The Pattern

Soft crochet jellyfish amigurumi with a rounded head and long curly tentacles
Free Pattern by One Dog Woof

Crochet Jellyfish

This jellyfish from ChiWei at One Dog Woof is the kind of project you start in the morning and finish before bed. The rounded head is worked in continuous rounds, and the magic really happens with the eight curly tentacles that spiral out underneath. Each one is a long chain worked with extra stitches into every chain stitch, which is what gives them their springy, twisty shape.

The finished jellyfish runs about 15 inches long depending on how long you make the streamers, and most makers wrap it up in roughly half a day. It uses cotton worsted yarn and a G or H hook, so the fabric stays soft enough to squish but firm enough to hold its shape.

Ready to start?

This free pattern is by ChiWei at One Dog Woof. The full written instructions, stitch counts, and process photos are all on her site.

Get the Free Pattern →

What You'll Need

A short, beginner friendly supply list. You can probably pull most of it from your stash.

  • Yarn Worsted weight cotton in 1 color. ChiWei uses Bernat Handicrafter Cotton, which gives the head a clean, sturdy texture. Any worsted cotton works. Pastels and ocean tones look especially sweet for nursery decor.
  • Hook 4mm (G) for the head. The original pattern uses a G hook on the body and a G or H (5mm) hook on the tentacles. A slightly bigger hook on the streamers makes them looser and curlier.
  • Stuffing Polyester fiberfill. Just enough to round out the head. Stuff as you close it up so the fabric stays smooth and the shape stays soft.
  • Face details Black yarn or embroidery floss. The jellyfish gets a simple embroidered face, no safety eyes required. That also makes it baby safe out of the box.
  • Extras Yarn needle, stitch marker, and scissors. The stitch marker is essential for tracking continuous rounds on the head.
Close up of the curly trailing tentacles on the crochet jellyfish amigurumi

Tips Before You Start

A few things worth knowing that the pattern page does not always spell out.

1

Use a stitch marker from round one

The head is worked in continuous spiral rounds with no joining slip stitch, which means it is incredibly easy to lose your place. Drop a stitch marker into the first stitch of every round and move it up as you go. Future you will thank you.

2

Vary the tentacle lengths for a more natural look

The pattern suggests starting tentacles with chains of 30, 40, 50, 60, or even 70 stitches. Mixing the lengths gives the jellyfish that drifting, underwater feel. If all the streamers are the same, the finished piece looks a little stiff.

3

Try 2 or 3 stitches per chain to control the curl

The tentacles get their spiral from stacking multiple stitches into each chain. Two stitches per chain gives a gentle wave. Three stitches per chain gives a tight, springy corkscrew. Make a sample of each before committing to all eight.

4

Stuff the head lightly

This is not a firm amigurumi like a turtle or a bear. You want the head to feel soft and a little squishy, so the jellyfish drapes naturally when it hangs. Overstuffing makes the body look more like a mushroom than a jellyfish bell.

5

Embroider the face after the head is closed

It is much easier to position the eyes and mouth when you can see the finished shape of the head. Pin them with stitch markers first to check placement before stitching, since even a millimeter off can change the entire expression.