This goldfish was originally designed for Inside Crochet Magazine Issue 130. This was an element of my very first commission work. I went all over the top and designed a Christmas wreath, inspired by Russian fairy tales; a goldfish (Goldfish), a fox (Kolobok), an golden egg (The speckled hen), a scarlet flower (The Scarlet Flower) a lobster claw with ring and a Fenix feather (The firebird and Vasilisa). Looking back, this wreath marked the start of my journey as a crochet designer and this has become one of my most memorable projects.
On it’s own this goldfish is also a perfect make as a charm, a Christmas ornament, or as a part of a garland. The goldfish is a token prosperity and good luck. With this pattern I would share this good luck charm with you as it is serving me.
Materials and tools:
- Scheepjes Twinkle, 75% cotton, 25% polyester, 50g/130m/142yds:
Yarn A: #936 Yellow x 1 ball
- Scheepjes Maxi Sweet Treat, 100% cotton, 25g/140m/153yds:
Yarn B: # 390 Poppy Rose x 1 ball
Yarn C: # 110 Black x 1 ball
Yarn D: #403 Lemonade x 1 ball
- 1.25mm hook
- Toy filling
- Stitch markers
- Embroidery needle
Tension:
Tension is not important for this project but keep stitches tight to prevent stuffing from showing through.
Notes:
- Use stitch marker to denote beginning of rnd.
- Unless stated otherwise, work into both loops of stitch.
- Pieces in the round are worked in a continuous spiral.
- Change colour on last pull through of last stitch in previous colour.
BODY
Stuff firmly as you make.
With yarn B, make an adjustable ring.
Rnd 1: 6dc in ring – 6dc.
Rnd 2: 2dc in each dc around – 12dc.
Rnd 3: [2dc, 2dc in next st] four times – 16dc.
Rnd 4: [3dc, 2dc in next st] four times – 20dc.
Rnd 5: [4dc, 2dc in next st] four times – 24dc.
Rnd 6: [5dc, 2dc in next st] four times – 28dc.
Rnd 7: [6dc, 2dc in next st] four times – 32dc.
Rnds 8&9: Dc around.
Rnd 10: [7dc, 2dc in next st] four times – 36dc.
Rnds 11-13: Dc around.
Rnd 14: [8dc, 2dc in next st] four times – 40dc.
Rnds 15-17: Dc around.
Rnd 18: [9dc, 2dc in next st] four times – 44dc.
Rnds 19-21: Dc around.
Rnd 22: [9dc, dc2tog] four times – 40dc.
Rnd 23: [8dc, dc2tog] four times – 36dc.
Rnd 24: [4dc, dc2tog] six times – 30dc.
Rnd 25: [3dc, dc2tog] six times – 24dc.
Rnd 26: [2dc, dc2tog] six times – 18dc.
Rnd 27: [1dc, dc2tog] six times – 12dc.
Rnd 28: 6 dc2tog – 6dc.
Fasten off leaving a tail for sewing.
LARGE TAIL
With yarn B, 17Ch.
Rnd 1: Starting in second ch from hook work *3dc, 3htr, 4tr, 3htr, 2dc, 2dc in next st, continue on other side of ch, rep from *.
Rnd2: *2dc in next st, 3dc, 3htr, 2tr in next 2st, 3htr, 3dc, 2dc in each of next 2sts; rep from * once more – 24dc, 12htr, 8tr.
Rnd3: *2dc in next st, 3dc, 3htr, 2htr in next st, 2tr, 2tr in next 2st, 2tr, 2htr in next st, 3htr, 3dc, 2dc in next st; rep from * once more – 20dc, 20htr, 16tr
Change to yarn A.
Rnd 4: Sl st in each st around – 56 sl sts.
Fasten off.
SMALL TAILS
Make two for each fish
With yarn B, 17Ch.
Rnd 1: Starting in second ch from hook work *3dc, 3htr, 4tr, 3htr, 2dc, 2dc in next st, continue on other side of ch, rep from *.
Rnd2: *2dc in next st, 3dc, 3htr, 2tr in next 2st, 3htr, 3dc, 2dc in each of next 2sts; rep from * once more – 24dc, 12htr, 8tr.
Rnd 3: Change to yarn A, sl st in each st around – 44 sl sts.
Fasten off
TOP FIN
With yarn B, 17Ch.
Rnd 1: Starting in second ch from hook work *3dc, 3htr, 4tr, 3htr, 2dc, 2dc in next st, continue on other side of ch, rep from *.
Rnd 2: 2dc in next st, 3dc, 3htr, 2tr in each of next 2 sts, 3htr, 3dc, 2dc in each of next 2sts.
Fasten off leaving tail for sewing.
SIDE FIN
With yarn B, 17Ch.
Rnd 1: Starting in second ch from hook work *3dc, 3htr, 4tr, 3htr, 2dc, 2dc in next st, continue on other side of ch, rep from *.
Fasten off leaving tail for sewing
EYES
Make two for each fish
With yarn D make an adjustable ring.
Rnd 1: 6dc in ring – 6dc.
Fasten off leaving tail for sewing.
FINISHING
Using pictures as guide stitch the parts to body, sew pupils on eyes with yarn C, sew lines on body with yarn A.
If you would like to make the entire pattern for the wreath, you can find them in my shops on Etsy and Ravelry.
