Steamed Bun Crochet Plushie With Bamboo Basket Free Crochet Pattern

When you want a snack that stays cute forever and never gets cold, this little crochet dim sum brings instant joy to any desk. Inspired by traditional bamboo steamers and soft, pillowy bao, this free pattern is quick to work up and makes a delightful gift for any food lover.

Steamed Bun Crochet Plushie With Bamboo Basket Free Crochet Pattern

Quick Facts

• Skill level: Easy / Intermediate Amigurumi
• Finished size: Bun: 3.5 inches (9 cm) wide by 3.5 inches (9 cm) tall; Basket: 4 inches (10 cm) wide by 2 inches (5 cm) tall
• Yarn: Sport weight cotton yarn in Cream, Tan, and light Pink
• Hook: 2.5 mm crochet hook (US C/2)
• Stitches used: ch, sc, inc, dec, sl st, BLO, FLO
• Time to make: 2 to 3 hours

Size customization tips are included further down in the guide.

What Makes This Crochet Steamed Bun Special

Every detail in this project captures the look of real dim sum. The bun is worked in continuous rounds of cream single crochet, ending with clever decreases and a gathered top that mimics folded dumpling dough. Embroidered safety features give it a sweet, friendly face with pink flushed cheeks. The basket is worked in tan cotton with raised vertical bands created by front post stitches, perfectly imitating woven bamboo steam trays.

Skill Level

• Working in continuous spiral rounds without joining
• Making basic increases and invisible decreases
• Simple surface crochet and embroidery for facial features
• Changing colors cleanly in amigurumi

Don’t worry if you are new to shaping amigurumi—the step-by-step instructions below walk you through every round.

Finished Measurements

Part	Width	Height / Depth
Steamed Bun	3.5 in (9 cm)	3.5 in (9 cm)
Bamboo Basket	4.0 in (10 cm)	2.0 in (5 cm)

Materials You Will Need

Material	Color	Details	Quantity
Yarn	Cream	Sport weight cotton (e.g., 50g ball)	40g / 95 yards (87 m)
Yarn	Tan	Sport weight cotton (e.g., 50g ball)	30g / 75 yards (68 m)
Yarn	Pink	Small scrap for cheek embroidery	2g / 5 yards (4 m)
Yarn	Dark Brown	Small scrap for face embroidery	2g / 5 yards (4 m)
Crochet Hook	—	2.5 mm (US C/2)	1 hook
Notions	—	Polyester fiberfill stuffing	25 grams
Notions	—	Yarn needle with blunt tip	1 needle
Notions	—	Stitch markers	2 markers

Yarn Suggestions

Yarn Brand	Weight	Skein Yardage	Notes
Schachenmayr Catania	Sport (Fine)	137 yds (125 m) per 50g	Wonderful stitch definition, great color range
Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/8	Sport (Fine)	82 yds (75 m) per 50g	Sturdy and soft for amigurumi
Knit Picks CotLin	DK / Sport	123 yds (112 m) per 50g	Breathable blend, holds shape well

⚠️ Note: Avoid fluffy novelty yarns or brushed acrylics for this project. Smooth cotton or cotton-blend yarns are essential to achieve the clean, defined stitches and crisp basket texture seen in the photos.

Gauge

• Amigurumi Gauge: 6 rounds of flat circle = 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) using a 2.5 mm hook.
• Basket Gauge: 22 sc x 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet.

Abbreviations (US Terminology)

Abbreviation	Meaning
ch	Chain
sc	Single crochet
inc	Single crochet 2 in the same stitch (increase)
dec	Invisible single crochet 2 together (decrease)
sl st	Slip stitch
BLO	Back loop only
FLO	Front loop only
st(s)	Stitch(es)
rnds	Rounds
rep	Repeat
FO	Fasten off

UK conversion note: UK readers, remember that US sc = UK dc, and US hdc = UK htr.

Special Stitches Explained

1. Magic Ring: Wrap yarn around your left index finger twice to form a ring. Insert hook under both strands, pull up a loop, chain 1, and work the first round of stitches into the center of the ring. Pull the tail tight to close.
2. Invisible Decrease (dec): Insert hook into the front loop only of the next stitch, then immediately insert hook into the front loop only of the following stitch. Yarn over and pull through both front loops, yarn over and pull through remaining two loops on hook.

Pattern Instructions

Note: Work the bun and basket in continuous spiral rounds without joining unless stated otherwise. Use a stitch marker to track the first stitch of each round.

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Section 1: Steamed Bun (Cream, Make 1)

Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a magic ring (6 sc)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12 sc)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18 sc)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24 sc)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30 sc)
Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36 sc)
Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) x 6 (42 sc)
Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) x 6 (48 sc)
Rnds 9 to 14: Sc in each st around (48 sc)
Rnd 15: (6 sc, dec) x 6 (42 sc)
Rnd 16: (5 sc, dec) x 6 (36 sc)
Rnd 17: (4 sc, dec) x 6 (30 sc)

✅ Checkpoint: Stop here to embroider the face and stuff the bun firmly with fiberfill before closing the top pleats.

Face Embroidery: Using Dark Brown yarn, embroider two small French knot or loop eyes between Rnds 11 and 12, spaced about 5 stitches apart. Stitch a small curved smile centered between the eyes. Using Pink yarn, embroider small oval blush marks just beneath the outer edges of the eyes.

Rnd 18: (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24 sc)
Rnd 19: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18 sc)
Rnd 20: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12 sc)
Rnd 21: Dec x 6 (6 sc)

💡 Designer Tip: To create the classic pleated bun top, do not fasten off yet. Take your yarn needle and weave the remaining tail vertically up through the center of the bun, pulling tightly to pinch the top closed into folds. Secure with a knot and weave in ends.

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Section 2: Bamboo Basket (Tan, Make 1)

Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a magic ring (6 sc)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12 sc)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18 sc)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24 sc)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30 sc)
Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36 sc)
Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) x 6 (42 sc)
Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) x 6 (48 sc)
Rnd 9: (7 sc, inc) x 6 (54 sc)
Rnd 10: (8 sc, inc) x 6 (60 sc)
Rnd 11: Working in BLO, sc in each st around (60 sc)
Rnds 12 to 20: Sc in each st around (60 sc)
Rnd 21: Sl st in each st around, FO, weave in all ends (60 sl st)

Basket Vertical Bands (Surface Crochet):
To mimic the woven bamboo strips shown in the photo, join Tan yarn at Rnd 11 (the base fold). Work a chain of surface slip stitches straight up the outside wall of the basket to the top edge at 6 evenly spaced points around the circumference. FO and weave in ends. Add one horizontal surface slip stitch band wrapping all the way around the middle of the basket wall at Rnd 16.

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Assembly & Finishing

1. Place the finished steamed bun inside the tan bamboo basket. It should fit snugly right into the base.
2. Check all embroidered ends to ensure they are secure and trimmed close.
3. No blocking is required for amigurumi items; gently squeeze the bun and basket to shape them into their final proportions.

Size Customization Tips

• Making it bigger: Use a heavier yarn (such as DK or worsted weight) with a 3.5 mm hook and continue the increase rounds for 2 additional rounds before starting the straight walls.
• Making it smaller: Use crochet thread size 3 or lace yarn with a 1.5 mm hook for a miniature desk trinket.

Care Instructions

Spot clean gently with a damp cloth and mild soap. Do not submerge completely in water or machine wash, as the fiberfill stuffing and embroidery can lose their shape. Air dry away from direct sunlight.

FAQ

Can I use safety eyes instead of embroidery?

Yes, you can use 6mm black safety eyes inserted between Rnds 11 and 12. However, if you are making this toy for a child under 3 years old, embroidered eyes are strongly recommended to prevent any choking hazards.

How do I keep my amigurumi stitches from showing gaps?

Make sure you are using a hook size that is slightly smaller than recommended on your yarn label. Pull your working loop down snug after every single stitch to keep the tension tight and prevent the stuffing from poking through.

Can I make the basket taller?

Certainly! If you want a deeper basket, simply add 3 to 5 more straight rounds of single crochet (working 60 sc per round) before finishing with the slip stitch edge.

Happy Crocheting!

I hope you have wonderful time stitching up this adorable little dim sum plushie! Be sure to save this pin on Pinterest to share with your crafting friends, and drop a comment below to let me know what colors you chose for your sweet steamed bun. Happy crocheting!