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Coming in hot with yet another no-sew pattern that is quick and easy for beginners to work up. It's the Mini Minnows!
LINKS
About the Project
- Easy / beginner-friendly
- Works up quickly
- No-sew
- Stashbuster project; great for using up leftover yarn scraps
- Can be turned into a keychain
This pattern is available as a:
- Free video tutorial
- Free written pattern
- Paid ad-free PDF pattern with photo references
This base pattern can be made into a:
- Guppy
- Goldfish
- Sardine
- Clownfish
- Tuna
- ...and more!
Uses
- Keychain: add a keyring
- Ornament: add a hanging loop for your Christmas tree
- Scent Sachet: stuff it with a satchel of lavender (or your favorite scent) to make it into a soothing diffuser for your car, office, or room
- Party favor: great for birthday parties or Valentine's Day class gifts
- Baby mobile: add it to a crib mobile in an underwater-themed nursery
- Gift: for family and friends as a last-minute birthday gift, Christmas holiday gift
- "Pocket pal" or fidget: suitable as a portable therapy aid or security toy for kids
- Cat toy: add some catnip inside, and these would make great little cat toys! You can also make them as charitable donations to cat rescues, the Humane Society, and cat adoption shelters
- Craft fair product: sell it at markets; it's the perfect market prep pattern to work up because it's quick, easy, and doesn't require any sewing
- Charity: these make adorable Random Acts of Kindness gifts
Free Printable Adoption Certificate
Make this a fun amigurumi gift for little ones by including this free printable adoption certificate! These can be made as birthday party favors for toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary students.
Sign up in the form above, and don't miss out on the free underwater animal crochet patterns that you can make in conjunction!
Yarn
These little fishies can be crocheted with different yarn weights and fibers to create different looks!
In the photo below, the little fish on the left is crocheted using 100% cotton medium weight 4 yarn (Hobbii Friends Cotton 8/8), which makes a perfect keychain size. I love the stitch definition as well, and it's fun to crochet it using different yarn colors. Other medium weight yarns that I'd recommend include Lion Brand's 24/7 Cotton Yarn.
For the larger fish on the right, I used a 100% polyester yarn that creates a chenille velvet look. The end result is fluffy, plush, squishy, and super soft! Since the yarn is thicker, I used a larger hook size as well (5mm).
PDF Pattern
The PDF pattern is printable, ad-free, easy to read, includes photo references, and helps support Sweet Softies! (If you enjoy my free patterns, you can consider it as a donation to me when you buy one of my pattern PDFs! It allows me to maintain my blog and continue sharing more free patterns.)
Bonus: The PDF pattern download will also come with a printable adoption certificate!
MINI MINNOWS
Free Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Terms of Use & Copyright Notice © 2024 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website (www.sweetsofties.com). No wholesale. You may not translate, copy, alter, or sell my patterns in part or in whole in any way. My patterns may not be used in video tutorials or teaching online classes. My patterns may be used in teaching in-person classes ONLY with written consent from me. You may link to this pattern but you may not copy any part of the pattern instructions on other websites.
Crochet Pattern Information
Size:
Level of Difficulty:
★★☆☆☆ Familiar Beginner. Requires familiarity with stitches used (below) and changing yarn colors.Stitches/Terms Used:
- FO = fasten off
- YO = yarn over
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- inc = increase (insert 2 sc in same st)
- dec = decrease (sc 2 sts together)
Materials:
- Super bulky weight 6 yarn in blue and white (I used Hobbii Honey Bunny yarn)
- 5mm crochet hook (I use these)
- 9mm plastic safety eyes (x2)
- Yarn needle
- Stuffing
- Scissors
Crochet Instructions
Notes (Read Before Beginning!):
- Follow the instructions from beginning to end to correctly crochet this no-sew fish. (Do not go out of order.)
- Photo references and the printable adoption certificate are available in the printable PDF pattern.
Color Guide:
- C1: head, tail, flippers
- C2: body
Ready? Let's start!
HEAD / BODY / TAIL
Start with C1 yarn for the head.R1: Ch 2. Insert 6 sc in the 2nd ch from your hook. (6)
(Alternatively, you can use the magic ring method: Insert 6 sc in a MR; pull ring tight.)
R2: Inc around. (12)
R3: (Sc, inc) x 6. (18)
R4: Sc around. (18)
Switch to C2 yarn for the body.
R5-R8: Sc around. (18)
Insert 9mm eyes between R2-R3. Add stuffing, and continue adding as you work along.
R9: (Sc, dec) x 6. (12)
R10: Dec around. (6)
At this point, make sure the start of your next round is at the bottom of the tail. This will be dependent on where you placed your fish’s eyes. If you are not at the bottom of the tail, sl st in the next stitch or stitches until you reach the bottom.
Switch to C1 yarn for the tail.
R11: With the opening folded closed, make a chain. Sc across both layers to close the opening. (3 sc)
R12: Ch 3, turn. Dc+hdc in the first sc. Sc in the next sc. Hdc+dc+ch3+sl st in the last sc.
FO with a tail and weave in the ends.
FLIPPERS
- Insert hook between a st in R6. Pull C1 yarn through.
- Ch, YO, insert hook into the same st, YO, pull through a loop, YO, pull through all 3 loops. Ch, sl st in the same st.
- FO with a tail and weave in the ends.
- Repeat steps #1-3 on the other side for the second flipper.
Video Tutorial
Ready to crochet this project with me? Follow the step-by-step video tutorial below!
Want to share your finished amigurumi? I'd love to see it on Instagram, @SweetSofties!
Ideas for Customization
- For a longer fish, repeat R8 for an extra round or two.
- For a shorter fish, skip R8.
- Use different yarn colors.
- Use different yarn fibers.
- Add embellishments like buttons, beads, sparkles, etc.
Thank you for reading, and hope you had a fun time crocheting this project! If you'd like to help out my blog, feel free to check out my post, "5 Ways to Support my Blog!"
You might like my other designs if you enjoyed this one! Simply click on the image below for the pattern, or check out all my free patterns here.
I'd love to see your finished work from my designs! Here are links for sharing photos of your creations:
Best wishes,
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