Sage Axolotl Folk Lovey Crochet Free Pattern

Introduction

This Sage Axolotl Folk Lovey is a sweet, huggable little blanket friend made for babies, toddlers, and anyone who loves a whimsical handmade gift. It combines a flat granny-style blanket square with a small round axolotl head and body nestled right at the center, so the whole piece grows outward from one cozy focal point. Worked in soft DK cotton in sage green and cream stripes, it has a gentle, folk-art look with six frilly gills and a simple embroidered face. Best of all, there is no sewing the head to the blanket — everything flows together from the center ring, making it a wonderfully beginner-friendly project.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: DK weight (Category 3) cotton — approximately 100 yards sage green (Color A) and 80 yards cream (Color B)
• Hook: 3.5 mm (US E/4) crochet hook
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, polyester fiberfill for stuffing, embroidery needle for the face
• Gauge: 20 sts and 20 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet
• Finished size: Approximately 10 inches (25 cm) square

Abbreviations

• ch — chain
• sl st — slip stitch
• sc — single crochet
• hdc — half double crochet
• dc — double crochet
• tr — treble crochet
• inc — increase (work 2 sc in the same stitch)
• dec — decrease (work 2 sc together)
• sp — space
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• rep — repeat

Gauge

20 single crochet stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches (10 cm). To check, crochet a small swatch in sc and measure a 4-inch section; adjust your hook size if you have more or fewer stitches than this.

Tips Before You Start

• Keep your double crochet rounds relaxed and even — the blanket square should lie flat. If it ruffles, go up a hook size.
• Use a stitch marker at the start of each joined round so you always know where to join and begin.
• Stuff the head and body firmly but not rock-hard, so the face stays round and the gills sit neatly.
• Embroider the face before sewing on the gills so you can center it easily.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Blanket Square (Color A, then stripes)

Setup: With A, ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring.

R1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, [ch 2, 3 dc in ring] 3 times, ch 2, join with sl st to top of ch 3 (12 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R2: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 2 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 3 dc; rep from * around, join (28 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R3: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 4 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 7 dc; rep from * around, join (44 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R4: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 6 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 11 dc; rep from * around, join (60 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R5: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 8 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 15 dc; rep from * around, join (76 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R6: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 10 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 19 dc; rep from * around, join (92 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R7: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 12 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 23 dc; rep from * around, join (108 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R8: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 14 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 27 dc; rep from * around, join (124 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R9: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 16 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 31 dc; rep from * around, join (140 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R10: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 18 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 35 dc; rep from * around, join (156 dc, 4 ch-2 sps). Change to B.

R11: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 20 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 39 dc; rep from * around, join (172 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R12: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 22 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 43 dc; rep from * around, join (188 dc, 4 ch-2 sps). Change to A.

R13: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 24 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 47 dc; rep from * around, join (204 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R14: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 26 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 51 dc; rep from * around, join (220 dc, 4 ch-2 sps). Change to B.

R15: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 28 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 55 dc; rep from * around, join (236 dc, 4 ch-2 sps). Change to A.

R16: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 30 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 59 dc; rep from * around, join (252 dc, 4 ch-2 sps). Do not fasten off.

Head (Color A)

Work in rounds around the center ring of the blanket square.

R1: With A, join to any ch-2 sp of R1, ch 1, sc in same sp, sc in each dc and ch-2 sp around, join with sl st to first sc (12 sc).

R2: Ch 1, sc in same st, inc in each st around, join (24 sc).

R3: Ch 1, [sc in next st, inc in next st] around, join (36 sc).

R4: Ch 1, [sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st] around, join (48 sc).

R5-8: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (48 sc).

R9: Ch 1, [sc in next 2 sts, dec] around, join (36 sc).

R10: Ch 1, [sc in next st, dec] around, join (24 sc). Stuff head firmly.

R11: Ch 1, dec around, join (12 sc).

R12: Ch 1, dec around, join (6 sc). Fasten off, weave tail to close.

Body (Color A)

Work in rounds from the bottom of the head.

R1: Join A to any st of R11, ch 1, sc in each st around, join (12 sc).

R2: Ch 1, inc in each st around, join (24 sc).

R3-6: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (24 sc).

R7: Ch 1, [sc in next 2 sts, dec] around, join (18 sc). Stuff body.

R8: Ch 1, [sc in next st, dec] around, join (12 sc).

R9: Ch 1, dec around, join (6 sc). Fasten off, weave tail to close.

Gills (make 6, Color A)

Row 1: Ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in next ch, ch 1, sl st in same ch, ch 1, tr in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in next ch. Fasten off leaving a long tail. Sew gills evenly around the head at R8, three on each side.

Eyes (Color B)

With B, embroider two small French knots or straight stitches for eyes on the face, about 0.5 inch (1.25 cm) apart.

Mouth (Color B)

With B, embroider a small V-shape for the mouth below the eyes.

Edging (Color B)

R1: Join B to any corner ch-2 sp of the blanket square, ch 1, sc in same sp, sc in each dc and ch-2 sp around, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Assembly and Finishing

The head, body, and blanket are all worked together, so the only seaming is the six gills. Pin each gill evenly around the head at Round 8, three on each side, and sew them in place with the long tails, working through the gill base and into the head so they sit flat. Weave in all remaining ends on the wrong side. Lightly steam-block the blanket square to smooth the edges and open the corners, keeping the head and gills dry. Let it dry completely before gifting.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the sage and cream for any two-color palette — blush and ivory, or mustard and oatmeal — for a different folk look.
• Add a second cream stripe round near the center for a bolder banded effect.
• Use a soft cotton-blend yarn for extra drape and a cuddlier blanket feel.