With his distinctive stripy belly and freely flapping fins, this amigurumi whale crochet pattern is an extremely lovable marine make. The main dark wash shade of DROPS Paris is a recycled denim yarn, which adds a bit of character and texture to the whale’s skin. This free crochet whale pattern by Becky Garratt is a great project for if you're relatively new to amigurumi, and if you need a bit of help with your first amigurumi make then check out our how to crochet amigurumi guide for some helpful tips and tricks!
You will need
Drops Paris (100% cotton, 50g/75m), or alternative Aran yarn
2 balls of
- Yarn A dark Wash (103)
1 ball each of:
- Yarn B Pistachio (39)
- Yarn C dark Turquoise (10)
- Yarn D light Purple (05)
A 4mm (US G/6) hook 2 safety eyes (9mm) Toy stuffing Stitch marker
Measurements
22cm (8½in) long
Abbreviations
You can find a full list of all abbreviations we use in our abbreviations and conversions guide. This amigurumi crochet whale pattern is written in UK terminology but you can easily convert it to US terms using the guide.
Notes
The crochet whale body is worked using the amigurumi method. Work in a continuous spiral without closing off each round with a slip stitch.
You may find it helpful to place a marker in the first st of each round and move it up as you work. The Under Belly is worked as a separate piece and sewn on afterwards.
If you fancy hooking up a whole menagerie of amigurumi animals, you'll find loads of amazing patterns in our pick of the best amigurumi animal crochet patterns! There's over 30 patterns to choose, from dogs to donkeys!
Free crochet whale pattern
Body
Using Yarn A, make a crochet magic loop.
Round 1 (RS) 5dc into the loop, ss to the first dc to join. [5 dc]
Round 2 2dc in each st around. [10 dc]
Round 3 (1dc in the next st, 2dc in the next st) 5 times. [15 dc]
Round 4 (1dc in each of the next 2 sts, 2dc in the next st) 5 times. [20 dc]
Round 5 (1dc in each of the next 3 sts, 2dc in the next st) 5 times. [25 dc]
Round 6 (1dc in each of the next 4 sts, 2dc in the next st) 5 times. [30 dc]
Round 7 (1dc in each of the next 5 sts, 2dc in the next st) 5 times. [35 dc]
Round 8 (1dc in each of the next 6 sts, 2dc in the next st) 5 times. [40 dc]
Rounds 9-15 Dc in each st around.
Round 16 (1dc in each of the next 6 sts, dc2tog) 5 times. [35 dc]
Add the safety eyes between Rounds 15 and 16 approximately 15 sts apart. These 15 sts will be located on the belly side of the whale.
Rounds 17-19 Dc in each st around. [35 dc]
Round 20 (1dc in each of the next 5 sts, dc2tog) 5 times. [30 dc]
Rounds 21-23 Dc in each st around.
Round 24 (1dc in each of the next 4 sts, dc2tog) 5 times. [25 dc]
Rounds 25-26 Dc in each st around.
Round 27 (1dc in each of the next 3 sts, dc2tog) 5 times. [20 dc]
Rounds 28-30 Dc in each st around.
Round 31 (1dc in each of the next 2 sts, dc2tog) 5 times. [15 dc]
Round 32 Dc in each st around.
Round 33 (1dc in the next st, dc2tog) 5 times. [10 dc]
Rounds 34-35 Dc in each st around.
Stuff Body with toy stuffing.
Round 36 (Dc2tog) 5 times. [5 dc]
Fasten off.
Under belly
Using Yarn B, ch4.
Row 1 (RS) Dc in the second ch from the hook and each of the next 2 ch, turn. [3 dc]
From this point onwards, continue the colour sequence of: 2 rows Yarn C, 2 rows Yarn D, 2 rows Yarn B.
Row 2 Change to Yarn C, ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in the first st, 2dc in the next st, 1dc in the last st, turn. [4 dc]
Row 3 Ch1 (does not count as st), dc in each st across, turn.
Row 4 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in the first st, 2dc in the next st, 1dc in the last 2 sts, turn. [5 dc]
Row 5 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in the first 2 sts, 2dc in the next st, 1dc in the last 2 sts, turn. [6 dc]
Row 6 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in the first 2 sts, 2dc in the next st, 1dc in the last 3 sts, turn. [7 dc]
Row 7 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in each dc across, turn.
Row 8 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in the first 3 sts, 2dc in the next st, 1dc in the last 3 sts, turn. [8 dc]
Row 9 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in each dc across, turn.
Row 10 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in the first 3 sts, 2dc in the next st, 1dc in the last 4 sts, turn. [9 dc]
Row 11 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in each dc across, turn.
Row 12 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in the first 4 sts, 2dc in the next st, 1dc in the last 4 sts, turn. [10 dc]
Row 13 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in the first 4 sts, 2dc in the next st, 1dc in the last 5 sts, turn. [11 dc]
Rows 14-16 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in each dc across, turn.
Row 17 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in the first 5 sts, 2dc in the next st, 1dc in the last 5 sts, turn. [12 dc]
Row 18 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in the first 5 sts, 2dc in the next st, 1dc in the last 6 sts, turn. [13 dc]
Row 19 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in each dc across, turn.
Row 20 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in the first 6 sts, 2dc in the next st, 1dc in the last 6 sts, turn. [14 dc]
Rows 21-25 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in each dc across, turn.
Row 26 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in the first 6 sts, dc2tog, 1dc in the last 6 sts, turn. [13 dc]
Row 27 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in each dc across, turn.
Row 28 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in the first 5 sts, dc2tog, 1dc in the last 6 sts, turn. [12 dc]
Row 29 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in the first 5 sts, dc2tog, 1dc in the last 5 sts, turn. [11 dc]
Row 30 Ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in the first 2 sts, htr in the next 2 sts, tr in the next 3 sts, htr in the next 2 sts, 1dc in the last 2 sts. [11 sts]
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Pin this piece to the belly of the Body, making sure the eyes are evenly spaced on each side. Sew in place.
If you're enjoying this free amigurumi crochet whale pattern and want to find some more fantastic amigurumi patterns, then check out our list of the best amigurumi crochet patterns! Or why not treat yourself to a whole book of patterns, you'll find loads to inspire you in our list of the best amigurumi crochet books.
Tail (make 4)
Using Yarn A, ch5.
Row 1 (RS) Dc in the second ch from the hook and each of the next 3 ch, turn. [4 dc]
Rows 2-6 Ch1 (does not count as st), dc in each st across, turn.
Row 7 Ch1 (does not count as st), skip the first st, dc in each st across, turn. [3 dc]
Row 8 Ch1 (does not count as st), skip the first st, dc in each st across, turn. [2 dc]
Fasten off.
Holding wrong sides together, sew around the edge of 2 pieces to create one side of the tail. Repeat with the other 2 pieces and sew both to the tail end of the Body, using the image as a guide.
Flippers (make 4)
Using Yarn A, ch5.
Row 1 (RS) Dc in the second ch from the hook, htr in the next ch, tr in the next ch, dtr in the next ch, turn. [4 sts]
Rows 2-8 Ch1 (does not count as st), dc in each st across, turn. [4 dc]
Row 9 Ch1 (does not count as st), skip first st, dc in each st across, turn. [3 dc]
Row 10 Ch1 (does not count as st), skip the first st, dc in each st across, turn. [2 dc]
Fasten off.
Holding wrong sides together, sew around the edge of 2 pieces to create one flipper. Repeat with the other 2 pieces and sew both to the Body, using the image as a guide.
We hope you've enjoyed this free crochet whale pattern. If you fancy some more fun and free amigurumi projects, check out our sweet free crochet teddy bear pattern, or how about our spooky free Medusa crochet doll pattern. Or you can combine cute amigurumi with practical homewares with our crochet lamb and bunny diy plant pot covers!