Free Manta Ray Knitting Pattern - Cute & Beginner Friendly

Eva Chum
7 hours ago
3 min read

Celebrate a season of love with this sweet and simple free manta ray knitting pattern! Perfect for beginners, this project can be transformed into a keychain, a soft toy, or a small handmade gift for someone special. Its gentle curves and charming design make it an ideal cozy craft for Valentine’s month or any time you want to create something heartfelt.

Skill Level

Beginner

Techniques

Long tail cast-on
Increase and decrease stitches
Slip stitch
Mattress stitch

Finished Size

8 cm / 3 in

Needles

US 2 (3.00 mm)

Gauge

28 sts x 35 rows = 4 x 4 in / 10 x 10 cm

Notions

A tapestry needle

Yarn

Drops Baby Merino Wool - 100% Wool (50 g/ 175 m/ 191 yds)

Yarn Amount

Color A: 2 g

Color B: 2 g

Other Materials

Toy stuffing
Extra yarn or embroidery floss for the face

Abbreviations

CO	cast on	k2tog	knit 2 stitches together
rnd(s)	round(s)	ssk	slip, slip, and knit
st(s)	stitch(es)	k	knit
RS	right side	p	purl
WS	wrong side	RLI	right-lifted increase
sl1p	slip 1 stitch purlwise	LLI	left-lifted increase
wyif	with yarn in font	m1L	make 1 left increase
wyib	with yarn in back	m1R	make 1 right increase

Note

This manta ray is knit flat in two identical parts: the upper side and the lower side, each in a different color. After knitting, sew the pieces together using the mattress stitch technique, then finish by embroidering its cute face. Simple, fun, and satisfying!

Free Manta Ray Knitting Pattern

With color A, long tail CO 3.

Row 1 - 17: Starting from the WS, knit 17 rows of stockinette stitches, ending with a purl row.

Row 18(RS): k1, m1L, k1, m1R, k1 (5 sts)

Row 19: purl

Row 20: k1, m1L, k3, m1R, k1 (7 sts)

Row 21: purl

Row 22: k1, m1L, k1, m1L, k3, m1R, k1, m1R, k1 (11 sts)

Row 23: purl

Row 24: k1, m1L, k2, m1L, k5, m1R, k2, m1R, k1 (15 sts)

Row 25: purl

Row 26: k1, m1L, k3, m1L, k7, m1R, k3, m1R, k1 (19 sts)

Row 27: purl

Row 28: k1, m1L, k4, m1L, k9, m1R, k4, m1R, k1 (23 sts)

Row 29: purl

Row 30: k1, m1L, k21, m1R, k1 (25 sts)

Row 31: purl

Row 32: knit

Row 33: purl

Row 34: k2, k2tog, k17, ssk, k2 (23 sts)

Row 35: purl

Row 36: k2, k2tog, k15, ssk, k2 (21 sts)

Row 37: BO7 purlwise, purl until the end (14 sts)

Row 38: BO7 knitwise, knit until the end (7 sts)

Row 39: p1, RLI, p7, LLI, p1 (9 sts)

Row 40: k3, sl3p wyib, k3

Row 41: p3, sl3p wyif, p3

Row 42: k3, sl3p wyib, k3

BO9 purlwise.

Repeat the same process for the lower side - color B.

Finishing

First, sew the two parts together using the mattress stitch, starting from the top of the head. Take care not to twist the pieces as you join them. Before completely closing the seam, add a little stuffing in the center of the body for a soft, plump shape. Make sure the seam is neat and tidy for a clean, professional finish. This can take a bit of time.

Finally, use a different color of yarn or embroidery floss to add the manta ray’s face. Make two French knots for the eyes (I wrapped the yarn three times for each knot), then bring the yarn down to create a small smile and the gills. Finish by weaving in all loose ends inside the body to secure them neatly.