The Crochet strawberry whale plushie is an easy, quick, and unique amigurumi project for craft fairs, spring decor, and gifts to a loved one. In this post, you will learn how to crochet the strawberry whale with a step-by-step tutorial by Innocent Teddies. This whale amigurumi is of average size and works up super fast thanks to plush yarn. It features a basic chubby body in red, embroidery seeds, and a strawberry stem on the top.

Everybody is going to love it! You can crochet it with the help of complete video guide at the end of this post!

@InnoScent teddies

Skills Used: This tutorial covers basic amigurumi techniques, making this crochet strawberry whale plushie perfect for beginners. Skills include making a magic ring, single crochet, increasing and decreasing stitches, invisible decreases, color changes, and slip stitching.

The tutorial also demonstrates stuffing techniques, sewing parts together, and embroidery for decorative details. Proper stitch placement ensures symmetry, and securing safety eyes adds a polished finish.

Guide Span: 36 Minutes Only

Personalization Tips: Instead of red, you can also use other colors like orange to crochet the orange whale plushie. The eyes can be embroidered instead of using safety eyes for a safer, child-friendly version. For extra detailing, one can add a small embroidered mouth also as the tutor doesn’t add it.

This step-by-step tutorial whale plushie tutorial is perfect for beginners. The clear instructions, close-up demonstrations, and explanations of each step ensure that even those new to crochet can follow along easily. The tutorial also provides troubleshooting tips for maintaining shape, making invisible decreases, and securing attachments. Here is a quick overview of this tutorial:

Free Crochet Strawberry Whale Pattern

Materials

• Yarn:
  • Red (or strawberry color) chunky yarn (James C. Brett Flutterby yarn recommended but any similar yarn is fine)
  • Green chunky yarn (leaves)
  • White chunky yarn (belly and strawberry seeds)
• Hook: 4 mm crochet hook (adjust size if you use a different yarn)
• Safety eyes: 9 mm (or desired size)
• Polyester stuffing
• Pins
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker

Key Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• hdc – half double crochet
• inc – increase (2 sc in same stitch)
• dec – decrease (or invdec: invisible decrease)
• st(s) – stitch(es)

Special Notes

• The body and all appendages are worked in the round.
• Safety eyes are placed between rounds 9 and 10, about 13 stitches apart.
• Leaves and stem are worked separately and sewn on.
• Use an invisible decrease for a neater finish: Insert into front loop of next two stitches, yarn over, pull through, yarn over again and pull through both loops.

Pattern

Body (begin in red)

Round 1:

• Make a magic ring.
• 6 sc in ring. (6)

Round 2:

• Inc in each st. (12)

Round 3:

• [1 sc, inc] x 6 (18)

Round 4:

• [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)

Round 5:

• [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)

Round 6:

• Sc in each st around. (30)

Round 7:

• [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)

Round 8:

• [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42)

Rounds 9–11:

• Sc in each st around. (42 per round)

Color Change to White (Belly):

• On last sc of Round 11, switch to white by pulling white yarn through final stitch.

Round 12:

• [5 sc, invdec] x 6 (36)

Round 13:

• [4 sc, invdec] x 6 (30)
  • Cut and secure red yarn, tuck tail.

Round 14:

• [3 sc, invdec] x 6 (24)
  • Insert safety eyes now, between rounds 9 & 10, approx. 13 stitches apart. Secure backs.

Round 15:

• [2 sc, invdec] x 6 (18)
  • Begin stuffing body evenly, taking care not to overstuff.

Round 16:

• [1 sc, invdec] x 6 (12)

Round 17:

• invdec x 6 (6)
• Fasten off, leaving a tail to close the opening.
• Using a yarn needle, sew through front loops of last six stitches, pull tight to close. Secure and weave in ends.

Fins (make 2, in red)

Round 1:

• Magic ring, 8 sc in ring.
• Sl st to first sc to close.
• Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Tail (in red)

1. Ch 5.
2. In 2nd ch from hook: sl st.
3. Next ch: sc.
4. Next ch: hdc.
5. Last ch: sl st.
6. Ch 5 again and repeat steps 2-5 for second half of tail.
7. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Leaves (make 8, in green)

Round 1:

• Magic ring, 8 sc in ring.

Leaf Shape:

• Start at any sc on ring (repeat for each leaf:)
  • Sl st to sc, ch 4
  • In 2nd ch from hook: sc
  • Next ch: hdc
  • Next ch: sl st
  • Sl st to next sc on ring
• Repeat until you have 8 leaves.
• Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Stem (in green)

1. Ch 4
2. In 2nd ch from hook: sl st
3. Next ch: sc
4. Last ch: sl st
5. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing

Assembly

1. Fins:
   • Pin and sew between rounds 11 & 12, approximately 3 stitches from the eyes on each side.
2. Tail:
   • Sew tail at the back between rounds 11–12, covering color change if possible.
3. Leaves:
   • Pin leaves on top of whale’s head; sew each in place.
4. Stem:
   • Sew stem on top of leaves.
5. Strawberry Seeds:
   • Using white yarn and a yarn needle, embroider small stitches (seeds) randomly over the red body.

Conclusion

This Strawberry Whale is a delightful, quick make that’s perfect for gifting, selling, or keeping! Enjoy customizing the color and details. The pattern is beginner-friendly, but yields a charming finish thanks to smart shaping and simple assembly.

Pattern Corrections & Tips

• Pattern Correction: If you notice the stitches don’t add up, double-check each increase or decrease round. In invisible decreases, always use the front loops only for best results.
• Tips:
  • Stuff evenly for a smooth shape.
  • Pin pieces before sewing to get perfect placement.
  • Use a stitch marker to keep track of rounds.
  • Embroider triple seeds for “strawberry” effect.
  • Leave tails long enough for sewing—better too long than too short!
  • You may use embroidery instead of safety eyes for small children.

Video Guide