Amigurumi Seahorse Crochet Pattern

I originally designed this seahorse because there seemed to be a lack of amigurumi seahorse patterns on the internet...or at least any patterns that I liked. All the patterns I looked at were for semi-realistic looking seahorses, and I wanted something that...wasn't so realistic. So I set out to make an atypical seahorse amigurumi pattern. Enjoy!

Just in case you want to know, my finished seahorses were about 6.75 in/17 cm long (with the tail stretched out). I also decided to stick a pipe-cleaner in the seahorse's tail so it would be bendable....that's why "pipe cleaner" is listed among the materials.

UPDATE: I've added diagrams for both the first round of the head and the crest, in case anyone's confused...hopefully they're helpful.

Seahorse

Materials
Size F crochet hook
Worsted weight yarn – Main color (A) and accent color (B)
9mm plastic doll eyes with fasteners
Stuffing
Yarn needle
Pipe cleaner

Abbreviations (US terms):
ch = chain stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
sc2tog = decrease ( single crochet 2 stiches together)
R = round
r = row
* to *= repeat instructions in between as many times as indicated
(number) = the amount of stitches you should have at the end of each round

Eye Circles (make 2)
Using yarn B,
R1: Ch 2, sc 6 in 2nd ch from hook (6)
R2: *2 sc in next sc*, repeat 6 times (12)
Fasten off, leaving a relatively long tail.

Head
Using yarn A,
R1: Ch 5, sc 3 starting from 2nd ch from hook (crochet only into one side of the “v” of the chain stitch), sc 4 in next ch, (you should be on the other side of the chain sitches now) sc 2, sc 3 in next ch (12)
In this round, you basically crochet a base chain, and crochet first on one side of the chain, then around to the other to form an oval. 
R2: *Sc 1, 2 sc in next sc*, repeat 6 times (18)
R3: *Sc 2, 2 sc in next sc*, repeat 6 times (24)
R4: *Sc 3, 2 sc in next sc*, repeat 6 times (30)
R5-9: Sc 30
R10: *Sc 3, sc2tog 1*, repeat 6 times (24)
R11: *Sc 2, sc2tog 1*, repeat 6 times (18)
Attach eyes and eye circles. To do this, simply stick the eye through the eye circle before you attach the eye to the head. Then sew the eye circles to the head using those yarn tails you left. Start stuffing the head, also.
R12: *Sc 1, sc2tog 1*, repeat 6 times (12)
Finish stuffing.
R13: * sc2tog 1*, repeat 6 times (6)
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Snout
Using yarn A,
R1: Ch 2, sc 4 in 2nd ch from hook.
R2: *2 sc in next sc*, repeat 4 times (8)
R3: Sc 8 in back loops only
R4-6: Sc 8
Stuff the snout. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Body
Using yarn A,
R1: Ch 2, sc 6 in 2nd ch from hook (6)
R2: *2 sc in next sc*, repeat 6 times (12)
R3: *Sc 1, 2 sc in next sc*, repeat 6 times (18)
R4-8: Sc 18
R9: *Sc 1, sc2tog 1*, repeat 6 times (12)
Start stuffing.
R10: *Sc 1, sc2tog *, repeat 4 times (8)
R11: Sc 8
Finish stuffing
R12: *Sc 2, sc2tog *, repeat 2 times (6)
R13-21: Sc 6
Before fastening off, insert the pipe cleaner into the tail. To do this, fold the pipe cleaner in half and trim it so your doubled-up pipe cleaner is slightly longer than the seahorse’s tail. Stick the pipe cleaner into the tail…you may have to wiggle it a bit for it to go all the way in.
Fasten off, and weave in ends.

Fin
Using yarn B,
r1: Ch 7
r2: Dc 1 in 4th ch from hook, 2 dc in next ch, 2 dc in next ch, dc
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Crest
Using yarn B,
r1: Ch 7
r2: Hdc 1 in 3nd ch from hook, sc 1, ch 3, sc 2 on the chain you just made, sc 2 on the base chain, ch 4, sc 3 on this new chain, sc 1 on the base chain.

Assembling the seahorse is pretty straightforward; sew the snout and crest to the head, sew the head to the body, and sew the fin to the body.

If you do make a seahorse from this pattern, please post pictures of your creation! I'd be happy to see that my pattern has spawned other seahorses. :)