quick Archives - Lucy Kate Crochet

Crochet Bee – Beginner Friendly Free Pattern

Lucy Kate — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 11:35:49 +0000

Is there anyone who doesn’t love bees? Even my friends who aren’t particular insect lovers seem to be big fans of our pollinating buddies.

My usual amigurumi style tends towards the realistic, but with my crochet bee pattern the priority was cute and simple. I’d love to hear whether you think i’ve hit those goals, but I’m hopeful!

What You Will Need

25g DK yellow yarn
25g DK black yarn
25g DK white yarn
3mm crochet hook
Steel yarn needle
Toy safe stuffing
Scissors
2 x 10mm safety eyes

The Stitches

mc – magic circle
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
2sc – make two single crochets into the same stitch
sc2tog – use one single crochet to join two stitches together
cc – color change

Free Crochet Bee Pattern

You are going to create your bee in a few separate parts, which will be hand sewn together.

The Head and Body

Begin working in your yellow yarn.

Round 1

Make a magic circle of 8 stitches

Round 2

2sc x 8 (16)

Round 3

(1sc, 2sc) x 8 (24)

Round 4

(1sc x 2, 2sc) x 8 (32)

Round 5 – 8

1sc x 32

Round 9

(1sc x 3, 2sc) x 8 (40)

Round 10 – 14

1sc x 40

Round 15

(1sc x 3, sc2tog) x 8 (32)

Round 16 – 17

1sc x 32

Round 18

(1sc x 2, sc2tog) x 8 (24)

Insert safety eyes at round eleven level, six stitches apart.

Round 19

(1sc, sc2tog) x 8 (16)

Round 20

(1sc, 2sc) x 8 (24)

Round 21

(1sc x 2, 2sc) x 8 (32)

cc to black

Round 22

(1sc x 3, 2sc) x 8 (40)

Round 23 – 27

1sc x 40

Round 28

(1sc x 3, sc2tog) x 8 (32)

cc to yellow

Round 29 – 35

1sc x 32

cc to black

Round 36 – 40

1sc x 32

Round 41

(1sc x 2, sc2tog) x 8 (24)

Round 42

1sc x 24

cc to yellow

Round 43 – 48

1sc x 24

cc to black

Round 49 – 51

1sc x 24

Round 52

(1sc, sc2tog) x 8 (16)

Fill with toy safe stuffing

Round 53 – 54

1sc x 16

Round 55

sc2tog x 8 then sew to close.

The Wings

Work 2 wings in your white yarn.

Round 1

Make a magic circle of eight stitches

Round 2

1sc x 8

Round 3

2sc x 8 (16)

Round 4 – 5

1sc x 16

Round 6

(1sc, 2sc) x 8 (24)

Round 7 – 9

1sc x 24

Round 10

(1sc x 2, 2sc) x 8 (32)

Round 11 – 14

1sc x 32

Flatten the shape and work a single crochet through the stitches on each side to join together.

Antenna

Make 2 antenna in black yarn

Round 1

Make a magic circle of six stitches

Round 2

2sc x 6 (12)

Round 3 – 4

1sc x 12

Round 5

sc2tog x 6 (6)

Fill with toy safe stuffing

Round 6 – 10

1sc x 6

Fill the remainder of the shape with toy safe stuffing.

Sew the antenna onto the top of the head, centrally in line with each of the eyes.

Make Them Smile

Finally you can sew a small smile onto the middle of the face, to make your crochet bee happy!

The post Crochet Bee – Beginner Friendly Free Pattern appeared first on Lucy Kate Crochet.

Tiny Crochet Owl Pattern

Lucy Kate — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:13:55 +0000

I absolutely love a tiny crochet project. My latest design, this miniature crochet owl, is one of my smallest yet, and I’m really pleased with how it came out.

I’ve managed to pack in a fair amount of detail despite the smaller stature, and I think it goes really well with the slightly mottled brown yarn that I chose.

What You’ll Need

50g Brown DK yarn
20g White DK yarn
Orange scraps of DK yarn
3.5mm crochet hook
6mm safety eyes
Toy safe stuffing

The Stitches

mc – magic circle
sc – single crochet
2sc – make two single crochets into one stitch
sc2tog – use one single crochet to join two stitches together

Tiny Amigurumi Owl Pattern

Head and Body

Begin working in your brown yarn

Round 1

Make a magic circle of eight stitches (8)

Round 2

2sc x 8 (16)

Round 3

(1sc, 2sc) x 8 (24)

Round 4 – 11

1sc x 24

Round 12

(1sc, sc2tog) x 8 (16)

Round 13

(1sc, 2sc) x 8 (24)

Round 14 – 22

1sc x 24

Round 23

(1sc, sc2tog) x 8 (16)

Fill with toy safe stuffing

Round 24

sc2tog x 8 then leave for sewing after the eyes are inserted.

The Feather Markings

Use your white yarn to make feather markings onto the body with the yarn needle. It looks best as a random series of small and large V shapes sewn into the body.

Eye Patches

The eye patches will be made separately using the white yarn.

Round 1

Make a magic circle of six stitches (6)

Round 2

2sc x 4 (10)

Make two eye patches, then flip one over and hide the ends. Sew them together at the points.

Place onto the head and insert safety eyes through the white piece.

Now you can sew the base of the body together with your yarn needle and brown yarn.

Beak

Use your orange yarn for the beak. Make a magic circle of five stitches, then make 1sc into each stitch and sew at the bottom center of the eye patches.

The Ears

The ears will be made using your brown yarn.

Round 1

Make a magic circle of five stitches (5)

Round 2

1sc x 5 (5)

Round 3

2sc x 3 (8)

Now flatten the ears and sew round three onto the top side of the head.

Wings

The wings will also be made in brown yarn.

Round 1

Make a magic circle of six stitches (6)

Round 2 – 3

1sc x 6

Round 4

2sc x 6 (12)

Round 5

(1sc, 2sc) x 6 (18)

Round 6

Single crochet the sides of the wings together.

Leaving the curved edge to create the top line of the wings, sew them onto the sides of the body.

The post Tiny Crochet Owl Pattern appeared first on Lucy Kate Crochet.

Easy Free Crochet Jellyfish Pattern

Lucy Kate — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:56:20 +0000

I absolutely love designing crochet sea creatures, and I realised recently that I’d never made a crochet jellyfish. What a travesty! I absolutely adore tactile projects, so I really leaned into the dangling tentacles, and I hope you have lots of fun hooking them all up. I think it’s a really satisfying, simple project.

What You’ll Need

I used the following to make my jellyfish:

50g cream worsted weight merino wool yarn
100g pink worsted weight merino wool yarn
4mm crochet hook
Yarn needle
Toy safe stuffing
Stitch markers
12mm safety eyes

Stitches and Terms

magic circle
sc – single crochet
2sc – two single crochets in the same stitch
sc2tog – use one single crochet to join two stitches
ch – chain
sk – skip
FLO – work into the front loop only
BLO – work into the back loop only

The Head

Begin working in your pink yarn

Round 1

Make a magic circle of eight stitches (8)

Round 2

2sc x 8 (16)

Round 3

(1sc, 2sc) x 8 (24)

Round 4

(1sc x 2, 2sc) x 8 (32)

Round 5

1sc x 32

Round 6

(1sc x 3, 2sc) x 8 (40)

Round 7 – 8

1sc x 40

Round 9

(1sc x 4, 2sc) x 8 (48)

Round 10 – 11

1sc x 48

Round 12

(1sc x 5, 2sc) x 8 (56)

Round 13 – 14

1sc x 56

Round 15

(1sc x 6, 2sc) x 8 (64)

Round 16 – 21

1sc x 64

Round 22

(1sc x 6, sc2tog) x 8 (56)

Round 23

(1sc x 5, sc2tog) x 8 (48)

Round 24

(1sc x 4, sc2tog) x 8 (40)

Round 25

1sc x 40

Round 26

FLO (1sc x 4, 2sc) x 8 (48)

Round 27

2sc x 48 (96)

Round 28

Into round 25’s BLO work 1sc x 40

Round 29

1sc x 40

Round 30

FLO (1sc x 4, 2sc) x 8 (48)

Round 31

2sc x 48 (96)

Round 32

1sc x 96

Round 33

Into round 29’s BLO work 1sc x 40

Round 34

1sc x 40

Round 35

FLO 2sc x 40 (80)

Round 36

1sc x 40 into BLO of round 34

Round 37

(1sc x 3, sc2tog) x 8 (32)

Round 38

(1sc x 2, sc2tog) x 8 (24)

Round 39

(1sc, sc2tog) x 8 (16)

Insert safety eyes into the front. Use the joint at the back to show you where the front is, and place the eyes approximately eight stitches apart, at round 18 level.

Fill with toy stuffing.

Round 40

sc2tog x 8 then sew closed

Four White Tentacles

Work using your white yarn

Round 1

ch91

Round 2

sk1, 1sc x 90

Using the tail end of the yarn, sew the tentacles around the underside middle of the jellyfish

Eight Pink Tentacles

Work using your pink yarn

Round 1

ch101

Round 2

sk1, 1sc x 100

Using the tail end of the yarn, sew the tentacles around the underside edge of the jellyfish

Final Details

The final eye details can be hand sewn on with the cream yarn, just making a long stitch underneath each eye to give it depth.

You might also like to give your jellyfish a little mouth for some extra character!

The post Easy Free Crochet Jellyfish Pattern appeared first on Lucy Kate Crochet.

Mini Octopus Crochet Pattern

Lucy Kate — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 12:44:51 +0000

This tiny amigurumi octopus is a fabulously quick project. Ideal for a last minute gift, fun keychain, or to add to your crochet stall on market day. To make your mini crochet octopus, you will only need a tiny partial skein from your yarn stash, and a dab of toy filling or some yarn scraps to stuff it.

What You’ll Need

DK yarn
3mm crochet hook
Toy stuffing
6mm safety eyes
Steel yarn needle

The Stitches

mc – magic circle
sc – single crochet
2sc – make two single crochets into one stitch
sc2tog – use one single crochet to join two stitches together
ch – chain
sk – skip the next stitch
slst – slip stitch
BLO – back loop only

Mini Crochet Octopus Pattern

Round 1

Make a magic circle of eight stitches (8)

Round 2

2sc x 8 (16)

Round 3

1sc x 16

Round 4

(1sc, 2sc) x 8 (24)

Round 5 – 10

1sc x 24

Round 11

(1sc, sc2tog, 1sc x 3) x 4 (20)

Round 12 – 13

1sc x 20

Round 14

(sc2tog, 1sc x 3) x 4 (20)

Add safety eyes at round 11, approximately a third of the circumference of the head apart.

Fill with toy stuffing.

Round 15

1sc x 16

You are now going to begin to form you octopuses arms.

Round 16

(ch21, sk, 1sc x 20, sc in the next st, slst into the next stitch) x 8

Round 17

You are now going to close the underside of your octopus, by working into the back loop only of the round 15’s stitches

1sc into the BLO x 16

Round 18

sc2tog x 8 then sew to close. Top up the toy stuffing before you close the ring if you feel it isn’t padded enough at this stage.

Facial Expression

If you’d like your little octopus to have a stern expression, sew two lines of yearn above and below the safety eyes.

The post Mini Octopus Crochet Pattern appeared first on Lucy Kate Crochet.

Free Crochet Whale Plushie Pattern for Beginners

Lucy Kate — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 13:22:25 +0000

This crochet whale pattern was born when I received some gorgeous blue and gray yarns in a subscription box I was reviewing. I just instantly felt they were destined to become a whale, and I quickly set to work making one.

This pattern is designed to be quick and easy to crochet, but if you’ve got any questions just pop them in the comments box at the bottom of this page.

What You’ll Need

I used the following to make my whale:

50g blue worsted weight merino wool yarn
50g cream worsted weight merino wool yarn
4mm crochet hook
Yarn needle
Pins
Pipe cleaners
Toy safe stuffing
Stitch markers

The Stitches

You are going to crochet your whale in rounds, using these basic crochet stitches:

Magic circle
sc – single crochet
2sc – two single crochets in the same stitch
sc2tog – use one single crochet to join two stitches

The Main Body and Head

Begin with your blue yarn and 4mm crochet hook.

Round 1

Make a magic circle of six stitches (6)

Round 2

2sc x 6 (12)

Round 3

(1sc, 2sc) x 6 (18)

Round 4

(1sc x 2, 2sc) x 6 (24)

Round 5

1sc x 24 (24)

Round 6

(1sc x 3, 2sc) x 6 (30)

Round 7

(1sc x 4, 2sc) x 6 (36)

Round 8 – 9

1sc x 36 (36)

Round 10

(1sc x 5, 2sc) x 6 (42)

Round 11 – 18

1sc x 42 (42)

Round 19

(1sc x 5, sc2tog) x 4, 1sc x 14 (38)

Round 20

1sc x 38 (38)

Round 21

(1sc x 4, sc2tog) x 4, 1sc x 14 (34)

Round 22

1sc x 34 (34)

Round 23

(1sc x 3, sc2tog) x 4, 1sc x 14 (30)

Round 24

1sc x 30 (30)

Insert safety eyes. Sit your crochet on a desk, with the magic circle end facing you. Count back 13 rounds, and place each eye about two stitches up from the desk.

Round 25 – 26

1sc x 30 (30)

Round 27

(1sc x 3, sc2tog) x 6 (24)

Round 28 – 29

1sc x 24 (24)

Round 30

(1sc x 2, sc2tog) x 6 (18)

Round 31

1sc x 18 (18)

Stuff your whale so far, being careful not to distort the position of the eyes or over stuff.

Round 32

(1sc, sc2tog) x 6 (12)

Round 33 – 39

1sc x 12 (12)

Insert a pipe cleaner into the whale, pushing it approximately half way through the body, leaving about a cm protruding. You’ll crochet around that as you continue.

Round 40

sc2tog x 6 (6)

Round 41 – 43

1sc x 6

Hand sew closed, and hide the yarn tail inside your whale.

The Underside

You are going to need your cream yarn and 4mm crochet hook for this section. It’ll be made in the same way as the body, but you are not going to stuff it, and flatten it when it’s complete.

Round 1

Make a magic circle of six stitches (6)

Round 2

2sc x 6 (12)

Round 3

1sc x 12 (12)

Round 4

(1sc, 2sc) x 6 (18)

Round 5

(1sc x 2, 2sc) x 6 (24)

Round 6 – 10

1sc x 24 (24)

Round 11

(1sc x 2, sc2tog) x 6 (18)

Round 12 – 15

1sc x 18

Round 16

(1sc, sc2tog) x 6 (12)

Round 17 – 21

1sc x 12 (12)

Round 22

sc2tog x 6

Round 23 – 25

1sc x 6, then hand sew to close.

You can now flatten your whale’s underside and pin it to the position where you want it to sit.

Hold the whale’s blue body upside down, and count down an even number of stitches from each eye to position the gray piece evenly.

Sew around the perimeter of the gray section using gray yarn, tightly working in and out of each stitch to firmly secure it in place.

Tail Fins

You will be using your blue yarn again for the tail fins. Make two fins, and we’ll sew them together and onto the tail section of the body to finish them.

Round 1

Make a magic circle of eight stitches (8)

Round 2 – 5

1sc x 8 (8)

Round 6

2sc, 1sc x 3, 2sc, 1sc x 3 (10)

Round 7

1sc, 2sc, 1sc x 4, 2sc, 1sc x 3 (12)

Round 8 – 9

1sc x 12

Lay both fins on the desk in front of you, and sew the ending point of the fins together. This will enable you to sew them in place more easily.

I recommend now pinning the fins where you would like them before sewing them on. Align one each side of the tail section of the body.

Side Fins

Continue to work in your blue colored yarn for these pieces.

Round 1

Make a magic circle of eight stitches (8)

Round 2 – 3

1sc x 8 (8)

Round 4

2sc x 8 (16)

Round 5 – 7

1sc x 16 (16)

Round 8

Flatten the shape, leaving the last stitch you made at one of the corners. Now work along the edge single crocheting the two sides together. You’ll make eight stitches in total.

Line up the edge of each fin with the thinner end of the underside of the whale, and sew them on using your blue yarn.

The post Free Crochet Whale Plushie Pattern for Beginners appeared first on Lucy Kate Crochet.

How To Crochet A Manatee – Free Amigurumi Pattern

Lucy Kate — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 21:33:24 +0000

A few days ago I posted on social media asking yous to let me know your favorite animals, to get some new inspiration for crochet designs. I was blown away by the response, there were so many great ideas! And the moment I saw a crochet manatee pattern suggested, I knew that was the one I’d be working on first.

There is something so uniquely adorable about these marine mammals. I’m desperate to see one in real life, but to my knowledge there aren’t any in aquariums in the UK, so as of yet I’ve not met a real sea cow.

So it’s a good thing I’ve crocheted my own amigurumi version, and now you can too!

Equipment, techniques and abbreviations
Free crochet manatee pattern

Your Kit List

Here’s what I used to produce this manatee amigurumi design. The yarn was from my stash. I’m pretty sure mine is from the Women’s Institute Soft and Cuddly line, but any DK yarn should work just fine.

50g light gray DK yarn
3.5mm crochet hook
16mm safety eyes
Tapestry needle
Toy safe stuffing

Reading This Pattern

This is a beginner friendly crochet project, however I do use abbreviations on my patterns. Here they are for those that aren’t familiar with the terms:

magic circle
sc – single crochet
2sc – put two single crochets into one stitch
sc2tog – join two stitches together with one single crochet
FP – front post
FLO – front loop only
st – stitch

The Manatee Pattern

This is a very low sew project, you’ll make your manatee in three parts, the head, body and tail, then two separate fins. That’s it!

Head, Body and Tail

Round 1

Make a magic circle of four stitches (4)

Round 2

2sc x 4 (8)

Round 3

2sc x 8 (16)

Round 4

(1sc, 2sc) x 8 (24)

Round 5

1sc x 18, then 1sc x 6 into the BLO (24)

Mark stitches 19 and 25 of this round with a stitch marker or scrap of yarn.

Round 6

1sc x 24

Round 7

This round is going to need a pinch of concentration. You’ll begin working in a standard round, then move back to work a couple of stitches into a previous round so make sure to do this part without distractions if you can!

1sc x 18, 1sc into the front post (FP) of stitch 19 of round 5. 1sc x 4, 1sc into FP of st 24 of round 5.

The rest of the pattern will be worked in standard rounds, this is to give your manatee the overhanging lip that’s so distinctive to the species.

Round 8 – 10

1sc x 24

Round 11

FLO (1sc x 2, 2sc) x 8 (32)

(1sc x 2, 2sc) x 8 (32)

Round 12

(1sc x 3, 2sc) x 8 (40)

Round 13

1sc x 40

Round 14

(1sc x 4, 2sc) x 5, 1sc x 15 (45)

Round 15

(1sc x 5, 2sc) x 5, 1sc x 15 (50)

Round 16 – 19

1sc x 50

Round 20

(1sc x 5, sc2tog) x 5, 1sc x 15 (45)

Round 21

(1sc x 4, sc2tog) x 5, 1sc x 15 (40)

Add the safety eyes to the head. You want the lip section to be hanging between them, with the eyes offset at either side. You can also add a section of yarn to the backings of the safety eyes to draw them together slightly.

Stuff the head gently, leaving the tipped lip empty of padding.

Round 22

1sc x 40

Round 23

(1sc x 4, 2sc) x 8 (48)

Round 24

(1sc x 5, 2sc) x 8 (56)

Round 25 – 35

1sc x 56

Round 36

(1sc x 5, sc2tog) x 8 (48)

Round 37 – 39

1sc x 48

Round 40

(1sc x 4, sc2tog) x 8 (40)

Round 41- 43

1sc x 40

Round 44

(1sc x 3, sc2tog) x 8 (32)

Round 45 – 47

1sc x 32

Round 48

(1sc x 2, sc2tog) x 8 (24)

Round 49 – 52

1sc x 24

Round 53

(1sc, sc2tog) x 8 (16)

Fill the rest of the body with toy stuffing.

Round 54

sc2tog x 8 (8)

Round 55

2sc x 8 (16)

Round 56 – 58

1sc x 16

Round 59

(1sc, 2sc) x 8 (24)

Round 60 – 61

1sc x 24

Round 62

(1sc x 2, 2sc) x 8 (32)

Round 63

(1sc x 2, sc2tog) x 8 (24)

Round 64

Flatten the tail to line up with the eyes. You might need to make 2 or 3 single crochets in addition to the end of the round to create an even finish. Now join the two sides together with single crochets. This will create a fanned end to the tail, 12 stitches in length.

Attach a yarn needle, and insert the yarn into the tail, bringing it out at round 54. Complete the tail by sewing in and out of this round to secure the toy stuffing in the main body and not allow it to enter the tail section.

Crocheting the Fins

Round 1

Make a magic circle of six stitches (6)

Round 2

2sc x 6 (12)

Round 3

1sc x 12

Round 4

(1sc, 2sc) x 6 (18)

Round 5 – 6

1sc x 18

Round 7

(1sc x 2, 2sc) x 6 (24)

Round 8

Flatten the fins, and single crochet along the edge to join the two sides together. Cut off long yarn tails ready for sewing.

Attaching the Fins

You now just need to attach a yarn needle to the tail of the fins’ yarn and hand sew them onto the sides of your manatee.

I think it looks cutest when the flippers are close to each other underneath your manatee, starting at round 22 level.

I’d love to hear what you think of this new design, I had a lot of fun making that characteristic mouth and hope you like it as much as I do!

Happy Crocheting,

Lucy Kate, x

The post How To Crochet A Manatee – Free Amigurumi Pattern appeared first on Lucy Kate Crochet.

How To Crochet Your Pet Fish

Lucy Kate — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 11:26:51 +0000

My free crochet fish pattern is a tribute to our pets that passed away recently. We lost seven huge, old fish from our pond, including some golden orfes and koi, due to a power cut at our home. The smaller fish survived, but we were truly gutted about the loss of those gentle friends, so this amigurumi fish is my special nod to them.

What you’ll need
Free crochet fish pattern

If you’d like to go for a whole sea creature theme with your crafting, then you’ll love the manatee, puffer fish and seahorse patterns too.

The equipment you’ll need

Here’s what I used to crochet my fish. Feel free to use different yarn brands, and colors to match your own pet.

3.5mm crochet hook
Deramores Studio baby lux DK orange yarn
King Cole Prize DK white yarn
Toy safe stuffing
18mm safety eyes

Terms and techniques

magic circle
sc – single crochet
2sc – two single crochets into one stitch
sc2tog – single crochet two stitches together
ch – chain
FLO – crochet into the front loop only
BLO – crochet into the back loop only

How to crochet your fish

I made this fish in separate sections, which were then hand sewn together.

The head and body

You’re going to work this section in orange yarn using your 3.5mm crochet hook. You’ll begin inside the mouth, working down the head, along the body and ending in the tail. We’ll add the white detail later on.

Round 1

Make a magic circle of six stitches (6)

Round 2

2sc x 6 (12)

Round 3

(1sc, 2sc) x 6 (18)

Round 4

FLO 1sc x 18

Round 5

1sc x 18

Round 6 – 7

BLO 1sc x 18

Allow the mouth to sit so that the two BLO rounds are the lips, and the rest is inside your fish.

Round 8 – 10

1sc x 18

Round 11

(1sc x 2, 2sc) x 6 (24)

Round 12

((1sc x 3, 2sc) x 2, 1sc x 4) x 2 (28)

Round 13

((1sc x 4, 2sc) x 2, 1sc x 4) x 2 (32)

Round 14 – 15

1sc x 32

Round 16

(1sc x 5, 2sc, 1sc x 10) x 2 (34)

Round 17

(1sc x 6, 2sc, 1sc x 10) x 2 (36)

Round 18 – 19

1sc x 36

Round 20

(1sc x 7, 2sc, 1sc x 10) x 2 (38)

Round 21

(1sc x 7, 2sc x 3, 1sc x 9) x 2 (44)

Round 22 – 37

1sc x 44

Round 38

(1sc x 7, sc2tog x 3, 1sc x 9) x 2 (38)

Round 39 – 41

1sc x 38

Round 42

(1sc x 7, sc2tog, 1sc x 10) x 2 (36)

Round 43

(1sc x 4, sc2tog) x 6 (30)

Round 44 – 45

1sc x 30

Insert your safety eyes 9 rows down from the BLO round of the mouth. Use the 3 x 2sc point to guide your top and bottom edges, and place the eyes midway down the flat side of the fish.

Round 46

(1sc x 3, sc2tog) x 6 (24)

Round 47 – 48

1sc x 24

Round 49

(1sc x 2, sc2tog) x 6 (18)

Stuff your fish so far, being careful not to push the mouth outwards.

Round 50

(1sc, sc2tog) x 6 (12)

Round 51

Crochet the two sides together with single crochets (6)

Round 52 – 53

Ch1, 1sc x 5 (6)

Round 54

Ch1, 1sc into the same stitch, 2sc, 1sc x 2, 2sc x 2 (8)

Round 55

Ch1, 1sc into the same stitch, 2sc, 1sc x 4, 2sc x 2 (12)

Round 56

Ch1, 1sc into the same stitch, 2sc, 1sc x 8, 2sc x 2 (16)

Round 57

Ch1, 1sc in the same stitch, 1sc x 14, 2sc (18)

Round 58

Ch1, 1sc x 16, 2sc (19)

Round 59

Ch1, 1sc x 17, 2sc (20)

Round 60

Ch1, 1sc x 18, 2sc (21)

Round 61

Ch1, 1sc x 19, 2sc (22)

Round 62

Ch1, 1sc in same stitch, (slst, 2sc) x 11. Tie off and hide the yarn tail inside the fish.

Edging the Tail

Swap to your white yarn and beginning at the joining round 51, work around the edge of the tail. You’ll make 11 x sc up the side, then 3sc into the corner. Now along the tail edge make 2sc, 1sc, slst. At the far corner make 3sc again, then another 11 single crochets down the other side.

Four small fins

Begin your fins in the orange yarn, you’ll need your white for the edges again.

Round 1

Make a magic circle of eight stitches (8)

Round 2

2sc x 8 (16)

Round 3 – 6

1sc x 16

Round 7

Flatten the fin without stuffing, and single crochet the sides together (8)

Edging and attaching the fins

You are now going to edge the fins in the same way that you did the tail. Switch to your white yarn and put a single crochet into each stitch around the perimeter, leaving just the final closing round orange. This is the side that you are now going to sew onto the body.

Sew the front fins around round 24 of the body, tilted backward at a slight angle. The back fins sit six rounds from the start of the tail, but more in line with the bottom of the fish.

Back Fin

Your back fin will be created in orange yarn and edged in white again.

Round 1

Make a magic circle of eight stitches (8)

Round 2

2sc x 8 (16)

Round 3 – 4

1sc x 16

Round 5

(1sc, 2sc) x 8 (24)

Round 6 – 7

1sc x 24

Round 8

(1sc x 2, 2sc) x 8 (32)

Round 9

1sc x 32

Round 10

(1sc x 3, 2sc) x 8 (40)

Round 11

Single crochet the two sides together (20)

Flatten your fin and starting from the longest bottom edge, leave 10 stitches empty then single crochet with white yarn around the circumference of the remainder of the fin.

You can now hand sew the fin to the top of the fish. I placed mine on the exact top between the eyes, around 26 rounds in.

Let me know what colors you chose for your fish, and you’re welcome to email me a picture if you’d like to share it too!

Happy Crocheting,

Lucy Kate, x

The post How To Crochet Your Pet Fish appeared first on Lucy Kate Crochet.

My Free Crochet Crocodile Pattern

Lucy Kate — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 15:16:33 +0000

I am so totally excited to introduce you to my new free crochet crocodile pattern. This pattern is fairly quick to hook up, uses mostly basic stitches and I’ve added plenty of detail for the more intermediate skills to allow anyone from crochet beginners to advanced experts to make their own cute amigurumi crocodilian.

Equipment details.
Pattern techniques and tips.
My free crochet crocodile pattern.

I’ve also recently turned this pattern into a dragon, too!

What You’ll Need To Crochet Your Crocodile

50g light green DK yarn
25g dark green DK yarn
Scraps of white DK yarn
3.5mm crochet hook
3mm crochet hook
Toy safe stuffing*
6mm safety eyes*
Tapestry/yarn needle*
Stitch markers
4 pipe cleaners (optional)

The yarns I used were Knit Craft’s Everyday DK and The Women’s Institute’s Premium Acrylic. They are UK based brands so might be hard to source elsewhere, but any green acrylic DK yarns should work up very similarly.

If you don’t have any stitch markers then scraps of a different colored yarn can work well for the same job, but you will need something to keep your place for this crocodile pattern.

Pattern Techniques and Tips

Here are the abbreviations you’ll find for the main stitches in the pattern, and what they mean:

sc – single crochet
2sc – two single crochets into the same stitch
sc2tog – join two stitches together with one single crochet
slst – slip stitch
ch – chain

You’ll see a few strings of instructions like this one:

1sc, 2sc, 1sc x 5, 2sc, 1sc x 4 (14)

This means make 1 single crochet in the first stitch, two in the next stitch, then one single crochet in the next five stitches, then two in the following stitch, then finally one single crochet in the last four stitches. Hope that’s helpful!

Techniques you’ll need to use to create your own amigurumi crocodile include the following terms, which I’ve linked to guides for them if you’re unfamiliar:

My New Free Crochet Crocodile Pattern

You’re going to crochet your croc in a few separate sections, which you’ll need to hand sew together as we go. However, the main bulk of the toy is crocheted in one long piece.

Your Crocodile’s Head, Body and Tail

Work this section with your 3.5mm crochet hook and light green DK yarn.

Round 1

Make a magic circle of six stitches (6)

Round 2

2sc x 6 (12)

Round 3

1sc, 2sc, 1sc x 5, 2sc, 1sc x 4 (14)

Round 4

1sc x 2, 2sc, 1sc x 6, 2sc, 1sc x 4 (16)

Round 5 – 10

1sc x 16 (16)

Round 11

1sc x 8, ((1sc, 2sc) x 4) (20)

Round 12 – 15

1sc x 20 (20)

It’s time to add your safety eyes. Insert them around round 11, into the eye ridge section. Sit them around six stitches apart.

Round 16

1sc x 8 ((1sc, sc2tog) x 4) (16)

Stuff the toy so far.

Round 17

sc2tog x 8 (8)

Round 18

2sc x 8 (16)

Round 19 – 23

1sc x 16 (16)

Round 24

(1sc, 2sc) x 2, 1sc x 12 (18)

Round 25

(2sc, 1sc) x 3, 1sc x 12 (21)

Stuff the toy so far.

Round 26 – 34

1sc x 21 (21)

Round 35

(sc2tog, 1sc) x 3, 1sc x 12 (18)

Round 36

sc2tog, 1sc x 5, sc2tog x 2, 1sc x 5, sc2tog (14)

Stuff the toy so far.

Round 37 – 45

1sc x 14 (14)

Round 46

1sc, sc2tog, 1sc x 8, sc2tog, 1sc (12)

Round 47

1sc, sc2tog, 1sc x 6, sc2tog, 1sc (10)

Round 48 – 52

1sc x 10 (10)

Stuff the toy so far.

Round 53

Sc2tog, 1sc x 3, sc2tog, 1sc x 3 (8)

Round 54 – 55

1sc x 8 (8)

Finish stuffing your crocodile’s body.

Round 56

sc2tog x 6, then hand sew to close.

Crocheting the Croc’s Lower Jaw

Work the lower jaw in the 3.5mm crochet hook and light green DK yarn too.

Round 1

Make a magic circle of six stitches (6)

Round 2

2sc x 6 (12)

Round 3 – 10

1sc x 12 (12)

Round 11

1sc x 6 then stop, turn, and ch 1.

Round 12

1sc x 5

Slst into the next stitch, tie off with a long tail of yarn.

Sew the Jaw onto the Body

Using the same color yarn, attach your needle and weave in and out across two sections. Attach the longer slab section onto round 16 directly below the eyes. Then sew the open area of the inside of the mouth a few rounds up.

Crochet Crocodile’s Eye Ridges

You’re going to make the crocodile’s defined eyes using your darker shade of yarn.

Create a magic circle of six stitches, tighten but do not close the circle.

Sew the ridge above each safety eyes, from around round 11 to round 13.

The Teeth and Nostrils

To create the teeth, you’ll just need a scrap of white yarn and a tapestry needle. Work around the edge of the bottom jaw’s opening, sewing twice over one stitch about every other stitch.

For the nostrils, attach your dark green yarn and work back and forth over a three stitch deep space. I’d start at round two and go back towards each eye at about round four.

Surface Crocheting The Crocodile’s Scales

To create the ridged scales along the back of your amigurumi crocodile, use a 3mm crochet hook and your dark green DK yarn.

Each stitch is a single crochet, begun at the back of the neck, working in widening slopes along the body then coming back together by the tip of the tail. You’ll find this tutorial helpful if it’s not a technique you’ve much experience with.

Crocheting the Front Legs

Use your 3.5mm crochet hook and light green DK yarn.

Round 1

Make a magic circle of eight stitches (8)

Round 2 – 8

1sc x 8 (8)

Slst, tie off with a long tail.

You can either stuff the legs with toy stuffing, or bend a pipe cleaner to shape and use that to fill the leg and bend it into a more crocodilian shape!

Your Crochet Crocodile’s Back Legs

Continue working with your 3.5mm crochet hook and light green DK yarn.

Round 1

Make a magic circle of eight stitches (8)

Round 2 – 12

1sc x 8 (8)

Again, you have the option to fill either with a pipe cleaner or just to use toy stuffing.

Sewing the Legs

Use your needle and the light green yarn to sew the legs onto your croc. Put them facing outward rather than sitting underneath the toy for that maximum crocodile look.

I attached my front legs around round 21 and the back legs at round 30.

Once they’re attached, use your yarn needle and dark green yarn to make little stitches on each foot to represent the toes. I make three through the magic circle that are about a stitch or two deep.

Crocheting Your Own Crocodile

I hope you’ve enjoyed making this one, it’s been a big deal for me because I love reptiles and have been putting off dabbling in the more complicated shapes for a while. Let me know what you think, and if you have any questions just pop them in the comments box below.

Happy Crocheting!

Lucy Kate, x

*The products linked in this pattern were carefully selected by Lucy Kate Crochet. If you decide to purchase using the links provided, we may earn a small commission on that sale. This is at no extra cost to you.

The post My Free Crochet Crocodile Pattern appeared first on Lucy Kate Crochet.

Free Crochet Puffer Fish Pattern

Lucy Kate — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 11:43:38 +0000

My free crochet puffer fish pattern is a quick, easy to hook up amigurumi design. It took me just a couple of days to produce. Whatever level of crocheter you are, you’ll be able to follow this simple pattern, and create your very own amigurumi puffer pal.

When you’re done, you can even make him a goldfish buddy.

Your kit list.
Pattern notes and terminology.
The full free crochet puffer fish pattern.

I created this pattern as an homage to a local shop’s cheerful store pet Mbu, Mr Puffy. Beloved by my son and stared at for several minutes every time we visit. Needless to say he’s been over the moon with his new toy, although we haven’t introduced it to the real Mr Puffy yet!

This crochet pattern also goes beautifully with my crochet seahorse and squid designs! You can check out all of my sea creature patterns here too.

What You’ll Need

50g/1.8oz variegated orange DK yarn
3.5mm crochet hook
16mm safety eyes*
Toy safe stuffing*
Yarn / tapestry needle

The yarn I used was out of my stash – a skein of DK Bergere de France Baronval. I am not sure this is still easily available, but any orange or brown shade of acrylic or wool blend Double Knit yarn* will do just fine.

Pattern Notes and Tips

You’ll find the following abbreviations and terms in this pattern:

sc – single crochet
2sc – make two single crochets into the same stitch
sc2tog – use a single crochet to join two stitches together
BLO – back loop only
FLO – front loop only
dc – double crochet
slst – slip stitch

The Free Crochet Puffer Fish Pattern

You’re going to crochet your puffer fish all in one color of yarn, using your 3.5mm crochet hook.

The Amigurumi Puffer Fish Body and Tail

Round 1

Make a magic circle of eight stitches (8)

Round 2

2sc x 8 (16)

Round 3

(1sc, 2sc) x 8 (24)

Round 4

FLO 1sc x 24 (24)

Round 5 – 6

1sc x 24 (24)

Round 7 – 8

BLO 1sc x 24 (24)

Round 9 – 11

1sc x 24 (24)

Round 12

(1sc x 2, 2sc) x 8 (32)

Round 13

1sc x 32 (32)

Round 14

(1sc x 3, 2sc) x 8 (40)

Round 15

1sc x 40 (40)

Round 16

(1sc x 4, 2sc) x 8 (48)

Round 17

1sc x 48 (48)

Round 18

(1sc x 5, 2sc) x 8 (56)

Round 19

(1sc x 6, 2sc) x 8 (64)

Insert safety eyes, in line with the top lip of the mouth, around four stitches to the left and right.

Round 20

(1sc x 7, 2sc) x 8 (72)

Round 21

(1sc x 8, 2sc) x 8 (80)

Round 22 – 23

1sc x 80 (80)

Round 24

(1sc x 8, sc2tog) x 8 (72)

Round 25

1sc x 72 (72)

Round 26

(1sc x 7, sc2tog) x 8 (64)

Round 27 – 28

1sc x 64 (64)

Round 29

(1sc x 6, sc2tog) x 8 (56)

Round 30 – 32

1sc x 48 (56)

Round 33

(1sc x 5, sc2tog) x 8 (48)

Round 34 – 36

1sc x 48 (48)

Round 37

(1sc x 4, sc2tog) x 8 (40)

Round 38

1sc x 40 (40)

Round 39

(1sc x 3, sc2tog) x 8 (32)

Round 40

1sc x 32 (32)

Round 41

(1sc x 2, sc2tog) x 8 (24)

Round 42

1sc x 24 (24)

Round 43

(1sc, sc2tog) x 8 (16)

Round 44

1sc x 16 (16)

Fill the body with toy safe stuffing, leaving the mouth unfilled so that you can indent it.

Round 45

sc2tog x 8 (8)

Increasing for the tail

Round 46

1sc x 8 (8)

Round 47

2sc x 8 (16)

Round 48

(1sc, 2sc) x 8 (24)

Round 49 – 54

1sc x 24 (24)

Finishing the tail

To detail the tail you’ll now need to crochet the end flat and closed. Make sure you line it up along the same angle as the eyes, so it doesn’t look wonky.

Make 1sc until you reach the end point, then single crochet the two sides together. You’ll end up with a row of 12 stitches.

At the end of that row, turn your fish and work back into it, put 1slst, 1sc, 2dc, 1sc, 1slst twice, and tie off at the end of the row, and hide the yarn tail in the fish tail!

Crochet Puffer Fish Fins

You’ll be crocheting your puffer fish’s fins from flattened magic circles, with a similar finish to the tail.

Round 1

Make a magic circle of six stitches (6)

Round 2 – 3

1sc x 6 (6)

Round 4

2sc x 6 (12)

Round 5 – 6

1sc x 12 (12)

Round 7

(1sc, 2sc) x 6 (18)

Round 8 – 9

1sc x 18 (18)

Single crochet across the end through pairs of stitches to close the fin. Now make the following stitches along your single crochets:

1sc, 2dc, 1sc, slst, 1sc, 2dc, 1sc, slst.

Tie off, and secure the loose thread inside the fin. You can now hand sew them onto your crocheted puffer fish’s body in line with the tops of the eyes.

Creating Your Puffer Fish’s Surface Markings

Now it’s just a case of adding those final lumpy fish skin details. Take a length of your yarn, and double it up. Thread the two strands through your needle and work approximately twenty ridges into your fish at random uneven places.

Work the needle in a weaving motion four times through the surface, with a gap of two stitches in length.

I can’t wait to see your finished puffer fish if you’d like to tag me on Instagram! And don’t be afraid to add your own finishing touches if you want to!

And don’t forget that your puffer fish will go great with a squid or seahorse pal!

Happy Crocheting,

Lucy Kate, x

The post Free Crochet Puffer Fish Pattern appeared first on Lucy Kate Crochet.

Free Cute Crochet Squid Pattern

Lucy Kate — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 18:20:53 +0000

My free crochet squid pattern isn’t just cute, it’s quick and easy to hook up! The amigurumi squid’s design is worked in the round from central magic circles, with a few chains and a little surface crocheting thrown in for good measure.

What you’re going to need.
Extra helpful information.
Your free crochet squid pattern.

It’s a perfect match for my puffer fish and amigurumi seahorse patterns, too!

Your Kit List

You won’t need much in the way of kit to crochet your own cute crochet cephalopod:

1.8oz / 50g pink aran weight yarn
Scraps of cream aran weight yarn
4mm crochet hook
3mm crochet hook (optional for surface crocheting)
16mm safety eyes*
Toy safe stuffing*
Yarn needle

The pink yarn I used was Stylecraft’s Highland Heather aran yarn* in Wild Salmon. For the eye definition I used a scrap of James C Brett’s Flutterby chenille yarn*, and for the surface crocheting around the fins I used aran weight Knitcraft Change It Up recycled yarn in white.

Pattern Tips and Techniques

Here are the translations for the abbreviations you’ll find in the pattern. Follow the links to check out tutorials for any techniques that aren’t familiar to you.

sc – single crochet
2sc – make two single crochets into the same stitch
sc2tog – use a single crochet to join two stitches together
BLO – back loop only
FLO – front loop only
ch – chain
sk – skip the next stitch
slst – slip stitch

The Free Crochet Squid Pattern

You’re going to crochet your amigurumi squid toy in a few sections, using your pink aran weight yarn and 4mm crochet hook.

Start With The Fin

Round 1

Make a magic circle of eight stitches (8)

Round 2 – 3

1sc x 8 (8)

Round 4

2sc x 8 (16)

Round 5 – 9

1sc x 16 (16)

Round 10

(1sc, 2sc) x 8 (24)

Round 11

1sc x 24 (24)

Round 12

(1sc x 2, 2sc) x 8 (32)

Round 13

(1sc x 3, 2sc) x 8 (40)

Round 14

(1sc x 3, sc2tog) x 8 (32)

Round 15

(1sc x 2, sc2tog) x 8 (24)

Round 16

(1sc, sc2tog) x 8 (16)

Lightly stuff just the central ridge section of the fin.

Flatten the open end, thread your yarn needle and sew your 16 stitches closed, so that it’s 8 stitches wide.

Crocheting Your Squid

The bulk of my crochet squid pattern’s head and body is worked in the round, just keep an eye out for the few back and front loop only sections.

Round 1

Make a magic circle of six stitches (6)

Round 2

2sc x 6 (12)

Round 3

1sc x 12 (12)

Round 4

(1sc, 2sc) x 6 (18)

Round 5 – 8

1sc x 18 (18)

Round 9

(1sc x 2, 2sc) x 6 (24)

Round 10 – 15

1sc x 24 (24)

Round 16

(1sc x 3, 2sc) x 6 (30)

Round 17 – 23

1sc x 30 (30)

Round 24

BLO 1sc x 30 (30)

Round 25

BLO (1sc x 3, sc2tog) x 6 (24)

Round 26

FLO 1sc x 24 (24)

Round 27 – 33

1sc x 24 (24)

Now sew your fin section onto the top of the magic circle at the start of this piece. Weave in and out of the area you sewed flat, securing it tightly with your needle.

Stuff the squid up to about round 27.

Round 34 – 36

1sc x 24 (24)

Insert the safety eyes in at the round 31 level, and tie the backs together to inset them slightly.

Round 37

BLO (1sc x 2, sc2tog) x 6 (18)

Round 38

(1sc, sc2tog) x 6 (12)

Stuff the remainder of your toy squid.

Round 39

sc2tog x 6, then hand sew to close.

Crochet Squid Arms

Round 1

Make a magic circle of six stitches (6)

Round 2 – 21

1sc x 6 (6)

Don’t stuff your arms, just slip stitch to close and leave a long train of yarn for sewing later.

Attaching the Arms

I recommend that you use stitch markers to evenly space your arms around your squid before you sew them into place. When you’ve made all six, using your yarn needle weave in and out of the top of the arm and the base of your squid, using your markers to guide you.

Amigurumi Squid Tentacles

Round 1

Make a magic circle of four stitches (4)

Round 2 – 3

1sc x 4 (4)

Round 4

2sc x 4 (8)

Round 5

(1sc, 2sc) x 2, 1sc x 4 (10)

Round 6

(1sc, sc2tog) x 2, 1sc x 4 (8)

Round 7

sc2tog x 2, 1sc x 4 (6)

Round 8 – 9

1sc x 6 (6)

We’re now going to move out of working in the round, to stretch out the tentacles.

Ch40, sk, 1sc x 39, slst to the next stitch to secure.

Thread your needle with the yarn tail and sew a few stitches at the top of the pointed end of the tentacle to give it some definition and hide the yarn thread.

You can now sew your two tentacles to the bottom of your crochet squid’s body, so that they hang down between the arms.

Finishing Touches

Surface crochet and a little bit of light sewing will finish off your crocheted squid nicely.

To give the eyes definition thread your needle with the cream yarn, then inserting it from the back of the squid, push the needle out at the edge of the eye, then stitch over the eye until almost the opposite side, and push it back through to the back. Repeat for the other side, and tie the ends together. You can then hide them inside the head.

To define the fine, surface crocheting around the three edges. You might find this easier with a slightly smaller crochet hook, I used a 3mm for mine.

Your Crochet Squid

I must admit, my squid isn’t just pink because some squids are a pinkish shade, it’s because I love this yarn and wanted to use it on something. If you have a yarn that you love, why not make your amigurumi in it? Realism is great, but sometimes, especially with sea creatures, a creative color twist can take a toy to a whole new level.

Just a thought! Let me know what you think?

Oooh, and you might like to crochet him some sea creature pals, so do check out my seahorse and puffer fish patterns too when you’re done!

Happy Crocheting,

Lucy Kate, x

The post Free Cute Crochet Squid Pattern appeared first on Lucy Kate Crochet.