How to Crochet a Mystery Dumpling & Steamer

If you’ve seen those adorable mystery dumplings trending online and wanted to make your own, this viral crochet dumpling pattern is for you!

I’ve also included instructions for a crochet steamer basket, giving your finished dumplings a cute place to sit when they’re not being cuddled.

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Chenille crochet dumpling trio in light blue, cream pink inside a steamer, and lavender yarn.

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I couldn’t resist recreating this charming trend in crochet. The dumplings’ rounded shape, gathered top, and sweet embroidered faces work great with one of my favorite fibers: soft chenille yarn. The matching basket completes the set and makes it even more fun to display or give as a handmade gift.

Pattern Highlights

Pattern name: Crochet Dumpling with Steamer
Pattern format: Written instructions using US crochet terminology
Skill level: Easy
Construction: Worked from the bottom up in continuous rounds
Finished size: Approximately 3 inches tall × 3 inches wide (7.5 cm × 7.5 cm)
Recommended yarn: Worsted-weight yarn (CYC 4)
Main techniques: Magic circle, single crochet, increases, decreases, continuous rounds, gathering, stuffing, and basic facial embroidery
Perfect for: Desk companions, craft-market items, small gifts, sensory plushies, and using leftover yarn

About the Design

First, my secret to crocheting an adorable dumpling is in the top closure! After experimenting with the shaping, I found that gathering the opening at six evenly spaced points creates the perfect little pleats.

The pattern uses basic Amigurumi techniques, including single crochet stitches, simple increases and decreases, continuous rounds, and a small amount of facial embroidery.

Each dumpling uses approximately 32 yards (29 m) of worsted-weight yarn, making this a fun way to use leftover yarn from your stash. Crochet your set in soft pastels, bold colors, or food-inspired shades, then arrange your dumplings inside their basket.

What You’ll Need

Worsted-weight (4) yarn: I used about 32 yards (29 m) of Loops & Threads Skinny Chenille yarn for each dumpling and 54 yards (48 m) for the steamer.
3.50 mm (E/4) crochet hook: I prefer using a smaller hook for Amigurumi because it creates a dense fabric that keeps the stuffing from showing. If you crochet tightly, you may need to go up one hook size. Keep in mind that changing your hook size may also change the finished measurements.
One pair of 15–18 mm safety eyes: You may use a different size if you prefer. These glitter safety eyes for plushies are some of my favorites.
Eye-placement tool: I’ve used the AmiLove tool for years. It makes it much easier to press the washers securely onto the posts.
Dark, pink, and white embroidery-thread scraps for the mouth, eyebrows, eyelashes, eye highlights, and blush
Embroidery needle – a smaller tapestry needle will work too
Polyester fiberfill: I like Poly-Fil because it holds its shape well. I’ve used it in my Amigurumi projects for years.
You’ll also need other notions, such as a stitch marker, yarn scissors, and a tapestry needle for closing the top and weaving in the ends

Maggie’s Safety Tip: Safety eyes can pose a choking hazard and are not suitable for children under three. Embroider the eyes when making this project for a baby or toddler.

Gauge

Using worsted-weight (4) chenille yarn and a 3.50 mm (E/4) crochet hook, the first eight rounds should measure approximately 3¼ inches (8 cm) in diameter.

Exact gauge is not crucial for this project, but your stitches should be tight enough to prevent the fiberfill from showing through the fabric. Using a different yarn, hook size, or stitch tension will change the finished size and the amount of yarn required.

Finished Size

My finished crochet dumpling measures approximately 3 inches tall × 3 inches wide (7.5 cm × 7.5 cm) when made with the recommended yarn and hook.

Three smiling crochet dumpling plushies made with soft pastel chenille yarn.

Abbreviations

Need help understanding crochet abbreviations? Download my Free Guide to Crochet Abbreviations & Terms (PDF) and keep it nearby as a handy reference whenever you follow a pattern.

R: Round
sc: Single crochet
sc inc: Work 2 single crochet stitches in the same stitch
sc dec: Single crochet decrease
st(s): Stitch(es)

READ THIS BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Pattern Notes

This crochet witch pattern is written using US crochet terminology.
Level of difficulty: Easy
Work in continuous rounds without joining unless instructed otherwise.
Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you work.
The stitch count appears in brackets at the end of each round.
Stuff the dumpling firmly enough to hold its shape but leave enough flexibility near the top to create the gathered closure.
Complete the eyes and stuffing before closing the top.

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Mystery Crochet Dumpling Instructions

A pink crochet dumpling in a steamer basket made chenille yarn.

R1: Work 6 sc in a magic circle. [6]

R2: Sc inc in each st around. [12]

R3: (Sc inc, sc in next st) 6 times. [18]

R4: (Sc inc, sc in each of the next 2 sts) 6 times. [24]

R5: (Sc inc, sc in each of the next 3 sts) 6 times. [30]

R6: (Sc inc, sc in each of the next 4 sts) 6 times. [36]

R7: (Sc inc, sc in each of the next 5 sts) 6 times. [42]

R8: (Sc inc, sc in each of the next 6 sts) 6 times. [48]

R9–16: Sc in each st around. [48]

R17: (Sc dec, sc in each of the next 6 sts) 6 times. [42]

R18: (Sc dec, sc in each of the next 5 sts) 6 times. [36]

Unstuffed purple crochet dumpling body before adding the eyes, closing the top, and embroidering the face.

R19–20: Sc in each st around. [36]

Stuff the dumpling with fiberfill. Avoid overstuffing the top because you will need enough flexibility to gather the opening into six pleats.

Place the safety eyes between R10 and R11, approximately 10 stitches apart. Make sure you’re happy with their placement before attaching the washers.

Maggie’s Pro Tip: For extra sensory weight, secure plastic pellets inside a doubled nylon pouch and place it beneath the fiberfill. Cover the safety-eye backs with sturdy felt to prevent them from puncturing the pouch.

Note: Inspect the inner pouch carefully to ensure the pellets cannot escape. Dumplings containing pellets and safety eyes are decorative or sensory items for adults and older children—not toys for babies, toddlers, pets, or anyone likely to place them in their mouth.

Closing the Crochet Dumpling

The top edge has 36 stitches. Placing one gathering point every six stitches divides the opening into six equal sections:

Crochet hook inserted through the already filled purple dumpling to begin closing the top.

Yarn being pulled to cinch the top of the stuffed crochet dumpling.

36 stitches ÷ 6 sections = 6 stitches per section.

Cut a long strand of matching yarn and thread it onto a tapestry needle. Leave a tail approximately 3 inches (7.5 cm) long at the starting point.
Starting inside the dumpling, bring the needle through the fabric about three rounds below the top edge.
Skip the next 5 stitches and bring the needle through the fabric at the sixth stitch, keeping each gathering point at the same height.
Repeat Step 3 five more times to create six evenly spaced gathering points around the opening.
Pull the beginning and working yarn tails firmly and evenly to cinch the opening. The gathered top should form six small sections resembling flower petals.
Knot the yarn securely.
Use the remaining yarn to sew through any small openings between the gathered sections until the top is completely closed.
Fasten off and weave the yarn ends securely into the dumpling.

Facial Embroidery

Close-up of a safety eye placed on the finished purple crochet dumpling.

Use a single strand of embroidery thread for each facial detail. Embroider the mouth, white eye highlights, eyelashes, and eyebrows. Add small pink stitches beneath the eyes to create the blush.

Use the pattern photos as a placement guide, but feel free to change the expression and give each dumpling its own personality. Once you are happy with the face, secure the embroidery thread and weave the ends into the body.

Steamer

R1: Work 8 sc in a magic circle. [8]

R2: Sc inc in each st around. [16]

R3: (Sc inc, sc in next st) 8 times. [24]

R4: (Sc inc, sc in each of the next 2 sts) 8 times. [32]

R5: (Sc inc, sc in each of the next 3 sts) 8 times. [40]

R6: (Sc inc, sc in each of the next 4 sts) 8 times. [48]

R7: (Sc inc, sc in each of the next 5 sts) 8 times. [56]

R8: Sl st in blo of each st around. [56]

R9: Sc in blo of each st around. [56]

R10–17: Sc in each st around. Cut the yarn and FO.[56]

R18: Sl st in each st around. [56]

Steamer Lid

R1-7: Repeat the instructions for the basket above.

R8-13: Sc in blo of each st around. [56]

R14: Sl st in each st around. Somewhere along round 14, use five sl sts to attach the lid to the basket. Cut the yarn and FO. [56]

Finish by weaving in any loose ends.

Chenille crochet dumpling trio in light blue, cream pink is inside a steamer, and lavender yarn.

Your crochet dumpling is complete! I hope you enjoyed making it as much as I enjoyed designing it. Experiment with different colors, eyes, and expressions to create a unique collection for gifts, desk companions, or sensory plushies. I’d love to see how you personalize yours!

Happy crocheting! 🧶

More Amigurumi Patterns

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TERMS OF USE | COPYRIGHT

All pictures and written content in this blog post are the property of Zamiguz Handmade Creations by Magna Haskell (aka Maggie). This pattern is for personal use only. Copying, sharing, reselling, translating, publishing, altering, distributing, or reproducing this content and photography—or any part of it—in any form, online or offline, is prohibited. You may sell finished handmade items made from my crochet patterns, but please use your own photography to advertise them. I would appreciate it if you credited Zamiguz Handmade Creations @zamiguz as the pattern designer. Mass production is not permitted.