Crochet Whale with Rust Blanket Stitch Belly Free Pattern

Crochet Whale with Rust Blanket Stitch Belly – Free Pattern

Introduction

This little whale is the perfect first amigurumi for anyone who has just learned single crochet and wants to make something soft, sweet, and gift-worthy. Worked in forest green chenille with a rust oval belly, it has a calm, minimalist Japandi look that suits a nursery shelf, a desk, or a cozy reading nook. The egg-shaped body is squishy and firmly stuffed, while the flat fins and tail keep the silhouette clean and simple. With only a handful of small pieces and a blanket-stitch belly that adds just the right handmade detail, it comes together in an evening or two.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Chenille plush yarn, super bulky (weight 6), 100% polyester — forest green (A) 80 yd, rust (B) 15 yd, dark brown (C) 2 yd, light pink (D) 1 yd
• Hook: 5.0 mm (US H-8)
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, polyester fiberfill for stuffing
• Finished size: Approx. 7 in (18 cm) long x 5 in (13 cm) tall x 4 in (10 cm) wide

Abbreviations

• MR – magic ring: a loop of yarn you crochet into to start a round with no hole
• sc – single crochet
• inc – increase: work 2 sc into the same stitch
• dec – decrease: work 2 stitches together into 1
• ch – chain
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• FO – fasten off

Gauge

10 sc x 12 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in amigurumi spiral. To check, crochet a small flat swatch in the round with your chosen yarn and hook, then measure a 4 in (10 cm) section; adjust your hook size if you are far off.

Tips Before You Start

• Chenille yarn sheds and hides stitches, so use a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round and count as you go.
• Work your single crochets snugly and evenly — loose stitches let the stuffing show through the plush texture.
• Stuff the body firmly but in small pinches, adding fiberfill before the opening gets too small.
• Pin the belly in place and check it from the front before sewing; the blanket stitch edge is hard to move once sewn.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Body (Yarn A)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts)

Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts)

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts)

Rnds 6–12: sc in each st around (30 sts)

Rnd 13: [3 sc, dec] x6 (24 sts)

Rnd 14: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18 sts)

Rnd 15: [sc, dec] x6 (12 sts)

Stuff firmly with fiberfill.

Rnd 16: dec x6 (6 sts)

FO, leaving a tail. Thread the tail through the front loops of the last 6 sts and pull closed.

Belly (Yarn B)

Row 1: Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook, 3 sc, 3 sc in last ch, turn, 3 sc, 2 sc in last ch (12 sts)

Row 2: inc, 3 sc, inc x3, 3 sc, inc x2 (18 sts)

Row 3: sc, inc, 4 sc, inc, sc, inc, 4 sc, inc, sc (22 sts)

FO leaving a long tail for sewing.

Fins (make 2, Yarn A)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts)

Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts)

Rnds 3–4: sc in each st around (12 sts)

Rnd 5: [sc, dec] x4 (8 sts)

FO leaving a tail. Do not stuff.

Tail (Yarn A)

Row 1: Ch 8, sc in 2nd ch from hook, 5 sc, 3 sc in last ch, turn, 5 sc, 2 sc in last ch (16 sts)

Row 2: sc, inc, 5 sc, inc, sc, inc, 5 sc, inc (20 sts)

FO leaving a tail.

Assembly and Finishing

Pin the belly to the front of the body, centered, with the top of the belly about 1 in (2.5 cm) below the head end. Sew it on with yarn B using a whipstitch around the edge, then work a blanket stitch around the entire edge with yarn B, keeping the stitches even and close together. Sew the fins to the sides of the body at round 8, angled downward, using yarn A. Sew the tail flat to the back at round 10 with yarn A. Embroider closed lashes with yarn C: 3 straight stitches per eye at round 6, about 1 in (2.5 cm) apart. Add cheek blush with yarn D: 2–3 satin stitches under each eye. Weave in all ends, tucking them into the body. Gently shape the whale with your hands and steam-block lightly if needed, avoiding direct heat on the chenille.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the rust belly for mustard or cream for a different Japandi palette, or use a contrasting blanket stitch color for extra pop.
• Add a small hanging loop of chain stitches at the top of the head to turn the whale into a nursery ornament.
• For a larger floor plush, hold two strands of chenille together with a 6.5 mm (US K-10.5) hook and follow the same rounds.