There is something wonderfully cheerful about crocheted food, especially when it has a tiny smile and rosy cheeks.

This round dumpling amigurumi is shaped like a plump steamed bao bun, complete with a gently flattened base and gathered pleats across the top. It is small enough to make from leftover yarn, quick enough for a weekend project and simple enough for anyone who has already tried basic amigurumi.

The finished dumpling measures approximately 3 inches tall, depending on your yarn, hook size and stuffing. Turn it into a keychain, desk companion, mini plush or the beginning of an entire crochet dim sum collection.

And yes, once you make one, you will probably need a dumpling family.

Skill Level

Beginner-friendly amigurumi.

You should be comfortable working in continuous rounds, making increases and decreases and sewing a few simple shaping stitches.

Finished Size

Approximately 3 inches tall and 3 to 3½ inches wide.

Your finished size may vary depending on yarn thickness, hook size and tension.

Abbreviations

This pattern uses US crochet terms.

MR — magic ring
sc — single crochet
inc — increase by working 2 single crochet stitches into the same stitch
dec — invisible decrease
sl st — slip stitch
st or sts — stitch or stitches
BLO — back loop only
FLO — front loop only

Instructions inside brackets are repeated as directed. The number in parentheses shows the stitch count at the end of the round.

Gauge

Gauge is not essential for this project.

Work tightly enough that the stuffing does not show through the crochet fabric. Using a slightly smaller hook than the yarn label recommends will help create firm, neat amigurumi stitches.

Round Dumpling Amigurumi Pattern

Body

Work in continuous rounds. Do not join at the end of each round.

Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch.

Round 1: Make a magic ring and work 6 sc into the ring. (6)

Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12)

Round 3: [Sc in the next stitch, inc in the next stitch] around. (18)

Round 4: [Sc in the next 2 stitches, inc in the next stitch] around. (24)

Round 5: [Sc in the next 3 stitches, inc in the next stitch] around. (30)

Rounds 6–10: Sc in each stitch around. (30)

Attach the safety eyes between Rounds 7 and 8, approximately 6 stitches apart.

Round 11: [Sc in the next 3 stitches, dec] around. (24)

Round 12: [Sc in the next 2 stitches, dec] around. (18)

Begin stuffing the dumpling.

Keep the lower half firmly stuffed, but leave the top section slightly softer. This makes it easier to create the gathered bao pleats later.

Round 13: [Sc in the next stitch, dec] around. (12)

Round 14: Dec around. (6)

Finish stuffing.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail through the front loops of the remaining six stitches and pull firmly to close the opening.

Secure the yarn, but do not trim the tail yet if you would like to use it to help shape the centre of the dumpling.

Flatten The Base

A bao bun usually has a soft, rounded body with a slightly flatter bottom, rather than looking like a perfect ball.

Place the dumpling upright on a flat surface and press the bottom gently with your fingers.

Move the stuffing around until the dumpling sits without rolling.

Thread a length of matching cream yarn onto your yarn needle. Take two or three small hidden stitches across the centre of the underside and pull them gently.

This will draw the bottom inward slightly and create a stable base.

Do not pull too tightly. The dumpling should remain soft and rounded.

Create The Gathered Bao Pleats

This is the part that turns the little crochet ball into a recognisable steamed dumpling.

Thread a long length of pale tan, blush or matching cream yarn onto a yarn needle.

Choose the closed point at the top of the dumpling as the centre.

Bring the needle out approximately two rounds below the top centre.

Insert the needle into the centre point and bring it back out on the opposite side, again about two rounds below the top.

Pull the yarn gently until a shallow groove forms across the surface.

Bring the yarn back to the centre and repeat around the dumpling.

Create six to eight evenly spaced sections, with each strand running from the upper outer area into the centre.

Pull each strand firmly enough to create a raised fold, but not so tightly that the dumpling collapses.

Once all the pleats are in place, pass the needle through the centre several times and secure the yarn inside the body.

Gently adjust each fold with your fingers until the top looks evenly gathered.

Add The Centre Knot

The centre knot gives the dumpling that freshly pinched bao-bun look.

Using the contrast yarn, wrap the yarn around the centre point two or three times.

Secure it with several small stitches.

Alternatively, join the yarn at the centre with a slip stitch, chain 3 and slip stitch back into the same point.

Fasten off and tuck the ends inside.

Optional Surface Crochet Detail

For stronger, more visible pleats, you can work surface crochet over the shaping lines.

Insert the hook near the centre and pull up a loop of contrast yarn.

Slip stitch along one groove toward the outside edge of the gathered section.

Fasten off.

Repeat along the remaining grooves.

Keep the surface stitches slightly loose so they do not pull the dumpling out of shape.

Add The Face

Embroider a small curved smile between the eyes using black yarn.

Place the mouth approximately one round below the eyes.

Add two short pink stitches beneath the outer side of each eye for rosy cheeks.

You can also leave the dumpling faceless for a more traditional food-amigurumi look.

Finishing

Massage the stuffing into position and reshape the dumpling with your hands.

The finished bao should have:

• a rounded lower body
• a gently flattened base
• a slightly tapered upper section
• six to eight gathered pleats
• a small pinched centre
• an optional kawaii face

Weave in all remaining ends.

Optional Keychain Loop

To turn the dumpling into a keychain, thread a strong loop of matching yarn through the gathered centre.

Secure the ends inside the dumpling.

You can also attach a metal keychain fitting through the centre knot.

Cotton or firm acrylic yarn works especially well for keychains because it helps the dumpling keep its shape.

Safety Note

Safety eyes are not recommended for toys intended for babies, very young children or pets.

For a child-safe version, embroider the eyes and mouth with black yarn.

Make sure all yarn ends and attachments are secured firmly.

Yarn And Colour Ideas

Cream or ivory yarn gives the dumpling a classic steamed-bun appearance, but there is no reason to stop there.

Try pale pink for a sweet bean bun, soft green for a pandan-inspired dumpling or pale yellow for a custard bao.

Chunky chenille yarn will create a larger, squishier plush, while smooth cotton yarn will give you crisp stitches and clearly defined pleats.

Just remember that changing yarn thickness will also change the finished size.

Ideas For Using Your Crochet Dumpling

This little round bao makes a sweet:

• Keychain
• Bag charm
• Desk companion
• Mini plush
• Market-stall project
• Food-themed Christmas ornament
• Handmade gift
• Addition to a crochet kitchen or play-food set
• Dumpling-themed pincushion
• Cat toy when made without safety eyes or loose decorations

You could also crochet several dumplings and arrange them in a small bamboo steamer for a wonderfully silly kitchen display.

Mockup Note

The finished project image is a styled mockup showing the intended shape and appearance of the completed dumpling. Individual results will vary depending on yarn, tension, stuffing and how firmly the top pleats are sculpted.

The most important step is the gathering. Take your time shaping those upper folds, because that is what gives this simple round amigurumi its proper bao-bun personality.