Juniper the Jellyfish (Free Crochet Pattern)

Dear fellow crocheters,

I'm excited to share with you Juniper the Jellyfish!

This sweet jelly is a fun amigurumi project that works up pretty quickly.  I had a lot of fun making these curly-Q tentacles in different, happy colors.  Isn't pink, orange, and yellow such a cheery combination?

What's really awesome about this jellyfish project is that it not only serves as cute decor, it can also be a comforting toy for little ones.  Articles have stated that crochet toys with coils remind babies of the umbilical cord, which can help calm preemies, NICU babies, and newborns in general.  They can calm baby's breathing, regulate baby's heartbeat, and give baby strong oxygen blood levels!  

Also, just as a word of caution if you're intending to crochet one for a young child -- be sure to sew the eyes instead of using plastic safety eyes, as small plastic parts can be choking hazards.

This jellyfish is the perfect handmade gift for birthdays, baby showers, craft fairs, and more!  Aside from being a comfort toy for infants, it can also make a wonderful play toy for older children, be used as decor in a kids room, or crafted as part of a mobile in a sea-themed nursery!  You can easily customize your jellyfish by using different colors and adding embellishments, too.

Update (7/2021): 

Here's some wonderful news -- you can now make a baby jellyfish to go with Juniper!  Click here for the free baby jelly pattern!

Free Baby Jellyfish Pattern!

If you like this design of mine, you can check out my other amigurumi designs, or click here to see all the free patterns I have on my blog!

You can also PIN it for later!

Scroll down for the free, written crochet pattern.  If you would like to download the beautifully-formatted, ad-free, and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references (see preview below), you can get it from my shop, Ravelry, or Etsy.  Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies designs!

Printable ad-free PDF pattern with photo references

JUNIPER THE JELLYFISH

Free Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

Copyright Notice -- © 2020 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website (www.sweetsofties.com) or Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SweetSofties). No wholesale. You may not copy, alter, or sell my patterns in part or in whole in any way. My patterns may not be used in teaching online classes. My patterns may be used in teaching in-person classes ONLY with written consent from me. You may link to this pattern but you may not copy any part of the pattern instructions on other websites.

Introduction:
Juniper the Jellyfish is a fun amigurumi project that your little one is sure to love!  You can make this jellyfish (with sewn eyes instead of plastic safety eyes) to comfort a preemie, NICU baby, or newborn infant, as crochet toys with coils remind babies of the umbilical cord, which can help calm them.  Articles have reported evidence that they can calm baby’s breathing, regulate baby’s heartbeat, and give baby strong oxygen blood levels.  This jellyfish can also serve as a fun play toy for children, as décor in a kids room, or as part of a mobile in a sea-themed nursery!
This handmade gift is perfect for birthdays, baby showers, craft fairs, and more!  Easily customize your jellyfish by using different colors and adding embellishments!

Finished Measurement: 

Head only: 2.5” (6.5 cm) in height, 11” (28 cm) in circumference.
Length from top of head to bottom of tentacles: 14” (35.5 cm)

Level: 

• ★★☆☆☆ Easy / Familiar Beginner
• Requires familiarity with stitches used (below), attaching yarn, attaching safety eyes, and sewing parts together.

Stitches/Terms Used (US Terminology):

• MR: magic ring 
• Ch: chain 
• Sl st: slip stitch 
• Sc: single crochet 
• Hdc: half dc 
• Dc: double crochet 
• Inc: increase 
• Dec: decrease

Materials:

• Worsted medium weight (4) yarn in desired colors (I used pink, orange, yellow.)
• Scraps of black and red yarn for sewing eyelashes and mouth. 
• 2.75mm crochet hook
• 4.00mm crochet hook
• Pair of 10mm plastic safety eyes 
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

~ CROCHET INSTRUCTIONS ~

Important Notes (Read before beginning!)

• The 4.00mm crochet hook is used for the jellyfish tentacles only. All other parts are made with the 2.75mm hook.
• Photo references are available in the PDF pattern file purchase.

HEAD

Use the 2.75mm hook and head-colored yarn (pink).

R1: In MR, sc 6. (6 sts)
R2: Inc around. (12 sts)
R3: (Sc, inc) x 6. (18 sts)
R4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6. (24 sts)
R5: (Sc 3, inc) x 6. (30 sts)
R6: (Sc 4, inc) x 6. (36 sts)
R7: (Sc 5, inc) x 6. (42 sts)
R8: (Sc 6, inc) x 6. (48 sts)
R9: (Sc 7, inc) x 6. (54 sts)
R10-R17: Sc around. (54 sts)
R18: (Sc 7, dec) x 6. (48 sts)
R19: (Sc 6, dec) x 6. (42 sts)

Fasten off with a very long tail for attaching to the base later.  Insert 10mm plastic safety eyes between R13-R14, 9 sts apart.  (SAFETY NOTE: if this jellyfish toy is for a baby or small young child, it is advised to sew the eyes using yarn/thread to avoid choking hazard with small, plastic parts.)  If desired, sew eyelashes and a mouth on your jellyfish.

BASE

Use the 2.75mm hook and head-colored yarn (pink).

R1: In MR, sc 6. (6 sts)
R2: Inc around. (12 sts)
R3: (Sc, inc) x 6. (18 sts)
R4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6. (24 sts)
R5: (Sc 3, inc) x 6. (30 sts)
R6: (Sc 4, inc) x 6. (36 sts)
R7: (Sc 5, inc) x 6. (42 sts)

Fasten off; no need to leave a long yarn tail.

TENTACLE (x6)

Use the 4.00mm hook and tentacle-colored yarn (pink x 2, orange x 2, yellow x 2).

R1: Ch 60.
R2: Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Insert another sc in same st. Insert 2 sc in each ch across until you reach the end.

Fasten off with a long tail for sewing the base later. Make 6 tentacles (two of each color) or as many as you’d like. (NOTE: If you plan to make more tentacles, make sure they can all fit underneath the base.  I think 8 tentacles would crowd it up pretty well.)

Want photo references AND to support Sweet Softies designs?
Buy the ad-free, printable PDF pattern!

~ FINISHING INSTRUCTIONS~

1. Using a yarn needle and the yarn tail from the tentacles, sew each of them one by one onto the right side of the base. Make sure all yarn tails are pulled through the base.
   
   
2. Take the base and match it up with the bottom of the head, tentacles pointing outwards of course.  Using the long yarn tail from the head, sl st to join the base to a st in the head.  Then, sl st around the entire jelly so that you are attaching the base to the head.  (Make sure you stuff the jellyfish before you close it up completely!)  Join at the end with a sl st to the first sl st. (42 sl st)
   
   
3. Ch 2.  (Hdc+dc in first st. Dc+hdc in next st. Sl st in next st) around.  Join with a sl st to the first hdc.
   
   
4. Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Congratulations on finishing your jellyfish! 

If you enjoyed this free project, you can make a donation to support my work!  Any amount is greatly appreciated and will go directly towards the yarn and supplies I use to keep creating new designs!

Also, if you would like to download the beautifully-formatted, ad-free, and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references (see preview below), you can get it from my shop, Ravelry, or Etsy.  Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies designs!

Printable ad-free PDF pattern with photo references

Love the Juniper the Jellyfish pattern?  

You might enjoy these other free amigurumi designs. Simply click on the image below for the pattern, or check out all my free patterns here.

  

If you made this project and would like to share photos, I'd absolutely love to see!  Here are links for sharing your finished creation:

• Sweet Softies Facebook Page
• Sweet Softies Amigurumi & Crochet Community Facebook Group
• Instagram, @SweetSofties
• Email: sweetsofties [at] gmail.com
• Or, feel free to share in the comments below! :)

As always, you are more than welcome to SHARE this post with any fellow crocheters who'd like to try this pattern!  Thank you for reading, and I wish you all a wonderful day! 

Best wishes,