Cosmic Jellyfish Backpack Charm Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This Cosmic Jellyfish Backpack Charm is a sweet little project for anyone who wants a quick, satisfying make with big personality. It is beginner-friendly and uses only single crochet, increases and decreases, so it is a wonderful first amigurumi or a fast stash-buster between bigger projects. The dome-shaped bell fades from deep ocean blue through medium and light blue to pale aqua, with six straight tentacle strips hanging below for that floating, space-age look. At about 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide and 4 inches (10 cm) long, it is soft, lightweight and perfectly sized to clip onto a backpack, tote or key ring.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4) acrylic yarn, approximately 20 yards total: Color A (dark blue) 5 yards, Color B (medium blue) 5 yards, Color C (light blue) 5 yards, Color D (pale aqua) 5 yards.
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E/4) crochet hook.
- Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch marker, keychain ring (split ring or lobster clasp).
- Finished size: Approximately 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide and 4 inches (10 cm) long including tentacles.
Abbreviations
- MR — magic ring: an adjustable loop used to start the bell.
- sc — single crochet.
- inc — increase: work 2 single crochet into the same stitch.
- dec — decrease: work 2 single crochet together into one stitch.
- ch — chain.
- st(s) — stitch(es).
- Rnd — round.
- Row — row.
Gauge
20 single crochet and 20 rows = 4 inches (10 cm). Work a small swatch in single crochet and measure a 4-inch section; if you have more stitches than 20, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down a hook size.
Tips Before You Start
- Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round — the bell is worked in a continuous spiral, so rounds are not joined.
- Change colors on the last stitch of the previous round so the color bands stay crisp and even.
- Keep your tension slightly firm so the bell holds its dome shape and the stuffing-free charm stays neat.
- Make all six tentacles before sewing so you can lay them out evenly and check the spacing.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Bell (worked in Color A, then B, C and D)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).
Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts).
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts).
Rnds 6-8: sc in each st around (30 sts).
Rnd 9: Change to Color B, sc in each st around (30 sts).
Rnd 10: Change to Color C, sc in each st around (30 sts).
Rnd 11: Change to Color D, sc in each st around (30 sts).
Rnd 12: [3 sc, dec] x6 (24 sts).
Rnd 13: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18 sts).
Rnd 14: [sc, dec] x6 (12 sts).
Rnd 15: dec x6 (6 sts). Fasten off, weave the tail through the remaining stitches and pull tight to close the dome.
Tentacles (make 6: 2 each in Colors B, C and D)
Row 1: Ch 21, sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (20 sts). Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail for sewing.
Assembly and Finishing
Sew the six tentacles evenly around Rnd 12 of the bell, spacing them 6 stitches apart, using the yarn tails and a tapestry needle. Attach the keychain ring to the top center of the bell with a few firm stitches. Weave in all ends on the inside of the bell. Gently shape the bell with your fingers and lightly steam or mist and air-dry to smooth the color bands; no stuffing is needed.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the blues for purples and pinks for a galaxy jellyfish, or add a strand of sparkle yarn held together with Color D.
- Make the tentacles longer by chaining more stitches, or add a second row of sc for a fuller look.
- Attach a small lobster clasp instead of a split ring so the charm can move easily between bags.
