Crochet Beautiful Platypus
Crocheting a beautiful platypus can be such a rewarding and creative endeavor! From its adorable bill to its webbed feet, each stitch brings this unique creature to life in the most charming way. The soft yarn, intricate patterns, and thoughtful details all come together to create a one-of-a-kind plush friend that is sure to bring joy to anyone who lays eyes on it. Whether you're a seasoned crochet enthusiast or just starting out, crafting a crochet platypus can be a delightful way to express your creativity and share a little piece of handmade magic with the world. So grab your crochet hook, pick out some lovely yarn colors, and get ready to embark on a whimsical journey of crafting your very own beautiful platypus!
This cute little monotreme is 38cm long. I made him using 8 ply brown and black wool and a 4 mm hook. This pattern is written in American crochet notation.
Head
With brown wool
Stuff as you go
Round 1: chain 10 (one of these chains is a turning chain, so it will not become an actual stitch), sc 8 stitches along the chain, increase in the next chain, turn the chain and sc 7 stitches along the other side, increase in the next stitch
Round 2: increase in the first stitch, sc in the next seven stitches, increase in the next two stitches, sc in the next eight stitches, increase in the next stitch
Round 3: sc in the first stitch, increase in the next stitch, sc in the next eight stitches, increase, sc, increase, sc in the next nine stitches, increase in the last stitch
Round 4: sc in each stitch
Round 5: increase in the first stitch, sc, increase, sc in the next seven stitches, increase, sc, increase, sc, increase, sc in the next nine stitches, increase, sc
Rounds 6 – 13: sc in each stitch
Neck
Round 14: decrease the first two stiches together, sc 11, (decrease the next two stitches together) x 2, sc 14, decrease the final two stitches together (in other words, you are working an sc in every stitch except that you are decreasing twice on each end)
Round 15: decrease the first two stitches together, sc 10, (decrease the next two stitches together) x 2, sc 12, decrease the final two stitches together
Round 16: decrease the first two stitches together, sc 7, (decrease the next two stitches together) x 2, sc 10, decrease the final two stitches together
Body
Round 17: sc in the first three stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat
Round 18: sc in the first four stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat
Round 19: sc in the first five stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat
Round 20: sc in the first six stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat
Rounds 21 – 43: sc in each stitch
Round 44: sc in the first six stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat
Round 45: sc in the first five stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat
Round 46: sc in the first four stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat
Round 47: sc in the first three stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat
Round 48: sc in the first two stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat
Round 49: sc in each stitch
Tail
Round 50: sc in the first two stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat
Round 51: sc in the first three stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat
Rounds 52 – 53: sc in each stitch
Round 54: sc in the first four stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat
Rounds 55 – 69: sc in each stitch
Round 70: sc in the first four stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat
Round 71: sc in the first three stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat
Round 72: sc in the first two stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat
Round 73: sc in the first stitch, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat
Round 74: decrease until the hole closes
Fasten off, weave in end.
Bill
With black wool
Round 1: chain 8 (one of which is a turning chain), sc 6, increase, sc 5 along the other side of the chain, increase in the last stitch
Round 2: sc in the first 6 stitches, increase in the next 2 stitches, sc in the next 6 stitches, increase in the final 2 stitches
Round 3: sc in the first 6 stitches, increase in the next stitch, sc, increase, sc 6, increase, sc, increase
Rounds 4 – 13: sc in each stitch
Now start working in rows
Row 1: sc 11 (so we are making a row along the top side of the bill) (11 stitches)
Row 2: sc in each stitch (11 stitches)
Row 3: increase in the first stitch, sc in the next 9 stitches, increase in the final stitch (13 stitches)
Row 4: (decrease 2 stitches together) x 2, sc 5, (decrease 2 stitches together) x 2 (9 stitches)
Row 5: (decrease 2 stitches together) x 2, sc, (decrease 2 stitches together) x 2 (5 stitches)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Repeat rows 1 – 5 on the bottom side of the bill.
Stuff the bill.
Legs (make four)
With brown wool
Round 1: 6sc in a magic ring (6 stitches)
Round 2: increase in every stitch (12 stitches)
Round 3: sc in the first stitch, increase in the next stitch – repeat (18 stitches)
Rounds 4 – 8: sc in each stitch (18 stitches)
Round 9: sc in the first two stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (24 stitches)
Round 10: sc in each stitch (24 stitches)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Stuff.
Fingers (there are five on each leg, so make twenty)
With black wool
Round 1: 4 sc in a magic ring (4 stitches)
Rounds 2 – 9: sc in each stitch (4 stitches)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Assembly
Flippers
Sew the fingers onto an arm (which has been stuffed). Join black wool to the inside tip of one of the edge fingers. (decrease 3 stitches together) x 2 on the inside of this first finger, then decrease 3 stitches together (two stitches on the first finger and one stitch on the second finger), then (decrease 3 stitches together) x 2 on the second finger etc. In other words you are working two decreases on each finger, with another decrease being shared between each adjoining finger. This will give the effect of there being webbing between the fingers.
You then sew each bit of webbing to the adjoining bit of webbing to form the flipper.
Fasten off, weave in ends. Repeat for the other three arms.
Face
Sew on the bill and googly eyes.