A few years back, you may remember that I designed the viral fish pattern for my knitted Feesh? I absolutely love knitted toys, even more than crocheted ones, but I thought it was about time that I brought that design back and made it crocheted. Today, I am so proud to share with you my latest pattern for the Shoreline Friends!
These crochet fish actually helped me beat my fear of amigurumi for years and years. I was always a little bit scared to make amigurumi because every single time I tried, it looked hella wonky and weird! Luckily, my daughter really, really loves wonky-looking things, so she collected them with pleasure, but in terms of ever releasing a pattern, I thought, “Yeah, this is never going to happen.”
However, I set myself a challenge for this summer: it was going to be the summer that I finally got to grips with amigurumi. A few weeks back, I was sitting in front of the TV after work and decided I was going to redesign and make that crocheted fish idea. And here we are! I am so happy with how they have turned out.
I based them on sardines. I chose not to add any side fins, but I am really, really pleased with how the tail turned out; it is such a simple technique! This is such an amazing pattern for using up scrap yarn, too. Any yarn will do for this. You can keep it clean with cotton like I did, or use mercerized cotton for a shiny look, or even a more rustic matte cotton. Whichever you use, it will look absolutely fantastic!
Why not choose to embellish them with sequins? You will end up with a gorgeous shoal of your own fish. You can even play around with weights! By using this pattern with extra bulky yarn and an appropriately sized crochet hook, you can make an even bigger fish. Let your imagination go wild!
Things That You Will Love About This Pattern
Scrap-Busting Supreme You will love how much yarn these little fish eat! Whether you use cotton yarn, velvet, acrylic, wool, or something fancy, fluffy, and fuzzy, you are going to get a great result.
Super Easy for Beginners This pattern is perfect for beginner crochet as it uses only simple increases and decreases. This small project is a great way to practice those specific stitches.
Satisfying and Fun Small projects equal instant gratification. Even if you are a slow or beginner crocheter, you will be able to crochet up a whole shoal of these in a couple of hours.
Great for Gifts These are a really cool way of adding fun to any gift. Give them as part of a housewarming present, or you can even use them as unique gift tags for an unexpected surprise.
Versatile You could also use them as a cat toy by putting stuffing and catnip inside, but do make sure that you are crocheting tightly to avoid any accidents.
Eat through your yarn scraps and create something truly adorable with my new Shoreline Friends · Free Crochet Fish Pattern! This beginner-friendly crochet project is designed to be approachable for those just starting out, while still being a fun, fast, and exciting make for experienced crocheters.
These little fish are perfect for brightening up any space; try hanging a few in your kitchen for a coastal touch, making a custom toy for your favorite cat, or gifting them to a special little one in your life. Whether you are using up bits of cotton, wool, or fuzzy yarn, you are going to fall in love with how quickly these come together. Ready to crochet your own shoal? Let’s get started!
| At A Glance: Shoreline Friends Beginner Friendly | |
|---|---|
| Tools & Materials |
Tools: 3.0 mm (US C-2/D-3) crochet hook, scissors, yarn needle, fiberfill stuffing. Yarn: DK weight yarn, (14-30 yards). For this pattern I used scraps of Rico Design Ricorumi DK and brandless yarn. Extras: Hanging cord (e.g., jute cord), sequins, small buttons…(optional). |
| Skills & Abbreviations |
Stitches (US TERMS): Chain stitch (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc). Techniques: Increase (inc), decrease (dec). |
Emma’s Designer Tips
Tight Stitches are Key: Crochet up as tightly as possible to ensure your stitches are nice and even. I recommend moving half a hook size down from what your yarn label suggests; using a smaller hook helps avoid any unwanted gaps or holes in your finished fish.
Play with Color: This is a great way to experiment with your stash! You can keep the colors complementary and matching, or go crazy with variegated yarns – getting creative with your color combinations is half the fun.
No Blocking Required: These little fish hold their shape very well on their own, so there is no need to block them. This makes them an incredibly quick and satisfying make.
Safety First for Toys: If you are making these as cat toys, remember to stuff them firmly with catnip and ensure your tension is extra tight to avoid any accidents during playtime.
Embellishment Ideas: Since these are small, they are perfect for practicing your finishing touches. Add a small button for an eye or use embroidery thread to add unique details that give each fish a different personality.
Shoreline Friends · Free Crochet Fish Pattern: Pattern Instructions
Foundation: Begin with a magic ring or loop. Chain 2 and work 4 single crochet (sc) stitches into the ring (4 total stitches).
Round 2: 1 sc, increase (inc) twice (6 total stitches).
Round 3: 2 sc, inc twice (8 total stitches).
Round 4: 1 sc, inc 4 times (12 total stitches).
Round 5: 2 sc, inc 4 times (16 total stitches).
Body: Work 1 sc in every stitch. Continue this step until the fish reaches your desired length.
Eye Placement: After Round 5, add eyes between rows 4 and 5, approximately 4 to 5 stitches apart. To assist with accurate placement, insert a length of scrap yarn through one side of the head, pulling it through to the exact opposite side, and leave this yarn in place as a guide. After you’ve placed and secured the eyes, remive this strand of yarn.
Closing: Once the body is at your preferred length, work 2 sc, decrease (dec) 4 times (leaving you with 12 total stitches). Break your yarn, stuff the fish very lightly, and sew the end of the fish closed.
Tail Fins: Starting at the furthest side of the closed-off end of the fish, chain 5. Into the second chain, work 1 slip stitch (sl st), followed by 1 single crochet (sc), 1 half double crochet (hdc), and 1 double crochet (dc). Slip stitch this triangle into the center of the fish’s body. (Do not worry about being perfectly accurate with this placement). Repeat this process for the second fin and slip stitch into the final stitch at the end of the body to complete your tail.
Ready to start your own shoal? Whether you are looking to clear out your yarn stash, create a thoughtful handmade gift, or just enjoy a relaxing, meditative crochet session, I would love to see what you create! Don’t forget to share your finished fish on social media and tag me, it makes my day to see your unique color combinations and creative touches. Happy hooking, and may your basket of scraps finally be put to good use!
Happy crafting!
Leave a Reply