Pull up a chair, sweetie. This crochet ghost pattern is as gentle as an autumn breeze. We’ll work in cozy spiral rounds with DK/light-worsted yarn and a 2.5–3.0 mm hook, then dress our little spooks in four outfits: Peekaboo, Bell Ghost, Wide Skirt, and Layered Skirt. Want a mini/keychain? Just drop your yarn weight or hook size, easy. Skills are beginner-friendly (MR, sc, inc, invisible dec, simple hems/ruffles), and a whisper of stuffing keeps those skirts drapey. If you’re new to amigurumi, don’t fret, Grandma Martha’s got you
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Quick Pattern Card (Read This First)
Difficulty: Beginner-friendly
Time: 45–120 minutes per ghost (mini = faster)
Size: ~7–11 cm tall with DK yarn & 2.5–3.0 mm hook (mini/keychain smaller)
Worked: In a spiral unless noted • Stuff lightly for a soft drape
Materials (for all)
- White DK/light-worsted yarn (size 3 or light 4)
- Small scraps of black yarn/thread (eyes/mouth) or 6–8 mm safety eyes
- 2.5–3.0 mm hook (go smaller if you want them firmer)
- Fiberfill, yarn needle, pins, pink blush (optional)
Stitches & Notes (US terms)
- MR = magic ring • sc = single crochet • inc = 2 sc in one st • dec = invisible decrease
- hdc = half double crochet • dc = double crochet • sl st = slip stitch
- Work in a spiral unless I say otherwise. Stitch counts are in ( ).
- New to invisible decreases? See Invisible Decrease Crochet.
Gauge & Sizing
- Gauge isn’t critical; fabric should be firm with no stuffing peeking.
- Mini/keychain: switch to sport/fingering yarn and a smaller hook (e.g., 2.0–2.25 mm) or stop a round earlier on height sections. This keeps the crochet ghost pattern compact for keychains.
Safety & Finishing
- For babies/toddlers, embroider eyes instead of using safety eyes.
- Steam-block acrylic lightly or wet-block cotton if you want extra ruffle. Light finishing helps every crochet ghost pattern variation drape nicely.
How the 4 Variations Work
All ghosts share the same beginner skill set. Each variation tweaks body height, hem, and arms, so you can reuse this crochet ghost pattern base and swap details:
- Variation 1 : Peekaboo: classic bell body + two separate arms joined in front for a “hug/peekaboo” pose.
- Variation 2: Simple Bell Ghost: smooth bell body + puff hands; scallop hem worked as you go.
- Variation 3: Wide Skirt: extra increases for a fuller skirt + straight “stick” arms.
- Variation 4: Layered Skirt: built-in arms on the inner body + a separate outer ruffle for a flowy layered look
Variation 1 — Mimi Peekaboo Ghost (hands together)
Look: classic bell body with two little arms stitched together in front, like a shy “boo!” This crochet ghost pattern version is the fastest makeover for gifts.
Difficulty: Beginner • Time: ~60–90 min • Stuffing: light
Body
- R1: MR 12 dc (12)
- R2: (dc, dc-inc) ×12 (24)
- R3–R5: dc around (24)
- R6: 2 dc, 6 tr, 6 dc, 6 tr, 14 dc (34)
- R7: dc, (2 dc in next st), dc2tog ×3, [dc, 2 dc in next st] ×3, dc2tog ×3, [dc, 2 dc in next st] ×7 (≈39)
- R8: 3 dc, dc2tog, 9 dc, dc2tog, 20 dc, (dc, dc-inc) (≈36)
- R9 (hem): repeat 6× evenly → sl st, ch2, 5 tr in next st, ch2, sl st. FO.
Assembly & Face
- Eyes: add 6–8 mm safety eyes or embroider two short vertical ovals with black yarn/thread.
- Mouth: embroider a tiny black dash (or a soft “u” for a sweeter look).
- Optional blush: tap a little pink on the cheeks.
Mini/Keychain size
- Switch to sport/fingering yarn and a 2.0–2.25 mm hook or stop one round earlier on height sections (e.g., skip R13).
- Add a split ring to the peak of the head before closing, or thread a loop through a hidden stitch under the hem.
Pro tips
- Keep stuffing very light so the hem drapes.
- If you want faint vertical “ribs,” work an occasional BLO round on the body (every 2–3 rounds).
Variation 2 — Simple Bell Ghost (puff hands)
Look: smooth bell-shaped body with tiny puff hands and a scalloped hem worked as you go, the most “classic” crochet ghost pattern silhouette.
Difficulty: Beginner • Time: ~45–75 min • Stuffing: light
Body
- R1: MR 6 sc (6)
- R2: inc around (12)
- R3: (sc, inc)×6 (18)
- R4: (2 sc, inc)×6 (24)
- R5–R8: sc around (24)
- R9: (3 sc, inc)×6 (30)
- R10: sc around (30)
- R11: (4 sc, inc)×6 (36)
- R12: (5 sc, inc)×6 (42)
- R13 (scallop hem, worked in same round): (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, sl st) across the next 5–6 sts; repeat evenly around to form a ruffly edge. FO.
Tip: if your count feels off, add an extra sl st to land cleanly, ruffles are forgiving. For tracking rounds in this crochet ghost pattern, see Count Rounds in Crochet.
Hands (make 2)
- R1: MR 5 sc (5)
- R2: (sc, inc)×2, sc (7)
- R3: sc around (7), FO.
Sew to the sides at mid-body height.
Need even placement? See Attach Amigurumi Limbs Evenly.
Face
- Embroider two small vertical black ovals and a tiny dash mouth; add a soft blush dot on each cheek.
Mini/Keychain size
- Drop to sport/fingering yarn and a 2.0–2.25 mm hook, or shorten the height by removing one plain round before the scallop.
- Add a jump ring at the crown or sew a loop under the hem.
Pro tips
- For a crisp scallop, keep your dc stitches even in height; for softer waves, loosen tension slightly on the hdc stitches.
- Very light stuffing preserves the bell silhouette.
Variation 3 — Poppy Wavetail Wide-Skirt Ghost (stick arms)
Look: fuller, swooshy skirt with straight little “stick” arms, playful, display-ready ghost amigurumi.
Difficulty: Beginner+ • Time: ~60–90 min • Stuffing: very light
Body (wider skirt)
- R1: MR 8 sc (8)
- R2: inc around (16)
- R3: (sc, inc)×8 (24)
- R4–R8: sc around (24)
- R9 (add arms): 7 sc, ch5, sl st back 2, sc in next st, 3 hdc, 10 sc, ch5, sl st back 2, sc, 3 hdc, 7 sc (24)
- R10: sc around (24)
- R11: (3 sc, inc)×6 (30)
- R12: (2 sc, inc, 2 sc)×6 (36)
- R13: (5 sc, inc)×6 (42)
- R14 (hem): repeat 7× → sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, sl st. FO.
- Embroider face.
Why MR-8? A broader crown sets up the roomy skirt in this crochet ghost pattern. New to starts? See Magic Ring vs Chain Circle.
Face
- As in Variation #2: two short vertical ovals for eyes and a tiny dash mouth; blush if you like.
Mini/Keychain size
- Use sport/fingering yarn with a 2.0–2.25 mm hook or stop the body height after R11 (36 sts) before working the hem.
- Add a split ring at the crown or a hidden hanging loop inside the hem.
Pro tips
- If the hem flares too much, replace every 3rd dc with hdc to tame the wave.
- Keep stuffing minimal so the skirt drapes naturally instead of ballooning.
Variation 4 — Drifty Long-Mouth (layered skirt, long mouth)
Look: soft bell body with built-in arm nubs plus a separate outer ruffle, our most decorative crochet ghost pattern finish.
Difficulty: Beginner+ • Time: ~70–100 min • Stuffing: very light
Inner Body (with built-in arms)
- R1: MR 6 sc (6)
- R2: inc around (12)
- R3: (sc, inc)×6 (18)
- R4–R6: sc around (18)
- R7 (add both arms): 5 sc, ch 6, sl st back 5 (first arm), 8 sc, ch 6, sl st back 5 (second arm), 5 sc (18)
- R8: (5 sc, inc)×3 (21)
- R9: BLO sc around (21) ← leaves front loops for the outer skirt later.
- R10: sc around (21). FO. (If you prefer a taper, do (sc, dec) ×7 → 14, but the bell is nicer for the skirt.)
Built-in arms are just short ch 6 stubs slip-stitched back; they read as adorable tiny “nubs.” Want a contrast edge on the arm tips or skirt later? See Changing Colors in Amigurumi for clean color swaps.
Outer Skirt (into free front loops from R9)
Join yarn in any free front loop of R9.
- R1: (sc, inc)×21 around (≈42)
- R2: sc around (42)
- R3: (3 sc, inc)×6 (48)
- R4 (decorative hem): work a flowing sequence around the round to sculpt ripples:
16 sc, sc, hdc, dc, tr, tr, dc, hdc, sc, sl st, sl st, sc, hdc, dc, tr, dc, sc, 16 sc = 48
If your round doesn’t start at center-back, just sc to 8 sts before center-front, work the 16-st wave, then sc to end.
Face (long mouth)
- Eyes: embroider two short vertical ovals.
- Mouth: a longer vertical stitch placed between/just below eyes (cute “ooo” vibe).
- Optional blush: light pink under the eyes.
Mini/Keychain size
- Use sport/fingering yarn with a 2.0–2.25 mm hook or remove one plain round before R8.
- Add a jump ring at the crown or a hidden hanging loop under the ruffle.
Pro tips
- Keep stuffing minimal so the inner bell doesn’t push the ruffle outward too stiffly.
- If the ruffle is too wavy, replace every 3rd dc with hdc; if it’s too flat, add an extra inc on R3.
Finishing, Safety & Care
Finishing checklist
- Stuffing: keep it light—just enough to hold shape so each crochet ghost pattern keeps a soft, drapey skirt (too much stuffing = ballooning).
- Seams: use the yarn tail for invisible whipstitch; sink knots inside.
- Faces: place eyes level, ~4–5 sts apart; embroider mouth last so you can fine-tune expression.
- Hems/Ruffles: if edges curl inward, block lightly; if they flare too much, swap some dc → hdc in the hem (noted in tips above).
Baby/toddler-safe option
- Skip safety eyes; embroider eyes and mouth with split-strand cotton or embroidery floss. Work 2–3 passes for neat vertical ovals; secure tails with tiny backstitches inside.
Blocking & care
- Acrylic: steam from a distance (never touch iron to stitches); shape by hand, let cool.
- Cotton/Blends: mist with water, pin to shape on foam, let dry.
- Wash: spot-clean preferred; for full wash, bag + gentle cycle, reshape while damp.
Level-up help for beginners
- New to amigurumi? Walk through the basics in the First Amigurumi Step-by-Step Guide.
Halloween Ideas & Matching Patterns (you’ll also love)
- Black Cat Crochet Pattern (Halloween) — a perfect spooky buddy for your ghost set.
- Grim Reaper Crochet Pattern — creepy-cute scythe vibes to complete your display.
- Pumpkin Witch Crochet Pattern — seasonal color pops with adorable details.
- Crochet Pattern for Candy Corn — quick makes to fill bowls and shelves.
FAQs about the crochet ghost pattern
How big are these ghosts with DK yarn and a 2.5–3.0 mm hook?
Most versions land around 7–11 cm tall. Wide- and layered-skirt options look larger due to ruffles—still the same crochet ghost pattern base.
How do I make a mini/keychain version of this crochet ghost pattern?
Drop to sport/fingering yarn with a 2.0–2.25 mm hook or trim one plain-height round before the hem on each variation. For predictable sizing, match yarn and hook using our Yarn Weight, Gauge & Hook Size Guide. For industry standards, see the Craft Yarn Council yarn weight system
Can beginners make this crochet ghost pattern?
Yes, skills are basic: MR, sc, inc, invisible dec, simple hems/ruffles. If you’re brand-new, skim the First Amigurumi Step-by-Step Guide before you start.
Safety eyes or embroidery—what’s best for this crochet ghost pattern?
For decor, 6–8 mm safety eyes are quick. For baby/toddler gifts, embroider eyes and mouth securely with several passes.
Can I use plush/chunky yarn or make the crochet ghost pattern larger?
Absolutely. Increase hook size until the fabric is firm with no stuffing showing. Bigger yarn reduces total rounds needed.
Make one base, mix four looks, and you’ve got a whole spooky-cute set, fast. This crochet ghost pattern is beginner-friendly, stash-light, and perfect for last-minute decor or gifts. Try a mini/keychain next and line them up on your mantel.
Loved this crochet ghost pattern? Pin it for later so you can whip up more before Halloween! 🎃📌
