Crochet Baby Jellyfish Amigurumi Free Pattern with Ruffle Details

Handmade Free Crochet Baby Jellyfish Amigurumi Pattern for Playtime

If you have been looking for a small project with an ocean theme that works up quickly, this free crochet Baby Jellyfish Amigurumi pattern is a lovely place to start.

The finished toy is a sea themed item for kids, and it has a round, plush body with gentle tentacles that give it movement and texture, so it looks soft, squishy and whimsical.

The design is presented as suitable for beginners and experienced crocheters alike, and it makes a sweet handmade gift for children, ocean lovers or a baby shower present.

Crochet Baby Jellyfish Amigurumi, Handmade Free Crochet Baby Jellyfish Amigurumi Pattern for Playtime

The size is easy to change with simple stitch variations. Lighter yarn worked with a smaller hook produces a daintier jellyfish, while bulkier yarn and a bigger hook produce a chunkier one. Construction uses basic crochet stitches worked in rounds to shape the spherical head, and then long stitched tentacles are added so they curl gently around the bell.

Two small details make a big difference in the finish. Keep your stitches tight so the stuffing does not peek through, and choose a soft cotton blend yarn, which shows the stitches clearly and feels pleasant to touch.

The design was inspired by baby jellyfish drifting through the sea, and the whole make stays small enough to finish in an evening or two.

If you enjoy little creatures worked in rounds, you may also like these duck crochet pattern ideas for free, which use the same kind of simple shaping and minimal sewing.

Crochet Baby Jellyfish Amigurumi, Handmade Free Crochet Baby Jellyfish Amigurumi Pattern for Playtime
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Crochet Jellyfish Amigurumi Keychain Pattern

This little jellyfish is more than a toy. It works beautifully as a keychain, a bag charm or a small plaything, so you can tuck it into a backpack or hang it from a purse.

The pattern is worked in one piece, and no sewing is required except for the embroidery and attaching the keychain, which keeps the make quick and satisfying.

Curly and straight tentacles are crocheted directly onto the head, and a playful ruffle border adds personality and character to the bell. You can personalize the project with your favorite yarn colors and a cute face, so every jellyfish ends up with its own expression.

If you like this style of small charm, the Free Crochet Pearl Oyster Keychain Pattern follows a similar idea. You can also follow this baby jellyfish crochet keychain tutorial to see the same charm concept worked in another way.

Pattern Notes

A few notes will keep your rounds even and your finish neat.

  • Work in continuous rounds, also called a spiral, and do not join at the end of rounds.
  • Use a stitch marker to mark the last stitch of each round and move it up at the end of every round.
  • All tentacles and the ruffle border are attached as you go, so minimal sewing is needed.
  • Insert the safety eyes before closing the head.
  • Use a smaller hook than the yarn recommends to make neat, tight stitches.
  • Stuff the jellyfish as you work.
  • If you prefer, embroider the face before assembly.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated for beginners. The only stitches and techniques you need are single crochet, slip stitch, basic increases (inc), invisible decreases (dec) and the magic ring (MR). If you can work those, the jellyfish comes together quickly, and the small size means you never have to crochet for very long before a round is finished.

Materials

Gather these supplies before you begin so you can work without stopping.

  • Worsted or DK weight yarn in a main color. Light and dark shades give contrast, or choose any favorite color.
  • Black yarn for the face.
  • Pink yarn for the blush.
  • The same shade as the main color for the straight tentacles.
  • A 3 mm crochet hook, or a size smaller than the yarn suggests for tight fabric.
  • One pair of 4 mm safety eyes.
  • A keychain blank or jump ring.
  • A stitch marker.
  • Fiberfill stuffing.
  • A yarn needle.
  • Scissors.

Measurements / Sizing

The finished jellyfish measures approximately 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3 in) across the bell, with tentacles about 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3 in) long. Including the tentacles, the whole toy stands around 8 to 10 cm tall.

These numbers shift with your yarn, hook and tension, and that small scale is exactly what makes the jellyfish such a good fit for keychains.

Gauge

Gauge is not critical for this project, but the fabric should be tight enough that the stuffing does not show through. If you can see the fiberfill between your stitches, drop down a hook size and try again.

If the stuffing peeks through your stitches, your hook is too large for the yarn. A smaller hook gives the tight fabric amigurumi needs.

Stitch Abbreviations

These are the abbreviations used in the pattern below.

AbbreviationMeaning
MRMagic ring
chChain
scSingle crochet
incIncrease, worked as 2 sc in the same stitch
decDecrease, worked by single crocheting 2 stitches together
sl stSlip stitch
FLOFront loop only
BLOBack loop only
st(s)Stitch(es)

Rnd means round, and the stitch count at the end of each round is shown in brackets.

Special Stitches

Invisible decrease (dec): this stitch is used for neat shaping. Insert the hook in the front loop of the next two stitches, yarn over and pull through both loops so 2 loops remain on the hook, then yarn over and pull through the remaining loops. The result blends into the fabric far better than a standard decrease.

Ruffle stitch: this is instructed as 3 sc in the next stitch, which creates the ruffle effect along the bell.

The Crochet Pattern

Work the jellyfish in the order below. Every part is crocheted onto the head, so you never have to sew pieces together.

JELLYFISH HEAD

Use the main yarn and a 3 mm hook.

Crochet Baby Jellyfish Amigurumi, Jellyfish head
Crochet Baby Jellyfish Amigurumi, Jellyfish head
Crochet Baby Jellyfish Amigurumi, Jellyfish head
  1. Rnd 1: MR, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 6 sc in the MR. (6 sts)
  2. Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
  3. Rnd 3: (Sc in next st, inc in next st) repeat around. (18 sts)
  4. Rnd 4: Sc in next st, inc in next st, (sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st) 5 times, sc in last st. (24 sts)
  5. Rnd 5: Sc in each st around. (24 sts)
  6. Rnds 6 to 9: Repeat Rnd 5, working sc in each st. (24 sts each round)
  7. Safety eyes: insert them between Rnds 6 and 7, spacing them 3 sts apart.
  8. Rnd 10: (Sc in next st, invisible dec in next 2 sts) repeat 8 times. (16 sts) Stuff the head firmly with fiberfill.
  9. Rnd 11: Work in BLO only, dec around 8 times. (8 sts) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for closing.

CURLY TENTACLES (Make 4, attach as you go)

Start in the FLO of the next st after finishing Rnd 11. You can use a contrasting or darker shade if you like.

  1. Sl st in the FLO of the next st, ch 12.
  2. Beginning in the 2nd ch from the hook, work 2 sc in each ch to the end, for 22 sc total, which creates the curl.
  3. Sl st in the FLO of the next st, then sl st in the FLO of the following st.
  4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 three more times to make 4 curly tentacles.

After the last tentacle, sl st in the next FLO to secure. Cut the yarn and weave the ends, leaving them inside the head.

Crochet Baby Jellyfish Amigurumi, CURLY TENTACLES (Make 4, attach as you go)

STRAIGHT TENTACLES (Make 4, attach between curly tentacles)

Work these in the contrast color.

  1. Insert the hook in the slip stitch between curly tentacles, in a stitch between the tentacle bases, and join the yarn with a sl st.
  2. Ch 12, then fasten off leaving a tiny tail. Tighten the last ch to form a small knot, and trim the tail near the knot for a neat finish.
  3. Repeat until you have 4 straight tentacles, evenly spaced between the curly ones.
  4. Using a yarn needle, pull all remaining yarn tails inside the head, knot them together, trim, and hide them inside.

CLOSE THE BODY

Thread the head’s long tail through the remaining 8 back loops of Rnd 11. Pull it tight to close the hole, then bring the tail out through the top of the head so the keychain can be attached.

RUFFLE BORDER

Join the main shade yarn in any FLO of Rnd 10, just above the tentacles.

  1. Sl st to join in the FLO.
  2. Work [3 sc in the next FLO, sl st in the next FLO] and repeat around, which should bring you full circle.
  3. After the last group of 3 sc, sl st to the starting st.
  4. Fasten off, leave a short tail and weave in the end.

EMBROIDERY

Smile: use black yarn or embroidery floss. Embroider a curved smile two rounds below the eyes. Bring the yarn from back to front, make a straight stitch about 2 sts wide between the eyes, tack it down in the middle to form the smile, then bring the yarn back out through the original hole.

Tie off the yarn tails at the back, trim and hide them inside the head.

Blush: use pink yarn. Embroider short straight or tick lines just below the eyes. Make one or two stitches for each cheek, fasten off and hide the ends in the body.

ASSEMBLY & FINISHED SIZE

Finish by hiding all loose yarn tails and closing the hole at the top of the head with the main yarn tail.

To attach the keychain, thread the long yarn tail through the keychain or jump ring, secure it firmly with a stitch or two, tie a knot and hide the end inside the head.

The finished jellyfish measures about 5 to 7 cm across and 8 to 10 cm tall, tentacles included.

Crochet Baby Jellyfish Amigurumi, Assembly & finished size

Quick Beginner Overview

If you want the short version before you start, here it is.

  1. Crochet the head in continuous rounds with invisible decreases, stuffing as you go.
  2. Insert the safety eyes between rounds 6 and 7, before the head is closed.
  3. Make 4 curly tentacles attached directly into the front loops.
  4. Make 4 straight tentacles between each curly tentacle.
  5. Work the ruffle border in the front loops with [3 sc, sl st].
  6. Embroider the smile and cheeks.
  7. Draw the tail through the top of the head and attach it to the keychain ring.
  8. Knot securely and hide the end.

Tips

  • Use a stitch marker to keep track of the last stitch of each round.
  • Tighten your chains so the tentacles stay neat and crisp.
  • Keep the stuffing soft and evenly distributed for a nicely round head.
  • Vary the tentacle lengths to create different characters or sea creatures.
  • Make several jellyfish in fun colors for gifts, or to sell.

If you want to compare shaping methods before you commit, this free crochet jellyfish amigurumi pattern takes a slightly different approach to the same little creature.

See the original recipe.

FAQs

What yarn and hook size are needed for the crochet baby jellyfish pattern?

The pattern requires worsted or DK weight yarn in a main color for the head and straight tentacles, plus small amounts of black and pink yarn for the face details. A 3 mm crochet hook is recommended to create tight stitches that prevent stuffing from showing. You will also need a pair of 4 mm safety eyes, fiberfill stuffing, a stitch marker, yarn needle, scissors, and a keychain blank if desired.

What is the technique for crocheting the curly tentacles on a baby jellyfish amigurumi?

To make the curly tentacles, slip stitch into the front loop of a stitch at the bottom of the jellyfish head. Chain 12, then work two single crochets into each chain from the second chain from the hook, creating a tight curl. Secure the tentacle by slip stitching into the front loops of the following two stitches. Repeat this to make a total of four curly tentacles.

How do you attach the keychain ring to the amigurumi jellyfish?

Use the long yarn tail left from closing the top of the jellyfish head. Thread this tail through the keychain ring or jump ring, then secure the ring with a tight stitch or two using a yarn needle. Knot the yarn firmly and hide the remaining tail inside the jellyfish body to complete the keychain attachment.

How can I adapt the crochet baby jellyfish pattern for a newborn gift?

To make the jellyfish safe for a newborn, replace the plastic safety eyes with embroidered eyes using black yarn. The pattern already provides instructions for an embroidered smile and pink blush, so the entire face can be made from soft, safe yarn. You should also skip the keychain ring to create a simple soft toy ideal for a nursery mobile or baby shower gift.

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Crochet Baby Jellyfish Amigurumi

Crochet Baby Jellyfish Amigurumi with Ruffle Details


  • Yield: 1 jellyfish approx 5-7 cm across bell, tentacles 5-7 cm long 1x

Description

Handmade Free Crochet Baby Jellyfish Amigurumi Pattern for Playtime If you have been looking for a small project with an ocean theme that works up quickly, this free crochet Baby Jellyfish Amigurumi pattern is a lovely place to start. The finished toy is a sea themed item for kids, and it has a round, plush body with gentle tentacles that give it movement and texture, so it looks soft, squishy and whimsical.


Ingredients

Scale

Materials
Worsted or DK weight yarn, main color
Black yarn, for face
Pink yarn, for blush
Yarn, same shade for straight tentacles
Crochet hook, 3 mm
1 pair Safety eyes, 4 mm
Keychain blank/jump ring
Stitch marker
Fiberfill stuffing
Yarn needle
Scissors


Instructions

JELLYFISH HEAD
1-Using main yarn and 3 mm hook: Using main yarn and 3 mm hook: Rnd 1: MR, ch 1 (does not count as st), 6 sc in MR. (6 sts)
2-Rnd 2: Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
3-Rnd 3: Rnd 3: (Sc in next st, inc in next st) repeat around. (18 sts)
4-Rnd 4: Rnd 4: Sc in next st, inc in next st, (sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st) x5, sc in last st. (24 sts)
5-Rnd 5: Rnd 5: Sc in each st around. (24 sts)
6-Rnds 6-9: Rnds 6-9: Repeat Rnd 5 (sc in each st). (24 sts each round)
7-Insert Safety Eyes (between Rnds 6 &: Insert Safety Eyes (between Rnds 6 & 7, spacing 3 sts apart).
8-Rnd 10: Rnd 10: (Sc in next st, invisible dec in next 2 sts) repeat 8 times. (16 sts). Stuff the head firmly with fiberfill.
9-Rnd 11: Rnd 11: Work in BLO only: (dec) around 8 times. (8 sts). Fasten off, leaving long tail for closing.

CURLY TENTACLES (Make 4, attach as you go)
10-Start in FLO of next st after: Start in FLO of next st after finishing Rnd 11 (use contrasting/darker shade if desired): 1. Sl st in FLO of next st, ch 12. 2. Beginning in 2nd ch from hook, work 2 sc in each ch to the end (22 sc total), creating a curl. 3. Sl st in FLO of next st, sl st in FLO of following st. 4. Repeat steps 1-3 three more times to make 4 curly tentacles. After last tentacle, sl st in next FLO to secure. Cut yarn, weave ends (leave them inside head).

STRAIGHT TENTACLES (Make 4, attach between curly tentacles)
11-With contrast color: With contrast color: 1. Insert hook in the slip stitch between curly tentacles (in a st between tentacle bases), join yarn with sl st. 2. Ch 12, fasten off leaving a tiny tail. Tighten last ch to form small knot; trim tail near knot for neat finish. 3. Repeat so that you have 4 straight tentacles, evenly spaced between curly tentacles. 4. Using yarn needle, pull all remaining yarn tails inside head; knot together, trim, and hide inside.

CLOSE THE BODY
12-Thread the head’s long tail through remaining: Thread the head’s long tail through remaining 8 back loops (of Rnd 11). Pull tight to close the hole; bring tail out the top of head for attaching the keychain.

RUFFLE BORDER
13-Join main shade yarn in any FLO: Join main shade yarn in any FLO of Rnd 10 (just above tentacles): 1. Sl st to join in FLO. 2. [3 sc in next FLO, sl st in next FLO] repeat around (should get a full circle). 3. After last group of 3 sc, sl st to starting st. 4. Fasten off, leave a short tail and weave in the end.

EMBROIDERY
14-Smile: Smile: Use black yarn or embroidery floss. Embroider a curved smile two rounds below the eyes. Bring yarn from back to front, make a straight stitch (about 2 sts wide) between the eyes, tack it down in the middle for a smile, then bring yarn back out to original hole. Tie off yarn tails at back, trim and hide inside head.
15-Blush: Blush: Use pink yarn. Embroider short straight or “tick” lines just below the eyes. Make one or two stitches for each cheek, fasten off and hide ends in body.

ASSEMBLY & FINISHED SIZE
16-Finish hiding all loose yarn tails: Finish hiding all loose yarn tails. Close hole at top of head with the main yarn tail. Attach keychain: Thread long yarn tail through the keychain/jump ring. Secure firmly with a stitch or two, knot, and hide inside head.

  • Method: crochet

Keywords: Crochet Baby Jellyfish Amigurumi

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