Halloween Ghost Crochet Pattern (Free)

This little ghost is a sweet first amigurumi for Halloween. It's one color, all single crochet, and a circle of plastic canvas in the base lets it stand up on a shelf or table all on its own.

Pattern Highlights

It's one color and all single crochet, so it's great for beginners.
The head and body are one piece, with only the arms and base to add.
A plastic canvas circle in the base helps it stand up nice and flat.
Every round is written out with a stitch count, so you can check as you go.

Materials

White medium weight (#4) yarn
3.75 mm (F-5) crochet hook
Black perle cotton (DMC size 5) or embroidery floss, for the face
Polyester fiberfill stuffing
A 3 in (7.5 cm) square of plastic canvas, for the base
Yarn needle and stitch marker

Abbreviations used

This pattern uses US crochet terms. Tap any abbreviation for a full explanation, or see the complete crochet abbreviations list.

MR – magic ring
ch – chain
sc – single crochet (UK: double crochet (dc))
inc – increase
dec – decrease
rnd(s) – round(s)
st(s) – stitch(es)
FO – fasten off

The white crocheted ghost seen from the side, with its curved arms raised

About this ghost

This little ghost is made in three kinds of pieces: one long piece for the head and body, a flat round base, and two curved arms. The face is simply embroidered with black perle cotton, so there are no safety eyes to buy.

A close-up of the white crocheted ghost’s face, with small black oval eyes and a wide oval mouth

All you need is white worsted yarn, a scrap of black for the face, some stuffing and a small piece of plastic canvas.

Before you start

This one is rated beginner. It’s all single crochet with simple increases and decreases, in just one color.

It’s worked in a spiral. Don’t join your rounds. A stitch marker keeps your place.
It starts with a magic ring. If you’re new to it, my magic ring tutorial walks you through it step by step. You can also start with a chain 2 instead.
Stuff the head early. The neck narrows at round 12, so stuff the head after round 11 while it’s still easy to reach.

How the ghost stands up

The body flares out a little more every few rounds, like a bell. A flat round base is sewn to the bottom, with a circle of plastic canvas tucked inside it. The canvas keeps the base stiff and flat, so your ghost stands up straight instead of wobbling.

How the curved arms work

Each arm is a small tube with a few increases on one side and decreases on the other. That uneven shaping makes the arm bend into a curve all by itself. Sew them on with the curved ends pointing up and out, and your ghost looks like it’s saying “boo!”

Tips for success

Keep your stitches tight. Tight stitches keep the white body smooth and hide the stuffing.
Embroider the face before adding the base. Then you can hide the thread knots inside.
Keep the face small. Little eyes and a little mouth look the sweetest. You can always add a stitch, but it’s harder to make features smaller.
Stuff evenly. Add stuffing in small pieces so the body stays smooth and round.

Skills you’ll use

How to crochet a magic ring, to start each piece
How to single crochet, used for every round
How to read a crochet pattern, if the brackets and stitch counts look confusing
How to weave in ends, including hiding ends inside stuffed pieces

Make a whole little family of ghosts for your Halloween shelf. 👻

The white crocheted ghost from behind, showing its round head and flared body

The Pattern

Skill level: Beginner
Yarn: Medium weight (#4) yarn
Yarn amount: About 40 yd (37 m) white. An estimate; a small amount of yarn is plenty.
Hook: 3.75 mm (US F-5)
Gauge: Not critical. Work tightly so the stuffing doesn't show.
Finished size: About 5 in (13 cm) tall (an estimate; it depends on your yarn and tension)
Time: Varies with experience

Head and body (white)

Worked from the top of the head down, in one piece. The bottom stays open until you add the base.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6) Or ch 2 and work 6 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook.
Rnd 2: Inc 6 times. (12)
Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 4: [Inc, sc in next st] 6 times. (18)
Rnd 5: [Sc in next 2 sts, inc] 6 times. (24)
Rnds 6–9: Sc in each st around. (24)
Rnd 10: [Dec, sc in next 2 sts] 6 times. (18)
Rnd 11: Sc in each st around. (18)
Stuff the head firmly now, before the neck gets narrow.
Rnd 12: [Sc in next st, dec] 6 times. (12)
Rnd 13: [Inc, sc in next st] 6 times. (18)
Rnd 14: [Sc in next 2 sts, inc] 6 times. (24)
Rnd 15: [Inc, sc in next 7 sts] 3 times. (27)
Rnd 16: Sc in each st around. (27)
Rnd 17: Sc in next 4 sts, [inc, sc in next 8 sts] 2 times, inc, sc in next 4 sts. (30)
Rnds 18–19: Sc in each st around. (30)
Rnd 20: Sc in next 7 sts, [inc, sc in next 9 sts] 2 times, inc, sc in next 2 sts. (33)
Rnds 21–22: Sc in each st around. (33)
Rnd 23: [Inc, sc in next 10 sts] 3 times. (36)
Rnds 24–25: Sc in each st around. (36)
Rnd 26: Sc in next 5 sts, [inc, sc in next 11 sts] 2 times, inc, sc in next 6 sts. (39)
Rnds 27–28: Sc in each st around. (39)
Fasten off and weave in the end.

Face (black perle cotton)

With black perle cotton, embroider two small upright oval eyes on the head, around rnds 5–7, about 4 stitches apart.
Embroider a wide oval mouth centered below them, around rnd 8.
Tip: do the face now, before the base goes on, so you can hide the knots inside.

Base (white)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc 6 times. (12)
Rnd 3: [Inc, sc in next st] 6 times. (18)
Rnd 4: [Sc in next 2 sts, inc] 6 times. (24)
Rnd 5: [Inc, sc in next 3 sts] 6 times. (30)
Rnd 6: Sc in next 3 sts, [inc, sc in next 4 sts] 5 times, inc, sc in next st. (36)
Rnd 7: [Inc, sc in next 11 sts] 3 times. (39)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Cut a circle of plastic canvas slightly smaller than the base. Stuff the body. Place the canvas on the wrong side of the base, then sew the base to the bottom of the body, stitch for stitch, with the canvas facing inside the ghost.

Arms (make 2, white)

Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR. (4)
Rnd 2: Sc in each st around. (4)
Rnd 3: [Inc, sc in next st] 2 times. (6)
Rnd 4: Sc in each st around. (6)
Rnd 5: Inc 2 times, sc in next 4 sts. (8)
Rnd 6: Sc in next st, inc 2 times, sc in next st, dec 2 times. (8)
Rnd 7: Sc in next 2 sts, inc, sc in next 3 sts, dec. (8)
Rnd 8: Sc in next 4 sts, inc, sc in next 3 sts. (9)
Rnd 9: Sc in next 4 sts, inc, sc in next 4 sts. (10)
Rnd 10: Inc 2 times, sc in next 2 sts, dec 2 times, sc in next 2 sts. (10)
Rnd 11: Sc in next st, inc, sc in next 3 sts, dec, sc in next 3 sts. (10)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff the arms lightly.
The increases and decreases on one side make each arm bend into a curve.

Assembly

Sew one arm to each side of the body, just below the neck, with the curved ends raised up and out, like the ghost is saying "boo!"
Weave in all remaining ends.

Pattern notes

Work in a continuous spiral. Don't join the rounds. Put a stitch marker in the last stitch of each round.
For "dec" (sc2tog), pull up a loop in each of the next 2 stitches, then yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. An invisible decrease works too.

Keep this pattern handy

Print it now, or get the free PDF to save on your phone or tablet.

Free Halloween Ghost Crochet Pattern (Easy Amigurumi Ghost) · Pattern by mycrochetmakes · mycrochetmakes.com/halloween-ghost-crochet-pattern/
Free for personal use. Please don't sell or redistribute this pattern.

Frequently asked questions

What is plastic canvas, and do I need it?

It's a stiff plastic mesh sold in craft stores, usually for needlepoint. A circle of it inside the base keeps the bottom flat so the ghost stands up. You can use a circle of stiff card instead, but it won't survive washing.

Can I use regular black yarn for the face?

Yes. Perle cotton gives a neat, smooth finish, but black yarn or embroidery floss works too. Use a thin strand so the eyes stay small.

Can I make a glow-in-the-dark ghost?

Yes. Glow-in-the-dark yarn is available in white and pale green. Keep the stitches tight, as some of these yarns are a little slippery.

How big is the finished ghost?

With worsted weight yarn and a 3.75 mm hook, it's about 5 in (13 cm) tall. Your size may vary a little with your yarn and tension.

Is this ghost safe for small children?

It has no safety eyes or small parts, as the face is embroidered. Sew the arms on very securely. The plastic canvas is sewn inside the base.