I am happy to share this free crochet jellyfish pattern with you today, which is the perfect project for Amigurumi beginners who would like to learn different crochet techniques. This super cute Amigurumi jellyfish is fun to make and will be an ideal gift for your little one. It will also look just adorable hanging as a decoration in your kid’s room. π
Free Crochet Jellyfish Pattern – Notes
Skill level: basic/intermediate crochet skills and knowledge
Finished size – height: 25.5cm / 10 inches
Finished size – width: 9cm / 3.5 inches
Free Crochet Jellyfish Pattern – Materials and Equipment
Yarn I used:
– Fine Sport #2 = 4 ply
– 55% cotton and 45% acrylic
– 1x ball of dark blue yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 55 – (50g/160m)
– 1x ball of light blue yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 76 – (50g/160m)
– 1x ball of pink yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 42 – (50g/160m)
I like to purchase my YarnArt Jeans from Amazon HERE
or from Etsy HERE. If you would like to check some great substitutes for YarnArt Jeans then have a read of my Best Yarn for Making Amigurumi tutorial. You can find the substitutes towards the end of the article.
Or just simply use any 100% cotton that will work just as well. You can also use 100% acrylic if you prefer to work with this type of yarn.
Other materials used: polyester fibre fill, a long piece of thin white yarn for eye lash embroidery
Crochet hook: I used 3mm = C/2, if using different weight of yarn then refer to hook size recommendations on the yarn but go for one size smaller. I highly recommend this ergonomic crochet hook set from Amazon as it comes in a stylish case and with other accessories such as stitch markers etc.
Other equipment used: scissors, yarn needle, pins with large heads, stitch marker or thin yarn to use instead, 12mm safety eyes
Choking hazard warning: the use of safety eyes or buttons poses a choking risk for children under the age of 3 therefore I recommend using embroidery instead.
Free Crochet Jellyfish Pattern – Abbreviations Used
This pattern is written using US crochet terminology
– MR: magic ring – watch this step by step video tutorial on How to crochet a magic ring for Amigurumi
– ST: stitch
– SC: single crochet stitch
– HDC: half double crochet stitch
– DC: double crochet stitch
– TC: triple crochet stitch
– CH: chain stitch
– SL: slip stitch
– INC: increase = two single crochet stitches in the same stitch
– L INC: large increase = three single crochet stitches in the same stitch
– DEC: standard decrease
– INV DEC: invisible decrease = insert the hook into the front loop of the first stitch (two loops on hook) and immediately insert it again into the front loop of the next stitch (three loops on the hook). Yarn over and draw through the first two loops on the hook (two loops on the hook). Yarn over and draw through the two loops on the hook to finish your invisible decrease. Watch this step by step video tutorial on How to crochet an invisible decrease for Amigurumi
– BLO: back loops only
– FO: fasten off
– (…..) x 6: repeat the pattern inside the brackets by the given number (in this example, repeat the pattern in the brackets 6 times)
– {…}: number shown inside these brackets equals the number of total stitches at the end of each round
Free Crochet Jellyfish Pattern – Let’s Get Started!
You may find these Amigurumi tutorials handy before you get started with this free crochet jellyfish pattern. And don’t forget to watch my step by step video tutorials for extra help with my patterns.
To view the free online pattern, please continue to scroll down. You can also download the ad-free and printable version of this pattern for a small fee here. Your generous contribution will help towards the cost of materials and running this website so I can continue to publish my free online patterns for everyone to enjoy.
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How to Crochet the Head
Starting from the centre of the head downwards.
R1: MR – 6 x SC into the ring {6} – watch this step by step video tutorial on How to crochet a magic ring for Amigurumi
R2: INC in each ST around {12}
R3: (SC in next ST, INC) x 6 {18}
R4: SC in next ST, INC, (SC in next 2 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next ST {24}
R5: (SC in next 3 ST, INC) x 6 {30}
R6: SC in next 2 ST, INC, (SC in next 4 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {36}
R7: (SC in next 5 ST, INC) x 6 {42}
R8: SC in next 3 ST, INC, (SC in next 6 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 3 ST {48}
R9: (SC in next 7 ST, INC) x 6 {54}
R10: SC in next 4 ST, INC, (SC in next 8 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 4 ST {60}
R11: (SC in next 9 ST, INC) x 6 {66}
R12-R22 (11 rounds): SC in each ST around {66} – leave your stitch marker in at the start of R17 as you will need to refer
to it when placing the eyes
R23: (SC in next 9 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {60} – watch this step by step video tutorial on How to crochet an invisible decrease for Amigurumi
R24: SC in next 4 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 8 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 4 ST {54}
R25: (SC in next 7 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {48}
R26: SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 6 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 3 ST {42}, do not FO and do not cut the yarn off
You can now place the eyes:
– stuff the head well first
– place eyes between rounds R17 and R18 leaving 11 stitches in between the eyes
– it helps to use pins with large heads to first mark the spots where the eyes will be placed – you can make a decision whether you are happy with the placement and if it looks symmetrical before you insert the safety eyes; the safety eyes usually make a large hole in between the stitches so it is not recommended to change the placement of the eyes once they are in
– you can now insert the safety eyes and put the safety backs on
How to Crochet the Belly
Starting from the centre of the belly.
R1: MR – 6 x SC into the ring {6}
R2: INC in each ST around {12}
R3: (SC in next ST, INC) x 6 {18}
R4: SC in next ST, INC, (SC in next 2 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next ST {24}
R5: (SC in next 3 ST, INC) x 6 {30}
R6: SC in next 2 ST, INC, (SC in next 4 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {36}
R7: (SC in next 5 ST, INC) x 6 {42}
FO and weave the yarn end in
How to Crochet the Tentacles
Crochet 4 tentacles using the pattern below (2x dark blue tentacles and 2x light blue tentacles):
R1: Chain 101 STs
R2: Start from the 2nd chain from the hook – (HDC in next ST, 2xHDC in next ST) x 50 {150}
Tie a knot with the two yarn ends and do not weave them in – you will use them to attach the tentacles to the belly
Crochet 6 tentacles using the pattern below (3x dark blue tentacles and 3x light blue tentacles):
R1: Chain 81 STs
R2: Start from the 2nd chain from the hook – 1xSC in each ST {80}
Tie a knot with the two yarn ends and do not weave them in – you will use them to attach the tentacles to the belly
How to Crochet the Bow
R1: Chain 5 STs
R2: 4xTC into the 1st CH ST of R1
R3: Chain 4 STs and SL ST into the 1st CH ST of R1 (Pic B1)
R4: Chain 4 STs (Pic B2)
R5: 4xTC into the 1st CH ST of R1
R6: Chain 4 STs and SL ST into the 1st CH ST of R1 (Pic B3)
FO and wrap the yarn tail around the centre of the bow several times. Tie a knot with both yarn tails on the back of the bow and weave the yarn ends in. (Pic B4)
Sew the bow to the head.
Free Crochet Jellyfish Pattern – Assembly:
How to attach the tentacles to the belly:
Step 1: Use pins with large heads to mark the spots where you would like to attach the tentacles (Pic T1) – distribute the first 4 tentacles evenly around R3 of the belly. The remaining 6 tentacles can be attached to the increase stitches in R6 of the belly.
Step 2: Attach each tentacle individually by pulling the yarn ends through the belly (Pic T2 & T3)
Step 3: Tie a knot with the yarn ends on the wrong side of the belly (Pic T4)
Step 4: Attach all of the tentacles using the same method (Pic T5 & T6)
How to attach the belly to the head:
R1: You will need to crochet the two parts together
– leave your hook in the last ST of R26 of the head
– slip your hook through the next ST of the head
– and then slip your hook through any ST of the belly
– so you now have two STs on the hook, SC these 2 STs together
– SC the corresponding STs of each part together all the way round (Pic A1 & A2) {42}
R2: Change yarn to light blue colour and crochet the decorative hem (Pic A3) – (SC in next ST, DC in next ST, 2xTC in next ST, 2xTC in next ST, DC in next ST, SC in next ST) x 7 {56}, FO and weave yarn end in
Eye lash embroidery:
You may choose to embroider the eye lashes using white thread yarn.
Free Crochet Jellyfish Pattern – Your Finished Crochet Toy:
You have now finished your toy. I hope you found my free crochet jellyfish pattern easy to follow and enjoyed making the jellyfish! I would very much welcome your feedback so please do leave a comment in the comment box at the bottom of this page. And don’t forget that I love to see your finished toys so please share your photos on Instagram with the hashtag #cuddlystitchescraft
Visit my free Amigurumi patterns for more crochet toys you will love!
More Free Amigurumi patterns for you to enjoy:
Free Crochet Snake Pattern
Free Crochet Pig Pattern
Free Whale and Narwhal Crochet Pattern
The tentacles can be a problem if you don’t keep the chain straight as you crochet, I believe.
The octopus mentioned for the Newborn ICU must meet strict standards. Please check with the hospital before making them to donate. I tried to make them but I couldn’t crochet to the strict standards. The little babes grasp the tentacles instead of pulling on the tube, IVs, etc. That’s why the octopuses are useful.
Love! the patterns!
Hi Veon, thank you for your comment. I completely agree that crochet octopuses are great for newborn babies for exactly the reasons you mentioned. My mum has made hundreds of them for her local baby unit already. π However, my jellyfish pattern was not designed for newborns so please keep that in mind and check with your local hospital if there are any criteria that need to be met.
Love, Petra x
Thank you for sharing these patterns. I am in the process of making the jellyfish. So far, it has been easy to follow and your video of an invisible decrease was very helpful. I would be so appreciative if you would make your pattern printable so that I can mark my rows as I finish. Thank you.
Also, I am unsure of how to complete the belly and tentacles if I cannot FO yarn from the head. Please help.
Hi Chris,
Many thanks for your comment. I am really happy you are finding the jellyfish pattern easy to follow and that the video tutorial was helpful! π
My patterns are only available for free online. If you would like to download the printable PDF version you can do so for a small fee from my Etsy store. Your generous contribution will help towards the cost of materials and running this website so I can continue to publish my free online patterns for everyone to enjoy.
And to asnwer your question about the pattern…you can use another ball of the same yarn if you have one or use the other end of the yarn ball you are using. Otherwise you can always cut the yarn to finish the belly and tentacles and then re-connect the yarn to the head again.
I hope this helps but please let me know if you have more questions.
Love, Petra
Hiya, I have a question. My tentacles are basically straight lines and I don’t know whi. Do you maybe have any tips or something to make them more curly? They’re really ugly now >,<
Hi Isis, thank you for your comment. The more tension you apply the curlier the tentacles will be but if you want them really curly you can adjust the pattern as per below:
2xSC into 2nd CH from the hook, 2xSC in next ST, 3xSC in next ST, 2xSC in next ST and so on taking turns between 2xSC and 3xSC till you reach the end of the chain.
I hope this helps and you are happy with the final result. π
Kind regards,
Petra
These octopus creatures are used in the NICU because our babies like to grab things and it can keep their hands off of necessary things like IV lines, NG tubes, oxygen and feeding tubes⦠they work well for this use!!!
Hi Meredith, thank you so much for sharing this with us! I am so happy that my patterns contribute to such a good cause and can help healthcare professionals with looking after babies when they are unwell. If you ever need a pattern that you think would be suitable for the babies, please do let me know and I can custom design this for you. π I am more than happy to help! π
Kind regards,
Petra
Lil confused about what to do with the yarn once the body is done. Says don’t FO or cut off yarn…so how do you continue using that color??
Hi Sarah, thank you for your message. You crochet the head and the belly of the jellyfish as two separate parts. The reason why you do not FO and cut of the yarn after you finish the head is because you will then need the yarn to crochet the belly and the head together. This is described in the assembly section of the pattern. I hope this helps but please let me know if you have more questions. Kind regards, Petra
Hi Duane,
Yes, that’s correct, that would make more sense indeed. π Thank you for the suggestion. π
Love, Petra