Tanner the Triceratops – Free Dinosaur Crochet Pattern
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Dinosaurs are so popular these days! My son just loves them, and his dino obsession is what gave me the inspiration for my latest design. Introducing my new free triceratops crochet pattern, Tanner the Triceratops!
Tanner is a beginner friendly dinosaur amigurumi. He is about 10″ tall when sitting down, and about 13″ tall when standing. Most pieces are worked in the round and then sewn together at the end, with a bit of embroidery for the nails.
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 free pattern, you may be interested in my other amigurumi dinosaur patterns. You can find all of my dinosaur crochet patterns here.
Pin this pattern for later.
Add Tanner the Triceratops to your project queue and favorite this pattern on Ravelry here.
I would classify this crochet pattern as “advanced beginner”. It would be helpful to have had some experience with amigurumi before creating this project.
I used WeCrochet’s Brava Worsted yarn to make Tanner the Triceratops. You’ll also need a 4.0mm (G) crochet hook, tapestry needle/yarn needle, scissors, safety eyes (if desired), and poly-fil stuffing for this free triceratops crochet pattern. You can find all of these over on my Amazon page here.
Free Crochet Pattern for Tanner the Triceratops
Pattern Specifics
Measurements: Approximately 8.5” tall (sitting) or 11.5” tall (standing)
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
Yarn Used: WeCrochet/Knit Picks Brava Worsted
Yardage: color A (teal): 218 yds, color B (gray): 59 yds, color C (white): 4 yds
Other Materials: poly-fil stuffing, 12mm safety eyes
Stitch Abbreviations
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
SC = single crochet
SC2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease is recommended)
FSC = foundation single crochet
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 frill, 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, horns, and tail require stuffing. Stuff as you work it to ensure each piece is completely filled. Do not add stuffing to the frill.
- See tutorial photos.
Pattern
Using 4.0mm (G) crochet hook:
Body
Using color A (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: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. (42 sts)
R8: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 6 sts. Repeat from * around. (48 sts)
R9-16: 1 SC in each st around. (48 sts)
R17: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 6 sts. Repeat from * around. (42 sts)
R18: 1 SC in each st around. (42 sts)
R19: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. (36 sts)
R20: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)
R21: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)
R22: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)
R23: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)
R24: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts).
Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.
Fill with stuffing.
Head
Using color A (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)
R6-10: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)
R11: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (36 sts)
R12: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)
R13: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. (42 sts)
R14: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 6 sts. Repeat from * around. (48 sts)
R15: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * an additional 5 times. 1 SC in each of the next 24 sts around. (54 sts)
R16: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * an additional 5 times. 1 SC in each of the next 24 sts around. (60 sts)
R17: 1 SC in each of the next 32 sts around. Add a st marker to the last worked st. 1 SC in each of the next 28 sts around. (60 sts)
The added st marker, and the st marker at the beginning of this round helps to indicate the front of the face. The 28 sts between the two st markers sit flat and indicate the bottom of the head. If using safety eyes, insert eyes between R14 and R15, with 14 sts between. Embroider around eyes for additional detail, if desired. You can now remove your second st marker. See tutorial photos.
R18-19: 1 SC in each st around. (60 sts)
R20: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 8 sts. Repeat from * around. (54 sts)
R21: * SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 7 sts. Repeat from * around. (48 sts)
R22: 1 SC in each st around. (48 sts)
R23: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 6 sts. Repeat from * around. (42 sts)
R24: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. (36 sts)
R25: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)
R26: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)
R27: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)
R28: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)
Fill with stuffing.
R29: *SC2tog, 1 SC in the next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)
R30: *SC2tog. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)
Cut yarn, weave yarn in and out of remaining sts. Pull tight to close. Weave in ends.
Small Horn
Using color A (shown as teal):
R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: 1 SC in each st around. (6 sts)
R3: 2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat around. (9 sts)
R4: 1 SC in each st around. (9 sts)
R5: 2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat around. (12 sts)
R6: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)
Leave long tail for sewing. Fasten off.
Fill with stuffing.
Large Horns (make 2)
Using color A (shown as teal):
R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: 1 SC in each st around. (6 sts)
R3: 2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat around. (9 sts)
R4: 1 SC in each st around. (9 sts)
R5: 2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat around. (12 sts)
R6-9: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)
Leave long tail for sewing. Fasten off.
Fill with stuffing.
Frill Front
This video is also available on YouTube. Watch this video: Frill for Tanner the Triceratops Crochet Tutorial on YouTube.
NOTE: When working the frill, be sure to complete the entire repeat. The repeat both starts and ends with 2SC. Therefore, when working the full sequence of stitches, followed by the same sequence of stitches, the row will look something like this like this: (2SC, 1SC, 1SC, 1SC, 2SC), (2SC, 1SC, 1SC, 1SC, 2SC), (2SC, 1 SC, 1 SC, 1SC, 2 SC), and so on.
*** NOTE: The foundation single crochet stitch is preferred; however, you could alternatively replace R1 with: Ch 31, SC in second ch from hook and each ch to end. (30 sts), and then proceed as written with R2.
Using color B (shown as gray):
R1: 30 FSC***. (30 sts)
R2: Ch 1, turn. *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts, 2 SC in next st. Repeat from * across. (42 sts)
R3: Ch 1, turn. *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts, 2 SC in next st. Repeat from * across. (54 sts)
R4: Ch 1, turn. *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 7 sts, 2 SC in next st. Repeat from * across. (66 sts)
R5: Ch 1, turn. *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts, 2 SC in next st. Repeat from * across. (78 sts)
R6: Ch 1, turn. *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 11 sts, 2 SC in next st. Repeat from * across. (90 sts)
Fasten off.
Frill Back
Using color A (shown as teal):
R1: 30 FSC. (30 sts)
R2: Ch 1, turn. *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts, 2 SC in next st. Repeat from * across. (42 sts)
R3: Ch 1, turn. *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts, 2 SC in next st. Repeat from * across. (54 sts)
R4: Ch 1, turn. *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 7 sts, 2 SC in next st. Repeat from * across. (66 sts)
R5: Ch 1, turn. *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts, 2 SC in next st. Repeat from * across. (78 sts)
R6: Ch 1, turn. *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 11 sts, 2 SC in next st. Repeat from * across. (90 sts)
R7: Ch 1, turn. Hold the Frill Front against the Frill Back. Working through each layer, SC around the entire Frill to beginning, working 1 SC in each st, and 3 SC when rounding each of the four corners. See tutorial photos.
Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.
Legs (make 2)
Using color B (shown as gray):
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)
Using color A (shown as teal):
R7-8: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)
R9: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)
R10: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)
R11: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)
R12: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (20 sts)
R13-20: 1 SC in each st around. (20 sts)
Fill with stuffing.
R21: Fold the leg closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. See tutorial photos. (9 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing.
Arms (make 2)
Using color B (shown as gray):
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)
Using color A (shown as teal):
R6-7: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)
R8: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)
R9: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)
R10: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)
R11-18: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)
Fill with stuffing.
R19: Fold the arm closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. See tutorial photos. (8 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing.
Tail
Using color A (shown as teal):
R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: 1 SC in each st around. (6 sts)
R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)
R4: 1 SC in each st around. (9 sts)
R5: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)
R6-7: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)
R8: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (15 sts)
R9: 1 SC in each st around. (15 sts)
R10: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)
R11-12: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)
R13: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)
R14-15: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.
Fill with stuffing.
Assembly & Finishing
See tutorial photos.
Attach small horn over R6-9, on the top middle of snout. Attach large horns between R17-21 on the top of the head.
Attach frill around the head, directly behind the large horns, at approximately R22.
Attach head to body so that the frill is upright, in line with the body, and the nose is facing straight out; attaching body to approximately R14-19 of the bottom of the head.
Attach legs over R7-8 of body, with 4 sts showing between.
Embroider 3 nails on each leg, over R6-8, leaving about 2 sts between each nail.
Attach arms over R16-23 on each side of the body. At the top of the arms, leave approximately 12 sts between each arm across the front of the body. At the bottom of the arms, leave approximately 18 sts between each arm across the front of the body.
Embroider 3 nails on each arm, over R5-6, leaving about 2 sts between each nail.
Attach tail over R6-13, on the back of the body.
Ad-Free PDF Pattern for Tanner the Triceratops
Tips & Tricks
- While sewing the pieces of this free triceratops crochet pattern, hold your pieces in place with pins so that they don’t move around.
- Prevent your triceratops amigurumi from having a floppy head with extra stuffing. Check out this post on amigurumi head wobble.
- These amigurumi tips and tricks are a great reference!
Alterations
- Make a strawberry triceratops crochet pattern using this free pattern modification for Strawberry Tanner the Triceratops!
- To create a larger amigurumi dinosaur with this free triceratops crochet pattern, use a plush yarn and suitable hook size, then follow the pattern as written.
- For a smaller triceratops amigurumi, check out the free crochet pattern for Mini Tanner the Triceratops.
More Free Dinosaur Crochet Patterns
I hope you enjoyed this free triceratops crochet pattern! If you love dinosaurs and want to see more free dinosaur crochet patterns, check out my other dinosaur amigurumi patterns!
I hope you enjoyed this pattern! If you make it, leave me a comment below.
Want to see more from me? Be sure to subscribe to my email newsletter so that you never miss a pattern!
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
PATTERN COPYRIGHT © 2024 NICOLE CHASE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PATTERN MAY NOT BE ALTERED, COPIED, REDISTRIBUTED OR SOLD AS YOUR OWN PATTERN.
YOU MAY SELL THE FINISHED PRODUCT ON A SMALL SCALE. PATTERN/DESIGN CREDIT GIVEN TO WWW.THENICOLECHASE.COM IS APPRECIATED. PERMISSION TO SELL DOES NOT INCLUDE MASS PRODUCTION. LARGE SCALE PRODUCTION IS PROHIBITED.
PHOTOGRAPHY COPYRIGHT © 2024 NICOLE CHASE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PHOTOS MAY NOT BE ALTERED, COPIED, REDISTRIBUTED OR SOLD AS YOUR OWN.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Hi,
I am wondering how you secure the embroidered nails so that the yarn stays in place?
Hello! The yarn is wrapped around and then once finished, you can secure the yarn tails together and hide them inside. Or you can secure them in whatever way you prefer. But as long as they are tied off, they won’t unravel.
I love this pattern and it’s so cute. I am having issues with the head. Mine is very large and resembles more of the round body than the smaller shaped nose/mouth. Not sure what I’m doing wrong!
Hi Angie! Without seeing it, I couldn’t say for sure. However, the head is pretty big! The size evens out once all the limbs are attached to the body. If you take a look at some of the assembly photos, you can compare the size of the body and head (before the limbs are attached), and that might give you a better idea of if you are on the right track or not. Feel free to email if you need anything else!
I absolutely adore your patterns!
I have completed the unicorn and the triceratops in velvet yarn.
So soft and sweet!
My niece, grandson and granddaughter are over the moon with them.
I took lots of photos. lol
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed them!
My grandson loved this Triceratops. Thank you so much for the pattern! It was simple and fun to follow.
I’m so glad you liked the pattern! Thank you!
Thank you for the pattern. I’ve done the drill multiple times. I made sure I had 30 in my FSC. I started with the 2,1,1,1,2. I’ve noticed it works until row 4. When we get to 7 stitches and then 9 stitches. I can’t get it to come out right. I’ve redone this step at least four times. What am I doing wrong?
Hello! It sounds like you aren’t doing the entire repeat. When you continue that repeating sequence, you’ll have 2 and 2 right next to each other. So it will look like: 2,1,1,1,2,2,1,1,1,2,2,1,1,1,2, and so on. So each repeat creates a total of 7 stitches in that R2 first increasing row, rather than what it sounds like you are describing for R3. It can sometimes be helpful to mark the start of each repeat with a stitch marker to make sure that you aren’t missing any of the increases. Hope that helps!
Im loving this pattern but Im noticing that things are not matching up. Can i ask that if i do the repeat five times then do the 24 sc stitches i still have 5 stitches left. but i counted and i made sure the row before has 48 stitches. so am i doing something wrong? But i do love this this pattern since its using acrylic yarn!
Hi there! You do the sequence once, and then repeat an ADDITIONAL 5 times, which would give you a total of 6 repeats. Hope that helps and glad you’re enjoying the pattern!
Hello from France! This is one of my first project and this is this pattern that motivated me to persist in crochet! I’m very happy with the result and I can’t wait to continue crochet! Tanner is so cute!!! Thank you very much for this amazing pattern!!!
I’m so glad that you are enjoying it! Keep crocheting! 🙂
This pattern was easy and mine came out so adorable! Thanks for the pattern!
I’m so glad that you’ve enjoyed it!
I’ve made a couple of these now, they’re great! The pattern was really easy to follow, and forgiving when I missed my count here and there. Thank you for sharing the pattern, I appreciate that plenty of work goes into creating patterns, and I’m really grateful to people like you who are generous enough to share them freely.
My new nephew loves his triceratops, and I am absolutely going to be making more of your dinosaur patterns! 😀
I’m so glad that you’ve enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!
in reference to the frill, i’ve done the foundation single crochet 7 million times. and every time i do just 30, im always short. if i do more than that, im short on R3. is there any other way to do the frill? i’m struggling
Hello! Sorry to hear that you are having trouble. First, I’d want to make sure that you are doing the entire repeat. Notice that the repeat both starts and ends with 2 SC, so you’ll have 2, 2, right next to each other. So it will look like this: (2,1,1,1,2)(2,1,1,1,2), and so on. Next, if your FSC doesn’t absolutely have 30 sts, it won’t work out. If you’re having trouble with the FSC stitch, you can instead ch 31, SC 30, and then move on to R2 as written. Hope that helps!
This is one of the most comprehensive plushie patterns I’ve come across, and those pictures are beautiful! I can’t wait to get started on mine, thank you so much for sharing! Will absolutely leave a rating on Ravelry! <3
I’m so glad to hear that, thank you!