We know that crochet is ‘it’ when it comes to making handmade toys and mini decor items, but knitting has always been my fave craft when I fancy making something cute, teeny and charming. I also really prefer the look of knitted toys because there’s something so special, traditional and rustic about knitted fabric. It evokes images of vintage handmade gifts and heirloom knick-knacks… I love it!
So, for this little Feesh Fish · Knitting Pattern, I really wanted to design something quick and easy to make for confident beginners and something satisfying for more advanced knitters to enjoy. These little fish – or FEESH! – require very little yarn, work well with every single composition, colour way and weight and are really, really addictive to make – if you’re a speedy knitter, you can make a ton of them in very little time. They can be used as toys (do see my notes about this if you’re planning on making them for small children) and look beautiful as decor items in a kitchen or bathroom, for example, especially if you’ve got a nautical theme going on. A whole bunch of them hanging together adds a really cool look to any room, especially if you match your yarn shades to your interior or add a pop of colour!
Table of Contents
They’re also a good way of using up scraps and practicing new techniques. Are you getting to grips with colour work and want a small-scale project to involve some fair isle goodness into? Have you just learned a new stitch? Do you have some fancy yarn that you’re not sure what to do with? Why not try involving those lovely things into some Feesh of your own and make a whole shoal of unique-looking peces (that’s Spanish for ‘fish’)!
By the way – if you’re a crocheter or just prefer crocheted toys – I feel you, they’re awesome – I also have a crocheted fish pattern here! Check out the FREE pattern for Shoreline Friends and get hooking!
| At A Glance: Knitted Project Intermediate | |
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| Materials & Tools |
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| Techniques | Cast on (co), knit (k), knit into front and back (kfb), bind off (bo), knitting in the round, invisible join. |
| Texture Note For the best results, use a brushed yarn or combine mohair with cotton or acrylic to achieve a fuzzy, modern aesthetic. | |
NOTES
IMPORTANT: Be careful when using safety eyes if you’re planning on giving your finished Feesh to a small child (under three). Although they are very reliable (and look very cool and fish-like) accidents can happen and it’s always best to embroider eyes onto items intended for gifting to young kids. You may also want to leave out the jute hanging cord.
The measurements of your finished Feesh will vary depending on the yarn you use, the thicker the yarn the bigger your finished item will be and vice-versa.
Knitting on a small scale can be a bit fiddly and takes some practice. Some might find the decrease section at the end of the pattern quite tricky. If this is the case, feel free to bind off your work after step 23. This may leave you with a more rounded face for the Feesh but is an option you can try if you’re getting frustrated.
The stitch pattern for the middle section of the Feesh (where you can involve different stitches or design techniques – see main ‘pattern ‘Method’ section) works on a multiple of two/four stitches, something to bear in mind for any stitch patterns you have in mind that require specific numbers of stitches (1×1 ribbing, for example).
Feesh Fish · Knitting Pattern
Feesh Body
- Cast On: CO 11 sts. Join invisibly, decreasing one st (10 sts total). Place marker for beginning of round (BOR).
- Round 1: Kfb, knit to last st, kfb (12 sts).
- Rounds 2–3: Knit all stitches.
- Round 4: Kfb, knit to last st, kfb (14 sts).
- Rounds 5–6: Knit all stitches.
- Round 7: Kfb, k1, knit to last st, kfb (16 sts).
- Rounds 8–20: Knit all stitches (13 rounds total, ending on Round 20).
- Decoration: At this point, you may introduce a different color, style of yarn, or Fair Isle technique to decorate the middle section. Otherwise, continue knitting plain.
- Round 21: [K2tog, k2] 4 times (12 sts).
- Rounds 22–23: Knit all stitches.
- Round 24: [K2tog] 6 times (6 sts).
- Round 25: [K2tog] 3 times (3 sts).
- Finish: Bind off all stitches, leaving a 30cm tail. Weave the tail through the bound-off stitches and pull tight to close. This is the front of your Feesh.
- Assembly: Attach safety eyes or embroider them on. Stuff the body lightly. Seam the tail end closed.
Making the Tail
- Preparation: Make a slipknot and cast on one more stitch (2 sts total).
- Knitting the parts: Knit four rows. Slide your work to the other end of the needle (do not bind off). Break the yarn.
- Repeat: Repeat steps 1 and 2 to create a second piece. You should now have 2 sts on two separate needles (4 stitches total).
- Joining: Reattach your yarn and knit across all four stitches.
- Finishing: Knit two more rows and bind off.
Alternatively, you can create a different type of tail by making a small attached tassel and attaching it to the end (instructions here) as shown in the blue and white striped Feesh. This gives your fish a really fancy look! You can also make another two tassels and attach them to either side of your fish to create fins.
Finishing Touches
Weave in all remaining loose ends.
The final step (optional) is to thread some jute twine onto a needle and thread it onto the face of the Feesh. This creates the hanging cord. Now you have finished and to make a dozen more!
If you loved this pattern, feel free to tag me on Instagram at @emmaknitty and use the hashtag #emmaknittyfeesh so I can check out and share your work! I’d also love to see any interesting colour combinations you come up with.
Have a lot of fun and enjoy!
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