Celebrate Lunar New Year by crocheting this adorable monkey and its red lantern basket. The finished set makes a great hanging ornament that adds a touch of joy to your celebration, and it’s a festive gift for yourself or a loved one who was born in the Year of the Monkey.

This is an intermediate-level crochet project only because it involves a few more sewing steps. The crochet pattern PDF comes with easy-to-follow instructions along with many clear guiding images. Adventurous crochet beginners who are familiar with basic crochet stitches and techniques are encouraged to give this pattern a try as well.

In the “References” section, you can find tips and introductions for the crochet techniques used in the pattern.

Difficulty level: Intermediate

Crochet Stitches used in the pattern:

• Magic Circle
• Slip Stitch
• Chain Stitch
• Single Crochet Stitch
• Half Double Crochet Stitch
• Double Crochet Stitch
• Increase
• Decrease
• Crochet into the back loop only
• Crochet into the front loop only

The PDF is written in English, and it includes:

• A list of recommended materials and tools
• A written pattern (in US terms)
• Guiding images
• References:
  • How to make an invisible single crochet decrease
  • How to change colors in single crochet
  • How to close the top
  • How to sew crocheted pieces to the main body

Materials you will need:

• Crochet hook size: 3.5 mm
• Yarn: Size 4 medium weight (approx. 30 yds of red, 20 yds of yellow, 30 yds of brown, 10 yds of beige, and a few inches of black yarn)
• Yarn needle
• Stitch markers
• Pins
• 6 mm safety eyes
• Stuffing
• Scissors

The size depends on the yarn weight and the crochet hook size. Try to use a smaller size hook than recommended on the yarn label. As a reference, using the recommended materials and tools, the monkey will be approximately 4.50” tall and 1.75” wide (not including the basket). The lantern basket is approximately 2.75” in diameter.