white yarn:

1. Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. Total 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. Total 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc x6. Total 18 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc 2, inc x6. Total 24 sts.
5. Rnd 5 to 8: sc around. Total 24 sts.

Insert 6 mm eyes between rnds 6 and 7 with 6 stitches between.

1. Rnd 9: sc 2, dec x6. Total 18 sts.
2. Rnd 10: sc around. Total 18 sts.
3. Rnd 11: sc, dec x6. Total 12 sts.
4. Rnd 12: sc around. Total 12 sts.
5. Rnd 13: inc around. Total 24 sts.
6. Rnd 14 to 17: sc around. Total 24 sts.
7. Rnd 18: sc 2, dec x6. Total 18 sts.
8. Rnd 19: sc, dec x6. Total 12 sts.

Stuff firmly, especially the lower seated body.

1. Rnd 20: dec around. Total 6 sts.

Close.

Front Legs Make 2

With pale pink yarn:

1. Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. Total 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: BLO sc around. Total 6 sts.
3. Change to white.
4. Rnd 3 to 5: sc around. Total 6 sts.
5. Rnd 6: flatten and sc through both layers 3 sts.

Back Legs Make 2

Same as front legs, but make one extra round in white so they look slightly chunkier for the seated pose.

Snout

With white yarn:

1. Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. Total 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. Total 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc around. Total 12 sts.

Lightly stuff and sew to the lower face. Embroider tiny nostrils in pale pink.

Ears Make 2

With white yarn:

1. Rnd 1: MR, 4 sc. Total 4 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. Total 8 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc x4. Total 12 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc around. Total 12 sts.

Flatten and sew to the top sides of the head.

Horn

With yellow or rainbow yarn:

1. Rnd 1: MR, 4 sc. Total 4 sts.
2. Rnd 2: sc around. Total 4 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc. Total 6 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc around. Total 6 sts.

Fasten off. Lightly stuff. Sew between the ears.

Mane

Cut short strands in rainbow colors. Knot or latch them from forehead to neck. Trim into a short tufted mane. In the photo, the mane is cheerful and chunky rather than long.

Tail

Attach a small rainbow tassel at the back.

Assembly of Unicorn

Sew front legs close together at the front lower body. Sew back legs wider apart at the sides so the unicorn sits securely. Add tiny pink blush to cheeks if desired.

Attaching the Head to the Body

Pin the head to the torso before sewing. The piggy in the image has a slightly oversized head and a short neck appearance, so place the head directly onto the top body opening rather than adding a visible neck piece.

Angle the head very slightly forward. Sew slowly around the full opening, adding a bit more stuffing as needed while closing to keep the head stable and upright.

Holding Pose and Placement

To copy the image closely, use these positions during final assembly:

• Left arm angled outward and slightly downward to hold the balloon bundle
• Right arm angled outward and slightly forward to hold the cotton candy
• Head centered with a mild forward tilt
• Bow centered on top of the forehead
• Skirt tiers spread evenly in three visible layers
• Wings visible from the front edges behind the shoulders
• Unicorn placed beside the piggy’s right foot

How to Lace the Sneakers

Use pale pink yarn as laces.

1. Thread the lace through the front shoe opening with two small horizontal passes.
2. Create a simple crisscross near the ankle.
3. Tie a tiny bow at the front center.

Keep the laces delicate. Oversized bows will distract from the clean proportions of the doll.

Stuffing and Structure Tips

• Feet must be stuffed the firmest
• Lower body should be firm enough to support standing
• Upper body should be medium stuffed
• Arms should be lightly stuffed
• Head should be firm at crown and back, softer around snout area
• Snout should be lightly stuffed only
• Unicorn body should be firm at base so it sits upright

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew the snout centered and low on the face. Add eyebrows with a soft upward curve and place tiny lashes at the outer eye corners. Blend blush under the eyes and beside the snout. Sew the ears slightly outward, then attach the bow and wings last so the silhouette stays balanced.

Care Notes

Display indoors away from direct moisture and strong sun. If using wire in the balloons, keep the doll as a decorative item rather than a baby toy. Handle the cotton candy and bow gently so they keep their shape.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head centered and secure
• Snout aligned between eyes
• Skirt tiers layered pink, blue, then lavender
• Bow dots added
• Sneaker laces tied neatly
• Balloons arranged in correct color positions
• Wings visible behind shoulders
• Unicorn seated steadily

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean with a lightly damp cloth and mild soap. Do not soak if your doll includes blush, wire, or brushed cotton candy texture. Dry flat and reshape by hand. Store in a dust-free box or display cabinet to protect the bow, facial embroidery, and pastel yarn colors.