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Hot air balloon baby mobile Amigurumi Pattern

Hot air balloon baby mobile Amigurumi Pattern
4.3★ Rating
12+ Hours Time Needed
3.2K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Multi-Day Project

A rewarding 12+ hour journey—perfect for dedicated crafters who love detailed work.

🎁

Tiny Treasure

Small, sweet, and gift-worthy creations that fit perfectly in the palm of your hand with detailed charm.

About This Hot air balloon baby mobile Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern creates a sweet baby mobile with four hot air balloons and tiny amigurumi animals (elephant, giraffe, zebra and tiger). It uses tapestry crochet to make the swirled balloon panels and simple amigurumi shaping for the animals. The kit includes instructions for baskets, balloon coverings, a plastic ring or wooden frame and full assembly steps.

Hot air balloon baby mobile Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

You will learn how to carry colors for smooth stripes, sew tiny ears and horns, and attach each balloon to a frame. Photos accompany key steps for easy visual guidance.

Why You'll Love This Hot air balloon baby mobile Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it brings whimsical movement to a nursery with bright, swirly balloons and tiny animal friends. I enjoy the tapestry crochet technique that creates the spiral stripes — it adds such a playful, professional-looking finish. The animals are small but packed with character, and assembling the mobile is a satisfying finishing step that makes the project feel complete. I designed it to be modular so you can mix and match colors or animals for a truly personalized gift.

Hot air balloon baby mobile Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress Hot air balloon baby mobile Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Hot air balloon baby mobile Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Hot air balloon baby mobile Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love customizing this pattern by swapping colors to match a nursery theme; try pastel shades for a soft baby mobile or bold brights for a playful look.

Want larger balloons? Use a thicker cotton yarn and a larger hook, or substitute larger polystyrene balls to scale up the project.

I often change the animal selection — you can make four of the same animal or choose any small amigurumi heads to hang beneath each basket.

For a textured balloon, try using alternating rows of hdc or a different stitch repeat to add subtle ridges instead of plain single crochet.

I like to embroider small faces or freckles to add more personality to each animal, using contrasting yarn for a cute expression.

If you want a more modern look, make monochrome balloons and use metallic thread for the basket strings to give a chic accent.

I sometimes add tiny crocheted flags or heart charms at the bottom of each basket for extra detail and movement.

To make the mobile safer for young children, embroider eyes and sew all beads and small parts securely, and hang the mobile out of reach.

I recommend experimenting with hanging heights — mixing two at a higher length and two lower gives a pleasing staggered visual effect.

Finally, consider making a matching set of crib toys or a wall garland using the same mini animals to coordinate the nursery decor.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Not carrying the unused color neatly while tapestry crocheting; carry the yarn along the top of the stitch being worked to prevent loose floats and maintain tension. ✗ Forgetting to insert the polystyrene ball before closing the balloon top; insert the ball at the specified round to ensure a perfect sphere and avoid overstuffing. ✗ Skipping stitch counts after increases or decreases causes uneven stripes and sizing; count stitches at the end of each round to keep gauge consistent. ✗ Sewing ears or limbs in the wrong place will affect the animal's look; pin parts in place and check placement between rounds specified before stitching permanently. ✗ Pulling yarn ends too tight when fastening off creates puckering on small pieces; leave a tail and weave in gently to smooth the surface.

Hot air balloon baby mobile Amigurumi Pattern

Create a charming hot air balloon baby mobile featuring four swirly balloons and tiny amigurumi animals. This pattern walks you through tapestry crochet, basket construction, tiny animal toys and an easy mobile frame so you can hang a beautiful handmade nursery decoration. With clear rounds and step-by-step photos, you'll be guided through every stitch and assembly step.

Intermediate 12+ Hours

Materials Needed for Hot air balloon baby mobile Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Yarn for 3 mm (US 2) hook (sport/fingering cotton recommended)
  • 02
    Schachenmayr Catania (cotton) — used for many balloon and animal colors (examples: Catania 106 White, 385 Mint, 222 Orchid, 208 Canary)
  • 03
    Schoeller&Stahl Limone (cotton) — used for baskets and animal main colors (examples: Limone 49 Sisal, 91 Elefant, 79 Kokos, 06 White, 24 Black, 157 Mandarin, 73 Natur, 149 Blute)
  • 04
    Small amounts of contrast colors for details (eyes, noses, stripes) — about 5-20g each
  • 05
    Approximately small skeins for each animal and balloon color (project uses many small color changes rather than large quantities)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 3.00 mm (US 2)
  • 02
    Tapestry needle for sewing and weaving ends
  • 03
    Scissors
  • 04
    Polyester fiberfill stuffing
  • 05
    4 polystyrene balls of 3.15 inches (8 cm) diameter
  • 06
    8 black glass beads or 4 mm plastic safety eyes
  • 07
    Plastic or wooden ring of 1.2 inches (30 mm) diameter for hanging
  • 08
    Wooden frame of 10 inches (25 cm) diameter for mobile frame
  • 09
    Stitch markers (optional) for tracking rounds
  • 10
    Pins for assembly

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Hot Air Balloon :

Info :

Work with the Tapestry crochet method (Carrying the second color along top of single crochet being worked in (pic.1)).

Info :

As you can see, from R3 every increase will be made in the stitch AFTER the increase stitch of the previous row (NOT in the same st, as you usually do). This makes the balloon stripes more"swirly".

Begin with COLOR A :

Round 1 :

Magic ring, 6 ch in ring (6)

Round 2 :

* 2sc with COLOR A, 2sc with COLOR B * 6 times (12)

Round 3 :

skip 1 st, * (sc, 2sc with COLOR A), (sc, 2sc with COLOR B) * 6 times (18)

Round 4 :

* (sc in next 2 st, 2sc) with COLOR A, (sc in next 2 st, 2sc) with COLOR B * 6 times (24)

Round 5-11 :

continue increasing in the same way (6 increases for every row) (66)

Round 12-19 :

8 rows even (* 11 st with COLOR A, 11 st with COLOR B * 6 times) (66)

Info :

In rows from 12 to 19, every color change will be made in the stitch AFTER the last stitch of a color (pic.6).

Info :

Insert the polystyrene ball at this point. (pic.8)

Round 20 :

* (sc in next 9 st, sc2tog with COLOR A), (sc in next 9 st, sc2tog with COLOR B) * 6 times (60 st)

Round 21-26 :

continue decreasing (6 decreases in every row) (24)

Info :

In rows from 20 to 26, every decrease will be made between the last COLOR A stitch and the first COLOR B stitch.

Round 27-31 :

5 rows even (* sc in next 4 st with COLOR A, sc in next 4 st with COLOR B * 6 times) (24)

Round 32 :

Break the yarn and fasten off.

— Basket :

Info :

with Limone 49 Sisal

Round 1 :

Magic ring, 6 ch in ring (6)

Round 2 :

2sc in each ch (12)

Round 3 :

* sc, 2sc * 6 times (18)

Round 4 :

* sc in next 2 st, 2sc * 6 times (24)

Round 5 :

* sc in next 3 st, 2sc * 6 times, sl st in first st (30)

Round 6 :

Ch1, (back loop only) sc in same st, sc in next 29 st, sl st in first st (30) (pic.11)

Round 7 :

Ch1, sc in same st, sc in next 29 st, sl st in first st (30)

Round 8-9 :

same as R7 (30)

Round 10 :

Ch4, skip 1 st, * hdc in next st, ch2, skip 1 st * 14 times, sl st in 3° ch (44) (pic.12)

Round 11 :

2 sc in spaces between every hdc, sl st in first st (30) (pic.13)

Round 12 :

Ch15 (pic.14)

Info :

Break the yarn and leave a long strand.

Item :

Join yarn in 8° st from the previous string (skipping 7 st), ch15. Break the yarn and leave a long strand.

Item :

Join yarn in 8° st from the previous string (skipping 7 st), ch15. Break the yarn and leave a long strand.

Item :

Join yarn in 7° st from the previous string (skipping 6 st), ch15. Break the yarn and leave a long strand. (pic.15)

— Elephant :

Info :

with Limone 91 Elefant

Round 1 :

Magic ring, 6 ch in ring (6)

Round 2 :

(Back loop only) even (6)

Round 3-4 :

2 rows even (6)

Round 5 :

* sc, 2sc * 3 times (9)

Round 6 :

even (9) (pic.16)

Round 7 :

* sc in next 2 st, 2sc * 3 times (12)

Round 8 :

even (12)

Round 9 :

* sc, 2sc * 6 times (18)

Round 10 :

* sc in next 2 st, 2sc * 6 times (24) (pic.17)

Round 11-14 :

4 rows even (24)

Round 15 :

* sc in next 2 st, sc2tog * 6 times (18)

Round 16 :

* sc, sc2tog * 6 times (12)

Info :

Insert stuffing.

Round 17 :

* sc, sc2tog * 4 times (8) (pic.18)

Round 18 :

Break the yarn and fasten off.

Section :

EARS (x2) with Limone 91 Elefant

Round 1 :

Magic ring, 3 ch in ring, turn (3)

Round 2 :

Ch1, 2sc in each ch, turn (6)

Round 3 :

Ch1, * sc, 2sc * 3 times, turn (9) (pic.19)

Round 4 :

Ch1, even, turn (9)

Round 5 :

Ch1, even (9)

Round 6 :

Break the yarn and leave a long strand. (pic.20)

Section :

BODY with Limone 91 Elefant

Round 1 :

Magic ring, 6 ch in ring (6)

Round 2 :

2sc in each ch (12)

Round 3 :

* sc, 2sc * 6 times (18)

Round 4 :

* sc in next 2 st, 2sc * 6 times (24)

Round 5-11 :

7 rows even (24)

Round 12 :

* sc in next 2 st, sc2tog * 6 times (18)

Round 13 :

* sc, sc2tog * 6 times (12)

Round 14 :

even (12)

Round 15 :

Break the yarn and leave a long strand.

Info :

Insert stuffing. (pic.21)

— Assembly :

Info :

1 - Sew the ears on the head: Insert the long strand of the ear in the needle, insert the needle in the ear in order to make a little fold (do the same with the second ear, but in reverse). (pic.22-23) Sew each ear on the head (between R14 and R15 of HEAD), leaving a space of 6 st between each ear. (pic.24-26)

Info :

2 - Sew the head on the body. (pic.27)

Info :

3 - If you use glass beads instead of safety eyes, sew them on the head in the same place as previously explained for the safety eyes. (pic.28)

Info :

4 - Sew the elephant in the basket (it's easier if you do this turning the basket inside out) (pic.29-30)

Info :

5 - Attach the basket to the balloon: Attach the 4 strings of the basket to the balloon, leaving a space of 5 st between each one. Break the yarn and weave in ends. (pic.31)

— Giraffe :

Section :

EARS (x2): with Catania 208 Canary

Round 1 :

Ch4, sc in 2° ch from hook, sc in next 2 st. (3) Break the yarn and leave a long strand. (pic.32)

Section :

HORNS (x2): with Limone 79 Kokos

Round 1 :

Magic ring, 3 ch in ring (3)

Round 2 :

Back loops only, even (3)

Round 3 :

even (3)

Round 4 :

Break the yarn and leave a long strand.

Section :

HEAD: with Catania 208 Canary

Round 1 :

Magic ring, 6 ch in ring (6)

Round 2-3 :

2 rows even (6)

Round 4 :

* sc, 2sc * 3 times (9)

Round 5 :

even (9)

Round 6 :

* sc in next 2 st, 2sc * 3 times (12)

Round 7 :

even (12)

Round 8 :

* sc, 2sc * 6 times (18)

Round 9-11 :

3 rows even (18) (pic.33)

Round 12 :

* sc, sc2tog * 6 times (12)

Round 13 :

* sc, sc2tog * 4 times (8)

Round 14 :

Break the yarn and fasten off. (pic.34)

Info :

Attach the horns to the head. (pic.35) Attach the ears to the head. (pic.36)

Section :

BODY: with Catania 208 Canary

Round 1 :

Magic ring, 6 ch in ring (6)

Round 2 :

2sc in each ch (12)

Round 3 :

* sc, 2sc * 6 times (18)

Round 4 :

* sc in next 2 st, 2sc * 6 times (24)

Round 5-6 :

2 rows even (24)

Round 7 :

* sc in next 2 st, sc2tog * 6 times (18)

Round 8 :

even (18)

Round 9 :

* sc, sc2tog * 6 times (12) (pic.37)

Round 10 :

even (12)

Round 11 :

* sc, sc2tog * 4 times (8)

Round 12-15 :

4 rows even (8) (pic.38)

Info :

Break the yarn and leave a long strand. Insert stuffing. Attach the head to the body. (pic.39) Sew the eyes on the head. (pic.40)

— Zebra :

Section :

EARS (x2): with Limone 06 White

Round 1 :

Ch4, sc in 2° ch from hook, sc in next st, * sc, hdc, sc * in last ch. On opposite side, sc in next 2 st, sl st in first st (7) Break the yarn and leave a long strand. (pic.41)

Section :

Round 1 :

Ch16, sc in 2° ch from hook, sc in next 14 ch, turn (15) Change color (Limone 24 Black)

Round 2 :

Ch1, even (15) Break the yarn and leave a long strand. (pic.42)

Section :

HEAD: with Limone 24 Black

Round 1 :

Magic ring, 6 ch in ring (6)

Round 2 :

* sc, 2sc * 3 times (9)

Round 3 :

even (9) Change color (Limone 06 White)

Round 4-5 :

2 rows even (9)

Round 6 :

* sc in next 2 st, 2sc * 3 times (12)

Round 7-8 :

2 rows even (12) (pic.43)

Round 9 :

* sc, 2sc * 6 times (18)

Round 10-14 :

5 rows even (18)

Round 15 :

* sc, sc2tog * 6 times (12) Insert stuffing.

Round 16 :

* sc, sc2tog * 4 times (8) Break the yarn and fasten off. (pic.44)

Section :

BODY: with Limone 06 White

Round 1 :

Magic ring, 6 ch in ring (6)

Round 2 :

2sc in each ch (12)

Round 3 :

* sc, 2sc * 6 times (18)

Round 4 :

* sc in next 2 st, 2sc * 6 times (24)

Round 5-7 :

3 rows even (24)

Round 8 :

* sc in next 2 st, sc2tog * 6 times (18)

Round 9-11 :

3 rows even (18)

Round 12-14 :

Complex color changes alternating Mandarin and Natur according to pattern to shape chest and belly (see original steps for exact color switches). (12)

Info :

Break the yarn and leave a long strand. Insert stuffing. Attach the head to the body. (pic.71) Sew the eyes to the head (pic.72). With a long strand of Limone 24 Black, embroider the zebra stripes on the head and the body. (pic.51-58)

— Tiger :

Section :

EARS (x 2): with Limone 157 Mandarin

Round 1 :

Magic ring, 3 ch in ring, turn (3)

Round 2 :

Ch1, 2sc in each ch, turn (6)

Round 3 :

Ch1, even (6) Break the yarn and leave a long strand. (pic.59)

Section :

HEAD: with Limone 73 Natur

Round 1 :

Magic ring, 6 ch in ring (6)

Round 2 :

* sc, 2sc * 3 times (9)

Round 3 :

sc in next 2 st, 2sc, sc in next st, Change color (Mandarin): sc in next st, 2sc, sc in next st, Change color (Natur): sc in next st, 2sc (12)

Round 4 :

even (12)

Round 5 :

even (sc in next 4 st with Mandarin, sc in next 4 st with Natur, sc in next 16 st with Mandarin) (24)

Round 6 :

with Mandarin, * sc, 2sc * 6 times (18)

Round 7 :

* sc in next 2 st, 2sc * 6 times (24)

Round 8-11 :

4 rows even (24)

Info :

With a long strand of Limone 149 Blute, embroider the nose: from inside the head, pull the needle out of the center of the magic ring (pic.60). Follow the nose embroidery steps as pictured to form a triangle and fasten off inside the head. (pic.60-66)

Round 12 :

* sc in next 2 st, sc2tog * 6 times (18)

Round 13 :

* sc, sc2tog * 6 times (12) Insert stuffing.

Round 16 :

* sc, sc2tog * 4 times (8) Break the yarn and fasten off. (pic.67) Attach the ears to the head (pic.68-69)

Section :

BODY: with Limone 157 Mandarin

Round 1 :

Magic ring, 6 ch in ring (6)

Round 2 :

2sc in each ch (12)

Round 3 :

* sc, 2sc * 6 times (18)

Round 4 :

* sc in next 2 st, 2sc * 6 times (24)

Round 5 :

even (sc in next 4 st with Mandarin, sc in next 4 st with Natur, sc in next 16 st with Mandarin) (24)

Round 6-11 :

rows even with color changes as specified in pattern (24)

Info :

Break the yarn and leave a long strand. Insert stuffing. Attach the head to the body. (pic.71) Sew the eyes to the head (pic.72). With a long strand of Limone 24 Black, embroider the tiger stripes on the head and on the body. (pic.73-81)

— Mobile Frame :

Section :

PLASTIC RING: with Limone 06 White

Round 1 :

Ch1, sc around the ring until it's all covered. (pic.82) Break the yarn and fasten off. (pic.83)

Section :

WOODEN FRAME: with Limone 06 White

Round 1 :

Ch210, sl st in first ch to form a ring (make sure that the chain isn't twisted when you close the ring) (210) (pic.84)

Round 2-10 :

Ch1, sc in same st, sc in next 209 st, sl st in first st (210) (pic.85-87)

Round 11 :

Ch1, sl st in both sides (the foundation chains and the last row of sc together) to close, with the wooden frame inside. (pic.88-90) Break the yarn and fasten off.

Info :

Join white yarn in a random point of the frame (on the side opposite to the closing sts) (pic.91). Ch48, pass the hook through the little ring, skip 8 ch, sl st in next 40 ch (pic.92-93). Break the yarn and fasten off. Do the same thing other 2 times, leaving a space of 8.7 inches (22 cm) between each thread. (pic.94)

Info :

Join yarn in a random point on the opposite side of the frame (pic.95), Ch20, pass the hook through the top of a hot air balloon (pic.96), sl st in every ch (pic.97), break the yarn and fasten off. Do the same thing other 3 times, spacing out the balloons evenly on the frame. If you like the balloons to be at different heights, you can hang 2 of them at a 20ch height and the other 2 at a 10ch height.

Assembly Instructions

  • Sew the ears on the head: insert the long strand of the ear in the needle, fold the ear slightly and sew each ear to the head between R14 and R15, leaving a space of 6 stitches between ears.
  • Sew the head to the body securely using the long tail from the neck rounds, matching the center and stuffing as needed.
  • Sew safety eyes or glass beads into place as indicated (between the specified rounds), and embroider noses or stripes using a long strand of contrasting yarn.
  • Sew the animal into the basket (turn the basket inside out to make sewing easier), then attach the four basket strings to the balloon, leaving a space of 5 stitches between each string.
  • Attach the covered plastic or wooden frame strings to the mobile frame at the specified points; space balloons evenly and adjust hanging lengths for desired heights.

Important Notes

  • 💡This pattern is worked in the round; do not join rounds unless otherwise specified.
  • 💡Work tapestry crochet by carrying the unused color along the top of the stitches to create smooth color joins and even tension.
  • 💡Insert the polystyrene balls before completing the last decreases to get a perfect spherical shape.
  • 💡Use small amounts of stuffing at a time when working tiny parts to avoid bulging and keep the form smooth.

This hot air balloon mobile pattern brings playful skies to any nursery with four swirly balloons and tiny animal friends. It combines tapestry crochet stripes, tiny amigurumi shaping and a sturdy mobile frame for a handmade keepsake. Perfect for gifting or a special nursery project — happy crocheting! 🧶✨

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished mobile be?

The finished mobile measures roughly 25 cm (10 inches) across with a wooden frame, and each hot air balloon is about 8 cm (3.15 inches) in diameter using the recommended yarn and 3 mm hook.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, but changing yarn weight will affect the final size; use an appropriate hook size and test gauge on a balloon panel to ensure the polystyrene balls will still fit.

Are safety eyes safe for baby mobiles?

If the mobile will be accessible to a baby, avoid small detachable parts like glass beads or loose safety eyes; consider embroidering eyes or securing beads tightly and keeping the mobile out of reach.

Do I need to know tapestry crochet to make the balloons?

Basic tapestry crochet is recommended — you carry the unused color along the top of the stitches. The pattern includes notes and photos to help you follow the color carrying method.