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Jacque the Manta Ray Amigurumi Pattern

Jacque the Manta Ray Amigurumi Pattern
4.6★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
4.0K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

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Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

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Charming Critter

Delightful animal designs with sweet details that capture the essence of your favorite woodland and farmyard friends.

About This Jacque the Manta Ray Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern creates Jacque, a soft manta ray amigurumi worked in two main pieces then seamed together. The design includes a roomy mouth, cephalic fins, eyes, an optional tail wire and a striped handkerchief accessory. The pattern uses DK/light-worsted cotton yarn and includes helpful photos for assembly.

Jacque the Manta Ray Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Youll work flat rows for the body and wings, crochet continuous rounds for the mouth, fins and eyes, and then seam everything together. Optional wire in the tail lets you shape Jacque for a lifelike pose.

Why You'll Love This Jacque the Manta Ray Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it celebrates a gentle ocean creature with a simple, modern silhouette that still feels special. I enjoyed designing the V-shaped cavity that creates the manta ray body shape — it makes stuffing and shaping easy and satisfying. I love how the cephalic fins and rounded mouth give Jacque so much personality with very little sewing. Im excited to share techniques that helped me create a sturdy toy while keeping the overall look soft and huggable. Making Jacque is a great way to practice increasing, decreasing and seaming while ending with a beautiful finished piece.

Jacque the Manta Ray Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress Jacque the Manta Ray Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Jacque the Manta Ray Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Jacque the Manta Ray Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love changing colors to create different personalities for Jacque — try soft pastels for a baby manta, or bold teals and corals for a tropical look.

You can make Jacque larger or smaller by changing your yarn weight and hook; bulky yarn with a larger hook gives a chunky, cuddly manta, while thinner yarn makes a mini keychain version.

I often add embroidered lines or surface crochet on the wings to give more texture and interest — small white stripes or dots look lovely on the wing edges.

Swap the handkerchief colors or patterns to match nursery decor or gift themes; I sometimes crochet tiny tassels or a small tag with a name for personalization.

If you want a posed manta, insert craft wire in the tail and also add a thin wire toward the nose to gently shape the head lift for a swimming pose.

I like to use safety eyes for speed, but you can embroider eyes for a fully handmade and child-safe toy version.

To create a more vintage look, use natural undyed cotton or a subtle heathered yarn for the body and a contrasting color for the mouth and fins.

Try combining two different fiber blends for texture; a cotton body with a slightly fuzzy cotton-blend mouth gives nice contrast but test gauge first.

For display, stuff more firmly and add a small weighted disk in the tail base so Jacque sits nicely on a shelf without toppling.

I sometimes make a whole ocean set — pair Jacque with a small crocheted octopus or starfish using the same yarn palette for a cohesive handmade collection.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping stitch markers when aligning the two body pieces can cause mismatched stitch counts; place stitch markers evenly along the body edges and check counts before seaming. ✗ Understuffing the central cavity will result in a floppy body that does not hold shape; stuff the middle firmly and gradually, checking the V-shaped cavity is filled evenly. ✗ Using a hook that is too large for the yarn will produce loose stitches and show stuffing; use a hook one size smaller than yarn recommendations to achieve dense, neat fabric. ✗ Forgetting to fasten off or leave long tails on small pieces makes sewing difficult later; leave a long tail for sewing when instructed and fasten off securely to avoid unraveling.

Jacque the Manta Ray Amigurumi Pattern

Make Jacque the Manta Ray with this detailed crochet amigurumi pattern. Youll create a sweet, realistic manta ray with a soft body, cephalic fins, eyes and an optional handkerchief accessory. Clear step-by-step instructions, photos and finishing tips guide you through assembly so you can enjoy a beautiful handmade toy. Perfect for gifting or adding a nautical friend to your collection.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Jacque the Manta Ray Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Stylecraft Naturals Organic Cotton | 100% Organic Cotton | Weight: 3/Light Worsted
  • 02
    Indigo Wash (navy blue) - x3 balls
  • 03
    Dove (gray) - x2 balls
  • 04
    Optional cotton or DK weight substitutes as needed (see substitution list in pattern)
  • 05
    Hoooked 100% Recycled Fluffy Cotton Filling (or equivalent stuffing) - amount to fill body cavity

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 3.00 mm / US C
  • 02
    Optional crochet hook size 2.75 mm (for gauge and tighter fabric)
  • 03
    Safety eyes: size 12 mm (2 pieces)
  • 04
    Tapestry needle
  • 05
    Stitch markers
  • 06
    Scissors
  • 07
    Stuffing (recycled cotton stuffing or polyester fill)
  • 08
    Optional: 14 gauge craft wire (to stiffen tail)
  • 09
    Electrical tape (to soften wire ends)

Progress Tracker

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— Body / Wings :

Infos :

The body/wings are worked in turning rows - chain 1 and turn at the end of each row unless otherwise stated. Make 2 - one in navy blue and one in gray (or your choice colors). The 2 pieces will be seamed together to create the body.

Row 1 :

ch 7. sc in the 2nd back bump from hk and in each of the next 5 [6]

Row 2 :

inc 2, sc across until the last 2 st of row, inc 2 [10]

Row 3 :

sc in each st across [10]

Row 4-45 :

repeat rows 2 & 3. As needed, refer to the chart at right as you go along to be sure your rows have the correct stitch count. Each increase row will increase by 4 stitches.

Row 46 :

inc 3, sc across until the last 3 st of row, inc 3 [100]

Row 47 :

sc in each st across [100]

Row 48-53 :

repeat rows 46 & 47. As needed, refer to the chart at right as you go along to be sure your rows have the correct stitch count. Each increase row will increase by 6 stitches. FASTEN OFF. PHOTO 01

Row 54 :

count 25 stitches in from each wingtip and place a stitch marker there. Slip knot onto hook and rejoin in the 26th stitch from where you fastened off. Sc in next 67 st across (up to where you stitch marked on the other side) [67] PHOTO 02

Row 55 :

dec 2, sc across until the last 4 st of row, dec 2 [63]

Row 56 :

sc in each st across [63]

Row 57-72 :

repeat rows 55 & 56. As needed, refer to chart at right as you go along to be sure your rows have the correct stitch count. Each decrease row will decrease by 4 stitches.

Row 73 :

dec, sc 27, dec [29]

Row 74 :

sc in each st across [29]

Row 75 :

dec, sc 25, dec [27]

Row 76-82 :

sc in each row across [27]

Row 83 :

sc in each stitch around the entire piece, up to the opposite side of the mouth. Fasten off. PHOTO 03

Info :

Stitch count by row (reference chart): R4: [14]. R5: [14]. R6: [18]. R7: [18]. R8: [22]. R9: [22]. R10: [26]. R11: [26]. R12: [30]. R13: [30]. R14: [34]. R15: [34]. R16: [38]. R17: [38]. R18: [42]. R19: [42]. R20: [46]. R21: [46]. R22: [50]. R23: [50]. R24: [54]. R25: [54]. R26: [58]. R27: [58]. R28: [62]. R29: [62]. R30: [66]. R31: [66]. R32: [70]. R33: [70]. R34: [74]. R35: [74]. R36: [78]. R37: [78]. R38: [82]. R39: [82]. R40: [86]. R41: [86]. R42: [90]. R43: [90]. R44: [94]. R45: [94]. R48: [106]. R49: [106]. R50: [112]. R51: [112]. R52: [118]. R53: [118]. R54-R72: refer to chart for continued stitch counts as you progress.

— Tail :

Infos :

Make 2 pieces - one in navy blue and one in gray (just as you did the body/wings). To start the tail, find the most narrow end of the body which has a count of 6 st across PHOTO 04.

Row 1 :

Slip knot onto your hook and rejoin the yarn to the body by making a sc in the 3rd stitch from the right (4th stitch from the left). Sc in the next st, ch 1, turn [2] PHOTO 05

Row 2 :

dec the two stitches you just made [1] PHOTO 06

Row 3 :

fsc 50 [50] Fasten off. PHOTO 07

— Mouth :

Infos :

The mouth is crocheted in continuous rounds using the gray yarn. You will begin by making a chain and will crochet around the chain - making an oval shape.

Rnd 1 :

ch 9, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 6 st, inc in last st. Continue on the other side of chain - sc in next 7 st, inc in last st [18]

Rnd 2 :

inc, sc 7, inc 2, sc 7, inc [22]

Rnd 3 :

inc, sc 9, inc 2, sc 9, inc [26]

Rnd 4 :

inc, sc 11, inc 2, sc 11, inc [30]

Rnd 5 :

inc, sc 13, inc 2, sc 13, inc [34]

Rnd 6 :

inc, sc 15, inc 2, sc 15, inc [38]

Rnd 7 :

inc, sc 17, inc 2, sc 17, inc [42]

Rnd 8 :

inc, sc 19, inc 2, sc 19, inc [46]

Rnd 9 :

inc, sc 21, inc 2, sc 21, inc [50]

Rnd 10 :

inc, sc 23, inc 2, sc 23, inc [54] PHOTO 08

Rnd 11-20 :

sc in each st around [54] PHOTO 09

Info :

Fasten off and weave in ends. Flip inside out so the wrong side will be facing the inside of the body and you will be looking into the mouth on the right side of the fabric. PHOTO 10

— Cephalic Fins :

Infos :

The cephalic fins are crocheted in continuous rounds using the gray yarn - make 2. They will be flattened and then sewn on to the mouth.

Rnd 1 :

st 6 in a magic circle [6]

Rnd 2 :

inc in each st around [12]

Rnd 3 :

(sc in next st, inc in next st) x6 [18]

Rnd 4-20 :

sc in each st around [18]

Info :

Fasten off with a sl st, leaving a long tail for sewing on. Flatten the cephalic fins. PHOTOS 11 & 12

— Eyes :

Infos :

The eyes are crocheted in continuous rounds using the gray yarn - make 2. Use 12mm safety eyes.

Rnd 1 :

st 6 sc in a magic circle [6]

Rnd 2 :

inc in each st around [12]

Rnd 3 :

(sc, inc) x6 [18]

Rnd 4-5 :

sc in each st around [18]

Info :

Fasten off with a sl st, leaving a long tail for sewing on. Insert safety eyes into the middle of the magic circle. Stuff eyes lightly. PHOTOS 13 & 14

— Handkerchief :

Infos :

The handkerchief is crocheted in rows using yellow and light blue yarn. Chain 1 and turn after each row up to and including row 26.

Start :

Start with the yellow yarn

Row 1 :

ch 2, sc in 2nd ch from hook [1]

Row 2 :

inc [2]

Row 3 :

inc 2 [4]

Row 4 :

inc, sc across until the final st of the row, inc [6]

Row 5-26 :

repeat row 4, alternating colors every 2 rows. You will begin and end each row with an increase stitch, therefore each row will increase by 2 stitches. Row 26 will end with 50 stitches. PHOTO 15 at row 12

Row 27 :

with yellow, inc in next st, sc in next 50 st, ch 36, turn PHOTO 16

Row 28 :

sc in 2nd chain from hook and in next 35 chains. Continue along the long edge of the handkerchief with 49 st, ch 36, turn

Row 29 :

sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 35 chains, continue down along the left "v" edge of the handkerchief and up the other side of the "v", weaving in ends as you go or crocheting over the ends so as to tuck them into the border. PHOTO 17 Fasten off with a sl st to the top corner.

Info :

Weave in ends. PHOTO 18

— Assembly :

Join the body/wings/tail :

Put blue and gray sides on top of each other, with the wrong sides together (inside). With the blue yarn, slip knot onto your hook. Insert your hook into the first stitch at the left corner of the mouth from top to bottom - with the blue color being the top. PHOTO 19 Single crochet around the entire body and tail - up to the opposite side of the mouth.

Info :

To assist you, I recommend using stitch markers at regular intervals around the body before you start to crochet around. PHOTO 20 This will hold the two pieces together and ensure your stitch counts are the same on each piece so it will crochet together evenly and so you can address any discrepancies in stitch count (increase or decrease) as you go along.

Finish Join :

Fasten off and weave in ends. PHOTO 21.

Add wire to the tail (optional) :

Use a 14 gauge craft wire, cut to length and push into the tail to make it rigid. Use electrical tape on each end to soften the tips. Curl one end which will rest at the base of the tail to prevent the wire from slipping out the tip of the tail or down into the body of the ray. PHOTOS 22, 23, & 24

Shape & Stuff the body :

The middle part of the body is stuffed and the wings remain flat. In order to do this, we create a V-shaped cavity to stuff. Find a straight instrument (I used a stuffing dowel) and lay it across the top of the body from edge of tail to edge of mouth PHOTO 25. Place 5 stitch markers along the length of the dowel which is where you will place 5 small stitches to join the top and bottom of the wings in order to create the cavity. Do this on the other side of the mouth/tail. Using blue yarn, create small stitches through the body at the stitch markers. PHOTO 26 You have now created the cavity. Stuff the body cavity.

Join mouth to body :

Place mouth inside of the opening of the body where the mouth goes. Use the gray yarn for joining the mouth to the body as follows:

Rnd 1 :

Beginning at the corner of the mouth, insert your hook top to bottom (outside to inside) and crochet around through both layers [54] PHOTO 27 & 28

Rnd 2-4 :

sc in each st around to extend the mouth [54] Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sew on cephalic fins :

Sew on the cephalic fins to the sides of the mouth where the gray meets the blue. PHOTO 29, 30, 31 & 32

Sew on eyes :

Sew on the eyes to the sides of the mouth/body over where you just sewed on the cephalic fins. PHOTO 33, 34 & 35.

Finish :

Tie the handkerchief around Jacque's neck. Well done! Admire your incredible crochet skills and enjoy this adorable Manta Ray.

Assembly Instructions

  • Join the two body/wings pieces together with wrong sides facing and single crochet around the entire body and tail, stitching through both layers to create one fabric shell.
  • Place the mouth inside the opening of the body and join with gray yarn: beginning at the corner, insert your hook through both layers and crochet around 54 sts to secure the mouth to the body, then sc in each st around 2 more rounds to extend the mouth.
  • Create a V-shaped cavity in the center of the body by placing a dowel across the top, marking 5 points and sewing small stitches through top and bottom to join and form a cavity; stuff the cavity firmly.
  • Sew the flattened cephalic fins onto the sides of the mouth where the gray meets the blue, then sew the eyes on top of those seams so the eyes sit at the junction of mouth and body.
  • Optional: insert 14 gauge craft wire into the tail, tape each end with electrical tape and curl one end to anchor the wire at the base of the tail for rigidity and shape.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers to keep track of your rows and to align both body pieces before seaming so stitch counts match.
  • 💡Stuff the central V-shaped cavity firmly but gradually to avoid lumps and to give the body structure while keeping wings flat.
  • 💡Work with a slightly smaller hook than the yarn recommends for toy making to ensure tight stitches and prevent stuffing from showing through.
  • 💡Weave in ends as you go, and leave long tails on small pieces (eyes, fins) for easier sewing during assembly.

This manta ray pattern combines simple crochet techniques with thoughtful shaping to create a charming marine companion. Perfect for gifting, decorating a nursery, or adding to an ocean-themed toy collection. Have fun customizing colors and accessories to make Jacque your own. 🧶🐚

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The manta ray will end up approximately 16" from wingtip to wingtip and about 10" from tip to tail when using the recommended yarn and hook sizes.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can substitute other DK or light-worsted yarns listed in the substitution recommendations, but the final size will change; adjust hook size accordingly and consider gauge.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate, so basic experience with single crochet, increases, decreases, and seaming is recommended for best results.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this project in 5-7 hours, depending on experience, finishing choices, and how much time you spend on assembly and sewing details.