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Amigurumi crochet whale pattern for mama and baby

4.5mm hook, worsted-weight plush yarn: amigurumi mama and baby whale, 79 rounds, 35cm and 18cm finished.

Amigurumi crochet whale pattern for mama and baby
IntermediateLevel
4-6 hoursTime
4.5 mmHook
WorstedYarn
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About this pattern

This pattern makes two amigurumi whales — a 35cm (14-inch) mama and an 18cm (7-inch) baby — worked in continuous spiral with chenille/plush yarn and a 4.5mm (G-7) hook. The mama body spans 79 rounds across four sections: expansion, constant, gradual decrease, and tail shaping. Separate tail flukes, side fins, and a belly patch are worked flat, then sewn on. Safety eyes (18mm mama, 12mm baby) and fiberfill stuffing finish the toy.

This amigurumi pattern builds a mama whale and a matching baby whale, both worked in continuous spiral with chenille/plush yarn. The mama body runs through four named sections — expansion (Rounds 1-13), constant head and body (Rounds 14-28), gradual decrease (Rounds 29-48), and tail shaping (Rounds 49-79) — a 79-round build before any add-on pieces. Finished mama measures 35cm (14 inches); baby measures 18cm (7 inches). Tail flukes, side fins, and a belly patch are crocheted flat and sewn on after the body is stuffed.

The pattern

Written out round by round

Materials

  • Main Color (Dark Blue): 200g of chenille/plush yarn (Himalaya Dolphin Baby, YarnArt Dolce, or similar velvet yarn) for Mama Whale
  • Contrast Color (Light Blue or White): 50g of chenille/plush yarn for Mama’s belly patch

Baby Whale Blue

  • 80g of chenille/plush yarn

Baby Belly

  • 20g of light blue/white chenille/plush yarn

Crochet hook

  • 4.5mm (G-7)

Safety eyes

  • 18mm for Mama Whale, 12mm for Baby Whale
  • Fiberfill stuffing
  • Yarn needle (with large eye)
  • Stitch markers
  • Scissors
  • Pins for assembly

Abbreviations

  • mr = magic ring
  • sc = single crochet
  • inc = increase (2 sc in one stitch)
  • dec = invisible decrease
  • st(s) = stitch(es)
  • ch = chain
  • () = total stitch count
  • [] = repeat instructions
  • × = multiply/repeat

Expansion Section (Rounds 1-13)

Step by step: [Sc 5, dec] × 6 (36).

Step by step: [Sc 2, dec] × 6 (18).

Step by step: Work in Dark Blue yarn. Do not stuff.

Round 16 sc in magic ring (6)
Round 2Inc × 6 (12)
Round 3[Sc 1, inc] × 6 (18)
Round 4[Sc 2, inc] × 6 (24)
Round 5[Sc 3, inc] × 6 (30)Step by step: [Sc 4, inc] × 6 (36).
Round 62 sc, inc, [sc 4, inc] × 5, 2 sc (36)
Round 7[Sc 5, inc] × 6 (42)Step by step: Fasten off and close the remaining hole.
Round 83 sc, inc, [sc 6, inc] × 5, 3 sc (48)Step by step: [Sc 1, dec] × 6 (12).
Round 9[Sc 7, inc] × 6 (54)
Round 104 sc, inc, [sc 8, inc] × 5, 4 sc (60)
Round 11[Sc 9, inc] × 6 (66)
Round 125 sc, inc, [sc 10, inc] × 5, 5 sc (72)
Round 13[Sc 11, inc] × 6 (78)

Mama Whale Tail Flukes (Make 2)

Work in Dark Blue yarn. Do not stuff.

Round 16 sc in magic ring (6)
Round 25 sc, inc (7)
Round 36 sc, inc (8)
Round 47 sc, inc (9)
Round 53 sc, inc, 3 sc, 2 inc (12)
Round 64 sc, inc, 4 sc, 2 inc, 1 sc (15)
Round 711 sc, 2 inc, 2 sc (17)
Round 812 sc, 2 inc, 3 sc (19)
Round 913 sc, 2 inc, 4 sc (21)
Round 1014 sc, 2 inc, 5 sc (23)
Round 1115 sc, 2 inc, 6 sc (25)
Round 12Sc in each st around (25)
Round 13Sc in each st around (25)
Round 14Sc in each st around (25)
Round 15[Sc 3, dec] × 5 (20)
Round 16[Sc 2, dec] × 5 (15)
Round 17[Sc 1, dec] × 5 (10)
Round 18Dec × 5 (5)Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew the two flukes together at the base, then attach to the tip of the body with flukes spread horizontally.

Mama Whale Side Fins (Make 2)

Work in Dark Blue yarn. Do not stuff.

Round 16 sc in magic ring (6)
Round 2[Sc 1, inc] × 3 (9)
Round 3[Sc 2, inc] × 3 (12)
Round 4Sc in each st around (12)
Round 5[Sc 3, inc] × 3 (15)
Round 6Sc in each st around (15)
Round 7[Sc 4, inc] × 3 (18)
Round 8Sc in each st around (18)
Round 9[Sc 5, inc] × 3 (21)
Round 10Sc in each st around (21)
Round 11[Sc 5, dec] × 3 (18)
Round 12[Sc 4, dec] × 3 (15)
Round 13[Sc 3, dec] × 3 (12)
Round 14[Sc 2, dec] × 3 (9)
Round 15[Sc 1, dec] × 3 (6)Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Flatten fins and sew to sides of body at rounds 34-36, angled slightly backward.

Mama Whale Belly Patch

Work in rows with Light Blue or White yarn.

Foundation: Ch 25

Round 1Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across, ch 1, turn (24 sc)
Round 22 sc in first st, sc 22, 2 sc in last st, ch 1, turn (26 sc)
Round 3Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (26 sc)
Round 42 sc in first st, sc 24, 2 sc in last st, ch 1, turn (28 sc)
Round 5Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (28 sc)
Round 645 Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (28 sc)
Round 46Dec, sc 24, dec, ch 1, turn (26 sc)
Round 47Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (26 sc)
Round 48Dec, sc 22, dec, ch 1, turn (24 sc)
Round 49Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (24 sc)
Round 50Dec, sc 20, dec, ch 1, turn (22 sc)
Round 51Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (22 sc)
Round 52Dec, sc 18, dec, ch 1, turn (20 sc)
Round 53Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (20 sc)
Round 54Dec, sc 16, dec, ch 1, turn (18 sc)
Round 55Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (18 sc)
Round 56Dec, sc 14, dec, ch 1, turn (16 sc)
Round 57Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (16 sc)
Round 58Dec, sc 12, dec, ch 1, turn (14 sc)
Round 59Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (14 sc)
Round 60Dec, sc 10, dec (12 sc) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Pin to underside of whale from front to middle section, then sew around entire perimeter.

Baby Whale Tail Flukes (Make 2)

Work in Dark Blue yarn. Do not stuff.

Round 14 sc in magic ring (4)
Round 2Inc × 4 (8)
Round 3[Sc 1, inc] × 4 (12)
Round 4[Sc 2, inc] × 4 (16)
Round 5Sc in each st around (16)
Round 6[Sc 2, dec] × 4 (12)
Round 7Dec × 6 (6)Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Sew the two parts together at the base, then attach to tip of body horizontally.

Baby Whale Belly Patch

Work in rows with Light Blue or White yarn.

Foundation: Ch 12

Round 1Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across, ch 1, turn (11 sc)
Round 22 sc in first st, sc 9, 2 sc in last st, ch 1, turn (13 sc)
Rounds 3–20Sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (13 sc)
Round 21Dec, sc 9, dec, ch 1, turn (11 sc)
Round 22Dec, sc 7, dec (9 sc) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Pin to underside of whale and sew around perimeter.

Constant Section – Head and Body (Rounds 14-28)

Round 14Sc in each st around (78)
Round 15Sc in each st around (78)Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Flatten and sew to sides of body at rounds 18-20, angled slightly backward.
Round 16Sc in each st around (78)
Round 17Sc in each st around (78)
Round 18Sc in each st around (78)
Round 19Sc in each st around (78)
Round 20Sc in each st around (78)
Round 21Sc in each st around (78)
Round 22Sc in each st around (78)
Round 23Sc in each st around (78)
Round 24Sc in each st around (78)
Round 25Sc in each st around (78)
Round 26Sc in each st around (78)
Round 27Sc in each st around (78)
Round 28Sc in each st around (78)Insert 18mm safety eyes between rounds 16-17, about 20 stitches apart. Position them in the front third of the body.Score: 0 Can you guess this Pattern?

Gradual Decrease Section (Rounds 29-48)

Round 29[Sc 11, dec] × 6 (72)
Round 30Sc in each st around (72)
Round 31Sc in each st around (72)
Round 325 sc, dec, [sc 10, dec] × 5, 5 sc (66)
Round 33Sc in each st around (66)
Round 34[Sc 9, dec] × 6 (60)
Round 35Sc in each st around (60)
Round 36Sc in each st around (60)
Round 37Sc in each st around (60)
Round 38Sc in each st around (60)
Round 39Sc in each st around (60)
Round 40Sc in each st around (60)
Round 41Sc in each st around (60)
Round 42Sc in each st around (60)
Round 43[Sc 8, dec] × 6 (54)
Round 44Sc in each st around (54)
Round 45Sc in each st around (54)
Round 46Sc in each st around (54)
Round 47Sc in each st around (54)
Round 48Sc in each st around (54)Begin stuffing the head and body section firmly. Continue adding stuffing as you work the tail.

Tail Shaping Section (Rounds 49-79)

Round 49Dec, 4 sc, dec, 40 sc, dec, 4 sc (51)
Round 50Sc in each st around (51)
Round 51Dec, 4 sc, dec, 37 sc, dec, 4 sc (48)
Round 52Sc in each st around (48)
Round 53Dec, 4 sc, dec, 34 sc, dec, 4 sc (45)
Round 54Sc in each st around (45)
Round 55Dec, 4 sc, dec, 31 sc, dec, 4 sc (42)
Round 56Sc in each st around (42)Step by step: Insert 12mm safety eyes between rounds 11-12, about 12 stitches apart.
Round 57Dec, 4 sc, dec, 28 sc, dec, 4 sc (39)
Round 58Sc in each st around (39)
Round 59Dec, 4 sc, dec, 25 sc, dec, 4 sc (36)
Round 60Sc in each st around (36)Step by step: [Sc 4, dec] × 6 (30).
Round 61Dec, 4 sc, dec, 22 sc, dec, 4 sc (33)
Round 62Sc in each st around (33)
Round 63Sc in each st around (33)
Round 64Dec, 4 sc, dec, 19 sc, dec, 4 sc (30)
Round 65Sc in each st around (30)Step by step: [Sc 3, dec] × 6 (24); Start stuffing the body firmly.
Round 66Dec, 4 sc, dec, 16 sc, dec, 4 sc (27)
Round 67Sc in each st around (27)
Round 68Dec, 3 sc, dec, 15 sc, dec, 3 sc (24)
Round 69Sc in each st around (24)
Round 70Dec, 3 sc, dec, 12 sc, dec, 3 sc (21)
Round 71Sc in each st around (21)
Round 72Dec, 3 sc, dec, 9 sc, dec, 3 sc (18)
Round 73Sc in each st around (18)
Round 74Dec, 3 sc, dec, 6 sc, dec, 3 sc (15)
Round 75Sc in each st around (15)
Round 76Dec, 3 sc, dec, 3 sc, dec, 3 sc (12)
Round 77Sc in each st around (12)
Round 78[Sc 1, dec] × 4 (8)
Round 79Sc in each st around (8)Continue stuffing the tail section firmly as you decrease.Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Thread onto yarn needle and weave through the remaining 8 stitches. Pull tight to close the hole and weave in ends.

Color Variations

Orca (Killer Whale): Black body with white belly

Customization Ideas

Expressions: Sleepy whale: Embroidered closed eyes Happy whale: Upturned smile and rosy cheeks Surprised whale: Eyes far apart

Accessories: Small crown for royal whale Sailor hat for nautical theme Party hat for celebrations Seasonal Themes: Christmas: Santa hat

Valentine's: Hearts and pink colors Halloween: Witch hat

Assembly

Step 1Mama Whale Assembly: Attach Belly Patch: Pin the white belly patch to the underside of the whale. The wider end should be at the front. Sew around the entire perimeter using whip stitch.
Step 2Position Eyes: Safety eyes should be between rounds 16-17, approximately 20 stitches apart, in the front third of the body.
Step 3Attach Side Fins: Position fins at rounds 34-36, angled slightly backward. Pin in place and sew securely around the base.
Step 4Attach Tail Flukes: Sew the two flukes together at their narrow bases. Attach to the tip of the tail in a horizontal position (spread left-right, not up-down).
Step 5Add Details: Optionally embroider a blowhole on top of the head and a smile below the eyes.
Step 6Baby Whale Assembly: Attach Belly Patch: Pin and sew the small belly patch to the underside, centered.
Step 7Eyes: Should be between rounds 11-12, about 12 stitches apart.
Step 8Attach Fins: Sew fins to sides at rounds 18-20, angled slightly backward.
Step 9Attach Tail Flukes: Join the two small flukes and sew to the tip horizontally.
Step 10Add Details: Optionally add smile and blowhole.

Tester's notes

4.5mm (G-7) is the only hook size given for the mama and baby bodies, fins, and flukes; chenille yarn splits if forced onto a smaller hook, so stay at 4.5mm throughout.

16-17 is where eyes go in — mark that exact round before inserting safety eyes, since chenille's plush loops hide round boundaries once the body is stuffed.

34-36 is where side fins attach, angled slightly backward; pin both fins before sewing either one so they end up level with each other.

20 stitches is the measured gap between the two eyes — count stitches rather than eyeballing the distance, since chenille fabric stretches under pins.

Tail flukes and side fins are not stuffed; only the main body takes fiberfill, so keep stuffing out of flat pieces before whip-stitching them shut.

At a glance

Rounds145
Parts11
LevelIntermediate
Time4-6 hours
Hook4.5 mm
YarnWorsted

Gauge check

No swatch gauge is given, so check the stitch count at Round 13, the end of the expansion section, against the pattern's target of 36 stitches before moving into the constant section.

If the count drifts from 36, or the fabric gapes enough to show stuffing through the loops, drop to a half-size smaller hook and recount from Round 1 rather than correcting later rounds.

Stitch-count checkpoints

  • Expansion Section (Rounds 1-13) · Round 4: 24 sts
  • Expansion Section (Rounds 1-13) · Round 8: 48 sts
  • Expansion Section (Rounds 1-13) · Round 12: 72 sts
  • Expansion Section (Rounds 1-13) · Round 13: 78 sts
  • Mama Whale Tail Flukes (Make 2) · Round 6: 15 sts
  • Mama Whale Tail Flukes (Make 2) · Round 12: 25 sts

If something looks wrong

The belly patch puckers instead of lying flat against the body.
The 21-round patch and the body opening are not eased evenly before sewing. Pin the patch in place first, distribute any fullness around the entire perimeter, then whip stitch the full edge rather than pulling tight at one point.
The two eyes sit at different heights.
Placement was judged by eye instead of by stitch count. Recount to Rounds 16-17 and measure 20 stitches apart on each side before pushing the posts through.
The body widens unevenly partway through the constant section (Rounds 14-28).
A stitch marker slipped or was never reset at the start of a round, letting the count drift. Re-place a marker at the start of every round and confirm the stitch count holds steady before continuing.
The tail flukes cup instead of lying flat.
The increases in Rounds 2-4 (5 sc + inc, 6 sc + inc, 7 sc + inc) were placed inconsistently, bunching stitches to one side. Check that counts match 7, 8, 9 at those rounds, then block the flat piece before sewing the two flukes together.

Yarn substitutions

Acrylic velvet/plush, worsted weightClosest match to the chenille called for; keeps the same 4.5mm hook, the same 200g/50g quantities, and roughly the same 35cm/18cm finished sizes.
Cotton or cotton-blend, worsted/aran weightProduces a firmer, less plush fabric with far less drape than chenille. Drop to a hook smaller than 4.5mm to tighten stitches and keep stuffing from showing through.
Acrylic or cotton, fingering weight with a 2.5mm hookMatches the pattern's own tiny-whale variant: finished size drops well below 35cm, maximum stitch count for the mama reduces to 30, and less fiberfill is needed per piece.
FAQs

Questions

How long does the finished mama whale measure compared to the baby?

The mama whale measures approximately 35cm (14 inches), built across 79 rounds in four sections. The baby whale measures about 18cm (7 inches), using the shorter versions of the same parts.

Can a different hook size be used for a tighter fabric?

The pattern specifies 4.5mm (G-7) for the body, fins, and flukes. Going much smaller makes chenille hard to work, and going much larger lets stuffing show through the loops, so stay within a half size of 4.5mm.

Where exactly do the eyes and side fins attach on the body?

Safety eyes sit between Rounds 16-17, about 20 stitches apart, in the front third of the body. Side fins attach at Rounds 34-36, angled slightly backward, with both fins pinned before either is sewn.

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