Daisy Mini Plush Crochet Pattern: DK Cotton Yarn & Safety Eyes

There is something undeniably satisfying about crocheting a tiny plush that fits in the palm of your hand. Daisy, a cheerful little flower-inspired amigurumi, is exactly that kind of project — quick enough to finish in a single afternoon, charming enough to display on a shelf or tuck into a gift bag, and beginner-friendly enough that even someone who has only recently picked up a crochet hook can follow along without frustration. This pattern uses DK weight cotton yarn, which gives the finished piece a clean stitch definition, a soft but structured body, and a satisfying weight that holds its shape over time. A pair of safety eyes adds that irresistible personality that makes every plush feel like its own little creature.

Whether you are making Daisy as a keepsake for yourself, a handmade gift for a friend, or a market item to add to your craft stall, this pattern has everything you need from materials to finishing touches.

Why DK Cotton Yarn Is Perfect for Mini Plush Crochet

Before diving into the pattern itself, it is worth taking a moment to talk about yarn choice, because it genuinely shapes everything about how your finished plush looks and feels.

DK weight cotton sits at a sweet spot for amigurumi and plush work. It is lighter than worsted, which means your stitches stay neat and well-defined at a smaller gauge, producing those clean lines that make a mini plush look polished rather than lumpy. Cotton also has very little stretch compared to acrylic, which is actually an advantage here — your stitches hold their positions firmly, the fabric does not distort under stuffing pressure, and the finished plush maintains its shape over time even after being handled repeatedly.

For a daisy-themed plush, cotton has another advantage: it takes color beautifully. The whites stay crisp and bright, the yellows feel sunny and saturated, and whatever accent colors you choose for Daisy’s cheeks or center details will pop cleanly against the background without any muddiness.

Some excellent DK cotton options include Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Simply DK, Drops Safran, and Paintbox Cotton DK. Any smooth, tightly plied DK cotton will give you the stitch definition this pattern calls for. Avoid anything too fluffy, fuzzy, or textured — those yarns photograph beautifully but make it genuinely difficult to count stitches, which matters a great deal in amigurumi where every stitch placement counts.

Materials You Will Need

Getting your materials together before you start is one of the simplest ways to make any crochet project go more smoothly. Here is everything Daisy requires.

For yarn, you will need DK weight cotton in white for the main body and petals, yellow for the face center and any flower detail, and an optional small amount of green if you would like to add a stem or leaf accent. The quantities are modest — a single skein of white and yellow will give you enough material to make several finished dolls, making this an excellent stash-buster project.

You will need a 3.0 mm or 3.5 mm crochet hook. The exact size depends on your personal tension. The goal is a fabric that is tight enough that stuffing does not show through the gaps between stitches, but not so tight that your hands ache while you work. Do a quick test swatch with your chosen hook and yarn before committing to the full pattern if you are uncertain.

For eyes, 9mm or 12mm black safety eyes work beautifully for this size of plush. Attach them before closing the head piece fully, following the placement guidance in the pattern notes below. If you are making this doll for a child under three years old, embroider the eyes with black yarn instead of using safety eyes, as plastic safety components are a choking hazard for very young children.

You will also need polyester fiberfill stuffing, a tapestry needle for sewing pieces together and weaving in ends, scissors, and stitch markers. Locking stitch markers in particular are enormously helpful for amigurumi work because they let you track the beginning of each round without confusion, especially as your stitch count increases.

Understanding the Pattern Notations

This pattern is written in US crochet terminology. Here is a quick reference for the abbreviations used throughout.

MR stands for magic ring. Ch means chain. Sc is single crochet. Inc means increase, which is two single crochets worked into the same stitch. Dec means invisible decrease, which involves inserting your hook through the front loops of the next two stitches and completing a single crochet through both. Sl st means slip stitch. FO means fasten off. BLO means back loop only, and FLO means front loop only.

If you are new to magic rings, do not let them intimidate you. A magic ring creates an adjustable loop that you can pull tight after your first round of stitches, closing the center into a neat, gapless circle. There are many excellent video tutorials available for this technique if you find written instructions confusing on the first read.

The pattern is worked in continuous rounds unless otherwise specified. Do not slip stitch and chain to begin a new round — simply continue crocheting in a spiral, moving your stitch marker up at the beginning of each new round to help you keep track.

The Daisy Mini Plush Pattern

Head and Body (Worked as One Piece)

Begin with your white yarn.

Round 1: Start with a magic ring and work 6 sc into the ring. Pull the ring closed. You will have 6 stitches.

Round 2: Inc in every stitch around. You will have 12 stitches.

Round 3: Work (sc 1, inc) around. You will have 18 stitches.

Round 4: Work (sc 2, inc) around. You will have 24 stitches.

Round 5: Work (sc 3, inc) around. You will have 30 stitches.

Rounds 6 through 10: Sc in every stitch around. You will have 30 stitches per round for five rounds total.

This is the point at which you should place your safety eyes. Position them between rounds 7 and 8, approximately 8 to 10 stitches apart for a friendly, wide-set look. Secure the washers firmly on the inside of the work. If you prefer a more compact, button-eyed look, placing the eyes closer together — 6 stitches apart — gives the plush a slightly different but equally sweet expression.

Round 11: Work (sc 3, dec) around. You will have 24 stitches.

Round 12: Work (sc 2, dec) around. You will have 18 stitches.

Round 13: Work (sc 1, dec) around. You will have 12 stitches.

At this point, begin stuffing the head firmly. You want it to feel full and rounded without being taut enough to distort the shape. This is also the moment to adjust if you feel the stuffing is showing through the stitches — if it is, your hook may be too large and you can simply use a smaller hook next time.

Round 14: Sc in every stitch around. You will have 12 stitches. This round creates a small neck indentation.

Round 15: Inc in every stitch around. You will have 24 stitches.

Round 16: Work (sc 3, inc) around. You will have 30 stitches.

Rounds 17 through 21: Sc in every stitch around. You will have 30 stitches per round.

Round 22: Work (sc 3, dec) around. You will have 24 stitches.

Round 23: Work (sc 2, dec) around. You will have 18 stitches.

Add additional stuffing to the body at this stage before the opening becomes too small to work with comfortably.

Round 24: Work (sc 1, dec) around. You will have 12 stitches.

Round 25: Dec around. You will have 6 stitches.

Fasten off, leaving a short tail. Use your tapestry needle to close the remaining gap by running the tail through the front loops of the final 6 stitches and pulling tight. Weave in the end securely.

Daisy Petals

The petals are what transform a simple round plush into something distinctly daisy-like, and they are delightful to make. You will work them in white, directly onto the head of the finished body piece using surface crochet as an anchor, or you can work them separately and sew them on depending on your preference.

For sew-on petals, make 8 to 10 individual petals as follows.

For each petal, with white yarn, create a foundation chain of 7. Starting in the second chain from the hook: sc 1, hdc 1, dc 2, hdc 1, sc 1. Slip stitch into the very first chain to close the petal into a teardrop shape. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Arrange the petals evenly around the upper portion of the head, roughly centered between the safety eyes and the top of the head, with the pointed end of each petal facing outward. The flat, slip-stitched end of each petal should be sewn onto the head. Use your tapestry needle and the tail from each petal to secure it firmly in place. Take a few anchoring stitches through the head fabric to ensure each petal lies flat and stays put even with regular handling.

Flower Center Accent

Switch to yellow yarn and work a small flat circle.

Round 1: Work 6 sc into a magic ring. Pull the ring closed.

Round 2: Inc in every stitch around. You will have 12 stitches.

Slip stitch into the next stitch to close the round. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

This small yellow circle sits at the center of the petal ring, covering the raw ends of the attached petals and adding a bright focal point to the face. Sew it down firmly using the tail yarn, stitching all the way around the outer edge of the circle to keep it flat and secure.

Arms (Make Two)

With white yarn, work a magic ring and place 6 sc into it. Pull the ring closed.

Round 1 through Round 4: Sc in every stitch around. You will have 6 stitches for four rounds.

Fasten off, leaving a long sewing tail. Stuff very lightly or leave unstuffed for a flatter, more floppy arm that drapes naturally. Flatten the open end and sew it closed. Attach the arms to either side of the body at approximately round 16 to 17, which places them just below the neck line.

Optional Leaves

If you would like to add a leaf pair at the base of the body for a more complete flower effect, work these in green yarn.

For each leaf, chain 8. Starting in the second chain from the hook: sc 1, hdc 2, dc 2, hdc 1, sc 1. Slip stitch into the base chain. Fasten off, leaving a sewing tail.

Attach one leaf to each side of the body base, pointing downward and slightly outward, giving the finished plush the look of a daisy stem with leaves.

Finishing Touches and Face Embroidery

Once all pieces are assembled, you can add a few small embroidered details to bring Daisy fully to life.

For rosy cheeks, use a length of pink or peach yarn and a tapestry needle to work three or four small straight stitches in a circle on each side of the face, just below and outside the safety eyes. Alternatively, a small amount of blush-colored chalk or cosmetic blush applied lightly with a cotton swab achieves a lovely soft effect on cotton yarn.

For a small smile, thread a length of black embroidery floss or thin black yarn through a tapestry needle and work a simple curved line in satin stitch just below the center of the face between the safety eyes. Two or three stitches is usually enough to suggest a cheerful, slightly curved mouth.

You can also add a tiny bow made from a short length of ribbon or leftover yarn, tied and then tacked to the top of the head, to give Daisy an extra touch of personality. A daisy-print ribbon in cotton or grosgrain looks particularly charming and ties the whole floral theme together.

Tips for a Polished Finish

A few practical notes that make a noticeable difference in the quality of your finished plush.

Always stuff firmly and evenly. Lumpy stuffing creates lumpy plush. Take your time pressing small pieces of fiberfill into the shape rather than jamming large chunks through the opening.

Weave in your ends thoroughly. Cotton yarn can be slippery and stubborn about staying put, so weave each tail in at least two different directions, making a change of direction and doubling back on itself.

Block very gently if needed. Cotton responds well to a light misting with water and reshaping by hand, which can smooth out any uneven tension in your stitches or help stubborn petals lie flat.

Keep your stitch count accurate at every round. Amigurumi is unforgiving about miscounts, and a single missed increase or decrease compounds quickly into a misshapen piece. Counting after each round might feel slow, but it is faster than frogging and restarting.

Gifting and Display Ideas

Daisy makes an excellent handmade gift on its own, but she is even more charming with a little presentation thought. Tuck her into a clear organza bag tied with a ribbon for a market-ready presentation. Pair her with a matching card or a small printed tag describing the cotton and safety eyes used in her construction — buyers and recipients alike appreciate knowing what went into a handmade piece.

For nursery decor, a row of Daisy plushes in different colorways along a shelf creates a sweet, cohesive display. White body with yellow center, yellow body with orange center, lavender body with white center — cotton yarn in bright or soft DK weights makes the colorway possibilities nearly endless.

She also makes a lovely gift attachment. Tie Daisy to the outside of a wrapped gift box using a length of twine through one of her arms, or tuck her into a bouquet of fresh flowers for a gift that combines handmade charm with natural beauty.

A Few Last Notes

This pattern is written for personal use and may be used to make finished items for sale, provided the finished plush is not represented as a commercial or mass-produced product. Please credit the pattern when sharing photos of your finished Daisy.

If you are sharing your makes on social media, using tags that include your yarn brand, crochet community hashtags, and plush or amigurumi communities is a great way to connect with others who love small-scale plush making and to find inspiration for your next project.

Most importantly, enjoy the process. There is a particular joy in the moment when a small crochet project starts to look unmistakably like itself — when the petals go on and you see the daisy shape emerge for the first time, when the safety eyes click into place and a face suddenly appears. That moment is exactly why so many crafters return to amigurumi and mini plush again and again. Daisy is a small project, but she carries that joy in full measure.