Meet Coralia: My Rainbow Medusa Who's All Cuddles, No Curses!

A Free Amigurumi Pattern for a Mythical Friend with a Colorful Twist.

There’s something about myths that’s always pulled me in. But let's be honest, Medusa gets a pretty bad rap, right? All stone gazes and scaly skin. I found myself wondering... what if she was just misunderstood? What if her 'snakes' were actually a cascade of joyful, colorful curls? That little thought sent me diving into my yarn basket, and after a few days of happy hooking, Coralia was born! She’s a soft, squishy, and incredibly vibrant friend who’s guaranteed to bring a splash of color to your day. Her tentacles are an absolute blast to make, each one a perfect little spiral. She reminds me a bit of the gentle spirit of other sea creatures I've made, like my pattern for Shelly the Serene Turtle. I just know you're going to love her as much as I do.

A Kinder Myth

The idea for Coralia came to me on a rainy afternoon. I was looking through a book of Greek myths with my niece, and she pointed at a drawing of Medusa and said she looked 'sad and spiky.' It stuck with me. I wanted to create a version of this powerful female figure that was approachable, bright, and full of life instead of fear. I imagined her floating peacefully in the sea, her colorful tentacles dancing around her. It became a personal challenge: to turn a 'monster' into a total sweetheart using just my hook and some yarn. Every stitch felt like I was rewriting her story into something much kinder.

Let's Talk Yarn & Tools

This project is a celebration of color! Don't be shy—dig out your brightest and most cheerful yarn scraps. I used worsted weight because it gives a nice, sturdy shape without being too stiff. The key to perfect amigurumi, I think, is a slightly smaller hook than the yarn calls for. That's why I swear by my 3.25mm hook; it creates tight stitches so none of the fluffy stuffing can peek through. It's the same technique I used to get the vibrant, solid colors on my Frida Kahlo amigurumi doll. So, grab your favorite colors and let's get started!

Assembly

1. Take one of the tentacles and use the long tail you left to sew it onto the base of the body.
2. You'll be sewing into the front loops that were left exposed from Rnd 17.
3. Arrange the tentacles evenly around the base. I like to pin them in place first to make sure I like the color distribution before I start sewing.
4. Once all tentacles are securely attached, weave in all the ends to hide them inside the body.
5. Optional: Using a strand of black embroidery floss, stitch a small, simple smile between the eyes.

Pro Tips

• Don't skip the stitch marker! It's your best friend when working in continuous rounds. Trust me, it saves so many headaches.
• Stuff as you go! It's much easier to get a nice, even shape if you add fiberfill before the opening gets too small.
• When you create the tentacles, pull your stitches a little tight. This will help them hold their spiral shape really well over time.
• If you're new to amigurumi, this is a great project to practice your skills! For an even simpler start, you might enjoy making my little friend Rosso the Tomato, who is perfect for beginners.

About the Author

Clara Miliano is a lifelong crafter who believes every ball of yarn holds a story waiting to be told. She finds joy in creating whimsical amigurumi patterns that bring a little bit of magic into the everyday.