Fishy Fishy Seamless Ornament

A Scrap-Friendly Holiday Knitting Pattern

Designed by You

A quick, seamless little fish ornament that is perfect for using up leftover bulky yarn scraps and gifting during the holidays.

PATTERN DETAILS

Finished Size: Approximately 5.5 inches (14 cm) long.
Yarn: Approx 30–40 yd (27–37 m) bulky-weight yarn (CYC 5); any scrap bulky wool or wool-blend works.
Needles: US Size 8 (5 mm) circular needle (32 in/80 cm or longer) for Magic Loop, or size needed to obtain a tight fabric so stuffing doesn’t show through.
Gauge: 3.5 sts = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in stockinette stitch worked in the round (tight fabric is more important than exact gauge).
Method: Worked seamlessly in the round using the Magic Loop method.
Notions: Polyester fiberfill or yarn scraps for stuffing (approx ½ oz / 14 g), tapestry needle, embroidery floss or 6 mm safety eyes, 6-inch (15 cm) piece of scrap yarn or ribbon for hanging loop.

ABBREVIATIONS (US)

K: Knit
K2tog: Knit 2 stitches together (decrease)
SSK: Slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together (decrease)
M1: Make 1 stitch (lift bar between stitches from front to back and knit through back loop)
sts: Stitches
rep: Repeat

DIRECTIONS

Cast On & Setup

Cast on 22 stitches. Join to work in the round using the Magic Loop method, being careful not to twist (11 sts on each needle). Place marker for beginning of round if desired.

Round 1: Knit. (22 sts)
Round 2: *K2, SSK, K3, K2tog, K2; rep from * on second needle. (18 sts — 9 sts each needle)
Round 3: Knit. (18 sts)
Round 4: *K2, SSK, K1, K2tog, K2; rep from * on second needle. (14 sts — 7 sts each needle)
Round 5: Knit. (14 sts)
Round 6: *K1, SSK, K1, K2tog, K1; rep from * on second needle. (10 sts — 5 sts each needle)
Round 7: Knit. (10 sts)
Round 8: *SSK, K1, K2tog; rep from * on second needle. (6 sts — 3 sts each needle)
Round 9: Knit. (6 sts)

Body Shaping (widest point)

Round 10: *K1, M1, K1, M1, K1; rep from * on second needle. (10 sts — 5 sts each needle) (4 increases → 6 + 4 = 10 ✓)
Round 11: Knit. (10 sts)
Round 12: *K1, M1, K1, M1, K3; rep from * on second needle. (14 sts — 7 sts each needle) (4 increases → 10 + 4 = 14 ✓)
Round 13: Knit. (14 sts)
Round 14: *K2, M1, K2, M1, K3; rep from * on second needle. (18 sts — 9 sts each needle) (4 increases → 14 + 4 = 18 ✓)
Round 15: Knit. (18 sts)
Round 16: Knit. (18 sts)

Head Shaping

Round 17: *K1, K2tog, K3, SSK, K1; rep from * on second needle. (14 sts — 7 sts each needle) (4 decreases → 18 – 4 = 14 ✓)
Round 18: Knit. (14 sts)
Round 19: *K1, K2tog, K1, SSK, K1; rep from * on second needle. (10 sts — 5 sts each needle) (4 decreases → 14 – 4 = 10 ✓)
Round 20: Knit. (10 sts)
Round 21: *K2tog, K1, SSK; rep from * on second needle. (6 sts — 3 sts each needle) (4 decreases → 10 – 4 = 6 ✓)

FINISHING

Bind Off: Bind off all remaining stitches loosely.
Stuffing: Stuff the fish body lightly with fiberfill or small yarn scraps before sealing the tail; do not overstuff so the fish keeps a flat-ish profile.
Tail: Fold the tail flat horizontally and use a tapestry needle to sew the tail opening closed with mattress stitch or whipstitch.
Eyes: Embroider eyes using scrap yarn/floss, or securely attach safety eyes (insert before final stuffing if using safety eyes).
Hanging Loop: Thread a 6-inch (15 cm) piece of yarn or ribbon through the top-center spine of the fish, tie a secure knot, and hide the raw ends inside the body.
Weave: Weave in all remaining loose yarn ends securely on the wrong side.

NOTES

• Work at a firm tension so stuffing does not show.
• Magic Loop keeps the piece fully seamless—no side seams to sew.
• Perfect for leftover bulky scraps; each ornament uses very little yarn.
• Make a school of fish in different colors for a festive garland or tree.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Easy
© Designed by You – Personal use only.