Martha Miller Releases Free Mini Snake Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

Martha Miller's "Mini Snake" amigurumi pattern, released through Amigurumi Corner, solves a problem that stumps many plushie makers: how to get a crocheted snake to curl into a tight, natural-looking coil without stuffing wire through the body. The answer, it turns out, is short rows.

"Soft, squishy, and naturally coiled into a spiral ball, this adorable plush snake measures approximately 70–80 cm (27–31 in.) long and curls into a compact 12–15 cm (5–6 in.) coil," the pattern description reads. That's a snake the length of a forearm compressing into something you could hold in one hand, and it gets there entirely through shaping technique rather than armature.

The construction is one-piece from snout to tail tip: no seaming, no separate head to attach, no wire frame. Miller works the body in continuous spiral rounds using Himalaya Dolphin Baby, a chunky plush yarn that gives the finished snake its soft, fluffy texture. The spiral curl comes from short rows repeated every single round throughout the body. As the pattern's FAQ explains, "a short row is an incomplete round that only works partway around the tube, then reverses back. In this pattern, short rows are repeated every round throughout the body to create the snake's natural spiral curl — no wire frame needed." The full technique appears in the pattern's Notes section, and Miller has also provided video tutorials for crocheters who want to see the method in action before picking up their hook.

Himalaya Dolphin Baby is the specified yarn, but substitutions are possible. The pattern advises that any bulky or super-bulky chenille or velvet-style yarn will work, with the caveat that finished size and overall look will differ from the original. Checking gauge is recommended if dimensions matter.

Customization options extend beyond yarn choice. The pattern includes an optional striped version using a contrast color, but dropping it entirely is straightforward: "Simply omit the CC yarn and work all rounds — including the short rows — entirely in MC. The solid-color snake looks equally charming and can be decorated with embroidered chevrons, hearts, or rhinestones for a personalized touch." The pattern is available free through Amigurumi Corner.

For crocheters interested in a different approach to the same creature, Stitch by Fay offers an "Easy Crochet Snake Pattern" with notably different specs and construction philosophy. That snake measures approximately 19.5 inches (49.5 cm) long, not counting an optional tongue, and is worked from head to tail on a 4.5 mm hook with super bulky yarn. The Stitch by Fay sample used roughly 38 grams of Premier Yarns Parfait Chunky Pom Pom, and the creator left the body unstuffed entirely for maximum flexibility. Gauge is explicitly not a concern in that pattern; the instruction is simply to ensure stitches are tight enough that stuffing won't show through. The Stitch by Fay pattern bills itself as ideal for "keeping your hands busy while watching TV," which is a different pitch than Miller's more technique-forward design.

The two patterns together illustrate how much snake amigurumi can vary: Miller's Mini Snake is an exercise in intentional shaping that produces a dramatically coiled showpiece, while Stitch by Fay's version leans into accessibility and leftover-yarn utility. Both land in beginner-friendly territory, but they get there by different roads.