Bring a touch of Studio Ghibli magic into your home with this oversized, fluffy Soot Sprite pillow! Inspired by the whimsical creatures from My Neighbor Totoro, this cuddly companion is perfect for fans of all ages.
This beginner-friendly crochet pattern transforms a standard round pillow form into an adorable SootSprite using plush faux fur yarn for maximum softness. The body is crocheted in continuous rounds with super bulky yarn, while the expressive eyes are crafted separately using aran-weight yarn and then sewn on with a slightly offset pupil to give your soot sprite a playful personality.
Utilizing basic stitches like single crochet and simple increases, this project is accessible to crocheters of all skill levels, making it a delightful addition to any Studio Ghibli enthusiast's collection.
What You Need / Materials
Most of these items can be purchased through our affiliate links. Purchasing items through these links will not cost you any extra money. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.
- Super Bulky (yarn weight #6) faux fur yarn shown in Scheepjes Furry Tales:
- Black (I used 3 skeins of 980 The Beast)
- Aran (yarn weight #4) yarn shown in Scheepjes Chunky Monkey
- Black (I used 1002 Black)
- White (I used 1001 White)
- 4.5 mm Crochet Hook
- 8.0 mm Crochet Hook
- Polyester Stuffing of your choice (I used a round pillow form that I already had)
- Yarn Needle
- Stitch Markers
- Scissors
Finished Size
Finished amigurumi measures approximately 48 cm (19 inches) in height.
Consider using a different yarn weight/category and appropriate hook size for this project to make it bigger/smaller.
Level of Difficulty
- ★★☆☆☆ Beginner / Easy
- Requires familiarity with stitches used (below) using faux fur yarn, and basic sewing skills.
Stitches & Abbreviations
- st/sts - stitch/stitches
- ch - chain
- slst - slip stitch
- sc - single crochet
- sc inc - single crochet increase, 2 single crochets in one stitch
Pattern Notes
- This pattern is written using US crochet terms.
- I crocheted the soot sprite's eyes using the "yarn under single crochet" technique to achieve tighter, more aligned stitches.
- Use the invisible fasten-off method to neatly close up your amigurumi pieces.
- Crochet in continuous rounds. Do not join at the end of each round unless otherwise stated.
- Use a running stitch marker to keep your place when crocheting in rounds.
Free Crochet Pattern
Body (make 2)
Using an 8.00 mm crochet hook with Color A yarn...
Round 1: Magic ring with a base of 6 sc (6 sts)
Round 2: Sc inc in each st around (12 sts)
Round 3: [Sc, sc inc] x 6 times (18 sts)
Round 4: [2 sc, sc inc] x 6 times (24 sts)
Round 5: [3 sc, sc inc] x 6 times (30 sts)
Round 6: [4 sc, sc inc] x 6 times (36 sts)
Round 7: [5 sc, sc inc] x 6 times (42 sts)
Round 8: [6 sc, sc inc] x 6 times (48 sts)
Round 9: [7 sc, sc inc] x 6 times (54 sts)
Round 10: [8 sc, sc inc] x 6 times (60 sts)
Round 11: [9 sc, sc inc] x 6 times (66 sts)
Round 12: [10 sc, sc inc] x 6 times (72 sts)
Round 13: [11 sc, sc inc] x 6 times (78 sts)
Round 14: [12 sc, sc inc] x 6 times (84 sts)
Round 15: [13 sc, sc inc] x 6 times (90 sts)
Round 16: [14 sc, sc inc] x 6 times (96 sts)
Round 17: [15 sc, sc inc] x 6 times (102 sts)
Round 18: Sc in each st around (102 sts)
Cut and fasten off the first piece. Do not cut and fasten off the second piece.
Put the two pieces together and sc in each st around the edges. Stuff the pillow with a pillow form or polyfill stuffing before closing. Finish off crocheting around the edges. Cut and fasten off.
Eye Pupils (make 2)
Using a 4.5 mm crochet hook with Color B...
Round 1: Magic ring with a base of 7 sc (7 sts)
Round 2: Sc inc in each st around (14 sts)
Cut and fasten off invisibly with a tail to sew onto the eye whites.
Eye Whites (make 2)
Using a 4.5 mm crochet hook with Color C...
Round 1: Ch 5, 3 sc into the second ch from the hook, 2 sc, 3 sc into the last chain, turn and work on the other side of the chain, 2 sc (10 sts)
Round 2: [Sc inc] x 3 times, 2 sc, [sc inc] x 3 times, 2 sc (16 sts)
Round 3: [Sc, sc inc] x 3 times, 2 sc, [sc, sc inc] x 3 times, 2 sc (22 sts)
Round 4: [Sc, sc inc, sc] x 3 times, 2 sc, [sc, sc inc, sc] x 3 times, 2 sc (28 sts)
Round 5: [3 sc, sc inc] x 3 times, 2 sc, [3 sc, sc inc] x 3 times, 2 sc (34 sts)
Round 6: [2 sc, sc inc, 2 sc] x 3 times, 2 sc, [2 sc, sc inc, 2 sc] x 3 times, 2 sc (40 sts)
Round 7: [5 sc, sc inc] x 3 times, 2 sc, [5 sc, sc inc] x 3 times, 2 sc (46 sts)
Round 8: [3 sc, sc inc, 3 sc] x 3 times, 2 sc, [3 sc, sc inc, 3 sc] x 3 times, 2 sc (52 sts)
Cut and fasten off invisibly with a long tail to sew onto the body of the soot sprite.
Add Personality with Assembly
When sewing on the pupils, I intentionally stitched them slightly off-center. This subtle detail gives the Soot Sprite pillow a quirky personality depending on which way it's placed.
 |
| When it's right side up, it might look curious or cheeky. |
 |
| Flip it upside down, and it suddenly has a completely different (and equally adorable) expression! |
Feel free to play around with the placement to give your pillow its own unique charm.
Why I Made This
Studio Ghibli movies have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My brother and I used to watch the Cantonese-dubbed versions on repeat, especially My Neighbor Totoro. We knew the scenes by heart, and we even acted them out together just for fun. The whimsy and charm of those films became a part of our childhood memories.
Now, as a mom, I've been sharing those same movies with my own kids, and it's been such a full-circle moment watching them fall in love with the characters just like I did. The Soot Sprites, or Susuwataru, are some of the most iconic and adorable creatures in the Ghibli universe. When my kids saw them for the first time, they immediately giggled and pointed, so I knew I had to make something special.
I'd previously crocheted smaller amigurumi versions of the Soot Sprites, but this time, I wanted to go big. Literally! I had a circular pillow insert just lying around, and it felt like the perfect starting point for something soft, squishy, and oversized. I chose to use faux fur yarn from Scheepjes to bring the soot sprite to life. The texture adds so much warmth and personality.
This pillow is not just a crochet project; it's a tribute to the joy Ghibli movies have brought into my life and now my daughters' lives. It's cozy, nostalgic, and brings a little magic to any room. I hope this pattern inspires others to relive their childhood memories through handmade creations, too.
Creative Ways to Display Your Soot Sprite Crochet Pillow
- Add to your couch or reading nook for a cozy, whimsical touch. Especially perfect for Studio Ghibli fans.
- Use as a statement pillow in a themed bedroom or nursery for a pop of character and texture.
- Display alongside other fandom pieces like Totoro plushies or Ghibli art prints for a curated look.
- Place on a bookshelf or cubby as a quirky decorative accent.
- Gift it as part of a Ghibli-themed bundle with movies, snacks, or handmade items for birthdays or holidays.
- Use during movie nights as a cuddly companion when rewatching your favorite animated classics.
You Might Also Like...
- Soot Sprite (Susuwatari) Amigurumi Pattern: Make a mini version of the beloved soot sprite with this adorable and quick crochet project.
- Jiji the Black Cat Amigurumi Crochet Pattern: Inspired by Kiki's Delivery Service, this magical feline companion is perfect for Halloween or Studio Ghibli fans.
- Tips for Crocheting with Faux Fur Yarn: Working with faux fur yarn can be tricky. Learn my favorite tips to make your next fuzzy amigurumi project a success!
Share Your Creation with Me!
Did you make this fluffy Soot Sprite pillow? I'd love to see it! Please share it with me on Instagram and/or use the #onceuponacheerio hashtag.
What's Next?
📌 PIN THIS POST to your Pinterest board so you can come back to it later!
💬 LEAVE A COMMENT, I’d love to hear from you!
🔗 ADD THIS PATTERN to your Ravelry queue or favorites!
👋 FOLLOW ME on Instagram and Facebook so you don’t miss a thing!
This is an original crochet pattern written by Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio. Please do not claim this crochet pattern as your own. If you wish to share this crochet pattern, you may link to this blog post, but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for personal use, but please DO NOT sell or distribute the crochet pattern.
Disclaimer: We are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with Studio Ghilbi, or any of its subsidiaries or its affiliates. Susuwatari and/or Soot Sprites are a trademarked character owned by Studio Ghibli. Please reserve this crochet pattern and the finished product for personal use ONLY.
Post a Comment