Butter Yellow Grunge Sushi Roll Crochet Free Pattern

Introduction

This butter-yellow grunge sushi roll is a fun, slightly offbeat amigurumi project that looks like a stylized maki roll fresh out of a bento box. It is designed for advanced beginners who are comfortable with single crochet, simple increases and decreases, and basic color changes. The visible single-crochet ridges give the yellow exterior a textured, grungy look, while the flat white rice ends and the dark filling stripe keep it instantly recognizable. It works up quickly, uses only small amounts of worsted yarn, and makes a cute desk buddy, keychain base, or gift for a sushi-loving friend.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4) acrylic yarn — butter yellow (approx. 50 yds), white (approx. 20 yds), dark brown or black (approx. 5 yds).
• Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6).
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, small amount of polyester fiberfill for stuffing.
• Finished size: Approximately 4 inches (10 cm) long and 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter.

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• inc — increase: work 2 single crochet stitches into the same stitch.
• dec — decrease: work 2 stitches together into 1 single crochet.
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• st(s) — stitch(es).
• rnd(s) — round(s).

Gauge

16 sc x 18 rnds = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. To check, crochet a small swatch in the round and measure a 4-inch section; adjust your hook size if needed to match.

Tips Before You Start

• Work in continuous rounds without joining unless the pattern says otherwise, and use a stitch marker to track the start of each round.
• Keep your tension even so the tube stays smooth and the rice ends fit the openings neatly.
• Stuff lightly — overstuffing will stretch the yellow tube and distort the shape.
• Leave long yarn tails on every piece; you will use them for sewing and they save you from starting new threads.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Outer Roll (butter yellow)

Ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6 sts).

Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] around (18 sts).

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] around (24 sts).

Rnds 5–20: sc in each st around (24 sts).

Rnd 21: [2 sc, dec] around (18 sts).

Rnd 22: [sc, dec] around (12 sts).

Rnd 23: dec around (6 sts).

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Do not close the opening yet.

Rice Ends (white) — make 2

Ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6 sts).

Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] around (18 sts).

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] around (24 sts).

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Filling Stripe (dark brown)

Ch 11.

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (10 sts).

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Edging (optional, for the grunge look)

With butter yellow, join yarn at the seam between a rice end and the roll. Work 1 rnd of sc around the seam, then sl st to join. Fasten off. Repeat on the other end.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew one rice end to one open end of the outer roll, aligning the edges and using the white tail. Stuff lightly. Place the filling stripe vertically along the inside of the outer roll, centered, and sew it in place with the dark brown tail. Sew the second rice end to the remaining open end, stuffing as you go. Weave in all ends. If you worked the optional edging, add it now around each seam. Block lightly by misting with water and shaping with your hands, then let it dry fully.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the butter yellow for salmon pink or avocado green for different sushi flavors.
• Add a tiny crocheted or felt nori band around the middle for extra realism.
• Attach a keychain ring or a small magnet to the back to turn it into a functional accessory.