Dolphin Crochet Pattern

Hello, and welcome to the free version of my dolphin crochet pattern!

Delsa the Dolphin will make a great addition to your amigurumi collection. I hope you’ll enjoy crocheting her as much as I did.

This pattern includes a free video tutorial for visual guidance. I also offer a PDF version of the dolphin amigurumi pattern on Etsy and Ravelry, as well as an interactive pattern on Ribblr, which you can purchase for a small fee.

Thank you for supporting the channel and allowing me to create more free crochet patterns!

About the Dolphin Crochet Pattern

Terminology

This pattern is written in American terminology.

Size

The dolphin will be approx. 7.5” (19 cm) long if using the indicated hook and yarn.

If you want it to be larger or smaller, you can use a different yarn weight and adjust the hook size accordingly.

Construction

The head and body are crocheted in one piece. The tail fin is crocheted on. The dorsal and pectoral fins are sewn on. The mouth and eyes are embroidered (There is the option to use safety eyes instead).

Techniques

For this pattern, you will need techniques such as the magic ring, invisible sc decreases, changing colors, and invisible finishes. Whenever you need to use one of these techniques, refer to the ‘Amigurumi Lesson’ page, where you can find a photo tutorial.

Tips and Tricks

1. You crochet in seamless spirals.

2. Crochet as tightly as you comfortably can. This will ensure your amigurumi will have the right scale and no filling will show through any gaps. If you crochet quite loosely, try using a smaller-sized hook.

3. Have fun! In my opinion, crocheting shouldn’t be just about the result, but mainly about enjoying the process. Happy crocheting!

Materials and Tools

Cotton yarn in DK/light worsted/size 3 in gray or blue and cream or white [I used Rico Creative Ricorumi DK in Denim and Mastic]

2.5mm crochet hook / Size B-1 or C-2, depending on how tightly you crochet

Black embroidery floss

5 mm safety eyes (optional)

Fiberfill

Stitch markers

Yarn needle

Large-eyed sewing needle

Sewing pins

Scissors

Video Tutorial

You can watch the accompanying video tutorial here:

Instructions

Crochet the Head and Body

Change colors in the stitch before the first stitch in the new color.

Color Change Abbreviations: B: blue or gray W: white or cream

Apart from the rostrum (snout), firmly fill the head and body with fiberfill as you go.

Rnd 1: B: 6 sc into magic ring (6)

Rnd 2: B: 5 sc, W: sc (6)

Rnd 3: B: inc, sc, inc, 2 sc, W: sc in same st (9)

Rnd 4: W: sc, B: 7 sc, W: sc (9)

Rnd 5: W: sc, B: 2 sc, 3 inc, 2 sc, W: sc (12)

Rnd 6: W: 2 sc, B: sc, inc, 3 sc, inc, 4 sc, W: sc in same st (15)

Rnd 7: W: 2 sc, B: 3 sc, [inc, sc]*3, 3 sc, W: sc (18)

Rnd 8: W: 3 sc, B: sc in same st, [5 sc, inc]*2, 2 sc, W: sc (21)

Rnd 9: W: 2 sc, inc, B: 2 sc, inc, 15 sc, W: sc in same st (24)

Rnd 10: W: 4 sc, B: 2 sc, [inc, 6 sc]*2, inc, 2 sc, W: sc (27)

Rnd 11: W: 5 sc, B: 21 sc, W: sc (27)

Rnd 12: W: 5 sc, B: 2 sc, [inc, 7 sc]*2, inc, 2 sc, W: sc (30)

Rnd 13: W: 6 sc, B: 23 sc, W: sc (30)

Rnd 14: W: 6 sc, B: 2 sc, [inc, 8 sc]*2, inc, 2 sc, W: sc (33)

Rnd 15: W: 7 sc, B: 25 sc, W: sc (33)

Rnd 16: W: 2 sc, inc, 4 sc, B: inc, 2 sc, [dec, 6 sc]*2, dec, 2 sc, inc, sc, W: sc (33)

Rnd 17: W: 8 sc, B: 25 sc (33)

Rnd 18: W: 4 sc, inc, 4 sc, B: inc, 2 sc, [dec, 6 sc]*2, dec, 2 sc, inc (33)

Rnd 19: W: 10 sc, B: 23 sc (33)

Rnd 20: B: sc, W: 9 sc, B: 3 sc, [dec, 6 sc]*2, dec, 2 sc (30)

Rnd 21: B: sc, W: 9 sc, B: 20 sc (30)

Rnd 22: B: sc, inc, W: 3 sc, inc, 3 sc, B: inc, 2 sc, [dec, 6 sc]*2, dec (30)

Rnd 23: B: 4 sc, W: 7 sc, B: 19 sc (30)

Rnd 24: B: 5 sc, W: 6 sc, B: sc, [4 sc, dec]*3 (27)

Rnd 25: B: 6 sc, W: 4 sc, B: 17 sc (27)

Rnd 26: B: 4 sc, inc, 2 sc, W: sc, inc, sc, B: 2 sc, inc, 2 sc, [2 sc, dec]*3 (27)

Rnd 27: B: 9 sc, W: 3 sc, B: 15 sc (27)

Rnd 28: B: 10 sc, W: 2 sc, B: 7 sc, dec, [sc, dec]*2 (24)

Fasten the white yarn off.

Rnd 29: B: [sc, dec]*2, 3 sc, inc, 3 sc, inc, sc, [sc, dec]*3 (21)

Rnd 30: 21 sc (21)

Rnd 31: [sc, dec]*2, sc, inc, 3 sc, inc, [sc, dec]*3 (18)

Rnd 32: 18 sc (18)

Rnd 33: 3 dec, 3 sc, 3 inc, 2 sc, 2 dec (16)

Rnd 34: 16 sc (16)

Rnd 35: 3 dec, 2 sc, 3 inc, sc, 2 dec (14)

Rnd 36: 14 sc (14)

Rnd 37: 3 dec, sc, 3 inc, 2 dec (12)

Rnd 38: 3 dec, 2 inc, 2 dec (9)

Rnd 39: 2 dec, 3 sc, dec (6)

Do NOT fasten off. From here, crochet the tail fin.

Crochet the Tail Fin

The tail fin is not filled with fiberfill.

Crochet the left side of the tail fin

If the last stitch isn’t centered, make a sc in the next st.

Rnd 1: Ch 3, sk 3 sts, 3 inc, 3 sc in BLO of chs (9)

Rnd 2: [sc, inc]*3, 3 sc (12)

Rnd 3: [2 sc, inc]*3, 3 sc (15)

Rnd 4: 15 sc (15)

Rnd 5: 9 sc, 3 dec (12)

Rnd 6: [2 sc, dec]*3 (9)

Rnd 7: [sc, dec]*3 (6)

Rnd 8: 3 dec (3)

Fasten off and close the round. Weave in the yarn end.

Crochet the right side of the tail fin

Join the yarn at the other side of the last ch.

Rnd 1: 3 inc, 3 sc in BLO of chs (9)

Rnd 2: [sc, inc]*3, 3 sc (12)

Rnd 3: [2 sc, inc]*3, 3 sc (15)

Rnd 4: 15 sc (15)

Rnd 5: 9 sc, 3 dec (12)

Rnd 6: [2 sc, dec]*3 (9)

Rnd 7: [sc, dec]*3 (6)

Rnd 8: 3 dec (3)

Fasten off and close the round. Weave in the yarn end.

Slip stitch in the next stitch and fasten off, leaving a long yarn end for sewing.

Make an invisible finish.

Crochet the Dorsal Fin in Blue

The dorsal fin is crocheted in the round and then pressed flat.

Rnd 1: 4 sc in magic ring (4)

Rnd 2: sc, 2 inc, sc (6)

Rnd 3: sc, 3 inc, 2 sc (9)

Rnd 4: 4 sc, 3 inc, 2 sc (12)

Rnd 5: 12 sc (12)

Rnd 6: 2 inc, 2 sc, [sc, inc]*3, 2 sc (17)

Rnd 7: [sc, inc]*2, 2 sc, [inc, 2 sc]*3, 2 sc (22)

Sl st in next st and fasten off, leaving a long yarn end for sewing.

Crochet the Pectoral Fins in Blue (make 2)

The pectoral fins are crocheted in the round and then pressed flat.

Rnd 1: 4 sc in magic ring (4)

Rnd 2: [inc, sc]*2 (6)

Rnd 3: 6 sc (6)

Rnd 4: [inc, sc]*3 (9)

Rnd 5: 3 inc, 6 sc (12)

Rnd 6: [sc, inc]*3, 3 dec (12)

Rnd 7: 12 sc (12)

Sl st in next st and fasten off, leaving a long yarn end for sewing.

Embroider the Crease Between Snout and Forehead

Cut a 16-inch (40 cm) piece of blue-gray yarn and thread it onto a yarn needle.

2. Insert the needle sideways through the head, between rounds 8 and 9, two stitches above the white belly on each side.

3. Pull the yarn through, leaving a long tail to weave in later.

4. Bring the needle up to the top centre of the head, between the snout and forehead (between rounds 4 and 5), and make a stitch there.

5. Insert the needle sideways through the head again, coming out at the same spot as before.

6. Gently pull both yarn ends until you see an indentation on both sides of the head.

7. Repeat the centred stitch between rounds 4 and 5.

8. Then repeat the sideways stitch through the head between rounds 8 and 9.

9. Pull both yarn ends again until the indentation is as deep as you like.

10. Weave in both yarn ends securely.

Embroider the Mouth

Cut a 16-inch (40 cm) piece of black embroidery floss and thread it onto a large-eyed sewing needle.

2. Make a small upward and forward-facing diagonal stitch just under the head indentation, leaving a long tail to hide later.

3. From here, embroider a long line down to the upper part of round 1, dividing this line into three smaller stitches along the way. Ensure you embroider only on the blue part.

4. At the upper part of round 1, make a small horizontal stitch.

5. Continue with three stitches on the other side, mirroring the first side.

6. Finish with a small downward and backwards-facing diagonal stitch, similar to the one you started with on the opposite side.

7. Wrap the thread around the final stitch by bringing your needle under it without catching the thread itself.

8. Wrap the thread around each stitch in this way (once or twice, depending on the stitch length and how thick you want the embroidery to look).

9. Bring both thread ends to the same spot, tie them together securely, and hide them inside using your hook.

Embroider the Eyes

The eyes are made using French knots.

Cut a 12-inch (30 cm) piece of black embroidery floss and thread it onto a large-eyed sewing needle.

2. Bring the needle out at mid-height on one side of the head, about two rounds behind the mouth.

3. Wrap the thread around the needle six times.

4. Place one finger lightly on the wraps to keep them from unravelling.

5. Pull the tip of the needle back slightly, then insert it very close to its previous exit point.

6. Bring the needle out on the other side of the head, where the second eye will go.

7. Gently pull the thread through while keeping your finger on the wraps to maintain the knot.

8. Repeat the same steps to embroider the eye on the other side.

9. Bring both thread ends to the same spot, tie them together securely, and hide them inside the head using your hook, as you did for the mouth embroidery.

Assembly

Pectoral fins: Sew each fin onto rounds 14 to 18 of the body, one on each side of the white belly, with the tips pointing slightly backwards. Weave in the yarn ends.
Dorsal fin: Sew the dorsal fin onto rounds 20 to 26 of the body, centred along the back with its edges pressed flat. The fin tip should point slightly backwards. Weave in the yarn ends.

Congratulations!

Delsa the Dolphin is now complete!

Thank you very much for buying my pattern. I hope you enjoyed it.

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