Shark Attack! – 5 Free Sea Life Amigurumi Patterns
Some stories are just too crazy to try to tell. Like that one with the underwater cave inhabited by the yellow-eyed octopus and the super heroes. Other stories, though, just have to be told, no matter how crazy.
This is one of those stories.
I was standing at my desk getting some papers ready for the FWF session next week when I heard a soft click come from behind me. Suddenly grand, dramatic music began playing, but at a rather subdued volume. I turned to see that a tiny white speaker hooked up to an even smaller media player had been propped up on the bookshelf at the other end of the room. And although this in itself was unusual, the thing next to the speaker on the bookshelf was what really threw me for a loop. There’s really no way to prepare yourself for this kind of thing either, I’ve found.
Sitting on the shelf was:
He began singing and dancing to the music, with me as his sole audience. Surprisingly enough he could carry a tune, although his lyrics were a bit on the wonky side (but I was honestly too stunned to complain about such a triviality). When his short performance came to an end – with the lyric: Oh yes I am a shark, now you see/Please won’t you bring me some broccoli? – the dramatic music coming to a theatrical finish, he stared up at me expectantly, obviously waiting for some sort of response.
Well I’m sorry but I just don’t know the proper etiquette for this sort of thing. Which is something I suppose was blatantly obvious what with my just staring at him.
Finally he prompted, “What did you think?”
I groped around for the right thing to say, assuming “the right thing to say” even existed in a situation like this one. Eventually I settled on, “It was certainly interesting.” I attempted to smile politely, but I think it came off more as a grimace. The little shark didn’t seem to notice though; he just beamed brightly, pleased with the whole situation.
I knew I probably shouldn’t ask any questions. I mean, when a tiny shark comes into your house, sets up on your bookshelf and begins singing about broccoli, it’s probably just best to accept things the way they are and not probe too much. Leave well enough alone.
But I couldn’t help myself.
“Why are you signing?”
He smiled at me in that “duh” kind of way. “You know!” he guffawed. “Everyone knows sharks sing. Silly.” He shook his head, but in an amused, not perturbed way.
“Um,” I said tentatively. “I thought it was whales that sang.”
At that his little face twisted into the most peculiar combination of recognition and shock.
He slapped his fin to his head, muttering “Whales. Whales! Of COURSE, it’s WHALES that sing! Oh I knew that. Stupid, stupid. . .”
I smiled and tried to contain my giggling.
He looked up at me around his fin, a sheepish smile (if you can picture a shark smiling sheepishly) creeping onto his face. “So,” he started, brushing off his embarrassment. “Wanna play Monopoly? I’ll let you be the race car.” He lowered his fin and smiled up at me hopefully.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the notion of playing a board game with a slightly confused but altogether pleasant mini shark, but I nodded readily.
I went off to get the game, stopping by the fridge for some broccoli on the way.
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My Sharkie pattern came about soon after my whale pattern. Check it out here if you haven’t already. With these two patterns you can make your own aquarium! As a plus, see below for ideas for making your own seal, dolphin, goldfish, or orca. But to start, here’s how to make your own shark:
S U G G E S T E D M A T E R I A L S:
• Worsted weight yarn in two (2) colors such as:
* Red Heart Super Saver (1) Grey [Main color] (2) White [Secondary color]
• G/7 4.50MM crochet hook
• One (1) pair of 6MM safety eyes (available in many craft stores or online at http://www.crscrafts.com)
• Scissors
• Needle & black embroidery thread
• Fiberfill stuffing
A B B R E V I A T I O N S:
MC – magic circle (magic loop/magic ring)
sc – single crochet(s)
inc – increase
dec – decrease
st(s) – stitch(es)
ch – chain
*actions in asterisks should be repeated until round completion or to the indicated stopping point in the round*
(number in parentheses indicates total number of stitches after round/row completion)
FO – fasten off
RND – Round
tc – triple crochet
dc – double crochet
hdc – half double crochet
sl st – slip stitch
T H E P A T T E R N:
B O D Y (x1)
MC 6 with main color
RND 1) *inc* (12)
RND 2) *sc, inc* (18)
RND 3) *2sc, inc* (24)
RND 4-7) *sc* (24)
RND 8) switch to secondary color *sc* (24)
RND 9) *2sc, dec* (18) – Attach eyes. Stuff.
RND 10) *sc, dec* (12)
RND 11) *dec* (6)
FO
T A I L F I N (x1)
ch 8
dc in third ch from hook, hdc, 2 sl st, hdc, dc in final ch, sc in same final chain. cut yarn and pull through. Shape and attach to back of shark (if you did not use a joggless color change method I suggest putting the tail were the colors change). As you can see I chose to put the tail on horizontally; this is not meant to be realistic, just cute in my opinion. Turn the tail and attach in so it’s more vertical if you prefer.
D O R S A L F I N (x1)
Ch 8
tc in 4th ch from hook. dc in next ch. hdc in next ch. sc in next ch. sl st in last ch. FO. Attach.
F I N S (x2)
decide on placement and pick up a stitch on side of body. ch 4, sc in original pickup. FO. Repeat for other side of head/body.
ALTERNATIVE: If you’re not comfortable picking up and crocheting (or chaining in this case) simply ch 4 and sl st in last chain from hook. Attach to body.
Using the black thread, stitch on gills.
You can use the base shark or whale pattern to make other sea critters. Just make the changes listed for each below:
To make an Orca: (1) Follow the same body, fin, dorsal fin, and tail pattern as shark using black instead of grey. (2) Instead of using black thread for gills, use white thread (or yarn) to stitch on eye patches.
To make a Dolphin: (1) Follow the same fin, dorsal fin, and tail pattern as shark using blue-grey instead of grey. MAKE THE FOLLOWING ADJUSTMENT TO THE BODY: Instead of changing to the secondary color in RND 8, wait and switch in RND 9 (a decrease row.) (2) To make the nose/snout:
With main dolphin color, MC 3
RND 1) *inc* (6)
RND 2) *sc* (6)
FO. Attach to head and adjust eyes accordingly.
To make a Seal: (1) Follow the same body, fin, and tail pattern as shark using white instead of grey (skip the dorsal fin, just as in the original whale pattern). (2) Using black thread or yarn stitch on a nose.
To make a Goldfish: (1) Follow the same body and tail pattern as shark using orange instead of grey. (2) Stitch the top fin as follows:
Ch 3
sl st in 2nd ch from hook.
dc, tr cr, & then dc all in next ch.
sl st in last ch. FO.
(3) Stitch the side fin the same way noted in the shark/whale base pattern but make the following changes: Pick up stitch on side of head/body, double up yarn, ch 3, sc in original pick up, FO.
** Please be sure to note, though, that these are original designs and patterns. I believe in the free sharing of techniques and ideas. Please do not abuse my desire to share with others. You are not permitted to sell any products made as the result of these patterns and/or designs, nor are you permitted to sell the patterns or designs. Please, if you do use the patterns or designs for either the shark, whale, orca, dolphin, or fish in any part, give credit where credit is due: direct others to this original posting so that they too can benefit.**
Pattern, design, photos, and story copyright Karissa Cole 2012. All rights reserved.
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