I call these two little friends Pearl and Violet, and they’ve been living in my sketchbook for almost three years now. The original drawing came from a rainy afternoon at an aquarium, watching moon jellies drift past the glass while my coffee went cold. I finally pulled out that wrinkled notebook page last month and turned those wobbly pencil lines into an actual pattern. Pearl is the pink and blue version, Violet is her lavender and purple sister, and honestly? Seeing them hang side by side in my craft room feels like that aquarium moment all over again.
This jellyfish amigurumi pattern creates the sweetest hanging decoration you can imagine. The dome-shaped bell, those adorable safety eyes, the wavy ruffled collar, and a mix of spiraling curly tentacles with twisted straight ones. The whole thing just floats there looking impossibly cute.
If you’ve worked a few amigurumi projects before, you’re absolutely ready for this one. I’ll walk you through every stitch, every assembly step, and every little trick I learned while designing Pearl and Violet. Let’s make some jellyfish.
What Makes This Jellyfish Pattern Special
This isn’t your typical stuffed animal sitting on a shelf. These jellyfish are designed to hang, which means they catch every little breeze and drift gently just like the real thing. Hang them from a wooden dowel or a piece of driftwood, and you’ve got an instant mobile that works in a nursery, a bathroom, a reading nook, or anywhere that needs a touch of whimsy.
The construction is clever but completely doable. You’ll work the bell from the top down in continuous spiral rounds, stuff it firmly, then add tentacles to the inside before finishing with that gorgeous ruffled collar. The collar stitches actually hide all your tentacle attachment points, so the whole thing looks polished and intentional.
Two styles of tentacles give you that authentic jellyfish movement. The curly ones spiral and bounce. The straight twisted cords hang down and sway. Together they create beautiful visual texture.
Skill Level and Time Estimate
I’m calling this an intermediate pattern. You should be comfortable with working in continuous spiral rounds, increasing and decreasing to shape three-dimensional pieces, and inserting safety eyes before closing up your work. If you’ve made a basic amigurumi ball or a simple stuffed animal, you have all the skills you need.
Time to complete: Approximately 4 to 6 hours for an experienced crocheter working at a relaxed pace. Add a bit more time for assembly and weaving in all those ends.
Finished Dimensions
Bell diameter: approximately 4.5 inches (11.5 cm)
Total height including tentacles: approximately 14 inches (35.5 cm)
Curly tentacle length: approximately 9 inches (23 cm) relaxed
Straight tentacle length: approximately 11 inches (28 cm)
Materials You’ll Need
Yarn
Main Color (MC): Worsted weight yarn, approximately 80 yards (73 m), pink or lavender
Contrast Color A (CA): Worsted weight yarn, approximately 30 yards (27 m), white or cream for the top of the bell
Contrast Color B (CB): Worsted weight yarn, approximately 25 yards (23 m), blue or purple for the collar and straight tentacles
The MC is also used for all curly tentacles.
Yarn Suggestions
Lion Brand Pound of Love in worsted weight works beautifully here. Excellent stitch definition, wide color range including soft pinks and lavenders, and machine washable for those inevitable dustings.
Paintbox Yarns Simply DK used at a slightly tighter tension, or their Simply Worsted line. Clean solid colors, consistent twist, very budget friendly.
Cascade 220 Superwash in worsted weight gives you a slightly softer drape and beautiful stitch clarity. The natural wool fiber makes the jellyfish look more organic and touchable.
Stick with smooth yarns for this project. Fuzzy or novelty yarns will hide your stitch definition and make the ruffle collar look muddy instead of crisp.
Hook
US size G-6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook
Notions
Gauge
5 single crochet stitches = 1 inch (2.5 cm)
5 rounds = 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Measured in single crochet worked in continuous spiral rounds.
Gauge matters here. It affects your finished size and ensures the safety eyes fit snugly in the fabric without gaps. Work a small swatch first and adjust your hook size up or down as needed.
Abbreviations and Stitch Definitions
ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch, insert hook, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook
sc: single crochet, insert hook, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops
hdc: half double crochet, yarn over, insert hook, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all three loops
dc: double crochet, yarn over, insert hook, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through remaining two loops
inc: single crochet increase, work 2 sc into the same stitch
dec: invisible decrease, insert hook into front loop only of next stitch then front loop only of following stitch, yarn over, pull through both loops, yarn over, pull through remaining 2 loops
MR: magic ring
pm: place marker
st(s): stitch(es)
rnd: round
rep: repeat
BLO: back loop only
FLO: front loop only
Special Techniques
Magic Ring
Make a loop with your yarn, leaving a tail. Insert your hook through the loop, draw up a loop of working yarn, chain 1 to secure, then work the specified number of stitches into the loop. Pull the tail to tighten the ring closed before continuing.
Ruffle Stitch
Work 3 double crochet stitches into a single stitch. This triple increase creates the wavy, ruffled texture of the collar. When worked all the way around, the excess fabric naturally folds and waves outward.
Curly Tentacle Construction
Make a foundation chain, then work 3 single crochet stitches into every single chain stitch back along the entire length. Working three times as many stitches as the foundation forces the tentacle to coil and spiral on itself.
Twisted Straight Tentacle Construction
Cut a length of yarn, fold it in half, twist the two strands tightly together in one direction, then fold in half again and let them twist back on themselves in the opposite direction. This forms a stable two-ply twisted cord.
Pattern Notes Before You Begin
The bell is worked in a continuous spiral. Do not join rounds with a slip stitch unless I specifically tell you to. Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go. This keeps you from losing your place.
Color changes happen at the beginning of a new round. Complete the last stitch of the old color until two loops remain on hook, then draw the new color through to finish the stitch.
Safety eyes must go in before the bell is fully closed and before it’s stuffed too firmly to reach inside. Insert them after Round 14 or 15 when the opening is still comfortable to work with.
Tentacles attach to the inside lower edge of the bell before you add the collar. The collar stitches then cover all those attachment points for a clean finish.
Step by Step Crochet Pattern Instructions
The Bell
Using CA (white or cream) and your G-6 hook, make a magic ring.
Round 1: Work 6 sc into the MR. Pull ring closed. (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 in each st around. (36 sts)
At the end of Round 7, switch to MC (pink or lavender) by completing the last stitch of Round 7 with MC. Continue with MC.
Round 8: (Sc 5, inc) rep 6 times. (42 sts)
Round 9: Sc in each st around. (42 sts)
Round 10: (Sc 6, inc) rep 6 times. (48 sts)
Round 11: Sc in each st around. (48 sts)
Round 12: (Sc 7, inc) rep 6 times. (54 sts)
Round 13: Sc in each st around. (54 sts)
Round 14: (Sc 8, inc) rep 6 times. (60 sts)
Round 15: Sc in each st around. (60 sts)
Checkpoint: Your bell should measure approximately 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) in diameter and roughly 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) deep from crown to opening edge. This is the time to insert your safety eyes.
Insert safety eyes between Rounds 9 and 10, spaced approximately 8 stitches apart, centered on the front of the bell. The eyes sit on the lower pink portion, giving your jellyfish that characteristic cute face. Secure the washers firmly on the inside.
Round 16: (Sc 8, dec) rep 6 times. (54 sts)
Round 17: Sc in each st around. (54 sts)
Begin stuffing the bell firmly with fiberfill now. Continue adding stuffing as the opening narrows.
Round 18: (Sc 7, dec) rep 6 times. (48 sts)
Round 19: (Sc 6, dec) rep 6 times. (42 sts)
Round 20: (Sc 5, dec) rep 6 times. (36 sts)
Round 21: (Sc 4, dec) rep 6 times. (30 sts)
Round 22: (Sc 3, dec) rep 6 times. (24 sts)
Round 23: (Sc 2, dec) rep 6 times. (18 sts)
Add any remaining stuffing now. The bell should be very firmly stuffed and hold its dome shape without flat spots.
Round 24: (Sc 1, dec) rep 6 times. (12 sts)
Round 25: Dec 6 times. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a tail of approximately 6 inches. Thread the tail onto a yarn needle and weave through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches. Pull snugly to close the hole completely. Knot securely and weave in the end through the stuffing to hide it.
Hanging Cord
Cut a length of MC (or CB for contrast) approximately 18 inches (46 cm) long. Thread both ends onto a yarn needle and push the needle down through the very top center of the bell, through the closed magic ring. Draw the yarn through until the two ends are even and a loop of approximately 8 to 9 inches (20 to 23 cm) extends above the crown.
Tie the two ends together in a secure double knot close to the crown. This knot sits inside the bell, anchored in the stuffing. The loop above is your hanging loop.
Curly Tentacles (make 4)
Using MC and your G-6 hook, chain 31 loosely.
Row 1 (return pass): Working back along the chain, beginning in the 2nd chain from the hook, work 3 sc into each chain st across. (90 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a tail of approximately 10 inches (25 cm) for attachment.
The tentacle will coil and spiral immediately. Gently encourage it to spiral evenly by running it between your fingers. Make 3 more identical tentacles.
Pro tip: Keep loose tension on that foundation chain. If your chains are too tight, use a hook one size larger for the foundation, then switch back for the return pass.
Straight Tentacles (make 4)
Cut 4 lengths of CB (blue or purple), each 26 inches (66 cm) long.
Cut 4 lengths of MC (pink or lavender), each 26 inches (66 cm) long.
For each straight tentacle, pair one length of CB with one length of MC. Hold the two strands together and fold the pair in half so you have a folded length of approximately 13 inches (33 cm) with a loop at one end.
Hold the looped end stationary and twist the four strands tightly in one direction (clockwise) until they begin to kink back on themselves when you release tension. Fold the twisted length in half again, letting the two halves twist together in the opposite direction to form a stable two-ply cord.
Knot the loose ends together approximately 0.5 inch (1.5 cm) from the bottom to prevent unraveling. The finished straight tentacle will be approximately 11 inches (28 cm) long with a small loop at the top for attachment.
Make 4 straight tentacles total.
Assembly: Attaching Tentacles
Hold the bell upside down with the opening facing up. You’ll attach tentacles around the inside perimeter in alternating order: curly, straight, curly, straight, curly, straight, curly, straight.
For each curly tentacle: Thread the long attachment tail onto a yarn needle. Insert the needle from outside the bell to inside through a stitch at the lower edge opening (Round 16 area), draw the yarn through, and tie it off firmly to an interior stitch. Weave the remaining tail through several interior stitches to secure, then trim.
For each straight tentacle: Insert a crochet hook or yarn needle through a stitch at the lower edge, draw the loop end of the straight tentacle through to the inside approximately 0.5 inch (1.5 cm), and tie the loop off to an interior stitch.
Space the 8 tentacles evenly around the opening, approximately every 7 to 8 stitches. After all tentacles are attached, tug each one gently to confirm it’s firmly anchored.
Hold the jellyfish by its hanging cord. All tentacles should hang freely, alternating curly and straight. The jellyfish should hang level. If it tilts, redistribute tentacle weight by moving one or two tentacles slightly.
Collar (Ruffle)
The collar is worked directly into the stitches of the bell at Round 16.
Join CB (blue or purple) with a slip stitch into any stitch of Round 16.
Round 1 of collar: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in same st, 2 hdc in each of next 53 sts. Join with sl st to top of ch-2. (108 sts)
Round 2 of collar: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in same st, 3 dc in each of next 107 sts. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (324 sts)
Fasten off and weave in all ends securely. The ruffle will naturally fold and wave outward, framing the tentacles beautifully.
Finishing Your Jellyfish
Weave in any remaining yarn tails throughout the piece, drawing them through the interior of the bell or through the dense fabric of tentacles and collar to hide them completely.
To display: Thread the hanging loop over a wooden dowel, driftwood branch, or decorative rod. Two jellyfish hung from the same rod at slightly different heights create a stunning mobile effect.
Trim the knotted ends of the straight tentacles if you want a cleaner fringe. Leave them as is for a more rustic look.
Size Customization Tips
For a smaller jellyfish (approximately 3 inches bell diameter): Use fingering or sport weight yarn with a US size B-1 (2.25 mm) or C-2 (2.75 mm) hook. Follow the same round structure. Your finished piece will be roughly half the stated size.
For a larger jellyfish (approximately 6 to 7 inches bell diameter): Use bulky weight yarn with a US size J-10 (6.0 mm) hook. Add one additional increase round after Round 14 and work two plain rounds before beginning decreases.
To add more tentacles: Add them in multiples of 2 to maintain the alternating curly and straight pattern.
To change tentacle length: Each additional 5 chains in the curly tentacle foundation adds approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm).
Care Instructions
This piece doesn’t require wet blocking. If the bell loses its dome shape after storage, lightly mist the exterior with water, reshape by hand, and let it air dry completely.
For acrylic yarn: Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. Keep away from high heat.
For superwash wool: Hand wash gently in cool water with wool-safe detergent. Press out excess water without wringing. Reshape and lay flat or hang to dry.
Store your finished jellyfish by hanging rather than folding to preserve the tentacle shapes.
You Did It!
Thank you so much for choosing this pattern. I hope you love making Pearl and Violet as much as I loved designing them. There’s something so satisfying about watching those curly tentacles spiral up as you work, and that moment when you attach the ruffled collar and everything comes together? Pure magic.
Tag me on Instagram or share in our Facebook group when you finish yours. I genuinely love seeing what colors everyone chooses. Some of the best colorway ideas come from you.
If this pattern brought a little joy to your crafting time, I’d love it if you saved it to your Pinterest boards so you can find it again later. And please drop a comment below if you make one. Seeing your finished jellyfish honestly makes my whole day.
