Spooky details make this crochet Halloween spider extra fun, with a round black body, a creepy eyeball, and eight simple legs you can shape to your liking.
There is something especially fun about watching a simple crocheted circle turn into a little Halloween spider. The body grows through easy increases, then the stitches begin to decrease until the rounded shape is ready for stuffing.
The eyeball adds most of the spooky character, but the legs are what give the crochet spider its finished look. Keeping the legs evenly spaced around the body makes a noticeable difference, and bending them after sewing lets you give the spider a more lifelike pose.
Credit Furry Yarn
Materials & Tools Needed
- Yarn: Black, red, and white worsted-weight yarn or a similar yarn
- Crochet hook: Use an appropriate size for your yarn
- Polyester fiberfill: For stuffing the spider body and eyeball
- Tapestry needle: For sewing the pieces and adding the eyeball details
- Scissors
Finished Size & Customization
The finished spider measures approximately 3–4 inches, depending on the yarn and hook size used.
There are several easy ways to change the finished appearance:
- Use glow-in-the-dark yarn for a spooky Halloween effect.
- Add googly eyes to the eyeball instead of sewing the details.
- Choose a longer chain length for more dramatic legs.
- Bend and position the legs differently to give each spider its own pose.
Pattern Abbreviations & Terminology
US crochet terminology is used throughout.
- SC – Single Crochet
- INC – Increase; work 2 sc in one stitch
- DEC – Decrease; single crochet 2 stitches together
- CH – Chain
- SS – Slip Stitch
- BLO – Back Loop Only
- MR – Magic Ring
Crochet the Spider Body
The spider body begins with a small magic ring and expands through several increase rounds. After reaching its widest point, the pattern uses decreases to close the rounded shape around the stuffing.
Round 1: Start with a Magic Ring (MR) and make 6 SC into the MR. SS into the first SC to close the round. (6 sts)
Round 2: CH 1. Make 2 SC in each stitch around (INC in every stitch). SS into the first SC to close the round. (12 sts)
Round 3: Join the red yarn by pulling it through the first SC. CH 1. SC in the next stitch, INC in the next stitch; repeat around. SS into the first SC to close the round. (18 sts)
The color change happens here, so check that the red yarn is securely joined before continuing around the body.
Round 4: CH 1. SC in the next 3 stitches, then INC in the next stitch; repeat around. SS into the first SC to close the round. (24 sts)
Round 5: CH 1. SC in the next 4 stitches, then INC in the next stitch; repeat around. SS into the first SC to close the round. (30 sts)
Round 6: CH 1. SC in each stitch around with no increases. SS into the first SC to close the round. (30 sts)
Round 7: CH 1. Working in BLO, SC in each stitch around. SS into the first SC to close the round. (30 sts)
Notice the BLO Round
The back-loop-only round creates a visible change in the stitch structure. Make sure the hook goes through the back loop only rather than both loops of the stitch.
This round also marks an important point before the body starts getting smaller, so keeping the stitch count at 30 helps you move into the decreases correctly.
Close the Spider Body
The next rounds reduce the stitch count gradually. This brings the top of the body inward while leaving an opening large enough to add the fiberfill.
Round 8: CH 1. SC in the next 4 stitches, DEC over the next 2 stitches; repeat around. SS into the first SC. (24 sts)
Round 9: CH 1. SC in the next 3 stitches, DEC over the next 2 stitches; repeat around. SS into the first SC. (18 sts)
Round 10: CH 1. SC in the next 2 stitches, DEC over the next 2 stitches; repeat around. Begin stuffing the body with fiberfill. SS into the first SC. (12 sts)
Add the stuffing gradually at this stage. Small amounts are easier to distribute around the body than one large handful, and you can check the shape as the opening becomes smaller.
Round 11: CH 1. Repeat DEC around. Close the top by pulling the last stitches tight. Tie off and weave in the ends.
Body Shape Check
Before closing the final opening completely, gently feel around the body for empty spots.
The spider should be rounded rather than overly hard or lumpy. If the stuffing is packed too tightly, the stitches can stretch and the body may lose its smooth shape.
Make the Creepy Eyeball
The eyeball follows a similar rounded shape, but it is smaller and worked mainly in white yarn. Red yarn is added afterward to create the blood-vessel effect.
Round 1: Create a Magic Ring and make 6 SC into the MR. SS into the first SC to close the round. (6 sts)
Round 2: CH 1. Make 2 SC in each stitch around (INC in every stitch). SS into the first SC. (12 sts)
Round 3: Join white yarn. CH 1. SC in the next stitch, INC in the next stitch; repeat around. SS into the first SC. (18 sts)
Rounds 4–5: CH 1. SC in each stitch around. SS into the first SC at the end of each round. (18 sts per round)
Round 6: CH 1. SC in the next stitch, DEC over the next 2 stitches; repeat around. Add a little stuffing to the eyeball. SS into the first SC. (12 sts)
Add only a small amount of stuffing so the eyeball stays rounded without becoming overly firm.
Round 7: CH 1. DEC in each stitch around. Close the opening by pulling the yarn through the last few stitches. Tie off and weave in.
Add the Eyeball Details
Use red yarn and a needle to sew blood-vessel-like lines around the white eyeball.
The lines do not need to be perfectly identical. Slightly irregular lines can actually make the eyeball look more appropriate for a spooky Halloween decoration.
Keep the red details distributed around the surface rather than placing them all in one area.
Make Eight Spider Legs
The legs are made from simple chains, so their length can be changed without altering the spider body.
For each leg, CH 20, 24, 26, or 28, depending on the desired leg length. Tie off and cut the yarn.
Repeat until you have 4 legs for each side, for a total of 8 legs.
Fold each leg in half and sew it securely onto the spider’s body.
Keep the Legs Balanced
Before making every leg attachment permanent, place the legs around the body and check their spacing from the front and side.
Try to keep the four legs on each side at similar positions. Once they are sewn on, bend and shape them to create the spider’s pose.
This is also where the different chain lengths become useful. Shorter legs create a compact look, while longer chains make the spider appear more dramatic.
Assemble the Halloween Spider
The separate pieces now come together to create the finished spider.
Attach the Eyeball
Center the eyeball on top of the spider’s body and sew it securely in place.
Look at the spider from the front before finishing the stitches. Centering the eyeball helps the body and legs look balanced around it.
Attach the Legs
Use a tapestry needle to sew 4 legs on each side of the spider.
Secure each leg firmly to the body, then bend and shape the legs as desired.
Final Detail Check
Before trimming the remaining yarn ends, check that:
- The eyeball is centered.
- The red details are visible around the eyeball.
- All 8 legs are securely attached.
- The legs are reasonably even from side to side.
- The body has enough stuffing to hold its rounded shape.
- Loose yarn ends are secured and hidden.
