Fingering-Weight Knitted Fish — Amigurumi Pattern

Advanced Difficulty

A seamless, nose-to-tail knitted fish with a textured "scale" stitch body, forked tail fin, dorsal and pectoral fins, and embroidered gill details. Worked in fingering weight yarn at a firm, toy-appropriate gauge.

FINISHED SIZE

Approximately 8 in (20 cm) long, nose to tail-fin tip; 3 in (7.5 cm) diameter at the widest point of the body. Dorsal fin approx. 1.25 in (3 cm) tall; pectoral fins approx. 1 in (2.5 cm) long.

MATERIALS

• Yarn: Fingering weight (#1 Super Fine), approx. 175 yds (160 m) in Main Color (MC, body), and approx. 45 yds (41 m) in Contrast Color (CC, fins/gills/mouth/optional stripes).
• Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm) set of 5 double-pointed needles (DPNs), or a 24 in (60 cm) circular needle for Magic Loop. Same needles used flat for fins.
  • Note: Standard fingering-weight labels typically recommend US 1–3 (2.25–3.25 mm). For this toy, use a needle 1–2 sizes smaller than usual to create a dense fabric that hides stuffing — if your fingering yarn label suggests US 2–3, use US 1 or US 0 (2.0 mm) here.
• Polyester fiberfill stuffing, approx. 1–1.5 oz (30–40 g)
• 2 safety eyes, 8 mm, with washers
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers (optional, helpful for tracking scale-stitch repeats)
• Removable stitch marker or scrap yarn (to mark round 1 / eye placement)

GAUGE

32 sts × 40 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch, worked in the round, after blocking — approximately 8 sts and 10 rounds per inch. Gauge is tight and dense on purpose; exact stitch count matters less than achieving an even, firm fabric that will not let stuffing show through. Swatch in the round if possible, as row/round gauge can differ from flat swatches.

ABBREVIATIONS

• st(s) stitch(es) · rnd(s) round(s) · RS/WS right/wrong side
• k knit · p purl · kfb knit into front and back of same st (1 st increase)
• k2tog knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease) · ssk slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• sk2p slip 1, k2tog, pass slipped st over (centered double decrease, 2 sts to 1 st)
• MC/CC Main Color / Contrast Color

SPECIAL STITCH: SCALE TEXTURE (multiple of 4 sts, worked over 4 rounds)

• Rnd A: *K3, p1; rep from * around.
• Rnd B: Knit all sts.
• Rnd C: *K1, p1, k2; rep from * around. (Offsets the purl bumps to stagger like fish scales.)
• Rnd D: Knit all sts.

Repeat Rnds A–D for the pattern.

BODY (worked in one piece, nose to tail, in the round)

Cinch start (nose tip): Using MC and DPNs, cast on 8 sts, leaving a long tail. Before joining, thread the cast-on tail through all 8 stitches like a drawstring and pull snug to close the tiny center hole. Distribute sts evenly across needles (2 per needle if using 4 DPNs) and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker for the start of the round. [8 sts]

Nose shaping (alternating shaping and plain rounds; each shaping round has 8 repeats):

• Rnd 1: *Kfb; rep from * around. (8 → 16 sts)
• Rnd 2: Knit.
• Rnd 3: *K1, kfb; rep from * around. (16 → 24 sts)
• Rnd 4: Knit.
• Rnd 5: *K2, kfb; rep from * around. (24 → 32 sts)
• Rnd 6: Knit.
• Rnd 7: *K3, kfb; rep from * around. (32 → 40 sts)
• Rnd 8: Knit.
• Rnd 9: *K4, kfb; rep from * around. (40 → 48 sts)
• Rnd 10: Knit.
• Rnd 11: *K5, kfb; rep from * around. (48 → 56 sts)
• Rnd 12: Knit.
• Rnd 13: *K6, kfb; rep from * around. (56 → 64 sts)
• Rnd 14: Knit.
• Rnd 15: *K7, kfb; rep from * around. (64 → 72 sts) ✓ (8 repeats × 9 sts each = 72)

Insert eyes: After Rnd 15, work 3–5 plain knit rounds (this is the widest part of the head). Insert safety eyes now, spaced 10 sts apart and centered on the front of the head, backing them with washers on the inside. Stuff the nose and head firmly before continuing — you will not be able to reach back in easily once the body grows longer.

Embroider gills now or after finishing: using CC and backstitch, work two small curved lines (about ½ in / 1.2 cm) just behind the head shaping, one on each side.

Straight body — Scale Texture section: Work the Scale Texture pattern (Rnds A–D above) over the 72 sts for 7 full repeats (28 rounds total; 72 sts ÷ 4 = 18 repeats per round, dividing evenly ✓). Stuff the body firmly as you go, adding fiberfill every few rounds so it stays evenly packed.

Tail taper (mirrors the nose shaping exactly; alternating shaping and plain rounds, 8 repeats each):

• Rnd 1: *K7, k2tog; rep from * around. (72 → 64 sts)
• Rnd 2: Knit.
• Rnd 3: *K6, k2tog; rep from * around. (64 → 56 sts)
• Rnd 4: Knit.
• Rnd 5: *K5, k2tog; rep from * around. (56 → 48 sts)
• Rnd 6: Knit.
• Rnd 7: *K4, k2tog; rep from * around. (48 → 40 sts)
• Rnd 8: Knit.
• Rnd 9: *K3, k2tog; rep from * around. (40 → 32 sts)
• Rnd 10: Knit.
• Rnd 11: *K2, k2tog; rep from * around. (32 → 24 sts)
• Rnd 12: Knit.
• Rnd 13: *K1, k2tog; rep from * around. (24 → 16 sts)
• Rnd 14: Knit.
• Rnd 15: *K2tog; rep from * around. (16 → 8 sts) ✓ (mirrors nose exactly)

Finish stuffing firmly through this narrowing section. Break MC leaving a 10 in (25 cm) tail, thread through remaining 8 sts, pull tight to close, and secure. This point becomes the tail base where the tail fin attaches.

Optional colorwork stripes: For extra visual interest, work the plain "Rnd B" or "Rnd D" of any 1–2 repeats in the Scale Texture section in CC instead of MC, carrying the unused color loosely up the inside of the work. Weave in carried floats securely when finishing.

TAIL FIN (make 1 — worked flat, forked)

Using CC (or MC) and two DPNs as straight needles, cast on 30 sts.

• Rows 1–6: Work 6 rows in Stockinette stitch (RS knit, WS purl), starting with a WS purl row.

Divide for fork:

• Row 7 (RS): K15, place remaining 15 sts on a holder or spare needle.

Lobe A (15 sts):

• Row 1 (WS): Purl.
• Row 2 (RS): K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (2 sts decreased)
• Repeat Rows 1–2 five more times (15 → 13 → 11 → 9 → 7 → 5 → 3 sts).
• Next row (WS): Purl.
• Next row (RS): Sk2p. (3 → 1 st) Fasten off.

Lobe B: Rejoin yarn to remaining 15 sts and repeat Lobe A shaping exactly.

Weave in ends. The fin should measure approximately 1.8–2 in (4.5–5 cm) from base to lobe tips.

DORSAL FIN (make 1 — worked flat)

Using CC, cast on 3 sts.

• Row 1 (RS): Kfb, k1, kfb. (3 → 5 sts)
• Row 2 and all WS rows through Row 12: Purl.
• Row 3: Kfb, k3, kfb. (5 → 7 sts)
• Row 5: Kfb, k5, kfb. (7 → 9 sts)
• Row 7: Kfb, k7, kfb. (9 → 11 sts)
• Rows 8–12: Work even in Stockinette st (plateau of 11 sts).
• Row 13 (RS): K1, k2tog, k5, ssk, k1. (11 → 9 sts)
• Row 14 (WS): Purl.
• Row 15: K1, k2tog, k3, ssk, k1. (9 → 7 sts)
• Row 16: Purl.
• Row 17: K1, k2tog, k1, ssk, k1. (7 → 5 sts)
• Row 18: Purl.
• Row 19: K1, sk2p, k1. (5 → 3 sts)
• Row 20: Purl.
• Row 21: Sk2p, fasten off. (3 → 1 st)

Finished dorsal fin measures approximately 1.25 in (3 cm) tall.

PECTORAL FINS (make 2 — worked flat, identical, for symmetry)

Using CC, cast on 3 sts.

• Row 1 (RS): Kfb, k1, kfb. (3 → 5 sts)
• Row 2 (WS) and all WS rows: Purl.
• Row 3: Kfb, k3, kfb. (5 → 7 sts)
• Row 5: Kfb, k5, kfb. (7 → 9 sts)
• Rows 6–8: Work even (2 rows shown, plus WS between).
• Row 9: K1, k2tog, k3, ssk, k1. (9 → 7 sts)
• Row 11: K1, k2tog, k1, ssk, k1. (7 → 5 sts)
• Row 13: K1, sk2p, k1. (5 → 3 sts)
• Row 15: Sk2p, fasten off. (3 → 1 st)

Finished pectoral fin measures approximately 1 in (2.5 cm) long. Make a second, identical fin — these attach as mirror images on either side of the body.

VENTRAL FIN (make 1 — smaller, worked flat)

Using CC, cast on 3 sts.

• Row 1 (RS): Kfb, k1, kfb. (3 → 5 sts)
• Row 2: Purl.
• Row 3: Kfb, k3, kfb. (5 → 7 sts)
• Row 4: Purl.
• Row 5: K1, k2tog, k1, ssk, k1. (7 → 5 sts)
• Row 6: Purl.
• Row 7: K1, sk2p, k1. (5 → 3 sts)
• Row 8: Purl.
• Row 9: Sk2p, fasten off. (3 → 1 st)

FINISHING & ASSEMBLY

1. Weave in ends: Weave in all loose ends from color changes and stripes securely inside the body before closing any remaining openings.
2. Embroider mouth: Using CC and a tapestry needle, work a small curved backstitch line at the very nose tip (over rounds 1–3 of the body) for a smiling mouth.
3. Tail fin: Flatten the cast-on edge of the tail fin and mattress-stitch it to the gathered tail-base closure of the body, matching the fin's center seam to the body's center closure point.
4. Dorsal fin: Pin the dorsal fin along the top center of the straight scale-textured section, roughly centered lengthwise. Mattress-stitch the cast-on edge in place.
5. Pectoral fins (symmetry check): Place both pectoral fins at the same round number (just after the head/nose shaping ends, around the start of the scale-texture section), one on the left and one on the right of the body, mirrored. Mattress-stitch cast-on edges in place.
6. Ventral fin: Center the ventral fin on the underside (belly) of the body, roughly beneath the dorsal fin. Sew in place.
7. Final stuffing check: Before all seams are fully closed, check firmness through any remaining gaps and add extra fiberfill as needed — a firm, evenly-stuffed body is essential so the tight gauge fabric doesn't sag.
8. Final weave-in: Secure all remaining tails inside the body cavity, trimming excess yarn close to the fabric.

Your fish is now complete — firm, symmetrical, and ready to swim!