Grown into this free crochet shamrock amigurumi pattern are all the springtime scenes of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations—clovers swaying in spring’s first breath, the sound of distant church bells rolling over verdant hills, and the splashes of vibrant green beginning to paint the land that is finally waking from its winter slumber.
While you patiently stake out, waiting for a leprechaun to lead you to its treasure, there’s no better way to pass the time than with this free crochet shamrock amigurumi pattern!
So, without further ado, here is the pattern for the Shamrock Cutie, part one of three in the St. Patrick’s Cuties collection!
Pattern Information | Free Crochet Shamrock Amigurumi
Supplies:
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- Size H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook
- Medium (4) weight yarn in 1 color:
- Yarn A – green (example uses Red Heart Super Saver: Spring Green)
- 10mm black safety eyes (x2)
- Black embroidery floss
- Pink embroidery floss (example uses DMC 963 Light Dusty Rose) or pink yarn
- Polyester fiberfill
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers
Alternate Yarn Supplies:
Color Variation 2 (as seen on the left in cover photo):
- Medium (4) weight yarn in 1 color:
- Yarn A – green (example uses Big Twist Value: Forest Green)
Terminology:
This free crochet shamrock pattern uses English (US) terminology:
- st (sts) = stitch (stitches)
- ch = chain stitch
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- sc2tog = single crochet 2 together (over the span of 2 stitches), also known as a decrease
- hdc = half double crochet
Please note that this pattern is written so that each crochet stitch abbreviation is attached to a number, such as 1sc, 2sc, etc. This number denotes how many of that stitch is to be worked into the same stitch.
You can learn more about how to read Virkadia patterns on our Pattern Help FAQ page!
Special Stitch Instructions:
Please review our special stitch instructions on our Stitch Tutorials FAQ before beginning, as some techniques may be unique to this pattern.
This free crochet shamrock amigurumi pattern uses the following special stitch tutorials:
- Single Crochet (YU/YO Method)
- Invisible Decrease
- Joining Rounds
This pattern is worked in the round, with each round joined at the end with a slip stitch. Unless otherwise instructed, the first stitch of your next round will always be worked into the same stitch as your joining slip stitch has been worked into.
Be sure to always keep the ‘right side’ of your stitches facing outwards as you work. The right side is the front side of the stitch that is facing you as you are completing each stitch.
Pattern Instructions | Free Crochet Shamrock Amigurumi
Crochet Shamrock Leaf – Rounds 1 to 4:
With yarn A (green), make a magic ring (or ch 4, sl st into 1st st to form ring, ch 1).
Rnd 1: 6sc into ring, sl st into 1st st to join, ch 1 (6).
Rnd 2: 2sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 3: [1sc into each of next 3 sts, 2sc into next st] 3 times, join, ch 1 (15).
Rnd 4: 1sc into each st around, join (15).
Fasten off and leave an 8-12 inch tail for sewing.
Set aside for now. This will be shamrock piece #1.
With yarn A (green), make a magic ring (or ch 4, sl st into 1st st to form ring, ch 1).
Rnd 1: 6sc into ring, sl st into 1st st to join, ch 1 (6).
Rnd 2: 2sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 3: [1sc into each of next 3 sts, 2sc into next st] 3 times, join, ch 1 (15).
Rnd 4: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (15).
This will shamrock piece #2. Do not fasten off, as you will continue directly off of shamrock piece #2 to connect both pieces together.
Crochet Shamrock Leaf – Connecting Pieces:
Before continuing, skip the first 3 stitches in your next round and add a stitch marker to the 4th stitch of shamrock piece #2.
Then, retrieve the shamrock piece #1 set aside earlier and align it with your current work so that the first stitch of round 4 of shamrock piece #1 is lined up to be right after your last stitch you’ve just worked in shamrock piece #2.
You will be working your first stitch of round 5 into this stitch from shamrock piece #1.
Rnd 5: 1sc into 1st st of shamrock piece #1, 1sc into each of next 11 sts, 1sc into marked (or 4th) st of shamrock piece #2, 1sc into each of next 11 sts, join, ch 1 (24).
Secure your working loop with a stitch marker.
You will now see that both shamrock pieces are joined together, with the exception of 3 stitches of each on the inside of the piece.
Using the 8-12 inch tail left over from shamrock piece #1, sew this slit closed.
For best results, try sewing a total of 5 pairs of stitches together — the 3 pairs of stitches that were not worked into during round 5, as well as each pair of stitches on either side of this length (where the 1st and 24th stitches of round 5 were worked into and the 12th and 13th stitches were worked into).
Secure your sewing with a knot to the interior of the piece and trim any excess tail. Remove your stitch marker and continue to round 6.
Crochet Shamrock Leaf – Rounds 6 to 7:
Rnd 6: [sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc into each of next 6 sts] 3 times, join, ch 1 (21).
Rnd 7: [1sc into each of next 5 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts] 3 times, join (18).
Fasten off yarn A and set aside for now.
Repeat all rounds 2 more times, for a total of 3 shamrock leaves. Then, continue to the shamrock stem.
Crochet Shamrock Stem – Rounds 1 to 5:
With yarn A (green), make a magic ring (or ch 4, sl st into 1st st to form ring, ch 2).
Rnd 1: 9hdc into ring, sl st into 1st st to join, ch 1 (9).
Rnd 2: 1sc into BLO of each st around, join, ch 1 (9).
Rnd 3: sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc into each of next 7 sts, join, ch 1 (8).
Rnd 4: sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc into each of next 6 sts, join, ch 1 (7).
Rnd 5: sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc into each of next 5 sts, join, ch 1 (6).
Do not fasten off, as you will continue directly off of the shamrock stem to connect all pieces together.
Crochet Shamrock – Rounds 6 to 10:
Retrieve all three leaf pieces set aside earlier, in addition to your current shamrock stem piece.
You will now be connecting all the pieces you’ve created so far by working round 6 across half of the stitches of each of piece.
If you have trouble seeing where your first stitch on each leaf should be worked into, you may add stitch markers to help you.
Simply count 6 stitches forward from your joining seam on each leaf and add a stitch marker into each of these stitches. This stitch will be your first stitch on each leaf.
Rnd 6: 1sc into each of next 2 sts of stem, [1sc into 6th st of next leaf, 1sc into each of next 8 sts] 3 times, 1sc into last st of stem, join, ch 1 (30).
Rnd 7: [sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc into each of next 3 sts] 6 times, join, ch 1 (24).
Rnd 8: [1sc into each of next 2 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts] 6 times, join, ch 1 (18).
Rnd 9: [sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc into next st] 6 times, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 10: [sc2tog over next 2 sts] 6 times, join (6).
Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing closed.
Sewing Closed:
To sew the center hole closed, pass the needle (front to back) through the front loop only of each stitch around and then pull tight.
Thread the tail through to the back of the piece and secure with a knot to the interior. Trim any excess tail.
Follow the instructions below for adding eyes, mouth, and blush before continuing to the back side of the shamrock.
Please note, however, that the tutorial images for adding the mouth and blush will look different than the front of your shamrock.
Do your best to utilize the images below as a reference for your face placement, but feel free to make adjustments as you see fit.
Adding Eyes:
With your shamrock rotated so that the stem faces downwards, insert both safety eyes through the front of your piece and roughly level with the center of your rounds.
The safety eyes should be inserted between rounds 8 and 9 (counting up from the stem) on either side of the center and should sit about the length of 6 rounds apart.
Adding Mouth:
Please note that the tutorial images below show how to embroider the face as it appears on other cuties, which varies from the radial surface of the front of your shamrock.
Do your best to utilize the images below as a reference for your mouth placement, but feel free to make adjustments as needed.
The example shamrock has the mouth embroidered over round 9 (when counting up from the stem), below and centered between the eyes. The mouth will be roughly 2 stitches wide and 1 round tall.
Begin by inserting your needle from inside to outside, roughly the length of 1 stitch down and 2 stitches to the right from where you’ve inserted the left eye. Pull through and leave some tail for tying later.
Then, insert your needle again, 2 stitches to the right, and out again, 1 round down and 1 stitch to the left from where you’ve just inserted, and pull through.
Pass your needle up and underneath the horizontal strand you’ve just created and pull through. Then, insert your needle back into the same space as you’ve last exited from.
Pull your thread through and tug it down slightly until it forms a V-shape. Gently tie both ends together inside your piece, but take extra care not to pull the threads too tight!
Adding Blush:
Using the example piece below as reference, embroider a blush line using pink embroidery floss next to each eye.
Each blush line should start roughly 1 stitch down and 1 round outwards from where each eye was inserted, and span 1 round length outwards (away from the center of the face).
Begin by inserting your needle from inside to outside, roughly 1 stitch down and 1 round outwards from where you’ve inserted the eye, and pull through.
Then, insert your needle back in, 1 more round outwards, and back out through the same space as you’ve last exited from. Pull through and repeat this 4 more times.
On the next pass, insert your needle as normal but do not exit. Instead, pull through and remove your needle, then gently tie both ends together on the inside of your piece, taking extra care not to pull the threads too tight!
Crochet Shamrock Back – Rounds 1 to 5:
Once you’ve finished embroidering the face onto the front of your shamrock, you may now flip your work and begin closing the back opening.
Before beginning, cut 4 short strands of yarn A, about 4-6 inches each, and set aside for now.
The next round will be worked into the remaining stitches of each leaf and stem piece. However, be sure not to work into any stitches that have already been worked into on the front of the shamrock!
If you have trouble seeing where your first stitch on each leaf should be worked into, you may add stitch markers to help you.
Simply count 4 stitches backward from your joining seam on each leaf and add a stitch marker into each of these stitches. This stitch will be your first stitch on each leaf.
Join yarn A (green) by inserting your hook into the center stitch of the remaining 3 stitches on the back of your shamrock stem. Pull up a loop of yarn A and chain 1.
Rnd 1: 1sc into each of next 2 sts of stem, [1sc into 1st remaining st of next leaf, 1sc into each of next 8 sts] 3 times, 1sc into last st of stem, join, ch 1 (30).
Secure your working loop with a stitch marker and retrieve the 4 short strands you’ve set aside earlier.
You’ll notice that between round 6 of the front and round 1 of the back, there are small holes remaining between each pair of leaves and on either side of the stem.
Use the 4 short strands to sew around each of these small holes and tie them closed before continuing. Secure with a knot on the inside of your piece and cut any excess tail.
Remove the stitch marker from your working loop and continue to round 2. Begin stuffing as you go.
Rnd 2: [sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc into each of next 3 sts] 6 times, join, ch 1 (24).
Rnd 3: [1sc into each of next 2 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts] 6 times, join, ch 1 (18).
Rnd 4: [sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc into next st] 6 times, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 5: [sc2tog over next 2 sts] 6 times, join (6).
Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing closed.
Using the same method as the front to sew the center hole closed, pass the needle (front to back) through the front loop only of each stitch around and then pull tight.
Secure the tail with a knot to the interior of the piece and trim any excess tail.
Conclusion | Free Crochet Shamrock Amigurumi
And with that, you’re done the free crochet Shamrock Cutie pattern! If you enjoyed this pattern, be sure to check out its two companion patterns in the St. Patrick’s Cuties collection: the Pot of Gold Cutie and the Rainbow Cutie!
You can also explore the Cutie Collections and the Pocket Pets archives for more original and free amigurumi patterns, or our Home Decor Patterns for other homemade household goodies!
If you’re looking to cozy up with a longer project, check out our Clothing Patterns, or assemble your own designs from one of our Granny Square Patterns!
And don’t forget to browse our downloadable, ad-free patterns in our Etsy store!
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D
Monday 18th of March 2024
This is so cute and festive!
Virkadia
Monday 18th of March 2024
Thank you! ☺️