The Whales of the Universe Mobile is made up of seven small crocheted Whales. The top of the mobile is a styrofoam ring covered in a strip of striped crochet. This free crochet pattern includes a Large Whale toy that can go in the crib.
The Whales of the Universe swim through our galaxy, looking for a phenomenal place to settle, a place which is full of stars, light and fantastical colour. They love to be surrounded by multi-coloured nebulas, changing the colour of their magical skin to match the beauty of the universe.
The pattern is available for free in this blog post in UK terms only. For a version of the pattern in US terms, you can buy the PDF. This blog has ads so I can provide the pattern for free.
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I highly recommend that you read the Essential Information and Additional Instruction sections before you read this pattern.
If you’ve already read them, and are returning to this page to continue crocheting, then simply jump to the patterns using the links below.
I’ve written about the inspiration for this crochet pattern at the very end of the post, if you would like to read it, click the link!
Intermediate
UK Terms
Stylecraft Special DK (8 Py); 295 m (323 yards) per 100g; 100% acrylic
10g / 25 m / 27 yards in Red
10g / 25 m / 27 yards in Plum (Purple)
10g / 25 m / 27 yards in Light Purple
10g / 25 m / 27 yards in Light Blue
10g / 25 m / 27 yards in Turquoise (Blue)
10g / 25 m / 27 yards in Lime (Green)
10g / 25 m / 27 yards in Pink
2g / 5 m / 5 yards in White
Oddment in Black
14g / 35 m / 38 yards in Light Blue
6g / 15 m / 16 yards in White
Oddment in Black
20g / 50 m / 55 yards in Red
20g / 50 m / 55 yards in Plum (Purple)
20g / 50 m / 55 yards in Light Purple
20g / 50 m / 55 yards in Light Blue
20g / 50 m / 55 yards in Turquoise (Blue)
20g / 50 m / 55 yards in Lime (Green)
20g / 50 m / 55 yards in Pink
I recommend Addi Swing, as it’s an ergonomic hook and it suits my style of crocheting – which is like holding a knife or buy a standard crochet hook.
11 dc x 11 rows = 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 in) using a 3 mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook or size needed to obtain stated gauge
Small Whale: 9 cm (3.5 in) end to end, 7 cm (2.5 in) wide
Large Whale: 14 cm (5.5 in) end to end, 10 cm (3.75 in) wide
Mobile: From top of the mobile ring to final whale: 55 cm (21 in)
This pattern is written in UK crochet terms.
Ch: Chain
Dc: Double Crochet
Dc2tog: Double crochet two stitches together
Rep: Repeat
Rnd: Round
MC: Main colour
The stitch count is indicated at the end of every round or row. Stitch counts are shown like this: (12 sts)
Sections to be repeated are indicated within squared brackets [ ], with the number of repeats written after.
Mobile Instructions are at the end of the pattern.
Work in a continuous spiral without slip stitching into the first st in the round.
Always sew in the ends on the wrong sides of your work.
Multiple stitches worked in one stitch.
UK Terms
If using alternative yarn, for example 10 Ply, you will need to use a smaller hook than advised for that yarn. For example, if the yarn band recommends 5 mm for a 10 Ply, use a 4.5 mm or 4 mm, this is so that the crochet is firm and will not allow any fibrefill stuffing to come through.
Pattern Content & Images © 2017-2023 Ruth Haydock – All Rights Reserved.
All content in this pattern is the copyright and design right of Ruth Haydock. You are not permitted to sell the written instructions or images in any way, amended or as they are. You may only print this pattern out for personal use. You are allowed to sell completed items that you have made using this pattern but you must credit me as the designer of the pattern (Ruth Haydock) and provide a link to my website, ruthhaydock.com.
Make seven small whales, using a different MC (Main Colour) for each. Start the Whale in the middle of the White Belly.
Rnd 1: With White, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 8 dc. Pull the tail to close the gap. 8 sts
Continue in a continuous spiral.
Rnd 2: [2 dc in next st] eight times. (16 sts)
Sew in the end from rnd 1.
Rnd 3: [1 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 4: [2 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (32 sts)
Prepare to join MC on the last yarn over in the last dc on rnd 5.
Rnd 5: 32 dc.
Cut the white yarn leaving a short tail and sew in the end.
Rnd 6: With MC, 32 dc.
Rnds 7 to 10: Rep rnd 6, four more times. Sew in the MC join end from rnd 5. (32 sts on each rnd)
Rnd 11: [2 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 12: 24 dc.
Rnd 13: [1 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (16 sts)
Rnd 14: 16 dc.
Stuff your whale here.
Note: If you find this easier, you may want to embroider on the eyes for your Whale before stuffing.
Rnd 15: [Dc2tog] eight times. (8 sts)
Add in a bit more stuffing before sewing up if required.
Rnd 16: Cut the yarn leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail and attach a sewing needle to the end of the yarn, then weave it through the final 8 sts, and then you can pull the top of the whale head shut like a drawstring. Sew in the end to secure it.
Rnd 1: With MC, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 4 dc. Pull the tail to close the gap. (4 sts)
Continue in a continuous spiral.
Rnd 2: [2 dc in next st] four times. (8 sts)
Sew in the end from rnd 1.
Rnd 3: 8 dc.
Rnd 4: Rep rnd 3.
Now cut the yarn leaving a 10 cm (4 in) length to sew the fin to the side of the whale. Sew the fin halfway along the body on the first MC round, just above the last white round on the body.
To make the tail, you will first need to make two tail fins and then join them together.
Rnds 1 to 4: With MC, work rnds 1 to 4 for the side fin.
Rnd 5: [Dc2tog] four times. (4 sts)
To finish your first tail fin, cut the yarn leaving a 5 cm (2 in) tail to sew in at a later stage.
When you have finished your second tail fin, do not cut the yarn.
Once you have both tail fins made join them by crocheting along both of them.
Rnd 1: With MC, hold the first fin beside the second fin, 4 dc into the top of stitches from rnd 5 on the first fin to join both fins together and 4 dc along the second fin. 8 sts
Now your fins are both joined together and you will be working over these 8 sts in the rnd in a continuous spiral.
Rnd 2: 8 dc.
Sew in the end from fin one and use this to close up any gaps between fin one and two.
Rnd 3: Rep rnd 2. (8 sts)
Rnd 4: [2 dc in next st] eight times. (16 sts)
Rnd 5: 16 dc.
Cut the yarn leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail and then sew it onto the end of the whale. Sew in the end and cut off any excess yarn.
Sew two eyes onto the whale using black yarn.
Now your small whale is finished!
Repeat the pattern until you have seven multi-coloured whales.
Rnd 1: With White, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 8 dc. Pull the tail to close the gap. (8 sts)
Continue in a continuous spiral.
Rnd 2: [2 dc in next st] eight times. (16 sts)
Sew in the end from rnd 1.
Rnd 3: [1 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 4: [2 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (32 sts)
Rnd 5: [3 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (40 sts)
Rnd 6: [4 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (48 sts)
Rnd 7: [5 dc, 2 dc in next st] eight times. (56 sts)
Rnd 8: 3 dc, 2 dc in next st, [6 dc, 2 dc in next st] seven times, 3 dc. (64 sts)
Rnd 9: 64 dc.
Prepare to join MC on the last yarn over in the last dc on rnd 10.
Rnd 10: Rep rnd 9. (64 sts)
Cut the White, leaving a 5 cm (2 in) tail to sew in at a later stage.
Rnd 11: With MC, 64 dc.
Rnds 12 to 16: Rep rnd 11 (five times). (64 sts on each rnd)
Sew in the ends from rnd 10.
Rnd 17: [6 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (56 sts)
Rnd 18: 56 dc.
Rnd 19: [5 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (48 sts)
Rnd 20: 48 dc.
Rnd 21: [4 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (40 sts)
Rnd 22: 40 dc.
Rnd 23: [3 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (32 sts)
Rnd 24: 32 dc.
Stuff your whale here.
Note: If you find this easier, you may want to embroider on the eyes for your Whale before stuffing.
Rnd 25: [2 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 26: 24 dc.
Rnd 27: [1 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (16 sts)
Rnd 28: [Dc2tog] eight times. (8 sts)
Add in a bit more stuffing before sewing up here if required.
Rnd 29 : Cut the yarn leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail and attach a sewing needle to the end of the yarn, then draw it through the top of all the final 8 stitches, and then you can pull the top of the whale head shut like a drawstring. Sew in the end to secure it.
Rnd 1: With MC, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 6 dc. Pull the tail to close the gap. (6 sts)
Continue in a continuous spiral.
Rnd 2: [2 dc in next st] six times. (12 sts)
Sew in the end from rnd 1.
Rnd 3: 12 dc.
Rnds 4 and 5: Rep rnd 3. (12 sts)
Now cut the yarn leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail to sew the fin to the side of the whale. You will want to sew the fin on the side of the body around the middle, just on the first MC round and above the last White round.
To make the tail, you will first need to make two tail fins and then join them together.
Rnds 1 to 3: With MC, work rnds 1 to 3 for side fin.
Rnd 4 and 5: Rep rnd 3 for side fin.
Rnd 6: [Dc2tog] six times. 6 sts
To finish your first tail fin, cut the yarn leaving a 5 cm (2 in) tail to sew in at a later stage.
When you have finished your second tail fin, do not cut the yarn.
Once you have both tail fins made join them by crocheting along both of them.
Rnd 1: With MC, hold the first fin beside the second fin, 6 dc into the top of stitches from rnd 6 on the first fin to join both fins together together and 6 dc along the second fin. (12 sts)
Now your fins are both joined together and you will be working on these 12 sts you just worked in a continuous spiral.
Rnd 2: 12 dc.
Sew in the end from fin one and use this to close up any gaps between fin one and two.
Rnd 3: Rep rnd 2. (12 sts)
Rnd 4: [2 dc in next st, 4 dc, 2 dc in next st] twice. (16 sts)
Rnd 5: 16 dc.
Rnd 6: [2 dc in next st, 6 dc, 2 dc in next st] twice. (20 sts)
Rnd 7: 20 dc.
Cut the yarn leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail and then sew it onto the end of the whale. Sew in the end and cut off any excess yarn.
Sew two eyes onto the whale using black yarn.
Now your large whale is finished!
To create a mobile, there are four steps:
It is very important that you check the width and length of the cover as you go. I suggest crocheting a few rows and stretch it around the ring to see if it fits. It needs to be a tight fit, with no bagginess or wrinkles, as when you attach the whales to it they will pull on the cover. If it looks like it is too big or too small, restart with fewer or more stitches on your starting chain.
Check that the length of the cover is suitable at about 40 cm (16 in) length. Depending on your yarn it may stretch to meet the other end and go around the whole ring at just 40 cm (16 in).
With Pink, 29 ch.
Row 1: Working into the 2nd ch from the hook 28 dc, turn. (28 sts)
Row 2: 1 ch, 28 dc, turn.
Row 3: Change colour, 1 ch, 28 dc, turn.
Row 4: 1 ch, 28 dc, turn.
Repeat rows 3 to 4 until the work measures 60 cm (24 in) in length, changing colour every two rows.
Cut the yarn after each colour change leaving an 8 cm (3 in) tail for sewing up later.
Once you are happy with the length of the cover, cut the yarn leaving a tail of 20 cm (8 in) to use when sewing the two short ends of the ring cover onto the ring.
Position the cover around the ring and sew the two long sides together, use the short tails left from each color change to sew the sides together.
Once the long sides are sewn together, sew the two short ends together.
Once the cover is on the ring, reposition the long seam so it is hidden on the underside of the ring.
Cut six 30 cm (12 in) lengths of yarn, using the same yarn for the ring.
Sew one end of each length of yarn to the topside of the yarn covered ring.
Once one end of all lengths are sewn on, bring all the lengths together and hold together at the end that is not sewn onto the ring.
Hold the lengths of yarn together, leaving about 20 cm (8 in) between your fingers and the ring, let the ring hang as you do this so you can see how it looks as it hangs and adjust accordingly. Once you have the ring hanging the way you want it to, knot all lengths of yarn together.
Finally, knot the yarn into a small metal ring. I wrapped the ends around the ring and knotted it a few more times and then superglued the ends down but I also like how it looks knotted just once and the ends turned into a bow.
To attach the whales you will need to use lengths of yarn that you have leftover from making the ring cover. You can decide what order you want the Whales to go in or follow what I chose: Purple, Light Purple, Light Blue, Blue, Green, Pink and Red.
Cut lengths yarn to attach each whale to the mobile in the following lengths:
Whale One: 13 cm (5 in)
Whale Two: 18 cm (7 in)
Whale Three: 23 cm (9 in)
Whale Four: 28 cm (11 in)
Whale Five: 33 cm (13 in)
Whale Six: 38 cm (15 in)
Whale Seven: 43 cm (17 in)
Start by attaching the yarn for Whale One to the underside of the mobile ring, then sew the other end to the whale. Leave a 4 cm (1.5 in) space on the ring between the last length sewn onto the ring and the yarn for the next whale.
Continue sewing the whales in the order listed above, making sure that each whale hangs slightly lower than the whale before it so that the whales can be seen easily and hangs in a spiral.
Sew in all ends and hang up your mobile!
The universe is so vast and huge, that I often stare into the stars wondering what fantastical creatures are gracefully flying through the cosmos thousands and thousands of light years away, and whether a pod of multicoloured whales are out there circling star.
I have always liked to imagine what it would be like to see a pod of whales swimming through the cosmos, an idea that came from watching Star Trek: Discovery TV when the show featured a large whale like creature flying through space.
It was always a dream of mine to see whales swimming in the wild, they are such graceful and majestic creatures. When we lived in Australia I was able to see multiple Humpback whales and I even swam near them!
One dream I am honest with myself about never seeing, is a pod of Whales of the Universe, so my way of seeing them swim through the cosmos was to create it myself in crochet form.
I would love to see your pictures of this design on Instagram, please tag me @ruthhaydock and use the hashtag #ruthhaydockdesigns
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