Go Big or Gourd Home CAL: Jack o’ Jelly

The Jack o’ Jelly is a fun fusion of a jack o’ lantern and a jellyfish that was originally designed for the Go Big or Gourd Home CAL in 2022. While the CAL is over, this adorable pattern is still available for free right here! This project is great for adventurous beginners that want to try out color work while making an awesome little jellyfish.

©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 September 5, 2025.

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Free Crochet Pattern: Jack o’ Jelly

Tester Photos

This pattern has been tested by an amazing group of crocheters and tech edited by the wonderful Candice Klyne! If you’re trying to pick colors for this project, but maybe want to try something different than the recommended colors, check out these amazing projects from my testers! One even used glow in the dark yarn for the eyes!

If you want to skip the ads and grab the printable version of this pattern, you can find it in all of my shops: Etsy, Ravelry, Ribblr and Ko-Fi!

Project Materials

• Yarn: Wool of the Andes (worsted, 5 skeins) -affiliate link
  • Color A: Pumpkin (50yds)
  • Color B: Creme Brulee (5yds)
  • Color C: Peapod (23yds)
  • Color D: Green Tea Heather (11yds)
  • Color E: Brass Heather (3yds)
• 3.00mm hook
• Stitch markers
• Poly-fill
• Tapestry needle
• 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
• Tr – treble crochet
• BLsc – back loop single crochet
• BLdec – back loop decrease (**)
• (#) – the number inside is the stitch count for the Rnd/Row 
• [ ] – repeat the stitches inside the brackets the given number of times

Project Notes

• Final dimensions: H: 8in. x W: 3in. x L: 3in.
• This project is written in US terminology.
• Jack o’ Jelly 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.
• Back Loop Decrease: Insert your hook into the back loop of the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. Insert your hook into the back loop of the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
• Changing Colors: I used fair isle crochet method of color changing. If you’re unfamiliar or want a refresh, you can check out this article here.
  • Insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn under and pull up a loop. Drop the current color and pick up the next color. Yarn over and pull through both loops to complete the single crochet.
  • Be sure to keep your floats loose so the face doesn’t pucker.
  • Always switch colors in the last stitch.
    • Ex. Color A: 12sc, Color B: 5sc…
      • Work 11sc in Color A, switching colors in the 12th stitch. Then work 4sc in Color B, switching colors in the 5th stitch.
• I-Cord: This pattern uses the I-Cord technique for the stem. If you’re unfamiliar with it, refer to the video below.

The colorwork in the Body section can be a bit tricky, but the premium pdf contains tons of photos and helpful tips. Grab it on Etsy, Ravelry, Ribblr or Ko-Fi!

Head/Body

Start with Color A (orange).

Rnd 0: MR6 

Rnd 1: inc 6 times. (12)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rnds 8-9: sc around. (48) (2 rnds)

Starting in Rnd 10, we’ll be adding in Color B (yellow) and switching colors frequently.

Rnd 10: A: 12sc, B: 3sc, A: 7sc, B: 3sc, A: 23sc. (48)

Rnd 11: A: 11sc, B: 6sc, A: 4sc, B: 6sc, A: 21sc. (48)

Rnds 12-13: A: 10sc, B: 4sc, A: 6sc, B: 4sc, A: 24sc. (48) (2 rnds)

Rnd 14: A: 11sc, B: 7sc, A: 3sc, B: 7sc, A: 20sc. (48)

Rnd 15: A: 12sc, B: 5sc, A: 5sc, B: 5sc, A: 21sc. (48)

Rnds 16-17: sc around. (48) (2 rnds)

Rnd 18: [3sc, dec, 3sc] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 19: [dec, 5sc] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 20: [2BLsc, BLdec, 2BLsc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 21: [dec, 3sc] 6 times. (24)

Start stuffing the head/body.

Rnd 22: [sc, dec, sc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 23: [dec, sc] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 24: dec 6 times. (6)

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

Ruffle

Use Color A (orange).

Looking at the bottom of the body, insert your hook into the first unworked front loop from Rnd 20. Pull a loop of Color A through and secure it with a ch 1. 

NOTE: The ch 4 (ch 1 to attach + the ch 3) at the beginning counts as a tr st.

Rnd 1: ch 3, 2tr in the same st, 3tr in every st around, sl st into the 4th ch to join. (108)

NOTE: If you’re making the Ghost version, don’t fasten off. 

If you’re making the regular version, fasten off with a short yarn tail (6-8in.) and weave the remaining yarn tails into the body.

Thick Tentacles

Use either Color C or Color D (or both).

Ch 41

Row 1: starting in the second ch from the hook, 3sc in each st across. (120)

Fasten off with a medium yarn tail (10-12in.).

Thin Tentacles

Use Color C or Color D (or both).

Ch 51

Row 1: starting in the second ch from the hook, sl st in each st across. (50)

Fasten off with a medium yarn tail (10-12in.).

Vine

Use Color C (green). 

Ch 21

Row 1: starting in the second ch from the hook, 3sc in each st across. (60)

Fasten off with a medium yarn tail (10-12in.).

Leaf

Use Color C (green).

Ch 9

Row 1: starting in the second ch from the hook: 2sl sts, 2sc, 2hdc, dc, 3dc in the last ch, working on the other side of the ch: 3dc in the first ch, dc, 2hdc, 2sc, 2sl sts, sl st to join the tip. (20)

Fasten off with a medium yarn tail (10-12in.).

Stem

Using Color E (light brown).

NOTE: The stem is created by making an I-Cord. If you’re unfamiliar with this technique, please refer to the video above.

OPTIONAL: If you don’t want to make an I-Cord for the stem, you can crochet one or use something like a cinnamon stick or twig.

Row 0: ch 3. Insert the hook into the 2nd ch from the hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops). Insert the hook into the next ch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops).

Row 1: Remove the hook from the first 2sts (hold them so they don’t unravel), ch 1. Put the second loop back on the hook, ch 1. Put the third loop back on the hook, ch 1. 

Repeat Row 1 until the I-Cord is as long as you want. Mine was 8 rows long.

Yarn over and pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops. 

Fasten off with a medium yarn tail (10-12in.). Weave the short tail from the initial chain inside the center of the stem with a tapestry needle.

Details

Cut a long length of Color A (orange), about 24in. 

Repeat the last step 4 more times, pulling the length of yarn tight as you go. I recommend wrapping around the body on each side of the eyes next to help keep the spacing even. Then do the wraps toward the back.

Using a tapestry needle, thread the yarn from the center of the MR of the body down through the center of the bottom. Leave about 6-8in. of length still coming out of the top. Thread your tapestry needle onto this length coming out of the top and tie a knot to secure it to the body. Then weave this yarn tail into the body.

Thread your tapestry needle back onto the length coming out of the bottom of the body. Then insert your needle back through the bottom (not the exact spot but close to it) and up through the MR at the top, pulling tight to start compressing the body. 

Now wrap the yarn down around the body, between the eyes, being sure to insert your needle through where the ruffle meets the body. Insert the needle from the bottom up through the MR at the top again.

Once you’ve finished the final wrap and you’ve compressed your Jack o’ Jelly, tie a few knots on the bottom of the body to secure and weave the remaining yarn tail into the body.

Tentacles

Thick Tentacles

Pin the thick tentacles to the bottom of the body. Position them closer to the center in a triangle shape. Using a tapestry needle and the individual yarn tails, sew each tentacle to the body. Then weave any remaining yarn tails into the body. 

Thin Tentacles

Pin the thin tentacles to the bottom of the body. Position them closer to the outer edge, spaced evenly in the gaps between the thick tentacles. Using a tapestry needle and the individual yarn tails, sew each tentacle to the body. Then weave any remaining yarn tails into the body.

Vine & Leaf

Vine

Pin the end of the vine to the top center of the body. Use a tapestry needle and the yarn tail from the vine to sew the tip of the vine in place. Weave the remaining yarn tail into the body.

Leaf

Pin the curved end of the leaf beside where the vine is connected, just slightly off-center. Use a tapestry needle and the yarn tail from the leaf to sew only the curved end of the leaf in place. Weave the remaining yarn tail into the body.

Stem

Pin the stem to the top center of the body. Then use a tapestry needle and the yarn tail to sew it to the body. Weave the remaining yarn tail into the body.

Wrap Up

I hope you loved making your Jack o’ Jelly! Be sure to Pin this pattern and share it with your friends. Don’t forget if you share your GOURDGEOUS creation on social media, tag me @cbfiberworks so I can share and cheer you on!

If you enjoyed this pattern, be sure to check out some of the other awesome free patterns here on cbfiberworks.com!