Jellycat Amigurumi Birthday Cake Crochet Pattern

A birthday cake you can crochet once and celebrate forever? Yes, please!

This crochet cake was inspired by the beloved Amuseables Birthday Cake from Jellycat. The amigurumi cake was designed to capture that same sweet, playful charm in yarn form. With a simple cake base, fluffy frosting, cheerful strawberries, and a candle topped with a tiny flame, it's a project that feels celebratory from the very first stitch.

Crochet Jellycat Birthday Cake Amigurumi FREE Pattern

I kept this pattern low-sew to make it extra approachable and enjoyable. The only sewing required is attaching the candle and flame at the very end. The cake is crocheted with Scheepjes' Little Darling, a DK-weight chenille yarn. It gives it a soft, squishy feel in a smaller, gift-friendly size. If you prefer a larger plush, swapping in a thicker chenille yarn will easily scale it up.

Whether you're making this amigurumi cake for a play kitchen, nursery decor, or a handmade birthday keepsake, this crochet cake is a fun, satisfying project that's made to be enjoyed long after the candles would normally be blown out.

Table of Contents

What You Need / Materials

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DK, light worsted (weight #3) chenille yarn (shown in Scheepjes' Little Darling) in the following colors:

Dark Brown (I used Red Panda)
Light Brown (I used Teddy Bear)
Beige (I used Alpaca)
Red (I used Cherry)
White (I used Ice Bear)
Yellow (I used Bumble Bee)

3.25 mm Crochet Hook
Safety Eyes (I used 5.0 mm)
Polyester Stuffing of your choice
Yarn/Tapestry Needle
Stitch Markers
Scissors

Yarns Substitutions

Finished Size

Finished amigurumi measures approximately 10 cm (4 inches) in height, including the tip of the flame.
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
hdc - half double crochet
BLO - back loops only
bbl - bobble stitch

Yarn over and insert the hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. Repeat until you have 4 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all of the loops on the hook. Push the bobble stitch forward towards you when you sc into the next stitch.

Crochet Jellycat Birthday Cake Amigurumi

Pattern Notes

This pattern is written using US crochet terms.
Complete the pieces in the specified order to ensure proper assembly later.
I used the underside of the amigurumi hairpiece as the visible side, allowing the strands to naturally curl towards the face.
Use the yarn under single crochet technique to achieve tighter, more aligned stitches.
Learn how to seamlessly change color in crochet mid-row or round to create clean color transitions.
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.
Use the invisible fasten-off method to create a smooth, knot-free edge that blends perfectly with your stitches.
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

Legs (make 2)

Using a 3.25 mm crochet hook and dark brown yarn...
Round 1: Ch 4, from 2nd ch from hook, sc-inc, sc, 3 sc in the last ch, turn to the other side of the chain, 2 sc (8 sts)
Round 2: Sc in each st around (8 sts)
Round 3: 2 sc, 2 sc-dec, 2 sc (6 sts)
Round 4: Sc, 2 sc-dec, sc (4 sts)
Cut and fasten off.

Cake

Using a 3.25 mm crochet hook and light brown 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: Working in BLO of Round 5, 16 sc, 2 sc into the first leg and Round 5 to attach, 4 sc, 2 sc into the second leg and Round 5 to attach, 16 sc (40 sts)
Round 7-9: Sc in each st around (40 sts x 3 rounds)

Change to beige yarn...
Round 10: Slst BLO in each st around (40 sts)
Round 11a: Slst FLO in each st around (40 sts)

Insert safety eyes between Rounds 8 and 9 between where you placed your legs about 3 stitches apart.

Change to light brown yarn...
Round 11b: Slst BLO in each st around of Round 9 (40 sts)
Round 12: Sc BLO in each st around (40 sts)
Round 13-15: Sc in each st around (40 sts x 3 rounds)
Cut and fasten off.

Frosting on Top

Using a 3.25 mm crochet hook and beige yarn...
Round 1: Magic ring with a base of 10 sc (10 sts)
Round 2: Sc-inc in each st around (20 sts)
Round 3: [Sc, sc-inc] x 10 times (30 sts)
Round 4: [5 sc, bbl (in red yarn)] x 5 times (30 sts)

Round 5: [Sc, sc-inc, sc] x 10 times (40 sts)
Round 6: Working on the frosting piece and attaching it to FLO of Round 13 of the cake: Sc in each st around (40 sts)

Round 7: [Hdc, dc, hdc, slst] x 10 times (40 sts)
Cut and fasten off with a long strand to sew down parts of the frosting to the side of the cake.

Candle

Using a 3.25 mm crochet hook and white yarn...
Round 1: Magic ring with a base of 6 sc (6 sts)
Round 2: Working in BLO, sc in each st around (6 sts)
Round 3-5: Sc in each st around (6 sts)
Cut and fasten off with a long strand to sew to the top of the cake.

Use red yarn and embroider around the candle. With each wrap/round, make sure to secure the yarn by stitching it into the candle so it stays anchored and won't unravel with handling.

Candle Flame

Using a 3.25 mm crochet hook and yellow yarn...
Ch 3, from 2nd ch from hook, 1 pop (1 st)
Cut and fasten off with a tail to sew to the top of the candle.

Sew the candle to the top of the cake and embroider a smile onto the cake (optional)!

Sew candle on top of crochet Jellycat cake

Inspiration Behind the Crochet Design / Why I Made This

I've loved Jellycat plushies for years for their softness, charm, and timeless cuteness. When my kids were little, their first Jellycat bunnies quickly became well-loved companions, the kind of toys that were meant to be hugged, carried around, and genuinely played with.

Over time, though, Jellycats have started to feel less like everyday toys and more like collectible items. I had a bit of sticker shock recently when I noticed how much even the smallest Jellycat plushies now cost, which made me realize how far they've shifted into luxury territory.

Around the same time, I began seeing so many creative Jellycat-inspired makes, from real cakes and pottery to drawings and handmade plushies. The wave of creativity inspired me to design my own crochet version of the Jellycat birthday cake. With so many talented makers putting their own spin on Jellycat designs (I even have a roundup of free crochet Jellycat-inspired patterns), this felt like a fun and meaningful way to join in.

This crocheted cake is my interpretation of that inspiration. capturing the charm and softness we love, while creating something handmade, approachable, and meant to be enjoyed without hesitation.

Creative Uses and Ideas

Birthday keepsake: A sweet, reusable birthday "cake" that can come out year after year.
Cake smash alternative: Great for milestone photos without the mess.
Play kitchen accessory: A soft, palm-sized cake that's perfect for pretend play and tea parties.
Nursery or shelf decor: Adds a playful, cozy touch to a nursery or playroom.
Gift topper: Tie it onto a wrapped present instead of a bow for an extra-special detail.
Party decor: Use as table decor or party favors for a birthday celebration.
Memory box treasure: A handmade piece to tuck away with birthday cards and momentos.
Desk buddy: A tiny, cheerful plush to keep on your desk or craft table.
Market or craft fair item: A great size for quick makes and impulse buys.

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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