How to Crochet Bat Amigurumi with Crochet Lace Wings

🎥 Prefer watching? If you learn better by video, you can find the full step-by-step video tutorial embedded at the bottom of this article!

Hello, my wonderful crafty friends, and welcome back to the nook! If there is one thing we adore around here, it’s a project that strikes that magical balance between wonderfully whimsical and delightfully spooky. Whether you are prepping your home for a haunted Halloween season, decorating a cozy autumn reading corner, or simply hunting for the most charming handmade gift for a friend who appreciates the darker, cuter side of life, I have a treat for you today. We are diving deep into the magical world of amigurumi to create a project that is going to steal your heart: the bat amigurumi featuring exquisite crochet lace wings!

When most people think of crocheted bats, they picture simple felt wings or standard solid-color blocks of single crochet. But this design elevates the entire concept into a true work of fiber art. By combining traditional amigurumi shaping techniques with delicate, openwork crochet lace for the wings, this little creature gains an ethereal, vintage-inspired elegance. It’s gothic meets romantic, and the juxtaposition of the plump, cuddly body with the intricate, lacy wings creates a visual masterpiece that will have everyone asking, “Where on earth did you buy that?” (To which you can proudly reply, “I made it myself!”)

In this comprehensive guide, we are going to break down every single aspect of bringing this adorable winged friend to life. From selecting the perfect yarn weight to mastering the intricate lace stitches for the wings and assembling all the pieces seamlessly, I’ve got you covered. Grab your favorite crochet hook, pour yourself a steaming mug of tea or coffee, get cozy in your favorite crafting chair, and let’s dive right into the wonderful world of bat amigurumi!

What You’ll Need

Before we loop our first chain, it is always best to gather all of our supplies so our crafting flow remains uninterrupted. Having everything ready to go makes the process so much more enjoyable. Here is a complete checklist of what you will need to recreate this project:

Yarn: Worsted weight (Weight 4) yarn for the main body in your color choice of dark charcoal, deep plum, midnight black, or even a pastel lavender for a cute twist. You will also need a contrasting or matching sport weight or fingering weight yarn for the delicate lace wings to keep them light and airy.
Crochet Hook: A 3.5mm (E-4) hook for the main amigurumi body to ensure your stitches are tight enough that the stuffing won’t peek through, and a 2.75mm or 3.0mm hook for the lace wings to give them a crisp, defined structure.
Safety Eyes: A pair of 9mm or 10mm plastic safety eyes with washers. If you are making this for a baby or toddler, you can always substitute these with embroidered eyes using black embroidery floss.
Fiberfill Stuffing: A generous bag of polyester toy stuffing to give your bat a wonderfully squishable, plump body.
Tapestry Needle: A yarn needle with a blunt tip for weaving in ends and sewing the wings and ears securely to the body.
Stitch Markers: Essential for keeping track of your rounds in continuous amigurumi work.
Scissors: A sharp pair of crafting scissors for clean yarn trims.
Embroidery Floss: A small amount of pink or white embroidery floss for stitching sleepy little fangs, eyelashes, or inner ear details.

Crochet Abbreviations

To ensure we are all speaking the same crochet language, this pattern follows standard US terminology. Here is a handy reference guide for the abbreviations used throughout the pattern:

ch: Chain stitch
sc: Single crochet
hdc: Half double crochet
dc: Double crochet
tr: Treble crochet
inc: Single crochet increase (work two single crochets into the same stitch)
inv dec: Invisible single crochet decrease (decrease two stitches together through the front loops only)
sl st: Slip stitch
st(s): Stitch(es)
rep: Repeat
FO: Fasten off

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that our yarn is wound, our hooks are selected, and our abbreviations are reviewed, let’s break down the construction process into manageable, logical phases. Take your time with each section, enjoy the rhythm of the stitches, and remember that handmade items are special precisely because of the care poured into every single loop.

Phase 1: The Head and Body

The body of our bat is worked in one continuous piece from the bottom up, meaning fewer ends to weave in later! We will start at the lower torso and work our way up to the top of the head.

Using your main body yarn and your 3.5mm hook, start with a magic ring. Work 6 sc into the ring and pull tight to close. (6 sts)
Round 2: Work an inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Round 3: [1 sc, inc] rep around. (18 sts)
Round 4: [2 sc, inc] rep around. (24 sts)
Round 5: [3 sc, inc] rep around. (30 sts)
Round 6 to 12: Work 1 sc in each st around (7 rounds total). This forms the lower belly and torso of the bat.
Round 13: [3 sc, inv dec] rep around. (24 sts)
Round 14: Work 1 sc in each st around. (24 sts)
Round 15: [2 sc, inv dec] rep around. (18 sts)
Begin stuffing the body firmly with fiberfill, ensuring it holds a nice plump, rounded shape. Continue adding stuffing as you work up the neck.
Round 16: [1 sc, inv dec] rep around. (12 sts)
Now, let’s transition into the head. Round 17: [1 sc, inc] rep around. (18 sts)
Round 18: [2 sc, inc] rep around. (24 sts)
Round 19: [3 sc, inc] rep around. (30 sts)
Round 20 to 24: Work 1 sc in each st around (5 rounds total).
Insert your safety eyes between rounds 21 and 22, leaving about 5 to 6 stitches of space between them. If you want to add embroidered sleep lines or eyelashes, do this now before closing up the head.
Round 25: [3 sc, inv dec] rep around. (24 sts)
Round 26: [2 sc, inv dec] rep around. (18 sts)
Finish stuffing the head firmly so it has a nice, chubby profile.
Round 27: [1 sc, inv dec] rep around. (12 sts)
Round 28: Work inv dec around until the hole is completely closed. Fasten off, leaving a long tail, and use your tapestry needle to weave through the front loops of the remaining stitches to pull the top flat and secure.

Phase 2: The Ears

No bat is complete without its signature large, expressive ears! We will make two identical pieces.

Using your main body yarn and 3.5mm hook, make a magic ring and work 4 sc into the ring. (4 sts)
Round 2: [1 sc, inc] rep around. (6 sts)
Round 3: [2 sc, inc] rep around. (8 sts)
Round 4: [3 sc, inc] rep around. (10 sts)
Round 5: [4 sc, inc] rep around. (12 sts)
Round 6: [5 sc, inc] rep around. (14 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff the ears; flatten them slightly so they have a natural, perky shape.

Phase 3: The Crochet Lace Wings

This is where the true magic happens! The wings use openwork lace stitches to create a delicate webbing effect that mimics traditional bat wings while remaining light and airy.

Switch to your smaller hook (2.75mm or 3.0mm) and your finer lace-weight or sport-weight yarn to ensure the stitches have lovely definition.
Chain 25 loosely.
Row 1: Working into the 4th ch from the hook, work 1 dc. Ch 2, skip 2 chs, 1 dc in the next ch. Repeat this across the foundation chain to create a mesh base row. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc here and throughout). Work 2 dc in the first ch-2 space, ch 1, skip next dc, work a shell of (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the next ch-2 space. Repeat this lace motif across the row, ending with 3 dc in the turning chain space. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 4, work 1 tr in the top of the first dc group. Ch 3, sc into the ch-2 space of the previous row’s shell. Ch 3, work a cluster of trebles or double crochets into the expanding edge of the wing to create the scalloped bat-wing points.
Continue working rows following the video visual cues to flare out the lower edge of the wing into dramatic, gothic points.
Fasten off, weave in your starting tail, and leave the long ending tail for attaching the wing securely to the side of the bat’s body. Make a second wing identical to the first.

Phase 4: Assembly and Finishing Touches

Bringing all of our crocheted pieces together is one of the most rewarding parts of the entire project. Take your time pinning pieces in place before sewing!

Take your two ears and position them near the top of the head, slanted slightly outwards for that alert bat expression. Pin them securely with sewing pins and use the yarn tails to whipstitch them firmly to the head.
Position the lace wings along the left and right sides of the bat’s back and body. Pin them so that the scalloped points drape naturally downward and outward.
Using your tapestry needle and the long tails from the wings, securely attach the wings to the body with sturdy, tight stitches. Make sure they won’t droop when the bat is picked up!
Take a length of pink embroidery floss and stitch a tiny triangular nose right between the safety eyes. If desired, add two tiny white fangs just below the nose for an extra dose of adorable personality.
Inspect your creation, snip any remaining loose yarn ends, and marvel at your stunning, handmade lace-winged bat amigurumi!

Customization Tips

One of the absolute greatest joys of crochet is the freedom to put your own creative spin on any pattern. While the classic midnight-black bat is timeless and spooky, there are so many ways you can customize this project to suit your personal style or match your seasonal decor!

Consider playing with an unexpected color palette. Who says bats have to be dark? Pastel gothic is a massive trend right now. Imagine this little bat crafted in soft lavender, mint green, or dusty rose yarn, paired with crisp white or cream-colored lace wings. It gives off the most charming, gentle fairytale vibe while keeping all the wonderful character of the design. On the other hand, if you want to lean fully into the autumn aesthetic, try deep pumpkin orange, warm rust, or rich burgundy yarn. You could even add tiny embroidered pumpkins or stars onto the tummy for an extra festive touch.

Another fantastic way to customize your bat is by playing with textures. If you use a velvet yarn or a fluffy chenille yarn for the body, your bat transforms into the softest, most luxurious plushie imaginable. Just keep in mind that when using fluffy yarns, your stitches can be harder to see, so you may want to rely more on tactile feel and stitch markers while working. Pairing a super-fluffy textured body with crisp, fine cotton yarn for the lace wings creates an incredible contrast in textures that elevates the finished piece to boutique quality. Have fun experimenting and let your creativity run wild!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this bat amigurumi pattern beginner-friendly?

While the main body of the bat uses standard beginner amigurumi techniques like the magic ring, single crochet, increases, and decreases, the lace wings do require some familiarity with openwork stitches and reading crochet charts or following a lace sequence. Advanced beginners looking to expand their skills will find this project a wonderful, rewarding challenge!

What yarn weight is best for the lace wings?

To achieve that delicate, airy, lace-like effect, it is recommended to use a sport weight, fingering weight, or even crochet thread paired with a smaller hook size. This contrast in weight between the chunky body and the delicate wings is what gives the design its unique and elegant aesthetic.

Can I use regular worsted weight yarn for the entire project?

Yes, absolutely! If you prefer a sturdier, solid wing or if you find working with fine yarn challenging, you can certainly make the wings using the same worsted weight yarn as the body. Just switch to a slightly larger hook to give the wings a bit more drape.

How do I make sure the stuffing doesn’t poke out through the stitches?

The secret to neat amigurumi without stuffing leakage is maintaining consistent tension and using a crochet hook that is slightly smaller than what is typically recommended on the yarn label for that yarn weight. This creates a dense, tight fabric.

How do I clean my finished bat amigurumi?

Because amigurumi pieces contain fiberfill stuffing and sometimes plastic safety eyes, machine washing is generally not recommended as it can distort the shape and damage the delicate lace wings. Instead, spot clean gently with a damp cloth, mild soap, and warm water, then allow it to air dry completely.

Can I sell items made from this tutorial?

Yes! You are more than welcome to sell finished items crafted from this tutorial, provided you give credit to the original creator for the design. However, you may not sell, redistribute, or reproduce the written instructions or video content as your own.

How do I keep my continuous rounds straight without a seam?

When working in continuous spiral rounds (the amigurumi method), your rows won’t have a visible vertical seam. To keep track of where each round starts and ends, always use a stitch marker in the very first stitch of every new round and move it up as you progress.

What size will the finished bat amigurumi be?

When using worsted weight yarn and a 3.5mm hook for the body, your finished bat will typically measure around 5 to 6 inches in height (sitting), making it a wonderful handheld size for desk decor, shelf displays, or a child’s cuddling companion.

What can I use instead of safety eyes if making this for a baby?

If safety eyes pose a choking hazard for a little one, you can easily embroider closed, sleepy eyes or simple French knots using black embroidery floss or thread. This is a completely baby-safe alternative that also gives the bat a very sweet, peaceful expression.

Where can I find more patterns like this?

Be sure to explore our community archives and video library! We regularly share step-by-step tutorials, seasonal crochet projects, amigurumi tips, and yarn reviews to keep your crochet basket full of inspiration all year round.

Watch the Full Tutorial

Watch the step-by-step video below and follow along at your own pace!