There’s something inherently really cute and appealling about axolotls, and a lot of people seem to agree. They’re the only creature I know of that stays as a juvenile its whole life! And they have really cute, derpy little faces with a natural smile. Extremely cute, and they make for great plushies!

Materials:

• Size 4 medium acrylic yarn (such as Bernat Premium) in two colours (Colour A, pink and Colour B, dark pink)
• Fluffy yarn (such as Ice Eyelash or Lion Brand Fun Fur) in Colour C, dark pink
• 3.5mm hook
• Safety eyes pair, 10mm or 12mm
• Stuffing
• Scrap of black yarn or embroidery thread, for face details

Abbreviations:

MR: magic ring

Sc: single crochet

Inc: increase

St(s): stitch(es)

Dec: invisible decrease

Rnd(s): round(s)

FLO: front loops only

Ch: chain

Sl st(s): slip stitch(es)

Sc2tog: single crochet two together

Dc: double crochet

Esc: extended single crochet

Tr: treble crochet

Steps

Head/Body

Use Colour A.
1. MR 5 sc. (5 sts)
2. Inc 5 sc (10 sts)
3. (Inc, sc) 5. (15 sts)
4. (Inc, sc 2) 5. (20 sts)
5. (Inc, sc 3) 5. (25 sts)
6-9. Sc 25 x4
10. (Dec, sc 3) 5. (20 sts)
Attach safety eyes between rnd 3 and 4, about 7 sts apart.

Sew on mouth with black yarn or thread, in a curve below the eyes.
11. (Dec, sc 2) 5. (15 sts)
12. FLO (inc, sc 2) 5. (20 sts)
13. (Inc, sc 4) 4. (24 sts)
Stuff head firmly.
14-21. Sc 24 x8
22. (Dec, sc 4) 4. (20 sts)
23. (Dec, sc 3) 4. (16 sts)
24. FLO sc 16
25. Sc 16
Stuff body firmly.
26. (Dec, sc 6) 2. (14 sts)
27. (Dec, sc 5) 2. (12 sts)
28. Sc 12
29. (Dec, sc 4) 2. (10 sts)
30. Sc 10
31. (Dec, sc 3) 2. (8 sts)
Stuff tail firmly.
32. Sc 8
33. (Dec, sc 2) 2. (6 sts)
Fasten off and sew shut.

Feet (make 4):

Use Colour A.
MR 2 sc, [ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch, sc2tog in next ch and in MR] x3
1- Sc 2, [sc in sc2tog, keeping toe in front] x3
2-5- Sc 5 x4
Fasten off. Poke starting tail into leg to stuff.
Sew onto body.

Gills (make 2):

Use Colour B and Colour C, held together.
1. (Ch 6, sl st 5) 3. (3 gill strands)
Fasten off.
Sew to sides of face approximately on rnd 7, about 4 sts apart.

Tail Fin:

Use Colour B.
1. Ch 21, sc 10, (sc, dc, sc) in next ch, sc 9, turn.
2. Sl st 3, sc 2, esc 2, dc 3, (dc 2, tr, dc 2) in corner dc, dc 3, esc 3, sc 2, sl st 3.
Fasten off. Sew vertically around tail, with shorter side on bottom.