Crochet Chess Pawn – Free Pattern & Step-by-Step Tutorial

Build your own crochet chess set starting with this neat Pawn! This beginner-friendly pattern works in joined rounds (not spirals) for clean shaping and easy counting. We’ll crochet the head, neck & body, then close, shape and optionally add a flat weighted base so the pawn stands during play.

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Materials

4-ply cotton yarn
3 mm crochet hook
Fiberfill for stuffing
Tapestry needle (helpful to push stuffing into neck & head)
Optional: weights/washers for base + hot glue (helps pawn stand better)
Optional: Yellow embroidery thread for top detailing
Scissors

Video Tutorial

Watch the Full Tutorial:

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Abbreviations (US Terms)

MR = Magic Ring, ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, sc = single crochet, inc = increase (2 sc in same st), sc2tog = single crochet decrease, FLO/BLO = front/back loop only.

Gauge & Size

Not critical. With 3 mm hook and 4-ply cotton, pawn sized for hand-play. Adjust yarn/hook for desired size.

Notes

Work in joined rounds (not spirals): end each round with sl st in 1st st, begin next round with ch 1 unless otherwise noted.
Stuff gradually as instructed for clean shaping of head, neck, and body.
You will make 16 pawns for a complete set—8 in each color.

Written Pattern – Crochet Chess Pawn (Joined Rounds)

Head (Rows 1–5)

R1: MR, ch 1, 6 sc in ring, tighten, sl st to 1st st. (6)
R2: ch 1, inc in each st around, sl st to join. (12)
R3–R4: ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to join. (12 each round)
R5: ch 1, work invisible decreases all the way: (insert hook through front loops of next 2 sts, pull up a loop, yo, pull through) × 6, sl st to join. (6)

Stuff the head firmly with fiberfill.

Neck & Upper Body (Rows 6–10)

R6: ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st. (6)
R7: ch 1, repeat (sc 1, inc) × 3, sl st. (9)
R8: ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st. (9)
R9: ch 1, repeat (sc 2, inc) × 3, sl st. (12)
R10: ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st. (12)

Widen Body (Rows 11–14)

R11: ch 1, repeat (sc 3, inc) × 3, sl st. (15)
R12: ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st. (15) Lightly stuff neck & body to hold shape.
R13: ch 1, repeat (sc 4, inc) × 3, sl st. (18)
R14: ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st. (18)

Flatten Base & Close (Rows 15–16)

R15 (BLO): ch 1, repeat (sc 1, sc2tog) around for 6 repeats, sl st. (18 → 12) Top up stuffing; base should press flat without bulging.
R16: ch 1, invisible dec (FLO) × 6, sl st. (12 → 6) ch 1, fasten off leaving a long tail.

Closure & Shaping

With tapestry needle, weave tail through the front loops of R16; pull tight to close the center and knot.
Pass needle from bottom center up through the pawn to the top center; pull gently to flatten the base so it stands. Knot at top. (Designer made 3 wraps before knot for a tiny top detail.)
Bring needle back down through center; knot at base, weave in, trim.

Optional Detailing

Use yellow embroidery thread to add small decorative stitches near the top (optional but enhances the look).
Add weights/washers inside the base or hot-glue to bottom for stability.

How Many Pawns Do I Need?

You’ll make 16 pawns total—8 in one color and 8 in the other—to complete your crochet chess set.