purlJam

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# 🪼 Jellyfish Amigurumi
### Easy Crochet Plush Pattern

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## About This Pattern

This sweet little jellyfish makes a perfect beginner amigurumi project. With a simple dome-shaped body, wiggly tentacles, and an embroidered face, she's quick to stitch up and absolutely irresistible. The pattern uses a ch-2 start instead of a magic ring, making it extra beginner-friendly.

**Finished Size:** Approximately 3–3.5 inches (7.5–9 cm) wide × 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) tall body, with tentacles hanging 3–6 inches (7.5–15 cm) below.

**Difficulty:** Easy

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (size 4), approximately 30–40 yards (27–37 m) for the body + 20 yards (18 m) for tentacles
  - Suggested colors: lavender, coral pink, aqua, or pale blue for the body; same color or a slightly lighter/darker shade for tentacles
- **Hook:** US E-4 / 3.5 mm (go down one size from label for tight amigurumi fabric)
- **Notions:**
  - Polyester fiberfill stuffing
  - Yarn needle (for assembly and weaving in ends)
  - Stitch marker
  - Black embroidery floss or thin black yarn (for sewn eyes)
  - Pink embroidery floss (optional, for cheeks or mouth)
  - Scissors

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## Gauge

**16 sc × 20 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)** in single crochet with worsted weight yarn and US E-4 / 3.5 mm hook.

> Gauge is not critical for amigurumi, but working tightly prevents stuffing from showing through the fabric. If your stitches look loose, try a smaller hook.

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## Abbreviations

| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| inc | increase — 2 sc in the same stitch |
| dec | invisible decrease — insert hook through front loops of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through both loops, yarn over, pull through 2 loops |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| Rnd | Round |
| [ ] | stitch count at end of round |

> **Note on ch-2 start:** Instead of a magic ring, this pattern uses a ch-2 start. Chain 2, then work the required number of sc into the **first** chain (the one farthest from the hook). The second chain is the starting chain and is not worked into. Pull the starting tail gently to close the center if needed.

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## Pattern Instructions

### BODY (make 1)

The body is worked in continuous rounds (do not join or turn). Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go.

**Rnd 1:** Ch 2. Work 6 sc in the first ch (the ch farthest from your hook). Do not join. Place stitch marker. **[6]**

**Rnd 2:** Inc in each st around. **[12]**
*(2 inc × 6 = 12 sts ✓)*

**Rnd 3:** (Sc in next st, inc in next st) 6 times. **[18]**
*(6 sc + 6 inc = 18 sts ✓)*

**Rnd 4:** (Sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st) 6 times. **[24]**
*(12 sc + 6 inc = 24 sts ✓)*

**Rnds 5–7:** Sc in each st around. (3 rounds even) **[24]**

> 💡 **Tip:** Your work should look like a little dome or bowl by now, with the rounded top facing away from you as you crochet.

> 🧵 **Embroider the face now** (before stuffing closes your access). See the Face section below, then return here to continue.

**Rnd 8:** (Sc in next 2 sts, dec over next 2 sts) 6 times. **[18]**
*(12 sc + 6 dec = 18 sts ✓)*

> 🪡 **Stuff the body firmly now.** Push fiberfill up into the dome, filling it fully but not so much that it distorts the shape. The bottom opening will close in the next two rounds.

**Rnd 9:** (Sc in next st, dec over next 2 sts) 6 times. **[12]**
*(6 sc + 6 dec = 12 sts ✓)*

**Rnd 10:** (Dec over next 2 sts) 6 times. **[6]**
*(6 dec = 6 sts ✓)*

Add a small pinch of extra stuffing if needed. Cut yarn, leaving a 6-inch (15 cm) tail. Thread tail onto yarn needle and weave through the front loops of all 6 remaining sts, pulling tight to close the hole. Weave in end securely on the inside.

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### TENTACLES (make 8)

Tentacles are simple chains finished with a slip-stitch row to make them curl and drape naturally. Make 4 long tentacles and 4 short tentacles.

#### Long Tentacles (make 4):
Ch 25. Sl st in each ch back to the beginning (24 sl sts). **[25-ch cord]**
Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch (15 cm) tail for sewing.

#### Short Tentacles (make 4):
Ch 15. Sl st in each ch back to the beginning (14 sl sts). **[15-ch cord]**
Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch (15 cm) tail for sewing.

> 💡 **Tip:** Work slip stitches loosely so the tentacles have a soft, wiggly drape rather than stiffening up.

> 💡 **Tip:** You can use the same color as the body or a slightly lighter/darker shade for variety. Mixing two tones gives a lovely translucent jellyfish effect.

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### FACE

Embroider the face during **Rnd 7** (before the decrease rounds), while the body is still open and easy to work on.

**Eyes:**
- Using black embroidery floss (all 6 strands) or thin black yarn, thread onto a needle.
- Position eyes on the front of the dome, between Rnds 4–5, spaced approximately 6 stitches apart (about 1–1.5 inches / 2.5–4 cm apart).
- For each eye: bring needle up from inside the body, make 2–3 small straight stitches layered on top of each other to form a small filled oval or dot approximately 4mm wide. Secure on the inside.

**Optional Mouth:**
- Using pink embroidery floss, embroider a small curved smile (3–4 sts in a gentle arc) centered below the eyes, approximately 3–4 sts below.

**Optional Cheeks:**
- Using pink embroidery floss, make 3–4 small satin stitches in a small circle on each side of the smile for rosy cheeks.

> 💡 **Tip:** Use a water-soluble marker or a pin to mark eye placement before stitching. Step back and check symmetry before committing.

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## Assembly

1. **Lay out tentacles.** Arrange tentacles in alternating lengths: long, short, long, short, long, short, long, short (or your preferred arrangement) around the bottom edge of the body.

2. **Sew on tentacles.** Thread each tentacle tail onto a yarn needle. Insert the needle up through the bottom edge of the body (Rnd 10 area, from outside to inside), and pull the knot snug against the body. Bring the needle back up about 2 stitches away and repeat to anchor securely. Weave in the tail on the inside.

3. **Spacing.** Space all 8 tentacles evenly around the bottom opening — approximately every 3 stitches apart around the 24-stitch circumference of Rnd 4 (the widest point at the base of the dome).

   > *Spacing reference: 24 sts ÷ 8 tentacles = 1 tentacle every 3 sts ✓*

4. **Final check.** Turn the jellyfish upright. The tentacles should hang freely below the dome. Trim any uneven ends if needed.

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## Finishing

- Weave in all remaining ends on the inside of the body.
- Give the tentacles a gentle tug to make sure they are securely attached.
- Fluff the body into a nice round dome shape.

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## Tips & Variations

| Idea | How To |
|---|---|
| **Pastel ombre jellyfish** | Switch yarn colors at Rnd 4 or Rnd 7 for a gradient body |
| **Glittery tentacles** | Use a metallic or sparkle yarn for the tentacles |
| **Keychain jellyfish** | Use DK weight yarn and a US D-3 / 3.25 mm hook; finished size ~1.5" wide; attach a keychain ring to the top |
| **Extra tentacles** | Make 12 tentacles instead of 8 for a fuller look; space every 2 sts |
| **Sleepy face** | Replace dot eyes with short horizontal straight stitches (closed eyes) |

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## Stitch Count Summary

| Round | Stitches | Running Total |
|---|---|---|
| Rnd 1 | 6 sc in ch-2 start | 6 |
| Rnd 2 | 6 inc | 12 |
| Rnd 3 | (sc, inc) × 6 | 18 |
| Rnd 4 | (2 sc, inc) × 6 | 24 |
| Rnds 5–7 | sc around (3 rnds) | 24 |
| Rnd 8 | (2 sc, dec) × 6 | 18 |
| Rnd 9 | (sc, dec) × 6 | 12 |
| Rnd 10 | dec × 6 | 6 |
| — | Close & fasten off | — |

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*Happy crocheting! 🪼*