Shark Bookends Crochet Pattern
Use this Shark Bookends crochet pattern and create these fierce and friendly shark bookends. Perfect for adding a touch of nautical charm to any bookshelf, these bookends are both functional and decorative.
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This pattern is part of the 2024 Crochet Shark Week Event!
The design features realistic shark details, including dorsal fins, gills, and a toothy grin, making it a perfect project for sea life enthusiasts and crochet lovers alike.
About the Crochet Shark Bookends Pattern
This easy-to-follow crochet pattern for shark bookends helps you create an adorable shark duo that looks like it’s swimming through your bookshelf. One side shows the front of the shark (toothy grin and all), and the other shows the tail—because what’s more fun than a shark swimming through your books?
The pattern uses simple stitches, so even adventurous beginners can give it a go. You’ll be working in the round and adding just enough detail to bring your sharks to life without any complicated shaping.
Why You’ll Love The Shark Bookends Pattern
- Unique and playful design
- Great stash-buster project
- Ideal for gifting or home decor
- Kid-approved and bookshelf-friendly
- Includes full written instructions and assembly tips
Whether you’re making these for yourself or as a gift, the Shark Bookends crochet pattern is sure to bring a splash of creativity and fun to any space. Grab your crochet hook and yarn, and get ready to embark on a crafty adventure under the sea!
How are the Shark Bookends Customizable?
The best part about crocheting your own sharks is that you can completely customize their color! If you’re more into whimsical decor, maybe you prefer a blue or yellow shark? Do you want them with shine? Choose a sparkly yarn or one with sheen!
You can also adjust the size of these shark bookends by changing the hook and yarn size and following the instructions as written. You could make them smaller by using a thinner yarn and smaller hook, like a DK weight and an F/3.75mm hook, or make them larger with a bulky weight yarn and a J/6.00mm hook.
How to get the Shark Bookends Crochet Pattern:
Shark Bookends
Crochet Pattern
Option 1: Continue scrolling for free pattern instructions on this site
Option 2: Purchase the ad-free PDF that includes tutorial photos from one of my shops
Option 3: Purchase the “15 Shark Crochet Patterns” ebook.
About the Yarn
The Shark Bookends were made using 100% Acrylic Worsted Weight Yarn, but any fiber worsted weight yarn can be used! Cotton yarns in particular have a cleaner matte finish, which would be adorable.
The Crochet Pattern
Keep reading for a list of what you need to make the Crochet Shark Bookends, including the stitch pattern instructions!
Materials
Worsted Weight Yarn (#4)
- Gray (Skin Color) [160yds]
- White (Belly/Teeth) [125yds]
- Red/Pink (Gums) [10yds]
Gauge
Gauge is not critical for this project
Finished Measurements
Head: Approx. 5”L x 13”D
Body: Approx. 6”L x 13”D
Stitch Guide
arnd = around
BLO = back loop only
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
sl st(s) = slip stitch(es)
st(s) = stitch(es)
Skill Level
Easy
Written in U.S. Terms
Notes
- Beginning chains do not count as stitches.
- Where asterisks appear, repeat the instructions between them.
- Tutorial photos are at the end of the pattern.
Instructions
HEAD
With Gray,
R1. Magic Ring, 6 sc in ring, sl st to join, turn (6)
R2. Ch 1, 2 sc in each st arnd, sl st to join, turn (12)
R3. Ch 1, sc arnd, sl st to join, turn (12)
R4. With Gray: *2 sc, sc* 4X, With White: *2 sc, sc* 2X, sl st to join, turn (18)
R5. With White: sc x 6, With Gray: sc x 12, sl st to join, turn (18)
R6. With Gray: *2 sc, sc x 2* 4X, With White: *2 sc, sc x 2* 2X, sl st to join, turn (24)
R7. With White: sc x 8, With Gray: sc x 16, sl st to join, turn (24)
R8. With Gray: *2 sc, sc x 3* 4X, With White: *2 sc, sc x 3* 2X, sl st to join, turn (30)
R9. With White: sc x 10, With Gray: sc x 20, sl st to join, turn (30)
R10. With Gray: *2 sc, sc x 4* 4X, With White: *2 sc, sc x 4* 2X, sl st to join, turn (36)
R11. With White: sc x 12, With Gray: sc x 24, sl st to join, turn (36)
R12. With Gray: sc x 24, With White: sc x 12, sl st to join, turn (36)
R13-22. Repeat R11&12.
Insert safety eyes between R11&12, 3 sts up from the white, then add stuffing.
With White,
R23. BLO *dec, sc x 4* arnd (30)
R24. *dec, sc x 3* arnd (24)
R25. *dec, sc x 2* arnd (18)
R26. *dec, sc* arnd (12)
R27. dec arnd (6); weave tail through stitches and pull tight to close.
BODY
With Gray,
R1. Magic Ring, 6 sc in ring, sl st to join, turn (6)
R2. Ch 1, sc arnd, sl st to join, turn (6)
R3. Ch 1, 2 sc in each st arnd, sl st to join, turn (12)
R4. Ch 1, sc arnd, sl st to join, turn (12)
R5. With Gray: *2 sc, sc* 4X, With White: *2 sc, sc* 2X, sl st to join, turn (18)
R6. With White: sc x 6, With Gray: sc x 12, sl st to join, turn (18)
R7. With Gray: *2 sc, sc x 2* 4X, With White: *2 sc, sc x 2* 2X, sl st to join, turn (24)
R8. With White: sc x 8, With Gray: sc x 16, sl st to join, turn (24)
R9. With Gray: *2 sc, sc x 3* 4X, With White: *2 sc, sc x 3* 2X, sl st to join, turn (30)
R10. With White: sc x 10, With Gray: sc x 20, sl st to join, turn (30)
R11. With Gray: *2 sc, sc x 4* 4X, With White: *2 sc, sc x 4* 2X, sl st to join, turn (36)
R12. With White: sc x 12, With Gray: sc x 24, sl st to join, turn (36)
R13. With Gray: sc x 24, With White: sc x 12, sl st to join, turn (36)
R14-25. Repeat R12&13.
Add stuffing
With White,
R26. BLO *dec, sc x 4* arnd (30)
R27. *dec, sc x 3* arnd (24)
R28. *dec, sc x 2* arnd (18)
R29. *dec, sc* arnd (12)
R30. dec arnd (6); weave tail through stitches and pull tight to close.
DORSAL FIN
With Gray,
R1. Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, turn (4)
R2. Ch 1, sc across, turn (4)
R3. Ch 1, sc x 2, dec, turn (3)
R4. Ch 1, dec, sc, turn (2)
R5. Ch 1, dec; Fasten. (1)
PECTORAL FINS (Make 2)
With Gray,
R1. Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, turn (4)
R2-3. Ch 1, sc across, turn (4)
R4. Ch 1, sc x 2, dec, turn (3)
R5-6. Ch 1, sc across, turn (3)
R7. Ch 1, dec, sc, turn (2)
R8. Ch 1, sc across, turn (2)
R9. Ch 1, dec; Fasten. (1)
SECOND DORSAL FIN & ANAL FIN (Make one white, one gray)
R1. Ch 3, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, turn (2)
R2. Ch 1, dec; Fasten. (1)
PELVIC FIN
With White,
R1. Ch 4, sc in back bump of 2nd ch and each ch across, turn (3)
R2. Ch 1, dec, sc, turn (2)
R3. Ch 1, dec; Fasten. (1)
TOP TAIL FIN
With Gray,
R1. Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, turn (4)
R2-4. Ch 1, sc across, turn (4)
R5. Ch 1, sc x 2, dec, turn (3)
R6-9. Ch 1, sc across, turn (3)
R10. Ch 1, dec, sc, turn (2)
R11. Ch 1, dec; Fasten. (1)
BOTTOM TAIL FIN
With Gray,
R1. Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, turn (4)
R2. Ch 1, sc across, turn (4)
R3. Ch 1, sc x 2, dec, turn (3)
R4. Ch 1, sc across, turn (3)
R5. Ch 1, dec, sc, turn (2)
R6. Ch 1, dec; Fasten. (1)
GUMS
With Red or Pink,
Ch 15; Fasten.
TEETH
With White,
Ch 15, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, *sl st x 3, ch 2, sl st in same space as ch* across, sl st in last ch; Fasten.
Finishing
- Stitch gills onto head between R19&20, R20&21, and R21&22, two stitches over white and two stitches over gray.
- Attach gums along the chain of teeth, then attach it to bottom of head; center of gums to center of R6 and bringing ends down to R11.
- Attach pectoral fins R1 over R22-25 of body, 4 sts up from the white.
- Attach dorsal fin R1 to top center of body over R17-21.
- Attach second dorsal fin R1 (gray) to top center of body over R8-10.
- Attach pelvic fin R1 to bottom center of body over R10-12.
- Attach anal fin R1 to bottom center of body over R6-7.
- Attach top tail fin R1 to top center of body over R1-4.
- Attach bottom tail fin R1 to bottom center of body over R1-4.
- Find exact center of both bookends and hot glue shark head/body with R1 on center of bookend.
- Hide all strings.
And that’s the Shark Bookends Crochet Pattern!
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Written pattern and photographs © 2024 Sonya Blackstone of Blackstone Designs. Do not sell, share, or modify this pattern, but instead share the link to where the pattern can be found. You may sell items you make with this pattern. This pattern, as with all Blackstone Designs/Sonya Blackstone patterns, are not for educational use without written permission from the designer. All rights reserved.
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