Let’s give a warm whale-come to your next favorite crochet project — the Wheat Stitch Whale! This sweet and squishy sea creature is full of personality and texture, thanks to the charming wheat stitch that adds a cozy, rippled effect to its body. Whether you’re crafting for a gift, nursery decor, or just looking for a smile-worthy project to brighten your day, this no-sew whale is sure to make a splash in your amigurumi collection!
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This adorable free crochet whale pattern is worked in the round, making it seamless and beginner-friendly. It features fun little details like flappy side fins, a sweet curved tail, and a playful little water spout on top — because what’s a whale without a splash of whimsy? Everything is crocheted and joined as you go, so there’s no sewing required (yes, really!).
Whether you’re using worsted weight cotton or a soft acrylic blend, you can easily customize this project in any yarn and color combo you love. It’s quick, portable, and oh-so-giftable! Leave off the Bunny accents of the Wheat Stitch Easter Basket to create a fun holder for your whale and other Hooked on the Sea Creatures like the Wheat Stitch Jellyfish, Octopus, Turtle, Pufferfish, and Clam!
Crochet Supplies
Yarn
Herrschners My Ami
55% Acrylic/45% Cotton Blend
120yds/50g
Yarn Quantities
Saphhire (Blue): 70 yds
White: 12 yds
Yarn Substitutions
Brava Worsted – 100% Premium Acrylic, 218yds/100g
Herrschners Worsted 8 – 100% Acrylic, 489yds/226g
Dishie – 100% Cotton; 190yds/100g
Remember always to check the gauge and drape when substituting yarns.
Crochet Hook
Size US G (4.0mm) Crochet Hook or hook to obtain gauge.
Notions
Scissors
Yarn Needle
Removable Stitch Marker
Fiberfill
Safety Eyes
String for Tags
Skill Level
Advanced Beginner
What you’ll love about this pattern.
? No sewing required — all parts are crocheted in as you go.
? Textured shell using the signature wheat stitch for extra flair.
? Includes a cute water spout for an extra splash of fun.
One Size
Using suggested yarn, Whale measures approximately 4 inches x 4 inches.
Abbreviations
blo – back loop only
ch – chain
flo – front loop only
RS – right side
sc – single crochet
sc2tog – single crochet two together
sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
WS – wrong side
Gauge
Not critical for this pattern.
How to Crochet A Gauge Swatch
Working a gauge swatch will let you know if you will have the correct sizing for this pattern. It will also help you practice the stitches used in this project and improve your stitch work for a flawless look.
Are you struggling to match the gauge? Check out the blog post on What is Crochet Gauge and How To Fix It
Construction
This sea-sational free crochet amigurumi whale is constructed with simplicity in mind and comes together swimmingly! First, we’ll crochet the small pieces — including the two fins, the tail, and the water spout. Once those are ready, we’ll begin working the body from the top down using the wheat stitch, adding each piece as we go. Safety eyes are added before stuffing, and the base is cinched closed at the end. That’s it! No whipstitching, no attaching parts later — just a fun, flowing project from start to finish.
Looking for more summery designs? Check out the Long Summer Duster and the Hexagon Swim Cover-Up!
Special Stitches
Puff Stitch: Yarn over and insert your hook into the stitch/space. Yarn over again and pull up a long loop. Yarn over and insert your hook into the same stitch/space. Yarn over again and pull up a long loop (5 loops on the hook). Yarn over and pull through the first 4 loops, yarn over and pull through remaining loops.
Invisible sc2tog: Insert your hook into the front loop of the first st, and then insert into the front loop of the second st (3 loops on the hook). Yarn over and pull through both front loops (2 loops on the hook), yarn over and pull through the remaining loops on the hook.
Pattern Notes
- Warning: Safety eyes are not suitable for children under three years old, as they can pose a choking hazard if they become detached. Adult supervision is recommended. Feel free to embroider the eyes.
- A ch 1 at the beginning of a row is not counted as a stitch.
- Using a stitch marker at the beginning (or end) of the round is recommended.
- Invisible Join: Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-8 inch tail. Using your yarn needle, insert the needle under both loops of the second stitch of the round. Pull the yarn through gently, then insert the needle back into the center of the last stitch you made, going straight down through the middle (where the yarn exited).
- This Pattern Uses Standard US Terminology. I use affiliate links and follow GPSR Compliance: privacy & disclosure policy here.
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Video Tutorial for the Wheat Stitch Whale
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Written Crochet Pattern Instructions
Rnd 3:
Sc in each st around.
Sl st in to the next stitch and fasten of. Set aside.
Whale Tail
Rnd 1:
Inside a Magic Ring, sc 6, do not join and work continuously. | 6 sts
Rnd 2:
2 sc in first, sc in next, *2 sc in next, sc in next; repeat from * around. | 9 sts
Rnd 3:
2 sc in first, sc in the next 2 sts, *2 sc in next, sc in the next 2 sts; repeat from * around. | 12 sts
Rnd 4:
Sc in each st around.
Create an invisible join and fasten off; set aside the first piece. Crochet a second piece and do not fasten off.
Rnd 5 & Joining:
Sc around the first piece and then the second piece. | 24 sts
Rnd 6:
*sc2tog, sc in the next 2 sts; repeat from * around. | 18 sts
Rnd 7:
*sc2tog, sc in the next st; repeat from * around. | 12 sts
Rnds 8-9:
Ch 1, sc in each st around.
Create an invisible join, fasten off, and set aside.
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Whale Water Spout
To create the whale water spout, we will be using a DIY easy i-cord; no special tools are required. Watch this video to learn how to create the i-cord:
Your tail end for the i-cord should be about 5 times longer than the end length. This length can be personal preference, so feel free to play around with the number of i-cord chains.
Using White Yarn, create 9 i-cord stitches for a small loop and 15 i-cord sts for a large
loop. Sl st into the first st to create the circle, then fasten off, leaving the tail ends for
later. Set aside.
Wheat Stitch Whale Video Part 2
Whale Body
Rnd 1:
Inside a Magic Ring, sc 12, join and turn. | 12 sts
Rnd 2:
Ch 1, blo 2 sc in each st around, join and turn. | 24 sts
Rnds 3-4:
Ch 1, skip the first st, sc in next, work a puff st into the skipped st, *skip the next st, sc in next, work a puff st into the skipped st; repeat from * around, join and turn.
Rnd 5:
Ch 1, blo 2 sc in first, blo sc in next, *blo 2 sc in next, blo sc in next; repeat from around, join and turn. | 36 sts
Rnd 6:
Ch 1, blo 2 sc in first, blo sc in the next 2 sts, *blo 2 sc in next, blo sc in the next 2 sts; repeat from * around, join and turn. | 48 sts
Rnds 7-8:
Ch 1, skip the first st, sc in next, work a puff st into the skipped st, *skip the next st, sc in next, work a puff st into the skipped st; repeat from * around, join and turn.
Rnds 9-10:
Ch 1, blo sc in each st around, join and turn.
Rnds 11-14:
Repeat Rnds 7-10.
At the end of Rnd 14, do NOT turn.
This next round will be worked while joining the Fins and Tail to the body.
Rnd 15:
Fold the open end of the Tail in half and align it with the stitches on the Whale Body (see video). Working through both layers of the Tail and the Whale Body, sc 6 sts to attach the Tail, sc in the next 8 sts, fold the first Fin in half, and sc 4 sts through all layers to attach it, sc in the next 18 stitches, fold the second Fin in half and sc 4 sts through all layers to attach it, sc in the last 8 sts.
Secure the safety eyes (or use black yarn to stitch eyes) on the front between Rnds 8-12 approx 5-6 stitches apart.
Using your crochet hook pull the tail ends of the white i-cords through the top into the Body of the Whale. Tie all the ends together on the inside to secure them in place.
Bottom
Setup: Still working with Blue yarn, sc in the first 2, on the last yarn over of the second st switch to White yarn. This will change colors under the Tail.
Rnd 1:
With White Yarn, *sc2tog, sc 6; repeat from * around and do not join and work continuously. | 42 sts
Rnd 2:
*sc2tog, sc 5; repeat from * around. | 36 sts
Rnd 3:
*sc2tog, sc 4; repeat from * around. | 30 sts
Rnd 4:
*sc2tog, sc 3; repeat from * around. | 24 sts
Rnd 5:
*sc2tog, sc 2; repeat from * around. | 18 sts
Stuff Whale with fiberfill or yarn scraps. You want it to have shape, but not be overstuffed.
Rnd 6:
*sc2tog, sc 1; repeat from * around. | 12 sts
Rnd 7:
*sc2tog around, fasten off and use the tail end to weave through the front loop only of the remaining stitches and close. | 12 sts
Yarn Tip
One of the great things about crocheting amigurumi is the freedom to experiment with any yarn you love — from fingering weight to bulky! Simply adjust your hook size to match your yarn choice, and have fun creating all kinds of sea friends!
Love the fuzzy yarn shown in this photo? Check out Lion Brand Feels Like Bliss! (We also have the yarn linked in our YouTube video! Visit YouTube and click on the product below the video.)
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Finishing
Fasten off, weave in all yarn tails neatly, and prepare to have a whaley good time with your new friend!
The Wheat Stitch Crochet Whale is a joyful, beginner-friendly free amigurumi pattern that combines texture, charm, and simplicity in one adorable sea creature. It’s the perfect addition to your ocean-themed collection or a thoughtful handmade gift for any occasion.
Try experimenting with different yarn weights and colors for a pod of custom whales, or pair it with the Wheat Stitch Octopus, Jellyfish, and Turtle for an entire under-the-sea adventure!
Cheers, and happy crocheting!
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