purlJam

<pattern>

# Crochet Dolphin Amigurumi Pattern

**Skill Level:** Intermediate

**Finished Size:** Approximately 8-9" long × 5" tall

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** Worsted weight (4/Medium)
- Main Color (MC): Gray or light blue, approximately 150 yards
- Contrast Color (CC): White, approximately 30 yards

**Suggested Yarn:** Any worsted weight acrylic or cotton (Red Heart Super Saver, Lion Brand Vanna's Choice, Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran)

**Hook:** US F-5 (3.75mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

**Notions:**
- Pair of 9mm black safety eyes
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Yarn needle for sewing
- Stitch marker
- Pins for assembly
- Scissors

---

## GAUGE

16 sts × 18 rows = 4" in single crochet, worked tightly in continuous rounds

**Gauge is critical for amigurumi!** Your fabric must be tight enough that stuffing doesn't show through. If your fabric is too loose, go down a hook size. If too tight to work comfortably, go up one size.

To check gauge: Make a flat swatch of 20 sc × 20 rows. Measure the center 16 sts across and 18 rows vertically. Should equal 4" × 4".

---

## PATTERN NOTES

- This dolphin is worked in continuous spiral rounds unless otherwise noted. Do not join rounds.
- Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round. Move marker up as you complete each round.
- Ch 1 at beginning of rounds does NOT count as a stitch.
- Stuff pieces firmly as you work, especially before decreasing sections too much.
- Insert safety eyes BEFORE stuffing and closing the head.

**Abbreviations:**
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- inc = increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- dec = invisible decrease (insert hook in front loops only of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through both loops, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on hook)
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rnd(s) = round(s)
- MC = main color
- CC = contrast color
- [ ] = stitch count at end of round

**Special Techniques:**

*Magic Ring:* Wrap yarn around fingers to form a loop, insert hook through loop, yarn over and pull up a loop, chain 1, work stitches into the ring. Pull tail to tighten ring closed.

*Invisible Decrease:* Insert hook into front loop only of next st, then into front loop only of following st (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both front loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops. This creates a neater decrease than standard sc2tog.

*Color Change:* Work last stitch of old color until 2 loops remain on hook, yarn over with new color and pull through both loops. Continue with new color.

---

## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### HEAD

**With MC:**

**Rnd 1:** 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2:** inc in each st around [12]
*Math check: 6 × 2 = 12 ✓*

**Rnd 3:** (sc, inc) around [18]
*Math check: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 repeats; 6 × 3 = 18 ✓*

**Rnd 4:** (2 sc, inc) around [24]
*Math check: 18 ÷ 3 = 6 repeats; 6 × 4 = 24 ✓*

**Rnd 5:** (3 sc, inc) around [30]
*Math check: 24 ÷ 4 = 6 repeats; 6 × 5 = 30 ✓*

**Rnd 6:** (4 sc, inc) around [36]
*Math check: 30 ÷ 5 = 6 repeats; 6 × 6 = 36 ✓*

**Rnds 7-10:** sc in each st around [36]
*4 even rounds for head width*

**Rnds 11-14:** sc in each st around [36]
*4 more even rounds for elongated dolphin snout*

**EYE PLACEMENT:** Insert safety eyes between Rnds 11 and 12, approximately 8 stitches apart. Secure backs firmly on inside.

**Rnd 15:** (4 sc, dec) around [30]
*Math check: 36 ÷ 6 = 6 repeats; 6 × 5 = 30 ✓*

**Rnd 16:** (3 sc, dec) around [24]
*Math check: 30 ÷ 5 = 6 repeats; 6 × 4 = 24 ✓*

**Begin stuffing head firmly. Continue stuffing as you decrease.**

**Rnd 17:** (2 sc, dec) around [18]
*Math check: 24 ÷ 4 = 6 repeats; 6 × 3 = 18 ✓*

**Rnd 18:** (sc, dec) around [12]
*Math check: 18 ÷ 3 = 6 repeats; 6 × 2 = 12 ✓*

**Rnd 19:** dec around [6]
*Math check: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 ✓*

Fasten off, leaving 6" tail. Thread tail through yarn needle and weave through remaining 6 sts. Pull tight to close opening. Weave in end securely. Set aside.

---

### BODY

**With MC:**

**Rnd 1:** 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2:** inc in each st around [12]

**Rnd 3:** (sc, inc) around [18]

**Rnd 4:** (2 sc, inc) around [24]

**Rnd 5:** (3 sc, inc) around [30]

**Rnd 6:** (4 sc, inc) around [36]

**Rnd 7:** (5 sc, inc) around [42]
*Math check: 36 ÷ 6 = 6 repeats; 6 × 7 = 42 ✓*

**Rnds 8-12:** sc in each st around [42]
*5 even rounds for body width*

**COLOR CHANGE TO WHITE BELLY:**

**Rnd 13:** Change to CC. (5 sc, dec) around [36]
*Work last st of Rnd 12 until 2 loops on hook, yarn over with CC and complete st*

**Rnds 14-16:** With CC, sc in each st around [36]
*3 rounds of white belly*

**Rnd 17:** Change to MC. sc in each st around [36]

**Rnds 18-20:** With MC, sc in each st around [36]

**Begin stuffing body very firmly.**

**Rnd 21:** (4 sc, dec) around [30]

**Rnd 22:** (3 sc, dec) around [24]

**Add more stuffing. Body should be very firm.**

**Rnd 23:** (2 sc, dec) around [18]

**Rnd 24:** (sc, dec) around [12]

**Rnd 25:** dec around [6]

Fasten off, leaving 6" tail. Thread tail through yarn needle and weave through remaining 6 sts. Pull tight to close opening. Weave in end securely. Set aside.

---

### FLIPPERS (Make 2)

Flippers are worked in rows to create a flat, oval shape.

**With MC:**

**Row 1:** Ch 8, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn [7 sc]

**Row 2:** Ch 1 (does not count as st), inc, 5 sc, inc, turn [9]
*Math check: 7 + 2 = 9 ✓*

**Row 3:** Ch 1, inc, 7 sc, inc, turn [11]
*Math check: 9 + 2 = 11 ✓*

**Row 4:** Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn [11]

**Row 5:** Ch 1, dec, 7 sc, dec, turn [9]
*Math check: 11 - 2 = 9 ✓*

**Row 6:** Ch 1, dec, 5 sc, dec, turn [7]
*Math check: 9 - 2 = 7 ✓*

**Row 7:** Ch 1, dec, 3 sc, dec [5]
*Math check: 7 - 2 = 5 ✓*

Fasten off, leaving 18" tail for sewing. Do not stuff flippers. Set aside.

---

### DORSAL FIN

Worked in rows to create a triangular fin.

**With MC:**

**Row 1:** Ch 10, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn [9 sc]

**Row 2:** Ch 1, dec, 5 sc, dec, turn [7]

**Row 3:** Ch 1, dec, 3 sc, dec, turn [5]

**Row 4:** Ch 1, dec, sc, dec, turn [3]

**Row 5:** Ch 1, dec, sc [2]

**Row 6:** Ch 1, dec [1]

Fasten off, leaving 18" tail for sewing. Do not stuff. Set aside.

---

### TAIL FLUKES

Worked in rows to create wide, flat tail.

**With MC:**

**Row 1:** Ch 16, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn [15 sc]

**Row 2:** Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn [15]

**Row 3:** Ch 1, inc, 13 sc, inc, turn [17]

**Row 4:** Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn [17]

**Row 5:** Ch 1, dec, 13 sc, dec, turn [15]

**Row 6:** Ch 1, dec, 11 sc, dec, turn [13]

**Row 7:** Ch 1, dec, 9 sc, dec, turn [11]

**Row 8:** Ch 1, dec, 7 sc, dec, turn [9]

**Row 9:** Ch 1, dec, 5 sc, dec, turn [7]

**Center division for two flukes:**

**Right Fluke:**

**Row 10:** Ch 1, sc in next 3 sts only, turn [3]
*Leave remaining sts unworked*

**Row 11:** Ch 1, dec, sc, turn [2]

**Row 12:** Ch 1, dec [1]

Fasten off.

**Left Fluke:**

With right side facing, skip center st, join MC in next st.

**Row 10:** Ch 1, sc in same st and next 2 sts, turn [3]

**Row 11:** Ch 1, sc, dec, turn [2]

**Row 12:** Ch 1, dec [1]

Fasten off, leaving 18" tail for sewing. Do not stuff. Set aside.

---

## ASSEMBLY

Use pins to position pieces before sewing. Use matching yarn color and yarn needle. Use whip stitch or ladder stitch for invisible seams.

**Step 1 - Attach Head to Body:**
Position head at front of body with eyes facing forward. The neck opening of head should align with the top rounds of body (white belly section). Pin in place. Using yarn needle and MC yarn, whip stitch around entire circumference. Add extra stuffing through any gaps before closing completely.

**Step 2 - Attach Flippers:**
Position flippers on sides of body, approximately at Rnd 15-16 of body (where white meets gray), angled slightly downward and backward. Pin in place. Using the long tail and yarn needle, sew around the edges of each flipper, attaching firmly to body. Make sure both flippers are positioned symmetrically.

**Step 3 - Attach Dorsal Fin:**
Position dorsal fin on top of body, centered on the back, approximately at Rnd 12-14 (middle of body). Pin in place with the wide base against body and triangle pointing up. Using long tail and yarn needle, sew the entire base edge of fin to body securely.

**Step 4 - Attach Tail Flukes:**
Position tail flukes at back end of body (the closed end), with flukes extending horizontally outward. Center the tail so flukes are symmetrical. Pin in place. Using long tail and yarn needle,