No-Sew Crochet Boba Pattern
Milk and tea topped with tapioca pearls - boba tea or bubble tea has become increasingly popular these days!
But as a Chinese and Taiwanese American, boba tea (or boba for short) has always played a special role in my life. It was one of the first things that helped me embrace my ethnic background and I cannot count the number of social gatherings that I’ve had that involved “getting boba.” In fact, I originally created this boba plushie as a gift for my dad after he asked to spend Father’s Day by “getting boba.”
So here’s how you can crochet your own boba milk tea plushie inspired by the Taiwanese drink! Of course, you can also make it in different colors to represent other flavors that you like.
This crochet pattern makes up a squishy, cuddly boba tea plushie! And what makes this even better? It’s a completely no sew pattern!
Follow the written pattern below or a printable PDF version with more pictures is also included with a “Mary’s Pattern Club” membership on my Patreon.
“Can I sell the plushies that I make with this pattern?”
Yes! Absolutely! What you do with the plushies you make is completely up to you! You may gift, donate, or sell any plushies that you make with any of my patterns. I would greatly appreciate if you could give "The Mary Jay" pattern credit and link back to this pattern when possible.
However, please do not sell, copy, or duplicate (to distribute) the crochet pattern itself in any form without permission.
Here’s the written pattern:
Skills and Abbreviations (In U.S. terms)
MR = Magic Ring (Magic Circle)
SC = Single Crochet
SL ST = Slip Stitch
INC = Increase
DEC = Decrease
FLO = Front Loop Only
BLO = Back Loop Only
FO = Fasten off (or Invisible Fasten Off)
R= Round
Slip Knot
Changing Color
“What is the invisible fasten off?”
For the “lid”, it’s helpful to know how to make the invisible fasten off! The invisible fasten off simulates the look of a stitch. This creates a smoother rim than the typical “fasten off”, which is perfect for a smoother edge on the lid.
Recommended Materials:
(Based on what I used to make the boba milk tea in the sample photos)
Super Bulky Weight Yarn (#6) in Brown, White, Black, and Pink
#4 Worsted Weight Yarn in Black (for the mouth - can be replaced with a different type of yarn)
6 mm Crochet Hook (or a similar hook size)
Two 24 mm Safety Eyes (WARNING: Safety eyes can be choking hazards and are not recommended for plushies made for young children or pets)
Stuffing
Yarn Needle
Scissors
Stitch Markers (Optional)
Pins (Optional)
“Where can I get the materials?”
You can find most of these items in a craft store, sometimes in places like Walmart, or on my Amazon Storefront. My Amazon Storefront contains my own personal favorites to use! It’s an affiliate link, which means I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you use it to make a purchase. This is an additional way that helps support me and lets me continue to make free content for you.
While I do get some harder-to-find yarn colors off of Amazon (the ones linked on my storefront), I do also get a lot of my yarn from Joann! The colors that I used for the plushie in the sample photo are sand, coal, white, and baby pink (these are also affiliate links, which means that if you use it, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you and it helps support me to continue to make free content for you!)
“Can I use a different yarn or hook size?”
Yes! The above yarn sizes and hook size are recommendations based on what I used to make the plushie in the sample photo. Feel free to switch up the yarn or hook size based on what you have available or your preference.
If you are using a different yarn or hook size, don’t forget to make sure that the yarn and hook size work well together. For amigurumi, it’s often recommended to use a hook size that is 1-2mm smaller than the recommended hook size on the yarn label for tighter stitches and less holes in your project. However, different crocheters have their own preferences on hook size and you are welcome to follow your own preference.
Please note that the plushie may vary in size with different yarn and hook sizes.
“Can I replace the safety eyes with something else?”
Yes! Just like the yarn and hook size, the safety eyes listed are just what I used to make the plushie in the sample photo. Feel free to use a similar eye size or switch it up with felt, buttons, or even just embroider it with yarn.
Please note that safety eyes can be choking hazards and are not recommended for plushies made for young children or pets.
Straw & Lid:
Using Black
R1 9 SC in a MR
R2-7 9 SC (9) 6 Rounds (If you’d like the straw to be longer, feel free to add a few more rounds.)
Change color to White.
R8 In FLO, [INC] x 9 (18)
R9 [2 SC, INC] x 6 (24)
R10 [3 SC, INC] x 6 (30)
R11 [4 SC, INC] x 6 (36)
R12 [5 SC, INC] x 6 (42)
Tip: Place a stitch marker into the back loop of the first stitch to mark this for later.
R13 In FLO, [6 SC, INC] x 6 (48)
SL ST into the second stitch of the round.
FO (or invisible FO) leaving a long tail.
Weave in the yarn tail now or hide it inside of the plushie later.
Next, we will begin adding the cup by crocheting directly into the back loops of round 12.
Cup & Boba:
Using Brown
Make a slip knot and insert your hook into the first back loop of R12 (where you placed the stitch marker.) Proceed with crocheting the following rounds.
R14 In BLO of R12, 42 SC (42)
R15-24 42 SC (42) 10 Rounds
In rounds 25-26 and 28-29, we will be changing color between brown and black.
R25-26 [4 SC in Brown, 2 SC in Black] x 7 (42) 2 Rounds
Change color back to Brown
R27 42 SC (42)
R28-29 SC in Brown, [2 SC in Black, 4 SC in Brown] x 6, 2 SC in Black, 3 SC in Brown (42) 2 Rounds
Continue working in Brown
R30-31 42 SC (42) 2 Rounds
R32 In BLO, [4 SC, DEC] x 7 (35)
R33 [3 SC, DEC] x 7 (28)
Attach the eyes between rounds 18 and 19 and around 6 stitches apart.
Start adding stuffing and continue stuffing as you go.
R34 [2 SC, DEC] x 7 (21)
R35 [SC, DEC] x 7 (14)
R36 [DEC] x 7 (7)
FO leaving a long tail for sewing. Finish stuffing.
Use the yarn tail to sew the plushie closed.
Details:
Using Pink, embroider on the blush between rounds 20 and 21.
Using Black in #4 Worsted Weight Yarn, embroider the mouth onto round 21.
And that’s it! Congratulations! You did it!
Thank you so much for following along with this pattern! I hope you enjoyed making your no sew boba milk tea!
I love seeing the plushies that ya’ll make! Follow and tag my socials!
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