Hook a speedy NO SEW Jelly Bean Dolphin amigurumi, with this quick, step-by-step crochet dolphin pattern!
Make a cute mini dolphin plush with this quick and stress-free pattern. The no-sew design means your dolphin softie is crocheted in just one piece! With only the dorsal fin crocheted into place at the end. There’s no fiddly pieces to stitch on—just follow along with the easy pattern, and you’re done! Measuring just over 3.5 inches, it’s a fantastic last-minute gift idea, especially for dolphin lovers. Best of all, it takes less than an hour to finish!
Fun Things To Do With A Crochet Dolphin!
If you’re looking for ways to enjoy your finished dolphin softie, you’re in the right place! As a Mom, amigurumi designer, and obsessed crocheter, I’ve got plenty of fun ideas.
Soft and cuddly crochet dolphins make perfect toys for children, encouraging imaginative play and a love for the ocean.
- This soft dolphin plush is a lovely handmade toy for kids and inspires ocean-themed playtime.
- Use your finished dolphins as cute shelf décor, a sea-themed ornament, or make several for a playful mobile.
- Crochet dolphins can be used as an engaging learning tool to introduce kids to marine animals and their features.
- Handmade gifts always feel extra meaningful—personalize your dolphin for someone special.
- The quick, no-sew design makes this pattern ideal for markets, gifts, or stash-busting projects.
There’s no limit to the ways this mini dolphin can brighten up your home, gift list, or craft stall!
The Jelly Bean Dolphin amigurumi is shown using Hobbii’s Honey Bunny, Baby Snuggle and Toucan Yarns (similar to Premier Parfait Chunky), (light super bulky (6)). Hobbii Honey Bunny Yarn
Feel free to experiment with your favourite Amigurumi yarns as well! Check out this amigurumi post for some guidelines on how.
This crochet dolphin pattern also includes a Full Video Tutorial!
Part of the Jelly Bean Sea Animal 2 Collection
The full set of Jelly Bean Sea Creatures — including jellyfish, starfish, whale, dolphin, lobster, shark, and stingray — is available now in the 7‑pattern bundle:
If you prefer, you can also follow along as each pattern is released individually on the blog over the coming weeks
Dolphins are Everyone’s Favourite Sea Animal
Dolphins hold a special place in many people’s hearts, and there are a few clear reasons why they’re often a top favourite. These cute cetaceans represent some wonderful qualities that we humans find enticing.
They’re incredibly smart.
Dolphins are known for their intelligence — they can solve problems, use tools, recognize themselves in mirrors, and even understand complex instructions. People are naturally drawn to animals that show signs of awareness and curiosity, because it makes them feel more relatable.
They seem friendly and playful.
Dolphins often appear to be smiling, and their behaviour — leaping through waves, playing with each other, or riding boats’ wake — gives off fun-loving, carefree energy. That playful nature taps into a childlike joy that many of us find irresistible.
They’re social and empathetic.
Dolphins live in groups (pods), and they show signs of cooperation, care for their sick, and even protect humans from sharks in rare cases. That social bonding makes them feel like kind, emotional creatures — something people admire and feel connected to.
They’re beautiful and graceful.
Their sleek bodies, smooth movements, and ability to swim fast and leap from the water make them fascinating to watch. There’s a natural elegance to dolphins that makes them stand out from other sea creatures.
They have a strong presence in pop culture.
From Flipper to documentaries and ocean-themed toys, dolphins have long been portrayed as the “good guys” of the sea. That constant exposure reinforces the idea that dolphins are special, lovable, and even magical.
So — brains, beauty, friendliness, and a bit of mystery all wrapped into one animal. That’s why dolphins often swim their way into people’s hearts.
Do you have a different reason as to why you adore dolphins? Please let me know below in the comments!
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Sara
The Premium PDF version of this pattern in now available and includes a convenient printable format, plus lots additional photos.
What you will need to make your No-Sew Jelly Bean Dolphin Crochet Pattern
[A detailed, step-by-step pattern with both written instructions and easy to follow video tutorial]
Materials:
Hook size 5.0 mm (H)
Main Colour – 15 yards (shown in Toucan Light Turquoise)
Optional Accent Colours – small amount of White (medium worsted weight)
- Polyester filling – small amount
- 2 – 10mm black safety eyes (not suitable for children under 3): See video for embroidering eyes as an alternative.
- Stitch Markers or Safety pins to help with sewing placement
- Yarn needle to weave in the ends
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All of these Materials can be found in my Amazon Storefront shops
Gauge:
4 Rounds of Gauge Pattern = 2.0 inch diameter
Gauge Pattern:
Create a Magic Ring
Round 1: 6sc in the ring (6)
Round 2: *2sc* 6 times (12)
Round 3: *sc, 2sc* 6 times (18)
Round 4: *sc in the next 2 sts, 2sc* 6 times (24)
Abbreviations:
| BLO | back loop only |
| ch | chain |
| dc | double crochet |
| FLO | front loop only |
| sc | single crochet |
| scdec | single crochet decrease |
| ss | slip stitch |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| trc | triple (treble) crochet |
| *to* | repeat the sequence between the ** the number of times indicated |
| YO | Yarn Over |
Special Stitches & Techniques:
Magic ring
Lining Up the Tail
Lining Up the Dorsal Fin
Adding Eye Highlights
Embroider Eyes
Notes:
- #sc, eg. (2sc, 3sc, etc) shows the number of scs to be completed in the indicated st
- Sts listed between brackets are all worked in the same st, eg. (hdc, dc)
- I highly recommend using a stitch marker to help keep track of the rounds for the body/head
Start your No-Sew Crochet Dolphin Pattern:
Dolphin Amigurumi Head/Body:
The head and body are worked in one piece from front to back in continuous rounds.
Using Main Colour, create a Magic Ring
Round 1: 4sc in the ring (4)
Round 2: *sc, 2sc* twice (6)
Round 3: *2sc* 3 times, sc, 2sc, sc (10)
Round 4: sc, *2sc* 4 times, sc in the next 5 sts (14)
Round 5: sc in the next 3 sts, *2sc* 4 times, sc in the next 7 sts (18)
Round 6: sc in each st (18)
Note: In Round 7, FLO refers to the next stitch only in Round 6, all instructions within brackets ( ) are to be worked in the same front loop.
Round 7:
| sc, FLO (ss, ch1, dc, ch1, ss), sc in the next 11 sts (mark the 6th st of the previous 11 sts to show top/dorsal portion of dolphin), FLO (ss, ch1, dc, ch1, ss), sc in the last 4 sts (16 + 2 BLO sts) | |
 | |
| Note: BLO mentioned in Round 8 are the BLO from Round 6 (left open from crocheting FLO in Round 7) Round 8: sc in the next st, sc in the BLO, sc in the next 11 sts, sc in the BLO, sc in the next 4 sts (18) Adding Eyes: If using safety eyes, place on Round 5 of the head (1 round in from each fin), approx 10 sts apart. | |
 |
Rounds 9-10: sc in each st (18)
Begin stuffing
Round 11: *sc in the next 4 sts, scdec* 3 times (15)
Round 12: sc in each st (15)
Round 13: *sc in the next 3 sts, scdec* 3 times (12)
Round 14: sc in each st (12)
Round 15: *sc in the next 2 sts, scdec* 3 times (9)
Round 16: sc in each st (9)
Finish stuffing
Round 17: *sc, scdec* 3 times (6)
Round 18: sc in each st (6)
Row 19 (crocheting the tail):
| Lining up the tail. Place the animal down on a hard surface with the marked st at the front centre and the head facing you. Locate and mark the stitch furthest to the right (if this is not the next unworked st then crochet over to this st, these extra sts will not count as the beginning of this round). (If left handed you will locate the stitch furthest to the left). Flatten and work both sides together beginning with the marked st (and last sc worked). (ss, ch2, dc, trc, dc, ch2), sc, (ch2, dc, trc, dc, ch2, ss) End off, weave in the end. |  |
Dolphin amigurumi Dorsal Fin:
The Dorsal fin is worked along the top/centre of the dolphin.
Using Main Colour, place dolphin with the head facing to the right (left if left handed) working along top centre of the fish, attach yarn with a ss to the top centre of Round 9. (2 rounds to the left of the marked stitch from Round 7) (right if left handed).
Row 1: (ch3, trc, dc) in the st the yarn was attached to (centre of Round 9), sk 2 rounds, ss in the centre st of Round 12. (2 + 2ss)
End off, weave in ends.
Sewing Placement –
| Eye Details: Follow video for optional eye detail. Video |  |
Congratulations!
You have now completed your No Sew Jelly Bean Dolphin Crochet Pattern.
Personalize Your Crochet Dolphin
If you want to go beyond a simple shape and customize your dolphin softie? There’s so many things you could try.
- Use ocean-inspired colours. Try soft blues, seafoam green or even a rainbow pastel palette.
- Embroider little speckles of gold or silver yarn or thread, to mimic sunlight sparkling on the waves.
- Make a mini version with fine yarn or thread and attach a clip or keyring. Ideal for backpacks, school bags, or summer totes!
- Embroider a winking eye on one side and open eye on the other !
These little details will transform your dolphin into one with extra personality!
Discover my embroidered sleepy eye tutorial.
We love seeing your finished projects. Tag us in your photos and posts using #DarlingMapleDesigns or @DarlingMapledesigns.
That’s it! Now you’ve got your very own Jelly Bean Dolphin amigurumi, that’s ready to make a splash! This free crochet dolphin pattern is the perfect project to make a fun little squishy softie, playful keyring for your bag, or a cute gift for someone obsessed with this beautiful sea mammal!
The best part? This is a no-sew amigurumi design, which makes it a breeze to create, letting you skip the fiddly sewing steps and focus on the fun of crafting your own plush dolphin!
Find a free pattern for each Jelly Bean Sea Creature I’ve designed so far!
- Jellyfish – coming soon
- Starfish – coming soon
- Whale – coming soon
- Dolphin
- Lobster – coming soon
- Shark – coming soon
- Stingray – coming soon
- Sea Turtle
- Octopus
- Seahorse
- Squid
- Angelfish
- Goldfish
- Crab
If you’re loving Summer-feel crochet patterns? Check out this collection next!
33 Fabulous Flamingo Crochet Pattern Round Up!
Thank you so much for joining us! I hope you loved completing your Jelly Bean Dolphin as much as I enjoyed designing it. Don’t want to miss a stitch? Subscribe to the Darling Maple Designs newsletter and I’ll send updates for new pattern releases, sales and promotions straight to your inbox. See you again soon! Sara <3
If you have any questions or concerns with this, or any other pattern written by Darling Maple Designs, please do not hesitate to contact me at: info@darlingmapledesigns.com.
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