13 Crochet Sea Animals Free Patterns
Crochet sea animals are perfect for beach-themed nurseries, summer gifts, bath-time play and ocean-loving kids. They also make great keychains and bag charms, since many of them are small and quick.
Here are 13 free patterns we opened and checked one by one. You will find a big cuddly sea turtle, a chunky manatee, a tiny whale, a wiggly octopus, two crabs, a walrus and a whole school of fish, including two baby rattles.
Crochet Sea Animals Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Crochet hook set (2 mm to 6 mm)
- Worsted weight acrylic yarn in ocean colors
- Cotton yarn for small and baby pieces
- Safety eyes (6 mm to 12 mm)
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Stitch markers
- Keychain rings or lobster clasps
1. Sea Turtle Plushie
Photo: Sarah / Repeat Crafter Me
This is a big, huggable sea turtle, about 11 by 11 inches from flipper to flipper. The shell is made from two spiral pieces in two shades of green that you join around the edge. The flippers and tail go on before the halves are joined. It is all single crochet in the round, so it is simple, just a bit bigger.
- Designer: Sarah / Repeat Crafter Me
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Marty the Manatee
Photo: Holly Lanier / Storyland Amis
Marty is a plump grey manatee made with super bulky yarn, so he is soft and very fast. The designer says he takes about an hour. He is about 8 inches long with two flippers, safety eyes and stitched nostrils. There is very little sewing, which makes this a great first sea animal.
- Designer: Holly Lanier / Storyland Amis
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Hook: 5.5 mm (I)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Delsa the Dolphin
Photo: Stella Sharafi / Stella’s Yarn Universe
This dolphin has a realistic shape, with a blue or grey back, a cream belly and fins sewn on. It is about 7.5 inches long. The body is worked in seamless spirals with color changes, and the eyes and mouth are embroidered, so you can skip safety eyes for a baby. It looks lovely on a beach-house shelf.
- Designer: Stella Sharafi / Stella’s Yarn Universe
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK / light worsted (#3)
- Hook: 2.5 mm (B/C)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Tiny Whale
Photo: June Gilbank / PlanetJune
This palm-sized whale is made in one continuous piece with no sewing at all. It has a flat, forked tail and is about 3.5 inches long. It uses single crochet, invisible decreases and slip stitches. Make one in blue, grey or white, or make a whole pod for a mobile or a party favor table.
- Designer: June Gilbank / PlanetJune
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free (optional donation for PDF)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Sir Tentacles the Octopus
A small, squiggly octopus with a round head and eight curly tentacles about 6 inches long. The tentacles are made with chains and half double crochet, which makes them curl up on their own. You can make all eight in one color or switch between two. The head is about 3.5 inches tall and wide.
- Designer: Rhondda Mol / Oombawka Design Crochet
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: DK (#3) plus sport (#2) for contrast
- Hook: 3.75 mm (F)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Scuttles the Crab
Photo: Jillian Hewitt / Spin a Yarn Crochet
Scuttles is a bright red crab with a ridged shell, six little legs and two claws. He is worked in rounds starting from the legs and claws, using front and back loop stitches for texture. He is small enough to turn into a keychain, and the designer allows you to sell finished crabs if you link back.
- Designer: Jillian Hewitt / Spin a Yarn Crochet
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Light weight cotton (#3)
- Hook: 2.25 mm (B)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Hermit Crab with Removable Shells
Photo: Homemade by Giggles
This one is pure fun for kids: a hermit crab with three shells that slip on and off. You get a spiral shell, a puffy conch shell and a snail-style shell. The shells use puff stitches, chain loops and back loop work. It is a great play toy that teaches kids about how hermit crabs change homes.
- Designer: Homemade by Giggles
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Bubble Seal
Photo: icrochetthings
This little seal is shaped like a round bubble, about 2 inches tall, with a white body, a blue face patch and pink blush cheeks. It is single crochet with increases and decreases, plus small flippers and tail fins. It is a quick kawaii-style make that works well as a keychain or a desk buddy.
- Designer: icrochetthings
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Hook: 2.25 mm (B)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Striped Tropical Fish
A bright little fish with stripes in blue, yellow and purple. The head and body are one piece, and the tail and side fins are sewn on after. It is about 4.5 inches long. This is a nice scrap-buster, since you can change the stripe colors for every fish and make a whole colorful school.
- Designer: Amanda / Loops and Love Crochet
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Mini Clownfish
Photo: Natalina / Natalina Craft
This tiny orange clownfish with white stripes and black fins is only about 2 inches tall. It was made with keychains in mind, so it is quick and light. It uses magic ring, single crochet, increases and invisible decreases. Kids who love ocean movies will be thrilled to get one on their backpack.
- Designer: Natalina / Natalina Craft
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Light worsted (#3)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Walter the Walrus
Photo: Kati Brown / Hooked by Kati
Walter is a chubby walrus, about 8 inches tall and 9 inches long, with tusks, a whiskered mustache and wrinkles made with slip stitches. There are optional winter and newsboy hats too. The shaping and assembly are a little different from most toys, so this is a good one when you want a small challenge.
- Designer: Kati Brown / Hooked by Kati
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: see pattern (designer used Red Heart Super Saver)
- Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Fish Rattle
Photo: Anne Bank Nielsen (Ravelry)
This small fish rattle is a sweet baby gift for a beach-loving family. It is worked in fine fingering weight yarn with a small hook, so the stitches are tight and neat, which is what you want for baby toys. It is a free download on Ravelry, so you will need a free account to get it.
- Designer: Anne Bank Nielsen (Ravelry)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Fingering (#1)
- Hook: 2 mm
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Little Fish Valerie and Vincent
These little fish are rattles with teething rings attached to their fins, made for a baby shower gift. They are made in a soft 100% cotton yarn, which is a good choice for things babies put in their mouths. The pattern comes as a free PDF in both US and UK terms.
- Designer: CuteDutch for Durable Yarn
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: see pattern (Durable Coral Mini cotton)
- Hook: see pattern
- Price: Free (PDF download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First sea animal ever? Start with #2. Bulky yarn, little sewing and done in about an hour.
- Want a no-sew project? Try #4, the one-piece tiny whale.
- Making keychains or bag charms? Go for #6, #8 or #10.
- Need a baby gift? #12 and #13 are rattles, and #1 is a big soft plush.
- Want a fun play toy? #7 has swap-out shells, and #5 has curly tentacles to fiddle with.
FAQ
What colors work best for crochet sea animals?
Soft blues, greys, aqua and sandy cream look calm and beachy for a nursery. For kids’ toys, go bright: coral red for crabs, orange for clownfish and rainbow stripes for tropical fish. Keep a few ocean shades in your stash and you can make most of this list.
Can crochet sea animals go in the bath?
Stuffed toys stay wet for a long time, which can lead to mildew. If you want bath toys, use cotton yarn and very little stuffing, then squeeze them out and dry them in the sun after each use. Or keep these as dry play toys and make scrubbies for the tub.
How do I make a crochet sea animal into a keychain?
Pick a small pattern like #6, #8 or #10. Before you close the last round, sew a short loop of yarn or a jump ring firmly into the top. Then add a keychain ring or lobster clasp. Use tight stitches and a smaller hook so the toy keeps its shape.
Pick your favorite ocean friend, grab some blue yarn, and bring a little beach home with you.