Make a Splash with 20+ Knitting Patterns Featuring Marine Life

Dive into these delightful Finding Dory and Finding Nemo-related knitting patterns, featuring clown fish, blue tangs, whales, and more

I have loved aquatic animals all my life.

While I was growing up, my father frequently kept an aquarium in our house. I loved to feed the fish and watch them excitedly swim to the surface to gobble up the flakes sprinkled into the water.

And when some kids were always eager to go to the toy store, I was always eager to go to the aquarium shop. Sure, most of the time we were merely window-shopping, but it always fascinated me to see the wide variety of fish, all the different sizes and colors and personalities.

(I still remember the first time I saw a piranha tank at that store. I was as agog with fascination as I was terrified.)

Later, I became a devotee of Sea World, which once had a branch in Ohio, where I grew up. I was absolutely delighted by the dolphins and sea lions and killer whales. (Understand, this was decades before Free Willy.)

So you’re probably not surprised to learn that when Pixar came out with both Finding Nemo and then, several years later, Finding Dory, I absolutely loved both movies.

The storylines are the main sell, of course, but I also found the exquisite animation of so many of my favorite forms of sea life irresistible.

Therefore, I decided to put together a collection of marine life knitting patterns reminiscent of those two marvelous movies. Since not all of us have children in our lives, I tried not to make this collection all about stuffed toys (though I did find several cute ones). Here you’ll find a variety of patterns, including hats, socks, washcloths, mittens, and more.

So I invite you to browse these enchanting patterns featuring all the best marine life Pixar has to offer!

Gone Fishing

Blue Tang Fish Wristband

• What you’ll need to make it: Small amounts of blue, yellow, white, and black aran or worsted weight yarn; US Size 5 circular or straight needles–if you use straight needles, you may want to keep some spare DPNs on hand to hold stitches; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: This is an adorable wristband emblazoned with the sweetly smiling face of everyone’s favorite blue tang. This would make a great stocking stuffer for a Dory-lover.

Nemo Mittens

• What you’ll need to make them: 60 to 150 yards sport weight yarn (divided into orange, black, and white colors), depending on the size you knit; US Size 2.5 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round

• Why you’ll want to: These precious mittens really do look just like our favorite clown fish family. I love how each mitten has a thumb on one side and a “lucky fin” on the other.

Finding Nemo Blanket

• What you’ll need to make it: Total of 1050 yards bulky weight yarn (divided into 600 yards orange, 300 yards white, 150 yards black); US Size 8 circular needles

• Why you’ll want to: A very simple garter stitch blanket knitted in the colors of orange, white, and black. A lovely, subtle way to revel in your love of Nemo.

Manta Ray

• What you’ll need to make it: For a single square, small amounts of contrasting color yarn, to create a solid background with a different color for the manta ray; a needle size that complement the yarn you’re using

• Why you’ll want to: This is a charted project for an afghan block; if you use cotton yarn, it could also be used to create a washcloth or dishcloth with a cute little manta ray design on it.

Hey, Look! Turtles!

Duuuuuude the Sea Turtle

• What you’ll need to make it: Scraps of leftover yarn, any weight from worsted to bulky, with some white yarn necessary as well as black yarn or embroidery floss; go down a size or two of the needles you would normally use with your yarn
  (For instance, for worsted weight, use about US size 5 or 6; for bulky weight, size 6 or 7, etc.)

• Why you’ll want to: This is a ridiculously cute amigrumi knitting pattern. I freely confessed to my mom and husband (and now, to you) that I want to knit one of these for myself. I might keep one in my car. “You’re ridin’ it, dude!” (If you don’t understand that quote… go watch Finding Nemo again.)

Sea Turtle Chart & Sea Turtle Chart Remix

Why you’ll want to use them: Both charts were created by the same designer. The Remix is simply a slightly modified version of the original Sea Turtle Chart. This is a chart you can easily incorporate into a scarf, a washcloth, or an afghan square.

I [Heart] Sea Turtles Hat

• What you’ll need to make it:
  • For closely-fitting hat: 200 to 300 yards fingering weight yarn in 3 colors; US Size 4 and 5 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stitch markers
  • For slouchy hat: 200 to 300 yards worsted weight yarn in 3 colors; US Size 7 and 8 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stitch markers

• Why you’ll want to: This hat features a sea turtle design very similar to the aforementioned charts. The pattern includes variations for a slouchy hat in worsted weight and a more closely-fitting hat in fingering weight.

An Octopus Garden

Octopus

• What you’ll need to make it: 80 to 120 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 6 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; US Size D crochet hook; stitch markers; eye material of choice; tapestry needle; stuffing; sewing needle and thread

• Why you’ll want to: You’ll probably find more online patterns for an octopus than for any other sea creature! I chose this one because I love its curly tentacles. Not your style? I saved the Ravelry search I used to find this pattern, so you can find the perfect octopus for you.

Baby Octopus Hat

• What you’ll need to make it: 60 to 100 yards DK weight yarn; US Size 5 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; black beads

• Why you’ll want to: This sweet little hat features a “stealth” octopus design on the front (just like a real octopus might hide) and beads for eyes. If you’d rather make the octopus design pop, you can try using duplicate stitch to make the octopus stand out. Check out the “projects” tab on the pattern page for examples by knitters who did just that.

Octopus Dishcloth or Afghan Square

• What you’ll need to make it: 70 to 130 yards DK or worsted weight yarn (for a single square); US Size 6 or 7 needles

• Why you’ll want to: This simple pattern has a multitude of uses. You can, as suggested by the title, use it as a dishcloth or a single square in an afghan. You can also use many in different colors (or the same color) to create an entire afghan, or you could even use it multiple times to create an octopus-scarf.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Starfish

Starfish

• What you’ll need to make it: 80 to 100 yards DK weight yarn; US Size 5 needles; stuffing; toy eyes; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: I think I might have to take back what I said about octopus knitting patterns. Starfish patterns may just outpace them! This in my opinion is probably the cutest of the stuffed starfish knitting patterns.

Seamless Knit Starfish

• What you’ll need to make it: 75 yards fingering weight yarn; US Size 0 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stitch marker; stitch holder/spare DPN/scrap yarn; stuffing; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: Prefer a skinnier and more realistic-looking starfish? Here’s your pattern. A delightful bonus: it’s knit in one piece, so no seaming.

Baby Starfish Cloth

• What you’ll need to make it: 70 to 100 yards worsted weight cotton yarn; US Size 5 or 6 needles

• Why you’ll want to: A lot of knitting patterns exist for starfish cloths… a LOT. I chose this one because it’s the cutest (in my opinion, which is always correct 😛). I also think the “waves” incorporated in the pattern will make for a scrubbier dishcloth.

Chunky Starfish Beret and Squishy Starfish Hat

• What you’ll need to make it:
  • For Chunky Starfish Beret: 360 yards soft DK weight yarn; US Size 5 and 8 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; cable needle or spare DPN;
  • For Squishy Starfish Hat: 150 yards fingering weight yarn; US Size 2 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stitch markers

• Why you’ll want to: The beret and beanie are variations on a theme: a knitted hat with a “starfish” design in the top. Both are simple and subtle ways to wear some starfish love.

Boy, I Wish I Could Speak Whale (Shark)

Whale Shark iPhone Cover

• What you’ll need to make it: 115 yards DK weight yarn (divided into blue, pink, and small amounts of white); US Size 2.5 needles; embroidery needle (with an eye large enough for yarn); tapestry needle; set of eyes (optional)

• Why you’ll want to: Do you yearn for a whale shark named Destiny? Now you can have your very own Destiny, carrying your smartphone around.

Whale Hat

• What you’ll need to make it: 80 to 150 yards worsted weight yarn, divided into two colors (a 2 to 1 ratio of main color to contrasting color); US Size 5 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round

• Why you’ll want to: Unfortunately, knitting patterns for belugas seem to be non-existent. Free knitting patterns for plain ol’ whales, though, are everywhere! Just knit a whale in white, and everyone will assume it’s a beluga. Like this adorable whale hat, with little whales knitted through the center of the hat with colorwork.

Whale in the Waves Socks

• What you’ll need to make them: 383 to 437 yards fingering weight yarn (divided into two colors, though you’ll need only a small amount of white compared to the contrasting color); US Size 1.5 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit socks

• Why you’ll want to: These beautiful socks are an exception to the previous “non-existent beluga pattern” statement. Though it’s not apparent in the title, the designer absolutely created these socks with belugas in mind. They’re the perfect gift for any whale-lover, and a fun challenge for a sock-maker.

Whale Tail Mitts

• What you’ll need to make them: 80 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 5 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stitch markers; stitch holder / spare DPN / scrap yarn

• Why you’ll want to: I love knitting mitts, and these beautiful mitts are a quiet way to express a love of whales. The feathery cable design is an inspired choice that really does evince a whale-tail slapping the water.

Orca Whale

• What you’ll need to make it: About 60 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 4 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stitch holder / spare DPN / scrap yarn; tapestry needle; stuffing

• Why you’ll want to: Changing the orca to a beluga couldn’t be simpler: knit him/her all in white, give it black eyes, and voila! Of course, you could also keep it as an orca, because killer whales are beautiful (if scary).

Little Whale Tail Newborn Hat

• What you’ll need to make it: About 75 yards sport weight yarn; US Size 5 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: Thanks to a darling “whale tail” at the top, this basic newborn beanie becomes the cutest infant hat imaginable.

Bonus: Dory/Nemo-inspired patterns for sale

They’re not free, but they’re too adorable to leave out of this roundup. None is expensive, and all are at least worthy of a peek!

Baby Dory Blue Tang Fish: Guys, this is the most adorable knitting pattern I think I’ve ever seen in my life. Baby Dory, complete with enormous eyes.

Nemo & Dory Blankets: These two Etsy patterns were created by the same shop owner. The link goes to the Nemo blanket pattern, but you can easily find the Dory pattern linked in this listing. These blankets are a sort of sleeping-bag design and are perfect for children.

Manta Ray Pattern: Another cute big-eyed amigarumi knitting pattern, from the same designer as Duuuuuude the Sea Turtle. I’d love to knit this one someday, too, because I adore manta rays as well as sea turtles.

Puffer Fish: I’m a sucker for puffers; I think they’re the cutest fish in the sea. This is one of the most realistic-looking animal knitting patterns I’ve seen!

Inspired to knit up some sea life? I know I’m ready to knit some future favorites!