Marigold the Garden Duck: A Chubby Chenille Amigurumi + Free Ruffled Hat Pattern
There is something undeniably charming about a plump little duck sitting in a garden basket, wearing a ruffled hat and looking thoroughly pleased with herself. Marigold the Garden Duck is exactly that kind of project — the sort of amigurumi that makes people stop scrolling, lean in closer, and immediately ask, “Can you make me one?” She is soft, she is squishy, she is cheerful, and with her free ruffled hat pattern included right here in this post, she is completely yours to make at home.
Whether you are new to chenille amigurumi or you have been crocheting stuffed animals for years, Marigold is a project worth setting aside a cozy afternoon for. She works up surprisingly quickly in chunky chenille yarn, her chubby body is satisfying to stuff and hold, and the little ruffled brim on her hat gives her a personality that is hard to put into words — somewhere between cottage garden grandma and whimsical storybook character.
Let us get into everything you need to know to crochet your very own Marigold.
Why Chenille Yarn Is Perfect for Amigurumi Ducks
Before we dive into the pattern, it is worth talking about why chenille yarn is such a wonderful choice for a project like this.
Chenille is a velvety, textured yarn with a pile that mimics the softness of plush fabric. When you crochet amigurumi with it, the finished piece looks almost like a stuffed animal you would find in a high-end toy boutique. The yarn hides stitch definition, which means small inconsistencies in tension disappear completely, and the resulting texture is incredibly soft to the touch — perfect for a toy, a nursery decoration, or a gift.
For a duck specifically, chenille works beautifully because it reads as fluffy and feathery without you having to do anything special. The body of Marigold will feel like a little cloud in your hands. The color absorbs light softly rather than reflecting it, giving her a muted, vintage quality that is very on trend right now in the amigurumi world.
The one thing to keep in mind with chenille is that it can be tricky to see your stitches clearly at first. Working in good lighting and going slowly until you get a feel for the yarn makes a big difference. Once you get into a rhythm, it moves quickly and the payoff is more than worth the initial learning curve.
Materials You Will Need
Here is everything you need to gather before you start crocheting Marigold:
For the Duck Body and Hat:
Chunky chenille yarn in the following colors — a soft yellow or butter cream for the body, a warm white or cream for the hat brim, and a contrasting color for the hat crown (dusty rose, sage green, lavender, or periwinkle all look gorgeous). You will need approximately 100 to 150 yards of the main body color, 50 yards of the hat crown color, and about 30 yards for the ruffled brim.
Hook: A 5.0mm or 5.5mm crochet hook works well for most chunky chenille yarns. You want a tight enough gauge that stuffing does not show through the stitches.
Other Supplies:
Polyfill stuffing — enough to make Marigold feel plump and satisfying when squeezed. Safety eyes in 12mm or 14mm, in black or a warm brown. A small amount of orange felt or a tiny bit of orange yarn for the beak. Yarn needle for weaving in ends and sewing pieces together. Stitch markers (very helpful for marking the beginning of rounds). Optional: wire or cardboard for shaping the hat brim if you want it to hold a particular pose.
Gauge and Finished Size
With chunky chenille yarn and a 5.0mm hook, Marigold’s body measures approximately 5 to 6 inches tall from base to the top of her head, and about 4 to 5 inches wide at her widest point. She is a satisfyingly chubby little duck. The hat measures approximately 3 inches across the crown and 4 inches across the ruffled brim.
Gauge is not critical for this project as long as your stitches are tight enough that stuffing does not peek through. Swatch if you like, but most experienced amigurumi makers will be comfortable adjusting hook size as needed.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
MR — Magic ring
SC — Single crochet
INC — Increase (2 SC in the same stitch)
DEC — Invisible decrease (insert hook through front loops only of next 2 stitches, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through both loops)
HDC — Half double crochet
DC — Double crochet
CH — Chain
SL ST — Slip stitch
BLO — Back loop only
FLO — Front loop only
ST — Stitch
RND — Round
Pattern: Marigold the Garden Duck
Body
Begin with your main yellow or butter cream chenille yarn.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 SC into ring. (6)
Rnd 2: INC in each ST around. (12)
Rnd 3: SC 1, INC repeat around. (18)
Rnd 4: SC 2, INC repeat around. (24)
Rnd 5: SC 3, INC repeat around. (30)
Rnd 6: SC 4, INC repeat around. (36)
Rnd 7 through Rnd 12: SC in each ST around. (36) — 6 even rounds
Rnd 13: SC 4, DEC repeat around. (30)
Rnd 14: SC in each ST around. (30)
Rnd 15: SC 3, DEC repeat around. (24)
Rnd 16: SC in each ST around. (24)
At this point, insert your safety eyes between Rnd 10 and Rnd 11, approximately 6 to 7 stitches apart. This is your last chance before the opening becomes too small. Stuff the body firmly with polyfill.
Rnd 17: SC 2, DEC repeat around. (18)
Rnd 18: SC 1, DEC repeat around. (12)
Rnd 19: DEC around. (6)
Fasten off, leaving a tail. Use your yarn needle to close the remaining gap by weaving through the front loops of the last 6 stitches and pulling tight. Weave in the end.
Head
Rnd 1: MR, 6 SC. (6)
Rnd 2: INC in each ST around. (12)
Rnd 3: SC 1, INC repeat around. (18)
Rnd 4: SC 2, INC repeat around. (24)
Rnd 5 through Rnd 8: SC in each ST around. (24) — 4 even rounds
Rnd 9: SC 2, DEC repeat around. (18)
Rnd 10: SC 1, DEC repeat around. (12)
Stuff the head firmly before closing.
Rnd 11: DEC around. (6)
Fasten off and close as with the body.
Sew the head to the top of the body, centered and positioned slightly toward the front so Marigold has that classic duck posture where she looks like she is ready to waddle off into the garden.
Wings (Make Two)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 SC. (6)
Rnd 2: INC in each ST around. (12)
Rnd 3: SC 1, INC repeat around. (18)
Rnd 4 and Rnd 5: SC in each ST around. (18)
Rnd 6: SC 1, DEC repeat around. (12)
Rnd 7: SC in each ST around. (12)
Do not stuff the wings heavily — a small amount of stuffing or none at all works better to keep them flat and wing-shaped. Flatten the opening and sew the top closed, then sew each wing to the sides of the body at about Rnd 8 to Rnd 10 of the body.
Beak
Using orange yarn or a scrap of orange felt, cut or crochet a small oval beak. If crocheting:
Rnd 1: CH 4, SC in 2nd CH from hook, SC in next CH, 3 SC in last CH, working back along the other side: SC in next 2 CH, 2 SC in first CH. (10)
Rnd 2: SC around. (10)
Fasten off with a tail for sewing. Position the beak in the center of the face between Rnds 4 and 6 of the head and sew in place. The eyes should sit just above and to either side of the beak.
Tail Feather Tuft (Optional but Recommended)
Cut 8 to 10 lengths of the main body yarn, each about 4 inches long. Using a fringe knot technique, attach them to the back base of the body. Trim and fluff them into a small tail tuft. This little detail adds enormous charm and takes only a minute.
Free Pattern: Marigold’s Ruffled Hat
This is the detail that makes Marigold truly iconic. The ruffled brim hat is crocheted in two parts — the crown and the brim — and then joined together.
Hat Crown
Use your contrasting color yarn (dusty rose, sage, lavender, etc.).
Rnd 1: MR, 6 SC. (6)
Rnd 2: INC in each ST around. (12)
Rnd 3: SC 1, INC repeat around. (18)
Rnd 4: SC 2, INC repeat around. (24)
Rnd 5 through Rnd 8: SC in each ST around. (24) — 4 even rounds
This creates a small bucket-shaped hat crown that sits on top of Marigold’s head.
Rnd 9: Working in BLO, SC in each ST around. (24)
Do not fasten off. We will add the ruffle brim directly from here.
Ruffled Brim
Switch to your brim color (white, cream, or a contrasting color).
Rnd 10: Working in FLO of Rnd 9 stitches, 2 DC in next ST, 2 DC in next ST — or more simply, work 3 DC in every single stitch around. (72)
Rnd 11: Working back through the back loops left from Rnd 9 (the loops you did not use), work 2 HDC in each stitch around. (48)
If you want an even fuller ruffle, add one more round:
Rnd 12 (Optional): In the front loops of Rnd 11, work 2 DC in each ST around.
Fasten off and weave in ends. The ruffles will naturally curl and cascade, creating a soft, layered brim effect that gives Marigold her garden party look.
To keep the brim in a specific shape (such as curling up on one side), you can gently steam block the hat or use a little fabric stiffener spray diluted with water.
Finishing Marigold: The Details That Make Her Shine
Once all of your pieces are assembled, take a moment to check her overall shape. Marigold should look round and bottom-heavy — a classic amigurumi silhouette that reads immediately as a plump, happy duck. If her head looks too small, you can add a little more stuffing through the joining seam before you close it up completely.
The ruffled hat should sit at a slight angle on her head for maximum personality. Do not center it perfectly. A slight tilt to one side suggests she is mid-conversation, mid-waddle, mid-thought — alive with character.
You can use a few straight pins to position the hat before sewing it down, which makes it much easier to find the angle you love best.
If you want to add more garden flair, tuck a few tiny artificial flowers or a sprig of dried lavender under the hat brim. A small bow tied from satin ribbon at the base of her neck looks beautiful too and photographs wonderfully if you plan to list her on Etsy or share her on Instagram.
Tips for Making Chenille Amigurumi Less Frustrating
Chenille is wonderful but it does come with its quirks, and Marigold is best approached with a little preparation.
Work under a bright lamp or near a window. The pile of chenille yarn can make it genuinely difficult to see where your stitches begin and end, especially in the darker rounds when the shape is closing up. Good light is not optional — it is essential.
Count every round. Because stitch definition disappears, it is easy to accidentally work into the wrong place. Use a stitch marker at the beginning of each round and count out loud or with a tally counter if you need to.
Go slowly when decreasing. Invisible decreases are especially important with chenille because a standard decrease can create a bump or pucker that is very visible in the plush pile. Take your time working through those front loops.
Do not over-stuff. It is tempting with something this squishy, but overstuffing can distort the shape and put stress on the seams. Stuff until the piece feels firm but still has a little give when you squeeze it.
Store finished chenille amigurumi away from direct sunlight. The dye in chenille yarn can fade over time with UV exposure, and the pile can flatten if pieces are stored under pressure.
Marigold as a Gift, a Décor Piece, and a Selling Item
Marigold the Garden Duck has a warmth and universality that makes her appropriate for so many different contexts. As a nursery decoration, she is soft enough to be safe near a baby and visually cheerful in any color scheme. As a shelf decoration or desk companion for an adult, she adds a touch of whimsy that sparks conversation. As a gift, she is the kind of handmade item that people genuinely treasure rather than tuck away in a drawer.
If you are a crafter who sells on Etsy or at craft fairs, Marigold is a strong addition to a spring or summer collection. Customers respond enthusiastically to character amigurumi that have a clear, distinct personality — and Marigold absolutely has one. Her chubby shape is instantly recognizable, her hat is a natural point of customization (you can offer different hat colors to buyers), and she photographs beautifully against garden backgrounds, floral fabrics, or simple white surfaces.
Pricing a finished Marigold is a personal decision, but when you factor in the cost of chunky chenille yarn, safety eyes, stuffing, your time, and any packaging, most crafters price a finished duck like Marigold between $28 and $45 depending on their market.
Color Variations to Try
One of the most delightful things about Marigold is how completely she transforms with different color choices. Here are some variations to inspire you once you have made your first duck.
A white body with a pale lavender hat becomes Marigold in her Sunday best — elegant and soft. A golden yellow body with a deep burgundy hat feels rich and autumnal, perfect for fall markets. A pale gray body with a mint green hat reads as modern and Scandinavian in a way that sells incredibly well for gender-neutral nurseries. An orange body with a black hat is an irresistible Halloween duck that practically makes itself.
The base pattern stays exactly the same — only the yarn colors change, and with them, Marigold’s entire personality shifts. This is the magic of amigurumi design: one pattern, infinite possibilities.
Share Your Marigold
If you make Marigold the Garden Duck, please share her! Tag your photos so other crochet lovers can see your version, find color inspiration, and feel encouraged to start their own. There is something genuinely moving about seeing the same pattern bloom into dozens of different ducks across different hands, different homes, different yarns.
Every Marigold will be a little different. Some will have rounder heads. Some will have hats that tip more dramatically to one side. Some will have magnificent tail tufts and some will be smooth and tidy. All of them will be wonderful, because they will have
