Pam the Platypus | Free Crochet Pattern
Make your own Pam the Platypus with my free crochet pattern. Pam is crocheted in the round, in separate parts and then sewn together.
Pam uses up small amounts of yarn, making her a perfect stash buster.
When I designed Pam, I wanted to create a small crochet toy that would use up the small amounts of brown, black and blue in my stash. I was trying really hard not buy more yarn and use up what I had. I created Pam with a little blue top on as I was going to run out of brown if I made her fully brown! The blue top works perfectly.
If you’re an experienced crocheter and crocheted in the round before, you’ll be able to make up Pam really quickly too.
Free Pattern
The pattern is available for free in this blog post. This blog has ads so I can provide the pattern for free.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links, which means you don’t pay any extra but a small percentage goes to me if you buy through my link (thank you for supporting me!).
Ad-free PDF Version
An ad-free PDF version of the pattern is available on Ravelry and Lovecrafts.
Buying the PDF version makes it easy to follow the pattern without ads and is ideal if you want to print the pattern. As a bonus, when you buy the pattern it supports my work and enables me to continue making patterns for you!
Before you get started
I highly recommend that you read the Essential Information and Additional Instruction sections before you read this pattern.
If you’ve already read them, and are returning to this page to continue crocheting, then simply jump to the patterns using the links below.
Essential Information
Difficulty
Intermediate
Skills
- Crochet in the round
- Single crochet
Materials
Yarn
Stylecraft Special DK (8 Py); 295 m (323 yards) per 100g; 100% acrylic
5g / 15 m / 16 yards in Black
20g / 59 m / 64 yards in Brown
10g / 30 m / 32 yards in Blue
For a Platypus without the top you will need to replace the Blue with Brown
Hook
- 3 mm (US C/2 or D/3)
I recommend Addi Swing, as it’s an ergonomic hook and it suits my style of crocheting – which is like holding a knife or buy a standard crochet hook.
Other Supplies
Gauge
11 sc x 11 rows = 5 x 5 cm ( 2 x 2 in) using 3 mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook or size needed to obtain stated gauge
Sizing
One size: 10 cm (4 in) from top of the head to bottom.
Abbreviations (UK terms)
Ch: Chain
Dc: Double Crochet
Dc2tog: Double crochet two stitches together
Rep: Repeat
Rnd: Round
SS: Slip stitch
St(s): Stitch(es)
Yo: Yarn over
Abbreviations (US terms)
Ch: Chain
Sc: Single Crochet
Sc2tog: Single crochet two stitches together
Rep: Repeat
Rnd: Round
SS: Slip stitch
St(s): Stitch(es)
Yo: Yarn over
Stitch Counts
The stitch count is indicated at the end of every round or row, unless it is very obvious. Stitch counts are shown like this: (12 sts)
Repeats
Sections to be repeated are indicated within squared brackets [ ], with the number of repeats written after.
Additional Instructions (Crochet)
Amigurumi / Crochet in the round
Work in a continuous spiral without slip stitching into the first st in the round.
- Magic Loop: 1 ch in a magic ring does not count as a stitch. The 1 ch in a magic ring is to secure the ring and anchors the work. Always pull the short thread to close the magic ring after working the stitches into the ring. Sew in the end from the magic ring and cut off any excess yarn.
Decreasing
- UK Terms: When decreasing, dc2tog works better for patterns with frequent colour changes instead of an invisible decrease often used in amigurumi
- US Terms: When decreasing, sc2tog works better for patterns with frequent colour changes instead of an invisible decrease often used in amigurumi
Colour Changes
When changing color, join the new yarn on the last yarn over of the previous stitch, unless otherwise stated.
Sewing in ends
Always sew in the ends on the wrong sides of your work.
Stitch Increases
Multiple stitches worked in one stitch.
- UK Terms: “2 dc in next st”, which indicates that 2 dc stitches are worked into one stitch.
- US Terms: “2 sc in next st”, which indicates that 2 sc stitches are worked into one stitch.
Stitch Numbering
UK Terms
- I write with the number of stitches before the stitch, for example, 2 dc = 1 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st.
US Terms
- I write with the number of stitches before the stitch, for example, 2 sc = 1 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st.
Yarn Substitutes
If using alternative yarn, for example 10 Ply, you will need to use a smaller hook than advised for that yarn. For example, if the yarn band recommends 5 mm for a 10 Ply, use a 4.5 mm or 4 mm, this is so that the crochet is firm and will not allow any fibrefill stuffing to come through.
Use of this pattern
Pattern Content & Images © 2017-2023 Ruth Haydock – All Rights Reserved.
All content in this pattern is the copyright and design right of Ruth Haydock. You are not permitted to sell the written instructions or images in any way, amended or as they are. You may only print this pattern out for personal use. You are allowed to sell completed items that you have made using this pattern but you must credit me as the designer of the pattern (Ruth Haydock) and provide a link to my website, ruthhaydock.com.
Pattern (UK Terms)
Head
The head starts at the Platypus’ bill. The bill is worked in the rnd with a starting 1 ch at the beginning of each rnd. Work in rnds for the bill and change to working in a continuous spiral for the face at rnd 13.
Rnd 1: With Black, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 8 dc. Ss into first st. (8 sts)
Rnd 2: 1 ch, [2 dc in next st] eight times. Ss into first st. (16 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring. Cut off any excess.
Rnd 3: 1 ch, [2 dc in next st, 7 dc] twice. Ss into first st. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: 1 ch, 18 dc. Ss into first st. (18 sts)
Rnd 5: Rep rnd 4. (18 sts)
Rnd 6: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 7 dc] twice. Ss into first st. (16 sts)
Rnd 7: 1 ch, 16 dc. Ss into first st. (16 sts)
Rnd 8: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 6 dc] twice. Ss into first st. (14 sts)
Rnd 9: 1 ch, 14 dc. Ss into first st. (14 sts)
Rnd 10: Rep rnd 9. (14 sts)
Rnd 11: 1 ch, [2 dc in next st, 6 dc] twice. Ss into first st. (16 sts)
Prepare to change to Brown on last yo of final st on rnd 12.
Rnd 12: 1 ch, 16 dc. Ss into first st. (16 sts)
Cut Black and change to Brown. Fasten off the Black and sew in the end.
From now work in a continuous spiral.
Rnd 13: With Brown, [2 dc in next st] eight times, 8 dc. (24 sts)
Rnd 14: [1 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times, 8 dc. (32 sts)
Sew in the Brown join end from rnd 13 and stuff the bill at this point.
Rnd 15: 32 dc.
Rnd 16: [3 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (40 sts)
Rnd 17: 40 dc.
Rnd 18: [4 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (48 sts)
Rnd 19: 48 dc.
Rnd 20: [5 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (56 sts)
Rnd 21: 56 dc.
Rnd 22: [6 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (64 sts)
Rnd 23: 64 dc.
Rnd 24: [6 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (56 sts)
Rnd 25: 56 dc.
Rnd 26: [5 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (48 sts)
Rnd 27: 48 dc.
Rnd 28: [4 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (40 sts)
Rnd 29: 40 dc.
Rnd 30: [3 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (32 sts)
Rnd 31: 32 dc.
Rnd 32: [2 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 33: 24 dc.
Stuff the head.
Rnd 34: [1 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (16 sts)
Rnd 35: [Dc2tog] eight times. (8 sts)
Add in a bit more stuffing. Cut the yarn leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail, fasten off. Attach a sewing needle to the tail and then sew through the front loop of all final stitches, then gently pull to close the top. Sew in the end to secure and cut off any excess.
Eyes
Embroider on eyes using any stitch you like, with Black for the eyes and Brown for the eye lids. Position them above the bill, see images at the end of the pattern for guidance.
Body
The Platypus is wearing a little top in my original version but you can alternatively crochet the platypus body entirely in Brown. If you choose to use Brown only, simply don’t change color when instructed and continue with Brown. The pattern for the body starts at the neck.
Rnd 1: With Brown, working into a magic ring, and leaving a tail of 10 cm (4 in), 1 ch, 8 dc. (8 sts)
Prepare to change to Blue on the last yo of final st on rnd 2.
Rnd 2: [2 dc in next st] eight times. (16 sts)
Cut Brown, change to Blue. Sew in the end from the magic ring and the brown end just cut.
Rnd 3: With Blue, 16 dc.
Rnd 4: [1 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (24 sts)
Sew in the Blue join end from rnd 3.
Rnd 5: 24 dc.
Rnd 6: [2 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (32 sts)
Rnd 7: 32 dc.
Rnd 8: [3 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (40 sts)
Rnd 9: 40 dc.
Prepare to change to Brown on the last yo of the final st on rnd 11.
Rnds 10 and 11: Rep rnd 9, twice. 40 sts on each rnd.
Cut Blue, change to Brown, sew in the Blue end and cut off any excess yarn.
Rnd 12: With Brown, [3 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (32 sts)
Rnd 13: 32 dc.
Sew in the Brown join end from rnd 12.
Rnd 14: [2 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 15: 24 dc.
Rnd 16: [1 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (16 sts)
Stuff the body.
Rnd 17: 16 dc.
Rnd 18: [dc2tog] eight times. (8 sts)
Add in a bit more stuffing. Cut the yarn leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail, fasten off. Attach a sewing needle to the tail and then sew through the front loop of all final stitches, then gently pull to close the top. Sew in the end and cut off any excess.
Using the tail from the magic ring, sew the head onto the body. Sew in the end to secure and cut off any excess.
Tail
Rnd 1: With Brown, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 8 dc. (8 sts)
Rnd 2: [2 dc in next st] eight times. (16 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring. Cut off any excess.
Rnd 3: [2 dc in next st, 7 dc] twice. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: 18 dc.
Rnd 5: [2 dc in next st, 8 dc] twice. (20 sts)
Rnd 6: 20 dc.
Rnds 7 and 8: Rep rnd 6, twice. 20 sts on each rnd.
Rnd 9: [Dc2tog, 8 dc] twice. (18 sts)
Rnd 10: 18 dc.
Rnd 11: [Dc2tog, 7 dc] twice. (16 sts)
Rnd 12: 16 dc.
Rnd 13: [Dc2tog, 6 dc] twice. (14 sts)
Rnd 14: [Dc2tog, 5 dc] twice. (12 sts)
Cut the yarn, 10 cm (4 in) tail, fasten off. Stuff the tail. Then sew the tail onto the body.
Arm (Make two)
The arm has a bit of the sleeve from the Blue top on it. If you are making a naked Platypus, do not change to Blue on rnd 4. The pattern for the arm starts at the paw / hand.
Rnd 1: With Brown, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 4 dc. (4 sts)
Rnd 2: [2 dc in next st] four times. (8 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring. Cut off any excess.
Prepare to change to Blue on the last yo of the final st rnd 3.
Rnd 3: 8 dc.
Cut Brown, change to Blue. Fasten off Brown and sew in the end.
Rnd 4: With Blue, 8 dc.
Rnds 5 to 7: Rep rnd 4, three times. 8 sts on each rnd.
Rnd 8: [Dc2tog] four times. (4 sts)
Cut the yarn, 10 cm (4 in) tail, fasten off. Stuff the arm. Then sew the arm onto the body just below the neck and where the Platypus’ t-shirt starts.
Leg (Make two)
The leg pattern starts at the foot end.
Rnd 1: With Brown, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 4 dc. (4 sts)
Rnd 2: [2 dc in next st] four times. (8 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring. Cut off any excess.
Rnd 3: [2 dc in next st] eight times. (16 sts)
Rnd 4: 16 dc.
Rnd 5 and 6: Rep rnd 4, twice. (16 sts)
Rnd 7: [Dc2tog, 6 dc] twice. (14 sts)
Rnd 8: [Dc2tog, 5 dc] twice. (12 sts)
Rnd 9: 12 dc.
Rnd 10: [Dc2tog] six times. (6 sts)
Cut the yarn, 10 cm (4 in) tail, fasten off. Stuff the leg. Then sew the leg onto the body.
Now your platypus is finished!
Pattern (US Terms)
Head
The head starts at the Platypus’ bill. The bill is worked in the rnd with a starting 1 ch at the beginning of each rnd. Work in rnds for the bill and change to working in a continuous spiral for the face at rnd 13.
Rnd 1: With Black, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 8 sc. Ss into first st. (8 sts)
Rnd 2: 1 ch, [2 sc in next st] eight times. Ss into first st. (16 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring. Cut off any excess.
Rnd 3: 1 ch, [2 sc in next st, 7 sc] twice. Ss into first st. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: 1 ch, 18 sc. Ss into first st. (18 sts)
Rnd 5: Rep rnd 4. (18 sts)
Rnd 6: 1 ch, [sc2tog, 7 sc] twice. Ss into first st. (16 sts)
Rnd 7: 1 ch, 16 sc. Ss into first st. (16 sts)
Rnd 8: 1 ch, [sc2tog, 6 sc] twice. Ss into first st. (14 sts)
Rnd 9: 1 ch, 14 sc. Ss into first st. (14 sts)
Rnd 10: Rep rnd 9. (14 sts)
Rnd 11: 1 ch, [2 sc in next st, 6 sc] twice. Ss into first st. (16 sts)
Prepare to change to Brown on last yo of final st on rnd 12.
Rnd 12: 1 ch, 16 sc. Ss into first st. (16 sts)
Cut Black and change to Brown. Fasten off the Black and sew in the end.
From now work in a continuous spiral.
Rnd 13: With Brown, [2 sc in next st] eight times, 8 sc. (24 sts)
Rnd 14: [1 sc, 2 sc in next st] eight times, 8 sc. (32 sts)
Sew in the Brown join end from rnd 13 and stuff the bill at this point.
Rnd 15: 32 sc.
Rnd 16: [3 sc, 2 sc in next st] eight times. (40 sts)
Rnd 17: 40 sc.
Rnd 18: [4 sc, 2 sc in next st] eight times. (48 sts)
Rnd 19: 48 sc.
Rnd 20: [5 sc, 2 sc in next st] eight times. (56 sts)
Rnd 21: 56 sc.
Rnd 22: [6 sc, 2 sc in next st] eight times. (64 sts)
Rnd 23: 64 sc.
Rnd 24: [6 sc, sc2tog] eight times. (56 sts)
Rnd 25: 56 sc.
Rnd 26: [5 sc, sc2tog] eight times. (48 sts)
Rnd 27: 48 sc.
Rnd 28: [4 sc, sc2tog] eight times. (40 sts)
Rnd 29: 40 sc.
Rnd 30: [3 sc, sc2tog] eight times. (32 sts)
Rnd 31: 32 sc.
Rnd 32: [2 sc, sc2tog] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 33: 24 sc.
Stuff the head.
Rnd 34: [1 sc, sc2tog] eight times. (16 sts)
Rnd 35: [sc2tog] eight times. (8 sts)
Add in a bit more stuffing. Cut the yarn leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail, fasten off. Attach a sewing needle to the tail and then sew through the front loop of all final stitches, then gently pull to close the top. Sew in the end to secure and cut off any excess.
Eyes
Embroider on eyes using any stitch you like, with Black for the eyes and Brown for the eye lids. Position them above the bill, see images at the end of the pattern for guidance.
Body
The Platypus is wearing a little top in my original version but you can alternatively crochet the platypus body entirely in Brown. If you choose to use Brown only, simply don’t change color when instructed and continue with Brown. The pattern for the body starts at the neck.
Rnd 1: With Brown, working into a magic ring, and leaving a tail of 10 cm (4 in), 1 ch, 8 sc. (8 sts)
Prepare to change to Blue on the last yo of final st on rnd 2.
Rnd 2: [2 sc in next st] eight times. (16 sts)
Cut Brown, change to Blue. Sew in the end from the magic ring and the brown end just cut.
Rnd 3: With Blue, 16 sc.
Rnd 4: [1 sc, 2 sc in next st] eight times. (24 sts)
Sew in the Blue join end from rnd 3.
Rnd 5: 24 sc.
Rnd 6: [2 sc, 2 sc in next st] eight times. (32 sts)
Rnd 7: 32 sc.
Rnd 8: [3 sc, 2 sc in next st] eight times. (40 sts)
Rnd 9: 40 sc.
Prepare to change to Brown on the last yo of the final st on rnd 11.
Rnds 10 and 11: Rep rnd 9, twice. 40 sts on each rnd.
Cut Blue, change to Brown, sew in the Blue end and cut off any excess yarn.
Rnd 12: With Brown, [3 sc, sc2tog] eight times. (32 sts)
Rnd 13: 32 sc.
Sew in the Brown join end from rnd 12.
Rnd 14: [2 sc, sc2tog] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 15: 24 sc.
Rnd 16: [1 sc, sc2tog] eight times. (16 sts)
Stuff the body.
Rnd 17: 16 sc.
Rnd 18: [sc2tog] eight times. (8 sts)
Add in a bit more stuffing. Cut the yarn leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail, fasten off. Attach a sewing needle to the tail and then sew through the front loop of all final stitches, then gently pull to close the top. Sew in the end and cut off any excess.
Using the tail from the magic ring, sew the head onto the body. Sew in the end to secure and cut off any excess.
Tail
Rnd 1: With Brown, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 8 sc. (8 sts)
Rnd 2: [2 sc in next st] eight times. (16 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring. Cut off any excess.
Rnd 3: [2 sc in next st, 7 sc] twice. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: 18 sc.
Rnd 5: [2 sc in next st, 8 sc] twice. (20 sts)
Rnd 6: 20 sc.
Rnds 7 and 8: Rep rnd 6, twice. 20 sts on each rnd.
Rnd 9: [Sc2tog, 8 sc] twice. (18 sts)
Rnd 10: 18 sc.
Rnd 11: [Sc2tog, 7 sc] twice. (16 sts)
Rnd 12: 16 sc.
Rnd 13: [Sc2tog, 6 sc] twice. (14 sts)
Rnd 14: [Sc2tog, 5 sc] twice. (12 sts)
Cut the yarn, 10 cm (4 in) tail, fasten off. Stuff the tail. Then sew the tail onto the body.
Arm (Make two)
The arm has a bit of the sleeve from the Blue top on it. If you are making a naked Platypus, do not change to Blue on rnd 4. The pattern for the arm starts at the paw / hand.
Rnd 1: With Brown, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 4 sc. (4 sts)
Rnd 2: [2 sc in next st] four times. (8 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring. Cut off any excess.
Prepare to change to Blue on the last yo of the final st rnd 3.
Rnd 3: 8 sc.
Cut Brown, change to Blue. Fasten off Brown and sew in the end.
Rnd 4: With Blue, 8 sc.
Rnds 5 to 7: Rep rnd 4, three times. 8 sts on each rnd.
Rnd 8: [Sc2tog] four times. (4 sts)
Cut the yarn, 10 cm (4 in) tail, fasten off. Stuff the arm. Then sew the arm onto the body just below the neck and where the Platypus’ t-shirt starts.
Leg (Make two)
The leg pattern starts at the foot end.
Rnd 1: With Brown, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 4 sc. (4 sts)
Rnd 2: [2 sc in next st] four times. (8 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring. Cut off any excess.
Rnd 3: [2 sc in next st] eight times. (16 sts)
Rnd 4: 16 sc.
Rnd 5 and 6: Rep rnd 4, twice. (16 sts)
Rnd 7: [Sc2tog, 6 sc] twice. (14 sts)
Rnd 8: [Sc2tog, 5 sc] twice. (12 sts)
Rnd 9: 12 sc.
Rnd 10: [Sc2tog] six times. (6 sts)
Cut the yarn, 10 cm (4 in) tail, fasten off. Stuff the leg. Then sew the leg onto the body.
Now your platypus is finished!
Inspiration for Pam the Platypus
I lived in Queensland, Australia in 2018 – 2020 and I had the amazing opportunity to see multiple platypuses in the wild.
The very first time we saw two platypus in the wild was on a mountain trip near Townsville, at a place called Hidden Valley Cabins. We did a guided night walk to a secret location and we waited as the light faded to see a platypus. It was magical. We saw two little platypus swimming around together – amazing!
After that trip we sought out other opportunities to see these magical creatures in other locations and saw them in other locations in North Queensland like Paluma, Mackay and Yungaburra.
Whenever we went looking for platypus’ we ended up seeing other amazing animals too. On our trip to Yungaburra we also got to see tree kangaroos!
As I’m sure you can tell, I love platypuses, which is why I wanted to make Pam while we lived in Queensland. I first launched Pam when we lived in Mooloolaba, Queensland.
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