You're going to make a cute tiny ghost, one simple step at a time. Never picked up a hook before? No problem, we'll take it slow, and it'll turn out great.
At a glance
| Skill level | Easy |
| Finished size | about 6 in (16 cm) tall |
| Yarn | DK (light worsted) cotton |
| Hook | 3.5 mm (US E-4) |
| Colors | White, Orange, Black, Light pink, Terracotta |
| Pieces | ghost body, hem lobe x6, arm x2 |
What you'll need
Yarn
DK (light worsted): yarn weight 3, light
- White: about 104 yd (95 m), 1 ball, 1.75 oz / 137 yd (50 g / 125 m)
- Orange: about 10 yd (9 m), 1 ball, 1.75 oz / 137 yd (50 g / 125 m), only for the pumpkin bucket
- Black: a small scrap
- Light pink: a small scrap
- Terracotta: a tiny leftover, just for the pumpkin bucket
Tools and notions
- 3.5 mm crochet hook: for DK (light worsted) cotton yarn
- 15 mm black safety eyes: 1 pair
- Polyester toy stuffing: a couple of big handfuls
- Yarn needle (big eye, blunt tip)
- 1 stitch marker: A scrap of yarn or a paperclip will do as well.
- Scissors
Size and gauge
Kawaii ghost comes out about 6 in (16 cm) tall in this yarn, with a 3.5 mm (US E-4) hook: about 20 sc and 22 rounds to 4 in (10 cm). Gauge isn't critical: another yarn or hook only changes the size.
Abbreviations (US terms)
| Rnd | round, worked in a continuous spiral: don't join, move the stitch marker up each round |
| Row | worked back and forth: turn at the end of each row |
| sc | single crochet |
| inc | increase: 2 sc in the same stitch |
| dec | decrease: sc 2 stitches together (the invisible decrease looks neatest) |
| ch | chain |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| ( ) x6 | repeat what's in brackets 6 times |
| (12) | the stitches you have at the end of the round |
If you're just learning them, the crochet abbreviations page walks you through how to make each one.
Good to know
- Work your stitches tight, or the stuffing will peek out. Notice holes? Switch to a smaller hook.
- Work in a spiral, and at the beginning of every round, move your stitch marker up.
- When you're going to sew a piece on, keep a long tail on it.
- Safety eyes and small parts can be a choking hazard for children under 3. For little ones, embroider the eyes instead.
Techniques in this pattern
Just starting out with one of these? Every tutorial walks you through it, step by step, with photos.
- Magic ring: how the round pieces start
- Invisible decrease: smooth shaping without gaps
- Safety eyes: where they go and how they lock
- Sewing the pieces together: neat seams that hide
- Reading the pattern: rounds, repeats and stitch counts
Rather follow pictures? Make the kawaii ghost in the app.
Crochet Pirate guides you through this pattern, step by step: a photo at each checkpoint, a round counter, and a quick video for every stitch it calls for.
Kawaii ghost crochet pattern
Work every section one after another, and at the close of each round count your stitches: the figure in brackets tells you how many you ought to have.
Ghost body
Worked in white.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnd 1 | 6 sc in magic ring | (6) |
| Rnd 2 | inc x6 | (12) |
| Rnd 3 | (sc, inc) x6 | (18) |
| Rnd 4 | (sc 2, inc) x6 | (24) |
| Rnd 5 | (sc 3, inc) x6 | (30) |
| Rnd 6 | (sc 4, inc) x6 | (36) |
| Rnd 7 | (sc 5, inc) x6 | (42) |
| Rnd 8 | (sc 6, inc) x6 | (48) |
| Rnd 9 | (sc 7, inc) x6 | (54) |
| Rnd 10 | (sc 8, inc) x6 | (60) |
Check: Yours ought to come out as a flat circle, roughly 3.7 in (9.5 cm) wide, with 60 stitches around the edge.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnds 11-26 | sc in each st around | (60) |
Check: Your piece ought to come out like an open cup, roughly 3.7 in (9.5 cm) across and 2.9 in (7.3 cm) deep, with 60 stitches around the rim.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnd 27 | (sc 8, dec) x6 | (54) |
| Rnds 28-31 | sc in each st around | (54) |
| Rnd 32 | (sc 7, dec) x6 | (48) |
| Rnd 33 | sc in each st around | (48) |
Note: Time for eyes! On the smoothest side, that's the face; the little jog where laps start belongs at the back, push the safety eyes in between round 32 and round 33, leaving 10 stitches between them. Before you snap the backs on inside, take a look from a distance: after they click, they're on forever.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnd 34 | sc in each st around | (48) |
| Rnd 35 | (sc 6, dec) x6 | (42) |
| Rnd 36 | sc in each st around | (42) |
| Rnd 37 | (sc 5, dec) x6 | (36) |
| Rnd 38 | (sc 4, dec) x6 | (30) |
| Rnd 39 | (sc 3, dec) x6 | (24) |
Note: Push the filling in now, while the opening is still wide enough. Grab little tufts, start by tucking them into the far end, and keep at it until it feels solid and bouncy. Add a bit more before the final round.
Check: What you want is a plush shape, around 4.3 in (11 cm) across and 6 in (14.7 cm) high, and you'll leave 24 stitches open.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnd 40 | (sc 2, dec) x6 | (18) |
| Rnd 41 | (sc, dec) x6 | (12) |
| Rnd 42 | dec x6 | (6) |
Note: When you're done, snip the yarn and leave a tail about the length of your hand. Put it on the yarn needle, pass it through the front loop of every one of the last stitches, then pull it tight, just like a drawstring bag, the hole closes up. If this piece will be sewn on, keep a long tail; if not, tuck it inside.
Check: All right! Now your ghost body ought to be a firmly stuffed piece, fully closed, around 4.3 in (11 cm) wide and 6 in (15.5 cm) tall.
Hem lobe (make 6)
Worked in white.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnd 1 | 6 sc in magic ring | (6) |
| Rnd 2 | inc x6 | (12) |
| Rnd 3 | (sc, inc) x6 | (18) |
| Rnd 4 | (sc 2, inc) x6 | (24) |
Check: What you want is a flat circle, roughly 1.5 in (3.8 cm) wide, with 24 stitches around the outside.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnds 5-6 | sc in each st around | (24) |
Note: Slip stitch into the next stitch, then cut the yarn leaving a long tail (about 12 in / 30 cm), you'll sew the hem lobe on with it. Stuff it softly, pushing the stuffing to the end with the back of your hook.
Check: All set! Now your hem lobe ought to be an open piece, roughly 1.7 in (4.4 cm) wide and 0.5 in (1.3 cm) long, plus a long yarn tail.
Arm (make 2)
Worked in white.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnd 1 | 6 sc in magic ring | (6) |
| Rnd 2 | inc x6 | (12) |
| Rnd 3 | (sc 3, inc) x3 | (15) |
Check: What you want is a flat circle, roughly 0.9 in (2.4 cm) wide, and it should have 15 stitches around the outer edge.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnds 4-6 | sc in each st around | (15) |
| Rnd 7 | (sc 3, dec) x3 | (12) |
Note: Fill it just a bit, leave the end close to the opening empty so it sits flat. Flatten the opening, matching up the stitches from both layers. Work across through both layers, 6 sc, one in each pair of stitches, to shut it with a straight seam. Leave a long tail when you cut the yarn (around 12 in / 30 cm), you'll use it to sew the arm on along this seam.
Check: All set! Now your arm should be a closed piece, roughly 1.1 in (2.7 cm) wide and 1 in (2.5 cm) long, with a straight seam across the end and a long yarn tail.
Putting the kawaii ghost together
All your pieces are ready, so let's sew your ghost together and watch it come to life.
1. Attach the hem lobes
You'll put these on the ghost body at round 12, spaced out evenly the whole way around (the first one goes at the front, slightly to the toy's left). First pin them all so the gaps look even. Then, for each one: pin it all around with the open edge held flat against the ghost body. With the long tail, sew around the whole edge: go under one stitch of the hem lobe, then under the ghost body right beside it. Right before the gap closes, add a final bit of stuffing. When you're done, it should point out and down, around 50 degrees from straight out.
2. Attach the arms
Put the first one on the ghost body at round 24, one on each side. Keep the straight seam against the ghost body, then sew along it through both pieces, back and forth. It should end up pointing out and down, about 60 degrees from straight out. After that, do the same for the other one on the other side, mirrored.
3. Sew the mouth
Using black yarn on the ghost body, near round 30, at the front, in the center. Here's how: come up at one corner, then go down 3 stitches over, after that catch the middle of that long stitch and pull it down one round to shape a curve.
4. Sew the cheeks
Using light pink yarn, add cheeks on the ghost body around round 29, one on each side of the front. To do this: 2 short stitches side by side make one cheek.
5. Hide the tails
For every loose tail: thread it on the needle, poke it into the toy and out somewhere else, give it a little tug, and snip it close. The end disappears inside. All done!
Extra: the pumpkin bucket
Want your ghost to go trick-or-treating? Give it a little pumpkin bucket of its own! You crochet it separately after finishing the kawaii ghost, and the kawaii ghost is done even without it.
Pumpkin bucket
Worked in orange.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnd 1 | 6 sc in magic ring | (6) |
| Rnd 2 | inc x6 | (12) |
| Rnd 3 | (sc, inc) x6 | (18) |
| Rnd 4 | (sc 2, inc) x6 | (24) |
| Rnd 5 | (sc 3, inc) x6 | (30) |
Check: When you're done, it ought to be a flat circle measuring roughly 1.9 in (4.8 cm) across, and you should have 30 stitches around the edge.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnds 6-8 | sc in each st around | (30) |
Check: Your piece ought to look like an open cup, roughly 1.9 in (4.8 cm) across and 0.6 in (1.4 cm) deep, with 30 stitches around the rim.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnd 9 | (sc 3, dec) x6 | (24) |
| Rnd 10 | sc in each st around | (24) |
| Rnd 11 | (sc 10, dec) x2 | (22) |
Note: Slip stitch into the following stitch. Then, leave a tail about 12 in (30 cm) long and cut your yarn.
Check: You're all set! Your pumpkin bucket is now an open piece, roughly 1.9 in (4.8 cm) wide and 0.9 in (2.2 cm) long, and it has a long yarn tail.
Bucket handle
Worked in black.
Note: Ch 15. Make a slip knot, then chain 15. You work this piece flat, going back and forth along the chain in rows, and you turn at the end of every row.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Row 1 | sc 14 | (14) |
| Row 2 | ch 1, turn, sc 14 | (14) |
Note: Snip the yarn, leaving a long tail, roughly 12 in (30 cm), for sewing. Then pull it through the last loop.
Check: Great! Now your bucket handle ought to be a flat strip, roughly 2.8 in (7 cm) wide and 0.4 in (0.9 cm) tall, plus a long yarn tail.
Putting the pumpkin bucket together
1. Attach the bucket handle
Set it on the toy's left side, along the open edge of the pumpkin bucket, that's the last round, 11. Keep the bucket handle's first row (the chain edge) next to the pumpkin bucket so the rest sticks out, then sew only along that edge, going back and forth, to make it stay firm. It should point straight out when you're done.
2. Sew the pumpkin eyes
Using black yarn on the pumpkin bucket, near round 7, put one on each side of the front. Here's how: work 4 or 5 stitches stacked on top of each other over those same 2 stitches until it looks nice and plump.
3. Sew the pumpkin nose
Using black yarn on the pumpkin bucket, near round 6, at the front, in the center. How to: put 4 or 5 stitches right on top of each other over those same 2 stitches until it looks good and full.
4. Sew the pumpkin mouth
Using black yarn, at the front and center of the pumpkin bucket, near round 4. Here's how: bring your hook up at a corner, move down 3 stitches across, then grab the center of that long stitch and tug it down one round to shape a curve.
5. Sew the pumpkin teeth
With orange yarn on the pumpkin bucket, around round 4, at the front, in the middle. How: small stitches one after another, going up the rounds, one stitch per round.
6. Sew the pumpkin ribs
With terracotta yarn on the pumpkin bucket, here: near round 6, one on each side at the front; near round 6, one on each side, toward the back. How: little stitches in a row, working up the rounds, one stitch each round.
7. Sew the pumpkin back rib
Around round 6 on the pumpkin bucket, at the back and in the middle, use terracotta yarn. Here's how: make little stitches one after the other, climbing up the rounds, just one stitch each round.
8. Finish the pumpkin bucket
Hide the tails on the pumpkin bucket the same way you did on the toy. It isn't sewn on, it's its own little piece, so it never pulls the toy out of shape. Tuck it into the toy's arms or hands, or stand it right beside it, the way you like it best.
All done!
Your tiny ghost is done and set to drift around, you did it! Squeeze it tight, because you made that with your own hands.
Finished one? Show it to #crochetpirate. We would love to see it.
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Questions about this pattern
Does the ghost come with the pumpkin bucket?
Yep. That small pumpkin bucket along with its handle is included in the pattern as a bonus: you can make it once the ghost is done if you want, or just skip it.
Can I make a mini ghost with this pattern?
Yes. The ghost is about 6.5 in (16 cm) tall in DK cotton on a 3.5 mm hook. The same rounds in a thinner yarn with a smaller hook make a smaller ghost.
How big is the finished kawaii ghost?
The kawaii ghost comes out about 6 in (16 cm) tall in DK (light worsted) yarn with a 3.5 mm (US E-4) hook. A thicker yarn and bigger hook make a bigger toy; the rounds stay the same.
What yarn and hook do I need?
With DK (light worsted) cotton and a 3.5 mm (US E-4) hook, use 5 colors: white, orange, black, light pink, terracotta. Any yarn is fine, as long as you change your hook size up or down so the stitches stay tight.
Is this pattern good for beginners?
Yep, it's labeled Easy: single crochet worked in the round, plus increases and decreases, and each round has a stitch count.
Can I sell what I make?
Sure, you can sell the toys you make using this pattern, and it's nice if you give a shout-out to Crochet Pirate. But please don't share or sell the pattern itself, just send folks to this page instead.
Copyright 2026 Crochet Pirate. This pattern is free for personal use.
