How to Knit a Jellyfish – Free Knitting Pattern

Soft, bouncy tentacles and a sweet rounded head make this little Jellyfish a wonderfully characterful knitting project. This complete free Jellyfish knitting pattern is worked flat on straight needles, so there is no need to knit in the round.

Designed for advanced beginners, the pattern uses Knit, Purl, simple increases and decreases, followed by straightforward sewing and assembly. Make yours in soft plush velvet yarn for a cuddly finish, or choose an Aran / Worsted Weight yarn for clearer stitch definition.

How Is the Knitted Jellyfish Made?

The Jellyfish is made in four simple stages. First, the rounded head is knitted flat with six shaped skirt sections along its lower edge. A separate circular base closes the head after stuffing, and eight spiral tentacles are knitted individually and sewn underneath.

• Head: shaped with Make 1 increases and Knit 2 Together decreases.
• Skirt: six small sections worked across the final head stitches.
• Base: knitted flat, seamed into a circle and sewn beneath the stuffed head.
• Tentacles: eight knitted spirals sewn evenly onto the base.

If you would prefer a clean printable copy, the free PDF is available from the Jellyfish pattern listing.

Download the free Jellyfish knitting pattern PDF →

Tips for Knitting With Plush Velvet Yarn

Velvet yarn gives the Jellyfish its soft, squishy texture, but its fluffy surface can make individual stitches harder to see. Work in good light, count the stitches at the end of each shaping row and use the stitch markers exactly where the pattern directs.

A smooth Aran / Worsted Weight yarn is also suitable and can be easier to use if this is your first shaped toy. Your finished size may change if your yarn, needle size or gauge differs from the pattern.

Important Safety Note

The original pattern uses 10mm safety eyes. If making the Jellyfish for a baby or child under three, replace them with securely embroidered eyes. Always ensure every part is firmly attached and check the finished toy before use.

Free Jellyfish Knitting Pattern

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Materials - Click on item to purchase

• Bernat Baby Velvet yarn
  1 x 300g Ball of Potpourri #86029
  (40g used per Jellyfish)
• 3mm Knitting Needles (US 3 / UK 11)
• 1 pair of 10mm black safety eyes
• Tapestry Needle
• Toy Stuffing
• Stitch Marker
• 8 Pins

Stitch Directory - Click on stitch for a video

• k - Knit
• p - Purl
• m1 - Make one stitch
• k2tog - Knit next two stitches together
• () - Repeat instructions within the brackets, the number of times specified
• [] - Number of stitches at the end of the row
• SM - Stitch marker
• RS – Right Side
• WS – Wrong Side
• nxt – Next
• rep – Repeat
• sts – Stitches

Pattern Notes

• Gauge - 26 sts × 36 rows = 4 x 4 inches (10 x 10 cm)
• Finished Jellyfish size - 7cm wide × 18cm high. (2.7 x 7 inches)
• Pattern is suitable for an advanced beginner.
• The Jellyfish is worked flat.

Jellyfish Head (make 1)

Cast on 7 sts, leaving an 85cm yarn tail for sewing up the head.

Row 1 and ALL ODD rows up to Row 25 - p.

Row 2 - (k1, m1) 6 times, k1. [13 sts] (rs)

Row 4 - (k2, m1) 6 times, k1. [19 sts]

Row 6 - (k3, m1) 6 times, k1. [25 sts]

Row 8 - (k4, m1) 6 times, k1. [31 sts]

Row 10 - (k5, m1) 6 times, k1. [37 sts]

Row 12 - (k6, m1) 6 times, k1. [43 sts]

On Row 14, place SM in the 20th and 24th stitches to mark the eye positions.

Rows 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 - k. [43 sts]

Row 24 - (k4, k2tog) 7 times, k1. [36 sts] Mark this row with SM.

Complete Row 25 as a purl row.

Jellyfish Skirt

The skirt is worked in six separate sections of 6 stitches.

First Skirt Section

Working across the first 6 stitches only, leave the remaining 30 stitches unworked.

Row 26 (RS) – k6. [6 sts]

Row 27 (WS) – p6. [6 sts]

Row 28 – k2tog, k2, k2tog. [4 sts]

Cast off purlwise.

Remaining Skirt Sections

With the right side facing, reattach the yarn to the first unworked stitch of Row 25. Work the next 6 stitches following Rows 26–28 above, then cast off purlwise.

Repeat for each remaining group of 6 stitches until six skirt sections have been completed.

With the cast on yarn tail, weave through the initial 7 cast on stitches and pull to close. Sew down the side seam to the top of Row 26. Secure all ends.

Base of Head (make 1)

Cast on 7 sts.

Row 1 and ALL ODD rows - p.

Row 2 - (k1, m1) 6 times, k1. [13 sts] (rs)

Row 4 - (k1, m1) 12 times, k1. [25 sts]

Row 6 - (k2, m1) 12 times, k1. [37 sts]

Cast off purlwise leaving a long yarn tail, sew up the side seam to make a circle.

Tentacles (make 8)

Cast on 50 sts

Row 1 - *(k1, p1, k1 in next st), k1.** rep from * to ** to the end. [100 sts]

Cast off purlwise.

Assembly

Insert the safety eyes at the stitches marked on Row 14 and secure them according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If making the Jellyfish for a baby or child under three, use securely embroidered eyes instead.

Stuff the head. Pin the Base of the Head evenly around Row 24, easing the stitches evenly, then sew it securely into place.

Position the eight tentacles evenly across the base, using the eight pins to hold them in place. Sew each tentacle securely to the base and weave in all remaining yarn ends.

Choosing a Colour for Your Jellyfish

A single soft shade keeps the rounded shaping and curling tentacles easy to see. Pastel pink, mint, lilac and cream create a gentle nursery-inspired look, while brighter colours can turn the same pattern into a cheerful ocean-themed display piece.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Jellyfish knitted flat?

Yes. Every section is worked flat on straight knitting needles and sewn together during assembly.

What skill level is the pattern?

The pattern is suitable for advanced beginners who are comfortable with Knit, Purl, simple shaping and basic sewing.

Can I use ordinary Aran yarn instead of velvet yarn?

Yes. A suitable Aran / Worsted Weight yarn will give the stitches more definition. The finished dimensions may differ, so check your gauge if size is important.

How many tentacles does the knitted Jellyfish have?

The pattern makes eight spiral tentacles, which are sewn evenly beneath the head.

Is the Jellyfish suitable for a baby?

Safety eyes are not suitable for babies or children under three. Use securely embroidered eyes instead and ensure every part is firmly attached.

Download the Printable Pattern

Would you like to keep the instructions beside you while you knit? Download the free Jellyfish Knitting Pattern PDF for a clean, printable version of the complete pattern.

Download the free Jellyfish knitting pattern PDF →

Prefer to crochet? You can also make a soft ocean friend with the Free Jellyfish Crochet Pattern.

Well done, I hope you enjoyed making up your knitted Jellyfish.

Let’s make something beautiful together.

Copyright

This free knitting pattern is for personal use. You may sell finished Jellyfish made from the pattern, provided Peach Unicorn Designs is credited as the designer. The pattern itself may not be copied, redistributed, translated for resale or republished in any form.