Shelly the Snail – Free Crochet Pattern

ByNicole Chase Updated on

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Meet Shelly! I’m so excited to share this free snail crochet pattern with you today. I designed Shelly because I wanted a project that combined the mindless relaxation of simple amigurumi shapes with a bit of creative flair.

What makes this easy crochet snail unique is the delicate flower embroidery on the shell. I chose to add embroidered flowers instead of using textured stitches because it allows you to customize your snail with any color palette while keeping the actual crochet work very beginner-friendly. Whether you’re looking for a quick scrap-buster project or a sweet gift, Shelly is the perfect addition!

A small pink crocheted amigurumi snail named Shell held in a hand. The snail has a teal shell decorated with small embroidered purple flowers, black safety eyes, a stitched smile, and two small antennae. Made with this free snail crochet pattern.

I would classify this free snail crochet pattern as “advanced beginner”. It would be helpful to have had some experience with amigurumi before creating this project.

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:

Ravelry
Etsy

Save for Later: Love this project but not ready to pick up your hook just yet? Save Shelly so you can find this free snail crochet pattern when you’re ready to start!

Side view of a crocheted amigurumi snail held in a hand, showcasing the teal shell with purple embroidered floral details. The snail is made with pink yarn and features a simple friendly face with black eyes.

Free Crochet Pattern for Shelly the Snail

Pattern Specifics

Measurements: Approximately 4″ tall (not including antennas)
Gauge: Not necessary for this pattern; see notes
Hook Size: 4.0mm (G) crochet hook
Other Tools: tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors
Yarn Weight: Medium (4) Worsted Weight
Yarn Used: WeCrochet/Knit Picks Brava Worsted
Yardage: color A (pink): 32 yds, color B (teal): 20 yds, color C (purple): 6 yds, color D (black): 1 yd
Other Materials: poly-fil stuffing, 9mm safety eyes

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, with the exception of the antennas, 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.
  • Head and shell require stuffing. Stuff each piece as you work to ensure the piece is completely filled.
  • See tutorial photos.

Pattern

Using 4.0mm (G) hook:

Head

Using color A (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)

R5-8: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R9: *SC2tog, SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 8 sts. Repeat from * around. (20 sts)

The decreases from the prior round indicate each side of the face. If using safety eyes, insert eyes between R7 and R8 with 4 sts showing between.

Close up of the head of Shelly the Snail after the completion of R9 to show the proper safety eye placement.

R10: 1 SC in each st around. (20 sts)

R11: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 8 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Fill head with stuffing.

Do not fasten off. Move on to body.

Body

R12-18: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

Lightly fill with stuffing to this point. You will not add any additional stuffing to the remainder of this piece.

R19-22: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R23: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R24-25: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R26: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 6 sts. Repeat from * around. (21 sts)

R27: 1 SC in each st around. (21 sts)

R28: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R29-30: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R31: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (15 sts)

R32: 1 SC in each st around. (15 sts)

R33: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R34: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R35: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)

R36-38: 1 SC in each st around. (9 sts)

R39: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. 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.

The finished body of the snail amigurumi pattern in pink yarn when it is laying flat.
The finished body of the crochet snail in pink yarn shown from a side view to demonstrate the stuffing at the top of the head, but not in the lower part of the body.

Antennas

Using color A (shown as pink):

R1: Ch 7, turn, sl st in second ch from hook and each ch to beginning. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving tail for sewing. Fasten off.

Two pink crochet antennas for the amigurumi snail.

Shell

Using color B (shown as teal):

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: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (36 sts)

R7-11: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)

R12: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R13: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R14: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R15: *SC2tog, 1 SC in the next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R16: *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.

The teal crochet shell of the free snail crochet pattern.

Assembly & Finishing

See tutorial photos.

Attach each antenna to the sides of the top of the head over R2.

The antennas for the snail crochet pattern pinned into place on top of the head prior to sewing.
The two crochet snail antennas have been sewn into place on top of the head, view 1.
The two crochet snail antennas have been sewn into place on top of the head, view 2.

Using color D (black), embroider a smile over R10, with the edges of the smile 2 sts apart between R9-10, and the curve of the smile dipping down between R10-11.

Embroidering a smile on the face of the crochet snail pattern with black yarn, step 1.
Embroidering a smile on the face of the crochet snail pattern with black yarn, step 2.
Embroidering a smile on the face of the crochet snail pattern with black yarn, step 3.
Embroidering a smile on the face of the crochet snail pattern with black yarn, step 4.
Embroidering a smile on the face of the crochet snail pattern with black yarn, step 5.
The finished embroidered smile on the face of the amigurumi snail shown in black yarn.

With a long strand of color A (pink), attach the middle of the shell to R10-36 of the body. Shape the body so that the bottom is flat and the snail sits upright.

Pinning the crochet snail's pink body in place curled around the teal shell prior to sewing, side view.
Pinning the crochet snail's pink body in place curled around the teal shell prior to sewing, back view.
The body of the free snail crochet pattern has been pinned in place around the teal shell, view 1.
The body of the free snail crochet pattern has been pinned in place around the teal shell, view 2.
The body of the free snail crochet pattern has been pinned in place around the teal shell, view 3.

If desired, embroider flower shapes around the shell using color C (purple). See tutorial photos.

Large Flowers:

Embroidering a large flower on the shell of the crochet snail with purple yarn, step 1.
Embroidering a large flower on the shell of the crochet snail with purple yarn, step 2.
Embroidering a large flower on the shell of the crochet snail with purple yarn, step 3.
Embroidering a large flower on the shell of the crochet snail with purple yarn, step 4.
Embroidering a large flower on the shell of the crochet snail with purple yarn, step 5.
Embroidering a large flower on the shell of the crochet snail with purple yarn, step 6.
The finished embroidered large flower in purple yarn on the teal shell of the free snail crochet pattern.

Small Flowers:

Embroidering a small flower on the shell of the crochet snail with purple yarn, step 1.
Embroidering a small flower on the shell of the crochet snail with purple yarn, step 2.
Embroidering a small flower on the shell of the crochet snail with purple yarn, step 3.
Embroidering a small flower on the shell of the crochet snail with purple yarn, step 4.
Embroidering a small flower on the shell of the crochet snail with purple yarn, step 5.
Embroidering a small flower on the shell of the crochet snail with purple yarn, step 6.
The shell of the free snail crochet pattern with a side view showing the embroidered details of both a large flower and small flowers in purple yarn, view 1.
The shell of the free snail crochet pattern with a side view showing the embroidered details of both a large flower and small flowers in purple yarn, view 2.
The shell of the free snail crochet pattern with a top down view showing the embroidered details of both a large flower and small flowers in purple yarn.

I hope you enjoyed making this free snail crochet pattern! Shelly is such a cheerful little project, and I’d love to see how your version turned out! If you’re on Instagram, tag me @thenicolechase so I can see your work!

A side profile of Shelly the snail, a pink crocheted amigurumi sitting on a white textured surface. The teal snail shell is decorated with several purple embroidered flowers of varying sizes .The snail has black safety eyes and small pink antennas.
A collage image for a Pinterest pin titled "FREE CROCHET PATTERN, Shelly the Snail" on a purple banner. It includes three photos of a crocheted amigurumi snail. The top photo shows the full snail with a pink body and a teal shell with purple embroidered flowers, held in a hand. The bottom two photos are close-ups of the snail's face and the detailed flower embroidery on its shell.
Brava yarn by Crochet.com

Ad-Free PDF Pattern for Shelly the Snail

Ravelry
Etsy

Tips & Tricks for your Crochet Snail

  • Use Pins for Perfect Placement: Before you sew your pieces in place, I highly recommend using pins to hold them in place. This allows you to check the symmetry and ensure Shelly sits flat before making any permanent stitches.
  • Don’t Skip the Stitch Markers: Because amigurumi is worked in continuous rounds, it is easy to lose your place. I always use a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round so I never have to recount from the beginning.
  • Master Your Amigurumi Skills: If you are new to making toys or just want to level up your technique, be sure to check out my post on amigurumi tips and tricks. It covers everything from the invisible decrease to seamless color changes, and more!

Customizing Shelly

One of my favorite things about crochet is how easy it is to make a pattern your own! Here are a few ways you can put a unique spin on your snail:

  • Go Big with Plush Yarn: If you want a jumbo-sized Shelly, try swapping the standard worsted weight for a plush yarn like Parfait Chunky. Be sure to use suitable hook size for your chosen yarn to ensure your stuffing doesn’t show through your stitches.
  • Experiment with Embroidery: The shell is a blank canvas! Instead of a floral design, try different embroidery techniques like French knots for a “polka dot” look.
  • Play with Color: For a vibrant, scrap-buster version, try changing yarn colors every few rounds on the shell. This creates a colorful striped shell that looks complex but uses the exact same simple shapes as the original pattern.
A small pink crocheted amigurumi snail, Shelly, sitting on a white fuzzy surface. The snail features a teal shell with purple embroidered flowers and is shown from an angle, highlighting its rounded head, black safety eyes and small antennae.

More Free Animal Crochet Patterns

If you enjoyed making Shelly, you’ll love my other amigurumi patterns:

I hope you enjoyed this pattern! If you make it, leave me a comment below.

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Follow along with me on Instagram for daily updates and a behind the scenes look at my designs.

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

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PATTERN MAY NOT BE ALTERED, COPIED, REDISTRIBUTED OR SOLD AS YOUR OWN PATTERN. 
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