Ready to create the most adorable crustacean that will never pinch? This charming amigurumi crab, with its googly eyes on stalks and chunky claws, captures all the fun of tidepooling without getting wet! I designed this little beach buddy to be both cute and recognizable, complete with a bright yellow belly and coral-colored shell that brings a pop of sunshine to any space. Whether you're a seasoned crocheter or just getting started, I'll guide you through each step with detailed photos and clear instructions to create your own cheerful crab companion. Ready to start this coastal adventure? Let's get hooking!
Pin for later
Pin this cheerful crab pattern now and bring a piece of the beach to your crafting collection - it's the perfect coastal companion!
Details About Crab
The finished crab measures approximately 6.7 inches (17cm) in length and 6.3 inches (16cm) in height, making it the perfect size for both display and play. Those long eye stalks give it such a fun, expressive look!
For the color palette, I went with a cheerful coral-pink for the main body and claws to capture that perfect sun-warmed shell color you might spot at the beach. The bright yellow belly adds a wonderful pop of contrast that really makes this crab come alive! Each white eye base topped with a black safety eye creates that classic cartoon-cute look we all love in amigurumi.
While I chose these sunny, beach-inspired colors, don't be afraid to experiment! You could try a classic red for a traditional crab look, or go bold with blue or purple for a fantasy version. Some crocheters have even made adorable variations using variegated yarn for a speckled shell effect! Just remember to use the same yarn weight throughout your project to maintain consistent sizing and that adorable chubby shape.
Whether you're making this as a gift or keeping it for yourself, this little crab is sure to bring a touch of seaside charm to any space!
Recommended Yarn and Crochet Hooks
I absolutely love using Loopara 5-ply milk cotton yarn for this crab pattern - it's perfect for amigurumi because it creates beautifully defined stitches and has just the right amount of stiffness to hold those cute shapes.
Loopara 5-ply is particularly fantastic for amigurumi because it's both durable and smooth, making it perfect for toys that will be handled frequently. Plus, the stitch definition is so crisp that every detail of your crab's features will show beautifully!
For the color palette, I recommend using a vibrant coral-pink for the main body and claws, paired with sunny yellow for the belly. The yarn's matte finish gives your crab a lovely, clean look that really makes those contrasting colors pop! For the eye bases, bright white creates that perfect googly-eye effect.
I use a 2.8mm crochet hook with this yarn, which creates tight, secure stitches that prevent any stuffing from showing through. This hook size is perfect for amigurumi as it helps create firm, well-defined shapes while still being comfortable to work with. If you're substituting yarns, remember to choose a hook size that gives you tight, neat stitches - this is crucial for amigurumi!
Materials Needed for Crab
- Yarn– Loopara 5ply combed cotton (Pink 20, Yellow 30, Orange 36 and White 61)
- Hook- 2.8mm
- Fiber fill
- Molding strip
- Stitch marker
- Yarn needle
- Beed needle
- Hot Melt Adhesive
- Eyeball
- Scissors
- Tweezers
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch - chain
- sc - single crochet
- sl - slip stitch
- dc - double crochet
- hdc - half double crochet
- tr - treble crochet
- BLO - back loops only
- FLO - front loops only
How to Crochet Crab – Step by Step
How to Crochet the Antennae (Make 2)
Round 1: Create a magic ring. Work 6 single crochets into the ring. Join with slip stitch.
Rounds 2-6: Chain 1. Work 6 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch. Repeat these rounds 4 more times.
Round 7: Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet increase, 5 single crochets (7 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 8: Chain 1. Work 7 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch.
Round 9: Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet increase, 6 single crochets (8 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 10: Chain 1. Work 8 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch.
Round 11: Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet increase, 7 single crochets (9 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 12: Chain 1. Work 9 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch. Fasten off.
For the second antenna: Chain 3 connects to the first antenna.
How to Crochet the Body
Round 13: Chain 1. Work 9 single crochets, 3 single crochets, 9 single crochets, 3 single crochets (connecting antennae). Join with slip stitch.
Round 14: Chain 1. Work (3 single crochets, single crochet increase) 6 times around (30 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 15: Chain 1. Work 30 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch.
Round 16: Chain 1. Work (2 single crochets, single crochet increase, 2 single crochets) 6 times around (36 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 17: Chain 1. Work 36 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch. Insert wire and stuff lightly.
Round 18: Chain 1. Work (5 single crochets, single crochet increase) 6 times around (42 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 19: Chain 1. Work 42 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch.
Round 20: Chain 1. Work 5 single crochets, (single crochet, single crochet increase) 3 times, 15 single crochets, (single crochet increase, single crochet) 3 times, 10 single crochets (48 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 21: Chain 1. Work 48 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch.
Round 22: Chain 1. Work 5 single crochets, (single crochet, single crochet increase, single crochet) 3 times, 15 single crochets, (single crochet, single crochet increase, single crochet) 3 times, 10 single crochets (54 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 23: Chain 1. Work 54 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch.
Round 24: Chain 1. Work 5 single crochets, (3 single crochets, single crochet increase) 3 times, 15 single crochets, (single crochet increase, 3 single crochets) 3 times, 10 single crochets (60 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 25: Chain 1. Work 60 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch.
Round 26: Chain 1. Work 5 single crochets, (2 single crochets, single crochet increase, 2 single crochets) 3 times, 15 single crochets, (2 single crochets, single crochet increase, 2 single crochets) 3 times, 10 single crochets (66 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Rounds 27-33: Chain 1. Work 66 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch. Repeat for 6 more rounds.
Round 34: Chain 1. Work 5 single crochets, (2 single crochets, single crochet decrease, 2 single crochets) 3 times, 15 single crochets, (2 single crochets, single crochet decrease, 2 single crochets) 3 times, 10 single crochets. Join with slip stitch.
Round 35: Chain 1. Work 5 single crochets, (3 single crochets, single crochet decrease) 3 times, 15 single crochets, (single crochet decrease, 3 single crochets) 3 times, 10 single crochets. Join with slip stitch.
Round 36: Chain 1. Work 5 single crochets, (single crochet, single crochet decrease, single crochet) 3 times, 15 single crochets, (single crochet, single crochet decrease, single crochet) 3 times, 10 single crochets. Join with slip stitch.
Round 37: Chain 1. Work 5 single crochets, (single crochet, single crochet decrease) 3 times, 15 single crochets, (single crochet decrease, single crochet) 3 times, 10 single crochets. Join with slip stitch.
Round 38: Chain 1. Work (4 single crochets, single crochet decrease) 7 times around. Join with slip stitch.
Round 39: Chain 1. Work (3 single crochets, single crochet decrease) 7 times around. Join with slip stitch. Add stuffing.
Round 40: Chain 1. Work (2 single crochets, single crochet decrease) 7 times around. Join with slip stitch.
Round 41: Chain 1. Work (single crochet, single crochet decrease) 7 times around. Join with slip stitch.
Round 42: Chain 1. Work 7 single crochet decreases. Join with slip stitch. Fasten off and close opening.
How to Crochet the Eyeball (Make 2)
Round 1: Create a magic ring. Work 5 single crochets into the ring. Join with slip stitch.
Round 2: Chain 1. Work 5 single crochet increases around (10 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 3: Chain 1. Work (single crochet, single crochet increase) 5 times around (15 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Rounds 4-5: Chain 1. Work 15 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch. Repeat once more.
How to Crochet the Eyelid (Make 2)
Round 1: Create a magic ring. Work 6 single crochets into the ring. Join with slip stitch.
Round 2: Chain 1. Work 6 single crochet increases around (12 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 3: Chain 1. Work (single crochet, single crochet increase) 6 times around (18 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 4: Chain 1. Work (5 single crochets, single crochet increase) 3 times around (21 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 5: Chain 1. Work 21 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch.
Round 6: Work 21 slip stitches around. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing the eyeball to the eyelid and attaching to the body.
How to Crochet the Small Claw (Make 2)
Round 1: Create a magic ring. Work 4 single crochets into the ring. Join with slip stitch.
Round 2: Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet, 2 single crochet increases, 1 single crochet (6 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 3: Chain 1. Work 2 single crochets, 2 single crochet increases, 2 single crochets (8 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 4: Chain 1. Work 3 single crochets, 2 single crochet increases, 3 single crochets (10 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 5: Chain 1. Work 4 single crochets, 2 single crochet increases, 4 single crochets (12 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 6: Chain 1. Work 5 single crochets, 2 single crochet increases, 5 single crochets (14 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Rounds 7-8: Chain 1. Work 14 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch. Repeat once more.
How to Crochet the Large Claw (Make 2)
Rounds 1-6: Work the same as small claws.
Round 7: Chain 1. Work 6 single crochets, 2 single crochet increases, 6 single crochets (16 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 8: Chain 1. Work 7 single crochets, 2 single crochet increases, 7 single crochets (18 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 9: Chain 1. Work 8 single crochets, 2 single crochet increases, 8 single crochets (20 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Rounds 10-11: Chain 1. Work 20 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch. Repeat once more.
Round 12: Chain 1. Work 14 single crochets, 20 single crochets (34 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 13: Chain 1. Work (15 single crochets, single crochet decrease) twice (32 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 14: Chain 1. Work (7 single crochets, single crochet decrease, 7 single crochets) twice (30 stitches). Join with slip stitch. Sew holes.
Round 15: Chain 1. Work (3 single crochets, single crochet decrease) 6 times (24 stitches). Join with slip stitch. Add fiberfill.
Round 16: Chain 1. Work (2 single crochets, single crochet decrease) 6 times (18 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 17: Chain 1. Work (single crochet, single crochet decrease) 6 times (12 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 18: Chain 1. Work (2 single crochets, single crochet decrease) 3 times (9 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Rounds 19-21: Chain 1. Work 9 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch. Repeat for 2 more rounds.
How to Crochet the Leg (Make 6)
Round 1: Create a magic ring. Chain 1, work 6 single crochets into the ring. Join with slip stitch.
Rounds 2-5: Chain 1. Work 6 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch. Repeat these rounds 3 more times. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
How to Crochet the Bell
Round 1: Chain 7. In the second chain from hook work 5 single crochets, 3 single crochets in the next stitch, 4 single crochets, and a single crochet increase. Join with slip stitch.
Round 2: Chain 1. Work single crochet increases, 4 single crochets, 3 single crochet increases, 4 single crochets, 2 single crochet increases. Join with slip stitch.
Round 3: Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet, single crochet increase, 4 single crochets, (single crochet, single crochet increase) 3 times, 4 single crochets, (single crochet, single crochet increase) twice. Join with slip stitch.
Round 4: Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet, single crochet increase, 5 single crochets, (single crochet, single crochet increase, single crochet) 3 times, 4 single crochets, (single crochet, single crochet increase, single crochet) twice. Join with slip stitch.
Round 5: Chain 1. Work 3 single crochets, single crochet increase, 4 single crochets, (3 single crochets, single crochet increase) 3 times, 4 single crochets, (3 single crochets, single crochet increase) twice. Join with slip stitch.
Round 6: Chain 1. Work 2 single crochets, single crochet increase, 6 single crochets, (2 single crochets, single crochet increase, 2 single crochets) 3 times, 4 single crochets, (2 single crochets, single crochet increase, 2 single crochets) twice. Join with slip stitch.
Round 7: Chain 1. Work 5 single crochets, single crochet increase, 4 single crochets, (5 single crochets, single crochet increase) 3 times, 4 single crochets, (5 single crochets, single crochet increase) twice. Join with slip stitch.
Round 8: Chain 1. Work 3 single crochets, single crochet increase, 7 single crochets, (3 single crochets, single crochet increase, 3 single crochets) 3 times, 4 single crochets, (3 single crochets, single crochet increase, 3 single crochets) twice. Join with slip stitch. Fasten off.
How to Crochet the Cheek (Make 4)
Create a magic ring. Chain 1, work 6 single crochets into the ring. Join with slip stitch. Fasten off and weave in ends.
How to Crochet the Shell Bag
Round 1: Create a magic ring. Chain 1, work 6 single crochets into the ring. Join with slip stitch.
Round 2: Working in back loops only, chain 1. Work (single crochet, single crochet increase) 3 times (9 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 3: Working in back loops only, chain 1. Work (2 single crochets, single crochet increase) 3 times (12 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 4: Working in back loops only, chain 2. Work (2 half double crochets, half double crochet increase) 4 times (16 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 5: Working in back loops only, chain 2. Work (3 half double crochets, half double crochet increase) 4 times (20 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 6: Working in back loops only, chain 2. Work (4 half double crochets, half double crochet increase) 4 times (24 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 7: Working in back loops only, chain 2. Work (3 double crochets, double crochet increase) 6 times (30 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 8: Working in back loops only, chain 2. Work (2 double crochets, double crochet increase, 2 double crochets) 6 times (36 stitches). Join with slip stitch. Fasten off.
How to Crochet the Shell Edge
Work slip stitches in front loops only from round 1 to round 8.
How to Crochet the Shell Strap
Starting at the marked stitch (5th stitch and 5th to last stitch of round 8), chain 28 stitches. Make a slip stitch to the third stitch from the marked stitch.
How to Crochet the Fish
Round 1: (With white) Create a magic ring. Chain 1, work 5 single crochets into the ring. Join with slip stitch.
Round 2: Chain 1. Work 5 single crochet increases (10 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 3: Chain 1. Work (4 single crochets, single crochet increase) twice (12 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 4: Chain 1. Work (3 single crochets, single crochet increase) 3 times (15 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 5: Chain 1. Work 15 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch.
Round 6: (With yellow) Chain 1. Work (4 single crochets, single crochet increase) 3 times (18 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 7: (With white) Chain 1. Work 18 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch.
Round 8: (With yellow) Chain 1. Work (8 single crochets, single crochet increase) twice (20 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 9: (With white) Chain 1. Work 20 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch.
Round 10: (With yellow) Chain 1. Work 20 single crochets around. Join with slip stitch.
Round 11: (With white) Chain 1. Work (8 single crochets, single crochet decrease) twice (18 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 12: (With yellow) Chain 1. Work (7 single crochets, single crochet decrease) twice (16 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 13: (With white) Chain 1. Work (6 single crochets, single crochet decrease) twice (14 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 14: (With yellow) Chain 1. Work (5 single crochets, single crochet decrease) twice (12 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 15: (With white) Chain 1. Work (4 single crochets, single crochet decrease) twice (10 stitches). Join with slip stitch. Stuff with fiberfill.
Round 16: (With yellow) Chain 1. Work (3 single crochets, single crochet decrease) twice (8 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 17: Chain 1. Work (2 single crochets, single crochet decrease) twice (6 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Round 18: Fold and work: Chain 3, treble crochet, double crochet, half double crochet. Join with slip stitch. Chain 2, double crochet, treble crochet, chain 3. Join with slip stitch. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Tips: Keep tension consistent throughout all pieces, especially when changing colors between yellow and white sections of the fish. When working in back loops only for the shell bag, make sure your stitches are tight to create clear texture definition.
Crochet Crab Assemble
Step 1: Glue the eyeballs in the center of the eyelids.
Step 2: Sew the eyelids to the top of the antennae, ensuring they look neat and even.
Step 3: Glue the eyes onto the eyeballs.
Step 4: Sew the claws on both sides of the antennae. After securing, bring the threads to the back of the head, tie them together several times, and hide them inside the head.
Step 5: Glue the belly piece to the center of the body. Position the cheeks facing outward and glue them to the body. These can be placed randomly.
Step 6: Sew the legs to both sides of the body under the claws. After securing, bring the threads to the back of the body, tie them together several times, and hide them inside the head. Ensure they're secure and look neat.
Step 7: Place the shell bag on the body.
Step 8: Place the fish in the claw.
Tips: When attaching the six legs to the body sides, place them evenly spaced in a curved pattern to help the crab stand stably.
Care and Cleaning Instructions
Daily Care Tips
Your clever crustacean friend is filled with love and care - let's keep it looking its best! Regular dusting with a soft brush will help maintain its vibrant coral and yellow colors. Be extra gentle around the eye stalks and claws, and keep your crab away from direct sunlight to prevent color fading. Give those fun little spots and shell bag a gentle fluff now and then to keep them perky!
Washing Methods
Since your crab has safety eyes and delicate parts like the tiny fish and eye stalks, spot cleaning is the safest option. Use a slightly damp cloth with mild soap for any dirty spots, being extra careful around the glued areas and attachments. Never soak or machine wash your crab, as this could affect the stuffing and stability of the pieces. Always allow to air dry completely away from direct heat.
Storage Suggestions
When your beach buddy needs a rest, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. If you need to pack it away, use a breathable fabric bag or box, and avoid compressing it to maintain its shape - especially those delicate claws and eye stalks! Consider displaying it on a shelf where it can show off its adorable shell bag and fish friend - after all, this cute crab deserves to be seen!
What’s Next?
Just finished this adorable beach buddy! Each stitch brings this little crab to life, complete with its cute shell bag and fishy friend. Share your creation with #CrochetCrab #AmigurumiLove on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter - can't wait to see your color combinations!
