You know that gorgeous skein of cotton you’ve been saving for something special? This is the project. Dig into your stash and pull out those soft pastels, because this kawaii jellyfish amigurumi is the perfect excuse to finally use them.
This little sea creature features a beautifully domed bell worked in continuous rounds, a clever brim technique that creates that signature flared edge, and the most satisfying curly tentacles you’ll ever crochet. The spiral effect happens naturally as you work slip stitches back along a chain. It’s almost like magic, but it’s really just tension doing its thing.
I’ll be honest with you about the skill level here. If you’re comfortable working in the round and can handle basic increases and decreases, you’ve got this. The tentacles look fancy, but they’re genuinely simple once you get the hang of them. Intermediate beginners will find this project approachable, and experienced crocheters will appreciate how quickly it works up.
Why You’ll Love This Jellyfish Crochet Pattern
This amigurumi jellyfish makes an absolutely adorable hanging decoration for nurseries, kids’ rooms, or anywhere that needs a touch of whimsy. At approximately 3.5 inches wide and 7 inches tall including the tentacles, it’s the perfect size to hang from a mobile, doorknob, or ceiling hook.
The pattern includes two colorways. The Lavender Swirl version features a soft lavender bell with alternating deep rose and light lavender tentacles. The Ocean Mist version keeps things simple with aqua mint throughout. Both are constructed exactly the same way, so you can mix and match colors however you like.
What really makes this crochet tutorial special is the construction. The bell is worked from the top down in one piece, with a front loop only round that creates a distinct brim. This little shelf is where all those curly tentacles attach, and it gives the jellyfish that authentic dome shape you see in the photos.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you start, gather everything on this list. Having your supplies ready makes the whole process smoother.
Yarn
Use Size 3 light worsted or DK weight cotton yarn. Cotton is strongly preferred because it holds stitch definition beautifully and creates those crisp, tight tentacle coils. Here’s what you’ll need for each colorway:
Lavender Swirl:
Ocean Mist:
Recommended Yarn Brands
1. Paintbox Yarns Simply DK (100% cotton) offers excellent stitch definition and comes in a huge range of colors.
2. Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK (100% mercerized cotton) is widely available and very consistent.
3. Drops Safran (100% Egyptian cotton) has a lovely slight sheen that looks beautiful in amigurumi.
Any smooth DK cotton will work. Just avoid fuzzy or textured yarns, which make it harder to see your stitches when decreasing.
Hook
US size D/3 (3.25 mm). This is intentionally smaller than what the yarn label suggests. We want a tight, dense fabric that holds stuffing without gaps showing through.
Other Supplies
Gauge
Getting gauge right ensures your jellyfish turns out the correct size.
5 single crochet stitches = 1 inch (2.5 cm)
5 rounds = 1 inch (2.5 cm)
To check your gauge, work a magic ring with 6 single crochets, then increase each stitch for 4 rounds total. Your flat circle should measure approximately 1.5 inches across.
If your tension runs loose, drop down one hook size to keep the fabric firm enough to hold the stuffing.
Abbreviations and Stitch Definitions
Let me walk you through every abbreviation used in this pattern. I’ll give you the full name, the short form, and a plain English explanation of what to do.
ch: chain – Yarn over, pull through the loop on your hook. This creates one chain stitch.
sl st: slip stitch – Insert your hook into the indicated stitch, yarn over, and pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook in one motion. This is the shortest stitch in crochet.
sc: single crochet – Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops. This is your basic building block stitch.
sc2tog: single crochet two together (decrease) – Insert hook in next stitch, pull up a loop. Insert hook in the following stitch, pull up a loop. You now have three loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all three loops at once. This turns two stitches into one.
inc: increase – Work two single crochets into the same stitch. This adds one stitch to your count.
MR: magic ring – Also called a magic loop or adjustable ring. This is a technique for starting rounds that lets you pull the center hole completely closed.
st(s): stitch(es)
rnd: round
BLO: back loop only – Work into only the back loop of the stitch, leaving the front loop unworked.
FLO: front loop only – Work into only the front loop of the stitch, leaving the back loop unworked. This creates a ridge and is how we make the brim.
PM: place marker
SM: slip marker
Special Technique: Slip Stitch Tentacles
This is where the magic happens. Don’t worry if you’ve never done this before. It’s simpler than it sounds.
The tentacles curl naturally because slip stitches worked back along a chain are tighter than the original chain. This tension difference causes the strip to spiral and coil on its own. You’re not doing anything wrong if it starts twisting immediately. That’s exactly what should happen.
Here’s how it works:
1. Attach your tentacle yarn to a brim stitch with a slip stitch.
2. Chain 36.
3. Starting in the second chain from the hook, slip stitch in each chain across until you reach the beginning. That’s 35 slip stitches total.
4. Let the strip curl as you work. Don’t fight it.
5. Fasten off, leaving a 4-inch tail. Pull the tail to the inside of the bell and weave it in.
Troubleshooting tip: If your tentacles aren’t curling enough, work your slip stitches more tightly. You can also drop down one hook size just for the tentacle step.
Step by Step Pattern Instructions
Now let’s make your jellyfish. Take a deep breath. We’ll go round by round.
The Bell
Work entirely in Color A for both colorways.
Round 1: Make a magic ring. Work 6 single crochet (sc) into the ring. Pull the ring closed tightly. (6 sc)
Round 2: Work an increase (inc) in each stitch around. (12 sc)
Round 3: Single crochet in the next stitch, increase in the next stitch. Repeat this sequence 6 times around. (18 sc)
Round 4: Single crochet in the next 2 stitches, increase in the next stitch. Repeat 6 times. (24 sc)
Round 5: Single crochet in the next 3 stitches, increase in the next stitch. Repeat 6 times. (30 sc)
Round 6: Single crochet in the next 4 stitches, increase in the next stitch. Repeat 6 times. (36 sc)
Round 7: Single crochet in the next 5 stitches, increase in the next stitch. Repeat 6 times. (42 sc)
Rounds 8 through 13: Single crochet in each stitch around. (42 sc per round)
Checkpoint
After Round 13, your bell dome should measure approximately 3.5 inches across at its widest point and about 2 inches tall from the crown to your working edge. This is when you install the safety eyes.
Installing Safety Eyes
Position your two 9 mm safety eyes between Rounds 9 and 10, spacing them approximately 8 stitches apart. Center them on what will be the front of the bell. Push the posts through from the outside, then press the washers firmly onto the posts from inside the bell.
Take your time here. Once those washers are on, the eyes are permanent.
Continuing the Bell
Round 14: Single crochet in the next 5 stitches, sc2tog. Repeat 6 times. (36 sc)
Round 15: Single crochet in the next 4 stitches, sc2tog. Repeat 6 times. (30 sc)
Round 16: Single crochet in the next 3 stitches, sc2tog. Repeat 6 times. (24 sc)
Stop here. Do not decrease further. The 24 stitch opening is the base of your bell.
Stuff your bell now with polyester fiberfill. Fill it firmly enough to hold the dome shape, but don’t overstuff or you’ll distort the brim.
The Brim Round
Round 17: Working in the front loops only of each stitch in Round 16, single crochet in the next stitch, increase in the next stitch. Repeat 12 times. Join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet of Round 17. (36 sc)
Fasten off Color A and weave in your ends.
Second Checkpoint
Your bell should now measure approximately 3.5 inches wide at the brim opening and about 2.5 inches tall from crown to brim edge. The brim should flare slightly outward, creating a little shelf.
Making the Tentacles
You’ll make 8 tentacles total. Space them evenly around the 36 brim stitches by attaching at stitches 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, and 30.
For Lavender Swirl: Alternate Color B and Color C. The order is B, C, B, C, B, C, B, C. This gives you 4 tentacles of each color.
For Ocean Mist: Work all 8 tentacles in Color A.
For each tentacle:
1. Attach yarn to a brim stitch with a slip stitch.
2. Chain 36.
3. Starting in the second chain from the hook, slip stitch in each chain across. (35 sl sts)
4. Fasten off. Pull the tail to the inside of the bell and weave in securely.
Repeat for all 8 tentacles.
Adding the Hanging Loop
Cut a 12-inch length of jute twine or natural cotton cord. Thread it through your tapestry needle and pass it through the very center of the crown (through the magic ring) from outside to inside. Bring it back out approximately 4 stitches away.
Remove the needle and knot the two ends together on the outside, forming a loop. Pull the loop upward so the knot rests against the crown. Adjust the loop length however you like.
The twine will show as two parallel strands at the top. This is part of the design.
Embroidering the Face
Using black embroidery floss and a tapestry needle, create the kawaii smile. Use a single strand doubled over for a clean line.
Work two short straight stitches angled upward from center left and center right to form a gentle curved smile. Position it approximately 3 rounds below the eyes, centered between them. The smile should span about 6 to 7 stitches wide.
Secure the floss on the inside with two small knots and trim the tail.
Customizing Your Jellyfish Size
Smaller jellyfish: Use fingering weight cotton yarn with a US B/1 (2.25 mm) hook. Follow the same pattern, but shorten tentacle chains to 24 stitches. Your finished bell will be approximately 2.5 inches wide.
Larger jellyfish: Use worsted weight cotton with a US F/5 (3.75 mm) hook. Add one more increase round after Round 7 before starting the straight rounds. Extend tentacle chains to 48 stitches. Your finished bell will be approximately 5 inches wide.
Adjusting tentacle curls: Work slip stitches tighter for more defined spirals, or looser for softer coils. Shorter chains (24 to 28) give small tight curls. Longer chains (40 to 48) produce long loose spirals.
More tentacles: The 36 stitch brim can support up to 12 tentacles if you space them every 3 stitches.
Finishing and Care
Weave in all remaining ends securely. Cotton yarn looks even better after a light wet blocking. Mist the bell lightly with water, shape it by hand, and let it air dry while hanging from the twine loop.
Don’t block the tentacles. Moisture may relax those beautiful curls. If they loosen over time, a light steaming from a few inches away will help reset them.
Washing: Hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Squeeze gently to remove excess water. Never wring or twist. Roll in a clean towel, then hang to dry. Don’t machine wash, as agitation can distort the stuffing and loosen tentacle attachments.
You Did It!
Thank you so much for making this kawaii jellyfish amigurumi with me. I hope you love how yours turned out. These little sea creatures make wonderful gifts, nursery decorations, or just a sweet treat for yourself.
I would absolutely love to see your finished jellyfish! Tag me on Instagram or share a photo in my Facebook group. Seeing your creations genuinely makes my day.
If you loved this crochet pattern, go ahead and pin it to your favorite Pinterest board so you can find it again later. And if you make one, drop a comment below and tell me which colorway you chose. I’m always curious to see what colors people pick!
