Crochet peas in a pod is a popular small amigurumi pattern combining a curved green pod shape with three small removable round peas nestled inside, a favorite as a baby rattle base, a keychain, or a simple nursery decoration. These make great baby shower gifts, since the whole set finishes in under two hours and uses barely any yarn. This guide covers the materials, the full construction for both the pod and the peas, and finishing touches.
Materials Needed
- About 25 yards green yarn for the pod
- About 15 yards total in a lighter or contrasting green for the three peas
- A 3.5mm hook
- A small amount of polyester stuffing
- Optional: a small jingle bell for a rattle version
Pattern Instructions: The Peas
- Chain 2, work 6 sc into the second chain from the hook, closing the ring.
- Round 2: 2 sc in each st (12).
- Rounds 3 and 4: sc in each st around with no increases (12).
- Round 5: [1 sc, sc2tog] around (8), stuff the pea firmly, adding a small jingle bell here if making a rattle.
- Round 6: sc2tog around (4), fasten off leaving a tail to close the remaining small hole.
- Repeat this sequence three times total for three matching peas.
Pattern Instructions: The Pod
- Chain 12.
- Row 1: single crochet in the second chain from the hook and each chain across (11 stitches). Chain 1, turn.
- Rows 2 through 6: single crochet in each stitch across, increasing 1 stitch at the start of each row to curve the pod outward slightly.
- Row 7: begin decreasing 1 stitch at the start of each row to curve the pod back inward, mirroring the increases from the first half.
- Continue decreasing through row 12, ending with roughly the same stitch count as row 1.
- Fold the pod piece in half lengthwise and seam the two long edges together, leaving one short end open to insert the peas.
Assembly and Finishing
Once the pod shell and all three peas are complete, tuck the peas into the open end of the pod, arranging them so they sit visibly nestled against the curved shape. If you want the peas removable for play, leave the pod’s opening unsewn and simply let them sit loosely inside. For a permanently assembled decoration, tack the peas lightly in place with a few small stitches before closing the pod’s open end.
Variations Worth Trying
Swap the plain green peas for a mixed set of colors, like one pea in yellow and two in green, for a playful color-blocked version rather than a realistic look. Adding a tiny embroidered smiley face to each pea turns the whole set into a more whimsical, character-driven toy rather than a straightforward vegetable replica.
For a larger version meant as a floor pillow or nursery decoration rather than a small toy, scale the entire pattern up by using bulky yarn and a larger hook, roughly doubling every stitch count in both the pod and pea instructions to maintain the same proportions at a bigger size.
If the peas are meant to be removable for play, this pattern is better suited to a toddler or older child rather than a baby, since loose small parts present a choking hazard. For an infant-safe version, tack the peas permanently in place so nothing can be pulled loose.
