I’ve always found something incredibly joyful about crafting adorable little creatures with yarn, especially when it comes to amigurumi—a delightful Japanese art of crocheting small, stuffed toys. One of my favorite projects is creating a whale shark amigurumi. 🐋✨ These gentle giants of the ocean may seem a bit daunting to replicate in yarn form, but trust me, the process is as fun as it is rewarding! Imagine holding a tiny, cuddly version of the largest fish in the sea and knowing you made it yourself. It’s like bringing a piece of the ocean’s magic into your living room—how cool is that?
The journey of creating a whale shark amigurumi pattern begins with choosing the perfect yarn—soft and squishy, preferably in shades of blue, grey, and white to mimic the natural beauty of these magnificent creatures. The real joy is in the details: carefully stitching the iconic spots that make each whale shark unique and giving it a sweet little smile. 😊 As I crochet, I find myself smiling, too, imagining the delight this little creation will bring to others. Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter or a yarn newbie, crafting your own amigurumi whale shark is an adventure filled with creativity and joy. Let’s dive into the world of crochet and bring our whale shark friends to life! 🧶🌊
🐋 Amigurumi Whale Shark Crochet Pattern
Say hello to the gentle giant of the sea! This Amigurumi Whale Shark is large, huggable, and full of ocean personality. With its classic speckled pattern, wide smile, and big soft fins, it’s the perfect cuddle buddy for marine animal lovers of all ages.
✨ Skill Level
Intermediate – Requires shaping, color changes, basic embroidery, and attachment of multiple parts.
📏 Finished Size
Approx. 12–14 inches (30–36 cm) long when using plush or worsted yarn and a 4.0 mm crochet hook.
🧶 Materials
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Yarn (Worsted/Plush Velvet Recommended):
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Dark Blue or Navy (Top of body, fins, tail)
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Cream or Beige (Belly and mouth area)
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White (Optional spots or embroidery detail)
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Black or dark brown (For mouth outline and smile)
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Crochet hook: 4.0 mm
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12–14 mm safety eyes
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Polyfill stuffing
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Tapestry needle
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Scissors
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Stitch marker
🧵 Abbreviations (US Terms)
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MR – Magic Ring
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sc – Single Crochet
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inc – Increase
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dec – Decrease
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sl st – Slip Stitch
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ch – Chain
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FO – Fasten Off
🐳 Body (Worked from Nose to Tail – Start in Cream, then Switch to Blue)
Cream (Underbelly):
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MR, 6 sc
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inc x6 (12)
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(1 sc, inc) x6 (18)
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(2 sc, inc) x6 (24)
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(3 sc, inc) x6 (30)
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(4 sc, inc) x6 (36)
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R7–10: sc (36)
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Switch to navy/dark blue
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R11–40: sc around and increase slightly to form the body bulge, up to 54–60 sts
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Add safety eyes around R14–15, about 10–12 sts apart
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Embroider smile with black yarn across the cream area
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Gradually decrease to taper tail:
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(7 sc, dec) x6 (48)
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(6 sc, dec) x6 (42)
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(5 sc, dec) x6 (36)
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(4 sc, dec) x6 (30)
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(3 sc, dec) x6 (24)
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(2 sc, dec) x6 (18)
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(1 sc, dec) x6 (12)
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dec x6 (6), FO and close
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🐟 Side Fins (Make 2 – Dark Blue)
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MR, 6 sc
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inc x6 (12)
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(1 sc, inc) x6 (18)
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R4–7: sc (18)
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dec x6 (12)
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R9–10: sc (12)
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Flatten, FO, and sew to sides of the body (just behind the eyes)
🧜 Tail Fin (Make 2 Halves – Dark Blue)
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ch 6
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sc back down the chain, inc at end, rotate and repeat
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R2–4: Increase a few stitches at the center edge to curve fin
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FO and sew together, then attach centered at tail
🐠 Top Fin (Dorsal – Dark Blue)
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MR, 6 sc
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(1 sc, inc) x3 (9)
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R3–5: sc (9)
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FO, stuff lightly, and sew along top center of the body
🌊 Optional Spot Detail
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Use white yarn or felt dots to create scattered spots across the top of the body
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Embroider tiny dots or cross-stitches for realism
✂️ Finishing Touches
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Attach side fins and tail securely
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Stitch smile across bottom cream panel
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Shape the mouth slightly open if desired by curving with stitches
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Add blush or eye detail embroidery for personality
💡 Optional Add-ons
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Add a tiny fish companion
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Use variegated yarn for a mottled, ocean-like look
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Insert a squeaker for playfulness
Your cuddly whale shark is ready to swim into your heart! 🐋 Big enough to snuggle and cute enough to love, this plush pal brings the calm wonder of the sea right into your home.
