Charming Crochet Goose Family and Duckling Set with Meadow Play Mat

Bring a storybook scene to life with this enchanting crochet goose family and duckling set, nestled on a cozy meadow play mat. The scene features two large geese—one sporting a periwinkle blue hat and matching bow tie, the other with a delicate pink bonnet—accompanied by three bright yellow ducklings. All figures have classic amigurumi shapes, expressive safety eyes, and joyful blush on their cheeks. The sturdy, circular green mat is dotted with crocheted flowers and mushrooms, setting a perfect stage for imaginative play or nursery display. This project radiates warmth, nostalgia, and gentle color, making it a delightful gift or keepsake.

The soft pastel palette and charming accessories give this set extra personality. The geese and ducklings are sturdy enough for gentle play, and the mat’s inviting texture makes it both decorative and functional. Whether used as a darling toy set, centerpiece, or whimsical nursery decor, this piece is wonderfully versatile. Crocheters will enjoy shaping the detailed birds, experimenting with accessories, and embellishing the mat with cheerful bits of nature. The project is just as fun to make as it is to display.

Project Overview

This piece is constructed as a set of individual amigurumi figures: two large geese, three smaller ducklings, several small meadow appliqués (flowers and mushrooms), and a thick, sturdy round mat. Each figure is worked mostly in continuous rounds for smooth shaping, using simple increases and decreases. The accessories (hats, bow tie, bonnet) are added separately. All elements are assembled at the end and sewn onto the mat for stability, or left free for rearrangeable play.

Skill Level

Intermediate: This project uses standard amigurumi techniques, color changes, assembly of numerous parts, and accessory shaping. While not technically advanced, the number of components and attention to detail make it best suited to crocheters with some experience in amigurumi and sewing multiple pieces together.

Materials

Yarn:

Worsted weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn (for sturdy, washable figures)
White (adult geese bodies, wings, tails): approx. 120 g
Yellow (duckling bodies, feet, meadow flowers): approx. 80 g
Orange (beaks and feet): approx. 25 g
Periwinkle blue (hat, bow tie): small amounts
Soft pink (bonnet, blush): small amounts
Green (meadow mat, flower leaves, mushroom caps): approx. 150 g
Red, brown, and white (mushroom caps and dots, flower centers): scraps

Crochet hook: 3.5 mm (E) for amigurumi; 5.0 mm (H) for mat
Tapestry needle for sewing parts
Sharp needle and pink embroidery floss (to embroider blush/cheeks and facial details)
Stitch markers
Polyester fiberfill stuffing
6 pairs 10 mm safety eyes (for goose and ducklings) or black yarn for embroidery
Scissors
Optional: plastic pellets for extra weight in goose bases

Finished Size

Geese: approx. 26 cm (10 in) tall each
Ducklings: approx. 10 cm (4 in) tall each
Mat: approx. 35 cm (14 in) in diameter

To adjust size, use a larger/smaller hook and thicker/thinner yarn; proportions remain the same.

Gauge

With 3.5 mm hook and worsted yarn in single crochet, 20 sc x 22 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 in). Slight variations in gauge are fine, but consistency keeps shapes neat.

Stitches and Abbreviations

ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
inc – increase (2 sc in next st)
dec – decrease (sc 2 together)
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
flo – front loop only
blo – back loop only
MR – magic ring

Important Pattern Notes

Amigurumi pieces are all worked in continuous (spiral) rounds unless otherwise noted. Use a stitch marker for the first stitch of each round.
Ch 1 at beginning of rounds does NOT count as a stitch unless stated.
Work with firm tension for best results.
Change colors at the final yarn-over of last stitch before new color.
Sew parts together using yarn tails and a tapestry needle; weave in ends securely.

Detailed Crochet Pattern

Part 1: Goose Body (Make 2 – One “Father” with Hat/Bow Tie, One “Mother” with Bonnet)

With white yarn and 3.5 mm hook:

Body:

Round 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6)
Round 2: inc in each st around. (12)
Round 3: (sc, inc) around. (18)
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) around. (24)
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) around. (30)
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) around. (36)
Round 7: (5 sc, inc) around. (42)
Rounds 8-16: sc around. (42 per round)
Round 17: (5 sc, dec) around. (36)
Rounds 18-24: sc around. (36 per round)
Round 25: (4 sc, dec) around. (30)
Round 26: (3 sc, dec) around. (24)
Round 27: (2 sc, dec) around. (18)
Stuff very firmly as you go.
Round 28: (sc, dec) around. (12)
Round 29: dec around. (6)
Fasten off and close with tail.

Neck:

Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
Round 2: inc in each st. (12)
Rounds 3-14: sc around. (12 per round)
(For a longer neck, add extra rounds here.)
Round 15: (2 sc, dec) around. (9)
Stuff neck firmly, sew to top center of body.

Head:

Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
Round 2: inc around. (12)
Round 3: (sc, inc) around. (18)
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) around. (24)
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) around. (30)
Rounds 6-12: sc around. (30 per round)
Round 13: (3 sc, dec) around. (24)
Round 14: (2 sc, dec) around. (18)
Insert safety eyes between Rounds 7-8, about 6 sts apart.
Round 15: (sc, dec) around. (12)
Stuff firmly.
Round 16: dec around. (6)
Fasten off. Sew head securely to top of neck.

Wings (Make 2 per goose):

Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
Round 2: inc around. (12)
Round 3: (sc, inc) around. (18)
Rounds 4-6: sc around. (18 per round)
Round 7: (sc, dec) around. (12)
Rounds 8-10: sc around. (12 per round)
Flatten, lightly stuff, and whipstitch sides closed. Sew to each side of the body about midpoint.

Tail:

Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
Round 2: inc around. (12)
Round 3: (sc, inc) around. (18)
Rounds 4-5: sc around. (18 per round)
Flatten, do not stuff. Sew at an upward angle to back base of body.

Legs (Make 2 per goose, in orange):

Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
Rounds 2-14: sc around. (6 per round)
Lightly stuff if desired.
Make webbed feet as follows (use orange): ch 4, 2 hdc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next, ch 2, 2 hdc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in remaining, fasten off. Sew as 3 points on bottom of each leg.
Sew legs to underside of body, positioned to sit upright.

Part 2: Goose Accessories

Father’s Bow Tie (Blue):

Ch 10, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc to end. Fasten off. Tie a small length around the center and sew to neck.

Father’s Hat (Blue):

Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
Round 2: inc around. (12)
Round 3: (sc, inc) around. (18)
Rounds 4-7: sc around. (18 per round)
Round 8: in flo, (sc, inc) around. (27)
Round 9: sc around. (27)
Sl st, fasten off and shape hat, sewing onto head offset at a jaunty angle.

Mother’s Bonnet (Soft Pink):

Repeat rounds 1-6 of hat, in pink.
Round 7: in blo, dc in each st around. (30)
Ch 30 for each tie, attach to sides.
Slip bonnet over head after assembly, tie under chin.

Part 3: Ducklings (Make 3)

Body (Yellow):

Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
Round 2: inc around. (12)
Round 3: (sc, inc) around. (18)
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) around. (24)
Rounds 5-9: sc around. (24 per round)
Round 10: (2 sc, dec) around. (18)
Round 11: (sc, dec) around. (12)
Stuff firmly.
Round 12: dec around. (6)
Fasten off, sew hole closed.

Head (Yellow):

As goose, but stop at 18 sts, adjust rounds to fit head size. Place safety eyes between Rounds 5-6.
Sew to front top of body.

Wing (Yellow, Make 2 per duckling):

MR, 6 sc, pull closed. Flat patch. Sl st, fasten off. Sew to sides.

Tail: Ch 3, sl st in 2nd and 3rd ch, sew to rear of body (simple point).

Feet and Beak (Orange):

Feet: Ch 4, sc in 2nd ch, hdc in next, sl st in last, fasten off. Make 2 per duckling, sew to base.
Beak: Ch 3, 2 sc in 2nd ch, sl st in next, fasten off. Attach at front of head.

Add embroidered blush to cheeks with pink yarn, if desired.

Part 4: Meadow Play Mat

With green and 5.0 mm hook:

Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
Round 2: inc in each st around. (12)
Round 3: (sc, inc) around. (18)
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) around. (24)
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) around. (30)
Continue increasing 6 evenly spaced sc each round until piece measures approx. 35 cm (14 in) diameter (approx. 30-36 rounds, final round should have approx. 180-216 sts).
Optional: last round in blo for ridge.
To create edge, switch to crab stitch (reverse sc) for a stable border.

Mat can be double thick: make 2 identical circles, sew together, stuff lightly for cushion.

Part 5: Meadow Appliqués (Flowers and Mushrooms)

Daisy Flowers (White/Pink/Yellow):

Center: MR, 6 sc in yellow. Join, fasten off.
Petals: Join white to any st. Ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in next, hdc in last, sl st to next st of center. Repeat for 6 petals. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Mushrooms (Brown/Red/White):

Cap: With red, MR, 6 sc, join. Round 2: inc in each st (12). Sl st, fasten off.
Add small white embroideries as dots.
Stem: With white, ch 6, sl st in each, fasten off. Sew to underside of cap, sew stem onto mat.

Assembly and Finishing

Stuff each amigurumi part firmly and sew securely for stability.
Arrange geese and ducklings on the mat as desired (glue or sew for permanence, or leave free-standing for play).
Sew applique flowers and mushrooms in clusters on mat.
Weave in all yarn ends and trim excess.
Gently steam-block the mat for flatness; shape birds as stuffing settles.
Position accessories (hat, bonnet, bow tie), secure with a few stitches if needed.

Customization Ideas

Use pastel or neutral colors for different decor vibes.
Make more/less ducklings, or add eggs or pond accessories.
Make the mat larger as a rug or nursery play pad.
Sew motifs onto a blanket or make as a wall hanging diorama.
Turn ducklings or geese into individual plush toys or mobiles.

Troubleshooting Tips

If bodies curl, check that increases are even and stuffing is firm.
If edges of the mat ripple, reduce the number of increases per round.
For tight tension or small pieces, use smaller hook.
Loose color changes can be improved by tugging yarn ends and weaving tails through stitches.
Check stitch counts at ends of rounds to avoid misshapen birds.
Uneven facial placement can be corrected by pinning before sewing/attaching.

Care Instructions

Spot clean with mild soap, gently pat dry.
If needed, machine wash on gentle in a mesh bag, reshape while damp, and air dry.
Avoid high heat or rough handling of seams/accessories.

Final Notes

Check your work against stitch counts after each major step to ensure shapes remain balanced, and use the photo as a color and placement guide throughout. Adjust tension and stuffing as necessary for best results, and enjoy bringing this soothing, storybook scene to life!