This axolotl project is a masterclass in the Baby Schema proportion. By utilizing a 60/40 head-to-body ratio, we evoke a strong sense of youth and softness. The speckled mint yarn provides a soothing visual base, while the pale yellow accents draw the eye to the structured gills and the delicate ruffled collar. We avoid all sharp angles here; every decrease is calculated to create plump, rounded cheeks and a sturdy, pear-shaped torso.
Project Snapshot
✨ Skill Level: Intermediate
✨ Time Commitment: 4 to 5 hours
✨ Finished Size: Approximately 8 inches tall (depending on your tension)
Materials
🧶 Bulky weight chenille yarn in Speckled Mint (Main Color)
🧶 Bulky weight chenille yarn in Pale Yellow (Contrast Color)
🪡 4.5mm crochet hook
🪡 14mm black safety eyes
🪡 Tapestry needle for assembly
🪡 Premium polyester fiberfill
Abbreviations (US Terms)
➡️ MR: Magic Ring
➡️ sc: single crochet
➡️ hdc: half double crochet
➡️ inc: increase (2 sc in one stitch)
➡️ dec: invisible decrease (sc 2 together through front loops only)
➡️ sl st: slip stitch
➡️ ch: chain
➡️ st(s): stitch(es)
The Pattern
The Head
(Work in Speckled Mint. Stuff firmly as you go, prioritizing the lower cheeks.)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Round 2: [inc] 6 times (12)
Round 3: [sc 1, inc] 6 times (18)
Round 4: [sc 2, inc] 6 times (24)
Round 5: [sc 3, inc] 6 times (30)
Round 6: [sc 4, inc] 6 times (36)
Round 7: [sc 5, inc] 6 times (42)
Round 8: [sc 6, inc] 6 times (48)
Rounds 9-15: sc in each st around (48)
Place safety eyes between Rounds 13 and 14, spacing them exactly 9 stitches apart. Ensure they sit low to emphasize the wide forehead.
Round 16: [sc 6, dec] 6 times (42)
Round 17: [sc 5, dec] 6 times (36)
Round 18: [sc 4, dec] 6 times (30)
Round 19: [sc 3, dec] 6 times (24)
Round 20: [sc 2, dec] 6 times (18)
Fasten off, weaving the remaining tail in securely.
The Body
(Work in Speckled Mint. Stuff firmly to create a sturdy base.)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Round 2: [inc] 6 times (12)
Round 3: [sc 1, inc] 6 times (18)
Round 4: [sc 2, inc] 6 times (24)
Round 5: [sc 3, inc] 6 times (30)
Round 6: [sc 4, inc] 6 times (36)
Rounds 7-10: sc in each st around (36)
Round 11: [sc 4, dec] 6 times (30)
Round 12: sc in each st around (30)
Round 13: [sc 3, dec] 6 times (24)
Round 14: sc in each st around (24)
Round 15: [sc 2, dec] 6 times (18)
Fasten off, leaving a very long tail for sewing to the head.
The Legs (Make 2)
(Start in Pale Yellow. Stuff lightly.)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Round 2: [inc] 6 times (12)
Change to Speckled Mint.
Rounds 3-4: sc in each st around (12)
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
The Arms (Make 2)
(Start in Pale Yellow. Do not stuff.)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Round 2: [sc 1, inc] 3 times (9)
Change to Speckled Mint.
Rounds 3-5: sc in each st around (9)
Pinch the top opening flat. sc 4 across both layers to close the arm seamlessly. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
The Tail
(Work in Speckled Mint. Stuff lightly, tapering off near the point.)
Round 1: 4 sc in MR (4)
Round 2: [sc 1, inc] 2 times (6)
Round 3: [sc 1, inc] 3 times (9)
Round 4: [sc 2, inc] 3 times (12)
Round 5: [sc 3, inc] 3 times (15)
Round 6: [sc 4, inc] 3 times (18)
Rounds 7-10: sc in each st around (18)
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
The External Gills (Make 6)
(Start in Speckled Mint.)
Row 1: Ch 6. sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next 3 ch, 3 hdc in last ch. Working along the opposite side of the chain: hdc in next 3 ch, sc in last ch. (11)
Change to Pale Yellow.
Row 2: sl st in each st around the perimeter of the gill to create a firm, structured border. (11)
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
The Ruffled Collar
(Work in Pale Yellow.)
Row 1: Ch 19. sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Ch 1, turn. (18)
Row 2: 3 hdc in every st across. (54)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew the collar ends together.
Assembly Instructions
➡️ Head and Body: Pin the body to the base of the head, aligning the final 18 stitches of both pieces. Whipstitch them together firmly.
➡️ Collar: Wrap the ruffled collar around the newly joined neck seam. Use the yarn tail to sew the two ends of the collar together at the back of the neck.
➡️ Legs: Sew the legs to the bottom front of the body, positioning them between Rounds 4 and 8. Ensure the axolotl sits flat and balanced.
➡️ Arms: Sew the flattened tops of the arms horizontally to the sides of the body, placed neatly on Round 14, just below the ruffled collar.
➡️ Tail: Attach the open end of the tail to the lower back of the body, spanning Rounds 3 through 8.
➡️ Gills: Position three gills on each side of the head. Sew the middle gill on each side pointing directly outward in alignment with the eyes (Rounds 13-14). Sew the top gill pointing upwards at a 45-degree angle (Rounds 9-10), and the bottom gill pointing downwards at a 45-degree angle (Rounds 16-17).
