I already wrote a whale for you (the beginner whale in “Free Easy Amigurumi for Beginners”), so this one is a different design: a soft, baby-safe cuddle whale with a wide curved body, a lighter belly, embroidered closed eyes, a flat tail, and a tiny water spout worked into the top. Every feature is embroidered or crocheted in one piece, so there are no small parts to come loose. Give it as a baby shower gift, a newborn keepsake, or a nursery shelf friend.
Pattern Information
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate, with color changes and simple sewing.
Terms: US crochet terminology.
Construction: The body is worked in one piece in continuous rounds, with the belly color worked as a separate patch sewn on. The tail flukes, fins, and spout are worked separately. All features are embroidered.
Estimated size: About 20 cm (8 in) long and 11 cm (4.25 in) tall, using DK-weight cotton. Actual dimensions depend on yarn, tension, and stuffing.
Pattern note: This is an original design based on the title concept. Stitch counts have been checked, but the pattern has not been physically crocheted or independently tested. Adjust the shaping and feature placement to suit your yarn.
Materials
- DK-weight cotton or baby-safe cotton blend yarn in pale blue, approximately 40 g, for the body, flukes, and fins.
- Cream or white yarn, approximately 8 g, for the belly patch and spout.
- Pink thread for the cheeks, and dark gray or black thread for the closed eyes and smile.
- A 2.5 mm hook as a starting point (use a hook small enough to keep the fabric dense).
- Polyester fiberfill, stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and removable pins.
All features are embroidered, so this whale is suitable for babies. Use a tight stitch so the stuffing cannot escape, sew every part on with several passes, and check the seams regularly.
Stitches and Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | magic ring |
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| inc | 2 sc in one stitch |
| dec | invisible single crochet decrease over the next 2 stitches |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
Work in a spiral without joining or turning unless directed otherwise. Numbers in brackets give the completed stitch count. Repeat parentheses the stated number of times. Move the marker at the start of every round.
Before You Begin
Crochet tightly so the stuffing does not show through the stitches. Stuff firmly but evenly, adding small pieces rather than large clumps. The whale is longer than it is tall, so lay the body on its side as you stuff to keep the shape even.
Embroider the face after stuffing, so you can place the features where they look best.
Body (pale blue)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Round 7: (5 sc, inc) × 6. [42]
Rounds 8–20: Sc in every stitch. [42 per round; 13 rounds]
Round 21: (5 sc, dec) × 6. [36]
Round 22: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 23: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Stuff the body firmly now.
Round 24: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Rounds 25–28: Sc in every stitch. [18 per round; 4 rounds]
Round 29: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Rounds 30–32: Sc in every stitch. [12 per round; 3 rounds]
Add a little more stuffing and fasten off with a long tail. Close the opening with a few stitches. The narrow end is the tail, and the round end is the head. Curve the body gently so the tail points upward.
Belly Patch (cream)
Ch 13.
Round 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in the next 10 ch. Work 3 sc in the last ch. Turn and work 10 sc along the other side of the chain, then 2 sc in the last stitch. [26]
Round 2: Inc in the first st, sc in the next 10 sts, inc in each of the next 3 sts, sc in the next 10 sts, inc in each of the last 2 sts. [32]
Sl st in the next stitch and fasten off with a long tail. Pin the patch to the underside of the body, from just behind the face to about Round 24, and sew all around with small stitches.
Tail Flukes (make 2, pale blue)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. [9]
Rounds 3–4: Sc around. [9 per round; 2 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten each fluke, and sew the two side by side to the tail end in a V shape, with several passes.
Fins (make 2, pale blue)
Round 1: 5 sc in MR. [5]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 2, sc. [7]
Rounds 3–4: Sc around. [7 per round; 2 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten and sew to the lower sides of the body, about 6 rounds behind the face, angled slightly backward.
Spout (cream)
Leave a long tail, then ch 5. Sl st in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Make 3 and sew them together at the base into a small fan. Attach securely to the top of the head. Skip the spout for babies under one year, and embroider three short cream stitches in a fan shape instead.
Face
- Closed eyes: With dark thread, embroider two small downward curves on Rounds 12–13, with about 14 stitches between them.
- Smile: Embroider a small smile about 2 rounds below the eyes, about 5 stitches wide.
- Cheeks: With pink thread, add a small patch of 2 or 3 horizontal stitches below and outside each eye.
Assembly and Finishing
- Belly: Sew it on as described above, with small, even stitches.
- Tail and fins: Sew them on firmly, with several passes along each base.
- Shape: Roll the body gently between your palms and curve the tail slightly upward.
- Hide every tail and give each part a firm tug to check it holds.
Practical Tips and Troubleshooting
The body looks lumpy. Add stuffing in small wisps and roll the whale between your palms.
The tail droops. Stuff the narrow end lightly and sew the flukes on with extra stitches.
The belly patch puckers. Sew it on with small, loose stitches and press it flat with a damp cloth first.
The whale rolls over. Flatten the underside slightly before attaching the belly patch.
The embroidery puckers. Pull the stitches more loosely and keep them the same length.
FAQ
Is it safe for a newborn? With embroidered features and firmly sewn parts, it is suitable for babies. Skip the 3D spout for babies under one year, and always check the seams before gifting.
Can I make it bigger? Yes. Use chunky yarn and a 4 mm hook for a whale about one and a half times larger, and add 3 extra plain rounds before the decreases.
Can I wash it? Yes. Use cotton or a washable blend, put the whale in a mesh bag, and wash it gently on a cool cycle. Air-dry it flat.
Can I make it in other colors? Absolutely. Try soft gray, mint, or lavender for a nursery set.
More Free Crochet Patterns
- Easy Amigurumi for Beginners (Whale)
- Easy Crochet Octopus Pattern
- Crochet Turtle Pattern
Save This Pattern
Pin this Crochet Whale Baby Gift Pattern to your Pinterest board for your next handmade gift. Happy crocheting!
