Mila the Llama — Free Amigurumi Crochet Pattern (Easy–Intermediate, Step-by-Step)
by Latifacha · Crochet Ideas 101
👉 Jump straight to the Pattern ↓
Meet Mila — a dreamy kawaii amigurumi llama with a fluffy cream bouclé coat, a tiny pastel flower crown tucked between her ears, and a striped saddle blanket with little tassels swinging off one side. She stands on four soft legs at about 22 cm tall, and she’s hands-down one of the most “gift-worthy” characters in the Crochet Ideas 101 family — equal parts nursery decoration, baby-shower present, and shelf companion you’ll have a hard time giving away.
The secret to Mila is the yarn. The bouclé does all the fluffy alpaca-coat work for you, so there are no fancy stitches anywhere in this pattern — just single crochet, increases, and decreases. The trade-off is that bouclé is genuinely hard to count, so I’d nudge this one to easy–intermediate rather than pure beginner. If you’ve made a basic amigurumi sphere before and you’re comfortable working by feel, you’ll be fine.
Below is the full pattern: materials, US-terminology abbreviations, round-by-round instructions for every piece, the saddle blanket and flower crown, assembly, my honest tips, and an FAQ. Let’s make a llama.
Materials & Tools You’ll Need
Yarn (bouclé + smooth, approximate amounts)
- Cream / off-white bouclé — fluffy curly-loop yarn for the head, body, upper legs, and ears (~120 g)
- Smooth cream — for the muzzle, inner ears, and lower legs (~30 g)
- Mocha brown — small amount for the hooves
- Pastel pink, baby blue, mustard yellow, olive green — small amounts for the flower crown, saddle blanket, and tassels
Hooks
- 2.5 mm crochet hook — main hook for body and head (a tight gauge keeps stuffing hidden behind the bouclé)
- 2.0 mm crochet hook — optional, for the tiny flowers and tassels
Notions
- Two 8 mm black safety eyes
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Tapestry needle
- 3–4 stitch markers
- Pink chalk pastel or blush (for the cheeks)
- Light-brown and pink embroidery floss (mouth and cheeks)
- Sharp scissors
Abbreviations
This pattern uses US crochet terminology.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
MR | magic ring |
ch | chain |
st(s) | stitch(es) |
sl st | slip stitch |
sc | single crochet |
inc | increase (2 sc in same stitch) |
dec | invisible decrease (sc2tog through front loops) |
Rnd | round |
BLO | back loop only |
[ ] × N | repeat the sequence in brackets N times |
( ) | total stitch count at end of round |
Notes & Gauge
Working with bouclé yarn
- Bouclé hides your stitches behind a halo of loops, so count by feel — pinch along the round to find each stitch bump. A marker at the start of every round is essential.
- Work in a continuous spiral (don’t join rounds) unless told otherwise.
- If you genuinely lose your place, the smooth-yarn pieces (muzzle, lower legs) are far easier to count, so build confidence there first.
US ↔ UK note: US sc = UK dc. Substitute throughout if you work in UK terms.
Gauge: Not critical, but aim for a fabric tight enough that stuffing doesn’t peek through. With a 2.5 mm hook and bouclé, drop half a hook size if your work feels loose.
Finished size: approximately 22 cm / 8.7 in tall, standing on four legs.
Skill level: Easy–Intermediate (simple stitches, but bouclé counting takes patience).
The Pattern
Head
Cream bouclé, continuous spiral.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
- Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12)
- Rnd 3: [sc, inc] × 6 (18)
- Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] × 6 (24)
- Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] × 6 (30)
- Rnds 6–11: sc in each st around (30)
- Rnd 12: [3 sc, dec] × 6 (24)
- Rnd 13: [2 sc, dec] × 6 (18)
Eyes: Insert the 8 mm safety eyes between Rnds 8 and 9, about 6 sts apart, toward the front where the muzzle will sit.
- Rnd 14: [sc, dec] × 6 (12)
Stuff the head firmly.
- Rnd 15: dec × 6 (6)
Fasten off, close the gap, and weave in the tail.
Muzzle
Smooth cream yarn. This flat oval gives Mila her gentle llama face.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
- Rnd 2: [sc, inc] × 3 (9)
- Rnds 3–4: sc in each st around (9)
Sl st, fasten off, and leave a long tail for sewing.
Body
Cream bouclé, worked as an upright barrel for a standing llama.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
- Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12)
- Rnd 3: [sc, inc] × 6 (18)
- Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] × 6 (24)
- Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] × 6 (30)
- Rnds 6–16: sc in each st around (30) — the long barrel body
- Rnd 17: [3 sc, dec] × 6 (24)
- Rnd 18: [2 sc, dec] × 6 (18)
Stuff the body firmly as you go.
- Rnd 19: [sc, dec] × 6 (12)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. The narrower end is the neck (attaches to the head); the wider base sits on the legs.
Legs (make 4)
Start with mocha brown for the hoof, change to smooth cream, then to bouclé for the upper leg.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (mocha) (6)
- Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12)
- Rnd 3: sc in BLO around (12) — creates a crisp hoof edge
- Rnd 4: [4 sc, dec] × 2 (10)
Change to smooth cream.
- Rnds 5–7: sc in each st around (10)
Change to cream bouclé.
- Rnds 8–10: sc in each st around (10)
Stuff the lower half lightly (leave the top flat for sewing). Fasten off, leaving a tail.
Ears (make 2)
Bouclé outer, smooth-cream inner — or work the whole ear in cream and pinch flat.
- Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR (4)
- Rnd 2: [sc, inc] × 2 (6)
- Rnd 3: sc in each st around (6)
- Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] × 2 (8)
- Rnds 5–6: sc in each st around (8)
Do not stuff. Pinch flat, fasten off, leave a tail.
Tail (pom-pom)
Make a small cream pom-pom (about 3 cm) and trim it neatly. Set aside for assembly.
Flower Crown
Make 3 small flowers (one baby-blue center, two pastel-pink) using the 2.0 mm hook:
- Each flower: 6 sc in MR, then [ch 2, sl st in next st] × 6 to make 6 tiny petals. Fasten off, leave a tail.
Make 2 small olive-green leaves: ch 4, then sc–hdc–sc along the chain, sl st to point. Add a few mustard-yellow french knots as accents.
Saddle Blanket
Worked flat in rows, striping pastel pink / baby blue / cream / mustard yellow.
- Row 1: ch 13, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (12)
- Rows 2–8: ch 1, turn, sc across, changing color every row or two as you like (12)
- Border: with pastel pink, work a scalloped edge — [sl st, ch 2, sl st] in every other st around the whole blanket.
Make 2 short tassels (one pastel pink, one mustard yellow) and set aside.
Assembly
Attach pieces in this order so everything balances:
- Sew the muzzle to the front of the head, centered just below the eyes. Stuff lightly before closing for a soft rounded snout.
- Embroider the mouth as a small light-brown V beneath the muzzle, and add rosy cheeks with pink chalk pastel or a few stitches of pink floss.
- Sew the head to the body at the narrow neck end, tilting it slightly upward for that proud llama posture.
- Attach the four legs to the base of the body — two front, two back, evenly spaced so Mila stands steadily. Sit her on a flat surface and adjust before sewing fully.
- Attach the ears upright on top of the head, about 5–6 stitches apart.
- Sew the flower crown between the ears: arrange the three flowers with the blue one in the center, tuck the green leaves underneath, and secure.
- Drape the saddle blanket over the back and tack it down with a few stitches. Attach the two tassels to the left side.
- Sew the pom-pom tail to the center-back of the body.
Give her a gentle squish and stand her up — your Mila is finished! 🦙
Tips, Substitutions & Variations
- Yarn behaviour: Bouclé is gorgeous but slippery to count. If it’s your first time with it, crochet the smooth-cream pieces first (muzzle, lower legs) to warm up — they’re far more forgiving.
- Standing stability: If Mila leans, the fix is almost always uneven leg attachment. Pin all four legs and test her on a table before committing any stitches.
- No bouclé on hand? A brushed acrylic or a worsted held with a thin mohair strand mimics the fluffy coat. Adjust your hook to keep the fabric tight.
- Simplify for beginners: Skip the saddle blanket and crown for a clean classic llama, or keep just the flower crown for a quick win.
- Baby-safe version: Replace the safety eyes with embroidered black yarn eyes and stuff firmly so there are no removable parts.
Care Instructions
- Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap when possible.
- For a full wash, pop Mila in a mesh laundry bag on a cold, gentle cycle, then air dry flat and fluff the bouclé back up by hand.
- Keep safety eyes secure; embroider the face for gifts to very young children.
Terms of Use / Copyright
This pattern is free for personal use, and you’re welcome to sell finished items you make from it — a link back to Crochet Ideas 101 is always appreciated. Please do not copy, redistribute, or republish the pattern text or photos as your own. © Latifacha, Crochet Ideas 101.
Frequently Asked Questions
What yarn is best for a crochet llama?
A cream bouclé (curly-loop) yarn gives Mila her signature fluffy alpaca-like coat with no extra effort, paired with a smooth cream for the muzzle and lower legs. If you can’t find bouclé, a brushed acrylic or a worsted held together with a fine mohair strand works well.
Is Mila the Llama good for beginners?
She uses only single crochet, increases, and decreases — no advanced stitches. The one challenge is that bouclé yarn is hard to count, so I’d call her easy–intermediate. A confident beginner who’s made one amigurumi before can absolutely do it.
How big is the finished llama?
Mila stands about 22 cm / 8.7 inches tall on four legs, though your exact size will vary a little with your yarn and tension.
How long does it take to crochet Mila?
Most crocheters finish her over a few cozy evenings — roughly 5–7 hours including the saddle blanket, flower crown, and assembly.
Can I make the llama without the saddle blanket and flower crown?
Yes. The body, head, legs, ears, and tail make a complete classic llama on their own. The crown and blanket are decorative add-ons you can include, simplify, or skip entirely.
Loved making Mila? You might also enjoy Daisy the Bunny, Milo the Monkey, and the Baby Cow & Baby Bull patterns — all free, all here at Crochet Ideas 101.
📌 Pin this pattern for later, and join the newsletter for a new free character pattern every month.
Pattern, photos, and design by Latifacha · contact@crochetideas101.com
