This crochet squirrel appliqué pattern (free) captures one of my favourite autumn sights, squirrels scurrying about digging up nuts in the garden. I’ve made mine in rust red, a nod to the red squirrels we used to have here in the UK before the greys took over, but any colour works just as well.
This cute squirrel is one of the appliqué motifs in my Autumn Landscapes Crochet Picture Set, but it’s just as at home stitched onto a jumper, scattered across a blanket, or used in a design entirely your own.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means we may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. However, this does not influence our product recommendations, which are based on honest reviews and genuine enthusiasm. Read my Privacy Policy for more information.
Quick Look at the Crochet Squirrel Appliqué Pattern
This crochet squirrel pattern is part of the mix and match Autumn Landscapes Crochet Picture Set, but it works just as well on its own, stitched onto blankets, garments, or wherever you fancy a bit of autumn colour.
- Skill level: Easy – with only basic crochet stitches used
- Crochet Stitches: US single, half double, and double crochet stitches create the squirrel shape
- Yarn: Sport/4ply weight cotton
- Hook size: 3mm
- Approx. make time: 30 minutes – 1 hour
- US terms: or upgrade for UK terms too!
*This helps Google recognise me as a crochet designer 😊
Why You’ll Love This Crochet Squirrel Appliqué Pattern
- Made in just basic crochet stitches, this squirrel is fun and easy to put together.
- Made to go with the crochet acorn pattern for a cute pairing.
- Quick to make, ideal for using up red, grey or black yarn from your stash.
- Genuinely versatile, equally at home on a blanket, a jumper or as part of the Autumn Landscapes Crochet Picture Set.
Yarn
For this squirrel appliqué pattern, you will need small amounts of Scheepjes Catona, 100% Mercerized Cotton (50g/1.76oz, 137yds/125m) in Rust 388, or whatever colour you’d like your squirrel to be
Yarn Alternatives
This pattern is designed to be used with 4ply/sport weight yarn, but you can substitute for any that you prefer. You only really need small amounts of lots of the colours, so now is the perfect time to use yarn from your stash! Whilst I used cotton, you can equally use acrylic or wool for this design. Just remember to adjust your hook size to match if necessary.
Here are a few alternative options:
- Yarn and Colors Must-Have, 100% Cotton (50g/1.76oz, 125m/137yds)
- Comfy Sport, 75% Pima Cotton, 25% Acrylic (50g/1.76oz, 125m/136yds)
- Premier Cotton Fair Solids, 52% cotton/48% acrylic (100g/3.5oz, 290m/317yds)
Supplies you will need
- 3mm Crochet Hook or hook needed to match gauge
- A tapestry needle for working in ends
- Scissors
- Stitch markers (optional)
Size
The squirrel measures approximately 3 inches (8cm) tall by 3 inches (8cm) across from tail to tummy.
How to get the pattern
You can carry on scrolling down and crochet this squirrel appliqué for free right here on the blog. If you’d like it ad-free, it’s included in the Autumn Landscapes Crochet Picture Set pattern, available on Ravelry and Etsy.
PLEASE NOTE: The premium pattern is a pdf crochet pattern, written in English. It is not a finished project. You will receive a digital download upon completion of purchase.
Tension
Tension is not critical for this project.
Stitch Abbreviations
- ch(s) – chain(s)
- dc – double crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- hdc2tog – half double crochet 2 together
- MR – magic ring
- rep – repeat
- sc – single crochet (how to do a single crochet stitch)
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- […] – stitch count
If you love this squirrel, you might also like this crochet bird appliqué pattern.
What Special Crochet Stitches are Used to Make this Crochet Squirrel?
Magic Ring
The magic ring is a fantastic way to start crocheting in amigurumi, and any crochet in the round. It can be a bit complicated though, so do check out my YouTube tutorial above for a visual guide.
- Lay the tail end of the yarn over your palm and wrap the ball end around your first 2 fingers. Cross the yarn over and hold that point with your thumb and forefinger.
- Pull the loop off your fingers, insert your hook into the hole and grab the ball end of the yarn with your hook.
- Pull the yarn back through the loop. At this point, readjust your hand so you are holding the yarn as you normally would.
- Put your middle finger and ring finger into the loop to hold it. Then yarn over and pull through to secure your ring.
Watch the magic ring YouTube tutorial here.
Single crochet 2 together (sc2tog)
A single crochet 2 together is also known as a decrease and it is used to decrease the number of stitches on a row. By using an sc2tog you will go from 2 sts down to 1 st and we use this in this pattern to taper the squirrel’s tail.
- Insert hook into the next st.
- Yarn over and pull through.
- Insert your hook into the next st.
- Yarn over and pull through (you will now have 3 loops on your hook rather than the normal 2 for a single crochet).
- Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on your hook.
Pattern Notes
Be sure to read through these notes before you start your crochet squirrel appliqué – they will make it so much easier to understand the pattern!
- Read through the pattern completely before starting and refer to the stitch tutorials as needed.
- Stitch counts are given in this pattern in [ ] at the end of each row or round. Where no stitch count is given, it is the same as the previous row or round.
- When sewing parts of motifs together, use a matching coloured length of yarn and a needle. Use a basic running stitch or whip stitch as appropriate to sew the parts into place.
- Some motifs require you to work in continuous spirals, whilst others are worked in joined rounds. To work in a continuous spiral, do not join to the first st at the end of a round, simply work the first st of the next round as directed, thus creating a spiral shape.
- Where you are required to start by working a sc in second ch from hook, the skipped ch does not count as a st.
Join the Concrete Gems Crochet Community for pattern support!
Crochet Squirrel Appliqué Pattern (Free)
US Terminology.
Not ready to start yet? Summarise and save this crochet pattern for later:
To unlock the free, exclusive content from Concrete Gems Crochet, all you have to do is enter your email address and create a password in the box below.
Every time you see Grow Exclusive Content from then on, you will be able to log in with your username and password and view the content. This also applies on other blogs, who use Grow.
Thank you for subscribing! I hope you enjoy the free patterns on this site. I can’t wait to see what you create! Please do share your crochet makes tagging @concretegemscrochet
If you’re enjoying this applique motif as part of the Autumn Landscapes Crochet Picture, why not also take a look at the Spring Landscapes and Summer Landscapes too!
Body
Make a MR, working in continuous spirals.
Round 1: 6sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: 2sc in each st around. [12]
Round 3: (2sc in next st, sc in next st) rep around. [18]
Round 4: (sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st) rep around. [24]
Round 5: (sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next st) rep around. [30]
Fasten off.
Ear
Make a MR.
Round 1: sc in MR, turn. [1]
Round 2: ch1, 2sc in st. Fasten off.
Foot
ch9, sc in second ch from hook and each across. Fasten off.
Tail
ch19, sl st in second and third ch, sc in next ch, 2hdc in next ch, (dc in next ch, 2dc in next ch) twice, hdc in next ch, 2hdc in next ch, hdc in next 2 chs, hdc2tog, hdc in next ch, sc2tog, sl st in last ch.
ch1, turn to work down other side of ch, sl st in next 2 chs, 2sc in next ch, sc in next 3 chs, (sc2tog) three times, hdc in next 2 chs, sc in next ch, sl st in last 3 chs.
Fasten off. Sew ear to head, head, feet and tail to body and weave in all ends.
Check out my other crochet patterns for more crochet inspiration. You might like these other crochet appliqués too!
Where Else Can I Use This Squirrel Appliqué Pattern?
This crochet squirrel appliqué pattern is designed to mix and match with the other appliqué motifs in the Autumn Landscapes Crochet Picture Set, including the three backgrounds:
- Corn on the Cob
- Oak Leaf
- Birch Leaf
- Maple Leaf
- Rose Leaf & Rosehip Sprig — coming soon!
- Pumpkins and Vines
- Hedgehog — coming soon!
- Crochet Mushroom Applique Pattern
- Crochet Acorn Applique Pattern
- Harvest Moon and the three backgrounds
Finishing Touches
Weave in any loose ends, then sew or glue your squirrel in place, whether that’s onto your Autumn Landscapes background or wherever else you’ve decided to use them.
Pattern help
There’s more detail in the premium PDF pattern for the full Autumn Landscapes Crochet Picture Set, including photos and stitch tutorials, plus it’s yours to print out and keep.
Also please do check out the stitch tutorials on my YouTube channel for extra guidance.
If you are struggling with the pattern, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Find me on Facebook or Instagram @concretegemscrochet or drop me a message.
If you enjoyed making your free crochet squirrel appliqué pattern, please consider sharing it to social media tagging @concretegemscrochet or come and join the Concrete Gems Crochet Community to share in the joy of crochet with me.
Other Crochet Patterns you Might Enjoy
You might also like these crochet home decor designs:
- The woodland crochet advent calendar features a Christmas tree with 24 hanging decorations.
- Go large with this giant crochet pumpkin pattern, perfect for making a statement this autumn.
- Check out this crochet sheep bag for more animal patterns.
- Or find lots more nature-inspired crochet projects here.
Thanks for reading and happy crocheting! 🧶
