Fishy Friend Crochet Beanie

A beginner-friendly, top-down worsted-weight beanie with a fun fish face, side fins, and a tail.

Skill Level

Beginner

Sizes

Adult Average (head circumference 21–22" / 53–56 cm). Finished hat circumference: approx. 19.5" / 49.5 cm (unstretched — designed with negative ease to hug the head). Finished height: approx. 8" / 20 cm.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (medium, #4). Suggested amounts:
  • Main Color (MC — fish body): ~150 yds / 137 m
  • Contrast Color (CC — lips, fins, tail): ~40 yds / 37 m
  • White and Black scraps for eyes: ~15 yds / 14 m each
• Hook: US H/8 (5 mm) for body; US G/6 (4 mm) optional for a tighter band
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker (1)
• Scissors
• Optional: polyester fiberfill scrap for eye stuffing (a pinch)

Gauge

14 sc and 16 rounds = 4" (10 cm) with US H/8 (5 mm) hook. Gauge check: Work a 4" swatch in sc. If you have more stitches per inch, go up a hook size; fewer, go down.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch = chain
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• inc = 2 sc in same st (increase)
• BLO = back loop only
• rnd = round
• rep = repeat

Construction Notes

This beanie is worked top-down and seamless in continuous spiral rounds beginning with a magic ring. Do not join or turn unless told to. Place a stitch marker in the first st of each round and move it up as you go. After the hat is complete, you add a simple ribbed band, then sew on the fish face, fins, and tail.

PART 1: The Hat (Crown → Body)

Magic Ring Setup: Make a magic ring.

Rnd 1: 6 sc into the ring. Pull ring closed. (6 sts)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (6 + 6 = 12 sts)

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] 6 times. (12 + 6 = 18 sts)

Rnd 4: [sc in next 2, inc] 6 times. (18 + 6 = 24 sts)

Rnd 5: [sc in next 3, inc] 6 times. (24 + 6 = 30 sts)

Rnd 6: [sc in next 4, inc] 6 times. (30 + 6 = 36 sts)

Rnd 7: [sc in next 5, inc] 6 times. (36 + 6 = 42 sts)

Rnd 8: [sc in next 6, inc] 6 times. (42 + 6 = 48 sts)

Rnd 9: [sc in next 7, inc] 6 times. (48 + 6 = 54 sts)

Rnd 10: [sc in next 8, inc] 6 times. (54 + 6 = 60 sts)

Rnd 11: [sc in next 9, inc] 6 times. (60 + 6 = 66 sts)

Math check: Each increase round adds 6 sts. Rnd 1 = 6; after 11 rounds = 6 × 11 = 66 sts. ✓ At this point the crown should measure approx. 6.5–6.75" (16.5–17 cm) across. This flat circle diameter gives a circumference of about 6.6 × π ≈ 20.7", which relaxes to a snug ~19.5" when worn.

Work Even (Body)

Rnds 12–36: sc in each st around. (66 sts each round)

That's 25 rounds worked even. At 16 rounds = 4", 25 rounds ≈ 6.25" (16 cm). Combined with the ~1.75" crown depth, total height so far ≈ 8" (20 cm). Try it on; work more or fewer even rounds to reach your preferred length before starting the band.

PART 2: Ribbed Band (Beginner Faux-Rib)

The band is worked in BLO to create a ribbed, stretchy edge. Continue on the same 66 sts.

Rnds 37–40: sc in BLO of each st around. (66 sts)

Rnd 41: sl st in BLO of each st around to finish neatly. Fasten off, leaving a 6" tail. Weave in ends.

Optional folded brim: Work Rnds 37–44 (8 rounds) instead, then fold the band up 1" for a doubled edge.

PART 3: Fish Face & Fins

Eyes (Make 2)

Using White:

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring. (6 sts)
• Rnd 2: inc in each st around. (12 sts)
• Rnd 3: [sc, inc] 6 times. (18 sts)
• Sl st to next st, fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Using Black, make a small pupil for each eye:

• 6 sc in magic ring, pull closed, sl st, fasten off leaving a tail. (6 sts)
• Sew each black pupil onto the center of a white circle.

Lips (Make 2 — big fish lips)

Using CC:

• Row 1: ch 9. Starting in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in each ch across. Turn. (8 hdc)
• Row 2: ch 1, sc in each st across. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. (8 sts) Curve each strip slightly when sewing to form pouty lips (upper and lower).

Side Fins (Make 2)

Using CC:

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring. (6 sts)
• Rnd 2: [sc, inc] 3 times. (9 sts)
• Rnd 3: [sc in next 2, inc] 3 times. (12 sts)
• Row 4 (flatten & finish): fold flat, sc through both layers across the open edge (~6 sc). Fasten off, leaving a long tail. (6 sts)

Tail (Make 1)

Using CC — a simple double-triangle tail:

• Row 1: ch 2, 4 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Turn. (4 sts)
• Row 2: ch 1, inc in each st across. Turn. (8 sts)
• Row 3: ch 1, [sc, inc] 4 times. Turn. (12 sts)
• Row 4: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (12 sts)
• Row 5: ch 1, [sc in next, sc2tog-style: skip nothing—simply sc in next 4, then ch 4, sc in the same edge to form the split tail tip]. For beginners: simply fasten off after Row 4 for a fan-shaped tail.
• Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

(Beginner tip: a simple fan tail from Rows 1–4 looks great; no split required.)

PART 4: Assembly

1. Position the face on the front of the hat (the side that will face forward). Center it between the crown and the band.
2. Sew the eyes side by side, about 2" (5 cm) apart, using the white tails. Add a pinch of fiberfill behind each before closing for a 3-D look (optional).
3. Sew the lips below and between the eyes: one curved strip as the upper lip, one as the lower lip, meeting to form an open "O" fish mouth. Anchor firmly at both ends.
4. Sew a fin to each side of the hat, roughly level with the eyes, angling slightly downward so they flare like real fins.
5. Sew the tail to the back of the hat (opposite the face), positioned just above the band so it stands up like a fish tail.
6. Weave in all ends securely and trim.

Finishing & Care

• Weave in every tail on the wrong side.
• Gently steam or wet-block the crown flat if it curls.
• Hand wash cool, lay flat to dry. Do not tumble dry.

Final Measurement Summary (Verified)

• Stitch count at body: 66 sts (14 sts/4" → 66 ÷ 3.5 = ~18.9" circ, hugs a 21" head with negative ease). ✓
• Crown: 11 increase rounds × 6 = 66 sts, diameter ~6.6". ✓
• Total height: ~1.75" crown + 6.25" even body + band = ~8". ✓
• All appliqué stitch counts verified round-by-round above. ✓

Enjoy your fishy friend! 🐟