Mortimer the Crochet Manta Ray
May I present to you…Mortimer the Crochet Manta Ray!
I woke up today with the idea that I had heard the melodious drops of melting snow. I wonder if it was a dream I had where suddenly the air was warm and winter had finally come to an end.
But when I got up the snow was still undisturbed and looking as comfortable ever, almost as though it were taunting me, "This is my home now, I'm not going anywhere."
I guess in a way this weather forces me to stay indoors and focus on important things like getting the manta ray pattern posted!
Mortimer the Manta Ray Crochet Pattern
The free pattern for this manta ray is below. You can also purchase the ad-free and inexpensive PDF version in my shop and on Etsy.
Mortimer the Manta Ray Crochet Pattern
Approx size: 7″ across
Materials:
Worsted weight yarn (I used Bernat Super Value in Royal Blue and Natural)
3.0 mm and 4.5 mm hooks
Stitch markers
Safety eyes (I used 8 mm that I got from Knit Picks)
Tapestry needle
Abbreviations (US terms)
sc – single crochet
sl st – slip stitch
blo – back loop only
inc – increase (2 sts in same st)
dec – decrease (sc2tog)
Notes
The manta ray is made up of the following parts:
Body
Mouth lining
Cephalic lobes (the two mouth antenna-looking things)
Tail
Unless otherwise stated, this pattern is worked in continuous rounds using stitch markers to locate the beginning/end of a round. All color changes start in the stitch of the previous round.
I did not stuff the manta ray with polyfil but you can if you want to.
Body
Using blue yarn and size 4.5mm hook
Round 1: sc 4 sts in magic ring
Round 2: inc in each st (8 sts)
Round 3: sc in each st (8 sts)
Round 4: complete the following [sc in next st, inc in next st] x4 (12 sts)
Round 5: complete the following [sc in next st, inc in next st] x6 (18 sts)
Round 6: complete the following [sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st] x6 (24 sts)
Round 7: sc in each st (24 sts)
Round 8: complete the following [sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st] x8 (32 sts)
Round 9: complete the following [sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st] x8 (40 sts)
Round 10: complete the following [sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st] x10 (50 sts)
Round 11: sc in each st (50 sts)
Round 12: complete the following [sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st] x10 (60 sts)
The stitch markers here will guide you in making increases for the mouth flaps, one flap on each side.
Round 13: complete the following [sc in next 11 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 11 sts, inc in next st] x2 (66 sts)
Round 14: sc in next 13 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, inc in next st, ch 1, turn and sc in next 7 sts, ch 1, turn and sc across, at the end of the row sl st into the side of the previous row then continue to sc in next 25 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 6 sts, ch 1, turn and sc in next 7 sts, at the end of the row sl st into the side of the previous row then continue to sc in next 13 sts. Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Mouth lining
Using white yarn and 4.5mm hook.
Round 1: Ch 8, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (7 sts).
Rounds 2 – 3: Ch 1, turn and sc across.
Round 4: Ch 1 and sc in BLO. This will create a fold so the lining will bend easily inside the mouth.
Rounds 5 – 6: Ch 1, turn and sc across.
Fasten off and leave tail for sewing.
Fold the body in half, lining the mouth flaps together. Determine which side will be the top and bottom and attach eyes to the top near the sides.
Sew one side of lining to bottom (inside) of mouth.
Line up the stitches on the folded manta ray body and sew the seams together, when you get to the top of the mouth lining make sure you sew that as well.
Cephalic Lobes – Make 2
Using blue yarn and 4.5mm hook.
Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and rest of ch. Fasten off and sew to sides of mouth.
Tail
Using blue yarn and size 3.0mm hook.
Pick up a stitch on manta ray where tail should go, Ch 11. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Assembly
Fold the body in half, lining the mouth flaps together. Determine which side will be the top and bottom and attach eyes to the top and near the sides.
Sew one side of the lining to the bottom (inside) of the mouth.
Line up the stitches on the folded manta ray body and sew the seams together. When you get to the top of the mouth lining make sure you sew that as well. I did not stuff my manta ray with polyfil as I wanted it to be somewhat flat but you can use polyfil if you’d like.
Sew the cephalic lobes one on each side of the mouth.
IIf you make this crochet manta ray I'd love to see you creation, just tag me on Instagram @popsdemilk_crochet and use the hashtag #popsdemilk
Looking for more crochet ocean creatures? Then you might like these:
Sperm Whale Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Dolphin Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Starfish Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Don't forget to share and pin this post for later!
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This pattern is for personal use only. The pattern and its photos may not be reproduced, distributed or resold, translated, published, altered, shared or posted in any way over the internet or offline.
You may sell finished items made from this pattern as long as it is handmade by you, not mass produced, giving the credit to Pops de Milk / Patricia Castillo as the designer. If you have any questions, you can email me at patricia@popsdemilk.com
