Adorable Ragdoll-Style Amigurumi – Perfect for Shark Week!
Hey crochet friends! I’m so excited to share this fun little hammerhead shark with you. With Shark Week just around the corner (or really, any time you need a cute ocean buddy), this friendly guy makes the perfect quick project.
He’s made in the classic ragdoll style — two identical flat panels worked in rows, then joined together with a single crochet border. This gives him that charming 2-D plush look while still being nice and huggable. With only 9 separate pieces, he works up surprisingly fast and is beginner-friendly once you get the hang of the shaping.
Finished Size Approximately 18 cm (7 inches) from the tip of the hammer head to the tail fins, and about 12.5 cm (5 inches) from the top of the dorsal fin to the bottom of the belly.
Materials
- Hook: 2.75 mm crochet hook (or 3.5 mm if using worsted weight yarn)
- Yarn: Light weight (Category 3) yarn — less than 50 g grey + less than 50 g white (A.T.I. or Patons Astra are great; any similar light yarn works)
- Safety eyes: 8 mm black
- Black crochet thread (or embroidery floss) for mouth and gills
- Stuffing (polyester fiberfill)
- Tapestry needle for sewing and weaving ends
- Stitch markers (optional but helpful)
Pro Tip: Consistent tension is more important than exact gauge for this project. Keep your stitches tight enough that the stuffing won’t show through.
Abbreviations & Notes
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- inc = increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
- dec = decrease (sc 2 together)
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- slst = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
Important:
- Chain 1 and turn at the end of every row.
- You will make two identical body panels, one belly/head patch, and fins in pairs (each fin is made from two layers for structure).
- The head portion of the white patch is intentionally slightly smaller — this makes it easier to attach neatly.
Step-by-Step Pattern
1. Tail Fins (Make 1 connected piece in grey)
This creates the two tail lobes from one piece.
Row 1: Ch 7, sc across (6 sts) Row 2: Inc, sc 4, inc (8 sts) Row 3: Inc, sc 6, inc (10 sts)
First fin lobe (work only part of the row): Row 4: Inc, sc 4 (6 sts) Row 5: Dec, sc 3, inc (6 sts) Row 6: Sc 4, dec (5 sts) Row 7: Dec, sc 2, inc (5 sts) Row 8: Sc 3, dec (4 sts) Row 9: Dec, sc, inc (4 sts) Row 10: Sc 2, dec (3 sts) Row 11: Dec, inc (3 sts) Row 12: Sc, dec (2 sts) Row 13: Dec (1 st)
Tie off. Turn your work so the finished fin lobe is on the left. Join yarn to the remaining stitches of Row 3 and repeat Rows 4–13 for the second fin lobe.
Beautiful result: You now have one elegant tail piece with two symmetrical fins!
2. Body Panels (Make 2 identical panels in grey)
This is where the magic of the hammerhead shape happens.
Rows 1–3: Sc across (starting with 6 sts and staying even) Row 4: Inc, sc 4, inc (8 sts) Row 5: Sc across (8 sts) Row 6: Inc, sc 6, inc (10 sts) Rows 7–8: Sc across (10 sts) Row 9: Inc, sc 8, inc (12 sts) Rows 10–11: Sc across (12 sts) Row 12: Inc, sc 10, inc (14 sts) Row 13: Sc across (14 sts) Row 14: Inc, sc 12, inc (16 sts) Row 15: Sc across (16 sts) Row 16: Inc, sc 14, inc (18 sts) Row 17: Inc, sc 16, inc (20 sts) Rows 18–26: Sc across (20 sts) Row 27: Dec, sc 16, dec (18 sts) Rows 28–29: Sc across (18 sts) Row 30: Dec, sc 14, dec (16 sts) Rows 31–32: Sc across (16 sts) Row 33: Dec, sc 12, dec (14 sts) Row 34: Sc across (14 sts) Row 35: Dec, sc 10, dec (12 sts) Row 36: Sc across (12 sts)
Now shape the hammer head: Row 37: Ch 7, sc 6 along the chain, then sc 12 across the body (18 sts) Row 38: Ch 7, sc 6 along the chain, then sc 18 across (24 sts) Row 39: Inc, sc 22, inc (26 sts) Row 40: Inc, sc 24, inc (28 sts) Rows 41–45: Sc across (28 sts) Row 46: Hdc 7, sc 2, hdc 2, dc 6, hdc 2, sc 2, hdc 7 (28 sts) — this special row creates the flat, wide hammer shape
Tie off. Make a second identical panel. Set both aside.
3. Belly/Head Patch (Make 1 in white)
The white patch is slightly smaller on the head section for easier attachment.
Row 1: Ch 2, sc 1 (1 st) Row 2: Sc across (1 st) Row 3: Inc (2 sts) Rows 4–6: Sc across (2 sts) Row 7: Sc, inc (3 sts) … (continue increasing gradually as per the original shaping until you reach the hammer extension)
After the main body of the patch: Row 29–32: Add the hammer head chains and increases to match the body panels. Row 36: Work the same special hdc/sc/dc row to shape the top of the hammer.
Tie off. Then single crochet along the inner curved edge only (the edge that will sit against the body). This gives a clean finish for appliqué.
4. Pectoral Fins (Make 2 fins — each from 2 panels in grey)
Each fin is small and sturdy.
Row 1: Ch 6, sc across (5 sts) Row 2: Sc across (5 sts) Row 3: Dec, sc, dec (3 sts) Rows 4–5: Sc across (3 sts) Row 6: Dec, sc (2 sts) Row 7: Sc across (2 sts) Row 8: Dec (1 st)
Make two panels per fin. Do not tie off the second panel. Place both panels together and sc all the way around the edge. Work (sc, ch, sc) in the bottom corners and 2 sc in the tip for a nice point. Tie off and hide ends inside.
5. Dorsal Fin (Make 1 fin from 2 panels in grey)
Similar to pectoral but taller.
Row 1: Ch 11, sc across (10 sts) Rows 2–3: Sc across Then decrease gradually on each side until you reach 1 st at the tip.
Make two panels. Place together and sc around the edge. Lightly stuff when you’re about two-thirds around. Finish with (sc, ch, sc) at base corners and 2 sc at the tip.
6. Facial Features (on the front body panel)
- Position the 8 mm safety eyes symmetrically on the front of the hammer head (roughly in the middle of each side lobe).
- Using black crochet thread, embroider a gentle curved smile and three short vertical gill lines on each side of the head above the belly patch.
Assembly – The Most Satisfying Part!
Step 1: Attach the Belly Patch & First Pectoral Fin
- Pin the white belly/head patch to the front body panel, aligning the inner curved edge.
- Sew only along that inner curve (do not sew the outer edges yet — they will be joined later).
- Sew one pectoral fin in place above the belly curve on the front panel.
Step 2: Join the Body Panels
- Place the two body panels together (front facing you).
- Starting at the base of the tail, begin single crocheting around the outside edge through both panels.
- Work 2 sc in the tip of each fin for a crisp point.
- When you reach the belly area, change to white yarn and continue, now crocheting through all three layers (two grey panels + white patch).
- About halfway along the belly, stop and use a tapestry needle + long grey yarn tail to sew the second pectoral fin between the two body panels.
- Continue crocheting around. When you reach the already-sewn fin area, simply crochet through the front panel + belly patch only.
Step 3: Head & Features
- Crochet all the way around the hammer head (work (sc, ch, sc) in each of the four corners of the hammer shape).
- Stop when the head is closed. Insert safety eyes if not already done and embroider the mouth + gills.
- Stuff the head firmly but evenly.
Step 4: Add the Dorsal Fin & Finish
- Use a long yarn tail to sew the dorsal fin between the two body panels on the back.
- Finish stuffing the body and tail.
- Continue the single crochet border, switching back to grey where needed.
- When you reach the dorsal fin, crochet through the front panel only, then resume through both panels after the fin.
- Close with a slst, tie off, and weave the tail inside.
Pro Tip: Use locking stitch markers or pins liberally during assembly. It makes positioning the fins and patch so much easier!
You Did It!
Your friendly hammerhead shark is complete and ready for cuddles, desk decoration, or starring in your own Shark Week celebrations. He has so much personality with that wide hammer head and sweet embroidered face!
Customization Ideas
- Make him in ocean blues and teals for a different vibe.
- Add tiny white spots on the grey body.
- Use thicker yarn and a larger hook for a giant version.
If you make one, I’d love to see it! Tag your makes so the whole crochet community can admire your work.
