This free crochet pickle pattern makes a cheerful little positive pickle to give as a pick-me-up. Just starting out with crochet? It's a wonderful first project, and we'll go through it one easy step at a time.
At a glance
| Skill level | Easy |
| Finished size | about 4 in (10 cm) tall |
| Yarn | DK (light worsted) cotton |
| Hook | 3.5 mm (US E-4) |
| Colors | Pea green, Black, Pink, Dark green |
| Pieces | body, arm x2, foot x2 |
What you'll need
Yarn
DK (light worsted): yarn weight 3, light
- Pea green: about 21 yd (19 m), 1 ball, 1.75 oz / 137 yd (50 g / 125 m)
- Black: a small scrap
- Pink: a small scrap
- Dark green: a small scrap
Tools and notions
- 3.5 mm crochet hook: for DK (light worsted) cotton yarn
- 6 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
With this yarn and a 3.5 mm (US E-4) hook, the positive pickle ends up around 4 in (10 cm) tall: roughly 20 sc and 22 rounds per 4 in (10 cm). Gauge doesn't really matter, a different yarn or hook just makes it a different size.
Abbreviations (US terms)
| Rnd | round, worked in a continuous spiral: don't join, move the stitch marker up each round |
| sc | single crochet |
| inc | increase: 2 sc in the same stitch |
| dec | decrease: sc 2 stitches together (the invisible decrease looks neatest) |
| 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 positive pickle 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.
Positive pickle 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.
Body
Worked in pea green.
| 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 8, inc) x2 | (20) |
Check: What you want is a flat circle, roughly 1.3 in (3.2 cm) wide, and it should have 20 stitches around the outside.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnds 5-12 | sc in each st around | (20) |
| Rnd 13 | (sc 8, dec) x2 | (18) |
| Rnd 14 | sc in each st around | (18) |
Check: What you want is an open cup, roughly 1.3 in (3.2 cm) across and 1.9 in (4.9 cm) deep, with 18 stitches around the rim.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnds 15-16 | sc in each st around | (18) |
Note: Time for eyes! Put the safety eyes in on the smoothest side, between round 15 and round 16, with 3 stitches between them (that's the face, the little jog where laps start goes at the back). Before you snap the backs on inside, take a look from a distance: once they click, they stay forever.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnds 17-21 | sc in each st around | (18) |
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 stuffed shape around 1.5 in (3.7 cm) wide and 3.6 in (9.2 cm) tall, and you'll leave 18 stitches open.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnd 22 | (sc, dec) x6 | (12) |
| Rnd 23 | 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 set! Your body is now fully closed and firmly stuffed, measuring roughly 3.9 in (9.8 cm) tall and 1.5 in (3.7 cm) wide.
Arm (make 2)
Worked in pea green.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnd 1 | 6 sc in magic ring | (6) |
| Rnd 2 | sc 5, inc | (7) |
Check: What you want is a flat circle, roughly 0.4 in (1.1 cm) wide, with 7 stitches around the outside.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnd 3 | sc in each st around | (7) |
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 stuffed shape, roughly 0.5 in (1.3 cm) wide and 0.4 in (1.1 cm) tall, and you'll leave an opening of 7 stitches.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnd 4 | sc 5, dec | (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 set! Now your arm should be a firmly stuffed, fully closed piece, roughly 0.5 in (1.3 cm) wide and 0.7 in (1.8 cm) tall.
Foot (make 2)
Worked in pea green.
| Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Rnd 1 | 6 sc in magic ring | (6) |
| Rnd 2 | sc 5, inc | (7) |
| Rnd 3 | sc in each st around | (7) |
Note: Put a slip stitch in the next stitch. Then cut the yarn, but leave a long tail, around 12 in (30 cm), since you'll use it to sew the foot on. Stuff it gently, using the back of your hook to push the stuffing down to the end.
Check: All set! Now your foot should be an open piece around 0.5 in (1.3 cm) wide and 0.4 in (1.1 cm) long, plus a long yarn tail.
Putting the positive pickle together
Now that every piece is done, we can stitch them up and see your pickle start to take shape.
1. Attach the arms
At round 10, put the first one on the body, one on each side. Press the closed end of the arm up against the body, then sew around where they meet, and pull the yarn tight so no gap shows. It should point out and down when you're done, roughly 50 degrees from straight out. After that, do the same for the other arm on the other side, mirrored.
2. Attach the feet
At round 2, put the first one on the body, one on each side of the front. Pin it all around, keeping the open edge flat against the body. With the long tail, sew around the whole edge: under one stitch of the foot, then under the body right beside it. Right before the gap closes, add a final bit of stuffing. It should point straight out when you're done. Then repeat for the other one on the opposite side, mirrored.
3. Sew the mouth
Using black yarn on the body, near round 14, at the front, in the center. Here's how: come up at a corner, go down 3 stitches over, then grab the middle of that long stitch and tug it down one round to shape a curve.
4. Sew the cheeks
With pink yarn on the body, around round 14, one on each side of the front. How: 2 short stitches side by side make one cheek.
5. Sew the spot top front
Using dark green yarn on the body, near round 20, at the front and a bit to the toy's left. 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.
6. Sew the spot upper front right
Using dark green yarn on the body, near round 17, on the front, a bit to the toy's right. How to do it: work 4 or 5 stitches stacked on top of each other over the same 2 stitches until it looks nice and plump.
7. Sew the spot middle front
Using dark green yarn on the body, near round 11, at the front, slightly to the toy's left. How to do it: work 4 or 5 stitches stacked on top of each other over the same 2 stitches until it looks nice and plump.
8. Sew the spots low front
With dark green yarn on the body, around round 5, one on each side of the front. How: make 4 or 5 stitches on top of each other over the same 2 stitches until it looks nice and plump.
9. Sew the spot top back
With dark green yarn on the body, around round 19, at the back, a little to the toy's right. How: make 4 or 5 stitches on top of each other over the same 2 stitches until it looks nice and plump.
10. Sew the spot middle back left
Using dark green yarn on the body, near round 15, at the back, a bit to the toy's left. How to do it: work 4 or 5 stitches stacked on top of each other over the same 2 stitches until it looks nice and plump.
11. Sew the spot middle back right
Using dark green yarn on the body, near round 12, on the back, a bit to the toy's right. How to do it: work 4 or 5 stitches stacked on top of each other over those same 2 stitches until it looks nice and plump.
12. Sew the spots low back
Using dark green yarn on the body, near round 5, put one on each side, toward the back. 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.
13. 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!
All done!
You did it, your smiling pickle is finished and standing tall! Give it a squeeze and be proud, you made this with your own two hands.
Finished one? Show it to #crochetpirate. We would love to see it.
Prefer paper?
Get the full pattern as a printable PDF, free when you have a Crochet Pirate account. Just sign in, and your download begins right away.
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Questions about this pattern
What is a positive pickle?
A positive pickle is a tiny crocheted pickle with a happy face. You give it to someone to cheer them up. Usually it comes with a card that has a short cheer or a pickle pun, like You're kind of a big dill. People make them for friends, coworkers, teachers, and students.
Is this an emotional support pickle?
Yep. An emotional support pickle is just that tiny toy by a different name: a pocket-size pickle with a kind face that you keep on your desk or give to someone having a hard day. This pattern makes both.
What do you write on a positive pickle card?
Pickle jokes work great: You're kind of a big dill or I'm here for you in any pickle. A simple cheer is fine too: You've got this or I'm rooting for you. Put it on a little card or tag, then tuck it in with the pickle.
Is this crochet pickle pattern free?
Yes. This page has the full crochet pickle pattern, each round with its stitch count, and the printable PDF is also free with a Crochet Pirate account.
How big is the finished positive pickle?
The positive pickle comes out about 4 in (10 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?
DK (light worsted) cotton with a 3.5 mm (US E-4) hook, in 4 colors: pea green, black, pink, dark green. Any yarn works if you go up or down a hook size to keep the stitches 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.
