How to Crochet a Dinosaur: Your Complete Brontosaurus Amigurumi Guide

Your finished Brontosaurus will be an adorable addition to any collection!

Welcome, fellow yarn enthusiasts! Are you ready to embark on an exciting prehistoric adventure? If you’ve ever wondered how to crochet a dinosaur that’s both charming and cuddly, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive tutorial, we’re diving deep into creating your very own adorable Brontosaurus – a perfect amigurumi project for anyone looking to expand their crochet skills and make a unique handmade gift or decor piece.

We’ll walk you through every step, from gathering your materials to shaping the iconic body of this gentle giant. Get ready to transform simple yarn into a delightful dino friend!

Why Crochet a Dinosaur?

Crocheting your own prehistoric pal isn’t just a fun craft; it’s a rewarding experience! Here’s why learning how to crochet a dinosaur is a fantastic idea:

• Unique Gifts: A handmade dinosaur is a personal and cherished gift for kids and adults alike.
• Adorable Decor: These charming creatures make excellent additions to nurseries, playrooms, or even your desk.
• Skill Building: This pattern introduces crucial amigurumi techniques like magic rings, increases, decreases, and joining parts.
• Stress Relief: The rhythmic motion of crocheting can be incredibly therapeutic.

Materials You’ll Need

Before we begin our journey to crochet a dinosaur, let’s gather all the necessary supplies. Having everything ready will ensure a smooth and enjoyable crafting experience:

• 5 mm Crochet Hook: This is a versatile size for amigurumi, but adjust if your yarn calls for a different size.
• Scissors: For cutting yarn tails.
• Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): Essential for weaving in ends and sewing parts together.
• Safety Eyes: The tutorial uses 12 mm eyes. If you use a significantly larger or smaller yarn, you might want to adjust your eye size accordingly for proportion.
• Yarn: The tutorial uses light blue Premier Parfait Chunky yarn. This is a popular chenille-style yarn for soft, squishy results.
  • Pro Tip: You can use any yarn type or color you like! Just remember that using smaller yarn will result in a smaller dinosaur, and vice versa.
• Stuffing: A good amount of polyester fiberfill for stuffing your dinosaur firmly and evenly.
• Stitch Marker: A locking stitch marker or a piece of scrap yarn to keep track of your rounds.

Let’s Get Started: Crocheting Your Brontosaurus

Step 1: Starting with the Legs (Make 4)

We’ll begin by creating the foundation of our dinosaur: the legs. You’ll need to make four identical legs for your Brontosaurus.

1. Slip Knot & Chain Two: Grab your yarn. Make a slip knot, then chain two stitches. This two-chain method will be our magic ring.
2. Round 1: 5 Single Crochets into Magic Ring. Insert your hook into the *first* chain stitch (this is your magic ring) and work 5 single crochets (sc) into it. (5 stitches)
3. Round 2: 5 Increases. Work 2 single crochets into each stitch around. This means you’ll do an increase (inc) in every stitch. (10 stitches)
4. Rounds 3-5: Single Crochet All Around. For the next three rounds, simply single crochet in each stitch around. No increases or decreases. (10 stitches per round)
5. Finish Off: Once Round 5 is complete, cut a small tail of yarn, yarn over, and pull through the loop on your hook to secure the stitch.
6. Repeat: Make three more legs exactly the same way, so you have four legs in total. Set them aside.

Step 2: Crocheting the Body: The Foundation

Now, let’s start the main body of our dinosaur. This section will form the central part to which the legs will be attached.

1. Magic Ring (Chain Two Method): Grab your yarn and create a slip knot, then chain two.
2. Round 1 (Body): 8 Single Crochets into Magic Ring. Work 8 single crochets into the first chain stitch. (8 stitches)
3. Round 2 (Body): 8 Increases. Work 2 single crochets into each stitch around. (16 stitches)
4. Place Stitch Marker: Mark the beginning of this round with your stitch marker (scrap yarn works great!).

Step 3: Connecting the Legs to the Body – The Clever Part!

This is where your dinosaur truly starts to take shape! The leg attachment can be a bit tricky, so pay close attention. Remember the body tail should be facing upwards.

1. Attach Leg 1:
   • Take one leg. Identify the first stitch of its last round (the lower part) and the last stitch of its last round (the higher part).
   • Insert your hook *from the inside* of the leg into the first stitch of its last round.
   • Now, without removing your hook from the leg, insert your hook into the *next stitch* on the body (the one immediately after your stitch marker).
   • Yarn over and single crochet through *both* the leg stitch and the body stitch. (This joins them).
   • For the next stitch, insert your hook *from the inside* of the leg into the *last stitch* of its last round.
   • Again, without removing your hook from the leg, insert your hook into the *next stitch* on the body.
   • Single crochet through both stitches to secure the leg.
2. Body Stitches Between Legs: Work 3 single crochets into the next 3 stitches on the body only.
3. Attach Leg 2: Repeat the process for attaching Leg 1:
   • Hook *from inside* leg into first stitch of last round, then into next body stitch. Single crochet.
   • Hook *from inside* leg into last stitch of last round, then into next body stitch. Single crochet.
4. Body Stitches Between Legs: Work 1 single crochet into the next stitch on the body only.
5. Attach Leg 3: Repeat the leg attachment process for Leg 1.
6. Body Stitches Between Legs: Work 3 single crochets into the next 3 stitches on the body only.
7. Attach Leg 4: Repeat the leg attachment process for Leg 1.
8. Final Body Stitch: Work 1 single crochet into the final stitch on the body. This completes the round.

Step 4: Shaping the Body & Legs Together (Round 4)

Now we’ll work around the combined structure of the body and legs, integrating them seamlessly.

1. Starting Point: Begin in the first *unattached* stitch of the first leg you connected (the one adjacent to where you did the first single crochet on the leg). Do NOT go into the stitches that are already attached to the body.
2. Around Leg 1: Single crochet 8 times around the outside of this leg.
3. Body Increases (Middle Section): You’ll find three stitches in the middle of the body that aren’t attached to any legs. Work an increase (2 sc) into each of these three stitches. (3 increases total)
4. Around Leg 2: Single crochet 8 times around the outside of the second leg.
5. Body Stitch (Middle): You’ll find one unattached stitch in the body between the second and third legs. Single crochet into this stitch.
6. Around Leg 3: Single crochet 8 times around the outside of the third leg.
7. Body Increases (Middle Section): Work an increase (2 sc) into each of the three unattached stitches in the middle of the body. (3 increases total)
8. Around Leg 4: Single crochet 8 times around the outside of the fourth leg.
9. Final Body Stitch: Work a single crochet into the last unattached body stitch (usually where your stitch marker for the previous round was placed). This completes the round.

Step 5: Building Up the Body (Rounds 5 & 6)

With the legs firmly attached, we’ll now build up the main part of the Brontosaurus body.

• Rounds 5 & 6: Single Crochet All Around. For these two rounds, simply single crochet in each stitch around. The leg and body stitches are now one continuous round. Continue for two full rounds without increases or decreases.

Step 6: Beginning the Decreases & Shaping

Now we’ll start to shape the body by introducing decreases. This is crucial for creating the brontosaurus’s distinctive form.

• Round 7: (21 Single Crochets, 1 Decrease) x 2. Work 21 single crochets, then a decrease (sc2tog). Repeat this sequence one more time.
• Round 8: (10 Single Crochets, 2 Decreases), (8 Single Crochets, 1 Decrease), (8 Single Crochets, 2 Decreases), (6 Single Crochets, 1 Decrease). This is a complex shaping round. Follow the pattern carefully to ensure correct shaping.
• Round 9 (Advanced Shaping): This round involves more intricate decreases to further shape the body. Refer to the on-screen instructions (in the video tutorial) or a written pattern for precise stitch counts.

• Round 10 (Tail Shaping & Final Decreases): This round refines the tail area. For example, the pattern might be 4 single crochets, then (2 single crochets, decrease) repeated 6 times, followed by 2 single crochets. Adjust initial plain stitches if your hook is not centrally located.
• Round 11 (Closing the Body): This final round for the body is crucial for closing it. Work (2 single crochets, decrease) repeated 6 times. This will bring your stitch count down to 18 stitches.

Time to Stuff!

Before you close up the body entirely, it’s essential to begin stuffing your dinosaur. Ensure you stuff it firmly and evenly, pushing the fiberfill into the legs and all parts of the body. Use a blunt tool (like the back of your crochet hook or stuffing tool) to reach into smaller areas.

What’s Next? Continuing Your Dinosaur Adventure!

Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed the first major part of your Brontosaurus – the body and legs! This is a significant milestone in learning how to crochet a dinosaur. At this point, your dino is taking a clear, adorable form.

Beyond This Brontosaurus: Expand Your Dino-Crochet Skills!

Once you’ve mastered this Brontosaurus, the world of crochet dinosaurs is vast and exciting! Here are some ideas and resources to continue your journey:

• Other Dinosaurs: Explore patterns for T-Rex, Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Pterodactyl, and more! Each offers unique shaping challenges and rewards.
• Vary Yarn & Hooks: Experiment with different yarn weights (e.g., blanket yarn for jumbo dinos, fingering weight for mini keychains) and corresponding hook sizes.
• Accessorize: Add little scarves, hats, or even tiny backpacks to your finished dinosaurs for extra personality.
• Personalize: Use embroidery floss to add unique details like scars, eyelashes, or rosy cheeks.

Troubleshooting Common Crochet Issues

Learning how to crochet a dinosaur, especially an amigurumi, can sometimes present challenges. Don’t get discouraged!

• Holes in Your Work: This usually means your tension is too loose. Try using a smaller hook, or practice tightening your stitches.
• Uneven Stitch Count: Always use a stitch marker at the beginning of each round. Count your stitches frequently, especially after increases or decreases.
• Parts Don’t Line Up: Amigurumi can be finicky. Sometimes adjusting your starting point slightly or adding an extra “shift” single crochet can help align features.
• Stuffing Lumpy: Tear your fiberfill into small pieces before stuffing, and push it in evenly from all sides.

We hope this detailed guide helps you successfully crochet a dinosaur that brings joy to you and anyone who sees it. Happy crocheting!