Pastel Rainbow Jellyfish Amigurumi Free Crochet Pattern
Ever dreamed of a soft, pastel jellyfish that hangs by a window and looks like it swam straight out of a dream? This free crochet pattern gives you exactly that. Soft mint, pink, yellow, and lavender stripes, curly tentacles that twist on their own, and a ruffled skirt that floats. Ready to make one?
I wanted a jellyfish that felt special—not a tiny keychain, but a real hanging piece with boho vibes. The macrame cradle holds it perfectly, and those tentacles curl without any wire. It looks fancy hanging there, but the steps stay simple once you break them down.
Why This Pastel Jellyfish Works So Well
This design hits that sweet spot between cute and cool. Horizontal stripes keep the rainbow soft instead of loud. The ruffle adds movement. The tentacles spiral automatically thanks to a simple stitch trick.
You work everything in single crochet using continuous rounds. Stuff the bell firmly so it keeps its dome shape. Attach the skirt and tentacles separately. Then drop the whole thing into a simple macrame hanger.
Finished size sits around 6 inches (15 cm) wide and 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) tall. From the top ring to the longest tentacle, you get about 24 to 28 inches (61 to 71 cm) of hanging length.
This counts as intermediate. You need to know continuous rounds, magic rings, clean color changes, and sewing pieces together. Made a few amigurumi before? You can handle this. New but confident with the basics? Take it slow on the tentacle sewing and you will be fine.
Expect 12 to 18 hours total. Roughly 6 to 8 hours on the bell, 1 to 2 on the skirt, 3 to 4 on tentacles, and 1 to 2 for the hanger and finishing.
Materials You Need
Yarn
Grab worsted weight (4/medium) cotton or cotton-blend yarn in five soft pastels:
Color A: Mint or seafoam green
Color B: Soft pink or blush
Color C: Pale yellow or butter
Color D: Lavender or light purple (also for the ruffle)
Color E: Peach or light orange (optional for extra stripes)
Tentacles use tiny scraps from those same colors. Leftovers work perfectly.
Good yarn options:
- Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in mint, rose, butter, lavender, and peach
- Paintbox Yarns Simply Cotton Worsted
- Drops Safran (drop to a US E-4 / 3.50 mm hook if you pick this lighter one)
Skip fuzzy or textured yarns. Smooth yarn shows the stripes and stitches clearly.
Hook and Other Stuff
US size G-6 / 4.00 mm crochet hook
3 mm or 4 mm natural cotton macrame cord, about 15 to 20 yards (14 to 18 meters)
One 2-inch (5 cm) plastic or wooden ring
Polyfill stuffing, 2 to 3 oz (60 to 85 g)
Yarn needle or tapestry needle
At least 2 stitch markers
Scissors
Gauge and Abbreviations
Gauge: 18 sc x 20 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet, continuous rounds.
Gauge matters. Loose stitches let stuffing peek through and the bell loses its shape. Work tighter or go down a hook size if needed. Always swatch first.
Abbreviations:
sc = single crochet (insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
inc = increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
dec = invisible decrease (insert hook into front loop of next stitch, then front loop of following stitch, yarn over and pull through both loops, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook)
sl st = slip stitch
ch = chain
MR = magic ring
st(s) = stitch(es)
BLO = back loop only
FLO = front loop only
rep = repeat
pm = place marker
rnd = round
Special Techniques You Will Use
Magic Ring (MR)
Make a loop with the yarn, crossing the working yarn over the tail. Insert the hook through the center, yarn over and pull up a loop, then chain 1. Work stitches into the center. Pull the tail tight to close. Neat, hole-free start every time.
Ruffle Stitch
Work 3 sc into each stitch around. The extra stitches force the fabric to fan out into waves. No extra shaping needed.
Curly Tentacle Technique
Chain the number you need, then work 3 sc into every chain starting from the second chain from the hook. The extra stitches make the strip curl into a spiral on its own. Tighter stitches give tighter curls.
Pattern Notes Before You Start
- Work the bell in continuous rounds. Do not join or turn unless told. Mark the first stitch of each round and move the marker up.
- Color changes: Switch on the last yarn over of the last stitch before the new color starts. Carry unused colors inside or cut and rejoin.
- Stripe sequence (top to bottom):
Rounds 1–4: Color A (mint)
Rounds 5–8: Color B (pink)
Rounds 9–12: Color C (yellow)
Rounds 13–16: Color D (lavender)
Rounds 17–20: Color B (pink)
Rounds 21–24: Color A (mint) - Order of work: Bell, stuffing, skirt, tentacles, macrame hanger, final assembly.
Jellyfish Bell Instructions
Start at the top center and work down.
Using Color A and MR.
Round 1: Work 6 sc into MR. Pull ring closed. (6 sts)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Round 3: (Sc 1, inc) rep around. (18 sts)
Round 4: (Sc 2, inc) rep around. (24 sts)
Change to Color B at end of Round 4.
Round 5: (Sc 3, inc) rep around. (30 sts)
Round 6: (Sc 4, inc) rep around. (36 sts)
Round 7: (Sc 5, inc) rep around. (42 sts)
Round 8: (Sc 6, inc) rep around. (48 sts)
Change to Color C at end of Round 8.
Round 9: (Sc 7, inc) rep around. (54 sts)
Round 10: (Sc 8, inc) rep around. (60 sts)
Round 11: (Sc 9, inc) rep around. (66 sts)
Round 12: (Sc 10, inc) rep around. (72 sts)
Change to Color D at end of Round 12.
Rounds 13 to 16: Sc in each st around. (72 sts each round)
Change to Color B at end of Round 16.
Rounds 17 to 20: Sc in each st around. (72 sts each round)
Change to Color A at end of Round 20.
Rounds 21 to 22: Sc in each st around. (72 sts each round)
Round 23: Working in FLO only, sc in each st around. (72 sts)
This is the skirt attachment round. Place a second stitch marker in the back loop of the first stitch so you can find it later.
Round 24: Working in both loops as normal, sc in each st around. (72 sts)
Begin stuffing now. Add polyfill gradually as you go.
Round 25: (Sc 10, dec) rep around. (66 sts)
Round 26: (Sc 9, dec) rep around. (60 sts)
Round 27: (Sc 8, dec) rep around. (54 sts)
Round 28: (Sc 7, dec) rep around. (48 sts)
Round 29: (Sc 6, dec) rep around. (42 sts)
Round 30: (Sc 5, dec) rep around. (36 sts)
Round 31: (Sc 4, dec) rep around. (30 sts)
Round 32: (Sc 3, dec) rep around. (24 sts)
Round 33: (Sc 2, dec) rep around. (18 sts)
Round 34: (Sc 1, dec) rep around. (12 sts)
Round 35: Dec around. (6 sts)
Add final stuffing so the bell feels firmly packed. Cut yarn, leave a 10-inch tail. Thread onto yarn needle, draw through all 6 remaining stitches, pull tight to close. Weave in the end on the inside.
Ruffled Skirt Instructions
Return to the back loops left at Round 23. Join Color D with a sl st to any back loop stitch.
Round 1 of skirt: Sc in each back loop around. (72 sts)
Round 2 of skirt (ruffle): Work 3 sc in each st around. (216 sts)
Want a fuller ruffle? Add one more round:
Round 3 of skirt (optional extra ruffle): 2 sc in each st around. (432 sts)
Sl st to join. Fasten off and weave in ends. The ruffle fans out nicely on its own.
Curly Tentacle Instructions
Make 8 to 12 tentacles total in mixed lengths and colors. Two of each color looks balanced.
Short Tentacle
Ch 21. Work 3 sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch across. (60 sts) Fasten off, leave a 12-inch tail for sewing.
Medium Tentacle
Ch 31. Work 3 sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch across. (90 sts) Fasten off, leave a 12-inch tail.
Long Tentacle
Ch 41. Work 3 sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch across. (120 sts) Fasten off, leave a 12-inch tail.
Make at least two of each length. They curl into spirals automatically.
Attaching Tentacles
Thread the sewing tail onto your yarn needle. Place tentacles evenly around the closed bottom of the bell, just inside the ruffle edge. Sew each one securely with several stitches. Weave tails inside the bell.
Macrame Hanger Instructions
Cut 4 pieces of cotton macrame cord, each 60 inches (152 cm) long.
Fold all 4 cords in half. Loop them through your plastic or wooden ring with a lark’s head knot: pass the folded loop through the ring from front to back, then bring both tails through the loop and pull snug. You now have 8 cord ends.
Divide into 4 pairs. Working one pair at a time, make spiral half-hitch knots for about 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) down each pair.
Gather all 4 knotted pairs and tie an overhand gathering knot about 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the spiral sections.
Spread the 8 cord ends into a net shape. Tie pairs of neighboring cords with overhand knots about 2 inches (5 cm) below the gathering knot, alternating pairs to create a diamond net cradle.
Insert your crocheted bell into the cradle with the dome facing up. Adjust the knots so it sits level and secure.
Gather all cord ends below the bell and tie a final overhand knot close to the bottom. Trim ends evenly or add finishing knots to each individual cord.
Size Customization Tips
Smaller jellyfish (4 inches across): Use DK weight yarn with a US E-4 / 3.50 mm hook. Stop increases at 54 stitches instead of 72. Work 4 straight rounds and adjust decreases to match.
Larger jellyfish (8 inches across): Use bulky weight yarn with a US J-10 / 6.00 mm hook. Keep increasing for 2 more rounds to reach 84 stitches. Add 2 extra straight rounds. Add 10 chains to each tentacle length.
Finishing and Care
Weave in every end securely on the inside of the bell. Lightly mist with water and reshape by hand if needed. Let it dry completely before hanging. Do not soak the stuffed bell.
Spot clean with a damp cloth. If needed, hand wash gently in cool water and lay flat to dry.
This piece is decorative. Keep it away from kids under 3 because of the cords.
Final Thoughts
You now have a soft pastel jellyfish that hangs like a tiny ocean dream. Those curly tentacles and the floating ruffle make it hard to stop staring once it is finished. Hang it in a nursery, a sunny corner, or gift it to someone who loves whimsical handmade things.
I hope you enjoy making this as much as I enjoyed putting the pattern together. Drop a comment or share a photo when yours is done—I always love seeing these little floaters in new homes.
