Pluto the Platypus – Free Crochet Pattern

Make this adorable plushie crochet platypus using the free amigurumi pattern.

If you’ve been following along with my blog for a little while, you may think that this adorable squishy crocheted platypus looks somewhat familiar. In which case, you’d be right! (And as a side note, wow, you really have a great memory!)

Anyway, a few years ago I designed an adorable little amigurumi scientist called Phyllis the Platypus.

Phyllis’ free crochet pattern has some intricately worked toes and fingers (I’m almost certain this is not what they’re called on real platypuses, but hopefully you know what I mean!) and also comes with some little scientist accessories including a magnifying glass, lab coat, and a flask. Long story short, to complete this adorable amigurumi project you need quite a bit of time, patience and an intermediate level of crochet experience.

So after seeing some very cute creations of Phyllis being crocheted by the community, including a super cute simplified one crocheted by ForrestsCrafts’ on Ravelry, I decided to design an easier, quicker, and dare I say… cuddlier version of Phyllis the Platypus. And that’s how Pluto the Platypus was born!

Pluto the Platypus is an easy level crochet pattern that works up quicky and the result is super cute and cuddly. I hope you’ll agree! You can get the full free crochet pattern for Pluto below or alternatively purchase the PDF pattern from one of my online shops, if you’d prefer to avoid the ads.

I hope you enjoy crocheting Pluto the Platypus, and don’t forget to share photos of your makes using the hashtag #CillaCrochets and by tagging me @cillacrochets on social media. Happy crocheting!

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Prefer the PDF Crochet Platypus Pattern?

If you’d prefer the PDF crochet platypus pattern for Pluto, this is available to purchase in my online shops. You’ll find the links to the listings below.

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Pluto the Platypus Crochet Pattern Information

Here you’ll find everything you need to know before you start to make this crochet platypus.

Materials needed

• Chunky Chenille yarn in two colours. I used James C. Brett Flutterby Chunky in the following colours. Amounts used are in brackets.
  • Colour A – Baby Blue (60 grams = 105 m / 115 yds)
  • Colour B – Beige (15 grams = 26.25 m / 29 yds)
• Crochet hook size 4mm (G)
• Stuffing
• Needle
• Scissors
• Pins
• 3 Stitch markers
• Safety eyes 12 mm (Option 1 for eyes)
• Black DK yarn (Option 2 for eyes)
• Optional cotton DK yarn (for sewing chenille amigurumi parts together during assembly)

Platypus Plushie Size

Using the yarn and crochet hook specified in this pattern, my Pluto turned out to be 25 cm / 9.85 ” high and 10 cm / 3.94 ” wide (across the widest part of the body).

Gauge

Gauge is not required for this pattern, however keep tension consistent throughout. For reference, my gauge was as follows:

8 sc stitches on 5 cm / 1.96 “

8 rows on 5 cm / 1.96 “

Crochet pattern abbreviations

This crochet pattern has been written in US terminology.

R# – Row/round number

st – Stitch

ch – Chain

mc – Magic circle

sc – Single crochet

inc – Increase

dec – Decrease

FLO – Front loop only

sk – Skip

[…] x … – Repeat the sequence of stitches in brackets x-times

(…) – Total number of stitches at the end of each row/round

Top tips and additional crochet pattern information

• Yarn: The yarn choice is completely up to you, and you can change the yarn weight, material, and colours based on your own personal preference. Just be aware that the weight of your yarn may impact the hook size you need to use and also the size of your final make.
• Hook size: I recommend using a smaller hook size than recommended on the yarn label. This will stop the stuffing appearing through your stitches.
• Eyes: In this pattern you have the choice of using safety eyes or embroidered eyes. Please note that safety eyes are a choking hazard and are not suitable for children under 3 years of age. You can find a simple eye embroidery tutorial on my blog here if this is your chosen method.
• Working in rounds: All parts within this pattern are worked in continuous rounds unless otherwise stated.
• Stitch marker: Use a stitch marker at the beginning of each round/row to keep track of the number of stitches.
• Stuffing: Unless otherwise stated, stuff all amigurumi parts firmly as you crochet.
• Decreases: I recommend using invisible decreases for all amigurumi pieces throughout.
• Optional cotton DK yarn: Chenille yarn has a tendency to shed. To avoid shedding during assembly, try using a cotton DK yarn to sew your chenille amigurumi pieces together. You won’t see the cotton yarn when finished and it will ensure the pieces are sewn firmly in place.
• Copyright: You are more than welcome to sell your crocheted Pluto the Platypus amigurumi using this pattern on a small scale. However, the pattern itself cannot be reproduced, sold, or redistributed in any way without the designers’ consent. For more information, please read the full copyright notice at the bottom of this page.

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Pluto the Platypus Crochet Pattern

Head, Body & Legs

The body, head and legs of Pluto are all crocheted as one piece. Stuff this piece firmly as you crochet.

Using Yarn A (Baby Blue).

R1: mc with 6 sc (6)

R2: [inc] x 6 (12)

R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)

R4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)

R5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)

R6: [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)

R7: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42)

R8: sc around (42)

R9: [6 sc, inc] x 6 (48)

R10 – 12: sc around (48) – 3 rounds

R13: [6 sc, dec] x 6 (42)

If using safety eyes, insert them now between R10 & R11 of the head with 8 sts in between the eyes. If embroidering the eyes, this can be left until after assembly.

R14: sc around (42)

R15: [5 sc, dec] x 6 (36)

R16: sc around (36)

R17: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)

R18: sc around (30)

R19: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)

R20: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)

Now you will start crocheting the body. Stuff head and continue to stuff body as you go.

R21: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)

R22: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)

R23: sc around (30)

R24: [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)

R25: sc around (36)

R26: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42)

R27 – 39: sc around (42) – 13 rounds

R40: [20 sc, inc] x 2 (44)

R41: [10 sc, inc] x 4 (48)

R42 – 43: sc around (48) – 2 rounds

Stuff body firmly.

Now you will crochet the legs.

Use 2 additional st markers to split R41 of the body into three sections. There should be 20 sts on each side with 8 sts (4 sc at the front and 4 sc at the back) in the middle section. See pink st markers in the image below.

Continue crocheting from your end position in R43 to start the first leg.

R44: sc around to first splitting st marker, sc across to other side to form leg, sc back to the beginning (20)

R45: [2 sc, dec] x 5 (15)

R46: [sc, dec] x 5 (10)

Finish stuffing leg firmly.

R47: [dec] x 5 (5)

Cut yarn leaving a shorter yarn tail and fasten off. Using a needle weave through FLO of 5 sc and pull tight to close. Weave in yarn tail to hide.

Attach yarn to any sc on the other side of the middle st markers to crochet the 2nd leg as shown in the image below.

Repeat R44 – R47 to crochet the second leg.

Using Yarn A (Baby Blue), sew the middle of the legs together (R43) so no gaps appear.

See completed head, body and legs in the image below.

Arms (Make 2)

Using Yarn Colour A (Baby Blue) & B (Beige). Lightly stuff.

Start with Yarn Colour B.

Start: Ch 5

R1: Start in 2nd ch from hook and sc in next 3 sts, inc in last st, turn to crochet on other side of ch, sc in next 3 sts, inc in last st (10)

R2 – R3: sc around (10) – 2 rounds

R4: [4 sc, inc] x 2 (12)

R5: [2 sc, inc] x 4 (16)

R6: [2 sc, dec] x 2 (12)

R7: [4 sc, dec] x 2 (10)

Change to Yarn Colour A.

R8 – R18: sc around (10) – 11 rounds

Finish lightly stuffing the arm.

Prepare for R19: 3 sc. Your hook should now be at the side of the arm as shown in the image below. If not, add more sts or undo sts as required to get to this starting position for R19.

R19: ch 1, hold sides of arm together and join with 5 sc across (5)

Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off. Repeat steps to make a second arm. See completed arms in the image below.

Feet (Make 2)

Using Yarn Colour B (Beige).

Do not stuff.

Start: Ch 10

R1: Start in 2nd ch from hook and sc in next 8 sts, inc, turn to crochet on other side of ch, sc in next 8 sts, inc in last st (20)

R2 – R5: sc around (20) – 4 rounds

R6: [8 sc, dec] x 2 (18)

R7: sc around (18)

R8: [7 sc, dec] x 2 (16)

R9: sc around (16)

R10: [6 sc, dec] x 2 (14)

R11: [5 sc, dec] x 2 (12)

R12: [4 sc, dec] x 2 (10)

R13: [3 sc, dec] x 2 (8)

R14: [2 sc, dec] x 2 (6)

Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off. Using a tapestry needle, weave yarn tail through FLO of final 6 sc and pull tight to close.

Repeat steps above to make a second foot.

See completed feet in the image below.

Bill

Using Yarn Colour B (Beige).

Lightly stuff.

Start: Ch 5

R1: Start in 2nd ch from hook and sc in next 3 sts, inc in last st, turn to crochet on other side of ch, sc in next 3 sts, sk last st (8)

R2: inc, 2 sc, 2 inc, 2 sc, inc (12)

R3: inc, 4 sc, 2 inc, 4 sc, inc (16)

R4 – R10: sc around (16) – 7 rounds

The next section is crocheted back and forth in rows and only goes half way across the bill. Turning chs do not count in total st count.

R11: 8 sc, ch 1, turn (8)

R12: sc across (8)

Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off.

Completed bill is shown in the images below.

Tail

Using Yarn Colour A (Baby Blue).

Lightly stuff.

R1: mc with 6 sc (6)

R2: [inc] x 6 (12)

R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)

R4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)

R5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)

R6 – R10: sc around (30) – 5 rounds

R11: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)

R12 – 13: sc around (24) – 2 rounds

R14: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)

R15 – R19: sc around (18) – 5 rounds

Finish stuffing.

R20: Hold sides of tail together and join with 8 sc leaving one unworked st at each end (8)

Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off.

See completed tail in the image below.

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Assemble Pluto the Platypus

Follow the steps below to assemble your crocheted Pluto the Platypus. Remember you can use a DK cotton yarn or similar as an alternative to the chenille yarn tails to sew amigurumi parts together. This will help minimise the shedding of the chenille yarn, however this is completely optional.

Step one: Sew feet to body

Start by sewing the foot yarn tail into the foot and bring it out through the middle st between R12 & R13 as shown in the image below.

Sew R10-R14 of each foot to R46-R47 of the body. Adjust your sewing as required so the feet sit flat as shown in the image below.

Step two: Sew arms to body

Sew the arms to between R23 – R24 of the body on either side. There are approximately 10 sts between the arms at the front of the body.

Step three: Sew bill to head

The flat section of the bill should sit between R10 & R11 of the head. The last st of the flat section should go down by one row. The bottom section of the bill should sit between R15 & R16 of the head. See images below.

Step four: Sew tail to back of body

The tail should sit between R39 and R40 of the body.

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Congratulations, you’ve finished crocheting Pluto the Platypus!

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© 2024 Cilla Crochets. Cilla Richards – All rights reserved. This pattern is for personal use only.

The pattern (or parts of it) may not be reproduced, distributed or resold, translated, published, altered, shared, or posted (for sale or for free) over the internet or offline.

You can sell items made from this pattern if they are handmade by yourself in a limited number and you give credit to the designer. Please add the following text to your item description for any item designed by Cilla Crochets/Cilla Richards that you are selling:

“This product is handmade by [your name] from a design and pattern by Cilla Richards at Cilla Crochets. See www.cillacrochets.com for more information.”