Easy Shrimp Tempura crochet pattern (free PDF)

R1with golden: 6 sc in MR(6)
R2inc ×6(12)
R3(1 sc, inc) ×6(18)
R41 sc, (inc, 2 sc) ×5, inc, 1 sc(24)
R5(3 sc, inc) ×6(30)
R6–830 sc(30)
R97 sc in golden, 14 sc in dark gold, 9 sc in golden(30)
R1030 sc(30)
R11(8 sc, dec) ×3(27)
R126 sc in golden, 12 sc in dark gold, 9 sc in golden(27)
R1327 sc(27)
R144 sc, (dec, 7 sc) ×2, dec, 3 sc(24)
R155 sc in golden, 11 sc in dark gold, 8 sc in golden(24)
R1624 sc(24)
R17(6 sc, dec) ×3(21)
R184 sc in golden, 9 sc in dark gold, 8 sc in golden(21)
R1921 sc(21)
R203 sc, (dec, 5 sc) ×2, dec, 2 sc(18)
R213 sc in golden, 8 sc in dark gold, 7 sc in golden(18)
R2218 sc(18)
R23(4 sc, dec) ×3(15)
R24–2515 sc(15)
R262 sc, (dec, 3 sc) ×2, dec, 1 sc(12)
R2712 sc(12)
Size before assembly: about 4.1 cm at the widest, 9.4 cm long; 27 rounds. Multi-colour rounds are listed stitch by stitch from the round-start marker; keep the round start on the piece's centre top line (as it sits on the finished toy). The order is for right-handed crocheting (right to left on the outside); left-handed: reverse it.
Fasten off leaving a long tail (30–40 cm) for sewing. Stuff firmly just before sewing it on; a little less near the edge, then add a pinch when the seam is nearly done. Bend ≈ 175° around round 24. After stuffing, bend the piece so the inner side of the bend faces up on the finished toy (on the piece: in round 24, on the centre top line). It is a gradual bend: with the needle and matching yarn run a line of stitches along the inner side from round 20 to round 27, one stitch in every round along one column, then pull the yarn until the piece bends to the angle (the inner side gathers by about 7 rounds) and fasten off inside.

R1with red: 5 sc in MR(5)
R2inc ×4, 1 sc(9)
R3(2 sc, inc) ×3(12)
R4–712 sc(12)
R82 sc, dec, 4 sc, dec, 2 sc(10)
R9(dec ×2, 1 sc) ×2(6)
Of these: mid — 1; no. 2 — 1; no. 3 — 1. Size before assembly: about 1.6 cm at the widest, 3 cm long; 9 rounds.
→ Start stuffing (lightly) and keep adding as you decrease.
Press the piece flat to about 5 mm thick (oval cross-section). Top up the stuffing if needed. Fasten off leaving a 15 cm tail; with the needle weave it through the front loops of all 6 stitches of the last round, pull tight and hide the end inside.

R1with pink: 5 sc in MR(5)
R2inc ×5(10)
A flat circle about 1.4 cm across; 2 rounds.
Fasten off leaving a long tail (30–40 cm) for sewing. Do not stuff.

The whole face is embroidered. Order: the eyes (black satin), then the white glints over them, then the nose and mouth, blush last. Mark the centres with pins first and compare with the picture. Bring thread ends out where a sewn-on piece will cover them, or bury them in the stuffing.

Embroidery in black thread (on the shrimp), straight stitches through: (in round 5, 5.5 st from the centre top line, toward the front ) → (in round 6, 5.5 st from the centre top line, toward the front ) → (between rounds 6 and 7, 6 st from the centre top line, toward the front ) → (in round 7, 5.5 st from the centre top line, toward the front ) → (in round 8, 5.5 st from the centre top line, toward the front ).
Embroidery in black thread (on the shrimp), straight stitches through: (in round 11, 5 st from the centre top line, toward the front ) → (in round 12, 5 st from the centre top line, toward the front ) → (between rounds 12 and 13, 5 st from the centre top line, toward the front ) → (between rounds 13 and 14, 5 st from the centre top line, toward the front ) → (in round 14, 4.5 st from the centre top line, toward the front ).
Embroidery in black thread (on the shrimp), straight stitches through: (between rounds 8 and 9, 7 st from the centre top line, toward the front ) → (between rounds 9 and 10, 7 st from the centre top line, toward the front ) → (in round 10, 7.5 st from the centre top line, toward the front ) → (between rounds 10 and 11, 7 st from the centre top line, toward the front ) → (between rounds 11 and 12, 6.5 st from the centre top line, toward the front ).