Crochet Axolotl Plushie Pattern

I had two requests for an Axolotl pattern this past week so I decided that it would be the next project on my hook!

What is an Axolotl? I haven’t seen one in person, but from what I can gather it’s a unique amphibian. A salamander that lives fully under water. Their signature look is their feathery external gills on each side of their head that provide oxygen. Yes, some axolotls are pink! They can also be other colors like brown, gold, and blue.

Axolotls became famous in pop culture over the past few years due to its appearance in several videos games including Minecraft, Fortnite, and Roblox. So this is probably why all the kids are asking for plush axolotl toys these days!

Materials:
– Red Heart with Love in colors Bubblegum (dark pink) and Sweet Pink (light pink)
Shop Red Heart with Love yarn HERE on Yarnspirations.com
– Size H Crochet Hook
– Two 15mm Black Safety Eyes
– Strand of black yarn or embroidery thread for smile
– Tapestry Needle
– Polyfil Fiber Stuffing

Finished Size: Approximately 15 inches tall by 10 inches wide (at gills)

Axolotl Head/Body/Tail:
Note: pattern is worked from the top down
with light pink yarn
Magic Ring, chain 1 and make 10 SC in ring, join to first SC, chain 1
Round 2: 2 SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (20 SC)
Round 3: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (20 SC)
Round 4: 2 SC in first, SC in next stitch, repeat around, join, chain 1 (30 SC)
Round 5: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (30 SC)
Round 6: 2 SC in first, SC in next 2 stitches, repeat around, join, chain 1 (40 SC)
Round 7: 2 SC in first, SC in next 3 stitches, repeat around, join, chain 1 (50 SC)
Round 8-15: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (50 SC)
Round 16: SC Decrease, SC in next 3 stitches, repeat around, join, chain 1 
Round 17: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (40 SC)
Round 18: SC Decrease, SC in next 2 stitches, repeat around, join, chain 1
Round 19: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (30 SC)
Round 20: SC Decrease, SC in next stitch, repeat around, join, chain 1
Round 21-22: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (20 SC)
At this point you will want to add your safety eyes between rounds 11 and 12 about 6 stitches apart and then stitch on a little smile with black yarn and your tapestry needle.
Optional: with dark pink yarn and tapestry needle, loop yarn twice around two stitches below the eyes to make little blushing cheeks.
Stuff with poly-fil as you go.
Round 23: 2 SC in first, SC in next, repeat around, join chain 1 (30 SC)
Round 24-34: SC in each stitch around, join chain 1 (30 SC)
Round 35: SC Decrease, SC in next, repeat around, join, chain 1 (20 SC)
Round 36-41: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (20 SC)
Round 42: SC Decrease, SC in next two, repeat around, join, chain 1 (15 SC)
Round 43-45: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (15 SC)
Round 46: SC Decrease, SC in next, repeat around, join chain 1 (10 SC)
Round 47: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (10 SC)
Round 4: SC Decrease until closed.
Finish stuffing with poly-fil, weave in ends.

Axolotl Gills (Make 6):
with dark pink yarn
Magic Ring, chain 1 and make 6 SC in ring, join, chain 1 (6 SC)
Round 2: 2 SC in first, SC in next, repeat around, join, chain 1 (9 SC)
Round 3: 2 SC in first, SC in next two stitches, repeat around, join, chain 1 (12 SC)
Round 4-5: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (12 SC)
Round 6: SC Decrease, SC in next two, repeat around, join, chain 1 (9 SC)
Round 7-8: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (9 SC)
For the middle Gill on each side of the head, add one extra round
Round 9 (for middle two gills only): SC in each stitch around, join, (9 SC)
Fasten off leaving long tail to stitch gills in sets of 3 on each side of head.
Middle gills should be the longer ones. No need to stuff with polyfil.

Arms/Legs (Make 4):
with light pink yarn
Magic Ring, chain 1 and make 10 SC in ring, join, chain 1 (10 SC)
Round 2: 2 SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (20 SC)
Round 3-4: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (20 SC)
Round 5: SC Decrease, SC in next two, repeat around, join, chain 1 (15 SC)
Round 6-7: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (15 SC)
Fasten off leaving long tail.
Stuff with polyfil.
Stitch two on either side of body under the head between rounds 22-26 for the arms.
Stitch the other two on either side of the body between rounds 30-34 for the legs.

Axolotl Dorsal Fin Gills:
with dark pink yarn
Chain 25, make 5 DC in 3rd chain from hook, skip a stitch and join with a slip stitch to next, skip a stitch, 5 DC in next, skip a stitch, slip stitch to join, skip a stitch, 5 DC in next, repeat down chain making 6 scallops, fasten off leaving long tail.
with tapestry needle, sew the scallops around bottom edge of dorsal fin.

If you crochet an axolotl be sure to tag me on social media so we can see it!

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