Hygge Squirrel

Hygge Squirrel Crochet Toy by Kati Brown

What Is Being Made

The Hygge Squirrel is a handmade amigurumi-style stuffed toy designed by independent crochet designer Kati Brown. This three-dimensional crocheted squirrel measures approximately 7 inches tall by 4.5 inches wide by 4.5 inches deep, making it a charming decorative or play toy suitable for crochet enthusiasts of various skill levels. The finished piece combines soft textures and cozy aesthetics, embodying the Danish concept of hygge through its cuddly construction.

Craft and Techniques

This pattern is created using the crochet technique, specifically employing amigurumi construction methods. Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting small, stuffed three-dimensional toys and figures. The pattern requires intermediate-level crochet skills and assumes prior knowledge of amigurumi part attachment, which involves joining separately crocheted pieces together to form the complete squirrel figure. The designer recommends familiarity with assembling and integrating individual components into a cohesive finished toy.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The Hygge Squirrel pattern utilizes fundamental crochet stitches written in US terminology with Craft Yarn Council abbreviations. Essential stitches include:

• Chain (ch) – the foundational stitch used to create base loops and starting points
• Single crochet (sc) – a tight, dense stitch that forms the primary fabric of the toy
• Double crochet (dc) – a taller stitch used for varied texture and structure
• Increases and decreases – shaping techniques that allow the crocheter to expand and reduce stitches, creating the three-dimensional form and contoured body parts of the squirrel

Materials and Tools

The pattern calls for specific yarn weights and fiber blends to achieve the desired finished appearance and texture. Red Heart Soft worsted weight yarn in 100% acrylic composition serves as the main color (MC), with the Wheat shade (#7933) providing the primary body color. A small amount of Red Heart Soft worsted weight yarn in Cocoa (#E728) is used as an accent color (AC1) for details. Additionally, Red Heart Hygge bulky yarn, a blend of 70% acrylic and 30% nylon, in the Latte shade (#E869) functions as a secondary accent color (AC2), adding textural variety and the cozy hygge aesthetic.

Construction requires a G (4.25 mm) crochet hook for working with the specified yarn weights. Additional supplies include two 15 mm brown safety eyes for facial features, polyester fiberfill stuffing for creating dimension and structure within the toy, a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and assembling pieces, straight pins for holding components in place during assembly, and optional stitch markers for tracking rounds and pattern progression.

Difficulty Level and Pattern Details

Although labeled as an intermediate pattern, the Hygge Squirrel is accessible to crocheters with foundational knowledge of basic stitches and shaping techniques. The pattern was originally published in February 2019 at Underground Crafter and is authored by Kati Brown, an independent designer. Notably, gauge is not critical for amigurumi projects; instead, consistent tension and hook size throughout the project ensure proper proportions and finished measurements. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF format, making it convenient for digital access and printing.