How to Crochet a Plushie Camel: A Squishy Desert Friend 🐪✨


Camels are often called the “ships of the desert” — steady, resilient, and a little quirky with their long legs and iconic humps. But today, instead of trekking across the Sahara, we’re going to bring one to life right from our yarn basket! 🧶

This plushie camel will be soft, squishy, and just the right amount of goofy. Perfect as a handmade gift, a toy, or even a whimsical desk buddy. Let’s grab our hooks and take a little crochet journey into the desert sands. 🌵🌞

What You’ll Need 🧵

Here’s your camel caravan of supplies:

  • Yarn: Medium-weight yarn in camel-friendly colors (light brown, tan, or sandy yellow). You can also grab darker yarn for hooves or pastel yarn for a magical “fantasy camel.”

  • Hook: 4mm–5mm (check your yarn label).

  • Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill to make your camel plump and cuddly.

  • Safety eyes: 8mm–10mm, or embroider sleepy eyes for extra cuteness.

  • Tapestry needle: For sewing on legs, head, and humps.

  • Scissors.

Optional extras: tiny pompoms or embroidery thread to make a colorful “blanket” for your camel’s back.

Step 1: The Camel Body 🐪

The body is like a long oval — this will hold the iconic humps.

  1. Magic ring: 6 sc.

  2. Increase: Work evenly until you reach about 30–36 sts.

  3. Lengthen the body: Crochet in rounds (no increases) for 12–15 rows.

  4. Stuff as you go to keep it firm but squishy.

  5. Close one end with decreases — the other end will be for the neck.

Step 2: The Humps 🏜️

Camels are famous for their humps, so let’s make them cute and cuddly.

  • Crochet 2 small spheres (like mini stuffed balls).

  • Start with 6 sc in a magic ring, increase to 18 sts, then crochet a few rounds before decreasing and stuffing.

  • Sew both humps securely onto the back of the body.

Step 3: The Legs 🦵

Our camel needs legs to stand tall.

  • Crochet 4 cylinders (about 6–8 rows tall).

  • Start with 6 sc in a magic ring, increase to 12 sts, then crochet evenly until they look like stubby legs.

  • Sew two at the front and two at the back.

👉 For extra detail, switch to dark yarn for the last row to create little hooves.

Step 4: The Neck & Head 🐫

Camels have long necks and sweet, expressive faces.

  • Neck: Crochet a tube about 8–10 rows long, slightly thinner than the body. Stuff lightly and sew to the front of the body.

  • Head: Start with 6 sc in a magic ring, increase to 18 sts, crochet 6–8 rows, then decrease to close. Stuff well.

  • Sew the head to the neck.

Add safety eyes or embroider sleepy lashes for personality.

Step 5: Finishing Touches ✨

  • Add a little embroidered smile.

  • Make a tiny crochet or felt “blanket” to drape across the humps — decorate it with tassels or pompoms for a colorful desert vibe.

  • Use variegated yarn for a whimsical rainbow camel!

And There You Have It! 🎉

Your very own plushie camel — soft, quirky, and full of charm. Whether it’s guarding your yarn stash, decorating a shelf, or joining a crochet zoo, this little desert friend will bring endless joy.

And remember: every handmade camel will be a little different — maybe your camel’s humps are extra round, or maybe it’s got a cheeky grin. That’s the beauty of crochet — no two creatures are ever the same. 🧶💛


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