This free pastel jellyfish crochet pattern is made from two straightforward parts: a stuffed bell worked in continuous rounds and spiral tentacles that curl as you crochet. There’s no complicated colorwork, tricky assembly, or advanced stitchwork to worry about.
Whether you’ve already made plenty of amigurumi or are starting your first project, the instructions will guide you through each stage. Newer crocheters get clear steps to follow, while more experienced makers can enjoy the relaxing repetition of the curling tentacles. Let’s get started.
About This Crochet Pattern
This hanging amigurumi jellyfish has a rounded bell-shaped body, an embroidered kawaii face, and curly spiral tentacles in soft pastel rainbow shades. The body is seamless and worked in continuous rounds from the top of the bell down. Once it is firmly stuffed, close the base and attach the curled tentacles around the lower edge.
A short piece of twine or jute cord at the crown makes a simple hanging loop. Safety eyes and an embroidered smile bring the jellyfish’s face to life, while rosy cheeks add a final touch.
Skill level: Intermediate beginner. You should be comfortable crocheting in continuous rounds, making even increases and decreases, and inserting safety eyes before closing a piece. The spiral tentacles call for careful counting along a foundation chain, but they do not use advanced stitches.
Estimated time: About 4 to 6 hours for an experienced beginner. If this is your first amigurumi project, allow up to 8 hours, including time to shape the tentacles.
Finished Measurements
- Bell diameter: approximately 3.5 inches (9 cm)
- Bell height: approximately 2.75 inches (7 cm)
- Total hanging length, including tentacles: approximately 10 to 11 inches (25 to 28 cm)
Measurements are based on the yarn and hook listed below and the stated gauge.
Materials Needed
Yarn:
- DK weight yarn (CYCA 3 / Light), preferably 100 percent cotton or a cotton blend for clear stitches and a firm fabric.
- Main color (MC): Pink pastel, approximately 40 yards (37 meters)
- Tentacle colors (TC1 through TC5): Peach, yellow, lavender, mint, and soft pink pastels, approximately 8 to 10 yards (7 to 9 meters) each
Hook: US size D-3 / 3.25 mm crochet hook. A snug fabric helps keep stuffing from showing through.
Notions:
- 2 black safety eyes, 6 mm
- Polyfill stuffing, small amount (approximately 0.5 oz / 15 g)
- Pink embroidery floss or yarn, small length for cheek blush
- Black embroidery floss or yarn, small length for smile
- Stitch marker
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Twine, jute cord, or thin ribbon, approximately 18 inches (46 cm) for hanging loop
Recommended Yarn Suggestions
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK: This yarn has excellent stitch definition, is widely available, washes well, and comes in pastel shades. Use Blush for the main color and combine your choice of pastels for the tentacles.
Paintbox Yarns Simply DK: Although it is 100 percent acrylic, it has a matte, cotton-like look. It is affordable and available in a wide range of pastels. Its slight stretch can make stuffing easier.
Drops Safran (Sport/DK): This 100 percent Egyptian cotton has a lovely drape and structure, with crisp stitch definition. It is a little thinner, so be sure to check your tension with a swatch.
Substitution note: Any DK or light worsted weight yarn that creates a dense fabric is suitable. Skip fuzzy or bouclé yarns, since the stitch definition is important to the texture and shape of the tentacle spirals. If your swatch has gaps between stitches, try a hook one size smaller.
Gauge
12 single crochet (sc) x 14 rounds = 2 inches x 2 inches (5 cm x 5 cm) worked in continuous single crochet rounds with US D-3 / 3.25 mm hook.
Matching gauge helps the jellyfish reach the intended size and keeps the fabric dense enough to hide the stuffing.
To check gauge: chain 14, work 14 rows of sc, measure the center of your swatch.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet (insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
- sc2tog: single crochet two together (a decrease that consumes 2 stitches and produces 1 stitch)
- inc: increase (2 sc worked into the same stitch, produces 2 stitches from 1)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- MR: magic ring
- PM: place marker
- rnd(s): round(s)
- rep: repeat
- approx: approximately
- MC: main color
- TC: tentacle color
Special Stitches and Techniques
Magic Ring (MR)
A magic ring gives the top of your work a neat, tightly closed center. To make one:
- Wrap yarn around two fingers, crossing the working yarn over the tail end to form a loop.
- Insert hook into the center of the loop, draw up a loop of working yarn, chain 1 (this does not count as a stitch).
- Work the required number of sc into the ring, then pull the tail end firmly to close the ring completely.
If you find magic rings difficult, chain 2 and work the starting stitches into the second chain from the hook instead. The opening may not close quite as tightly, but this alternative works.
Spiral Tentacle
The tentacle is made from a flat foundation chain with stitches worked back along it—not in rounds. This technique makes the strip curl into a coil naturally.
- Using your desired tentacle color, leave a 6-inch (15 cm) tail for attaching. Make a slip knot and chain 26.
- Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, work 3 sc into each chain stitch all the way back to the starting tail end.
- As you work the 3 sc into each chain, the strip will naturally begin to curl and coil into a spiral shape. Do not fight this curl. Allow it to happen.
- At the end of the chain, fasten off, leaving a 6-inch (15 cm) tail for attaching.
Result: One finished tentacle measuring approximately 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm) in its curled spiral form.
Tension tip: Keep your chain relaxed and even. Tighter chains make shorter, tighter spirals; looser chains create longer, more dramatic curls. Adjust the tension to suit the look you want.
Pattern Notes Before You Begin
- The bell is worked in continuous rounds. Do not join with a slip stitch at the end of each round unless instructed. Use a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round, moving it up as you work.
- The right side faces outward throughout. You are always looking at the exterior of the bell as you work.
- Stuff the bell firmly but not so tightly that the stitches are distorted. Add stuffing gradually as you work the decreases.
- Insert and secure the safety eyes before the decrease rounds make the opening too small for your fingers. The instructions identify the right round for this.
- Cheek blush is optional. Make the circles with a few satin stitches in pink embroidery floss, or lightly apply pink chalk pastel or blush to the finished piece with a cotton swab.
- Embroider the smile with one strand of black floss, using a backstitch to form a gentle upward curve.
- Attach the tentacles after the bell has been closed and finished.
Jellyfish Bell Instructions
Using MC (pink pastel), begin with a magic ring.
Round 1: Work 6 sc into the magic ring. Pull ring closed. PM in first stitch of this round. (6 sts)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Round 3: (Sc 1, inc) rep 6 times. (18 sts)
Round 4: (Sc 2, inc) rep 6 times. (24 sts)
Round 5: (Sc 3, inc) rep 6 times. (30 sts)
Round 6: (Sc 4, inc) rep 6 times. (36 sts)
Round 7: (Sc 5, inc) rep 6 times. (42 sts)
Round 8: Sc in each st around. (42 sts)
Round 9: Sc in each st around. (42 sts)
Round 10: Sc in each st around. (42 sts)
Round 11: Sc in each st around. (42 sts)
Checkpoint
After Round 11, the bell should measure approximately 2.75 to 3 inches (7 to 7.5 cm) across at its widest point and approximately 1.75 inches (4.5 cm) in height from top to working edge. The fabric should feel firm, with no visible gaps.
Safety Eye and Face Placement
Add the face details before starting Round 12.
Safety eyes: Insert them between Rounds 5 and 6 of the bell (counting down from the top), approximately 6 to 7 stitches apart horizontally, centered on the front of the bell. Position them in the upper-center-front area. From inside, press the locking backs firmly onto the safety eye posts.
Smile: Use black embroidery floss to make a small curved smile approximately 3 to 4 stitches below and between the eyes. Work a gentle upward arc of 4 to 5 backstitches, then secure the ends inside.
Cheeks (optional): Use pink embroidery floss or chalk pastel to add a small rosy circle below and to the outside of each eye.
Continue Decreasing
Round 12: (Sc 5, sc2tog) rep 6 times. (36 sts)
Round 13: Sc in each st around. (36 sts)
Round 14: (Sc 4, sc2tog) rep 6 times. (30 sts)
Round 15: (Sc 3, sc2tog) rep 6 times. (24 sts)
Add stuffing at this point. Fill the bell about three-quarters full with polyfill so it forms a plump dome, but take care not to overstuff it.
Round 16: (Sc 2, sc2tog) rep 6 times. (18 sts)
Round 17: (Sc 1, sc2tog) rep 6 times. (12 sts)
Add another small pinch of stuffing if needed to keep the dome’s shape.
Round 18: (Sc2tog) rep 6 times. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a 10-inch (25 cm) tail. Thread tail onto yarn needle and weave through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches. Pull firmly to close the gap completely. Weave in end securely on the inside.
Final Checkpoint
The closed bell should be approximately 3.5 inches (9 cm) across at its widest diameter and approximately 2.75 inches (7 cm) tall. Check that the dome is smooth and even, with no flat spots.
Hanging Cord
Cut a length of twine or jute cord measuring 16 to 18 inches (40 to 46 cm). Thread both ends onto a yarn needle (or fold in half and use a loop). Insert the needle through the very top center of the bell, through the closed magic ring point. Pull halfway through and tie both ends in a knot to form a hanging loop of your preferred size.
Alternatively, thread the cord from bottom to top and knot it inside.
Tentacle Instructions
Make 10 tentacles in total: 2 in each of the 5 pastel colors (peach, yellow, lavender, mint, pink).
For each tentacle:
Using tentacle color, leave a 6-inch (15 cm) starting tail. Chain 26.
Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, work 3 sc into each chain across. (25 chains worked, 75 sc total in the tentacle strip)
Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch (15 cm) finishing tail.
The strip will coil naturally into a spiral as you work. Completed tentacle length in coiled form: approximately 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm).
Repeat until you have 10 tentacles total.
Attaching the Tentacles
Attach the tentacles around the lower opening of the bell, approximately at the Round 11 to 12 level on the outside, just inside the slight flare at the base.
Look at the outside of the bell’s base. You should see a slight ridge or natural edge where the bell starts to curve inward for the decreases.
Thread one tentacle tail onto a yarn needle. Insert the needle through the base edge of the bell from outside to inside. Bring the second tail through a neighboring stitch or the same spot. Tie both tails together in a firm double knot on the inside of the bell. Trim tails to approximately 0.5 inches (1.2 cm).
Spacing: With 42 stitches at Round 11, place one tentacle approximately every 4 stitches. This spaces 10 tentacles at roughly equal intervals with slight adjustment.
Color arrangement: Arrange colors in a repeating rainbow order: peach, yellow, lavender, mint, pink, peach, yellow, lavender, mint, pink. Feel free to customize this order to your preference.
After attaching all the tentacles, give each one a gentle downward tug to check that it is secure. The spirals should hang freely and curl naturally.
With all 10 tentacles in place, the finished jellyfish should measure approximately 10 to 11 inches (25 to 28 cm) from the hanging cord knot to the lowest tentacle tip.
Size Customization Tips
For a larger jellyfish: Use worsted weight yarn (CYCA 4) with a US size F-5 / 3.75 mm hook. The bell will measure approximately 4.5 to 5 inches (11 to 13 cm) in diameter. Increase tentacle chain length to 36 chains for longer spirals.
For a miniature jellyfish: Use fingering weight yarn (CYCA 1) with a US size B-1 / 2.25 mm hook. Stop increasing after Round 6 (36 sts), then work even rounds and continue with the decreases. A tentacle chain length of 16 will make proportionate spirals.
For fuller tentacles: Make 12 to 14 tentacles instead of 10 and space approximately every 3 stitches around the base.
For longer or shorter tentacles: Add or subtract chains in multiples of 2. Each additional 2 chains adds approximately 0.5 inches (1.2 cm) to the finished coiled tentacle length.
Finishing and Blocking
Use a yarn needle to weave all ends securely on the inside of the bell. Work each end back through at least 4 stitches in two directions to help prevent unraveling.
For cotton yarn: Lightly mist the finished bell with water, gently shape the dome with your hands, and let it air dry completely on a clean surface.
For acrylic yarn: Steam blocking is not recommended for this project because the stuffed dome holds its shape well. A light mist and a gentle reshaping by hand are enough.
The tentacles do not need blocking; their natural coil is part of the design. If they feel too stiff, mist them lightly with water and gently guide the spiral with your fingers.
Care Instructions
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Do not wring the jellyfish. Press it gently between two clean towels to remove extra water, reshape the dome while damp, and hang it by the cord to dry or lay it flat.
If the yarn is machine-washable acrylic, you can use a delicate cycle and a mesh laundry bag. Air dry only. Do not tumble dry, as heat can cause the polyfill to clump and the safety eyes to crack.
Do not iron directly over the safety eyes.
Safety note: This item contains small parts (safety eyes) and polyfill stuffing. It is intended as a decorative hanging ornament and is not suitable for children under 3 years of age.
Making the Mint Green Version
The reference images show two jellyfish: one pink with rainbow tentacles, and another in mint green with tentacles shaded from mint to white. To make the mint version, use a soft mint pastel for the main color and choose different mint and white shades for the tentacles instead of the rainbow palette.
The construction is identical for both versions; only the colors change.
You Did It!
I hope you enjoy making this rainbow pastel jellyfish as much as I enjoyed designing it. These little jellyfish make lovely nursery mobiles, baby shower gifts, or cheerful desk companions. The spiral tentacles are especially fun to crochet, and it’s a treat to watch them curl as you work.
If this crochet tutorial was helpful, save it to your Pinterest boards so it’s easy to find when you’re ready to start. If you make a jellyfish, leave a comment below or share a photo—I love seeing your finished projects!
--kiji kiji--
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