Free Crochet Pattern: Nico the Narwhal

Hey Fiber Fam! I’m soooo excited to share a new free crochet pattern with ya’ll!

Nico the Narwhal is a super easy, beginner-friendly pattern that looks so cute worked up in just about any kind of yarn. He’s perfect for that unicorn lover in your life or as a cuddly baby shower gift! Plus, Nico can be a fun learning toy when talking about ocean animals.

Did you know that a narwhal’s horn or tusk is actually called a ‘tooth’ and that they can grow up to 9 feet long?! Neither did we! My daughter and I had a blast learning all about narwhals from National Geographic.

If printed patterns are your jam, you can get the ad-free, pdf version in my shop or here.

©2021 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.

Project Materials

• Yarn: Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton (2 skeins)
  • Color A: Spunky (100yds)
  • Color B: Amethyst (25yds)
• D/3-3.25mm hook
• Stitch markers (preferably the locking kind)
• Poly-fill
• Yarn/Darning Needle
• 10mm Safety eyes 
• Scissors
• Sewing pins 

Stitch Abbreviations

(**) – See Project Notes section

• MR – magic ring (**)
• Sc – single crochet (**)
• Sl st – slip stitch
• Inc – increase (**)
• Dec – decrease (**)
• St(s) – stitch(es)
• Ch – chain
• Hdc – half double crochet
• Dc – double crochet

Project Notes

• Final dimensions: H: 5in. x W: 5in. x L: 7in.
• This project is written in US terminology.
• Nico is worked in the round with several elements seamed together.
• Unless otherwise specified, work in continuous rounds without using a slip stitch to join rows.
• Move stitch markers up every row as you go.
• 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.

Free Crochet Pattern: Nico the Narwhal

Body

Use Color A.

MR6 (Place your stitch marker in the first st)

Row 1: inc 6 times. (12)

Row 2: [inc, sc] 6 times. (18)

Row 3: [sc, inc, sc] 6 times. (24)

Row 4: [inc, 3sc] 6 times. (30)

Row 5: [2sc, inc, 2sc] 6 times. (36)

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

Row 7: [3sc, inc, 3sc] 6 times. (48)

Row 8-14: sc in each st around. (48)

Placing the eyes is a little tricky, but the printable pdf version of Nico the Narwhal has step-by-step photos and helpful bonus notes.

Tip: The orientation of the narwhal isn’t clear until about Row 20, but if you want to follow the next tip and place the eyes, please read this:

Right Handed: Hold your project like a cup, with your stitch marker on your left. Your stitch marker also marks the middle of your narwhal, so the TOP is to the right of the marker.

Left Handed: Hold your project like a cup, with your stitch marker on your right. Your stitch marker also marks the middle of your narwhal, so the TOP is to the left of the marker.

Tip: Place the eyes on the sides of the head between Rows 11 & 12. If you’re looking at Nico straight on, they should be above the halfway line. Start stuffing.

Row 15: [dec, 22sc] 2 times. (46)

Row 16: [21sc, dec] 2 times. (44)

Row 17: [dec, 20sc] 2 times. (42)

Row 18: 6sc, dec, 6sc, dec, 26sc. (40)

Row 19: sc around. (40)

Row 20: 5sc, dec, 5sc, dec, 26sc. (38)

Row 21: sc around. (38)

Row 22: 4sc, dec, 4sc, dec, 26sc. (36)

Row 23: sc around. (36)

Row 24: 3sc, dec, 3sc, dec, 26sc. (34)

Row 25: sc around. (34)

Row 26: 2sc, dec, 2sc, dec, 26sc. (32)

Row 27: sc around. (32)

Row 28: sc, dec, 5sc, dec, 22sc. (30)

Row 29-31: sc around. (30)

Row 32: 3sc, inc 3 times, 9sc, dec 4 times, 7sc. (29)

Row 33: 19sc, dec, 8sc. (28)

Row 34: dec, 4sc, inc, [4sc, dec] 2 times, 3sc, dec, 4sc. (25)

Row 35: 17sc, dec, 6sc. (24)

Row 36: 6sc, inc, 11sc, dec, 4sc. (24)

Row 37: [sc, dec, sc] 6 times. (18)

Row 38: 5sc, inc, 8sc, dec, 2sc. (18)

Row 39: [dec, sc] 6 times. (12)

Row 40: 4sc, inc, 4sc, dec, sc. (12)

Row 41: dec 6 times. (6)

Row 42: sc around. (6)

Fasten off and sew the hole closed at a point.

Horn

Use Color B.

Ch12, sl st in the 1st st to form a ring.

Row 1: sc in the same st (as the sl st), sc in every st around. (12) Make sure to place your stitch marker in that 1st st.

Row 2: sc around. (12)

Row 3: dec, 10sc. (11)

Row 4: sc around. (11)

Row 5: dec, 9sc. (10)

Row 6: sc around. (10)

Row 7: dec, 8sc. (9)

Row 8: sc around. (9)

Row 9: dec, 7sc. (8)

Row 10: sc around. (8)

Row 11: dec, 6sc. (7)

Row 12: sc around. (7)

Row 13: dec, 5sc. (6)

Row 14: sc around. (6)

Fasten off with a very long tail. Sew the hole closed at a point, then weave the rest of the tail down through the horn so it can be used to sew it to the head later.

Fins (x2)

Use Color B. 

Ch11 

Row 1: sc in the second ch from the hook, 3sc, hdc, 2dc, hdc, 2sc, ch1, (working on the other side of the ch): 2sc, hdc, 2dc, hdc, sc, 4sl sts. (21)

Fasten off with a long tail.

Tail Fin 

Use Color B.

Ch17

Row 1: starting in the second ch from the hook: [sl st, sc, hdc, 2dc, hdc, sc, sl st] 2 times. Going down the other side: [sl st, sc, hdc, 2dc, hdc, sc, sl st] 2 times. Sl st in the first st of the row. (32)

Fasten off with a long tail. 

Weave the tail towards the center on the back of the fin, then sew the two edges together, but make sure only to go up 2 or 3 sts.

Assembly

Horn

Stuff the horn lightly and then pin it to the top, center of the head. From the side, the horn lines up vertically with the eyes. Sew the bottom edge of the horn to the head and then weave the remaining yarn tail into the body.

Tail fin

Pin the tail fin to the tip of the tail on the body. Sew only to the tip of the tail. Weave the yarn tail into the body after securing it.

Fins

Pin the fins along the sides of the body, on Row 19. Check to make sure they’re level, then sew them on and weave the tails into the body.

Finished!

If you liked this pattern or if you have any animals you would like to see me design patterns for, leave a comment or connect with me on Instagram or Facebook!

Share your makes with me by tagging me in your posts (@cbfiberworks) and I might just give you a shout out!

Get the printable, pdf version of Nico the Narwhal on Etsy or Ravelry! I greatly appreciate the support and every cent I make goes back into creating amazing patterns and content for you, my fiber family.

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