Free Crochet Pattern: Nico the Narwhal

Whales are such a fun project during the hotter months and make for awesome toys! Narwhals, being the unicorns of the sea, are even more fun to play with! Nico the Narwhal is an adorable little whale that works up amazing in all sorts of colors and yarns. Plus, he’s no sew! Yep, you can whip up this cute whale pretty quickly and all without sewing a thing! Let’s dive right into this free crochet pattern: Nico the Narwhal.

©2025 cbfiberworks. This pattern or it’s parts are not allowed to be redistributed, copied or resold. Any items handmade by you from this pattern may be sold, but please credit me (cbfiberworks) as the designer.

This pattern was updated as of March 6, 2025.

Free Crochet Pattern: Nico the Narwhal

Tester Photos

This pattern has been tested by an amazing group of crocheters and tech edited by the wonderful Candice Klyne! Check out their incredible projects below:

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Project Materials

• Yarn: Animation (DK weight, 3 skeins)
  • Color A: Swan (3yds)
  • Color B: Lilac Mist (60yds)
  • Color C: Mulberry (14yds)
• 2.50mm hook
• 10mm Safety eyes
• Poly-fill
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Scissors

Stitch Abbreviations

(**) – See Project Notes section

• MR – magic ring (**)
• Sc – single crochet (**)
• Inc – increase (**)
• Dec – decrease (**)
• St(s) – stitch(es)
• Sk – skip
• Hdc – half double crochet
• Dc – double crochet
• Rnd – Round
• (#) – the number inside is the stitch count for the Rnd 
• [ ] – repeat the stitches inside the brackets the given number of times

Project Notes

• Final dimensions: H: 3.5in. x W: 5in. x L: 7in.
• This project is written in US terminology.
• Nico is worked in the round with elements crocheted on as you go.
• Unless otherwise specified, work in continuous rounds without using a slip stitch to join rows.
• Move stitch markers up every row as you go, always keeping it in the first st of the rnd.
• Magic Ring: Create a magic ring and work the specified number of single crochet into it (ex. MR6 = 6sc into the ring).
• Single Crochet: Unless otherwise specified, this project uses the yarn under technique. Insert your hook into the stitch, yarn under, pull up a loop (2 loops on your hook), yarn over, and pull through both loops.
• Increase: Work 2sc into the same stitch.
• Decrease: Unless otherwise specified, use the invisible decrease method. Insert your hook into the front loop of the next stitch, then insert your hook into the front loop of the following stitch, yarn over and pull through the first loop (3 loops on the hook), then yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the hook.
• Color Changes: Always change colors by finishing the last stitch noted with the new color. The type of color change I use is fair isle crochet (i.e. floating the yarn across the inside of the piece). See this tutorial for more info on color changes.

Pattern

Flippers x2

Use Color B (light purple).

Rnd 0: MR6

Rnd 1: sc around. (6)

Rnd 2: [inc, sc] 3 times. (9)

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

Rnd 4: [inc, 3sc] 3 times. (15)

Rnds 5-7: sc around. (15) (3 rnds)

Rnd 8: [dec, 3sc] 3 times. (12)

Rnd 9: sc around. (12)

Rnd 10: [sc, dec, sc] 3 times. (9)

Rnd 11: sc around. (9)

Rnd 12: [dec, sc] 3 times. (6)

Rnd 13: sc around. (6)

Fasten off with a short yarn tail (6-8in.) and leave the yarn tail for now. Press each flipper flat and don’t stuff.

The color work and attachments in the next section can be a little tricky, so if you need more help, grab the premium version of this pattern in one of my shops: Etsy, Ravelry, Ribblr and Ko-Fi. Inside you’ll find tons of photos, tips, and color work charts!

Tooth, Body & Tail

Start with Color A (white).

Rnd 0: MR6 

NOTE: We’re going to work several rnds of sc around to create the horn-like shape of Nico’s tooth. You can add a short length of wire or lightly stuff the tube as you go.

Rnds 1-12: sc around. (6) (12 rnds)

Switch to Color B (light purple) in the last st of Rnd 12. Cut Color A and continue only in Color B.

Rnd 13: inc 6 times. (12)

Rnd 14: [inc, sc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 15: [sc, inc, sc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 16: [inc, 3sc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 17: [2sc, inc, 2sc] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 18: [inc, 5sc] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 19: [3sc, inc, 3sc] 6 times. (48)

Rnds 20-22: sc around. (48) (3 rnds)

We’re going to be adding in Color C (dark purple) to create the underbelly of the narwhal. These color changes are optional.

Rnd 23: B: 11sc, C: sc, B: 2sc, C: 3sc, B: 2sc, C: sc, B: 28sc. (48)

Rnd 24: B: 8sc, C: sc, B: 4sc, C: 6sc, B: 4sc, C: sc, B: 24sc. (48)

Rnd 25: B: 7sc, C: sc, B: 4sc, C: 9sc, B: 4sc, C: sc, B: 22sc. (48)

Rnd 26: B: 9sc, C: sc, B: sc, C: 12sc, B: sc, C: sc, B: 23sc. (48)

Rnd 27: B: 7sc, C: sc, B: 2sc, C: 15sc, B: 2sc, C: sc, B: 20sc. (48)

Rnd 28: B: 9sc, C: 17sc, B: 11sc, [dec, sc] 3 times, 2sc. (45) 

The decreases from Rnd 28 mark the top center of the head and should be directly across from the dark purple underbelly. Depending on your tension, you may need to shift the decreases over by a stitch or two to make sure they’re centered. 

OPTIONAL: You can place a stitch marker in the first and third decreases to keep track of the top center of the head as you continue.

Rnd 29: B: 7sc, C: sc, B: sc, C: 17sc, B: sc, C: sc, B: 17sc. (45)

Rnd 30: B: 9sc, C: 17sc, B: 10sc, [dec, sc] 3 times. (42)

In Rnd 31 we’re going to be attaching the flippers. To attach, we’ll work through both the sts of the flipper and the sts of the body. Press the open end of the flipper flat and work through the 3 sts closest to the body.

Rnd 31: B: 6sc, connect Flipper 1: 3sc, sc, C: 16sc, B: sc, connect Flipper 2: 3sc, 12sc. (42)

For Rnd 32, we’re going to finish connecting the flippers by working through the 3 leftover sts of each flipper. This means we’ll ignore the 3 connecting single crochet from Rnd 31.

Rnd 32: B: 6sc, around Flipper 1: 3sc, sc, C: 16sc, B: sc, around Flipper 2: 3sc, 6sc, dec 3 times. (39)

NOTE: Double check that your decreases are still centered on the top and directly opposite the underbelly.

Pause here to place the eyes on the sides of the head between Rnds 24-25 with about 18 sts in between.

Start stuffing the body.

Rnd 33: B: 9sc, C: 19sc, B: 11sc. (39)

Rnd 34: B: sc, dec, 4sc, C: sc, B: 2sc, C: 17sc, B: 2sc, C: sc, B: 4sc, dec, sc, dec. (36)

Rnd 35: B: 9sc, C: 17sc, B: 10sc. (36)

Rnd 36: B: 7sc, C: sc, B: 2sc, C: 16sc, B: 2sc, C: sc, B: 7sc. (36)

Rnd 37:B: 11sc, C: 15sc, B: 10sc. (36)

In Rnd 38, we’re going to start creating the arch of the tail. This means that the increases will be centered on the top and the decreases will be centered on the underbelly. 

Rnd 38: B: [inc, sc] 2 times, 4sc, [C: sc, B: sc] 2 times, C: sc, dec 6 times, sc, [B: sc, C: sc] 2 times, B: 4sc, inc, sc. (33)

Rnd 39: B: 13sc, C: 11sc, B: 9sc. (33)

Rnd 40: B: [sc, inc] 2 times, 8sc, C: dec 6 times, B: 8sc, inc. (30)

Rnd 41: B: 13sc, C: 9sc, B: 8sc. (30) 

Rnd 42: B: [inc, sc] 3 times, 5sc, C: sc, B: dec, C: dec 4 times, B: dec, C: sc, B: 5sc. (27)

Rnd 43: B: 15sc, C: 7sc, B: 5sc. (27)

Rnd 44: B: 2sc, [inc, sc] 3 times, 4sc, dec 2 times, C: dec 3 times, B: dec, 3sc. (24)

Cut Color C (dark purple) and continue only in Color B (light purple). 

Rnd 45: sc around. (24)

Rnd 46: 4sc, [inc, sc] 3 times, 2sc, dec 6 times. (21)

Rnd 47: hdc, 14sc, hdc, 5dc. (21)

Rnd 48: dec, 13sc, [dec, sc] 2 times. (18)

Rnd 49: 3dc, hdc, 8sc, hdc, 5dc. (18)

Rnd 50: [dec, sc] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 51: sc around. (12)

Rnd 52: dec 6 times. (6)

Rnd 53: sc around. (6)

Rnd 54: inc 6 times. (12)

Rnd 55: [inc, sc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 56: [sc, inc, sc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 57: [inc, 3sc] 6 times. (30)

Now we’re going to split the wide circle shape we’ve created in half to form the tail. Depending on your tension, you may need to slightly adjust Rnd 58 in the Tail 1 section.

Make sure to press the circle flat with the edge perpendicular to the body. Find the center so that there are 15 sts on each side. If you need to adjust Rnd 58, sc to your center point, skip 15 sts and then sc back to the stitch marker.

Tail Fin 1

Rnd 58: 9sc, sk 15 sts, 6sc. (15) 

Rnds 59-60: sc around. (15) (2 rnds)

Rnd 61: [dec, 3sc] 3 times. (12)

Rnd 62: sc around. (12)

NOTE: It’s optional to stuff the tail. I chose to press mine flat, but if you want to stuff it, add the stuffing now.

Rnd 63: [sc, dec, sc] 3 times. (9)

Rnd 64: sc around. (9)

Rnd 65: [dec, sc] 3 times. (6) 

Rnd 66: sc around. (6)

Fasten off with a short yarn tail (6-8in.) and use a tapestry needle to sew the remaining hole closed. Weave in the remaining yarn tail on the inside of the tail.

Tail Fin 2

Holding your narwhal with the belly facing you, attach Color B (light purple) in the first available st with a ch 1. The ch 1 does not count as a st.

Rnds 1-3: sc around. (15) (3 rnds)

Rnd 4: [dec, 3sc] 3 times. (12)

Rnd 5: sc around. (12)

NOTE: It’s optional to stuff the tail. I chose to press mine flat, but if you want to stuff it, add the stuffing now.

Rnd 6: [sc, dec, sc] 3 times. (9)

Rnd 7: sc around. (9)

Rnd 8: [dec, sc] 3 times. (6) 

Rnd 9: sc around. (6)

Fasten off with a short yarn tail (6-8in.) and use a tapestry needle to sew the remaining hole closed. Weave in the remaining yarn tail on the inside of the tail.

Finished!

I hope you enjoyed this pattern and are inspired to make lots of adorable narwhals! If you want to share your project with me, tag me on social media @cbfiberworks! I would love to see your projects! And of course if you want to grab the printable version of this pattern you can snag it in any of my shops: Etsy, Ravelry, Ribblr and Ko-Fi.

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If you enjoyed this pattern, check out my other free patterns like Sammie the Turtle!

Til next time, happy stitching!