Ash Opossum Crochet Snuggler Free Pattern
Introduction
The Ash Opossum Snuggler is a soft, slightly scruffy little friend for anyone who loves the underdog of the animal world. It's a beginner-friendly project built from simple shapes: a straight tapered tube body, a small round head, two little ear circles, and a curly tube tail. Worked in heathered grey and off-white blocks, it has a worn, washed-out grunge palette that looks like it's been loved for years. At about 14 inches long and 5 inches wide, it's the perfect size to tuck under an arm, prop on a shelf, or gift to a fellow opossum fan.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Super Bulky (6) weight, acrylic or wool blend. Color A: heathered light grey (approx. 120 yds). Color B: off-white (approx. 60 yds).
- Hooks: 8 mm (L/11) for the body, 6.5 mm (K/10.5) for the head, ears, and tail.
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, polyester fiberfill for stuffing.
- Finished size: Approx. 14 inches (35.5 cm) long from nose to tail base, 5 inches (12.7 cm) wide at the widest point.
Abbreviations
- MR – magic ring: a loop of yarn you work your first stitches into, then pull closed.
- sc – single crochet: insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
- inc – increase: work 2 single crochet into the same stitch.
- dec – decrease: work 2 single crochet together into one stitch.
- ch – chain.
- sts – stitches.
- R – round or row.
Gauge
With the 8 mm hook: 8 sc x 8 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. Work a small swatch in the round and measure across the middle; if your stitches are looser or tighter, adjust your hook size so the body reaches about 5 inches wide.
Tips Before You Start
- Use a stitch marker at the start of each round so you never lose your place in the long plain sections.
- Change colors on the last stitch of the round before the new color begins, so the color blocks stay crisp.
- Stuff the body lightly as you go; overstuffing stretches the tube and blurs the tapered shape.
- Keep your tension even on the head and ears with the smaller hook so the pieces stay firm and round.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Body (Color A and B, 8 mm hook)
R1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts)
R2: inc x6 (12 sts)
R3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts)
R5-10: sc in each st around (24 sts)
R11-14: Change to Color B, sc in each st around (24 sts)
R15-18: Change to Color A, sc in each st around (24 sts)
R19-22: Change to Color B, sc in each st around (24 sts)
R23-26: Change to Color A, sc in each st around (24 sts)
R27: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18 sts)
R28: [sc, dec] x6 (12 sts)
R29: dec x6 (6 sts)
Fasten off, weave in the tail. Stuff lightly.
Head (Color A, 6.5 mm hook)
R1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts)
R2: inc x6 (12 sts)
R3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts)
R4-6: sc in each st around (18 sts)
R7: [sc, dec] x6 (12 sts)
R8: dec x6 (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff the head.
Ears (make 2, Color A, 6.5 mm hook)
R1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts)
R2: inc x6 (12 sts)
R3: sc in each st around (12 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Tail (Color A, 6.5 mm hook)
R1: ch 13, sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (12 sts)
R2-4: sc in each st around (12 sts)
R5: [sc, dec] x4 (8 sts)
R6-8: sc in each st around (8 sts)
R9: dec x4 (4 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Twist the tail to curl it.
Assembly and Finishing
Sew the head to the top of the body using the long head tail. Sew the ears to the top sides of the head. Sew the tail to the bottom of the body. With Color B, embroider the eyes and nose using satin stitch. Weave in all ends securely. Lightly steam or spritz and shape the pieces, then let them dry fully to set the curl in the tail.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the off-white stripe for a dusty mauve or charcoal for a moodier grunge look.
- Add a tiny felt or embroidered pink inner ear for extra character.
- Make a mini version with worsted weight yarn and a 4 mm hook for a pocket-sized snuggler.
