Create your own adorable Totoro dango with this free amigurumi pattern! These cute, stackable Totoro-inspired crochet balls combine the beloved Studio Ghibli character with traditional Japanese dango dumplings for a charming decoration or gift that’s perfect for beginners and experienced crocheters alike.
Key Takeaways
- Quick project that can be completed in just a few hours
- Beginner-friendly pattern with simple stitches
- Customizable colors to match your favorite Totoro characters
- Versatile use as keychains, ornaments, or cute decorations
Use Ideas 🎁
Wonder what to do with your finished Totoro dangos? Here are some fun ideas:
- 🧶 Create a mobile for a nursery by hanging multiple dangos at different heights
- 🔑 Attach a keyring to make an adorable keychain that shows off your crafting skills
- 🎄 Use them as unique ornaments for your Christmas tree or home decoration
- 🧸 Give them as gifts to Studio Ghibli fans in your life
- 📚 Make a bookmark by attaching a ribbon to your dango
- 🪄 String several together to make a cute garland for your craft room
- 🎒 Add them as zipper pulls to backpacks or pencil cases
The small size makes these perfect for using up leftover yarn from bigger projects!
Materials&Tools
- Yarn
- Polyester Fiberfill
- 2.0mm Hook
- Yarn Needle
- Glue (To connect the parts, you can also sew with yarn)
Abbreviation
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- inc – increase (2 single crochets in one stitch)
- dec – decrease (merge 2 single crochets into 1)
- sl st – slip stitch
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sk – skip
- magic ring – adjustable ring to start crocheting in the round
How to Read Pattern?
- R5: ch, [1 sc, sc inc] x 6, sl st
In Round 5, start with a chain stitch, then repeat the pattern “1 single crochet, single scrochet increase” 6 times. End with a slip stitch.
- (sc+sc+sc)
Parentheses ( ) indicate that all stitches within them are worked into the same stitch. So ‘(sc+sc+sc)’ means working 3 single crochet stitches all into the same stitch.
Pattern Info
Main Body
- Start with magic ring
- R1: 6 sc
- R2: 6 inc
- R3: [sc, inc] x 6
- R4: [sc, inc, sc] x 6
- R5: [3 sc, inc] x 6
- R6: [2 sc, inc, 2 sc] x 6
- R7: [5 sc, inc] x 6
- R8-14: 42 sc
- R15: [5 sc, dec] x 6
- R16: [2 sc, dec, 2 sc] x 6
- R17: [3 sc, dec] x 6
- R18: [sc, dec, sc] x 6
- R19: [sc, dec] x 6
- R20: 6 dec
Bangs
Big
- Start with magic ring
- 8 hdc
Small
- Start with magic ring
- 6 sc
Head Cover
- Start with magic ring
- R1: 6 sc
- R2: 6 inc
- R3: [sc, inc] x 6
- R4: [sc, inc, sc] x 6
- R5: [3 sc, inc] x 6
- R6: [2 sc, inc, 2 sc] x 6
- R7: [5 sc, inc] x 6
- R8-15: crochet in rows 32 sc, sk 10
- R16: 32 sc, 10 ch
- R17: [5 sc, dec] x 6
- R18: 36 sc
- R19: [2 sc, dec, 2 sc] x 6
- R20: 30 sc
- R21: [3 sc, dec] x 6
- R22: 24 sc
- R23: [sc, dec, sc] x 6
- R24: 18 sc
- R25: [sc, dec] x 6
- R26: 6 dec
Ears
- Start with magic ring
- R1: 6 sc
- R2: [sc, inc] x 3
- R3: [2 sc, inc] x 3
- R4-5: 12 sc
- R6: [2 sc, dec] x 3
- R7: [sc, dec] x 3
Arms
- Start with magic ring
- R1: 6 sc
- R2: [sc, inc] x 3
- R3: [2 sc, inc] x 3
- R4: 12 sc
- R5: [2 sc, dec] x 3
- R6: [sc, dec] x 3
Leaf
- 9 ch, sc into 2nd chain from the hook, hdc, dc, dc, dc, dc, hdc, picot, sc, hdc, dc, dc, dc, dc, hdc, sc, sl st
Explore More Patterns 🧶
Looking for more crochet fun after making your Totoro dangos? Check out these other patterns on our site:
What will you create next? Each pattern includes detailed instructions and helpful photos to guide you through the process. Happy crocheting! 💕