Mini Toby the Tarbosaurus – Free Dinosaur Crochet Pattern
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If you’re looking for a crochet T Rex pattern, look no further than Mini Toby the Tarbosaurus! This small dinosaur amigurumi is the mini version of my original Toby the Tarbosaurus!
This beginner friendly crochet dinosaur pattern also includes a full video tutorial.
This free crochet dino pattern is based on a Tarbosaurus dinosaur, which is very similar to a Tyrannosaurus Rex, Gigantosaurus, and more in the Tyrannosauridae family!
I would classify this free crochet t rex pattern as “advanced beginner”. It would be helpful to have had some experience with amigurumi before creating this project.
Table of Contents
I hope you enjoy this free crochet pattern available here on my blog! An ad-free, formatted PDF version of this crochet pattern is also available for purchase here:
If you like this pattern, you may also like my full collection of free dinosaur crochet patterns.
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Free Crochet Pattern for Mini Toby the Tarbosaurus
Pattern Specifics
Measurements: Approximately 6” tall (sitting) or 8” tall (standing)
Gauge: Not necessary for this pattern; see notes
Hook Size: 4.0mm (G) crochet hook
Other Tools: tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors (grab these on Amazon)
Yarn Weight: Medium (4) Worsted Weight
Yarn Used: WeCrochet / Knit Picks Brava Worsted
Yardage: color A (purple): 80 yds, color B (pink): 22 yds, color C (white): 4 yds
Other Materials: poly-fil stuffing, 9mm safety eyes
Stitch Abbreviations
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
ch = chain
SC = single crochet
SC2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease is recommended)
Special Stitches
SC2tog (using invisible decrease method): Insert hook into front loop of the first stitch. Insert hook into front loop of second stitch. Yarn over. Draw through the first two loops on hook. Yarn over. Draw through both loops on hook.
Notes
- Checking your gauge is not required for this pattern. Use a hook that is smaller than the size recommended for your yarn weight. This will ensure that your stuffing will not show through the stitches.
- All pieces are worked in the round. Use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each round.
- Invisible decreases are recommended. Please see “Special Stitches”.
- Safety eyes and noses pose a choking risk for babies; therefore, if making this toy for a baby, I recommend using yarn, felt, or embroidered details.
- Body, head, legs, arms, and tail require stuffing. Stuff each piece as you work to ensure the piece is completely filled. Do not add stuffing to the spikes.
- See tutorial photos.
Pattern
Using 4.0mm (G) hook:
Body
Using color A (shown as purple):
R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)
R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)
R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)
R5: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)
R6-12: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)
R13: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)
R14-18: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)
R19: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)
R20: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.
Fill with stuffing.
Head
Using color A (shown as purple):
R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)
R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)
R4-6: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)
R7: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (21 sts)
R8: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (24 sts)
R9: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (27 sts)
R10: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (30 sts)
R11: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. Add a st marker to the last worked st. **2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from ** an additional 2 times. (36 sts)
The added st marker, and the st marker at the beginning of this round helps to indicate the front sides of the face. The first sequence of sts between the first and second st markers indicates the top of the head. The second sequence of sts between the second and first st markers indicates the bottom of the head. If using safety eyes, insert eyes between R8 and R9, with 7 sts between. You can now remove your second st marker. See tutorial photos.
R12-15: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)
R16: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)
R17: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)
R18: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)
R19: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)
R20: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)
Fill head with stuffing.
R21: *SC2tog. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)
Cut yarn, weave yarn in and out of remaining sts. Pull tight to close. Tie off and weave in ends.
Legs (make 2)
Using color B (shown as pink):
R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)
R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)
R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)
Using color A (shown as purple):
R5-6: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)
R7: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)
R8-9: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)
R10: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 7 sts. Repeat from * around. (16 sts)
R11-15: 1 SC in each st around. (16 sts)
Fill with stuffing.
R16: Fold the leg closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. See tutorial photos. (7 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.
Arms (make 2)
Using color B (shown as pink):
R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)
R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)
Using color A (shown as purple):
R4-5: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)
R6: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)
R7-11: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)
Fill with stuffing.
R12: Fold the arm closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. See tutorial photos. (5 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.
Tail
Using color A (shown as purple):
R1: Begin with 4 SC in a magic ring. (4 sts)
R2: 1 SC in each st around. (4 sts)
R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)
R4: 1 SC in each st around. (6 sts)
R5: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)
R6-7: 1 SC in each st around. (9 sts)
R8: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)
R9: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)
R10: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (15 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.
Fill with stuffing.
Spikes (make 7)
Using color B (shown as pink):
R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)
R3: 1 SC in each st around. (9 sts)
R4: Fold the spike closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st at the beginning. See tutorial photos. (4 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.
Assembly & Finishing
See tutorial photos.
Attach head to body so that the nose is facing straight out; attaching body to approximately R10-16 of the bottom of the head.
Using color A (purple), embroider nostrils over R2-3 of the nose, leaving about 3 sts between each.
Attach legs over R4-5 of body, with each inside end of the legs touching in the middle.
Attach arms over R12-18 on each side of the body, in line with the back of each leg. At the top of the arms, leave approximately 10 sts between each arm across the front of the body. At the bottom of the arms, leave approximately 14 sts between each arm across the front of the body.
Using color C (white), embroider 3 nails on each leg, over R3-5, leaving about 2 sts between each nail and embroider 3 nails on each arm, over R3-4, leaving about 2 sts between each nail.
Attach tail over R4-8, on the back of the body.
Beginning at the tip of the tail, and using pins to keep them even, arrange spikes in a line up the tail, back, and over the head.
Video Tutorial for Mini Toby the Tarbosaurus
The full video tutorial for this cute crochet T Rex pattern can be found below!
This video is also available on YouTube. Watch this video: Mini Toby the Tarbosaurus Crochet Tutorial on YouTube.
This crochet dinosaur was so much fun to design and I hope that you enjoyed making your crochet T Rex pattern!
Ad-Free PDF Pattern for Mini Toby the Tarbosaurus
Tips & Tricks
- To ensure that your pieces are sewn on straight, use pins to hold them in place. This is especially important for the crochet T Rex spikes of this crochet dinosaur pattern!
- To have your decreasing stitches blend in better with your other single crochet stitches on your crochet dino, use the invisible decrease method.
- For smoother color changes on the arms and legs of your crochet dinosaur, follow my seamless color change tutorial.
- Check out my list of amigurumi tips and tricks for more helpful ideas to improve your crochet T Rex and other crochet projects!
Alterations
- If you would like to create a larger version of this crochet T Rex, while still utilizing this same crochet dinosaur pattern, use a yarn like Parfait Chunky and a suitable hook size.
- For a larger version of this dinosaur crochet pattern, check out the original Toby the Tarbosaurus pattern.
More Free Dinosaur Crochet Patterns
If you enjoyed this small crochet T Rex pattern, be sure to check out my full collection of free dinosaur crochet patterns! You may enjoy some of my other mini crochet dinosaur patterns, including the Parasaurolophus crochet pattern, Triceratops crochet pattern, or my Pterodactyl crochet pattern.
I hope you enjoyed this pattern! If you make it, leave me a comment below.
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I’d love to see what you make with this tutorial! Don’t forget to share your finished work with me: on social media by tagging me @thenicolechase, in your Ravelry projects, or post over in my Facebook group!
Thanks for stopping by! Happy crafting!
Nicole
PATTERN COPYRIGHT © 2025 NICOLE CHASE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PATTERN MAY NOT BE ALTERED, COPIED, REDISTRIBUTED OR SOLD AS YOUR OWN PATTERN.
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I want to make bigger versions of this. How should I go about it?
Hello! You can make this pattern in a larger yarn and hook size if you’d like. Or, you can check out the larger version of this pattern, Toby the Tarbosaurus. You can find it here: https://www.thenicolechase.com/patterns/toby-the-tarbosaurus
I absolutely love your patterns! I have made many & each one has helped me improve my crocheting skills. I thank you so much for providing these free to us♥️
I’m so glad to hear that, thank you for your comment!
Hello,
I am struggling with step 7 on the head.
R7: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (21 sts)
This is the step, and before this round I am supposed to have 18, but if I do two sc in next stitch, 1 Sc, 2 SC, 1 SC, then nine I get a lot of extras in the end as this sequence only amounts to 17. Am I reading this pattern wrong?
Hello! You do that first repeating sequence once, then repeat it 2 times (meaning you do the repeat 3 times in total), then the 9 remaining stitches. Hope that helps!
Hi Nicole, I’m having the same issue with row 7 and 8 of the head as the previous comment (MG December 2024)
I’ve re done it quite a few times and still have more than 21 stitches, at the end of row 7, I get 24 stitches . Then when you do row 8 there are more than 9 stitches left? Then it seems to throw out the number of stitches for the following rows.
Hello! First make sure that your count on R6 is correct at 18. Perhaps seeing it full written out will help: (2, 1, 1),(2, 1, 1), (2, 1, 1), 1×9. This adds up to a total of 21 sts. Sometimes when doing a repeating sequence it can be helpful to use a st marker to also indicate the beginning of each repeat to make sure that you aren’t adding or removing any sts in that repeat. I hope that helps!
Bonsoir Nicole, un grand merci pour ces modèles de dinosaures si bien expliqués ! je suis en train de commencer une série pour mes deux petits-fils, et au moins, vos dinos n’ont pas l’air méchants du tout ! Encore merci pour votre générosité dans ce partage !
I’m so glad that you like them! Enjoy!
❤️
I absolutely adore your patterns! Not many people post their patterns for free on their blogs, so I appreciate you for doing so. I made the Tanner the Triceratops in teal and gray for my great nephew for his first birthday and he absolutely loved it. He sees a dinosaur and he roars like a dino.
I am making the Poppy the unicorn next for my little cousin, she is obsessed with unicorns, her whole bedroom is unicorn themed, so it will fit in perfectly.
Thank you so much again for these wonderful patterns! Much love!
I’m so glad that you enjoy them, and that he does too! 🙂
I love your pattern! I made one for my great nephew.
I’m so glad to hear that!
Hello, just wanted to clarify how your are attaching the body parts together. Are you using a yarn needle and the excess yarn left on each part to sew the parts on? Thank you for the patterns!
Hello! Yes, that’s correct. 🙂
I want to thank you for the Dinosaurs. My 2 year old grandson loves Dinos and I believe if I can get one made that is all he is getting for Christmas. I will be trying to get a hook and some yarn tomorrow. Sad he has parents who can go to football games but get him nothing.
I thank you so very much. <3
I hope he loves it!