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Crab Memory Game Amigurumi Pattern

Crab Memory Game Amigurumi Pattern
4.4★ Rating
12-15 Hours Time Needed
1.7K Made This
✂️

Beginner Friendly Level

Perfect for those just starting their crochet journey, with clear instructions and simple techniques

⏱️

Multi-Day Project

A rewarding 12+ hour journey—perfect for dedicated crafters who love detailed work.

🧸

Cute Companion

An adorable friend to cherish, handcrafted with love to bring comfort and joy for years to come.

About This Crab Memory Game Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern creates a playful Mother Crab and ten coordinating baby crabs designed as a crochet memory game set. The designs are written in standard US crochet terminology with step-by-step rounds and charts. You will make small amigurumi bodies, legs, eyes and assemble them into a complete set.

Crab Memory Game Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Beginner friendly techniques are used throughout, and the pattern includes notes on materials, tension and assembly. Photos and charts are provided to help you follow along easily.

Why You'll Love This Crab Memory Game Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it turns simple crochet stitches into a playful family of crabs that both kids and adults adore. I enjoy how quickly the baby crabs work up — they are perfect for making multiples for a memory game. The mother crab is buildable with basic rounds and joining techniques so you get a satisfying, large project and matching small toys. I also love that the design encourages creativity — you can mix colors for the baby crabs to make the game more visually engaging.

Crab Memory Game Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress Crab Memory Game Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Crab Memory Game Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Crab Memory Game Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how easy it is to customize this crab set by changing yarn colors—try pastel shades for a softer nursery set or bright primary colors for a playful memory game.

If you want larger crabs, switch to a bulkier yarn and a larger hook; for tiny pocket-sized versions use fingering weight yarn and a smaller hook.

I often swap safety eyes for embroidered eyes to make toys safe for very young children or to change the expression of each crab.

Try different numbers of baby crabs to create matching pairs for different game sizes or make only one or two as cute toys or keyrings.

I sometimes add a small loop and keyring to a baby crab to turn it into a bag charm or zipper pull—great for gifts.

For extra detail, embroider stripes or spots on the baby crab belly with contrast yarn, giving each pair a unique match for the game.

Consider adding a small weighted base (a coin or safety weight) to the mother crab so she sits sturdier during play sessions.

I like to experiment with different eye sizes and positions—the same pattern can look mischievous or sweet based on eye placement.

To make a travel-friendly set, I package the baby crabs in a small drawstring pouch; you could crochet a matching pouch using leftover yarn.

Finally, I recommend trying different stitch textures like alternating sc and hdc rounds for the mother crab body for a subtly textured shell effect.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Not using stitch markers in rounds can cause you to lose the start of each round; place a marker at the first stitch of every round and move it up as you go. ✗ Skipping to stuff parts only at the end leads to lumps and uneven shapes; stuff gradually and shape as you continue working to keep smooth curves. ✗ Pulling your yarn too tight when joining top and bottom can distort the edge; keep a relaxed, consistent tension when slip-stitching parts together. ✗ Forgetting to count stitches after increases or decreases will change your piece size; count at the end of each round, especially after shaping rounds.

Crab Memory Game Amigurumi Pattern

Make a charming mother crab and TEN adorable baby crabs with this beginner-friendly amigurumi crochet pattern. You will get step-by-step written instructions, charts and photos to guide you through every round. Perfect for gifting, playtime, or a delightful handmade memory game set. Enjoy simple techniques and lovely results even if you are new to amigurumi.

Beginner Friendly 12-15 Hours

Materials Needed for Crab Memory Game Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    5 ply, 100% cotton yarn - Approx 10 g from pink color (for mother crab inner bottom)
  • 02
    4 ply, 100% cotton yarn - Approx 250 g Dark Red or Maroon (main color for crabs)
  • 03
    Assorted 5 different colors - 2 yards from each for baby crab inner oval centers
  • 04
    Black yarn - Approx 5 g for mouth and leg detail
  • 05
    White yarn - Approx 5 g for eyes

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 3.00 mm
  • 02
    Crochet hook size 3.5 mm
  • 03
    Scissors
  • 04
    Stitch marker
  • 05
    Tapestry needle (yarn needle) for sewing and weaving ends
  • 06
    Black safety eyes 15 mm - 1 pair (for mother crab)
  • 07
    Black safety eyes 4 mm - 10 pairs (for baby crabs)
  • 08
    Polyester fiber filling (fiber filling)
  • 09
    1 cm button (for mother crab closure)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Baby Crabs :

Info :

Bottom part of the body - Make 10 in 5 different colors. (2 crabs from each color). Starting with any random color. Make 6 foundation chs. Work from the 2nd ch. 3.5 mm hook.

Round 1 :

Rnd 1: 1 sc inc. 3 sc.1 sc inc. Now work into the other side of the chs. 1 sc inc. 3 sc. 1 sc inc (14)

Round 2 :

Rnd 2: 2 sc inc. 3 sc. 4 sc inc. 3 sc. 2 sc inc (22)

Info :

Change the color into Dark Red

Round 3 :

Rnd 3: 22 sc (22)

Round 4 :

Rnd 4: (1 sc, 1 sc inc)x11 (33)

Round 5 :

Rnd 5: 33 sc (33)

Info :

Fasten off.

Info :

Top part of the body - Make 10 Dark red. Make 6 foundation chs. Work from the 2nd ch. 3.5 mm hook.

Round 1 :

Rnd 1: 1 sc inc. 3 sc.1 sc inc. Now work into the other side of the chs. 1 sc inc. 3 sc. 1 sc inc (14)

Round 2 :

Rnd 2: 2 sc inc. 3 sc. 4 sc inc. 3 sc. 2 sc inc (22)

Round 3 :

Rnd 3: 22 sc (22)

Round 4 :

Rnd 4: (1 sc, 1 sc inc)x11 (33)

Rounds 5 to 7 :

Rnd 5 to 7: 33 sc (33)

Info :

Fasten off. Attach safety eyes (4mm) between rnd 4 and 5. 3 sts in between. Embroider the mouth with black color on rnd 6.

Section :

Let´s join top and bottom parts together. Insert the hook into the st in the last rnd (from top part to bottom part) and attach the dark red yarn with a sl st. Work into both parts together. 1 sl st to every st. Before you complete the round fill inside.

Info :

Fasten off.

Small legs :

Small legs - Make 60 in Dark red. Work into a magic ring. 3.5 mm hook.

Round 1 :

Rnd 1: 5 sc into the magic ring (05)

Rounds 2 to 5 :

Rnd 2 to 5: 5 sc (05)

Info :

Fasten off. Leave the tail.

Large front legs :

Large front legs - Make 20 in Dark red. Work into a magic ring. 3.5 mm hook.

Round 1 :

Rnd 1:6 sc into the magic ring (06)

Round 2 :

Rnd 2: 2 sc inc. 4 sc (08)

Round 3 :

Rnd 3: 8 sc (08)

Round 4 :

Rnd 4: 4 sc inc. 4 sc (12)

Rounds 5 to 7 :

Rnd 5 to 7: 12 sc (12)

Round 8 :

Rnd 8: 2 sc. 2 inv sc dec. 6 sc. (10)

Round 9 :

Rnd 9: 2 sc. 1 inv sc dec. 6 sc (09)

Round 10 :

Rnd 10: 1 inv sc dec. 1 sc. 1 inv sc dec. 4 sc (07)

Rounds 11 to 14 :

Rnd 11 to 14: 7 sc (07)

Info :

Fasten off. Leave the tail. Embroider V shape in the inner side of the leg.

Info :

Let´s join legs. Join all legs into the bottom part of the body.

— Mum Crab :

Info :

Bottom. Starting with 5 ply pink color yarn. Make a magic ring. ch 3. 3 mm hook.

Round 1 :

Rnd 1: 12 dc into the magic ring (Total 12 sts). Close the magic ring. Sl st to the top of the 1st dc.

Round 2 :

Rnd 2: ch 3. 1 dc inc to every st. Sl st to the top of the 1st dc. (Total 24 sts)

Round 3 :

Rnd 3: ch 3. *1 dc, 1 dc inc**. Rep from * to ** for another 11 times. Sl st to the top of the 1st dc. (Total 36 sts)

Round 4 :

Rnd 4: ch 3. *2 dc, 1 dc inc**. Rep from * to ** for another 11 times. Sl st to the top of the 1st dc. (Total 48 sts)

Round 5 :

Rnd 5: ch 3. *3 dc, 1 dc inc**. Rep from * to ** for another 11 times. Sl st to the top of the 1st dc. (Total 60 sts)

Round 6 :

Rnd 6: ch 3. *4 dc, 1 dc inc**. Rep from * to ** for another 11 times. Sl st to the top of the 1st dc. (Total 72 sts)

Round 7 :

Rnd 7: ch 3. *5 dc, 1 dc inc**. Rep from * to ** for another 11 times. Sl st to the top of the 1st dc. (Total 84 sts)

Info :

Change the yarn into 4 ply Dark red

Round 8 :

Rnd 8: ch 3. *6 dc, 1 dc inc**. Rep from * to ** for another 11 times. Sl st to the top of the 1st dc. (Total 96 sts)

Round 9 :

Rnd 9: ch 3. *7 dc, 1 dc inc**. Rep from * to ** for another 11 times. Sl st to the top of the 1st dc. (Total 108 sts)

Info :

Fasten off.

Info :

Top. Starting with 4 ply Dark Red color yarn. Make a magic ring. ch 3. 3 mm hook.

Round 1 :

Rnd 1: 12 dc into the magic ring (Total 12 sts). Close the magic ring. Sl st to the top of the 1st dc.

Round 2 :

Rnd 2: ch 3. 1 dc inc to every st. Sl st to the top of the 1st dc. (Total 24 sts)

Round 3 :

Rnd 3: ch 3. *1 dc, 1 dc inc**. Rep from * to ** for another 11 times. Sl st to the top of the 1st dc. (Total 36 sts)

Round 4 :

Rnd 4: ch 3. *2 dc, 1 dc inc**. Rep from * to ** for another 11 times. Sl st to the top of the 1st dc. (Total 48 sts)

Round 5 :

Rnd 5: ch 3. *3 dc, 1 dc inc**. Rep from * to ** for another 11 times. Sl st to the top of the 1st dc. (Total 60 sts)

Round 6 :

Rnd 6: ch 3. *4 dc, 1 dc inc**. Rep from * to ** for another 11 times. Sl st to the top of the 1st dc. (Total 72 sts)

Round 7 :

Rnd 7: ch 3. *5 dc, 1 dc inc**. Rep from * to ** for another 11 times. Sl st to the top of the 1st dc. (Total 84 sts)

Round 8 :

Rnd 8: ch 3. *6 dc, 1 dc inc**. Rep from * to ** for another 11 times. Sl st to the top of the 1st dc. (Total 96 sts)

Round 9 :

Rnd 9: ch 3. *7 dc, 1 dc inc**. Rep from * to ** for another 11 times. Sl st to the top of the 1st dc. (Total 108 sts)

Info :

Fasten off.

Section :

Let´s join top and bottom parts together. Insert the hook into the st in the last rnd (from top part to bottom part) and attach the dark red yarn with a sl st. ch 1. Work into both parts together. 1 sc to every st for next 81 st. Now work into the top part only. 13 sl st. ch 8. 14 sl st. Fasten off.

Info :

Attach the button into the bottom part.

Small legs (Mum) :

Small legs - Make 6 in Dark red. Work into a magic ring. 3.5 mm hook.

Round 1 :

Rnd 1: 6 sc into the magic ring (06)

Round 2 :

Rnd 2: 6 sc (06)

Round 3 :

Rnd 3: (1 sc , 1 sc inc)x3 (09)

Round 4 :

Rnd 4: 9 sc (09)

Round 5 :

Rnd 5: (2 sc , 1 sc inc)x3 (12)

Rounds 6 and 7 :

Rnd 6 and 7: 12 sc (12)

Round 8 :

Rnd 8: (2 sc , 1 inv sc dec)x3 (09)

Rounds 9 and 10 :

Rnd 9 and 10: 9 sc (09)

Round 11 :

Rnd 11: (2 sc , 1 sc inc)x3 (12)

Round 12 :

Rnd 12: (3 sc , 1 sc inc)x3 (15)

Round 13 :

Rnd 13: (4 sc , 1 sc inc)x3 (18)

Rounds 14 to 16 :

Rnd 14 to 16: 18 sc (18)

Round 17 :

Rnd 17: (4 sc , 1 inv sc dec)x3 (15)

Round 18 :

Rnd 18: (3 sc , 1 inv sc dec)x3 (12)

Round 19 :

Rnd 19: (2 sc , 1 inv sc dec)x3 (09)

Rounds 20 and 21 :

Rnd 20 and 21: 09 sc (09)

Info :

Rep again from rnd 11 to 21. Fasten off. Leave the tail.

Large front legs (Mum) Part A :

Large front legs - Make 2 in Dark red. Work into a magic ring. 3.5 mm hook.

Round 1 :

Rnd 1:6 sc into the magic ring (06)

Round 2 :

Rnd 2: 6 sc (06)

Round 3 :

Rnd 3: 3 sc inc. 3 sc (09)

Round 4 :

Rnd 4: 9 sc (09)

Round 5 :

Rnd 5: 3 sc. 3 sc inc. 3 sc (12)

Round 6 :

Rnd 6: 12 sc (12)

Round 7 :

Rnd 7: 4 sc. 4 sc inc. 4 sc (16)

Round 8 :

Rnd 8: 16 sc (16). Fasten off.

Large front legs (Mum) Part B :

Part B

Round 1 :

Rnd 1:6 sc into the magic ring (06)

Round 2 :

Rnd 2: 6 sc (06)

Round 3 :

Rnd 3: 3 sc inc. 3 sc (09)

Round 4 :

Rnd 4: 9 sc (09)

Round 5 :

Rnd 5: 3 sc. 3 sc inc. 3 sc (12)

Round 6 :

Rnd 6: 12 sc (12)

Round 7 :

Rnd 7: 4 sc. 4 sc inc. 4 sc (16)

Rounds 8 and 9 :

Rnd 8 and 9: 16 sc (16)

Round 10 :

Rnd 10: 6 sc. 4 sc inc. 6 sc. (20)

Round 11 :

Rnd 11: 20 sc (20)

Round 12 :

Rnd 12: 11 sc. Insert the hook into the part A. Make 16 sc around part A. Again Make 9 sc to the part B. (36) Fasten off.

Round 13 :

Rnd 13: (4 sc , 1 inv sc dec)x6 (30)

Round 14 :

Rnd 14: (3 sc , 1 inv sc dec)x6 (24)

Round 15 :

Rnd 15: 2 inv sc dec. 16 sc. 2 inv sc dec (20)

Rounds 16 and 17 :

Rnd 16 and 17: 20 sc (20)

Round 18 :

Rnd 18: 2 inv sc dec. 12 sc. 2 inv sc dec (16)

Round 19 :

Rnd 19: (2 sc , 1 inv sc dec)x4 (12)

Round 20 :

Rnd 20: (2 sc , 1 inv sc dec)x3 (09)

Rounds 21 and 22 :

Rnd 21 and 22: 9 sc (09)

Round 23 :

Rnd 23: (2 sc , 1 sc inc)x3 (12)

Round 24 :

Rnd 24: (3 sc , 1 sc inc)x3 (15)

Round 25 :

Rnd 25: (4 sc , 1 sc inc)x3 (18)

Rounds 26 to 28 :

Rnd 26 to 28: 18 sc (18)

Round 29 :

Rnd 29: (4 sc , 1 inv sc dec)x3 (15)

Round 30 :

Rnd 30: (3 sc , 1 inv sc dec)x3 (12)

Round 31 :

Rnd 31: (2 sc , 1 inv sc dec)x3 (09)

Rounds 32 and 33 :

Rnd 32 and 33: 09 sc (09)

Info :

Rep rnd 23 to 33 one more time.

Info :

Let´s join legs. Join all legs into the bottom part of the body.

Eyes :

Make 2 in 4 ply White yarn. Work into a magic ring. 3.5 mm hook.

Round 1 :

Rnd 1: 6 sc into the magic ring (06)

Round 2 :

Rnd 2: 6 sc inc (12)

Rounds 3 to 5 :

Rnd 3 to 5: 12 sc (12). Attach safety eyes (15mm) between rnd 3 and 4.

Round 6 :

Rnd 6: 6 inv sc dec (06)

Info :

Fasten off. Close the open. Attach on the top part.

Assembly Instructions

  • Join top and bottom parts of each baby crab by inserting the hook into the stitch in the last round of the top part, attach dark red yarn with a sl st and work both parts together, sl st to every stitch; fill before completing the round and fasten off.
  • Attach safety eyes (4 mm) to baby crabs between rnd 4 and 5 with 3 stitches between eyes; embroider mouths with black on rnd 6 for baby crabs.
  • For the mother crab, join top and bottom using dark red yarn with sl st; after joining work 1 sc to every stitch for the next 81 stitches, then work into top part only for the eye opening and button loop; attach the 1 cm button to the bottom part for closure.
  • Sew all small legs and large legs into the bottom part around the perimeter ensuring even spacing; pin legs before sewing to check placement.
  • Attach eyes to the mother crab by sewing or gluing the white eye domes to the top part, then add 15 mm black safety eyes between round 3 and 4 of the eye piece and secure per manufacturer instructions.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers to keep track of the start of each round, especially when working continuous rounds and joining parts.
  • 💡When working rounds, beginning chains do not count as a stitch; follow counts exactly as written to maintain shape.
  • 💡Keep a normal, consistent tension; exact gauge is not critical for this pattern but avoid working with a loose tension.

Create a whole family of cuddly crabs with this memory game set—mother crab plus ten little siblings ready to play. Each baby crab is quick to make and perfect for mixing colors to match or differ for the game. The mother crab closes with a button and hides tiny crabs inside for delightful surprises. 🧶🦀

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished pieces be?

The finished mother crab measures about 8.5 inches in diameter for the body, and each baby crab body is approximately 3 inches across using the recommended yarn and hook sizes.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can change yarn weight, but the final size will change; choose an appropriate hook to match your yarn and expect a different finished scale for both mother and baby crabs.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated beginner friendly and uses basic amigurumi techniques, so basic knowledge of single crochet, increases and decreases is recommended.

How long will this project take to complete?

Most crafters will take multiple sessions to complete the full set; expect approximately 12-15 hours total depending on experience and how many baby crabs you make.