Add a mischievous twist to your holiday countdown with the Amigurumi Grinch Advent Calendar, a crochet project that’s as whimsical as it is festive! 💚🎄🧶 Standing tall with a sculpted face, bushy eyebrows, furry hat trim, and long expressive arms, this Grinch is ready to hold twenty-four pockets filled with tiny toys and treats. His fully rounded cone-shaped body and reinforced base ensure stability, making him a sturdy and eye-catching centerpiece for your seasonal décor.
With optional wire armature for poseable arms and a stable upright head, this advent calendar is both playful and practical. Whether displayed on a mantel, entryway table, or used as part of a cherished Christmas countdown tradition, the Amigurumi Grinch Advent Calendar is a joyful way to crochet laughter, holiday spirit, and a sprinkle of handmade magic—one loop at a time! 🎅✨🧵
💚Amigurumi Grinch Advent Calendar Crochet Pattern
This plush Grinch Advent Calendar is a festive showpiece designed to bring holiday mischief and charm to your home. Standing tall with a sculpted face, bushy eyebrows, furry hat trim, and long expressive arms, this Grinch holds twenty-four pockets filled with tiny toys and treats. The fully rounded advent body creates a sturdy cone silhouette, while the reinforced base ensures stability. Optional wire armature allows poseable arms and a stable upright head. Whether displayed on a mantel, entryway table, or as part of a Christmas countdown tradition, this project creates a whimsical handmade heirloom for the season.
✨ Skill Level
Advanced – includes sculpted head shaping, faux-fur finishing, wire armature, detailed embroidery, and multiple small accessory toys.
📏 Finished Size
Approximately 45–55 cm (18–22 in) tall using super bulky chenille yarn and a 6.5–7.0 mm hook.
🧶 Materials
Super Bulky Chenille (Main Doll)
- Light chartreuse green — head, arms, hands, advent body
- Red — sleeves, pockets, hat
- White faux-fur yarn — hat brim, neck ruff, pocket trims (optional)
- Black chenille or soft bulky yarn — eyebrows and mouth outline
- Yellow DK cotton — eye disks
- Brown, cream, black DK yarn — toy details
Hooks
- 6.5–7.0 mm hook for main doll
- 3.0 mm hook for toys and fine shaping
Support Materials (for reinforced structure)
- Round cardboard or plastic base (15–18 cm diameter)
- Optional: 2 mm aluminum wire or pipe cleaners (for arms + head support)
- Hot glue (optional)
- Polyester fiberfill
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
Other Notions
- Felt sheet (white) for numbers 1–24
- Black fabric pen or chalk (optional tracing aid)
- PVA fabric glue (optional for securing numbers)
🪡 Abbreviations (US Terms)
MR – Magic Ring
sc – single crochet
inc – increase
dec – decrease
hdc – half double crochet
sl st – slip stitch
BLO – back loop only
FLO – front loop only
ch – chain
rep – repeat
st(s) – stitch(es)
🟩 Head (Light Green)
The head is tall, slightly flattened front-to-back, with cheek and jaw shaping.
R1: MR 6
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
R5: (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
R6: (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
R7: (5 sc, inc) ×6 (42)
R8: (6 sc, inc) ×6 (48)
R9–R13: sc around (48)
Begin cheek shaping:
R14: (7 sc, inc) ×6 (54)
R15: sc around (54)
R16: (8 sc, inc) ×6 (60)
Jawline tightening:
R17: (3 sc, dec) ×12 (48)
R18: sc around (48)
R19: (2 sc, dec) ×12 (36)
Insert shaping wire now if using (one vertical piece).
R20: (sc, dec) ×12 (24)
Stuff firmly.
R21: dec ×12 (12)
R22: dec ×6 (6)
FO, close tightly.
🌟 Sculpted Facial Features
Use strong yarn and a long needle.
Eye Deepening
- Insert at base of head → exit at left eye corner
- Reinsert one stitch away → exit at back
- Pull gently to sink eye area
- Repeat right side
Cheek & Jaw Definition
- Pull from outer cheek → neck base
- Repeat 2–3 times for a visible cheek bump
- Pull from center below nose → chin for jaw curve
This creates the mischievous Grinch expression.
🟨 Crocheted Yellow Eyes (Make 2)
Hook: 3.0 mm, DK yellow yarn.
R1: MR 6
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
Flatten slightly into an oval while sewing.
Pupil Embroidery:
Using black DK yarn:
- Embroider a vertical slit, slightly curved
- Add outer black outline for definition
- Optionally stitch a tiny white dot for shine
Sew eyes angled downward toward the center for a sly look.
🖤 Thick Chenille Eyebrows (Make 2)
Use black chenille yarn.
R1: Ch 10
R2: sc across (9)
R3: sl st, sc 7, sl st
Lightly stuff or fold double to thicken.
Sew in a dramatic downward arch toward the center.
👃 Nose (Small Green Oval)
R1: MR 5
R2: inc ×5 (10)
R3–R4: sc around (10)
FO, stuff lightly.
Sew between eyes, slightly lower than centerline.
😈 Mouth & Expression Lines
Use black chenille for thickness.
Surface slip stitch a long curved smile starting from cheek to cheek.
Add two small downward curves at each end to match the photo.
Add vertical indentation from nose to upper lip using embroidery.
🎅 Grinch Santa Hat
Work in red chenille.
R1: MR 4
R2: sc around (4)
R3: (sc, inc) ×2 (6)
R4: sc
R5: inc ×3 (9)
R6: sc
R7: (2 sc, inc) ×3 (12)
R8–R9: sc around
R10: (3 sc, inc) ×3 (15)
Continue:
Increase every 2–3 rounds until you reach 48 sts for the widest point.
Work 6–8 rounds even.
🎀 Faux-Fur Brim (Advanced Option)
Using white faux-fur yarn:
Round 1: Attach at hat base → hdc around, working tightly.
Round 2: Work hdc in FLO for extra plush density.
Round 3: Work another hdc round if extra thickness desired.
Finishing Technique:
Gently brush with a pet slicker (light pressure).
Brush upward → downward → outward to create a long, fluffy texture.
Trim only the longest stray fibers.
Add a fluffy faux-fur pom-pom or a chenille ball.
🧣 Neck Ruff (Faux Fur)
Ch 40
R1: hdc across
Brush heavily until thick and cloud-like.
Wrap around neck base and sew.
🟥 Arms & Sleeves (Red + Green)
Sleeves first:
R1: MR 6
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3–R10: sc around (12)
Switch to green for hands:
R11–R12: sc around (12)
R13: (2 sc, inc) ×4 (16)
Wrist shaping:
R14: (3 sc, dec) ×3 + sc (13)
R15: sc around (13)
Thumb:
Ch 4 → sc 3 → sew to side of palm.
Arm wire (optional):
Insert wire through sleeve before stuffing lightly.
Make 2.
🟩 Full Advent Body (Rounded Cone)
Use bright green chenille.
R1: MR 6
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
R5: (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
R6: (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
R7: (5 sc, inc) ×6 (42)
R8: (6 sc, inc) ×6 (48)
R9: (7 sc, inc) ×6 (54)
R10: (8 sc, inc) ×6 (60)
R11: (9 sc, inc) ×6 (66)
R12: (10 sc, inc) ×6 (72)
Work 15–18 rounds even at 72 sts
→ This creates a tall upper body / torso before the flare begins.
Begin dramatic flare:
R31: (5 sc, inc) ×12 (84)
R32: (6 sc, inc) ×12 (96)
R33–R38: sc around (96)
The final shape should match a wide bell with a tall upper torso.
Stuff firmly throughout.
🛠 Reinforced Base
Cut a round cardboard or plastic circle approximately 17–18 cm in diameter.
Insert into bottom:
- Apply a thin line of hot glue around the inside brim (optional).
- Add a smaller second circle for extra sturdiness.
Continue crocheting around the edges to trap the base:
R39: BLO sc around (96)
R40–R42: sc around (96)
FO and weave in ends.
🟥 Advent Pockets (Make 24)
Use DK or worsted red yarn — not chenille — to match the photo’s crisp pocket texture.
Ch 12
R1: sc in 2nd ch → 11 sts
R2–R12: sc across (11)
R13: sl st, sc 9, sl st (rounded top)
Make 24.
Sew in neat vertical rows around lower body.
🔢 Numbers (White Felt)
Cut 1–24 from white felt.
Place one on each pocket.
Sew with tiny stitches or use fabric glue.
Felt numbers best match the photo.
🧸 Mini Toy Patterns (Sized for Pockets)
Teddy Bear Head
R1: MR 6
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4–R5: sc around
R6: (sc, dec) ×6 (12)
R7: dec ×6 (6)
Ears:
MR 5 → sew flat.
Add small embroidered face.
Reindeer Head
R1: MR 6
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3: sc
R4: (2 sc, inc) ×4 (16)
R5: sc
R6: (sc, dec) ×5 + sc (11)
Antlers:
Ch 5 → sl st back
Ch 4 → sl st back
Sew branches together.
Add nose & eyes.
Santa Head
R1: MR 6
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3–R4: sc
R5: (sc, dec) ×4 (8)
Hat:
Ch 6 → sc back
Roll into a cone.
Add tiny faux-fur brim and pom-pom.
Beard:
(sc, 2 dc, sc) in each stitch across.
Christmas Tree
R1: MR 4
R2: (sc, inc) ×2 (6)
R3: sc
R4: (2 sc, inc) ×2 (8)
R5: sc
R6: (3 sc, inc) ×2 (10)
Decorate with French knots and a small yellow star.
Candy Cane
Ch 20
R1: sc across
Switch color every 2 rows: red/white/red/white
Bend into cane shape.
🧵 Final Assembly
- Sew head securely onto top of body.
- Wrap and sew faux-fur neck ruff to hide seam.
- Attach arms high on the upper torso.
- Position hat angled and tack in place.
- Brush faux fur for maximum fluff.
- Sew pockets evenly around lower body.
- Attach felt numbers.
- Stuff mini toys and place into pockets.
- Shape eyebrows and smile for expression.
💫 Final Thoughts
This advanced Grinch Advent Calendar combines expressive sculpting, cozy faux-fur textures, and a beautifully layered bell-shaped advent body. The result is a striking handmade holiday centerpiece filled with personality and playful mini toys. Whether used as an annual advent tradition or displayed as a whimsical décor piece, this Grinch brings festive mischief and charm to the Christmas season.
