Crochet Tutorial: Gardening Green Dinosaur – Free Crochet Pattern

This charming crochet dinosaur is designed as a soft garden companion with a rounded snout, gentle body shape, embroidered floral details, and sweet spring accessories. It has the look of a collectible handmade plush, boutique amigurumi toy, and nursery decor piece that many shoppers look for when searching for a dinosaur doll, crochet garden toy, or handmade gift.

The outfit and accessories give this design a premium handmade style, like an artisan amigurumi pattern made for a display shelf, baby shower gift, or seasonal shop listing. The tiny flower, denim-style overalls, watering can, purse, sun hat, slippers, and little plant pot all work together to create a piece that feels ideal for gift ideas, crochet décor, and handmade toy lovers.

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 a seated green dinosaur with a long rounded snout, soft belly shape, stout tail, small rounded arms, chunky legs, cream sole details, a striped shirt, blue embroidered overalls, a flower near one eye, a shoulder bag, a small watering can, a potted succulent, a straw-style hat, and a pair of floral sandals.

The finished doll is designed to match the image as closely as possible. The dinosaur sits with the legs forward, tail supporting the back angle, and head slightly forward over a broad neck. The snout is prominent and horizontal, the body is pear-shaped when seated, and the spikes are soft triangular bumps running from head to tail.

This pattern is intermediate because of the shaping and number of accessories, but the stitches themselves are beginner-friendly. Most sections use single crochet, increases, decreases, slip stitches, and simple embroidery. Work tightly and stuff firmly but gradually for the clean amigurumi finish shown in the image.

Materials

• Main dinosaur color: light yellow-green cotton yarn, DK or light worsted weight
• Spike color: medium leaf green cotton yarn
• Shirt colors: white, dusty blue-gray, muted coral, pale sage
• Overalls color: denim blue
• Sole and accessory beige: oatmeal or light sand
• Hat color: natural beige
• Flower colors: yellow, cream, pink, lavender, green
• Plant pot: warm brown
• Succulent: sage green and deep green
• Safety eyes: 10 mm black
• Crochet hook: 2.25 mm to 2.75 mm, choose the size that gives very tight stitches
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Small buttons: 2 tiny tan or wood-look buttons for bib straps
• Thin craft wire optional: only if you want the watering can handle slightly firmer

Finished Size

Using DK cotton and a 2.5 mm hook, the dinosaur itself will be about 12 to 13 inches tall in a seated pose, measured from the tabletop to the top of the head. From snout to tail tip, it will be about 11 to 12 inches long. Accessories are made in scale for the image and are intentionally petite.

Abbreviations

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

Gauge and Tension Notes

The stitches in the image are small, neat, and even, with very little stuffing showing through. Use a hook smaller than your yarn label suggests. Your fabric should feel dense and smooth. If the stuffing peeks through, go down a hook size.

The dinosaur has a polished, professionally finished appearance, so shaping matters as much as stitch count. Stuff the snout firmly, the head moderately firm, the body firmly at the base, and the arms lightly. The legs should be stuffed enough to hold form but still flatten slightly where they rest on the table.

Color Placement Notes

• The dinosaur body is entirely worked in the main light yellow-green.
• The back spikes are medium green.
• The striped shirt has narrow horizontal rows with white as the dominant base.
• The overalls are denim blue with floral embroidery on the bib and upper leg.
• The soles and bag are beige.
• The hat is beige with a floral band.
• The sandals are beige with tan inner soles and a flower on the top band.

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Head and Snout

The head is the most important shaping feature in this pattern. It is much longer front to back than a typical amigurumi head because the snout projects strongly forward. To match the image, begin at the nose and grow outward so the front remains smooth and rounded.

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc x6. (18)
4. Rnd 4: 2 sc, inc x6. (24)
5. Rnd 5: 3 sc, inc x6. (30)
6. Rnd 6: 4 sc, inc x6. (36)
7. Rnd 7: 5 sc, inc x6. (42)
8. Rnd 8: 6 sc, inc x6. (48)
9. Rnd 9: 7 sc, inc x6. (54)
10. Rnd 10: 8 sc, inc x6. (60)
11. Rnd 11: 9 sc, inc x6. (66)
12. Rnd 12-20: sc around. (66 each rnd)

At this stage the snout should look like a long, rounded tube with a gently domed front. Stuff the nose area firmly. Make a tiny nostril nub to match the image.

Nostril Nub

1. Rnd 1: 5 sc in MR. (5)
2. Rnd 2: sc around. (5)
3. Fasten off with a long tail.

Sew the nostril nub slightly to one side on the upper front of the snout, around rounds 3 to 5 from the tip. In the image, only one nostril bump is clearly visible, so keep it subtle and small.

Continue Head Shaping

1. Rnd 21: 9 sc, inc, 22 sc, inc, 33 sc. (68)
2. Rnd 22: sc around. (68)
3. Rnd 23: 10 sc, inc, 23 sc, inc, 33 sc. (70)
4. Rnd 24: sc around. (70)
5. Rnd 25: 11 sc, inc, 24 sc, inc, 33 sc. (72)
6. Rnd 26-31: sc around. (72 each rnd)

Insert safety eyes between rounds 23 and 24, about 18 stitches apart across the widest upper snout-head area. The eyes sit high and outward on the head, not low like a mammal face. Check symmetry carefully before locking.

Keep stuffing as you go. The top of the head should be rounded, and the cheeks should be smooth rather than chubby. The back of the head should not bulge too much because the neck is fairly thick and direct.

1. Rnd 32: 10 sc, dec, 23 sc, dec, 33 sc. (70)
2. Rnd 33: sc around. (70)
3. Rnd 34: 9 sc, dec, 23 sc, dec, 32 sc. (68)
4. Rnd 35: 8 sc, dec, 23 sc, dec, 31 sc. (66)
5. Rnd 36: 7 sc, dec, 23 sc, dec, 30 sc. (64)
6. Rnd 37: 6 sc, dec, 22 sc, dec, 30 sc. (62)
7. Rnd 38: 5 sc, dec, 22 sc, dec, 29 sc. (60)
8. Rnd 39-41: sc around. (60 each rnd)

Fasten off only if you want to sew the head separately. If you prefer a no-sew neck join, continue directly into the neck section. For the cleanest result matching the image, working continuously into the neck works very well.

Neck

The neck is thick, upright, and slightly tapered. It supports the oversized head while keeping a soft toy look. Do not make the neck too thin.

1. Rnd 42: BLO sc around. (60)
2. Rnd 43: 8 sc, dec x6. (54)
3. Rnd 44: sc around. (54)
4. Rnd 45: 7 sc, dec x6. (48)
5. Rnd 46-49: sc around. (48 each rnd)

Stuff the neck firmly. Press gently to check that it stays cylindrical rather than collapsing. The shirt collar will later sit around this section.

Body

The body is broad at the lower belly and narrower near the shoulders. Since the dinosaur is seated, the lower body should feel slightly flattened at the back-bottom, with a rounded tummy front. This shaping helps the finished piece sit like the photo.

1. Rnd 50: 7 sc, inc x6. (54)
2. Rnd 51: 8 sc, inc x6. (60)
3. Rnd 52: 9 sc, inc x6. (66)
4. Rnd 53: 10 sc, inc x6. (72)
5. Rnd 54-60: sc around. (72 each rnd)

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Begin stuffing the upper body. Shape the front belly slightly fuller than the back by adding a little more filling in the front lower half.

1. Rnd 61: 10 sc, dec x6. (66)
2. Rnd 62: sc around. (66)
3. Rnd 63: 9 sc, dec x6. (60)
4. Rnd 64: sc around. (60)
5. Rnd 65: 8 sc, dec x6. (54)
6. Rnd 66: 7 sc, dec x6. (48)
7. Rnd 67: 6 sc, dec x6. (42)

Stuff very firmly now, especially the lower base. Flatten the back lower area slightly with your fingers as you stuff. This helps create the seated support shape.

Close the opening partially but do not finish until the tail and legs are placed if you prefer to sculpt the base first. Otherwise fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing closed.

Arms Make 2

The arms are slim cylinders with gentle shaping and a small bent look once sewn. They sit low at the side of the body, angled slightly forward. One hand will support the watering can and the other the plant pot.

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3-5: sc around. (12 each rnd)
4. Rnd 6: 4 sc, dec x2, 4 sc. (10)
5. Rnd 7-17: sc around. (10 each rnd)
6. Rnd 18: flatten and crochet through both sides with 4 sc.

Stuff only the lower half lightly. Leave the upper half mostly unstuffed so the arm can curve inward naturally when sewn.

Legs Make 2

The legs are short, chunky, and forward-facing. Each foot has a beige sole and a rounded top in the main green. The legs are attached in a sitting pose, angled out slightly.

Sole in Beige

1. Rnd 1: ch 7. Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 5, 3 sc in last ch, working on opposite side sc 4, inc in last st. (14)
2. Rnd 2: inc, 4 sc, 3 inc, 4 sc, 2 inc. (20)
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc, 4 sc, 1 sc, inc x3, 1 sc, 4 sc, 2 inc, sc. (26)

Fasten off the first sole. For the second sole, do not fasten off. Change to main green and continue.

Foot and Leg

1. Rnd 4: working through both sole and top loops as you build upward, sc around. (26)
2. Rnd 5: BLO sc around. (26)
3. Rnd 6: 8 sc, dec x5, 8 sc. (21)
4. Rnd 7: sc around. (21)
5. Rnd 8: 6 sc, dec x3, 9 sc. (18)
6. Rnd 9-15: sc around. (18 each rnd)

Stuff the foot firmly and the leg moderately. Flatten the top opening and close with 8 sc through both layers. Leave a long tail for sewing.

Toe Bumps Make 4 Small and 2 Larger Optional

The photo shows soft toe shaping on the top front of the feet rather than sharp claws. To imitate that look, you can sew tiny puff-like toe bumps instead of pointed claws.

1. Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR. (4)
2. Rnd 2: sc around. (4)
3. Fasten off.

Sew two or three small toe bumps to each foot top near the front edge, keeping them rounded and subtle.

Tail

The tail is broad at the base and narrows gently. It acts as a visual counterbalance behind the seated dinosaur. In the image it rests on the table and extends behind the body, not lifted upward.

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc x6. (18)
4. Rnd 4: 2 sc, inc x6. (24)
5. Rnd 5: 3 sc, inc x6. (30)
6. Rnd 6-10: sc around. (30 each rnd)
7. Rnd 11: 3 sc, dec x6. (24)
8. Rnd 12-15: sc around. (24 each rnd)
9. Rnd 16: 2 sc, dec x6. (18)
10. Rnd 17-21: sc around. (18 each rnd)
11. Rnd 22: sc, dec x6. (12)
12. Rnd 23-26: sc around. (12 each rnd)
13. Rnd 27: dec x6. (6)

Stuff firmly at the base and lightly toward the tip. Sew the tail low at the back body seam so it spreads out along the table surface when the dinosaur is posed sitting.

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Back Spikes

The spikes are rounded triangular nubs in medium green. They begin on top of the head, continue down the back of the neck, and run along the tail. Make 9 to 11 total depending on your preferred spacing. The image shows a generous line of spikes with medium spacing.

Large Spikes Make 3

1. Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR. (4)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (8)
3. Rnd 3: sc around. (8)
4. Rnd 4: 2 sc, inc x2, 2 sc. (10)
5. Rnd 5-6: sc around. (10 each rnd)
6. Rnd 7: 3 dec, 4 sc. (7)

Medium Spikes Make 4

1. Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR. (4)
2. Rnd 2: sc, inc x2. (6)
3. Rnd 3-4: sc around. (6 each rnd)
4. Rnd 5: dec, 4 sc. (5)

Small Spikes Make 3 or 4

1. Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR. (4)
2. Rnd 2-3: sc around. (4 each rnd)

Flatten each spike and sew along the center top line from the forehead to the tail tip. Place the largest spikes on the head and upper neck, medium along the back, and small ones along the tail. Angle each slightly backward for the soft plush style seen in the photo.

Eye Flower Appliqué

The dinosaur wears a tiny yellow flower with a cream center and green leaf accents placed near one eye. Keep it delicate and cheerful.

Flower Center in Cream

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Fasten off.

Petals in Yellow

Join yellow to any stitch of center.

1. In each stitch work: sl st, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st in same stitch.
2. Repeat around for 6 petals.

Leaf Accent

1. Ch 5.
2. Starting in 2nd ch from hook: sl st, sc, hdc, sl st.
3. Fasten off.

Make 1 or 2 leaves. Sew the flower near the dinosaur’s left eye area, slightly above and behind the eye, then embroider a tiny green stem stitch detail if desired.

Striped Shirt

The shirt is a fitted short-sleeve striped top worn under the overalls. The stripes are narrow and soft. To match the photo, keep the sleeves short and the neckline high.

This shirt is easiest made as a simple fitted tube worked from the neck down with openings for the arms, then finished with short sleeves. Because it sits under overalls, perfect side shaping is not necessary, but the fit should be snug.

Neck Opening

1. Using white, ch 36 and join carefully. (36)
2. Rnd 1-2: sc around. (36 each rnd)

Body Stripe Sequence

Use this repeating sequence for the body: 2 rnd white, 1 rnd muted coral, 2 rnd white, 1 rnd pale sage, 2 rnd white, 1 rnd blue-gray. Repeat as needed.

1. Rnd 3: 5 sc, ch 4 skip 4, 14 sc, ch 4 skip 4, 9 sc. (36 including chains)
2. Rnd 4-12: follow stripe sequence, sc around. (36 each rnd)

Fasten off after the shirt reaches the upper hip. The shirt should end under the overalls bib and side panels.

Sleeves Make 2

Join yarn to arm opening.

1. Rnd 1: 12 sc evenly around opening.
2. Rnd 2-3: continue stripe pattern, sc around. (12 each rnd)

Fasten off. The sleeves should be neat and close-fitting.

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Overalls

The overalls are denim blue with a square bib, shoulder straps, pant legs, folded cuffs, and floral embroidery. They should fit closely over the belly and hips without looking loose. The bib sits high at the chest.

Main Pants Section

1. Ch 42 and join. (42)
2. Rnd 1-5: sc around. (42 each rnd)

To create leg sections:

1. Rnd 6: sc 21, leave remaining stitches unworked for now.
2. Rnd 7-12: sc around first leg section. (21 each rnd)
3. Rnd 13: BLO sc around. (21)
4. Rnd 14: sc around. (21)
5. Fasten off.

Join yarn to remaining 21 stitches for second leg.

1. Rnd 6b-14b: repeat first leg. (21 each rnd where applicable)

Return to the BLO round of each leg and add a tiny cuff frill if desired by working: sl st, ch 2, hdc in each stitch around. Keep it subtle because the photo shows a rolled cuff look rather than a ruffle.

Upper Front and Back

Now position the overalls on the body. The upper front covers the belly and rises to a square bib, while the back stays lower with straps joining over the shoulders.

1. Join blue to front center of pants.
2. Row 1: sc 18, ch 1 turn.
3. Rows 2-7: sc across 18, ch 1 turn.

Bib

1. Row 8: sc 10 centered, ch 1 turn.
2. Rows 9-14: sc across 10, ch 1 turn.

Straps Make 2

1. From top corners of bib, ch 16.
2. Row back across chain with 15 sc.
3. Fasten off with long tail.

Sew straps to back of overalls over the shoulders. Add tiny buttons at the front attachment point to match the image.

Floral Embroidery on Overalls

Using pink, yellow, lavender, green, and white, embroider tiny lazy-daisy flowers and short stems on the bib pocket area and on one upper leg. Keep the stitching tiny and spaced like small meadow flowers. Add a simple pocket outline if desired using blue surface stitching.

Shoulder Bag

The bag is soft beige with a flap, long strap, and pastel floral embroidery. It hangs across the body and rests at the left hip.

Bag Body

1. Ch 11.
2. Rnd 1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 9, 3 sc in last ch, working opposite side sc 8, inc in last. (22)
3. Rnd 2-8: sc around. (22 each rnd)

Flatten lightly. Do not overstuff. Add only a tiny scrap of stuffing if you want a soft rounded pouch look.

Flap

1. Join yarn to back upper edge.
2. Row 1: sc 10, ch 1 turn.
3. Rows 2-4: sc across, ch 1 turn.
4. Row 5: dec, 6 sc, dec. (8)
5. Row 6: sc across.

Strap

1. Ch 55.
2. Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sl st across or sc across for a thicker strap.

Sew the strap to both sides of the bag. Embroider small pastel flowers on the front flap and lower bag front.

Watering Can

The watering can is small, beige, and rounded. It has a short spout and a top handle. It should fit the dinosaur’s hand comfortably.

Can Body

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc x6. (18)
4. Rnd 4-8: sc around. (18 each rnd)
5. Rnd 9: sc, dec x6. (12)

Stuff lightly only at the bottom. Flatten top opening and sew nearly closed, leaving a slight oval top.

Spout

1. Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR. (4)
2. Rnd 2-5: sc around. (4 each rnd)

Sew the spout angled outward from the upper side of the can. For the slight tapered look, pinch the free end a little before attaching.

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Handle

1. Ch 12.
2. Sl st back across or sc back across.

Sew the handle from one upper side to the other.

Potted Succulent

Pot

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc x6. (18)
4. Rnd 4: BLO sc around. (18)
5. Rnd 5-8: sc around. (18 each rnd)
6. Rnd 9: FLO sl st around for the rim.

Stuff lightly or insert a tiny scrap to support shape.

Succulent Leaves Make 5

1. Ch 6.
2. Starting in 2nd ch from hook: sl st, sc, hdc, dc, sl st in last ch.

Make 5 leaves in green shades. Sew them in a star cluster and attach inside the pot.

Sun Hat

The hat is a beige straw-style crochet hat with a flat crown top, shallow rounded sides, and a medium brim. A floral band decorates the crown base.

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc x6. (18)
4. Rnd 4: 2 sc, inc x6. (24)
5. Rnd 5: 3 sc, inc x6. (30)
6. Rnd 6: 4 sc, inc x6. (36)
7. Rnd 7: 5 sc, inc x6. (42)
8. Rnd 8-10: sc around. (42 each rnd)
9. Rnd 11: BLO sc around. (42)
10. Rnd 12-14: sc around. (42 each rnd)
11. Rnd 15: 6 sc, inc x6. (48)
12. Rnd 16: 7 sc, inc x6. (54)
13. Rnd 17: 8 sc, inc x6. (60)
14. Rnd 18: sc around. (60)

Add embroidered flowers around the band area using pink, yellow, blue, and green. The hat in the image is not worn, so it can be displayed beside the dinosaur.

Sandals Make 2

The sandals are tiny slip-on shoes with a beige sole, tan footbed, and a cream upper strap decorated with a flower.

Sole

1. Ch 7.
2. Rnd 1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 5, 3 sc in last ch, opposite side sc 4, inc. (14)
3. Rnd 2: inc, 4 sc, 3 inc, 4 sc, 2 inc. (20)

Footbed

1. Rnd 3: in tan or light brown, BLO sc around. (20)

Top Strap

1. Ch 8.
2. Row 1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 7.

Sew the strap across the sandal. Add a tiny flower appliqué to one side of each strap.

Assembly

1. Sew the head securely to the neck if worked separately.
2. Sew the arms low on the body sides, angled slightly forward.
3. Sew the legs to the lower front body, with the feet pointing outward and forward.
4. Sew the tail to the lower back so it rests along the surface behind the dinosaur.
5. Sew the spikes from forehead to tail.
6. Dress the dinosaur in the striped shirt first, then overalls.
7. Sew or tack the bag strap in place across the body if desired.
8. Place the watering can in one hand and the succulent in the other for the garden pose.

When you attach the legs, check the sitting angle often. The dinosaur in the image leans back slightly with the tail helping balance the pose. The legs extend forward but stay soft and plush, not stiff. Small adjustments in sewing angle will greatly improve the final look.

Facial Expression and Shaping Tips

The expression is sweet and calm. Keep the eyes bright and evenly placed. Do not add a large smile, because the photographed style relies on the rounded snout and eye placement more than mouth details. If you want a mouth, use one tiny straight stitch placed very low and subtle.

Use gentle hand shaping after stuffing. Press the snout smooth, pinch the neck into a clean cylinder, round the belly slightly, and flatten the sitting base. This pattern looks best when the shape is refined after assembly rather than left completely round in every section.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check alignment first. The snout should point slightly forward, not upward. The arms should sit low and curve inward. The legs should angle out gently. The flower should sit near one eye, and the spikes should follow a centered line from head to tail.

Keep facial detailing minimal. The safety eyes, nostril nub, and tiny flower are enough for the look in the image. If needed, use a strand of matching yarn to lightly sculpt the cheeks and smooth the head shape before finishing.

Care Notes

• Display use is best if you include many small accessories.
• Spot clean gently with a damp cloth for light dust or marks.
• Do not machine wash if buttons, safety eyes, or embroidered decorations are attached.
• Store flat or seated to help the tail and legs keep their pose.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head firmly stuffed and smoothly shaped
• Eyes even and secure
• Nostril nub small and centered slightly to one side
• Spikes evenly spaced from head to tail
• Legs positioned for a stable seated pose
• Overalls fitted neatly over the shirt
• Bag, can, hat, pot, and sandals made in matching scale
• Floral embroidery balanced but not overcrowded

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For long-term preservation, keep the finished dinosaur away from direct sunlight, strong humidity, and rough storage. Cotton yarn can fade or collect dust over time, especially on pale and pastel details.

For cleaning, remove loose dust with a soft dry brush. If deeper cleaning is needed, spot clean with mild soap and cool water using minimal moisture. Allow the toy and accessories to air dry fully on a towel, reshaping each part while damp.