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QP May 2020 – Jellyfish or Squid Amigurumi

Jellyfish or Squid Amigurumi

May 2020 QuickProjects

Designed by Lauren Samar for Yarn Bits Shop

Feel free to email for pattern help or questions: help@yarnbitsshop.com

Amigurumi is a Japanese word that means “crochet or knitted stuffed toy”. It is very popular in the crochet world and people make all sorts of toys- from animals to dolls to various characters from movies and more! 

This pattern features two options: a squid or a jellyfish. The main difference between the two is the body shape. The squid is sleeker with a rounded fin at the top. The jellyfish is more spherical and wider. The curly tentacles are made (with variations offered) and are attached to the body’s base in the same way for both patterns. The ombré yarn makes for a visually appealing change as the body is worked as well as a variation of tentacle colors. Hopefully this is just the starting point for your journey into the wonderful world of amigurumi!

Jellyfish or Squid Amigurumi Pattern

Supplies: One skein of Hoooked Wavy Blend, Size G hook, needle, stuffing of choice

Skill: Easy

Gauge: 9 rows of 8 sc = 2 in x 2 in

Dimensions: Squid: 11.75 in circumference, 9 in tall (body only); Jellyfish: 19.5 in circumference, 6.5 in tall (body only); Tentacles add ~14 in to height

Abbreviated Stitches

inc = 2 sc in sp

inc2 = 3 sc in sp

dec = sc2tog over 2 sp (place hook in first sp, yo and draw loop through, place hook in next sp, yo and draw loop through, yo and pull through all 3 loops on hook)

Pattern Notes

The  patterns for the body of both the Jellyfish and Squid are read slightly differently to make it easier to track the rounds as well as the changing stitches. If the next part of the row is simply a number that means to crochet 1 sc in each of the next number of spaces. An example: Round 4 of the Jellyfish pattern is crocheted as: sc in next 2 sp, inc in next, sc in next 3 sp, inc in next sp… Another important note about  the patterns, the body is crocheted continuously to avoid creating a seam. There are no beginning ch or (at the end of the round) sl  st to first st. The center of the head should look like a spiral for both patterns.

The patterns themselves are spread out over the inside of the booklet as well as a separate sheet with the body pattern due to its length. See Color Notes to get started

Color Notes

Before starting the pattern, decide the color change gradient- both patterns are worked from top to bottom the way the color would change depends on whether you work the skein from center out or outside in.

After that is decided, decide if you want to use some of the color that you’re starting with for the tentacles. If you’re working from the center of the skein, making 1 or 2 legs before starting the body means you have those color tentacles prior to using up that shade in the body. Same is true for crocheting the base first. Also- using up some of the beginning color means that the color will change a bit quicker (especially with the squid pattern since it is long and uses less yarn therefore only may be 2 shades in the body total). It is only recommended to make 1-2 tentacles and maybe the base prior to making the body. After the body is made, the remaining yarn is used for the legs. The number of legs/length of legs is dependent on the amount of yarn left.

Jellyfish Amigurumi 

Body:

Make magic ring and crochet 5 sc in loop (Round 1). Place a stitch marker or piece of yarn through the last stitch to keep track of the last stitch in all rounds going forward. 

__Round 2:  inc, inc, inc, inc, inc2 [11 sts]

__Round 3:  inc, 1, inc, 1, inc, 1, inc, 1, inc, 1, inc [17 sts]

__Round 4:  2, inc, 3, inc, 2, inc, 3, inc, 2, inc [22 sts]

__Round 5:  inc, 2, inc, 3, inc, 3, inc, 2, inc, 3, inc, 3 [28 sts]

__Round 6:  1, inc, 4, inc, 5, inc, 5, inc, 4, inc, 4 [33 sts]

__Round 7:  4, inc, 5, inc, 6, inc, 6, inc, 5, inc, 2 [38 sts]

__Round 8:  6, inc, 6, inc, 7, inc, 7, inc, 6, inc, 1 [43 sts]

__Round 9:  1, inc, 8, inc, 7, inc, 8, inc, 8, inc, 6 [48 sts]

__Round 10:  inc, 11, inc, 11, inc, 11, inc, 11 [52 sts] 

__Round 11:  4, inc, 12, inc, 12, inc, 12, inc, 8 [56 sts]

__Round 12:  9, inc, 13, inc, 13, inc, 13, inc, 4 [60 sts] 

__Round 13:  inc, 14, inc, 14, inc, 14, inc, 14 [64 sts]

__Round 14:  13, inc, 20, inc, 20, inc, 8 [67 sts]

__Round 15:  22, inc, 21, inc, 21, inc [70 sts]

__Round 16:  11, inc, 23, inc, 22, inc, 11 [73 sts]

__Round 17:  29, inc, 36, inc, 6 [75 sts]

__Round 18:  11, inc, 36, inc, 26 [77 sts]

__Round 19:  10, inc, 66 [78 sts] 

__Round 20:  49, inc, 28 [79 sts] 

__Round 21:  9, inc, 69 [80 sts]

__Round 22:  80 [80 sts] 

__Round 23:  80 [80 sts] 

__Round 24:  49, dec, 29 [79 sts] 

__Round 25:  10, dec, 67 [78 sts] 

__Round 26:  48, dec, 28 [77 sts] 

__Round 27:  30, dec, 36, dec, 7 [75 sts]

__Round 28:  12, dec, 36, dec, 23 [73 sts] 

__Round 29:  1, dec, 22, dec, 23, dec, 21 [70 sts] 

__Round 30:  13, dec, 21, dec, 22, dec, 8 [67 sts] 

__Round 31:  4, dec, 20, dec, 20, dec, 17 [64 sts] 

__Round 32:  8, dec, 14, dec, 14, dec, 14, dec, 6 [60 sts] 

__Round 33: 60 [60 sts]

__Round 34: 60, sl st into next st to finish body. [60 sts] 

Skirt:

__Round 35: ch 3, in front loop only- 3 dc in each st around, sl st to first dc, fasten off and weave in end.  [180 dc] This round should be rippled. 

Finishing:

Make base and tentacles. Attach all tentacles to base. Stuff body with stuffing of choice. 

Using the tail from the base, line up the stitches from the base with the last round of the body interior. Sew lined up stitches together around. Tie off and weave in all ends. 

If desired, add eyes and/or a mouth with yarn, buttons, or safety eyes. 

Squid Amigurumi 

Rounded Fin: 

Make magic ring and crochet 6 sc in loop (Round 1). Place a stitch marker or piece of yarn through the last stitch to keep track of the last stitch in all rounds going forward. 

__Round 2: inc, 2, inc, 2 [8 sts]

__Round 3: inc, 3, inc, 3 [10 sts]

__Round 4: inc, 4, inc, 4 [12 sts]

__Round 5: inc, 5, inc, 5 [14 sts]

__Round 6: inc, 6, inc, 6 [16 sts]

__Round 7: inc, 7, inc, 7 [18 sts]

__Round 8: inc, 8, inc, 8 [20 sts]

__Round 9: inc, 9, inc, 9 [22 sts]

__Round 10: inc, 10, inc, 10 [24 sts]

__Round 11: inc, 11, inc, 11 [26 sts]

__Round 12: inc, 12, inc, 12 [28 sts]

__Round 13: inc, 13, inc, 13 [30 sts]

__Round 14: 30 [30 sts]

__Round 15: 30 [30 sts]

__Round 16: dec, 5, dec, 6, dec, 5, dec, 6 [26 sts]

__Round 17: dec, 4, dec, 5, dec, 4, dec, 5 [22 sts]

__Round 18: dec, 3, dec 4, dec, 3, dec, 4 [18 sts] 

__Round 19: 18 [18 sts]

__Round 20: 18 [18 sts]

Body:

__Round 21: inc, 2, inc, 2, inc, 2, inc, 2, inc, 2, inc, 2 [24 sts]

__Round 22: 3, inc, 3, inc, 3, inc, 3, inc, 3, inc, 3, inc [30 sts]

__Round 23: inc, 4, inc, 4, inc, 4, inc, 4, inc, 4, inc, 4 [36 sts] 

__Round 24: 36 [36 sts]

__Round 25: 5, inc, 5, inc, 5, inc, 5, inc, 5, inc, 5, inc [42 sts]

__Round 26: 42 [42 sts]

__Round 27: 42 [42 sts]

__Round 28: inc, 6, inc, 6, inc, 6, inc, 6, inc, 6, inc, 6 [48 sts] 

__Round 29-34: 48 [48 sts]

__Round 35: 7, dec, 14, dec, 14, dec, 7 [45 sts]

__Round 36: dec, 13, dec, 13, dec, 13 [42 sts]

__Round 37: 6 dec, 12, dec, 12, dec, 6 [39 sts]

__Round 38: dec, 11, dec, 11, dec, 11 [36 sts]

__Round 39-42: 36 [36 sts]

Crochet two more rounds in the same fashion as the last two rounds and cut a long tail of the yarn. These two rounds will be taken out and redone with the base- this is to preserve the same color yarn for the end of the body AFTER all the tentacles are made and attached to the base. 

Finishing: 

Make base and tentacles. Attach all tentacles to base. Stuff body with stuffing of choice. Take out Rounds 43 and 44. 

Round 43: line up base with stitches from Round 42, sc in each set of lined up sp (picking up one sp from body and 1 sp from base at the same time) around. Base is attached. [36 sts]

Round 44: 36 (1 sc in each sp around to beg) [36 sts]. Sl st into next st to smooth edge. Fasten off and weave in end

If desired, add eyes and/or a mouth with yarn, buttons, or safety eyes. 

Base Patterns

The base is where the tentacles are attached prior to the base being sewed or crocheted to the bottom of the body. Both patterns  are the same for Rounds 1-6 and the Jellyfish base needs an additional 4 rounds.

Make magic ring.

Round 1: ch 1, 6 sc in ring, sl st to first st [6 sts]

Round 2: ch 1, 2 sc in each sp around, sl st to first st [12 sts]

Round 3: ch 1, *2 sc in first sp, 1 sc in next sp**, repeat from * to ** around, sl st to first st [18 sts]

Round 4: ch 1, *2 sc in first sp, 1 sc in next 2 sp**, repeat from * to ** around, sl st to first st [24 sts]

Round 5: ch 1, *2 sc in first sp, 1 sc in next 3 sp**, repeat from * to ** around, sl st to first st [30 sts]

Round 6: ch 1, *2 sc in first sp, 1 sc in next 4 sp**, repeat from * to ** around, sl st to first st [36 sts]

For Jellyfish, continue with rounds 7-10.  For Squid, fasten off and weave in ends.

Base continued (Jellyfish only)

Round 7: ch 1, *2 sc in first sp, 1 sc in next 5 sp**, repeat from * to ** around, sl st to first st [42 sts]

Round 8: ch 1, *2 sc in first sp, 1 sc in next 6 sp**, repeat from * to ** around, sl st to first st [48 sts]

Round 9: ch 1, *2 sc in first sp, 1 sc in next 7 sp**, repeat from * to ** around, sl st to first st [54 sts]

Round 10: ch 1, *4 sc in first sp, 1 sc in next 8 sp**, repeat from * to ** around, sl st to first st [60 sts]

Fasten off with a long tail. This tail will be used to sew the base to the body.

Tentacles Pattern

The tentacles are made by chaining a length and crocheting multiple stitches into each sp across. The more stitches added to a space, the curlier. The taller the stitch (dc is taller then sc for example), the wider the tentacles. Different hook sizes may cause variations as well!

In the example image, all the legs were created with 3 hdc in each sp across for a looser curl.  Below is a template pattern for this design but feel free to experiment with lengths of the tentacles and tightness/width of the curls. For longer legs, ch more stitches. For a tighter curl, crochet more stitches in each sp. For a wider curl, replace hdc with dc across.

Pattern:

Leaving a tail that can be tied easily, ch 52  with the first ch a bit more loose. Hdc in 3rd sp from hook, 2 more hdc in same sp, 3 hdc in each sp across. Fasten off.

If the above pattern is followed, there is enough yarn for 8-10 legs. More or less legs may be desired! Start with a few  on the base and add more from there as desired. More yarn is used up with the jellyfish body so the length should be close to the above pattern. The squid would look nice with fewer but longer legs.

Attaching tentacles to base

The tentacles will have two tails on one end of the leg. Using these tails, place the  tentacles in desired position on right side of base and pull the tails through to the wrong side and double knot the tentacle in place. Repeat for all tentacles.

After the body is completed and all tentacles are attached to the base, the body can be stuffed then the base attached (see body pattern for instructions).

Pattern Declaimer

This is a paid pattern originally designed for a Yarn Bits Shop subscription box. 

You have permission to sell any item made from this pattern. However, you are not allowed to resell, distribute, duplicate, or share this pattern or downloads in any printed or digital form (in full), or to claim the pattern as your own original design. If you want to sell or share a picture of your work from this pattern, please clearly credit the design to me: Lauren Samar of Yarn Bits Shop (with link to the website when applicable). 

Occasionally a mistake or typo falls through, please report them via email (help@yarnbitsshop.com) and the pattern will be updated accordingly.