Laci the Banana Split Snail: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Sweet, Textured Amigurumi

Meet Laci the Banana Split Snail: A Sweet & Whimsical Knitted Amigurumi

Get ready to knit the most adorable dessert-themed friend you've ever seen! Laci the Banana Split Snail is a charming amigurumi that combines the gentle, slow-paced world of snails with the colorful, sweet delight of a banana split. This pattern is perfect for knitters looking to expand their toy-making skills with simple increases, decreases, and clever shaping. The result is a soft, huggable creature with a creamy body, a textured shell, and all the fruity fixings—banana, strawberry, whipped cream, and a cherry on top. Whether you're making it as a gift, a decoration, or just for fun, Laci is sure to bring a smile to anyone's face.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. The gauge is not critical for this project, but using the correct yarn weight and needle size will ensure your snail turns out the right size and texture.

• Yarn: Worsted weight (medium/4) yarn in the following colors:
  • Cream (for the body)
  • Light brown (for the shell)
  • Yellow (for the banana)
  • Pink (for the strawberry)
  • White (for the whipped cream)
  • Red (for the cherry)
  • Small amounts of black and brown (for eyes and smile)
• Needles: US size 4 (3.5mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or a circular needle for the magic loop method. You will also need a tapestry needle for sewing and weaving in ends.
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, stitch markers (optional), and scissors.
• Gauge: 6 stitches and 8 rows = 1 inch in stockinette stitch worked in the round. Gauge is not critical but will affect the final size.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create your own Laci. All pieces are worked in the round unless otherwise stated. Take your time, and don't forget to stuff firmly for a plush, huggable toy.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• K2tog: Knit two together (decrease)
• M1: Make one (increase) – pick up the bar between stitches and knit it through the back loop
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• Rnd(s): Round(s)
• Rep: Repeat
• BO: Bind off

Head and Body (Worked in one piece from bottom up)

This creates the entire snail body, starting from the tail and working up to the head.

1. With cream yarn, CO 6 sts. Distribute evenly on 3 DPNs (2 sts each). Join in the round, being careful not to twist.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: *M1, K1* around (12 sts).
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: *M1, K2* around (18 sts).
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: *M1, K3* around (24 sts).
8. Rnd 7: K all sts.
9. Rnd 8: *M1, K4* around (30 sts).
10. Rnd 9-16: K all sts (8 rounds even).
11. Rnd 17: *K2tog, K3* around (24 sts).
12. Rnd 18: K all sts.
13. Rnd 19: *K2tog, K2* around (18 sts).
14. Rnd 20: K all sts.
15. Rnd 21: *K2tog, K1* around (12 sts).
16. Rnd 22: K all sts.
17. Stuff the body firmly with fiberfill, shaping it into a rounded oval. Make sure it's dense enough to hold its shape.
18. Rnd 23: *K2tog* around (6 sts). Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail through the remaining 6 sts, pull tight to close, and secure. Weave in the end.

Snail Shell (Worked in the round)

This creates the textured, domed shell that sits on the snail's back.

1. With light brown yarn, CO 6 sts. Distribute on 3 DPNs (2 sts each). Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: *M1, K1* around (12 sts).
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: *M1, K2* around (18 sts).
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: *M1, K3* around (24 sts).
8. Rnd 7: K all sts.
9. Rnd 8: *M1, K4* around (30 sts).
10. Rnd 9-12: K all sts (4 rounds even).
11. Rnd 13: *K2tog, K3* around (24 sts).
12. Rnd 14: K all sts.
13. Rnd 15: *K2tog, K2* around (18 sts).
14. Rnd 16: K all sts.
15. Rnd 17: *K2tog, K1* around (12 sts).
16. Rnd 18: K all sts.
17. Stuff the shell lightly with fiberfill. It should be plump but not overly firm.
18. Rnd 19: *K2tog* around (6 sts). Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure. Weave in end.

Banana (Worked flat, then sewn)

This piece is knitted flat and then seamed to create a curved banana shape.

1. With yellow yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: M1, K2, M1 (6 sts).
4. Row 3: K all sts.
5. Row 4: M1, K4, M1 (8 sts).
6. Row 5-10: K all sts (6 rows even).
7. Row 11: K2tog, K4, K2tog (6 sts).
8. Row 12: K all sts.
9. Row 13: K2tog, K2, K2tog (4 sts).
10. Row 14: K all sts.
11. BO all sts. Sew the long edges together to form a curved banana shape, leaving one end open. Stuff lightly with fiberfill, then sew the open end closed. Set aside.

Strawberry (Worked in the round)

A small, round piece that is shaped into a strawberry.

1. With pink yarn, CO 6 sts. Distribute on 3 DPNs (2 sts each). Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: *M1, K1* around (12 sts).
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: *M1, K2* around (18 sts).
6. Rnd 5-6: K all sts (2 rounds even).
7. Rnd 7: *K2tog, K1* around (12 sts).
8. Rnd 8: K all sts.
9. Rnd 9: *K2tog* around (6 sts). Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure. Weave in end. Shape into a strawberry by pulling the bottom slightly flat.

Whipped Cream (Worked in the round)

A fluffy, cloud-like piece.

1. With white yarn, CO 6 sts. Distribute on 3 DPNs (2 sts each). Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: *M1, K1* around (12 sts).
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: *M1, K2* around (18 sts).
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: *K2tog, K1* around (12 sts).
8. Rnd 7: K all sts.
9. Rnd 8: *K2tog* around (6 sts). Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure. Weave in end. Flatten slightly to form a cloud-like shape.

Cherry (Worked in the round)

A tiny ball for the top.

1. With red yarn, CO 6 sts. Distribute on 3 DPNs (2 sts each). Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: *M1, K1* around (12 sts).
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: *K2tog* around (6 sts). Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure. Weave in end. Shape into a small ball.

Assembly

Now it's time to bring Laci to life! Use your tapestry needle and matching yarn to sew the pieces together.

1. Sew the shell to the back of the snail's body, positioning it so it curves over the back. Use the light brown yarn and sew securely around the base of the shell.
2. Sew the banana to the top of the shell, curving it slightly so it looks like it's resting on the shell.
3. Sew the strawberry next to the banana on the shell.
4. Place the whipped cream on top of the banana and strawberry, and sew in place.
5. Sew the cherry on top of the whipped cream.
6. For the eyes: With black yarn, embroider two small French knots or use safety eyes (if using, attach before stuffing the body). With brown yarn, embroider a small smile.
7. Weave in all ends carefully to ensure a neat finish.

Finishing

Your Laci the Banana Split Snail is complete! Give it a gentle squeeze to shape it, and enjoy your sweet, textured amigurumi friend. This whimsical toy makes a perfect gift or a charming addition to any desk or shelf. Happy knitting!