If you love small ocean-themed crochet projects, this cute dolphin amigurumi is a fun one to try. With its rounded body, simple fins, and playful shape, it makes a lovely handmade decoration or gift.

This tutorial uses basic crochet stitches and simple shaping, making it suitable for confident beginners who are familiar with working in the round.

In this tutorial, you’ll crochet the dolphin’s body, tail, and fins, then add the eyes and finishing details to bring your little dolphin to life.

You can make it with cotton yarn for a firm, neat finish or experiment with plush yarn for a softer and larger version.

Why You’ll Love This Dolphin Amigurumi Pattern

This little dolphin is a fun project when you want to make something cute without spending too much time on a large amigurumi.

• Beginner-friendly construction
• Basic crochet stitches
• Small and lightweight
• Simple shaping
• Great for gifts and ocean-themed decorations
• Can be made with different yarn types and colors
• Suitable for handmade markets and finished-item sales

You can also customize the dolphin by changing the color, adding embroidered details, or experimenting with different yarn weights.

Skill Level

Beginner to Intermediate

This project is suitable for crocheters who are comfortable with basic amigurumi techniques such as working in the round, single crochet, increases, and decreases.

Finished Size

The finished dolphin measures approximately 10–12 cm (4–5 inches), depending on your yarn, hook size, and crochet tension.

Tip: If you use thicker yarn and a larger hook, your finished dolphin will be larger.

Materials Needed

• DK or Sport weight yarn
• 2.5–3.5 mm crochet hook, depending on your yarn and tension
• Polyester fiberfill stuffing
• 6–8 mm safety eyes
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Stitch marker

Choose a hook size that gives you firm, even stitches. This is especially important for amigurumi because loose stitches can leave gaps between the stitches.

💡 Tip: If you are using plush yarn, choose a hook size recommended for your yarn and keep your tension firm enough to prevent the stuffing from showing.

Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms)

• MR – Magic Ring
• sc – Single Crochet
• inc – Increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
• dec – Decrease (single crochet two stitches together)
• ch – Chain
• sl st – Slip Stitch
• dc – Double Crochet
• hdc – Half Double Crochet
• BLO – Back Loop Only

Free Dolphin Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

Body

The dolphin’s body is worked in continuous rounds. Do not join rounds unless stated.

Round 1:
6 sc in MR (6)

Round 2:
inc around (12)

Round 3:
(sc, inc) × 6 (18)

Round 4:
(2 sc, inc) × 6 (24)

Rounds 5–8:
sc around (24)

At this point, the body should have a rounded shape.

Do not fasten off. Continue directly to the next section to create the tail.

Tail

Tail

The dolphin’s tail is created in two sections that open outward to form the classic dolphin tail shape.

First fluke:

Ch 5.

Work along the chain using:

sc, dc, hdc, sc

Sl st to secure the first fluke at the base.

Second fluke:

Ch 5.

Work along the chain using:

sc, dc, dc, hdc, sc

Fasten off and weave in the yarn end securely.

Gently arrange both flukes so they open outward in opposite directions, creating the characteristic dolphin tail shape.

💡 Tip: If the two flukes look uneven, gently adjust their position before securing the yarn ends.

Continue the Body

After completing the tail, continue working on the body.

Round 9:
BLO: 24 sc

Round 10:
(2 sc, dec) × 6 (18)

Round 11:
(sc, dec) × 6 (12)

Begin adding fiberfill and stuff the body gradually. Add enough stuffing to give the dolphin a firm, rounded shape without stretching the stitches.

Round 12:
dec around (6)

Cut the yarn, leaving a tail for closing. Using a yarn needle, weave through the remaining stitches and pull gently to close the opening. Secure and hide the yarn end inside the body.

Fins

Fins

The dolphin has two small fins, one on each side of the body.

Choose a position on one side of the body, keeping the fin placement symmetrical with the opposite side.

Attach the yarn to the body and work:

ch 1, 5 sc, sl st

Fasten off and weave in the yarn ends securely.

Repeat on the opposite side to make the second fin.

💡 Tip: Before finishing the second fin, compare both sides of the dolphin from the front and back. Adjust the placement if necessary so the fins sit at a similar height.

Eyes Placement

Place the safety eyes symmetrically on both sides of the body, slightly above the fins.

For a balanced expression, position both eyes at the same height and leave an even amount of space between the eyes and the fins.

Before pushing the safety eyes into place, check the position from the front to make sure the dolphin’s face looks even.

💡 Tip: If you are making the dolphin for a baby or young child, use embroidered eyes instead of safety eyes and make sure all facial details are securely stitched.

Helpful Crochet Tips

• Keep your stitches firm and even to prevent the stuffing from showing.
• Add the fiberfill gradually instead of stuffing the body all at once.
• Use your fingers to gently shape the body as you stuff it.
• Check the placement of the fins and eyes before securing them permanently.
• Weave in all yarn ends securely and trim any excess yarn.
• If you use plush yarn, work slowly and use a stitch marker to keep track of your rounds.

How You Can Use This Dolphin Amigurumi

Your finished dolphin can be used in many simple and creative ways:

• A handmade baby shower or birthday gift
• Ocean-themed nursery or room decor
• Part of a sea-animal crochet collection
• A small desk or shelf decoration
• A handmade market item
• A cute addition to an ocean-themed gift basket

You can also make a small collection of sea animals, such as dolphins, whales, turtles, and fish, using similar yarn colors and sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is this dolphin amigurumi tutorial free?

Yes. This tutorial is available for free on the Amyliva Handmade website.

Is this dolphin pattern suitable for beginners?

Yes. It uses basic crochet stitches and simple shaping. Beginners who are comfortable with working in the round should be able to follow the tutorial.

Can I sell finished dolphins made from this tutorial?

Yes. You may sell finished items made from this tutorial. Credit to Amyliva Handmade is appreciated.

Can I share or resell this crochet pattern?

No. Please do not copy, redistribute, translate, or resell the written pattern. You may share the link to the original Amyliva Handmade tutorial instead.

What yarn works best for this dolphin?

DK or Sport weight yarn works well. Cotton yarn gives a neat, structured finish, while plush yarn can be used to create a softer and larger dolphin.

Can I make the dolphin larger or smaller?

Yes. Changing the yarn weight and hook size will change the finished size of the dolphin.

Usage Conditions & Copyright Notice

This crochet tutorial is provided for personal use and enjoyment.

You may sell finished items made from this tutorial. When sharing your finished work online, credit to Amyliva Handmade is appreciated.

Please do not copy, reproduce, translate, redistribute, or resell this written tutorial or publish it as your own. If you would like to share the pattern with others, please share the original Amyliva Handmade page instead.

© Amyliva Handmade. All rights reserved.

Discover More Crochet Patterns

If you enjoyed making this little dolphin, explore more free crochet patterns and handmade projects from Amyliva Handmade.

You can also follow Amyliva Handmade on Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram for new crochet ideas and tutorials.

Final Thoughts

This cute dolphin amigurumi is a fun little project for anyone who enjoys ocean-inspired crochet. Its simple shape makes it easy to customize with different colors and yarn textures.

Whether you make it as a gift, a small decoration, or part of a sea-animal collection, I hope you enjoy creating your own little dolphin.

Happy crocheting! 🐬💙

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