This manatee amigurumi is a chubby, smiling sea cow small enough to sit in the palm of your hand. It is worked in soft grey yarn with two little fins on the sides and a flat, rounded tail at the back.

The whole body is one piece. You start at the snout, shape the round face with a block of increases, then decrease slowly toward the tail. At the end you flatten the piece and work a few short rows to make the paddle tail, so there is no tail to sew on.

The sample uses cotton DK yarn and a 4 mm hook, and the designer has also made it in chunky yarn for an extra squishy version. There are only two parts (body and fins) and the stitches are basic, so it is a great quick project for an advanced beginner.

It makes a sweet pocket pal, a gift for anyone who loves sea animals, or a fast market make. The pattern is written in US crochet terms.

Finished size

The designer does not give an exact measurement. From the photo, the DK cotton version is palm-sized, roughly 4 in (10 cm) long from snout to tail.

Size changes a lot with yarn: DK yarn with a 3 mm hook gives a smaller manatee, and chunky yarn with a 5 mm hook gives a much bigger, squishier one.

Materials overview

Grey yarn (sample: cotton DK)
Crochet hook about 0.5–1 mm smaller than the yarn label suggests (sample: 4 mm)
2 safety eyes
Fiberfill stuffing
Yarn needle

Yarn substitution

Any yarn works here, which is one of the nicest things about this pattern. Cotton gives clear stitch definition and a firm shape, while acrylic or chenille-style chunky yarn gives a softer, cuddly manatee.

Whatever you choose, go down 0.5–1 mm from the recommended hook size so the fabric is tight and the stuffing does not show. With chunky yarn, use slightly bigger safety eyes so the face stays in proportion.

Grey is the classic manatee color, but soft blue, sage green or a pastel would also look lovely.

Common mistakes

Losing count in Round 5: the 12 increases in a row are easy to miscount. Place a marker before and after the increase block.
Eyes in the wrong place: insert the eyes between Rounds 3 and 4, about 3 stitches apart and centered over the increases. Placing them too far apart makes the face look flat.
Under-stuffing the tail end: start stuffing firmly from Round 18 and keep adding stuffing as the opening gets smaller. It is hard to add more later.
Twisted tail: after Round 22, line the edge up with the sides of the body before you flatten and slip stitch closed, so the tail sits level.
Loose fins: sew the fins on with small, tight stitches through the body so they do not flop.

FAQ

Can I use a magic circle instead of the chain start?

Yes. The designer chains 2 and works 6 sc in the second chain from the hook, but a magic ring with 6 sc works just as well.

Is this manatee safe for babies?

Safety eyes can come loose with heavy chewing. For a baby or a young child, embroider the eyes with black yarn instead.

How do I make the flat tail?

After Round 22, stuff firmly, flatten the opening and slip stitch across it to close (6 sts). Then turn and work short rows of sc, increasing and then decreasing, to make the paddle shape.

Does the tail need stuffing?

No. The rows worked after closing are flat, so the tail stays thin like a real manatee's paddle.

How big will it be in chunky yarn?

Much bigger and softer. With chunky yarn and a 5 mm hook, expect a manatee noticeably larger than the palm-sized DK version.

Pattern notes

The number in brackets at the end of each round is the total stitch count.
Work in continuous rounds unless the pattern says to turn. Use a stitch marker for the first stitch of each round.
[ ] … times means repeat the instructions inside the brackets.

Body

Start: ch 2, 6 sc in the second ch from hook.

Rnd 1: [sc, inc] 3 times (9)

Rnd 2: sc in each st around (9)

Rnd 3: [2 sc, inc] 3 times (12)

Rnd 4: 3 sc, inc 6 times, 3 sc (18)

Rnd 5: 3 sc, inc 12 times, 3 sc (30)

Rnds 6–8: sc in each st around (30)

Tip: Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 3 and 4, about 3 stitches apart and centered within the increases.

Rnd 9: [13 sc, dec] 2 times (28)

Rnd 10: 6 sc, dec, 12 sc, dec, 6 sc (26)

Rnd 11: [11 sc, dec] 2 times (24)

Rnd 12: 5 sc, dec, 10 sc, dec, 5 sc (22)

Rnd 13: [9 sc, dec] 2 times (20)

Rnd 14: 4 sc, dec, 8 sc, dec, 4 sc (18)

Rnds 15–16: sc in each st around (18)

Rnd 17: [7 sc, dec] 2 times (16)

Rnd 18: sc in each st around (16)

Tip: Stuff firmly from here onwards.

Rnd 19: 3 sc, dec, 6 sc, dec, 3 sc (14)

Rnd 20: sc in each st around (14)

Rnd 21: [5 sc, dec] 2 times (12)

Rnd 22: 12 sc, plus 1 more sc to reach the side edge of the manatee.

Stuff firmly and flatten the end.

Tail (worked in rows)

Row 23: sl st across to close the opening (6), ch 1, turn.

Row 24: inc, 4 sc, inc (8), ch 1, turn.

Row 25: 8 sc (8), ch 1, turn.

Row 26: inc, 6 sc, inc (10), ch 1, turn.

Rows 27–28: 10 sc (10), ch 1, turn.

Row 29: 1 sc, dec, 4 sc, dec, 1 sc (8), ch 1, turn.

Row 30: 1 sc, dec, 2 sc, dec, 1 sc (6), ch 1, turn.

Row 31: 1 sc, dec 2 times, 1 sc (4)

Row 32: 4 sc (4)

Fasten off and weave in the end.

Fins (make 2)

Start: ch 2, 6 sc in the second ch from hook.

Rnd 1: inc 6 times (12)

Rnds 2–5: sc in each st around (12)

Rnd 6: hold the fin flat and sl st across to close (6)

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Do not stuff the fins.

Assembly

Sew one fin to each side of the body, just behind the head where the body starts to narrow. Use the photo as a guide and keep both fins at the same height.

Weave in all ends, and your new manatee pal is ready to keep you company.

Tip: The designer allows selling finished items with credit. Please credit the original designer (@manatee_squares on social media) when you share or sell your manatee.

Optional & Creative Ideas

Chunky and squishy: Make it in chunky or chenille yarn with a 5 mm hook for a big, huggable manatee.
Ocean colors: Try soft blue, sage green or a pastel instead of grey.
Embroidered face: Swap the safety eyes for embroidered eyes and add a small smile line for a baby-safe version.
Rosy cheeks: Add two tiny pink stitches or a touch of blush under the eyes.
Manatee family: Make one in DK and one in chunky yarn for a parent and baby set.

Final Thoughts

This manatee is all about simple shaping: one piece for the body, a flat row-worked tail and two tiny fins. It works up fast, so it is easy to make a whole pod in different yarns.

Patterns and instructions on OpenCrochet are for personal use. Please do not redistribute copies of this content; share the page link instead.

Manatee Friend Amigurumi Crochet Pattern