Sammy the Snail is a sleepy little amigurumi snail with a cream body, a soft grey shell and a candyfloss-pink spiral that winds across both sides.

The closed, smiling eyes and rosy cheeks give it a calm, cuddly look that suits a nursery shelf, a baby-shower gift or a spring craft table.

The whole toy is worked in DK yarn with a 3.00 mm hook, using nothing harder than single crochet, simple increases and sc2tog decreases. If you can work joined rounds, you can make Sammy.

What makes this snail different from most is its construction. The head and body are one long tube, worked from the head down, and only the head and neck are stuffed.

The rest of the body stays flat so it can sit neatly under the shell, which is made from two stuffed domes sewn together.

The original pattern is written in UK terms. Below everything is in US terms (sc, sc2tog, sl st), so UK crocheters should read sc as dc.

Finished size

Sammy stands about 15 cm / 6 in tall when made with DK yarn and a 3.00 mm hook at a firm tension.

Gauge is not critical for a toy. A tighter tension gives a smaller, denser snail; a looser one gives a bigger snail but can let the stuffing show through, so stay on the firm side.

Materials overview

DK yarn in three colours: A cream (body, head, antennae), B grey (shell), C pink (shell spiral)
A small amount of black yarn or embroidery thread for the sleeping eyes
3.00 mm (US C2/D3) crochet hook
Washable toy stuffing, a yarn needle and, optionally, a red crayon for the cheeks

Yarn substitution

The sample uses Paintbox Yarns Simply DK (100% acrylic) in Champagne White, Stormy Grey and Candyfloss Pink. Any smooth DK acrylic or cotton-acrylic blend will give a similar size and look.

Cotton DK makes a crisper, slightly heavier snail with very clear stitch definition. Avoid fluffy or brushed yarns for the shell, because the pink spiral is embroidered on top and needs a smooth surface to show.

For a bigger snail, switch to worsted/aran yarn and a 4.00 mm hook. Keep the hook small enough that the fabric stays dense.

Common mistakes

Losing the round count on the long body. Rounds 22–55 are all plain rounds. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch and tick off rounds on paper so the body is not too short to tuck under the shell.
Stuffing the whole body. Only stuff the head and neck. The flat tail section is what lets Sammy sit level under the shell.
Under-stuffing the shell. Each shell dome should be firm and evenly filled before you close the seam, or the shell will look dented once sewn on.
Counting the turning chain. The ch 1 at the start of each round does NOT count as a stitch. Work the first sc into the same stitch as the join.
Sewing the head too loosely. Attach the back of the head to the shell as well as to the body, otherwise the head flops forward.

FAQ

Is Sammy safe for babies?
Yes, if you embroider the eyes instead of using safety eyes, sew all parts on very securely and skip the crayon cheeks or use a child-safe fabric marker instead.

Can I make the spiral in crochet instead of embroidery?
Yes. Crochet a long chain in C (or work a row of sc into a chain) and sew it in a spiral onto each shell half. Embroidered chain stitch sits flatter, while a crocheted cord stands out more.

Why is only part of the body stuffed?
The unstuffed rear section flattens into the snail's "foot". It slides under the shell so the toy sits flat and stable instead of rocking.

How do I close the shell neatly?
Hold both domes with wrong sides together and whipstitch through the top loops of the last round. Leave a small gap, stuff, then finish the seam.

Tip: Use a stitch marker on every piece. All parts are worked in joined rounds, and it is easy to lose the first stitch after the sl st join.

Abbreviations used (US terms)

ch = chain
sc = single crochet (UK dc)
sc2tog = single crochet two together
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
RS = right side

Shell sections (make 2)

With a 3.00 mm hook and B, ch 2. Every round starts with ch 1 (does not count as a stitch) and ends with a sl st to the first sc.

R1 (RS): 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st to first sc. (6)
R2: 2 sc in each st around. (12)
R3: (1 sc, inc) x 6. (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
R5: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
R6: (4 sc, inc) x 6. (36)
R7: (5 sc, inc) x 6. (42)
R8: (6 sc, inc) x 6. (48)
R9: (7 sc, inc) x 6. (54)
R10–R14: sc in each st around. (54)

Fasten off. Sew the two shell sections together along the top of the last round, leaving an opening. Stuff firmly and evenly, then close the seam.

Using C, embroider (or crochet) a spiral of chain stitch onto each half of the shell, following the photo.

Head and body (worked from the head down)

With a 3.00 mm hook and A, ch 2. Same ch 1 / sl st join on every round.

R1 (RS): 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6)
R2: 2 sc in each st around. (12)
R3: (1 sc, inc) x 6. (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
R5: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
R6: (4 sc, inc) x 6. (36)
R7: (5 sc, inc) x 6. (42)
R8–R17: sc in each st around. (42)
R18: (5 sc, sc2tog) x 6. (36)
R19: (4 sc, sc2tog) x 6. (30)
R20: (3 sc, sc2tog) x 6. (24)
R21: (2 sc, sc2tog) x 6. (18)
R22–R32: sc in each st around. (18)

Stuff the head firmly, then stuff the neck section. Do not stuff the rest of the body.

R33–R55: sc in each st around. (18)
R56: (1 sc, sc2tog) x 6. (12)
R57: sc in each st around. (12)
R58: (1 sc, sc2tog) x 4. (8)
R59: sc in each st around. (8)
R60: sc2tog x 4. (4)

Fasten off. Run a gathering thread through the last round, pull tight to close and fasten off securely.

Antennae (make 2)

With a 3.00 mm hook and A, ch 2.

R1 (RS): 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6)
R2–R6: sc in each st around. (6)

Fasten off. Put a little stuffing in each antenna.

Assembly

Flatten the unstuffed body section.
Sew the shell onto the body, and stitch the back of the head to the shell so the head stays upright.
Embroider two curved, closed eyes with black yarn or thread.
Sew the antennae to the top of the head.
If you like, colour two small circles with a red crayon for cheeks.

Tip: Pin everything in place before sewing and check that Sammy sits level from the side.

Optional & Creative Ideas

Customize colors: Swap the grey shell for mint, lilac or mustard and keep the cream body for a soft pastel set.
Rainbow shell: Embroider the spiral in two or three alternating colours for a candy-striped look.
Make a family: Work a mini Sammy with fingering yarn and a 2.25 mm hook to sit beside the DK version.
Keychain version: Make the snail in fingering weight and attach a keyring loop at the top of the shell.
Open eyes: Use 6 mm safety eyes instead of the sleeping eyes for older children.

Final Thoughts

Sammy is a relaxing make: lots of plain rounds, very little shaping and a big payoff once the pink spiral goes on. It is a lovely first amigurumi and a quick gift for anyone who loves slow, sleepy creatures.

Patterns and instructions on OpenCrochet are for personal use. Please do not redistribute copies of this content; share the page link instead.

Sammy the Snail Crochet Pattern – Sleepy Amigurumi Snail