Project introduction
This article is a pattern overview, not a full tutorial, for an oversized, fluffy Soot Sprite pillow inspired by the Susuwatari creatures in My Neighbor Totoro. Designed as a round pillow with big, expressive eyes, the project brings a quiet bit of Studio Ghibli charm to a sofa, bed, or reading corner. The pattern is presented by its designer as a free crochet pattern, so follow the Original designer’s pattern and instructions for the complete instructions before you begin.
The design is described as beginner friendly, with a body worked in continuous rounds in super bulky yarn and eyes made separately in aran weight yarn. Those eyes are sewn on after the pillow body takes shape, and a slightly offset pupil gives the face its playful look. Simple single crochet stitches and regular increases form the main construction, keeping the focus on texture, scale, and that instantly recognizable silhouette.
What You Need / Materials
Gather everything before starting, because this pillow combines two yarn weights, two hook sizes, and a pillow filling rather than loose shaping alone. The sample used specific Scheepjes yarns and colors, listed below, along with a round pillow form the designer already had. If you substitute yarn, keep the weight categories in mind and check the original pattern for how the sample was made.
- Super bulky yarn weight #6 faux fur yarn, shown in Scheepjes Furry Tales, Black, 980 The Beast, sample used 3 skeins
- Aran yarn weight #4 yarn, shown in Scheepjes Chunky Monkey, Black, 1002 Black
- Aran yarn weight #4 yarn, shown in Scheepjes Chunky Monkey, White, 1001 White
- 4.5 mm crochet hook
- 8.0 mm crochet hook
- Polyester stuffing of your choice, or a round pillow form
- Yarn needle
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
Finished Size
The finished pillow measures approximately 48 cm (19 inches) in height, so it reads as a statement cushion rather than a small amigurumi figure. That generous scale is part of the appeal, especially against a couch or bed where smaller character pieces can get lost. The source also notes that choosing a different yarn weight or category, paired with an appropriate hook size, can make a version that is bigger or smaller.
Level of Difficulty
The source rates this project at two out of five stars and labels it Beginner or Easy. That rating comes with two practical expectations: you should already be familiar with the stitches used while working in faux fur yarn, and you should be comfortable with basic sewing for attaching the eyes. The crochet itself relies on basic stitches, but the fuzzy texture and assembly are worth considering before committing.
Stitches & Abbreviations
Only a short set of US abbreviations is listed for this pattern, which reinforces the beginner friendly approach. Keep this key nearby when you work through the designer instructions, especially for the increase notation used to expand the round body pieces and the oval eye whites. The definitions below follow the standard terms given in the source for this project.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| st/sts | stitch/stitches |
| ch | chain |
| slst | slip stitch |
| sc | single crochet |
| sc inc | single crochet increase, 2 single crochets in one stitch |
Pattern Notes
The pattern is written in US crochet terms and is worked in continuous rounds, with no joining at the end of each round unless the instructions state otherwise. A running stitch marker helps track your place in those rounds. For the eyes, the designer used the yarn under single crochet technique for tighter, more aligned stitches, and the invisible fasten off method is recommended for neatly closing amigurumi pieces.
Body (make 2)
Two matching body pieces form the pillow shell, each started with an 8.0 mm hook and Color A yarn from a magic ring of 6 single crochets. The rounds increase steadily to 102 stitches, followed by a plain round at that count. The first piece is fastened off, while the second is not. Held together, the pieces are single crocheted around the edges, with a pillow form or polyfill added before closing.
Eye Pupils (make 2)
The pupils are small, separate circles made with a 4.5 mm hook and Color B yarn. Each one begins with a magic ring of 7 single crochets, then increases in the next round to 14 stitches. The source finishes each pupil with an invisible fasten off and leaves a tail so it can be sewn onto an eye white. Make two pupils in total, one for each eye, before moving on to assembly.
Eye Whites (make 2)
Unlike the round pupils, the eye whites start with a chain rather than a magic ring, using a 4.5 mm hook and Color C yarn. Work begins with a chain of 5 and continues around both sides of that chain to form an oval base. The piece then expands over eight rounds to a stated 52 stitches. It is finished invisibly, with a long tail left for sewing the completed white onto the pillow body.
Add Personality with Assembly
Assembly is where the expression appears, and the designer intentionally sewed the pupils slightly off center rather than perfectly in the middle. That small shift creates a quirky look that changes with orientation: right side up, the pillow can seem curious or cheeky, while upside down it takes on a different, equally sweet expression. Try positions before stitching firmly, and choose the placement that gives your finished pillow the charm you prefer.
Why I Made This
In the source, designer Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio traces this pillow to a long personal connection with Studio Ghibli films. She describes watching Cantonese dubbed versions with her brother as a child, especially My Neighbor Totoro, learning favorite scenes by heart, and acting them out together. Those early memories, she explains, are a large part of why the whimsy of the films stayed with her into adulthood.
Now she shares the same movies with her own children and daughters, and seeing them giggle at the Soot Sprites prompted something larger than her earlier small amigurumi versions. A circular pillow insert she already had became the starting point for this oversized version, with Scheepjes faux fur yarn chosen for texture and warmth. She presents the finished pillow as a cozy, nostalgic tribute meant to bring a little magic into a room.
Creative Ways to Display Your Soot Sprite Crochet Pillow
Once finished, this large, soft character pillow works best where its round shape and bold eyes can be seen without crowding. The source suggests several homes for it, from everyday seating to a themed display, and also notes its value as a companion for relaxed evenings. Consider the ideas below as starting points, then place yours where the texture and expression will be enjoyed most often.
- Couch or reading nook for a cozy, whimsical touch
- Statement pillow in a themed bedroom or nursery
- Alongside other fandom pieces, such as Totoro plushies or Ghibli art prints
- On a bookshelf or cubby as a decorative accent
- As part of a Ghibli themed gift bundle with movies, snacks, or handmade items, for birthdays or holidays
- As a cuddly companion during movie nights
You Might Also Like…
The same site also features a smaller Soot Sprite (Susuwatari) amigurumi pattern, described as a mini version of the beloved creature and a quick project. It points readers to a Jiji the Black Cat amigurumi inspired by Kiki’s Delivery Service, noted for Halloween or Studio Ghibli fans, and to tips for crocheting with faux fur yarn, which can be tricky. For other overviews here, see Amigurumi Goat: Pattern Overview and Miffy Bunny Amigurumi: Pattern Overview.
