What skill level is this crochet snake pattern?

This pattern is considered beginner-friendly, making it a great project for those new to amigurumi or who want to practice basic crochet stitches like single crochet, increases, and invisible decreases.

Can I make the snake a different length?

Yes, the length of the snake is easily adjustable. You can make it longer or shorter by adding or subtracting rounds from the body section (specifically Rounds 10-67) until you reach your desired length.

Do I have to add the tongue?

No, the addition of the tongue is optional. The snake looks adorable both with and without it, so you can choose based on your preference.

Is it necessary to stuff the snake's body?

No, the sample snake's body was left unstuffed for maximum flexibility. However, you can choose to stuff it lightly if you prefer a firmer body for your snake.

What if my stitches are too loose and stuffing shows?

If your stitches are too loose, you might need to use a smaller crochet hook. Adjusting your hook size ensures your stitches are tight enough to prevent any stuffing from showing through.

Crochet a Beginner-Friendly Amigurumi Snake

Materials

Super bulky yarn in your choice of color/s (approximately 38g of Premier Yarns Parfait Chunky Pom Pom in Electric Blue was used for the sample)
Optional: DK weight yarn for the tongue (Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK in Blush Pink was used for the sample)
4.5mm crochet hook
2.5mm crochet hook (for optional tongue)
8mm safety eyes
Polyester fiberfill (optional, for head stuffing)
Stitch marker
Yarn needle
Scissors

Finished Size

The finished snake measures approximately 19.5 inches (49.5 cm) long, not including the tongue. Size may vary depending on tension and materials used.

Yarn Information

Main Snake: Premier Yarns Parfait Chunky Pom Pom (approximately 38g)
Optional Tongue: Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK

Hook and Tools

4.5mm crochet hook (for snake body)
2.5mm crochet hook (for optional tongue)
8mm safety eyes
Polyester fiberfill
Stitch marker
Yarn needle
Scissors

Abbreviations (US Terms)

ch — chain
sc — single crochet
inc — increase (work 2 sc into the same stitch)
invdec — invisible decrease (insert hook into front loop of next stitch, then into front loop of following stitch, yarn over and pull through both front loops, yarn over and pull through remaining 2 loops on hook)
sl st — slip stitch
st/s — stitch/es
[…] — repeat the instructions in brackets
(…) — indicates stitch count at end of round

Pattern Notes

Pieces are worked in a continuous spiral. Mark the first stitch of each round with a removable stitch marker.
The length of the snake is easily adjustable by adding more single crochet rounds.
Gauge is not important in this pattern. Use a hook size to match your chosen yarn. Make sure that your stitches are tight enough to prevent stuffing showing through and adjust hook size if necessary.

Instructions

Snake (with 4.5mm hook and super bulky yarn)

To Begin: Leave a longer starting tail for sewing.

Round 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6 sts)

Round 2: [Inc] x6. (12 sts)

Round 3: [Sc] x12. (12 sts)

Round 4: [3 sc, inc] x3. (15 sts)

Round 5: 2 sc, inc, [4 sc, inc] x2, 2 sc. (18 sts)

Round 6-7: [Sc] x18. (18 sts)

Round 8: [Sc, invdec] x6. (12 sts)

Insert safety eyes between Round 5 and Round 6, 6 stitches apart.

Round 9: Sc, invdec, [2 sc, invdec] x2, sc. (9 sts)

Stuff the head. (Note: The sample snake body was left unstuffed for maximum flexibility. You may stuff it lightly if desired.)

Round 10-67: [Sc] x9. (9 sts)

Crochet a Beginner-Friendly Amigurumi Snake - step by step

Round 68: Invdec, 7 sc. (8 sts)

Round 69: Sc, invdec, 2 sc, invdec, sc. (6 sts)

Round 70: [Sc, invdec] x2. (4 sts)

Optional Tongue (with 2.5mm hook and DK weight yarn)

To Begin: Ch 6, sl st in second ch from hook and next ch, ch 3, sl st in second ch from hook and next ch, sl st in remaining 3 chs of starting ch.

Finishing

For the snake body, cut the yarn leaving a tail and pull through the last stitch. Weave the yarn tail through the front loops only of the final round and pull to close. Hide the end inside the snake.

For the optional tongue, fasten off leaving a long tail.

Assembly

Sew the tongue onto Round 1 of the snake’s head using both yarn tails.

Emma’s Tips

This little snake is such a joy to make, and here are a few tips to help you along:

Yarn Choice: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different super bulky yarns! A textured yarn can give your snake a unique feel, or a variegated one can create beautiful stripes without extra color changes.
Stuffing: While the pattern suggests leaving the body unstuffed for flexibility, if you prefer a firmer snake, you can lightly stuff the body as you go. Just be careful not to overstuff, which can cause stitches to stretch and stuffing to show through.
Length Adjustment: The beauty of this pattern is its adaptability. To make your snake longer or shorter, simply add or subtract rounds from the body section (Rounds 10-67). Just remember to keep your stitch count consistent for those rounds!
Stitch Markers are Your Friend: Since this pattern is worked in a continuous spiral, a stitch marker is absolutely essential. It helps you keep track of the beginning of each round, preventing you from getting lost and ensuring your stitch counts stay accurate.
Making it Your Own: Think about adding small details! You could embroider little scales or even use different colored yarns for stripes to truly personalize your snake. For more fun no-sew amigurumi projects, you might also like my No-Sew Crochet Cat Pattern!