This friendly guy is designed to be a draft stopper for your door or to hold a rice pack for your neck, back or wherever needed. He could also hold plastic bags or socks and double as a stuffie.
Fish Friend Crochet Pattern
This pattern is available to view here on the blog. An ad-free, downloadable pdf is also available to purchase: Ravelry
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Materials and Details
- Yarn: 120-150 yards worsted weight yarn in color(s) of choice. Sample Yarns: Red Heart Super Saver Fruity Stripes, Small amount of white
- Crochet Hook: H (5mm)
- Miscellaneous: yarn needle, 2 small black buttons for eyes, sewing needle, black thread
- Optional – heat/cold pack: Long cotton sock, 4-6 cups uncooked rice or similar item.
- Optional – stuffie: stuffing
- Gauge: not needed for this project
- Measurements: 15” long x 5” across when filled
Tips
- The number at the beginning of each line refers to the step and not the number of rows.
- Stitch counts remain the same unless noted at end of row.
- Substitute colors as desired.
- More pictures available at the end of this pattern.
Directions
Project starts at the bottom opening of the fish. The bottom edge is left open to make it easier to insert the pack/draft stop. It could be closed later for a stuffie version.
1. With an H hook and ww yarn, ch 20, sl st in last ch from hook to join in a circle. Make sure the chain is not twisted.
2. From this point on, place a marker at the beginning of each round and do not join unless noted. Sc in each st to end of round. (20sts)
3. *sc 9, 2sc in the next st*, repeat once. (22sts)
4. *hdc 10, 2hdc in the next st*, repeat once. (24sts)
5. *hdc 7, 2hdc in the next st*, repeat to end of round. (27sts)
6. *hdc 8, 2hdc in the next st*, repeat to end of round. (30sts)
7. *hdc 9, 2hdc in the next st*, repeat to end of round. (33sts)
8. *hdc 10, 2hdc in the next st*, repeat to end of round. (36sts)
9. *hdc 11, 2hdc in the next st*, repeat to end of round. (39sts)
10. Hdc in each st to end of round.
11. *hdc in FLO, hdc in BLO*, keep repeating for approximately 28 rounds. The piece will measure 13” from starting edge. If you would like a longer fish (i.e. a draft stopper), adjust number of rounds.
12. After fish is desired length to this point, place a marker. Hdc in each st to end of round.
13. Sc in next st, sl st in next st. This is the new start of the round. Ch 1. Start the first st in the same st as the ch 1. *hdc2tog, hdc 11*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (36sts)
14. This step starts the first jaw piece and is worked across half of the sts. Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc 16. (17sts)
15. Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc 15. (16sts)
16. Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc 14. (15sts)
17. Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc 13. (14sts)
18. From this point on, work the sts between the posts from the previous row. This will help create a smoother fabric. Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc 10, hdc2tog. (12sts)
19. Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc 8, hdc2tog. (10sts)
20. Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, hdc 6, sc2tog. (8sts) Finish off and weave in ends.
21. This step starts the second jaw piece. Attach yarn to the first unused st on the last full round. See photo below. Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc 16. (17sts)
22. Repeat steps 15-20. Do not finish off the yarn.
23. Ch 1, hdc evenly around the entire jaw piece, working hdc2tog in each valley of the jaw, sl st in first st to join.
24. Ch 1, hdc in each st to end of round, working hdc2tog in each valley of the jaw, sl st in first st to join.
25. Working more snug than usual, ch 1, sc in each st around, working sc2tog in each valley of the jaw, sl st in first st to join. Finish off and weave in ends.
Flip the last rounds back against the fish to create the fish lips.
Features
Eyes (make 2)
1. With an H hook and white yarn, start with a magic circle of 6sts (or preferred method for starting a circle of
6 sc sts), sl st to join. (6sts)
2. Ch 1, 2sc in each st to end of round, sl st to join. (12sts) Finish off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing eyes in place.
With a yarn needle, use the yarn tail to sew the eyes near the mouth opening. With a sewing needle and black thread sew a black button on top of each eye piece.
Side Flippers (make 2)
1. Leave a long yarn tail in the beginning for sewing the fin in place. With an H hook and matching yarn, ch 11, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (10sts)
2. Ch 1, turn, sl st 3 in FLO. Work the following in BLO. Sc 3, hdc 4.
3. Ch 2, turn. Work the following in BLO. Hdc 4, sc 3. Sl st 3 in FLO.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 two more times for a total of 6 rows.
5. Ch 1, turn, sl st in each st to end of row. Finish off and weave in ends.
With a yarn needle, use the beginning yarn tail of each fin the the body of the fish. See the main photo for placement. The fins are sewn at an angle. If you would prefer the fins to stay flat against the body, sew the entire outer edge in place.
Back Fin (make one)
1. With an H hook and matching yarn, ch 9, sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (8sts)
2. Ch 2, turn, 2dc in the same st, hdc, sc 4, hdc, 2dc in the last st. (10sts)
3. Ch 2, turn, 2dc in the same st, hdc, sc 6, hdc, 2dc in the last st. (12sts)
4. Ch 2, turn, 2dc in the same st, hdc, sc 3, sl st 2, sc 3, hdc, (2dc, ch 2, sl st) in last st. Finish off and weave in end.
Flatten the fish to find fin placement. The fin should be vertical if the head is centered. With a yarn needle, use the beginning yarn tail to sew the beginning edge of the fin to one half of the sts at the tail end of the fish.
If making a stuffie, make a second back fin and sew the edges together before sewing the beginning edges around the beginning opening.
Inner Pack for Heat/Cold and Draft Stopper
Fill a long cotton sock, such as an athletic sock. Tie a knot in the open end. Insert this inside the fish, with the knot at the tail end of the fish. I created an opening at each end to make it easier to insert the pack.
Fillers: Choose from one of the following depending on the final use of this as a heat/cold pack.
Uncooked Rice
Pros: Works great for a body warmer that can be heated in a microwave, inexpensive
Cons: Has a “smell” of its own when warmed.
Flax Seed
Pros: Very similar to rice but does not have a scent.
Cons: Can be harder to find and more expensive.
More Options: Check out this great article that compares different items to use for fillers.
Scented Oils
Body Warmers: Choose soothing oils, such as lavender, to add to your filler. A few drops goes a long way.
Inserting the Pack
Insert the pack starting in the mouth with the knotted end. Slide the fish over the pack as much as possible. Reach in through the opening hole and grab the knot. Pull the cover over the rest of the way.
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