Let’s be honest, some crochet projects are useful, some are impressive, and some exist purely because a tiny smiling dumpling made from yarn is too adorable to resist. You can pop them into a dumpling basket for a fun gift basket idea.
Dumpling crochet patterns have become especially popular with amigurumi makers, with everything from miniature gyoza keychains to enormous squishy bao buns appearing in our feeds. Many of these patterns use little more than single crochet, increases, basic embroidery and a small amount of stuffing, making them surprisingly achievable for newer amigurumi makers.
They are also brilliant scrap-yarn projects. You only need small quantities of cream, beige, white and pink yarn for most designs, although chenille yarn can turn the same little dumpling into a wonderfully squishy plush.
I have gathered together free dumpling crochet patterns, paid PDF patterns, bao buns, soup dumplings, pierogi and complete dim sum sets. Some are sweet, some are slightly silly, and at least one has a very cheeky surprise around the back.
Try Our Free Round Dumpling Amigurumi Pattern
Fancy making one of these little dumplings yourself? We have created a free Round Dumpling Amigurumi Crochet Pattern for CraftBits.
This beginner-friendly bao-style dumpling is worked in simple continuous rounds, then shaped with yarn to create the gathered pleats across the top. The finished plush is approximately 3 inches tall and can be used as a keychain, desk companion, mini pillow or the beginning of a whole crochet dim sum collection.
It is a lovely scrap-yarn project and a good choice for crocheters who are comfortable with basic single crochet, increases and decreases. The pattern also includes instructions for adding the kawaii face, flattening the base and shaping the signature steamed-bun top.
Adorable Crochet Dumpling Pattern
The free Adorable Crochet Dumpling Pattern from Hello Yellow Yarn creates a plump little gyoza with embroidered blush and an irresistibly tiny face. It is marked as a beginner project and includes both written instructions and a video tutorial, which is always helpful when shaping that ruffled dumpling edge.
The finished dumpling can be turned into a bag charm, keyring or playful fridge magnet. This is the sort of quick project I would make in batches because one lonely dumpling sitting on the craft table simply doesn’t look right.
Crochet Dumplings And Steamer Basket
The free Crochet Dumpling Pattern from The Caffeinated Snail includes instructions for both the dumplings and their own crocheted steamer basket. The dumplings are approximately the size of real gyoza and are made by folding a crocheted circle before adding a decorative scalloped edge.
You can turn them into keychains or add catnip to make little cat toys, although embroidered features should be used instead of safety eyes for anything intended for a pet. The steamer basket makes this one especially good for a child’s pretend-food collection or a quirky kitchen display.
Free Dumpling Amigurumi Pattern
The Dumpling Amigurumi from StringyDingDing is another free pattern with a classic pleated shape and kawaii-style face. It is designed as a quick, no-sew food amigurumi project, so there are no tiny arms, legs or accessories waiting to be attached at the end.
That makes it a particularly appealing choice for anyone who enjoys crocheting amigurumi but quietly resents sewing all the pieces together. Use smooth cotton or acrylic for a neat little dumpling, or try plush yarn for a soft comfort toy.
The Trauma Dumpling
Some projects are cute. Others understand us.
The free Trauma Dumpling from The Geeky Hooker is a wonderfully expressive little amigurumi dumpling with felt cheeks and a face that suggests it has seen some things. It has become a popular comfort project, and finished dumplings made from the design may be sold when the designer is credited.
This would make a funny desk companion, a gift for a stressed friend or a small emotional-support dumpling to keep beside your yarn basket.
Chibi Bao Amigurumi
The free Bao Amigurumi by Ami Amour creates a round chibi-style steamed bun rather than the traditional folded gyoza shape. Its soft white body, gathered top and tiny facial features give it the look of a dumpling that has wandered straight out of an animated film.
This pattern is ideal for anyone who wants to explore different types of crochet dim sum rather than making an entire plate of identical potstickers. Add a loop at the top and it would also make a very sweet food-themed ornament.
Viral No-Sew Bao Bun
The free Viral Dumpling Bao Pattern from Once Upon a Cheerio has a surprise: this bao has an actual pair of buns around the back.
Yes, it is exactly as silly as it sounds.
The design is worked in continuous rounds and uses a clever drawstring-style closure, helping to keep sewing to a minimum. It is beginner-friendly, wonderfully squishy and perfect for crocheters whose sense of humour is perhaps a little too easily entertained by a crochet bottom.
Chunky Crochet Bao
The free Chunky Bao from Curious Papaya takes the tiny steamed-bun idea and gives it a satisfyingly plush makeover. Chunky yarn helps the project work up quickly while creating a soft bao that is better suited to cuddling than sitting politely on a miniature plate.
This would be a fun introduction to plush-yarn amigurumi because the overall shape is simple and there are very few pieces to manage. Make several in slightly different expressions and you will have an entire basket of squishy personalities.
Soup Dumpling Amigurumi
The Soup Dumpling Amigurumi by Mama&Roro is a paid pattern for a rounded xiao long bao-style dumpling. The pattern uses US crochet terminology and includes a materials list, photographs and step-by-step instructions.
Its gathered top gives it a noticeably different silhouette from the crescent-shaped gyoza patterns, which adds some lovely variety to a crocheted dim sum platter. This is a good choice for makers who appreciate having clear reference photographs alongside written instructions.
Free Beginner Dumpling
The free Dumpling Crochet Pattern by Avvac Crochets is listed as a beginner amigurumi project. Ribblr’s interactive pattern format can be particularly useful for newer crocheters because it lets you follow the instructions section by section rather than losing your place on a long page.
This is a straightforward option for practising a magic ring, increases, shaping and stuffing without committing to a complicated toy. A few scraps of yarn and one quiet evening should be enough to begin your own tiny takeaway order.
Mini Dumpling Pattern
The free Mini Dumpling Pattern by Lily’s Crochet Shop is designed for crocheters who prefer their amigurumi very small and very quick. Miniature dumplings are perfect for bag charms, keyrings, ornaments or adding to a larger crochet-food collection.
Smaller projects can become fiddly, so use a hook and yarn combination you can comfortably see. My craft-room eyesight is not interested in proving anything after dinner, thank you very much.
Squishy Dumpling
The free Squishy Dumpling by Crocheted Pink is another beginner-friendly design, but this one is intended to have a softer, fuller plush shape. It would look particularly lovely made in blanket yarn or velvety chenille.
Keep the stuffing light enough that the dumpling remains soft rather than becoming a tightly packed yarn brick. This could easily become a little comfort plush, market-stall item or handmade gift for a dumpling-obsessed teenager.
Pierogi Dumpling Amigurumi
Not every crocheted dumpling needs to be gyoza or bao. The free Dumpling Pierogi Amigurumi by Jo’s Crochet Designs recreates the familiar half-moon shape of a pierogi.
The pattern is labelled intermediate, making it a better choice once you are comfortable with basic amigurumi construction and shaping. You could make a traditional cream-coloured pierogi or turn it into a whole collection with different embroidered expressions.
Amigurumi Dim Sum Collection
The Amigurumi Dim Sum Collection by NeedleNoodles is a paid pattern collection for anyone ready to crochet more than one item from the dim sum trolley. Rather than repeating a single dumpling shape, the collection lets you build a fuller assortment of recognisable bite-sized dishes.
A complete dim sum set would make gorgeous pretend food for older children, unusual kitchen décor or a handmade gift for someone who considers yum cha a serious weekend activity. It is also an excellent excuse to use several different neutral yarn shades instead of reaching automatically for cream.
Dim Sum Family Collection
The Dim Sum Family Collection by Cindy Chan includes several individual dim sum characters, each with its own instructions. The designer describes the projects as suitable for amigurumi learners and estimates that each character can be completed in around an hour.
The printer-friendly format allows you to print only the page for the particular dumpling you want to make. Of course, we both know you are unlikely to stop after just one.
Tips For Crocheting Dumpling Amigurumi
Smooth DK or worsted-weight cotton and acrylic yarns create neat, clearly defined stitches and work well for smaller dumpling keychains. Chenille and blanket yarn produce a much larger, softer plush, although the fluffy texture can make individual stitches harder to see.
Use a hook slightly smaller than the yarn label recommends so the stuffing does not show between stitches. A stitch marker is also helpful because most dumpling amigurumi patterns are worked continuously in spirals.
Safety eyes create the familiar kawaii look, but they are not suitable for toys intended for babies, very young children or pets. Embroidered eyes and cheeks are a safer alternative and can give each dumpling its own expression.
Do not overstuff the folded gyoza-style designs. Too much filling can stretch the stitches and make the dumpling look more like an overfilled taco than a carefully pleated potsticker. Learned that one the hard way.
Easy Ways To Use Crochet Dumplings
Crochet dumplings are small enough to become:
- Keyrings and bag charms
- Fridge magnets
- Desk companions
- Play-food sets
- Catnip toys with embroidered features
- Christmas ornaments
- Market-stall plushies
- Handmade gifts for food lovers
- Decorations for an Asian food-themed party
- Tiny additions to amigurumi mystery boxes
They also look wonderfully cute arranged in a crocheted steamer basket. Make the dumplings in slightly different sizes and expressions so the finished set feels like a miniature family rather than a tray of identical beige blobs.
There is something rather satisfying about turning a simple circle of cream yarn into a recognisable little dumpling. The shaping is clever without being overly complicated, the projects are small enough to finish quickly, and even the slightly wonky first attempt will probably still look adorable.
Just be warned: once you have made the first one, an entire crochet dim sum banquet tends to follow.
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