
No Fuss Fish
Now available as a PDF!
This Pattern is now available as a print friendly PDF. You can find it here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/614232730/crochet-pattern-no-fuss-fish-amigurumi
I’ve just been lucky enough for this photo of my No Fuss Fish to be shared on The Crochet Crowd’s Facebook page and so many people are asking me for the pattern and tutorial and I thought I’d knock something up quickly.
I should first apologise, I am battling the setting sun here in the UK, so the light on these pics isn’t great. I’ll try and do some more detailed, better lit shots soon.
Materials you’ll need
A large jar (I used a snap lid jar but I can’t see any reason why a mason jar wouldn’t work.)
Fine gravel/ pebbles
PVA glue (Not sure what this is called in the US, maybe Elmer’s Glue? It’s similar to mod podge)
A small glass pebble (like the ones used in floristry)
Strong glue (I used UHU. It’s a clear glue that will bond most surfaces)
2 small safety eyes (Mine were 9mm)
Small amount of orange and green cotton (DK / light worsted weight)
2.5mm crochet hook (this is in between a US B/C hook, you could use either)
Small amount of toy stuffing
Invisible thread
Small Button
Starting off
I poured a thin layer of pva into the bottom of the jar and tilted the jar to make sure it was even, then sprinkled my pebbles over until there were no gaps. I’d advised leaving it somewhere warm to dry or it will take forever for the glue to go hard. Also, I’d really not recommend putting the pebbles in first and pouring the glue over. This creates a really thick layer of glue which takes FOREVER to dry. (My first go took three weeks in an English winter!) So go thin and pour the pebbles on. this is much quicker and will hold just as well.
Plant Pattern
Chain 2, 6 sc in second chain from hook.
Chain 7, sl stitch in 2nd and 3rd chain from hook, sc in next four chains.
Chain 12, slip stitch in 2nd, 3rd and 4th chains from hook, sc in next 7 chains.
Chain 9 , slip stitch in 2nd and 3rd chains from hook, sc in next 6 chains. Fasten off and sew the bottom of your chain rows to the 6sc ring.
Cover in PVA (or you could use glittery mod podge), twist the strands to make them look like fronds and leave to dry.
Fish Pattern
Written in US terminology. Fish is worked amigurumi style, in continuous rounds.
Body
Using orange yarn.
Round 1: Chain 2, 6 sc in 1st chan (6sc)
Round 2: inc in next st, sc, inc in next 2 sts, sc, inc in next st (10 sc)
Round 3: inc in next st, sc in next 3 sts, inc in next 2 sts, sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st (14sc)
Round 4: inc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, inc in next 2 sts, sc in next 5 sts, inc in next st (18sc)
Round 5: inc in next st, sc in next 7 sts, inc in next 2 sts, sc in next 7 sts, inc in next st (22sc)
Rounds 6-8: sc around
Round 9: sc 2 tog, sc in next 7 sts, sc2tog twice, sc in next 7 sts, sc2tog (18sc)
Stop and insert safety eyes. I put mine between rounds 4 &5, about five sts down from the top of head (the beginning of each round is the top of head)
Round 10: sc 2 tog, sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog twice, sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog (14sc)
Round 11: sc 2 tog, sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 5 sts (12 sc)
Round 12: Sc around (12 sc)
Round 13: inc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, inc in next 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st (16sc)
Round 14: inc in next st, sc in next 6 sts, inc in next 2 sts, sc in next 6 sts, inc in next st (20sc)
Round 15: sc around (20 sc)
Round 16: inc in next st, sc in next 8 sts, inc in next 2 sts, sc in next 8 sts, inc in next st (24sc)
Round 17: sc around (24 sc)
Stuff fish firmly, then sew tail closed using whip stitch.
Top fin
Chain 8
Row 1: skip 2 chains, hdc in next 2 ch, sc in next 2, slip stitch in last two. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.
Position on top of head, with hdc facing towards tail. Sew in place.
Side fins (make 2)
Chain 2.
Round 1: In second chain from hook: sc, 2 hdc, 3 dc, 2 hdc, sc, slip stitch to first sc. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Position on body. I attached mine about 1 row back from eye, in the middle of body. Sew securely and fasten off.
Assembling the Jar
Hopefully now everything will be dry (if not, try giving it a blast with a hairdryer).
Add a little blob of strong glue to the top of your glass pebble and to the bottom of your plant. Hold together until set.
Then add a blob of glue to your pebbles in the jar and the bottom of your glass pebble and position. Hold until set.
Cut a length of invisible thread and thread through the top fin of the goldfish, so the centre of the thread is on his fin and the two ends are together (you’ll need To pass these through the button soon). Make sure he hangs level then tie a knot to secure.
Tie another knot further up. Exactly where will depend on the height of your jar. My jar was short so I did mine about two inches further up but if you have a taller jar you’ll need to make this longer. Thread an end of the invisible thread through each eye of the button and tie a couple of knots to secure. At this point check your fish hangs right BEFORE gluing it in place. I just used a little sellotape as a temporary measure.
Once you are happy with how he hangs, glue the button to the lid using strong glue. Make sure the glue has set before closing the lid and letting our fish enjoy his new home. 🙂
End note:
I have made a rainbow fish too, once he’s totally finished I’ll share him with you.
Also, this tutorial was knocked up in a bit of a hurry. If there are errors or you need something clarifying, leave me a message in the comments and I’ll sort it for you quick sharp 🙂
You may sell items made from these patterns but please credit me as the designer in your listings and at point of sale. Writing patterns takes hours (if not days) of work, I love doing it, but it breaks my heart when people don’t play fair. If you find anything confusing, please leave a comment or drop me an email at hello[at]edenreborn{dot}com
I really love seeing your creations so please tag me in your makes and make me smile. 🙂
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Hope you enjoy x
You are so very very talented and SMART!!! Thank you so much for being generous and kind by sharing your wonderful talent with all of us!!!! You are the BEST!!!!!
Aww thank you Sarah! 😀 xx
This is such a fantastic idea! I hope you don’t mind that I plan to share the idea on my blog,with a link back to you, tomorrow morning as my first “Friday Find” .(you can find see it at http://www.craftycrochetsbyheather.com) Your amazingly talented and I can’t wait to make this!!!
Hi Heather,
I’d be delighted! That is very kind of you 🙂 I’ll be sure to pop over and have a good read of your site too 🙂
Was curious how yougot the fishto float. Great idea.
It’s not magic but it is effective 😉
Thank you so much for taking the time to make so many of us very happy, I get to go home this weekend and will be making this for my little grandaughter. I worked away from home and only get home on the weekends so this will be such a special project for her and I to enjoy together. The photos are wonderful not dark at all. Again thank you from ontario, canada
Aww thank you Kathleen 🙂 I hope your granddaughter loves it and it sounds like a wonderful project to do together 😉
This looks easy peasy and I can’t wait to try it ! The best part is , Henry, the cat won’t be tempted to make a meal of him !
U r a pure talent 🙂 I will try this love it, thx for sharing very kind of u
I love your imaginative patterns. This fish project will be made for my four year old grandson. Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing, I intend to make some of these, I think they’re brilliant. Well done
I made my own goldfish, I put a small snail in with it…. I enjoyed making them and thank you for sharing the pattern.
This is such a cute idea! We’ve just shared your blog post on our FB page http://www.facebook.com/theknittersattic 🙂
Thank you for sharing your design!
You are very generous in sharing your lovely idea – thank you. Hope we get to see you demonstrating on HOCHANDA soon. Your enthusiasm is very infectious! x
Thank you Tracy for my beautiful fish in a jar(2) they are stunning , you are so talented love Valerie x
I saw your lovely idea on Hochanda last year and thought it was brilliant. And since you are local to me I convinced my mum to nip into town and get me one for Christmas! I named him Bob and I love him!! 🙂 Thank you for sharing the pattern, now I can crochet him a friend too. His friend will be called Fluffy…! 😉
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Hi there,
thank you for this great und beautiful pattern! You can see my result here: http://www.haekelheldin.de/nordischer-gruss-gehaekelter-fisch-im-glas-kostenlose-anleitung/
Regards
Naddy
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What a brilliant idea
I love it !