Tiny Whale
© June Gilbank 2009
This little whale is the perfect size to sit in the palm of your hand! But even better than that: he’s crocheted all in one piece, so there’s no sewing involved to make him!
This pattern is Donationware – the pattern is available for free, but if you like it please consider sending me a donation to show your appreciation:
Send me a donation and receive the easy-to-print PDF version of the pattern as a thank you!
Donations of any size are much appreciated. Just add the amount you wish to donate, and, once you have checked out and paid, your pattern will instantly be available to download from your PlanetJune account.
The complete pattern and instructions are available below, regardless of whether or not you choose to pay for them 
This is a PlanetJune original crochet pattern. Feel free to use it however you wish, but I’d appreciate credit as the pattern designer. Please do not reproduce the pattern anywhere else; instead post a link to http://www.planetjune.com/tinywhale
Terminology
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet (double crochet for UK/Aus) |
| sl st | slip stitch (single crochet for UK/Aus) |
| st | stitch |
| sc2tog | single crochet decrease (or try an invisible decrease instead for a better finish) |
You will need…
- E US/3.5mm crochet hook
- Small quantity of worsted weight yarn in blue, grey or white
- Stitch marker
- Yarn needle to weave in end
- Polyester fibrefill stuffing
- Eyes, approx 8mm diameter
Notes
- Do not join at the end of each round; rounds are worked in continuous spirals.
- Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round. Move the marker up each time you start a new round.
Pattern
Make a magic ring, ch 1.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring. (6 st)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 st)
Rnd 3: (2 sc in next st, sc in next st) six times. (18 st)
Rnd 4: sc in each st around. (18 st)
Rnd 5: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 st) six times. (24 st)
Rnds 6-8: sc in each st around. (24 st)
Rnd 9: (sc2tog, sc in next 2 st) six times. (18 st)
Rnd 10: sc in each st around. (18 st)
Insert the first eye just below the stitch you just made, approximately 5 rounds down (as pictured below).
Insert the second eye in the same position on the other side of the whale.
Attach the backs of the eyes.
Rnd 11: (sc2tog, sc in next st) six times. (12 st)
Rnds 12-14: sc in each st around. (12 st). Stuff body firmly through hole.
Rnd 15: (sc2tog, sc in next 2 st) three times. (9 st)
Rnd 16: sc in each st around. (9 st). Add additional stuffing through hole.
Rnd 17: (sc2tog, sc in next st) three times. (6 st)
Rnd 18: sc in each st around. (6 st)
Rnd 19: 2 sc in each st around. (12 st)
Using the position of the eyes as a guide, flatten the open end horizontally.
If the hook is positioned at one corner, continue to the tail instructions. If not, sc in each st around until the hook is at one corner (see pictures below), and then continue to the tail instructions.
Hook is not at corner of flattened tail (marked by arrow)
Sc around until hook is at corner of flattened tail, as pictured
Beginning to sc through both layers of the tail
Tail
Crochet through both layers as follows:
3 sc in next st, sc in next st, sl st in next st, sc in next st, 3 sc in next st.
Cut the yarn, leaving a long end. Draw the end through the last loop on the hook, and pull tight to form a knot.
Using a yarn needle, weave the end down through the tail and part of the body. Draw the yarn tight, and snip the end close to the body. The yarn end should retract back inside the body after it is cut.
I hope you enjoy this pattern. Please leave me a comment below if you do, and consider leaving me a donation. Thanks!
16 Comments »
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Michelle Said,
October 23, 2009 @ 11:47 am
Don’t be mad… I’m gonna make a few of these and stuff them with catnip. They look the perfect size for kitty toys.
I’ll just embroider the eyes. lol
Thanks again.
M
June Said,
October 23, 2009 @ 1:16 pm
I’m not mad, Michelle – in fact, I was thinking of doing the same thing! Yes, they are the perfect size for cat toys, and so quick to make it doesn’t even matter if the cats destroy them
Sarah Said,
October 24, 2009 @ 6:11 pm
this is the cutest thing ever!!!!!!!!!
Annelie Said,
October 31, 2009 @ 10:32 am
Thank you dearly for this gorgeous pattern! And thanks for teaching me the lovliest way to invisible decrease!
Annelie Said,
November 5, 2009 @ 3:09 pm
And: now I’ve noticed that I started the”wrong” way. Now I’m very excited to learn the magic ring. I’ll start right away! Thank you thank you ?
kadusey Said,
November 11, 2009 @ 2:34 pm
Thanks for the cute and quick little pattern!
Kristina Said,
November 12, 2009 @ 10:57 pm
I really love your work! You have inspired me to make my own crochet patterns, thank you so much for the help and beautiful patterns to keep me motivated to practice!
Clare Said,
December 7, 2009 @ 7:44 pm
Thank you very much for this pattern, I’ve made it for a friend for his birthday! I had to add fins to the little guy though, sorry.
I halved my yarn to two strands and chained 6, turned then chained 6 back up, turned again, chained 5 down and then ch 5 back up again. I then sewed the fins on with the left over yarn (sorry for not using the right terminology – I’ve only just started crotcheting – BUT I’m HOOKED thanks to you!! – and your fantastic left handed instructions)
Sorry for adding to your fantastic pattern, but I just feel it has added to the little whale.
June Said,
December 9, 2009 @ 12:00 pm
Clare, I don’t mind if you want to modify my pattern! I purposely kept it very simple so it would all be crocheted in one piece, but I don’t mind at all if you added fins. In fact, I’m always happy to hear people have used my patterns as a jumping-off point and added their own special touches – I love the idea of that!
Shelly Said,
December 23, 2009 @ 1:48 am
Hey June!
Um would you say this would be the easiest thing to make as a beginner?
June Said,
December 23, 2009 @ 10:38 am
Shelly: this pattern is very simple for beginners because it’s all worked in one piece, so you don’t need to stitch it together after finishing the crocheting! Another very simple free pattern would be my Amigurumi Acorn, and then you might want to look at my PocketAmi patterns – Sets 1 and 2 are specifically designed for beginners
Inbaliya Said,
January 3, 2010 @ 3:52 am
Thanks! here is my whale-
http://www.tapuz.co.il/blog/viewEntry.asp?EntryId=1615810
With a link to your pattern, too.
Erin Said,
January 3, 2010 @ 10:13 am
Just starting row 8 and my whale looks a lot like a plate
I may have been a little optimistic trying this so soon..!
(adorable pattern though, thanks for sharing)
June Said,
January 3, 2010 @ 10:24 am
Erin, it should look more like a bowl at Rnd 8… keep going, maybe it’s still going to work out! If not, are you using a stitch marker to check that you’ve made the right number of stitches in each round?
Place the stitch marker into the first stitch of the round when you’ve completed that stitch. When you’ve worked around to the stitch marker again, you should have completed all the stitches of that round, and you’ll make the first stitch of the following round into the stitch with the marker. If you finish before the stitch marker, or overshoot it, you’ll know you’ve made a mistake in that round
Erin Said,
January 3, 2010 @ 10:40 am
Thank you! I’ll keep going and if it doesn’t improve, I can at least be thankful he doesn’t have any eyes so he’ll never know what an abomination he was…
I’ve only just Googled stitch markers so, erm, will be doing from now on! I know I’m rather jumping in the deep end, but I’d never get anywhere if I didn’t
This is the first time I’ve done anything that wasn’t a straight line. I had some difficulty at the beginning seeing where I should stitch (and was the magic circle supposed to be 4 or 6 stitches?!) but it’s a lot of fun, even if it is a mess 
Thanks again.
Kerryn Said,
January 28, 2010 @ 2:35 am
The whale looks super-cool with an embroidered mouth starting three stitches from eye to eye on the same row. (I used half a skein of embroidery thread in brown or black.) Also, try setting the eyes slightly further back in the head for a real cool whale look. The eyes look awesome in brown or amber with black centre (6mm) too! Just for some variations.