Betta Fish | Free Crochet Pattern

This little crochet fish pattern is one of my new favorite amigurumi patterns. Hung from fishing line in glass jars, these betta fish make great teacher gifts and desk decorations.

I plan on giving these to several teachers this year — the perfect classroom pet! It never needs fed or a water change…it doesn’t even need water!

And I can make them in school pride colors too!

Back before I started my business and moved to working at home, my desk at work always had at least one betta fish there as a friendly face.

They gave me someone to talk to while I worked and were great daily companions. Oh yes, and you could leave them alone over the weekend and they didn’t care as long as they were fed Friday afternoon.

My favorite was a bright red Halfmoon betta named “Flava Flav.” He lived in my office for a while, then moved to my college bookshelf, then to our new house. He lived to an impressive five years old.

I loved that fish.

So of course, when I decided to make a “fish in a jar” a few years back, I wanted to make a betta instead of the classic goldfish.

Since then, the pattern has evolved some, adding ventral fins (this little ones under their chin) and proper pectoral fins (the ones on the sides).

I think now, this little crochet betta fish is proper tribute to my favorite desktop pet.

Contruction

This betta fish pattern is fun and fast to work up. The body is worked first, then without breaking the yarn, the fins are worked directly onto the top and bottom of the finished body.

The Betta Fish can also be purchased as a Premium Pattern. Premium patterns are printable, ad-free, downloadable .pdf file with extra assembly photos and unlimited one-on-one help from me. This version can be purchased in the Hooked by Kati Shop,  Etsy or Ravelry.  

Betta Fish Crochet Pattern

Pattern is written in English, in US terms, using Craft Yarn Council abbreviations.

Intermediate. Knowledge needed of chains (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), increases and decreases. Fins are worked directly onto finished body.

Supplies

• Lion Brand Bonbons yarn, sport weight, 100% cotton, 28 yds/.35 oz/10 g, Beach (8 mini skeins pack), 1 mini skein used.
• Furls E (3.5 mm) hook
• One pair 5mm black safety eyes
• Small amount of polyfil (or about ½ a Kleenex)
• 6-8 inches of fishing line
• Small jar or vase, tall enough that the fish can dangle in the jar without touching the top or bottom
• Decorative beads, rocks, or sand for the bottom of the jar

Measurements

3.5” long x 3” tall

Gauge

8 sts x 2 rows in dc= 1” x 1”

Pattern Notes

• Work in continuous rounds. Do not slip stitch unless otherwise specified by the pattern.
•  For best results, assemble parts in order as directed.
• Weave in attachment ends at very end of project in case pieces require repositioning.

Instructions

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Body

Ch 2.

Rnd 1: Sc 6 in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc, 4 sc, inc. (8)

Rnd 3: Inc, 6 sc, inc. (10)

Rnd 4:  Inc, 8 sc, inc. (12)

Rnds 5-9: Sc evenly around.

Hold so increases are on the bottom and insert safety eyes between rounds 3 and 4, 3 stitches apart, near top of head.

Rnds 10-12: Sc evenly around.

Stuff gently.

Rnd 13: [4 sc, dec] twice. (10)

Learn the Invisible Decrease with this video tutorial.

Rnd 14: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 15: [3 sc, dec] twice. (8)

Rnd 16: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 17: [2 sc, dec] twice. (6)

Press end flat, vertically. Ch 1, working through both layers, 3 sc, turn.

Do not break yarn.

Tail/Fins

Row 1: (Ch 3, 3 dc) in 1^st st, 4 dc in each of next 2 stitches. Working through post stitches along top of body, 2 dc in each of next 5 sts, sc in next st. Turn. (22 dc, 1 sc)

Row 2: ch 1, sc, dc, 2 dc in each st to end of row, 2 dc in top of starting ch. Working through post stitches along bottom of body, 2 dc in each of next 7 sts, sc in next st. Turn.  (54 dc, 2 sc)

Row 3: Ch 1, sc, dc, 2 dc in each of next 7 sts, 4 sc. Row will end at back of underside fin. (15 dc, 5 sc)

Weave in ends.

Ventral Fins

Sl st into a st on Rnd 4, on the underside of body, in line with the lower fin.

Ch 5.

Bind off.

Repeat in the same st on body to create second ventral fin.

Pectoral Fins

(Make 2)

Ch 2.

Rnd 1: 8 sc in second ch from hook, sl st in first st to join. (8)

Attach to body at Rnd 7, along 2 sts, facing backwards on the body. Leave remaining 6 sts on the fins unattached.

Jar Finishing

• Fill bottom of jar or vase with rocks, beads, or sand.
• If using open top jar, cut a piece of cardboard of tag board (index cards work well) to the size of the top of the vase.
• Cut 6-8 inches of fishing line. Thread it through a needle.  Thread the needle through the body in the front stitch of the top fin. Tie off and trim loose end. 
• If using open top jar, thread the other end of the fishing line through the center of the tag board circle until it is the length you want. Tie off with a large enough knot that it does not pull back through the hole.
• If using a jar with a lid, cut the fishing line to your desired length and tape or hot glue the end of the fishing line to the center of the jar lid.  

Weave in all attachment ends when parts are positioned as desired.

All finished? Share your artwork by posting a picture in the Gallery!!

Post comments and pictures on social media with the hashtag #hookedbykati, or tag me @hookedbykati. You can also post pictures on the Facebook Page, or in the Epic Amigurumi Patterns and Crochet Quests Facebook Group.

You may sell products made by this pattern, but please link back to hookedbykati.com or credit Hooked by Kati on the craft fair tag. Do not copy this pattern for distribution or sale; that’s not nice and also illegal.

If you run into a snag, drop me a line! I respond quickly and will help any way I can to clarify any confusion or challenging stitches.

Find more free patterns like this at allfreecrochet.com.

Here’s a few more FREE crochet patterns you might like:

CARTER THE BETTA MERMAN

SUNNY THE PUFFER FISH

MURDOCK THE KELPIE

GRACE THE KOI MERMAID

Yarn on, 

Kati

Kati Brown

Kati is the designer behind Hooked by Kati. With thousands of patterns sold around the world, Kati prides herself in creating innovative, easy-to-follow amigurumi patterns. She has designed for several publications, including Crochet!, Crochet World, Simply Crochet, and I Like Crochet. Kati finds her inspiration in science fiction, video games, and numerous visits to the zoo — all passions she shares with her husband and two boys.