This is a beginner level crochet pattern. It is written in US terminology and uses metric measurements. There are detailed pictures and explanations to help walk you through all of the steps to make this pattern. Note: You may have to zoom in on the pictures to see the details up close. Pattern includes instructions for two different head positions for the manatee.

This is a relatively small amigurumi manatee, ranging from 13-18cm from head to tail, depending on tension and type of yarn you use. Specifications for both DK and worsted weight yarn are included in the pattern. It is recommended to use a 2.5mm crochet hook for DK weight yarn, and a 4mm crochet hook for worsted weight yarn. Doll safety eyes are necessary for this pattern: 6mm for DK yarn manatee and 8mm for worsted weight yarn manatee. You should need about 30g of yarn and 20g of stuffing to complete a manatee using DK weight yarn, and you should need about 50g of yarn and 35g of stuffing to complete a manatee using worsted weight yarn. You will also need less than a gram of any kind of black or dark grey yarn to sew the markings for the nostrils and mouth of the manatee.

You should be familiar with the following stitches and skills for this pattern:
Single crochet, single crochet increases, invisible single crochet decreases, chain stitches, making a magic ring, working in the round, keeping track of rows and stitches, use of a whip stitch to sew pieces together, identifying between the front and back loops of a stitch and securing loose ends once pieces are sewn on.

Note: Gauge is not terribly important in amigurumi. However, if you wish to match my tension, crochet a swatch of 5 rows and measure the diameter. Use the following pattern for the swatch:
R1: 6sc into a mr 6
R2: (sc, sc-inc)x6 12
R3: (2sc, sc-inc)x6 18
R4: (3sc, sc-inc)x6 24
R5: (4sc, sc-inc)x6 30
Swatch for DK yarn measured 3.8cm in diameter.
Swatch for Worsted Weight yarn measured 5.3cm in diameter.
If your swatch measures the same as mine, our tensions match. Frog the swatch and continue with the pattern. If yours is bigger, repeat R1-5 with a smaller hook (go down half or one hook size) than the one specified for your yarn, and compare the sizes again. If yours is smaller, make another swatch using a larger hook (go up half or one hook size) than the one specified for your yarn, and compare the sizes again. Do not try to stitch tighter or looser to match my tension, as you will naturally revert back to your usual tension as you continue to crochet. However, it is not crucial or super important that our tensions match for this pattern.