Dive into the seventh installment of the Under the Sea Crochet-Along! This design features a deep-blue ocean backdrop adorned with a charming whale family.
By following this pattern, you will create a structured granny square base and two distinct, dimensional appliqués: a larger Mama Whale and a smaller Baby Whale. Together, they create a sweet, textured scene perfect for any marine-themed blanket.
Materials Needed
- Medium Weight (Category 4) Yarn: Royal Blue, Soft White, and a small scrap of Black.
- Crochet Hook: Size H/8 (5.0 mm)
- Tools: Tapestry needle for assembly and scissors.
Part 1: The Base Granny Square
Create a clean, solid square backdrop to represent the ocean before attaching your whales.
Round 1: Using Royal Blue, begin with a magic ring. Chain 3 (counts as your first double crochet). Work 11 double crochets into the ring. Slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3 to join. (12 stitches)
Round 2: Chain 3. Work 1 double crochet into the same stitch. Work 2 double crochets into every remaining stitch around. Slip stitch to the top of the chain-3 to join. (24 stitches)
Round 3 (Squaring Off): Chain 3, work 2 double crochets into the same stitch, chain 2, work 3 double crochets into the next stitch (first corner created).
- *Skip 2 stitches, work 3 double crochets into the next stitch.
- Skip 2 stitches.
- In the next stitch work: 3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets (second corner).* Repeat from * to * two more times until you reach the end of the round. Slip stitch to join.
Round 4: Chain 3. Work 1 double crochet into each stitch along the sides. When you reach a chain-2 corner space, work (2 double crochets, chain 2, 2 double crochets) directly into the corner. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Part 2: The Mama Whale Appliqué
The Main Body
Round 1: Starting with Royal Blue, form a magic ring. Chain 2 and work 10 double crochets into the center. Slip stitch to the first stitch to close the ring, then chain 1.
(10 stitches) Round 2: Work 2 double crochets into every stitch around. Join with a slip stitch, then chain 2. (20 stitches) Round 3: Work 2 double crochets into every stitch around. Join with a slip stitch, then chain 2. (40 stitches)
The Tail & Fins
Round 4: Work 2 double crochets into the first stitch, then 1 double crochet into the next stitch. Repeat this sequence 13 times. Leave the remaining stitches untouched for now.
- First Fin Section: Chain 18. Skipping the first chain from your hook, work down the chain: 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 1 double crochet, 1 treble crochet, 1 double crochet, 1 half double crochet, and 1 single crochet. Slip stitch into the next chain. Leave the rest of this chain length unworked for a moment.
- Second Fin Section: Chain 8. Skipping the first chain from your hook, work down the chain: 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 1 double crochet, 1 treble crochet, 1 double crochet, 1 half double crochet, and 1 single crochet. Slip stitch into the same base space as the first fin.
- Finishing the Tail: Now, work back into the remaining unworked chains from your original chain-18 line. Work 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, and 1 double crochet across the final 7 chains.
To smooth out the body connection, work 4 double crochets over the side of the last double crochet from Round 3.
Continue onto the main body stitches: 1 double crochet in the next stitch, 1 half double crochet in the following stitch, and 1 single crochet in the next. Join with a slip stitch, fasten off, and leave a long blue tail for sewing.
The White Underbelly
Turn the whale to work along the bottom edge. Count 4 stitches away from the base of the tail fins and attach your Soft White yarn.
- Work 1 single crochet into the next 3 stitches.
- Work 1 half double crochet into the next stitch.
- Work 1 double crochet into each of the next 6 stitches.
- Work 2 double crochets into each of the next 2 stitches.
- Work 1 double crochet into each of the next 8 stitches.
- Work 2 double crochets into each of the final 4 stitches.
- Slip stitch to the first double crochet to join. Fasten off, leaving a long white tail for assembly.
The Eyes
Using Black yarn, create a magic ring. Chain 1 and work 6 single crochets into the ring. Join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet and fasten off. Using a scrap piece of white yarn, embroider a tiny French knot or a simple straight stitch onto the black circle to create a realistic catchlight pupil.
Part 3: The Baby Whale Appliqué
The Main Body
Round 1: Using Royal Blue, form a magic ring. Chain 2 and work 11 double crochets into the loop. Join with a slip stitch, then chain 2. (11 stitches) Round 2: Work 2 double crochets into each of the first 8 stitches. Leave the remaining stitches unworked.
The Tail & Fins
- First Fin: Chain 10. Starting in the second chain from your hook, work down the chain: 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 1 double crochet, 1 half double crochet, and 1 single crochet. Slip stitch into the next chain stitch to anchor it.
- Second Fin: Chain 6. Starting in the second chain from your hook, work: 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 1 double crochet, 1 half double crochet, and 1 single crochet. Slip stitch directly into the same base anchoring point as the first fin.
- Finishing the Tail: Work 1 single crochet into the next available chain, 1 half double crochet into the next, and 2 double crochets into the following chain. Transition back to the body by working 2 double crochets over the side of the last double crochet from the main round. Complete the body curve with 1 double crochet in the next stitch, followed by 1 half double crochet. Slip stitch to join, then fasten off, leaving a long blue tail.
The White Underbelly
Count 4 stitches away from the baby’s tail fin and attach the Soft White yarn.
- Work 1 single crochet into the next 3 stitches.
- Work 1 half double crochet into the next stitch.
- Work 2 double crochets into each of the next 2 stitches.
- Work 3 double crochets into the final stitch.
- Fasten off, leaving a long white tail.
Part 4: Assembly & Finishing
- Facial Details: Securely sew the black eye appliqué onto the upper head portion of the Mama Whale. For the Baby Whale, you can use the same pattern or simply embroider a small closed sleeping eye using a few straight stitches of black yarn.
- Placement: Arrange the Mama and Baby whales onto the Royal Blue ocean square. Position them so they look like they are swimming together across the center.
- Attachment: Using your tapestry needle and the saved long yarn tails, neatly whipstitch the appliqués down to the square. Use blue yarn for the top sections and white yarn for the underbellies to keep the stitching invisible from the front. Weave in any remaining loose ends on the back of the square.
