How to use this pattern: This pattern is split into “Sections” depending on what kinds of traits you want your fish to have. Sections contain multiple versions of each trait, you should only use one version of each Section.
Click here for an explanation of stitch abbreviations
Section 1: Head
1. MC 6
(repeat Row 1 once for a pointier face)
2. incx6 (12)
3. 12sc (skip this row for a rounder head,
or repeat it for a pointier head)
4. (inc, 1sc)x6 (18)
5. 18sc (skip this row for a rounder head,
or repeat it for a pointier head)
6. (inc, 2sc)x6 (24)
Section 2: Eyes
1. 4sc, bobble stitch using eye color, 12sc main color, bobble stitch using eye color, 6sc
2-3. 24sc
Section 3: Fins
Choose a Fin Stitch below. When you get to that part, these stitches are all done in the single front loop of your current stitch.
Tiny: slp, ch3, dc, ch3, slph
Medium: slp, ch3, dc3, ch3, slp
Pointy: slp, ch3, dc, tp, ch3, slp in 1st ch, tp, dc, ch3, slp
Leaf: slp, ch5, slp into 3rd chain, dc2, ch3, slp into 1st ch, dc2, ch3, slp into 1st ch, ch2, slp
Round: slp, hdc, dc, tp, ch, tp, dc, hdc, slp
BIG: slp. 2ch. ch1 to turn into 1st stitch: (1sc, 1hdc) into 2nd stitch: (1dc, 1tp). Turn, ch5, sc into 3rd stitch, 1trp, dcinc, hdcinc, 1sc. 2slp down the side of fin to get back to the 1st row.
1. 4sc, inc, Fin, inc, 10sc, inc, Fin, inc, sc4 (28)
2. 5sc, dec behind the fin(insert hook into front loop of the stitch immediately before and after the fin, skipping the fin), sc12, dec (behind the fin the same way), sc5 (24)
Section 4: Body
1. 24sc
if you added a lot of extra rows to the face, repeat row 1 a few times too:
2. (dec, 6sc)x3 (21)
3. (dec, 5sc)x3 (18)
4. (dec, 4sc)x3 (15)
5. (dec, 3sc)x3 (12)
6-7. 12sc
Section 5: Dorsal Fin
Optional, this is a little difficult!
First, sc around or remove a few stitches so you are at the top of the body.
Ch1, then sc sideways down the top of previous stitches until you reach a row past the eyes (usually takes 11-13 stitches). Ch1 and turn
Version 1: Smooth
hdc across, slp into first sc of previous row
Version 2: Wavy
5sc, slp in 3rd ch. hdc inc, (tp, ch, hdc) across, slp into first sc of previous row
alt: replace (tp, ch, hdc) with (tp, ch, hdc, tp, ch, hdcinc). In other words, make every other hdc into a hdcinc.
Version 3: Pointy
5sc, slp in 3rd ch. hdc inc, ch3, slp into 1st chain (hdc, ch3, slp into 1st chain) repeat to the end, slp into first sc of previous row
alt: replace (hdc, ch3, slp into 1st chain) with (hdc, ch3, slp into 1st chain, hdc inc, ch3, slp into 1st chain). In other words, make every other hdc into a hdcinc. Makes it significantly wavier.
2nd alt: replace (hdc, ch3, slp into 1st chain) with (2hdc, ch3, slp into 1st chain). Looks a little smoother.
Version 4: Scallop
ch2, 3dc in one stitch, skip next stitch, slp, (skip next stitch, 5dc in one stitch, skip next stitch, slp) across
Section 6: Tail base
Stuff the body firmly
1. (inc, sc)x6 (18)
2. (inc, 2sc)x6 (24)
3. 24sc
If this row hasn’t ended on the edge of the tail, pull out or add a few sc.
4. Squish the tail together, ch1 and sc down the side using both loops of both sides (12)
Section 7: Tail edge
If you want a really big tail, do the Smooth version first, then add a further version on top of this. If you do this, the (X)x5 sections may need to be (X)x6 instead. If you did Large Fins, a bigger tail usually looks better.
Version 1: Smooth
1. hdc inc, 10hdc, hdc inc. Finish off
Version 2: Pointy
1. ch5, slp into the 3rd chain. hdc inc, ch3, slp into 1st chain. (2hdc, ch3, slp into 1st chain)x5, hdc inc, ch3, slp into 1st chain, slp into last stitch. Finish off
Version 3: Wavy
1. ch2 (dc, tp, ch) in the first stitch, (hdc, tp, ch)x5 across, (dc, tp, ch) in the last stitch, ch1, slp into last stitch
Version 4: Scalloped
Ch2, 4dc in one stitch, skip next stitch, slp, skip next stitch (6dc in one stitch, skip, slp, skip)x2, slp, skip, 3dc in one stitch, ch2, slp into current stitch
Tie off, hide tail. Congrats!
