Crochet Fish Pattern (Free Amigurumi)

A crochet fish is one of the sweetest little amigurumi projects you can make. A round body, a fluttery tail fin, and a friendly smiling face, all in a plush you can finish in an evening. This free crochet fish pattern walks you through every part, from the round body to the tiny fins and the cheerful face.

This is an original Little Loop Finds design, written in US terms and completely free. The fish is a classic amigurumi plush, worked in the round from the nose to the tail, with separate fins, a tail fin, and a face sewn on at the end. If you can crochet a magic ring, a single crochet increase, and a decrease, you can crochet this fish.

A quick note on scope: this post is about one specific fish amigurumi plush, a small round toy fish with a tail fin and a friendly face. It is not a dolphin, and it is not a crab. If you want a dolphin, our free crochet dolphin pattern is a separate pattern with a long snout and a curved body. If you want a crab, our crab crochet pattern free is a separate pattern with claws and legs. This fish stands on its own as a simple, cute, beginner friendly plush.

Key Takeaways

• Free original pattern: this crochet fish pattern is a Little Loop Finds original amigurumi design, written in US terms, and completely free.
• A classic fish plush: a round body, a tail fin, side fins, and a friendly face, with a stitch count at the end of every round.
• Beginner friendly amigurumi: simple single crochet shaping, with the fins, tail, and face explained step by step.
• Quick evening project: one fish takes about 2 hours, and it uses about 120 yards of worsted weight yarn.
• Endlessly giftable: make it in orange, coral pink, blue, or yellow for baby showers, nurseries, birthdays, and ocean themed rooms.

Table of Contents

• Why You Will Love This Crochet Fish
• Finished Size, Skill Level, and Time
• Materials You Need
• Abbreviations (US Terms)
• Gauge and Sizing Notes
• Part 1: The Fish Body
• Part 2: Tail Fin and Side Fins
• Part 3: Face and Assembly
• Variations: Colors, Sizes, and Uses
• Troubleshooting Fish That Lean or Wobble
• Care Instructions
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why You Will Love This Crochet Fish

There is something about a little fish that makes people smile. Maybe it is the round body, or the way a tiny plush fish looks cheerful and calm at the same time. A crochet fish sits on a nursery shelf, swims in a gift basket, or waits on a desk, and it always gets picked up and hugged. It looks impressive and takes only an evening, which makes it a perfect gift when you need something handmade in a hurry.

A crochet fish is also a wonderful way to learn amigurumi. The body teaches you increases and decreases in the round, the tail fin teaches flat shaping, and the face teaches eye placement and a stitched smile. Every round ends with a stitch count, and the fish is forgiving.

Finished Size, Skill Level, and Time

• Finished size: about 6 inches long and 4 inches tall after stuffing, in worsted weight yarn, not counting the tail fin. The tail adds about 2 inches to the length. The pattern also gives notes for a small 4 inch version and a large 9 inch version.
• Skill level: Easy. You need a magic ring, chains, slip stitches, single crochet, increases, and invisible decreases.
• Time: about 2 hours per fish: roughly 1 hour for the body, 30 minutes for the fins and tail, and 30 minutes for the face and assembly.

Materials You Need

Worsted weight yarn is the best choice for a fish amigurumi because it works up quickly, the stitches hold the stuffing inside, and the finished fish is soft but firm. A smooth acrylic or cotton blend works well and washes easily. Avoid fuzzy yarns, because they hide the shaping.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• inc = increase, 2 sc in the same stitch
• dec = decrease, single crochet 2 stitches together
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd(s) = round(s)
• rep = repeat
• MR = magic ring

Gauge and Sizing Notes

Gauge for an amigurumi fish is about keeping the stuffing inside, not about hitting an exact number. Work the first 4 rounds of the body and look at the fabric. You should not be able to see through the stitches, and the fabric should feel firm, not loose and holey. If you can see daylight through your stitches, go down a hook size. If the fabric is stiff and hard to work, go up a hook size. A quick check at round 4 saves you from a fish that leaks stuffing.

To make a smaller fish, use DK weight yarn with a 4.0 mm hook and 8 mm safety eyes for a piece about 4 inches long. To make a larger fish, use bulky weight yarn with a 6.5 mm hook and 12 mm safety eyes for a piece about 9 inches long. The stitch counts stay the same.

Part 1: The Fish Body

The body is worked in the round from the nose to the tail, starting with a magic ring and increasing out to the widest part, then working even for several rounds before decreasing to close the tail end. Work in a continuous spiral and use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of every round.

Body

With the body color, MR, ch 1.

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6 sc)
• Rnd 2: inc in each st around. (12 sc)
• Rnd 3: (sc in next st, inc in next st) rep 6 times. (18 sc)
• Rnd 4: (sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st) rep 6 times. (24 sc)
• Rnd 5: (sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st) rep 6 times. (30 sc)
• Rnd 6: (sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st) rep 6 times. (36 sc)
• Rnd 7-12: sc in each st around. (36 sc)

The body should now look like a rounded tube about 3 inches long, with a rounded nose at the front.

• Rnd 13: (sc in next 4 sts, dec) rep 6 times. (30 sc)
• Rnd 14: sc in each st around. (30 sc)
• Rnd 15: (sc in next 3 sts, dec) rep 6 times. (24 sc)
• Rnd 16: sc in each st around. (24 sc)
• Rnd 17: (sc in next 2 sts, dec) rep 6 times. (18 sc)
• Rnd 18: (sc in next st, dec) rep 6 times. (12 sc)

• Rnd 19: dec 6 times. (6 sc)
• Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Weave the tail through the front loops of the last 6 stitches, pull it tight to close the hole, and weave in the end.

Your finished body should be about 6 inches long and 4 inches tall, with a round nose and a gently tapered tail end. The tail fin will cover the closed end, so a small pucker there is fine.

Belly Patch

The belly patch is a flat oval in cream, sewn onto the underside of the body. It gives the fish its classic two tone look, and it makes the fish look finished from every angle.

With cream yarn, ch 7.

• Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, sc in each ch across, turn. (6 sc)
• Row 2: ch 1, inc in the first st, sc in next 4 sts, inc in the last st, turn. (8 sc)
• Row 3: ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (8 sc)
• Row 4: ch 1, inc in the first st, sc in next 6 sts, inc in the last st, turn. (10 sc)
• Rows 5-9: ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (10 sc)
• Row 10: ch 1, dec, sc in next 6 sts, dec, turn. (8 sc)
• Row 11: ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (8 sc)
• Row 12: ch 1, dec, sc in next 4 sts, dec, turn. (6 sc)
• Row 13: ch 1, sc in each st across. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. (6 sc)

The belly patch should be about 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. Set it aside until assembly. !Close-up of a handmade crochet amigurumi fish face with big black safety eyes, a small stitched smile and orange yarn scales

Part 2: Tail Fin and Side Fins

The tail fin is worked in two parts that join at the base, the side fins are small flat triangles worked in rows, and the top fin is a small half circle. Make one tail, two side fins, and one top fin, and keep the tails long for sewing.

Tail Fin (make 2 halves, then join)

With the tail color, ch 7.

• Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, sc in each ch across, turn. (6 sc)
• Row 2: ch 1, inc in the first st, sc in next 4 sts, inc in the last st, turn. (8 sc)
• Rows 3-4: ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (8 sc)
• Row 5: ch 1, dec, sc in next 4 sts, dec, turn. (6 sc)
• Row 6: ch 1, dec, sc in next 2 sts, dec, turn. (4 sc)
• Row 7: ch 1, dec 2 times. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. (2 sc)

Make a second half the same way. Hold the two halves together with the pointed ends facing outward, like a fan, and sew the two narrow ends together for about 1 inch. The finished tail should look like a wide V, about 3 inches across and 2 inches tall. Sew the joined base onto the tail end of the body, centered, with the V pointing backward.

Side Fins (make 2)

With the tail color, ch 5.

• Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, sc in each ch across, turn. (4 sc)
• Row 2: ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (4 sc)
• Row 3: ch 1, dec, dec, turn. (2 sc)
• Row 4: ch 1, dec. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. (1 sc)

Each side fin is a small triangle about 1 inch long, sewn onto the lower sides of the body, one on each side, with the point facing down and back. Pin both fins first and check that they sit at the same height before you sew.

Top Fin

With the body color, ch 6.

• Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, sc in each ch across, turn. (5 sc)
• Row 2: ch 1, sc in the first st, hdc in the next 3 sts, sc in the last st, turn. (5 sts)
• Row 3: ch 1, dec, hdc in the next st, dec. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. (3 sts)

The top fin is a small half circle about 1.5 inches wide, sewn onto the top of the body near the middle, with the curved edge facing up. It gives the fish its classic silhouette, so do not skip it, even though it is small.

Part 3: Face and Assembly

Assembly is where the fish comes to life. Pin every part in place before you sew anything, then step back and check that the eyes sit level and the fins sit at the same height. Moving a pin is easy, but moving a sewn seam is not.

Eyes

Push the two 10 mm safety eyes through the front of the body, about 1 inch apart and about 1 inch back from the nose, with the washers fastened firmly on the inside. If you are making this fish for a baby under three, skip the safety eyes and embroider two black circles with yarn instead. Safety eyes are safe when installed correctly, but no toy is chew proof, and embroidered eyes are the safer choice for very young children.

Smile

With black embroidery floss and a tapestry needle, stitch a small curved smile below and between the eyes, about half an inch wide. Use two or three short stitches to make the curve, and keep the stitches even. Add two tiny pink cheeks with yarn if you like, one small circle of pink yarn on each side of the smile, sewn on with a few stitches. The smile is the part that makes people pick the fish up, so take your time with it.

Assembly

Pin the belly patch to the underside of the body, centered, and sew it on with a whip stitch, taking care to keep the stitches even and close to the edge. Pin the tail fin to the tail end of the body, sew it on firmly, and check that it sits straight. Sew on the side fins and the top fin, weave in all ends, and your fish is done. Give the fish a gentle squeeze to settle the stuffing, and fluff the tail fin with your fingers so it fans out nicely.

Variations: Colors, Sizes, and Uses

• Rainbow school: make three or four fish in different colors, orange, pink, blue, and yellow, and display them together on a shelf. Our crochet shark pattern adds a bigger friend to the same ocean shelf.
• Fish mobile: make three small fish in DK weight yarn and hang them from a wooden ring with yarn, for a baby mobile. Our jellyfish crochet pattern is another gentle mobile piece in the same style.

If you enjoyed the shaping in this fish, try another sea creature next.

Troubleshooting Fish That Lean or Wobble

• My fish leans to one side. The stuffing is uneven. Add more fiberfill to the nose, pushing it in with the end of your hook.
• My fish looks flat instead of round. The body was under stuffed, or the decreases pulled too tight. Add more fiberfill and ease the stitches with your fingers until the body feels round and firm.
• My eyes are not level. The eyes were fastened before they were checked. Always place both eyes first, step back, and check them from the front before you snap the washers on. A ruler laid across the top of the eyes helps.
• My stuffing shows through the stitches. Your stitches are too loose for the yarn. Go down a hook size on the next fish, and use a slightly denser fiberfill so it does not poke through the gaps.

Care Instructions

Hand wash a crochet fish gently in cool water with a tiny amount of mild soap, squeeze gently without wringing, and lay it flat to dry so the fish keeps its shape. If the yarn label says machine washable, use a gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag, and lay the fish flat to dry. Do not put an amigurumi fish in the dryer on high heat, because the fiberfill can clump and the fish can lose its shape. Fluff the fish by hand after washing, and keep it out of direct sunlight, so the colors stay bright. Check the safety eyes now and then to make sure the washers are still tight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this crochet fish pattern good for beginners?

Yes, it is a great first amigurumi project. You need chains, single crochet, increases, and decreases, and every round ends with a stitch count. One fish takes about 2 hours.

What yarn is best for a crochet fish?

Worsted weight yarn is the best choice, because it works up quickly and the stitches are tight enough to hold the stuffing inside. A smooth acrylic or cotton blend works well and washes easily. Avoid fuzzy yarns, because they hide the shaping.

How big is the finished fish?

About 6 inches long and 4 inches tall after stuffing, in worsted weight yarn with a 5.0 mm hook, not counting the tail fin. The tail adds about 2 inches. Use DK weight yarn for a small 4 inch version, or bulky weight yarn for a large 9 inch version. The stitch counts stay the same in every size.

Are safety eyes safe for babies?

Safety eyes are safe when installed correctly with the washer snapped firmly onto the post, but no toy is chew proof. For babies under three, many makers prefer embroidered eyes instead: stitch two black circles with yarn and skip the safety eyes.

How much yarn do I need for one fish?

About 120 yards of worsted weight yarn in total: roughly 80 yards for the body, 25 yards for the belly, and 15 yards for the tail. A school of three fish needs about 360 yards.

Can I sell fish made from this pattern?

Yes, you may sell finished fish made from this free pattern, with credit to Little Loop Finds. Please do not sell or republish the pattern text itself.

How is this fish different from a crochet dolphin?

A dolphin has a long snout, a curved body, and a dorsal fin set far back, while this fish has a round body, a short nose, and a fan shaped tail fin. The two patterns use different shaping, so they look clearly different side by side.

Happy stitching, and may your little fish bring a cheerful little splash to whoever hugs it.