Want a set of hanging decorations that look straight out of a dreamy underwater scene? These three pastel rainbow jellyfish deliver exactly that. Soft colors, kawaii faces, and those fun textured tentacles make them perfect for a nursery mobile or just brightening up your craft space. Grab your hook and let’s make the whole trio together.
Why These Jellyfish Steal the Show
I designed this set because plain amigurumi sometimes feels a bit samey. These ones each have their own vibe while still matching as a family. The pink-lavender one feels calm and sweet. The yellow-mint version brings sunny energy. And the big rainbow one? Total showstopper with those long trailing tentacles.
They work great as a mobile, window hangers, or even shelf décor. Soft pastels keep everything light and cheerful without looking babyish. Adults love them just as much as kids do. FYI, the finished sizes hit that sweet spot—big enough to notice, small enough to hang easily.
The best part? You get all three patterns in one go. No hunting around for matching designs.
What You Need to Know Before Starting
This pattern sits at intermediate level. You should feel okay working in continuous rounds, doing invisible decreases, and switching colors mid-round. Bobble stitches show up too, but I break those down clearly.
Confident beginners who already made a couple of amigurumi pieces can handle it. Just take your time on the tentacles. Each small jellyfish takes about 3 to 5 hours. The large rainbow one needs 6 to 9 hours because of all those tentacles.
Finished sizes: small ones measure roughly 3.5 inches across the bell and 9 inches total length. The rainbow jellyfish comes in at 4.5 inches across and about 14 inches long. Perfect proportions for hanging.
Materials for the Pastel Trio
You need sport weight yarn (CYCA 2) in soft pastels. Here’s the breakdown for each jellyfish.
Pink-Lavender Jellyfish:
- Main Color A: Pale pink, 25 yards
- Stripe Color B: Soft mint green, 10 yards
- Stripe Color C: Pale peach, 10 yards
- Bell Base Color D: Lavender, 20 yards
- Ruffle Color E: Light pink, 12 yards
- Tentacle Color F: Lavender, 30 yards
- Tentacle Color G: Cream/off-white, 15 yards
Yellow-Mint Jellyfish:
- Main Color A: Pale yellow, 25 yards
- Stripe Color B: Soft coral/peach, 10 yards
- Stripe Color C: Light pink, 10 yards
- Bell Base Color D: Soft yellow, 20 yards
- Ruffle Color E: Pale yellow, 12 yards
- Tentacle Color F: Mint green, 30 yards
- Tentacle Color G: Sky blue, 15 yards
Large Rainbow Jellyfish:
- Main Color A: White/cream, 35 yards
- Stripe Color B: Soft coral, 12 yards
- Stripe Color C: Peach, 12 yards
- Bell Base Color D: Lavender, 30 yards
- Ruffle Color E: White/cream, 18 yards
- Rainbow Tentacle yarn: Self-striping pastel rainbow or individual pastels, 100 yards total
- Bobble Tentacle Color: White/cream, 40 yards
Good yarn choices include Lion Brand Baby Soft Sport or similar smooth sport-weight options. Skip fuzzy yarns—they hide the bobble texture.
Hooks:
- US Size C-2 / 2.75 mm for the small jellyfish
- US Size D-3 / 3.25 mm for the large rainbow one
Other supplies:
- 12 mm black safety eyes (2 per jellyfish)
- Polyester fiberfill
- Locking stitch markers
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Thin string or fishing line for hanging (about 12 inches per jellyfish)
Gauge Check
Small jellyfish: 6 single crochet = 1 inch; 6 rounds = 1 inch
Large jellyfish: 5.5 single crochet = 1 inch; 5.5 rounds = 1 inch
Work rounds 1–6 of the bell. Your circle should measure about 2.5 inches for small or 2.75 inches for large at 36 stitches. Gauge keeps the stuffing from showing and gives the right size.
Stitches and Abbreviations You Need
Here’s every abbreviation that appears:
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- inc = increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- dec = invisible decrease
- BLO = back loop only
- FLO = front loop only
- MR = magic ring
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rnd(s) = round(s)
- bob = bobble stitch
- pm = place marker
- rep = repeat
Special Stitches Explained
Bobble Stitch (bob):
Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops (incomplete dc). Repeat this 3 more times in the same stitch. You now have 5 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all 5. The bobble pops to the right side.
Bobble Chain Tentacle:
Chain 3. Work 1 bobble in the 3rd chain from the hook. Chain 3, bobble in 3rd chain from hook. Keep going for the length you need. Each repeat adds roughly 0.35 inches.
Wavy Chain Tentacle:
Chain the length listed. Work back along the chain with 3 sc in each chain stitch. Extra stitches make it spiral and wave naturally. Super simple but looks fancy.
Invisible Decrease:
Insert hook through the front loop only of the next stitch, then front loop only of the following stitch. Yarn over, pull through both front loops, yarn over, pull through the 2 loops on the hook.
Step-by-Step Pattern for All Three Jellyfish
Section 1: Bell (All Three)
Use C-2 hook for small or D-3 for large. Start with Main Color A.
Round 1: MR, 6 sc in ring, pull closed. (6 sts)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Round 3: (Sc in next st, inc in next st) rep around. (18 sts)
Round 4: (Sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st) rep around. (24 sts)
Round 5: (Sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st) rep around. (30 sts)
Round 6: (Sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st) rep around. (36 sts)
Checkpoint: Flat circle should measure about 2.5 inches (small) or 2.75 inches (large).
Round 7: (Sc in next 5 sts, inc in next st) rep around. (42 sts)
Round 8: (Sc in next 6 sts, inc in next st) rep around. (48 sts)
For large rainbow jellyfish only:
Round 9 (large only): (Sc in next 7 sts, inc in next st) rep around. (54 sts)
Stripe Section
Alternate colors every 2 rounds. Small starts at Round 9 (48 sts). Large starts at Round 10 (54 sts).
Round 9 (small) / Round 10 (large): SC-B. Sc in each st around.
Round 10 (small) / Round 11 (large): SC-B. Sc in each st around.
Round 11 (small) / Round 12 (large): MC-A. Sc in each st around.
Round 12 (small) / Round 13 (large): MC-A. Sc in each st around.
Round 13 (small) / Round 14 (large): SC-C. Sc in each st around.
Round 14 (small) / Round 15 (large): SC-C. Sc in each st around.
Round 15 (small) / Round 16 (large): MC-A. Sc in each st around.
Round 16 (small) / Round 17 (large): MC-A. Sc in each st around.
Bell Base Section
Switch to BC-D (lavender for pink-lavender and rainbow; soft yellow for yellow-mint).
Rounds 17-20 (small) / Rounds 18-21 (large): BC-D. Sc in each st around. (4 rounds total)
Round 21 (small) / Round 22 (large): BC-D. Working in BLO, sc in each st around. Mark this round—you’ll attach the ruffle here later.
Insert Safety Eyes
Place eyes between rounds 17 and 18 (small) or 18 and 19 (large). Space them 8 to 10 stitches apart, centered on the front.
Base Closing Rounds
Continue with BC-D.
Round 22 (small) / Round 23 (large): (Sc in next 6 sts, dec) rep around. (42 sts small / 48 sts large)
Round 23 (small) / Round 24 (large): (Sc in next 5 sts, dec) rep around. (36 / 42 sts)
Stuff the bell firmly now.
Round 24 (small) / Round 25 (large): (Sc in next 4 sts, dec) rep around. (30 / 36 sts)
Round 25 (small) / Round 26 (large): (Sc in next 3 sts, dec) rep around. (24 / 30 sts)
Round 26 (small) / Round 27 (large): (Sc in next 2 sts, dec) rep around. (18 / 24 sts)
Add final stuffing.
Round 27 (small) / Round 28 (large): (Sc in next st, dec) rep around. (12 / 18 sts)
Round 28 (small) / Round 29 (large): Dec around. (6 / 12 sts)
For large only:
Round 30 (large): Dec around. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leave a 10-inch tail. Thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and weave in.
Section 2: Ruffle Skirt
Return to the marked BLO round. Join RF-E with a slip stitch in any front loop.
Ruffle Round 1: Ch 2 (does not count as st). Work 3 dc in each front loop around. Join with sl st to first dc. (144 dc small / 162 dc large)
Fasten off. The ruffle fans out nicely on its own.
Section 3: Tentacles
Pink-Lavender Tentacles:
Make 6 bobble chain tentacles in lavender: Ch 3, bob in 3rd ch from hook, (ch 3, bob in 3rd ch from hook) 14 times total. Fasten off with 6-inch tail.
Make 3 straight strand tentacles in cream: Ch 50. Fasten off with 6-inch tail.
Yellow-Mint Tentacles:
Make 6 wavy chain tentacles in mint: Ch 30, work 3 sc in each ch back across (90 sc). Fasten off with 6-inch tail.
Make 2 wavy chain tentacles in sky blue: Same as above.
Large Rainbow Tentacles:
Make 4 long bobble chain tentacles in white/cream: Ch 3, bob in 3rd ch from hook, (ch 3, bob in 3rd ch from hook) 22 times total.
Make 4 rainbow wavy tentacles (long): Ch 40, work 3 sc in each ch back across (120 sc).
Make 4 rainbow strand tentacles: Ch 60. Fasten off.
Make 4 rainbow wavy tentacles (short): Ch 25, work 3 sc in each ch back across (75 sc).
Attaching Tentacles
Thread tentacle tails through the closed base with a yarn needle. Tie secure knots inside and trim tails short. Spread them out rather than bunching everything in the middle. On the rainbow jellyfish, put white bobbles toward the center, then shorter wavy ones, longer wavy ones, and straight strands toward the edge.
Section 4: Hanging Loop
Cut 12 inches of thin string. Thread both ends through a yarn needle, push through the top near the magic ring, and back out nearby. Tie at the length you want.
Finishing Touches and Care
Steam the ruffles gently from about 2 inches away to help them fan evenly. Lightly mist the wavy tentacles and let them dry while hanging so they keep their curl. Weave ends carefully inside the bell in different directions before trimming.
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Don’t wring. Reshape and hang to dry. Keep them out of direct sun so the pastels stay bright.
Safety note: These include small parts. They work best as decorations, not toys for little ones. Embroider the eyes if you make them for a baby.
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Ready to Hang Your Pastel Pod?
These three jellyfish bring soft color and a touch of whimsy wherever you put them. The different tentacle styles give each one its own personality while the matching construction keeps the set looking cohesive. Once you finish the first one, the other two go faster because you already know the rhythm.
IMO, the rainbow one is worth every extra hour for those long, colorful tentacles. Hang them near a window and watch them gently spin. Happy crocheting—can’t wait to see your versions!
