Did you know that Giant Manta Rays’ wingspan can be as long as 29 feet? Yea. Completely amazing. When I finished this manta ray crochet pattern, my husband said, “it’s great, but it’s big”. That’s right about when I shared with him this shocking fact. I mean, coming in at a whopping 16 inches across, this amigurumi manta ray doesn’t even come close to how massive these guys are out in the wild! So there, Josh.

Jump into the manta ray crochet pattern now, or PIN it for later here:

Welcome to the Jacque the Manta Ray crochet pattern by Off the Beaten Hook!

I recommend giving this pattern a read-through before you begin so you can visualize the big picture and consider any specific notes for helping you along the way and making this an enjoyable, successful project.

We are ALL THINGS sea animals over here. Being from the Great Pacific Northwest, we spend as much time as we can on the awesome coastal beaches around here. I get a lot of inspiration from the sea and this little amigurumi manta ray is no exception! My goal with this pattern was to design a manta ray that had a great balance between realistic and adorable. I love him and I hope you do to!

MEET JACQUE the MANTA RAY:

Our story begins in the Aegean Sea
A manta ray living a life fancy-free
You’d never have thought that a great time ago
One would consider him not friend, but foe

He was frightfully strong and his anger severe
All would take shelter when Jacque would come near
He was to be feared and greatly renowned
For he was the most dreaded pirate around

His speed and his size would cause much dismay
You’d do all you could to stay out of his way
But one day ol’ Jacque stopped dead in his tracks
when approached by a couple of giant humpbacks

They simply asked why he behaved so shallow
He said “Well, I guess that’s just all that I know”
See, his dad was a pirate and his before him
He was taught all those ways even before he could swim

So they told him, “ya know, you do have a choice
to treat others with love and use a kind voice.”
“You don’t have to be like this, Jacque” they both said
Which got Jacque to thinking how he’d been misled

He never even liked treating others with wrath
He just didn’t know he could choose his own path
Once he was blind, but now he could see
That life could be lived so free and happy

He promptly set off to make all things right
with all those he’d treated with harshness and spite
With freedom he lives his life to this day
Teaching others to find their own unique way

This manta ray free crochet pattern is supported by ads on my blog. If you’d rather print the pattern for some cozy couch crocheting, you can find the 8-page ad-free, printable PDF in my shop here or on Ravelry here.

This pattern is written in US terms. If needed, you can find a handy term conversion chart right here in my Resource Library.

Manta Ray Free Crochet Pattern Guide:

Size & Gauge:

Size: 16″ wide

Gauge: N/A. Ultimately with toys, gauge doesn’t matter. It won’t have to fit someone’s body or a specific space. My patterns will include the size of the finished toy based on the yarn and hook I use. But if you want it smaller or bigger, just use a bigger yarn and hook! Just remember, when crocheting toys, crochet tightly and choose a hook one size smaller than the yarn size recommends in order to avoid holes between each stitch where the stuffing will show through.

Yarn & Stuffing:

Yarn: Take your choice of yarn! Choose colors that bring you joy and fibers that feel good between your fingers. I use 100% cotton yarn because I make these toys for my kids and need them to be functional. Cotton is natural, washable, soft, and relatively inflexible so the toys don?t stretch and sag ? even after being thrown across the house, down the stairs and adventured through every part of the garden!

Stuffing: Stuff more than you think you should. Not enough for the stitches to stretch and show holes, but enough to make the toy stiff and able to withstand the rough trials of toy life. The filling will compress a bit over time. I encourage you to use an alternative to poly-fill (unless it’s recycled!). Try using leftover yarn scraps and snippets or old non-donate-able clothes and materials cut into strips. For this manta ray crochet pattern, I used recycled polyester stuffing.

Policies & Disclaimers:

This manta ray free crochet pattern is for PERSONAL USE ONLY. This pattern or parts of it may not be reproduced, resold, distributed, published, altered, translated, posted or shared without authorization. You can sell your finished items provided that you credit Off the Beaten Hook as the designer using this verbiage, “This pattern was designed by Lindsey Roe and Off the Beaten Hook.” Thank you for your respectfulness!

This post contains affiliate links for materials I use and love. If you purchase something using one of these links I may earn a small commission which in no way affects the cost to you. These partnerships help me support my small business which allows me to provide you with free crochet patterns. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support!

What makes this pattern eco-friendly and sustainable?

THE YARN: I use only sustainable and eco-friendly yarn that has been ethically grown/raised and processed, putting the people and the planet first. This is why I chose 100% cotton yarn for this pattern.

THE STUFFING: I used 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Polyester Filling (recycled water bottles) for this manta ray free crochet pattern. You can also use recycled cotton stuffing, left over yarn snippets (save them all – they add up fast!) or old fiber you’ve cut into strips.

THE SLOW YARN MOVEMENT: I’m participating in the Slow Yarn Movement. There’s far too much to talk about here, but please take a few minutes to learn about what this means by reading the article I wrote about the Slow Yarn Movement as part of my 6-part Sustainable Crochet Series.

I’M MAKING SUSTAINABLE TOYS FOR MY KIDS: This is the reason I learned how to crochet to begin with! I wanted my son to have mostly sustainable toys to play with as I eliminated a huge amount of non-renewable plastics from our home.

If you’re interested in learning more about sustainable crochet you can read all about it in the 6-part series I did covering everything about Sustainable Crochet and how to implement it into your own crafting starting today!

Materials you will need for this Manta Ray Crochet Pattern:

YARN:

• Stylecraft Naturals Organic Cotton | 100% Organic Cotton | Weight: 3/Light Worsted | 115 yards per ball
  • Indigo Wash (navy blue): x3 balls
  • Dove (gray): x3 balls

OR:

Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK | 100% Cotton | Weight: 3/DK/Light Worsted | 137 yards per ball:

• Midnight Blue (main body color): x2 balls
• Misty Gray x2 balls

YARN SUBSTITUTION OPTIONS:

If you can’t access the recommended yarn, want to explore other colors, or would just prefer to use a different yarn for this cauliflower free crochet pattern, here are some others that will work well! All of these are DK weight:

100% Cotton Options:

• Deramores Studio Organic Cotton DK
• Rico Essentials Organic Cotton DK
• Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK
• Rowan Handknit Cotton
• Debbie Bliss Cotton DK

Cotton Blend & Other Fiber Options:

• Scheepjes Linen Soft (Cotton/Linen/Acrylic)
• Paintbox Yarns Simply DK (Acrylic)
• Stylecraft Bamboo & Cotton Blend
• Sirdar Stories DK (Cotton/Acrylic)
• Valley Yarns Haydenville DK (Wool/Acrylic)

OTHER TOOLS & MATERIALS:

• Crochet Hook Size: 3.00 mm
• Pair of safety eyes: 12 mm
• Tapestry Needle
• Stitch Markers
• Scissors
• Stuffing
• Optional: 14-gauge craft wire to stiffen the tail

Abbreviations used in the manta ray crochet pattern:

ch – chain
st – stitch
hk – hook
sl st – slip stitch
mc – magic circle
sc – single crochet
fsc – foundation single crochet
inc – increase
dec – decrease
(…) x – repeat instructions indicated number of times
[…] – number of stitches in row/round

Jacque the Manta Ray Crochet Pattern:

Body/Wings – make 2

NOTES:

• 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.

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 68 st across (up to where you stitch marked on the other side) [68]

Row 55: dec 2, sc across until the last 4 st of row, dec 2 [64]

Row 56: sc in each st across [64]

Row 57-72: repeat rows 55 & 56. As needed, refer to chart below 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 [30]

Row 74: sc in each st across [30]

Row 75: dec, sc 25, dec [28]

Row 76-82: sc in each row across [28]

Row 83: sc in each stitch around the entire piece, up to the opposite side of the mouth. Fasten off.

Tail – make 2

NOTES:

• 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

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.

Mouth:

NOTES:

• 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

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 – make 2

NOTES:

• 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]

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

Eyes – make 2

NOTES:

• 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]

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.

Handkerchief

NOTES:

• 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 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]

Change to blue yarn and alternate colors (blue/yellow) every 2 rows

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

You did it! Well done!

I would love to see your version of Jacque the Manta Ray. Please post pictures on instagram and tag me @offthebeatenhook and use #offthebeatenhook. Cheers!

PIN THIS MANTA RAY CROCHET PATTERN FOR LATER!