Crochet Little Jellyfish Amigurumi PDF Free Pattern

There is something undeniably magical about the ocean, and nothing captures that dreamy underwater feeling quite like a crocheted jellyfish amigurumi. With their flowing tentacles, soft rounded bells, and gentle swaying presence, jellyfish make some of the most charming and whimsical amigurumi projects you can create. Whether you are a beginner picking up a crochet hook for the first time or an experienced maker looking for a quick and satisfying project, this little jellyfish is the perfect choice. In this post, you will find a complete, free PDF pattern with step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and everything you need to bring your own soft little sea creature to life.

Before we dive into the pattern itself, let us talk about why jellyfish amigurumi have become so beloved in the crochet community. They are beginner-friendly because the body is essentially a simple dome shape worked in the round, which means no complicated shaping, no confusing increases and decreases stacked on top of each other, and no intimidating construction. The tentacles are just long chains or simple crocheted strands that hang freely, giving your finished jellyfish that beautiful, floaty look. They are also incredibly versatile — you can make them as ornaments, baby mobile pieces, keychains, bag charms, or simply sweet little decorations to sit on a shelf. Once you make one, you will almost certainly want to make a whole ocean of them in every color imaginable.

What You Will Need

To make this little jellyfish amigurumi, you do not need a large supply of materials. In fact, this is one of those projects that works wonderfully for using up scraps of yarn left over from other projects. Here is what to gather before you begin.

Yarn: A light worsted weight or DK weight yarn works beautifully for this pattern. You will need a main color for the body and tentacles — any soft, smooth yarn will give you clean stitch definition that makes the finished piece look polished. Popular choices include pastel colors like lavender, mint, soft pink, coral, and baby blue, though bold colors like teal, deep purple, or even variegated oceanic yarns look absolutely stunning. You will also want a small amount of black yarn or embroidery floss if you choose to embroider the face.

Hook: A 3.5mm or 4mm crochet hook is ideal for most worsted and DK weight yarns. The goal is to work at a tight enough tension that the stuffing will not show through the stitches, so if you tend to crochet loosely, consider going down half a size.

Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill is the standard choice and works perfectly here. Use just enough to give the bell a soft, rounded shape without overstuffing, which can distort the stitches.

Eyes: 6mm or 9mm safety eyes are the easiest option and give your jellyfish that classic amigurumi look. If you are making this for a child under three years old, skip the safety eyes and embroider the eyes instead using black yarn or embroidery floss.

Yarn needle: You will need a blunt tapestry needle for weaving in ends and, if you choose, for embroidering facial features.

Scissors: A small, sharp pair for cutting yarn cleanly.

Stitch markers: Optional but helpful for keeping track of the beginning of each round.

Abbreviations and Stitches Used

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology. Here is a quick reference for all the stitches you will encounter.

MR — Magic ring (also called a magic circle or adjustable ring)

ch — chain

sl st — slip stitch

sc — single crochet

inc — increase (two single crochets worked into the same stitch)

dec — decrease (invisible decrease: insert hook into front loop of next stitch, then front loop of the stitch after that, yarn over and pull through both loops, yarn over and pull through remaining two loops)

st(s) — stitch(es)

rnd — round

FO — fasten off

Working in continuous rounds is how this pattern is constructed, meaning you do not join at the end of each round with a slip stitch unless instructed. Using a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round will help you keep your place.

Gauge

Gauge is not critical for this pattern since there is no need to match a specific size. However, working at approximately 4 stitches per inch with a 4mm hook and worsted weight yarn will give you a jellyfish bell that is roughly 3 to 3.5 inches wide and about 2.5 inches tall, which is a lovely, palm-sized little creature. If you want a larger jellyfish, simply go up in yarn weight and hook size.

The Free Pattern: Crochet Little Jellyfish Amigurumi

Part One: The Bell (Body)

The bell is the rounded top portion of the jellyfish. It is worked from the top down, starting with a magic ring.

Round 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring. (6 sts)

Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)

Round 3: [Sc 1, inc] repeat 6 times. (18 sts)

Round 4: [Sc 2, inc] repeat 6 times. (24 sts)

Round 5: [Sc 3, inc] repeat 6 times. (30 sts)

Round 6: [Sc 4, inc] repeat 6 times. (36 sts)

Round 7: Sc in each st around. (36 sts)

Round 8: Sc in each st around. (36 sts)

Round 9: Sc in each st around. (36 sts)

Round 10: [Sc 4, dec] repeat 6 times. (30 sts)

Round 11: Sc in each st around. (30 sts)

At this point, attach your safety eyes between rounds 6 and 7, spacing them approximately 6 stitches apart. This is also the time to add any embroidered details like a little smile if you want your jellyfish to have a face. Once the eyes are secured, begin stuffing the bell with fiberfill. Add enough to give it a nicely rounded dome shape.

Round 12: [Sc 3, dec] repeat 6 times. (24 sts)

Round 13: [Sc 2, dec] repeat 6 times. (18 sts)

Round 14: [Sc 1, dec] repeat 6 times. (12 sts)

Round 15: Dec 6 times. (6 sts)

Add any remaining stuffing to top off the bell, then fasten off, leaving a tail. Use your yarn needle to weave the tail through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches, pull tight to close the opening, and weave in the end securely. Your bell is complete.

Part Two: The Ruffle Skirt (Optional but Adorable)

This little ruffled edge gives your jellyfish the look of those beautiful translucent frills you see on moon jellies. It is completely optional but adds a lovely decorative detail. To add it, you will work into the front loops only of round 10 (the first decrease round near the opening of the bell).

Attach your yarn with a slip stitch to any stitch in round 10 (working into the front loops only).

Ruffle: [Ch 3, sl st into the next front loop] repeat around the entire round. (36 ch-3 loops)

Fasten off and weave in the end. You can use the same color as your body yarn, or try a slightly lighter or more transparent color if you have it for that shimmery jellyfish effect.

Part Three: The Tentacles

This is where your jellyfish really comes to life. You will attach the tentacles directly to the open bottom edge of the bell, working into the stitches of round 15 or the remaining loops along the bottom opening.

There is more than one approach here, and you can customize freely. The most common method is to work directly into the bottom edge stitches or to use the remaining loops from where you decreased.

Standard Tentacle Method:

Reattach your yarn anywhere along the bottom opening of the jellyfish body. You will make tentacles of varying lengths to mimic the natural, uneven flow of real jellyfish tentacles.

For each tentacle, work a chain of the desired length directly from the stitch on the body. Here are suggested lengths for a nicely varied look.

Make 4 tentacles that are 20 chains long.

Make 4 tentacles that are 15 chains long.

Make 4 tentacles that are 25 chains long.

After chaining, you can simply fasten off each one, leaving the chain loose and free to curl and sway. For a slightly more textured tentacle, try working a slip stitch back up the chain after you finish it — this creates a gentle natural curl in each tentacle.

Curly Tentacle Method:

For each tentacle, chain the desired number of stitches. Then, working back along the chain, work 2 sc into each chain stitch all the way back to the base. This creates a tight, springy coil that gives your jellyfish a wonderfully playful look.

Make as many tentacles as you like, spacing them evenly around the bottom opening. Eight to twelve tentacles is a good range for a balanced look.

Fasten off after each tentacle and weave in the end, or carry the yarn along the bottom edge between tentacles if you prefer fewer ends to weave in.

Part Four: The Face

The face is simple and sweet. If you used safety eyes, your jellyfish already has a bright, cheerful gaze. To add a smile, use a length of black yarn or embroidery floss and a yarn needle to embroider a small curved line beneath the eyes — just a gentle arc of three or four stitches is all it takes.

You can also add tiny rosy cheeks using a pink or peach yarn, embroidering small circles or ovals on either side of the face between the eyes and the smile. Some makers use a small amount of pink chalk or blush cosmetic powder applied lightly with a cotton swab for the same soft effect.

Tips for the Best Results

Working through a few small details can make a big difference in how your finished jellyfish looks and feels.

Close the magic ring tightly and weave the tail end through several stitches before trimming to prevent it from loosening over time. A loose top knot is one of the most common issues with amigurumi and it is worth taking a moment to secure it well.

Use the invisible decrease throughout this pattern. The standard decrease (yarn over, pull through two stitches at once in the usual way) can create small holes in your work. The invisible decrease, which picks up only the front loops of the two stitches being decreased, gives a much smoother and cleaner result.

When you attach your tentacles, try to space them evenly around the opening. Folding the bottom edge into quarters first and placing a stitch marker at each quarter point gives you a guide for even spacing.

If you are making this jellyfish as a mobile piece or hanging ornament, you can leave a long tail when you close the top of the bell and use it to attach a length of monofilament or thin ribbon for hanging. Alternatively, you can sew a small ribbon loop directly to the top of the bell.

For a more luminous, ocean-inspired look, try using a yarn with a slight sheen or a glitter thread held together with your main yarn for the tentacles. Cotton yarn gives a beautiful crisp stitch definition, while acrylic yarn in pastel shades gives that soft, plush amigurumi texture that photographs so beautifully.

Color Ideas and Variations

One of the most joyful things about making jellyfish amigurumi is how many beautiful color combinations you can explore. Here are a few ideas to spark your creativity.

A soft lavender bell with lilac tentacles and pale pink ruffles gives a romantic, fairy-tale feel. Pair it with pearl white safety eyes for an ethereal look.

A coral and peach combination with bright orange tentacles feels warm and tropical. This color palette looks especially lovely in a cotton yarn.

A deep navy or midnight blue bell with silver or white tentacles creates a dramatic, bioluminescent effect. Add a tiny cluster of seed beads or sequins to the ruffles for extra sparkle.

Variegated yarn in ocean tones — aqua, teal, seafoam, and pale grey — creates a jellyfish that looks almost iridescent and changes color as you work around the rounds.

A pastel rainbow jellyfish made with a different color for each round of the bell is a cheerful, playful option that works beautifully for children’s rooms and nurseries.

How to Save This Pattern as a PDF

To save this free pattern as a PDF for your own use, simply select all the text from this page, paste it into a word processing document, format it to your liking, and use your program’s export or print-to-PDF function to save it. You are also welcome to print it directly from your browser. Keeping a printed or saved copy on hand while you crochet is much easier than scrolling back and forth on a screen, and many crocheters like to mark off each round as they complete it.

Making a Jellyfish Amigurumi Mobile

A group of these little jellyfish in complementary colors makes the most enchanting baby mobile or wall hanging. To make a mobile, create five to seven jellyfish in a variety of soft, coordinating colors. Cut lengths of monofilament or thin twine in varying lengths — some shorter, some longer — and attach one end securely to the top of each jellyfish and the other end to a small driftwood branch, a wooden dowel, or a decorative hoop. Arrange them so the jellyfish hang at slightly different heights, creating a layered, floating effect. This type of mobile makes a truly memorable handmade gift for a new baby and is the kind of piece that gets kept and treasured for years.

A Note on Sizing

This pattern makes a jellyfish that sits comfortably in the palm of an adult hand. If you want to make a smaller version — perhaps as a keychain or bag charm — simply work the same pattern in fingering weight yarn with a 2mm or 2.5mm hook and use tiny 4mm safety eyes. The finished piece will be roughly half the size and just as adorable. For a larger plush version, try super bulky yarn with a 6mm or larger hook and increase all the chain lengths for the tentacles proportionally.

Finishing and Caring for Your Jellyfish

Once your jellyfish is complete, weave in all remaining ends securely and give it a gentle tug to settle the stuffing and even out the stitches. If you used cotton yarn, a light steam or blocking with cool water can help the stitches relax into a more even appearance. Acrylic yarn does not typically need blocking.

To clean your finished amigurumi, hand washing in cool water with a small amount of mild soap is the safest method. Gently squeeze out the water without wringing, then reshape the bell and allow it to dry flat or hang it upside down so the tentacles dry straight. Most safety eyes are water-resistant, but it is always wise to avoid soaking the piece for extended periods.

Final Thoughts

This little crochet jellyfish amigurumi is the kind of project that brings a smile to your face from the moment you pick up your hook. It is quick enough to finish in a single afternoon, satisfying enough to feel like a real accomplishment, and charming enough that everyone who sees it will want one of their own. Whether you make a single jellyfish as a desk companion, a whole school of them in every color for a nursery mobile, or a tiny version to dangle from your keys, the result is always the same — a small, soft piece of the ocean that you made entirely with your own hands.

Download or save this free pattern PDF, gather your yarn scraps, and cast on your first magic ring. The ocean is waiting.