Tester Pattern: How to Crochet Spider in Black Food Box Plush for Gifting

Author: Talha

I am a crochet designer, macramé maker and a crafter who also loves doing MATH.

Today, you will learn to crochet a SUPER FUN and unique chonky spider plush present. And this is also part of my “community-fav crochet plushie” series. So, welcome to this CUTE crochet 6-eyed amigurumi spider in a black steamer basket plush with a FREE written pattern for absolute beginners.

Our little crochet spider has 8 bendable legs that you can make using either the purple pipe cleaners or the crochet pattern below, along with craft wire pieces.

You cannot close the box because the legs actually are the FUN part of this crochet spider in a box plush. That is, the spider is trying to hide in a box even when it cannot fit inside; isn’t it fun? You can crochet your spider in a food basket plush using mint green, purple, green, and even pink. Anyway, continue reading to learn more about this crochet plush spider and basket project!

Table of Contents

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Pattern to Crochet the Plush Spider in A Food Box Plush

Skill Level: Beginner – Level 4

Materials List

Plush yarn (100g / 120m) for the dumpling body.
Plush yarn (slightly thicker, 100g / 120m) for the box/basket.
Super bulky purple yarn for the spider legs.
Semi-cotton yarn (like YarnArt Jeans) in black for the smile, a matching color for closing the top hole, and white for the fangs.
Purple pipe cleaners (optional, as an alternative to crocheted legs).
Crochet hook: 4 mm.
Toy stuffing.
Plastic safety eyes (12 mm) for the main eyes.
Small black half-beads (e.g., 6mm or 8mm) for the secondary spider eyes.
Craft glue (fabric or super glue for the half-beads).
Yarn needle for sewing and weaving in ends.
Scissors.

Abbreviations List

MR = Magic Ring
sc = single crochet
inc = increase (2 single crochets in one stitch)
dec = decrease (crochet 2 stitches together)
sl st = slip stitch
ch = chain
BLO = back loops only
FLO = front loops only
R = Round

1. The Spider Dumpling Pattern

R1: 8 sc in MR (8).

R2: 8 inc (16).

R3: (1 sc, inc) repeat 8 times (24).

R4: (2 sc, inc) repeat 8 times (32).

R5 to R8 (4 rounds): 32 sc (32).

R9: (2 sc, dec) repeat 8 times (24).

Note: Insert the 12 mm safety eyes between R7 and R8, leaving 6 stitches between the eyes.

R10: (1 sc, dec) repeat 8 times (16).

Stuff the dumpling with toy stuffing now. Make it soft and squishy, not too tight.

R11: 8 dec (8).

Creating the top “skirt” ruffle:

R12: Working in FLO only, (inc, 1 sc) repeat all the way around until the end of the round. Cut the yarn and finish with a sl st.

Closing the top hole:

Take a piece of semi-cotton yarn on a needle. Weave it through the remaining unworked back loops (BLO) of R11. Pull the ends tightly to close the hole, tie a knot, and hide the threads inside the body.

2. Spider Features

The Fangs (Make 2)

Using the white semi-cotton yarn:

Ch 3.
Sl st in the 2nd ch from the hook, sc in the next ch.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

The Legs (Make 8)

You have two options for the legs:

Option 1 (Crocheted): Using the super bulky purple yarn, ch 8. Sl st in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain stitch across (7 sl sts total). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Also, insert craft wires in your spider legs to make them bendable.
Option 2 (Pipe Cleaners): Cut 4 purple pipe cleaners in half to create 8 bendable legs.

3. Basket / Box Pattern (Make 2 parts)

R1: 8 sc in MR (8).

R2: 8 inc (16).

R3: (1 sc, inc) repeat 8 times (24).

R4: (2 sc, inc) repeat 8 times (32).

R5: (7 sc, inc) repeat 4 times (36).

R6: 36 sc in BLO (36).

R7 to R8 (2 rounds): 36 sc (36).

For the top lid: Cut the yarn, finish off, and hide the end.
For the bottom base: Do NOT cut the yarn.

4. Full Assembly Guide

Follow these steps in order to easily put your spider dumpling and its box together without the legs getting in the way of the face details!

1.Embroider the Smile:

Take a piece of black semi-cotton yarn on a needle. Insert the needle into the side of the face and bring it out one row below the eyes in the center. Make a small “V” shape or slight curve. Bring the needle back to the starting point, tie a knot with the ends, and hide them inside the toy.

2.Attach the Secondary Eyes:

Spiders need extra eyes! Using your craft glue, carefully attach the smaller black half-beads just above or diagonally outside the main 12mm safety eyes. Press firmly and let the glue dry completely.

3.Sew on the Fangs:

Take the two white fangs you crocheted. Using the long tails and your yarn needle, sew them right below the outer edges of the embroidered smile so they point downward. Hide the remaining yarn tails inside the body.

4.Attach the Legs:Place 4 legs on each side.

If using crocheted legs: Thread the purple yarn tails onto your needle and sew 4 legs along the left side of the dumpling (around R8 and R9) and 4 legs along the right side.

If using pipe cleaners: Carefully poke the ends of the pipe cleaners through the stitches on the sides of the dumpling. Bend the ends inside the stuffing slightly so they anchor in place, then shape the outside legs into creepy-crawly bends.

5.Connect the Box Lid and Base:

Align the bottom base and the top lid. Connect them by crocheting sc stitches through the back loop of the lid and the front loop of the base for about 5 to 6 stitches to create a hinge. Fasten off and hide the yarn inside the box.

6.Add the Box Handle:

Join your basket yarn to the side of the base/lid hinge. Chain your desired length for the handle (e.g., 15-20 chains). Join the chain to the exact opposite side of the box with a sl st. Chain 1, turn, and crochet sc back down each chain stitch. Sl st into the starting side to secure. Cut the yarn and hide all ends.