Under the Sea Christmas Ornaments: 5 Easy Crochet Patterns

There is something undeniably magical about the way crochet stitches build upon one another, creating texture and form with every single round. Whether you are working a tight magic ring or expanding into a graceful arc, it is those small details—the increase that shapes the curve, the color change that defines the motif—that keep us hooked. This collection of Under the Sea Christmas ornaments captures that joy perfectly, transforming familiar sea creatures into festive holiday icons through clever yarn choices and charming accessories.

Texture and Stitch Notes

What makes this “Merry Fishmas” collection so delightful is how texture and yarn weight dictate the final scale of the project. By swapping bulky or specialty yarns for standard worsted weight, the creator has successfully shrunk larger amigurumi patterns into the perfect size for a Christmas tree. The Santa Octopus, for instance, relies on the smooth, consistent stitch definition of Red Heart worsted weight yarn to maintain its structure while keeping its proportions tiny and cute. Similarly, the Sea Turtle benefits from this yarn swap, turning a chunkier original design into a delicate ornament that can be adorned with miniature lights. The Starfish Granny Square introduces a different kind of texture entirely; the Red Heart All-in-One Star Gaze yarn uses self-striping color changes to create a distinct star motif, allowing the yarn itself to do the work of colorwork while you focus on the shaping.

Project Overview

This collection features four distinct Under the Sea Christmas ornaments that are perfect for adding a nautical twist to your holiday decor. Each pattern is adapted from existing free designs, modified specifically for ornament sizing using accessible yarns. The collection includes a Starfish Granny Square, a Santa Octopus, a Candy Cane Jellyfish, and a Christmas Light Sea Turtle. These projects are ideal for using up small yarn scraps and make wonderful gifts or additions to a handmade blanket.

Materials

• Yarn: Red Heart All-in-One Star Gaze yarn (for the Starfish), Red Heart worsted weight yarn (for the Octopus and Turtle), Bernat Maker yarn (original Octopus pattern), and red/white yarns for accents.
• Crochet Hook: Size H crochet hook (or smaller, depending on desired tightness).
• Accessories: Tiny Santa hat, tiny holly button, cute Christmas button, hanging loop, and a miniature Christmas craft light strand.
• Notions: Stitch markers, yarn needle for weaving ends and assembly.

Gauge and Finished Size

Specific gauge measurements are not provided for these adapted ornament patterns. The finished size is determined by the yarn weight used; swapping to Red Heart worsted weight yarn ensures the Octopus and Turtle are scaled down to the perfect ornament size. The Starfish Granny Square creates a flat motif that serves as the base for the ornament.

Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are used in the Santa Octopus hat pattern:

• SC: Single Crochet
• Ch: Chain
• Join: Slip Stitch to join
• Fasten Off: Cut yarn and pull through loop
• Magic Ring: A method for starting projects in the round with a tight center.

Pattern Notes

• Octopus Adaptation: The Santa Octopus uses the Mini No-Sew Crochet Octopus pattern as a base. The original Bernat Maker yarn was substituted with Red Heart worsted weight yarn to achieve a smaller, ornament-friendly size.
• Turtle Adaptation: The Christmas Light Sea Turtle is based on the Crochet Sea Turtle pattern. The original Bernat Blanket yarn was swapped for Red Heart worsted weight yarn to reduce the scale.
• Starfish Technique: The Starfish Granny Square utilizes the Red Heart All-in-One Star Gaze yarn. Each ball of this specific yarn creates 14 identical star motifs with only three color changes, meaning the yarn handles the colorwork automatically.
• Jellyfish Adaptation: The Candy Cane Jellyfish is a repurposed 4th of July pattern. By removing the blue yarn and using red and white, the piece takes on a festive candy cane aesthetic.

Pattern Instructions

Mini Crochet Santa Hat

This hat is designed to fit the Mini No-Sew Crochet Octopus. Using red yarn and a size H crochet hook (or smaller):

• Round 1: Make a Magic Ring, ch 1 and make 4 SC in ring. Join, ch 1.
• Round 2: SC in each stitch around. Join, ch 1. (4 SC)
• Round 3: 2 SC in first stitch, SC in next; repeat around. Join, ch 1. (6 SC)
• Round 4: SC in each stitch around. Join, ch 1.
• Round 5: 2 SC in first stitch, SC in next 2; repeat around. Join, ch 1. (8 SC)
• Round 6: SC in each stitch around. Join with white yarn, ch 1.
• Round 7: SC in each stitch around. Join, ch 1.
• Round 8: 2 SC in first stitch, SC in next; repeat around. Fasten off.

Starfish Granny Square

Refer to the Crochet Granny Square Tree Ornaments pattern, but use the Red Heart All-in-One Star Gaze yarn to create the star motif.

Candy Cane Jellyfish

Refer to the Crochet 4th of July Jellyfish pattern, omitting blue yarn in favor of red and white to achieve the candy cane look.

Christmas Light Sea Turtle

Refer to the Crochet Sea Turtle pattern, using Red Heart worsted weight yarn instead of Bernat Blanket yarn.

Assembly

Once your individual components are complete, follow these steps to assemble the festive ornaments:

• Santa Hat: Bend the top of the hat over and stitch it in place. Add a little white bobble stitch to the tip, then stitch the hat onto your octopus. For an extra festive touch, add a tiny holly button.
• Jellyfish: Add a hanging loop and attach a cute Christmas button to the jellyfish body.
• Sea Turtle: Wrap a miniature Christmas craft light strand around the turtle’s shell to create the look of tangled lights.
• Starfish: Attach a hanging loop to the completed Starfish Granny Square.

Tips

• Yarn Work: When using the Star Gaze yarn for the Starfish, remember that the yarn does the colorwork for you. Each ball makes 14 identical star motifs with only three color changes.
• Scale Control: If you want your ornaments to be even smaller, use a crochet hook smaller than the recommended size or choose a lighter weight yarn than worsted.
• Decorating: Don’t be afraid to add extra buttons or beads. The creator suggests grabbing fun Christmas buttons to give your ornaments their own unique festive finishing touches.
• Gift Ideas: These ornaments are the perfect size to tie onto packages. If you are making an Under the Sea Crochet-Along Blanket, these little creatures make charming add-on gifts.

FAQs

What yarn is best for the Santa Octopus hat?

The pattern recommends using Red Heart worsted weight yarn for the hat to match the size of the adapted octopus body. A size H crochet hook (or smaller) is suggested.

How do I make the Starfish motif without colorwork?

Use Red Heart All-in-One Star Gaze yarn. This self-striping yarn creates the star motif automatically with only three color changes per ball, eliminating the need to cut and join multiple colors.

Can I use this pattern for larger amigurumi?

Yes, but the instructions provided are specifically scaled down for ornaments. For larger versions, you would need to follow the original full-sized patterns for the Octopus, Turtle, and Jellyfish.

Where can I find the miniature Christmas lights?

The creator sourced the miniature Christmas craft light strand from Amazon, which can be wrapped around the Sea Turtle’s shell.

Are these patterns suitable for beginners?

Yes, the stitches used are primarily single crochet and basic increases. The Starfish pattern involves a granny square technique, which is also beginner-friendly. The assembly requires basic sewing skills.