Nestled into a little serving cup with the word "Hej!" proudly displayed on the front, you know these aren't your average meatballs—they're Swedish meatballs! Add in a tiny crocheted Swedish flag, and there's no mistaking it. These adorable crochet Swedish meatballs are a playful nod to one of Sweden's most iconic comfort foods.
Made with plush chenille yarn, these soft and squishy meatballs are the perfect mix of cozy and cute. Whether you use them for pretend play, desk decor, or as a gift for your favorite IKEA enthusiast, they're sure to bring a smile (and maybe a craving for lingonberry sauce!).
What You Need / Materials
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- Light worsted (weight #3) cotton yarn in the following colors:
- White (I used Hobbii Friends Cotton 8/8 in White #01)
- Yellow (I used Hobbii Friends Cotton 8/8 in Dark Yellow #26)
- Blue (I used Hobbii Friends Cotton 8/8 in Lapis Blue #93)
- DK (weight #3) chenille yarn in the following colors:
- Brown (I used Scheepjes Little Darling in Pony or Teddy)
- 3.25 mm Crochet Hook
- Safety Eyes (I used 5.0 mm)
- Toothpick
- Polyester Stuffing of your choice
- Yarn/Tapestry Needle
- Stitch Markers
- Scissors
Finished Size
Finished amigurumi measures approximately __ cm (__ 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), attaching plastic safety eyes, changing yarn colors, and basic embroidery.
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
- sc dec - single crochet decrease, single crochet 2 stitches together
- BLO - back loops only
- rsc (aka. crab stitch) - reverse single crochet
- Insert the hook into the stitch to the right of your current stitch. Yarn over, pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook.
Pattern Notes
- This pattern is written using US crochet terms.
- Use the yarn under single crochet technique to achieve tighter, more aligned stitches.
- Crochet in continuous spiral 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.
- Use the ultimate finish to neatly close up your amigurumi pieces.
- Optional: Use the invisible increase and invisible decrease to enhance the appearance of your amigurumi.
- Optional: Use the half-color change technique for clean color transitions between rounds
Free Crochet Pattern
Serving Cup
Using a 3.25 mm crochet hook and white yarn...
Round 1: Magic ring with a base of 8 sc (8 sts)
Round 2: Sc inc in each st around (16 sts)
Round 3: [Sc, sc inc] x 8 times (24 sts)
Round 4: [Sc, sc inc, sc] x 8 times (32 sts)
Round 5: [3 sc, sc inc] x 8 times (40 sts)
Round 6: [2 sc, sc inc, 2 sc] x 8 times (48 sts)
Round 7: Working in the BLO, sc in each st around (48 sts)
Round 8-15: Sc in each st around (48 sts)
Round 16: Crab stitch (forward crab stitch or reverse sc) in each st around to create a nice lip around the edge of the cup (48 sts)
Cut and fasten off. Weave in the ends.
Surface Slip Letters
Use the graph as displayed below to slip stitch the word "Hej!" onto your serving cup:
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| Step 1. Insert the hook from front to back, pull up a loop. |
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| Step 2. Insert into the next stitch along your desired path. |
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| Step 3. At the end of a stroke, pull yarn completely through. |
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| Step 4. Insert your hook from the back to the front into the same stitch where you just ended, and pull the yarn all the way through to the back to fasten off. |
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| Step 5. To start a new stroke, repeat from Step 1. |
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Meatballs
Using a 3.25 mm crochet hook and white yarn...
Round 1: Magic ring with a base of 8 sc (8 sts)
Round 2: Sc inc in each st around (16 sts)
Round 3: [Sc, sc inc] x 8 times (24 sts)
Round 4-7: Sc in each st around (24 sts)
Round 8: [Sc, sc-dec] x 8 times (16 sts)
Insert safety eyes (if using) between rounds 5 and 6, approximately 4 sts apart.
Round 9: Sc-dec in each st around (8 sts)
Cut and fasten off using the ultimate finish.
Swedish Flag
Using a 3.25 mm crochet hook and blue yarn...
Row 1: Ch 7, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, then in every st across (6 sts)
Row 2-4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (6 sts)
Cut and fasten off. Weave in the ends.
Using yellow yarn, surface slst on the small blue flag across the middle to create the Swedish flag.
Inspiration Behind the Crochet Design
This crochet Swedish meatball cup was inspired by a super cute promotional keychain I saw from IKEA Taiwan that's been making the rounds on Instagram. I couldn't stop thinking about how adorable it was, but of course, they never bring these fun little items to Canada! So, like any determined maker, I decided to crochet my own version.
I made the serving cup using cotton yarn and added the cheerful little "Hej!" on the front to match the IKEA vibe. The meatballs themselves are extra soft, made with Scheepjes Little Darling, and each cup fits exactly three of them. However, you can always make a fourth if you want one to sit on top so you can see it. I even crocheted a mini Swedish flag to complete the look and make it feel as authentic (and playful) as possible.
Creative Uses and Ideas
- Keychain or Bag Charm: Shrink the pattern slightly and add a keyring or lobster clasp to turn it into your own IKEA-inspired keychain or backpack accessory!
- Pretend Play Food: The perfect addition to a crochet play kitchen or restaurant setup, especially if your kids love IKEA meatballs as much as we do.
- Desk Buddy or Pincushion: Sit it on your workspace to bring a smile to your face (and maybe store a few pins in the meatballs while you're at it!).
- Gift Topper: Attach it to a wrapped gift for a playful and unique handmade touch, especially for IKEA enthusiasts or anyone who enjoys quirky gifts.
- IKEA-Themed Decor: Add it to a shelf or tiered tray for a whimsical nod to Swedish design.
- Crochet Collectible Display: Pair it with your other crochet food patterns or international-themed creations. It's a conversation starter for sure!
You Might Also Like...
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- Giant Crochet Fortune Cookie: Bring some luck into your home with this oversized fortune cookie pillow! It's soft, squishy, and surprisingly easy to make!
- Crochet Egg Tart Amigurumi Pattern: Add a sweet (and squishy) touch to your dim sum spread with this adorable egg tart, perfect for foodies and crafters alike.
- Curry Fishball Crochet Pattern: Savory, bite-sized crochet fishballs on skewers that are perfect for pretend play!
Share Your Creation with Me!
Did you make this project? I'd love to see it! Please share it with me on Instagram and/or use the #onceuponacheerio hashtag.
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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.
You may sell products made from this crochet pattern, but please credit the design to Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio, and provide a link to my blog www.OnceUponaCheerio.com. Permission is NOT granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind. Thank you for understanding!
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