Ask a random person about Snakes, and you’ll probably get a shudder or at least a raised eyebrow. Thanks to a steady drip of scary movies and ancient cautionary tales, the humble Snake tends to slither straight into the role of villain.
But on a growing corner of the internet, these maligned reptiles are enjoying a surprising transformation, one stitch at a time. It’s all thanks to Ukrainian crochet designer Iuliia Spyrydonova, whose amigurumi Snake patterns have quietly become a phenomenon among crafters. Her designs, sold as downloadable patterns through her Etsy shop, have found their way onto thousands of hooks (and into thousands of hearts) worldwide.
The secret? Take the idea of a Snake, subtract the menace, add a big dose of whimsy, and invite everyone to join in.
WHY ARE SNAKES SO SCARY, ANYWAY?
Hint: It’s not just movies and myths. Scientists think our aversion to Snakes might be hard-wired – a relic from the days when stepping on a Serpent in the tall grass could mean a quick exit from the gene pool.
Cultural stories only piled on, casting Snakes as tricksters or threats, turning “Snake in the grass” into a universal warning.
Every story needs a good villain, but reality tends to be a lot more nuanced. In fact, most Snakes are harmless, quietly controlling the population count of animals who might bother you more, and keeping the ecological balance. But our primate fear of Serpents has a long half-life.
CUTENESS OVERLOAD
This is where Iuliia’s crochet Snakes come in as unlikely little ambassadors for reptile rehabilitation. Her amigurumi designs ditch the fangs and the hiss in favor of big eyes, gentle smiles, and cheerful, squishy bodies. Instead of terror, these Snakes radiate pure charm, the kind that triggers that irresistible urge to squeeze something cute, known in the Philippines as gigil.
If you’ve ever felt a burst of affection so strong it makes you want to squish a plush toy (or pinch a baby’s cheeks), that’s gigil – a kind of cuteness overload, sometimes called “cute aggression.” Iuliia’s snakes inspire exactly that reaction: it’s hard not to smile, or even give them a little squeeze, once you see them.
Iuliia’s patterns are described on her Etsy page as beginner-friendly, so you don’t need to be a master crafter to bring your own yarn Snake to life. Customers pick their favorite colors, fiddle with the length, or add personal touches.
The result: a collection of Snakes as varied (and as harmless) as a basket of jellybeans.
WHY CROCHET A SNAKE? (AND WHAT’S AMIGURUMI, ANYWAY?)
There’s a special charm to turning a symbol of fear into a pocket-sized companion. Enter amigurumi: the Japanese art of crocheting (or knitting) small, soft toys – often animals, with big eyes and an overload of cuteness.
Iuliia’s Snakes fit right into this tradition, inviting crafters to transform a creature usually cast as a villain into something you actually want to keep on your desk.
Judging by reviews, there’s something quietly subversive and empowering about making your own amigurumi Snake. One buyer wrote, “I never thought my Snake-phobic friend would ever go near one, but now she has a crochet Snake on her desk and she loves it.”
Another described the joy of making a “rainbow Serpent” for their niece. Suddenly, the Snake isn’t something to dread – it’s a badge of creativity, maybe even a gentle nudge toward acceptance.
MORE THAN JUST A CUTE FACE
Of course, crochet itself is half the magic.
Research shows that crocheting – like other rhythmic, hands-on crafts – can reduce anxiety and stress, providing a meditative escape from the everyday rush.
It’s an act of creation that asks for your attention, but gives back a sense of calm and accomplishment. And with projects like Iuliia’s, there’s the bonus of joining a global community of makers, sharing progress pics and cheering each other on.
For some, making a crochet Snake is more than a pastime. It’s a gentle form of exposure therapy, turning a fear into something soft and silly, manageable and even loveable.
SNAKES, REIMAGINED
At the end of the day, a crochet Snake may be just a bit of yarn and stuffing. But for many, it’s also a story about second chances: for misunderstood creatures, for nervous crafters, and for anyone willing to look at an old fear in a new light.
So whether you’re looking for your next creative project, hoping to make peace with a phobia, or just want an unusual conversation starter for your living room, a crochet Snake might be just the ticket.
Who knows? You might even find yourself a little more charmed than you expected.
