Cute Crochet Starfish Pattern
Looking for a fun, cheerful project that’s quick to make and full of personality? This cute crochet starfish ticks all the boxes!
I’m still on an ocean critter kick and I knew back when I designed my no-sew jellyfish pattern, that it needed a starfish friend.
These crochet starfish look adorable in any color and work up quickly making them great for gifts and market prep plus they’re fun to customise. Play with colour combinations and different embellishments to make your own unique starfish.
About the Pattern
This crochet starfish may seem complex at first glance, but once you have an understanding of how the arms are worked, it’s just a case of repeating the instructions.
We’ll start by making two circular pieces for the body of our starfish. Without fastening off the second body piece, we’ll join the two pieces together by making 6 sc on each piece and work in a spiral to create the first arm.
The rest of the arms are worked in the same way except we’ll be joining new yarn each time.
This does create a lot of yarn tails but we’ll also be using them to sew up the small holes between each arm.
I like to weave in all my yarn tails at the end so I can add extra stuffing if needed.
Recommended Yarn
You can use any yarn weight and fiber to make your crochet starfish. I used Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK for these small palm sized cuties.
If using plush yarn, you may need to adjust the first few rounds of the body to prevent it from coning.
Wrap Knots
I embellished my crochet starfish with wrap knots for a fun contrasting detail. This does create a lot of yarn tails but the finished result is worth it. You could always do French Knots instead or embellish with beads or simple embroidered lines like the blue starfish below.
I used 4-wrap knots (this just means that I passed the end of the yarn through the loop 4 times) and made 15 in total, 3 for each arm.
The more wraps you make the bigger the knot and vice versa.
- Cut a length of yarn (approximately 6″/15cm) and cross one end over the other to make a loop.
- Pass one end of the yarn through the loop as if tying a knot.
- Repeat step 2 a further 3 times.
- Slowly pull both ends of the yarn. The loops will start to align and shrink down into a knot – avoid pulling the knot too tight.
- Use the yarn ends to secure the knot to your amigurumi.
Check out the short video below to see this process in action.
Why You’ll Love This Crochet Starfish Pattern
More Crochet Patterns
If you love this crochet starfish pattern, you might also like to check out these other ocean patterns:
No-Sew Crochet Starfish Pattern
Materials
- DK weight yarn in your choice of starfish colour and a contrasting colour (I used Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK in Bright Peach/Daffodil Yellow and Washed Teal/Tea Rose for the starfish pictured)
- 2.5mm crochet hook
- 6mm safety eyes
- Black embroidery floss
- Polyester fiberfill
- Stitch marker, yarn needle, scissors
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- inc – increase
- invdec – invisible decrease
- sl st – slip stitch
- st/s – stitch/es
- […] – repeat the instructions in brackets
- (…) – indicates stitch count at end of round
Useful Links
Finished Size
The finished starfish measures approximately 3.5″ x 3.5″ (9cm x 9cm). Size may vary depending on tension and materials used.
Gauge
Gauge is not important in this pattern. Use a hook size to match your chosen yarn. Make sure that your stitches are tight enough to prevent stuffing showing through and adjust hook size if necessary.
Notes
- Pieces are worked in a continuous spiral. Mark the first stitch of each round with a removable stitch marker.
- Each of the arms is worked in a spiral starting with 6 sc on body 1 and 6 sc on body 2.
- New yarn is joined with a standing single crochet, leaving a long starting tail.
Pattern Instructions
Starfish Body (make 2)
R1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
R2: [Inc] x6 (12)
R3: [Sc, inc] x6 (18)
R4: Sc, inc, [2 sc, inc] x5, sc (24)
R5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30)
Fasten off invisibly the first body piece only, do not fasten off body 2.
Arm 1
R1: Continuing on from body 2 – [sc] x6, mark the first stitch with a stitch marker.
Place body 1 next to body 2 and single crochet into any stitch on body 1, make an additional 5 sc. You should have 6 sc on both pieces for a total of 12 sts.
R2: Fold the two body pieces wrong sides together and turn so that the side with the stitch marker is facing you.
Sc into the marked st, this is the first sc of the round. Working in a spiral, [sc] x11 (12)
R3: 2 sc, invdec, 4 sc, invdec, 2 sc (10)
R4-5: [Sc] x10 (10) 2 rounds
R6: [3 sc, invdec] x2 (8)
R7: [Sc] x8 (8)
R8: Sc, invdec, 2 sc, invdec, sc (6)
Cut the yarn leaving a tail and pull through the last st. Do not weave in the end yet.
Arms 2-3
Place a slip knot on your hook, leaving a longer starting tail (approximately 6″/15cm).
R1: Single crochet into the next stitch of body 2 to the left of the first arm, [sc] x5 (6)
R2: Turn so that the back of the starfish is facing you. Count 6 sts away from the first arm, sc into the sixth st and remaining 5 sc (6)
R2: Working in a spiral, [sc] x12 (12)
Note: Make sure that the starting tail stays on the outside of the piece as we’ll need it later.
R3: 2 sc, invdec, 4 sc, invdec, 2 sc (10)
R4-5: [Sc] x10 (10) 2 rounds
R6: [3 sc, invdec] x2 (8)
R7: [Sc] x8 (8)
R8: Sc, invdec, 2 sc, invdec, sc (6)
Cut the yarn leaving a tail and pull through the last st. Do not weave in the end yet.
Insert safety eyes between R3 and R4, with the middle arm at the top. Make sure that the eyes are in line with each other on either side of the magic ring. Trim stems off the back of the eyes.
Stuff the three arms.
Arm 4
Repeat the instructions for Arms 2-3.
Stuff the fourth arm and the body of the starfish.
Arm 5
Repeat the instructions for Arms 2-3, stuffing as you go.
You will notice that there is a small hole between each arm. Use these holes and the open tips of the arms to add additional stuffing if needed.
Avoid over-stuffing so that the arms can bend slightly.
Once you’re happy, use the long starting tails to whip stitch the holes closed and weave in ends.
Note: One space won’t have a starting tail so use the closest tail before weaving it in.
Close the tips of the arms – weave the yarn tail through the front loop only of the final round and pull to close. Hide the end inside the arm.
Finishing Details
- Using a single strand of black embroidery floss, sew a mouth between the eyes. I used a small amount of fabric glue to create a curved mouth or you can make it a straight line for a different look.
- Optional: Add additional details to the arms of the starfish. Wrap knots, embroidery or beads work well.
- If desired, slightly curve the arms to create movement.
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Explore More Crochet Patterns
After you crochet this starfish here are some more crochet patterns to try:
What’s Next?
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