Welcome, fellow yarn crafters! Fall is in the air, and what better way to celebrate the season than by creating your very own amigurumi turkey? Whether you are looking to spruce up your Thanksgiving table or simply love stitching up cute seasonal decor, this little turkey is a quick, rewarding, and utterly charming project.
Crocheting small amigurumi is a fantastic way to practice shaping, working in the round, and assembling multiple pieces. Grab your hook and let’s dive into this fun autumn make!
Materials & Tools Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in main turkey colors (brown, cream) and accent colors for the feathers, beak, and waddle (orange, red, yellow). Great for using up scrap yarn!
- Crochet Hook: Size US E/4 (3.5mm) or F/5 (3.75mm) to ensure tight stitches so stuffing doesn’t peek through.
- Notions: Polyester fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle for sewing, stitch markers, and 6mm safety eyes (or embroidery floss for stitched eyes).
Abbreviations & Pattern Notes
- US Terminology
- MR: Magic Ring
- sc: Single Crochet
- inc: Increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
- dec: Decrease (invisible decrease preferred: sc 2 together)
- sl st: Slip Stitch
- st(s): Stitch(es)
- Note: Body and head are worked in continuous rounds without joining. Use a stitch marker to keep track of the start of each round.
Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions
- Body & Head: Starting with brown yarn, create a MR. Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in MR (6). Rnd 2: [Inc] around (12). Rnd 3: [sc, inc] around (18). Rnd 4-8: sc in each st around (18). Rnd 9: [sc 2, inc] around (24). Rnd 10-12: sc in each st around (24). Begin stuffing the body firmly. Rnd 13: [sc 2, dec] around (18). Rnd 14: [sc, dec] around (12). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for closing, and finish stuffing.
- Feathers (Make 3 to 5 in various autumn colors): Create a MR. Rnd 1: Work 4 sc in MR (4). Rnd 2: [sc, inc] around (6). Rnd 3: [sc 2, inc] around (8). Rnd 4: sc in each st around (8). Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Do not stuff feathers.
- Beak: Using yellow yarn, create a MR, work 4 sc in MR (4). Rnd 2: [sc, inc] around (6). Fasten off, leaving a tail.
- Waddle: Using red yarn, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and remaining chs. Fasten off, leaving a tail.
- Wings (Make 2): Using brown yarn, create a MR, work 6 sc in MR (6). Rnd 2: [inc] around (12). Rnd 3: sc in each st around (12). Fold flat and fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
Finishing & Helpful Tips
- Assembly Order: Attach the colorful feathers in a fan shape across the back of the body first. Next, sew the folded wings to the sides, followed by the beak and waddle on the front of the head.
- Attaching Safety Eyes: If using safety eyes, insert them between Rounds 6 and 7 of the head before you finish stuffing and closing the body. Embroider them instead if making this for a young child.
- Maintain Tension: Keep your stitches snug. If you notice gaps where the polyester fiberfill is showing through, drop down a hook size or pull your working yarn a little tighter on each stitch.
- Use Your Scraps: Because this project requires very little yarn per color, it’s the ultimate stash-buster for leftover autumn-toned acrylic or cotton yarns.
Watch the Step-by-Step Video Tutorial
Prefer visual guidance? Follow along with the complete video tutorial below: