Bjorn’s Catnip Jellyfish Toy Free Crochet Pattern

Meet Bjorn’s new favorite toy! This whimsical Catnip Jellyfish Toy is soft, squishy, and packed with irresistible catnip. It’s a quick and beginner-friendly crochet project that works up fast, making it the perfect handmade treat for the feline in your life.

Why Cats Love It

Cats are naturally drawn to textures and dangling shapes—and jellyfish tentacles are perfect for pouncing and batting. By adding dried catnip to the stuffing, you’ll turn this toy into an instant hit with your furry friend (as Bjorn has enthusiastically approved!).

Watch the tutorial video here:

Materials

2 colors of #5 bulky weight yarn (or just 1 if you prefer)
H/8 (5mm) crochet hook
Polyfil stuffing
Dried catnip
Yarn needle
Scissors

Snowstorm Yarn:

This yarn is a #5 bulky weight 100% wool yarn and comes in balls of 55 yds per 1.75 oz (50gm) balls.

color Light Grey

color Pastel Purple

color Teal Blue

Construction

Scroll below for the full, step by step pattern. This jellyfish toy is made in two parts:

1. The Head

Flat Circle: Crochet a simple flat circle for the base (belly).
Cup (think tiny hat): Crochet another circle but stop increasing after several rounds to create the walls (head).
Assembly: Sew the flat circle (belly) to the cup (head), but before closing completely, stuff generously with polyfil and dried catnip in layers. Alternatively, you could also join them together with slip stitch crochet.

2. The Tentacles

Crochet a variety of long chains in your second color.
Add popcorn stitches at the beginning and end of each chain. This gives the tentacles both weight and a playful, bouncy texture.
Sew the tentacles securely into the belly of the jellyfish.

Customization Ideas

Use bright, playful colors for a fun look, or this could be a great project for stashbusting your scraps, too.
Make the tentacles in varying lengths for extra movement.
Skip the catnip and use it as a decorative keychain, bag charm, or nursery mobile piece.

Why This Project is Perfect for Beginners

Only uses basic stitches: chains, single crochet, double crochet and I’ll teach you the popcorn stitch – its really easy.
Simple shaping—just circles and chains.
Quick to make: you can finish one in an afternoon!

Safety Note

Always supervise your cat with handmade toys. Double-check your stitches and seams to ensure the catnip and stuffing are secure inside.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing better than making something special for your pet—and watching them play with it! Bjorn absolutely adores his jellyfish, and I hope your kitty will love it too.

Instructions:

Head:

Round 1: With color A, ch2, 8sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join. – 8 scs

Round 2: *2sc in ea st around, do not join. – 16 scs

Round 3: *2sc in next sc, 1sc in next sc. Rep from * around, do not join. – 24 scs

Round 4: *2sc in next sc, 1sc in ea of next 2 scs. Rep from * around, do not join. – 32 scs

Round 5: *2sc in next sc, 1sc in ea of next 3 scs. Rep from * around, do not join. – 40 scs

Rounds 6 – 11: 1sc in ea sc around, do not join. Fasten off.

Belly:

Round 1: With color B, ch2, 8sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join. – 8 scs

Round 2: *2sc in ea st around, do not join. – 16 scs

Round 3: *2sc in next sc, 1sc in next sc. Rep from * around, do not join. – 24 scs

Round 4: *2sc in next sc, 1sc in ea of next 2 scs. Rep from * around, do not join. – 32 scs

Round 5: *2sc in next sc, 1sc in ea of next 3 scs. Rep from * around, do not join. – 40 scs

Fasten off, leaving long tail (approx 1yd or 1m).

Tentacles (make 12, 4 in color A and 8 in color B):

Row 1: *Ch3, 4dc in 3rd ch from hook, remove hook from loop, insert in top of ch3, then back in top of last dc made, yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (popcorn made)*, ch65, rep from * to * once more, fasten off.

Assembly:

Sew head together, layering polyfil (and optional catnip) as you go. Sew the tentacles to the bottom side of the belly.

About Kristin Omdahl
Kristin Omdahl is a bestselling author, designer, and creative entrepreneur known for her “sensory storytelling” — weaving food, craft, and nature into unforgettable fiction and non-fiction. Her debut novel, The Sea Glass Journal, is a love letter to Florida’s Gulf Coast, exploring themes of healing, connection, and creative legacy.

When she’s not writing, Kristin shares crochet and knitting designs, recipes, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her creative process with her global community on Patreon.