A round little whale with a happy face is one of the easiest and most rewarding amigurumi you can make. The shape is simple, the colors are calm, and the result looks great in an ocean nursery, on a beach-house shelf or hanging from a keychain.
Below are 12 free crochet whale patterns we opened and checked one by one. You will find mini keychain whales, a tiny no-sew whale, whales that turn into narwhals, an orca, a reversible whale and some bigger, squishy versions. Each one lists yarn, hook and skill level so you can choose fast.
Crochet Whale Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Blue and white worsted weight yarn
- Sport weight cotton for mini whales
- Crochet hook set (2.5 mm to 8 mm)
- Safety eyes in mixed sizes
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Black embroidery floss for smiles
- Keychain rings with jump rings
1. Mini Whale Keychain
Photo: DIY Fluffies
This round mini whale has a blue body, a green belly, little flippers and a tail. In cotton it is only about 2 inches, perfect for a keychain. Make it in velvet (4 inches) or chenille (5 inches) for a bigger, softer whale from the same pattern. A step-by-step video is included, and it takes only an hour or two.
- Designer: DIY Fluffies
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Sport (#2) cotton, or velvet or chenille for bigger sizes
- Hook: 2.5 mm (cotton), 5 mm (chenille)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. William the Whale
Photo: Cheryl Bennett / Crochet 365 Knit Too
William is a small blue whale with a white belly, two side fins and a two-part tail. He is about 4.25 inches from nose to tail and under 2 inches tall. He is worked in rounds of single crochet, so the designer calls him a perfect introduction to amigurumi. Great for using up small amounts of yarn.
- Designer: Cheryl Bennett / Crochet 365 Knit Too
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Aran/worsted (#4), Paintbox Simply Aran
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Tiny Whale
Photo: June Gilbank / PlanetJune
A palm-sized whale, about 3.5 inches long, crocheted in one piece with no sewing. That makes it one of the fastest whales on this list. Use a small amount of blue, gray or white worsted yarn and 8 mm eyes. The designer is known for very clear instructions, so this is a great quick win.
- Designer: June Gilbank / PlanetJune
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free (optional donation for a printable PDF)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Mini Whale
Photo: Nicole Chase
This low-sew mini whale is about 2.5 inches tall and 4 inches long, with side fins, a tail, safety eyes and little embroidered eyebrows. The written pattern has step photos, and there is a full video. It is made to help you practice shaping, so it is a good first stuffed toy.
- Designer: Nicole Chase
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Worsted (#4) acrylic, Brava Worsted
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Simple Chunky Whale
Photo: The Mary Jay
This whale uses only five basic skills: magic ring, single crochet, increase, decrease and fasten off. Super bulky yarn makes it soft and fast. The forehead was shaped to hold a horn, so you can turn it into a narwhal with one small add-on. A free video tutorial is on the page.
- Designer: The Mary Jay
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Hook: 6.5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Whale With Orca and Mini Versions
Photo: TopAmigurumi
Three whales in one post. The main pattern is a round blue whale with a white belly and water spout. You also get an orca color version and a mini whale in DK cotton that works up in under an hour. A good pick if you want to make a whole pod.
- Designer: TopAmigurumi
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Worsted (#4); DK (#3) cotton for the mini
- Hook: 3.5 mm; 2.5 mm for the mini
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Bailey the Whale
Bailey is a mint-blue whale inspired by a trip to Hawaii. He is about 6 inches long and 4 inches tall, with a white belly worked in rows and a little white water spout on top. The body, tail, fins and spout are made separately and sewn together.
- Designer: Loops and Love Crochet
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4), Caron Simply Soft
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Beginner Whale Plushie
Photo: Lucy Kate Crochet
A soft blue whale with a cream underside, made to be quick and easy. The body is worked in rounds, then the cream belly is sewn on after stuffing. A pipe cleaner lets you pose the tail. Merino wool gives it a lovely soft feel, but any worsted yarn will work.
- Designer: Lucy Kate Crochet
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Worsted (#4) merino, blue and cream
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Whale and Narwhal
Photo: Grace and Yarn
One pattern, two sea friends. Make a classic whale or add a white horn for a narwhal. It is about 7 inches long and uses only about 40 yards of the main color, so you can finish it in an afternoon. The body is one piece, with fins and tail sewn on.
- Designer: Grace and Yarn
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4), Lion Brand Feels Like Butta
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Wayne the Whale and Nelly the Narwhal
Photo: Cuddly Stitches Craft
Wayne is a blue and black whale with a tiny bowler hat, and Nelly is a pink narwhal with a horn. Most of the toy is worked in one piece. Fine cotton yarn and a 3 mm hook give crisp, neat stitches. The whale is about 4.5 inches tall and the narwhal about 5.5 inches.
- Designer: Cuddly Stitches Craft
- Skill level: Intermediate (beginner to intermediate)
- Yarn: Sport (#2), YarnArt Jeans
- Hook: 3 mm (C)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Amigurumi Orca
An orca is a toothed whale, and this one is a black and white beauty about 8 inches long. The body, fins and white spots are all crocheted in single crochet rows and then assembled. Soft tube yarn makes it cuddly. There is a full photo tutorial to guide you.
- Designer: Oombawka Design Crochet
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Medium (#4), Loops & Threads Cuddle Craft Tube
- Hook: 4 mm (G) and 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Reversible Whale
Photo: Hookfully
Flip this whale inside out and it changes color and face. It is part of the “Flippy Friends” collection and made in blanket yarn, so it is quick and needs little or no stuffing. At about 9 inches long, it is a fun fidget toy and mood toy for kids.
- Designer: Hookfully
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6), Marriner Get Cosy
- Hook: 8 mm
- Price: Free (ad-supported online) + paid ad-free version
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- Want a keychain? Start with #1, or make the mini from #6.
- Want the fastest whale? #3 is one piece with no sewing.
- First amigurumi ever? #5 uses only five basic skills, and #4 has a full video.
- Love narwhals? #9 and #10 both include a narwhal.
- Making a gift for a kid? #12, the reversible whale, is a fun surprise.
FAQ
How do you make a crochet whale belly?
Most patterns either change to white yarn for the lower rounds or crochet a separate oval in white and sew it on after stuffing. A separate piece is easier for beginners because you avoid color changes. Pin it in place first so it sits straight, then whip stitch around the edge.
What size hook do I need for a mini crochet whale?
For a keychain-size whale, use sport or DK cotton with a 2.5 mm to 3 mm hook. That makes a whale about 2 to 3 inches long. Go one hook size smaller than the yarn label suggests so the stitches stay tight and the stuffing does not show.
Can I turn a crochet whale into a narwhal?
Yes. Crochet a long, thin cone in white or cream yarn and sew it to the top of the forehead. Some crocheters wrap it with a contrast strand for a twisted look. Patterns #5, #9 and #10 above already explain how to add a horn.
Grab some blue yarn and make a happy little whale for someone you love.