Welcome to this charming underwater adventure! Today, I'm excited to share with you how to create this adorable crochet clownfish, a playful and vibrant companion that's guaranteed to make a splash with its fun-loving personality.
With its bold orange stripes, expressive fins, and that irresistible little smile, this aquatic friend has a special way of bringing both ocean magic and cozy charm to any space. The best part? It's designed to be both enjoyable to make and perfect as a heartfelt handmade gift that will be treasured for years to come.
Don't let the pattern make you feel like a fish out of water – I'll guide you through each step with clear photos and friendly instructions. Ready to bring your own little Nemo to life? Grab your hook and yarn, and let's dive into this delightful creative journey together!
Pin for Later
Love this cute clownfish pattern? Pin it to your favorite crochet board so you can swim back to it later!
Details About Clownfish
Let's dive into the delightful details of this charming ocean friend! Your finished crochet clownfish will swim in at 5.1 inches (13 cm) wide and 4.1 inches (10.4 cm) tall – the perfect size for displaying in your ocean-themed collection or bringing a splash of color to your desk. The pattern is worked in continuous rounds, creating smooth, seamless shapes that capture those playful clownfish features we all love.
As for colors, while we're drawing inspiration from nature's design, you can still add your own creative flair! I've used a vibrant orange as the main color with crisp white stripes and black details to capture that classic "Finding Nemo" look. But why not explore the amazing diversity of real clownfish species? Try a warmer peachy tone with cream stripes, or go bold with a deep orange-red combination.
Remember, the joy of handmade items is that each one tells its own story. Choose colors that make you smile or match your space – your clownfish will look fantastic in whatever palette speaks to you! The pattern works beautifully with any combination that captures your imagination.
Recommended Yarn and Crochet Hooks
Let's Talk About Materials - Choosing the Perfect Yarn and Hook! For our little ocean friend, I absolutely recommend using Loopara 5 ply milk cotton yarn - it's my go-to choice for this pattern! The yarn's soft texture and subtle sheen give your clownfish a delightfully smooth finish, plus it holds its shape beautifully once worked up. You'll want to grab it in three colors: vibrant orange for the main body, white for those iconic stripes, and black for the perfect finishing details.
Why milk cotton yarn? Its soft and smooth texture makes your amigurumi look polished and professional, while providing just the right amount of sturdiness to keep its shape. The 5 ply weight gives us perfectly defined stitches, making each detail of your clownfish pop!
For this pattern, we'll be using a 3.0mm crochet hook. This size works perfectly with our yarn choice to create tight, neat stitches that keep the stuffing from showing through. If you tend to crochet tightly, you might want to size up to a 3.5mm hook - the most important thing is that your stitches are comfortable to work and create a nice, dense fabric.
A quick tip: Always remember to check your tension with a small swatch before starting. The tighter your stitches, the firmer and more adorable your finished clownfish will be!
Materials needed for Clownfish
- Yarn – Loopara 5ply combed cotton (Orange 35, Black 59 and White 61)
- Hook – 3.0mm
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Fiber Fill
- Eyeball
- Yarn Needle
- Stitch marker
- Positioning pin
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- Magic ring
- ch - chain
- sc - single crochet
- sc inc - single crochet increase
- hdc inc - half double crochet increase
- sc2tog - single crochet 2 together
- hdc - half double crochet
- dc - double crochet
- sl - slip stitch
- FLO - front loops only
How to Crochet Clownfish – Step by Step
How to Crochet the Body (Make 1)
Round 1: Using orange yarn, create a magic ring. Work 6 single crochets into the ring, slip stitch to join.
Round 2: Chain 1, work 6 single crochet increases, slip stitch to join. (12 stitches)
Round 3: Chain 1, work (single crochet, single crochet increase) 6 times, slip stitch to join. (18 stitches)
Round 4: Chain 1, work (single crochet, single crochet increase, single crochet) 6 times, slip stitch to join. (24 stitches)
Round 5: Chain 1, work (7 single crochets, single crochet increase) 3 times, slip stitch to join. (27 stitches)
Round 6: Chain 1, work (4 single crochets, single crochet increase, 4 single crochets) 3 times, slip stitch to join. (30 stitches)
Round 7: Chain 1, work (2 single crochets, single crochet increase, 7 single crochets) 3 times, slip stitch to join. (33 stitches)
Round 8: Chain 1, work (8 single crochets, single crochet increase, 2 single crochets) 3 times, slip stitch to join. (36 stitches)
Round 9: Chain 1, change to white yarn. Working in front loops only, work (5 single crochets, single crochet increase, 6 single crochets) 3 times, slip stitch to join. (39 stitches)
Round 10: Chain 1, work 39 single crochets, slip stitch to join.
Round 11: Chain 1, change to orange yarn. Working in front loops only, work (12 single crochets, single crochet increase) 3 times, slip stitch to join. (42 stitches)
Rounds 12-13: Chain 1, work 42 single crochets, slip stitch to join.
Round 14: Chain 1, using orange yarn work 10 single crochets, change to white yarn work 2 single crochets, change to orange yarn work 19 single crochets, change to white yarn work 2 single crochets, change to orange yarn work 9 single crochets, slip stitch to join.
Round 15: Chain 1, using orange yarn work 9 single crochets, change to white yarn work 4 single crochets, change to orange yarn work 17 single crochets, change to white yarn work 4 single crochets, change to orange yarn work 8 single crochets, slip stitch to join.
Round 16: Chain 1, using white yarn work (6 single crochets, single crochet 2 together, 6 single crochets) 3 times, slip stitch to join.
Round 17: Chain 1, using white yarn work (single crochet 2 together, 11 single crochets) 3 times, slip stitch to join.
Round 18: Chain 1, using orange yarn work (2 single crochets, single crochet 2 together, 8 single crochets) 3 times, slip stitch to join.
Round 19: Chain 1, work (7 single crochets, single crochet 2 together, 2 single crochets) 3 times, slip stitch to join.
Round 20: Chain 1, work (single crochet 2 together, 11 single crochets, single crochet 2 together) twice, slip stitch to join.
Round 21: Chain 1, work (single crochet 2 together, 9 single crochets, single crochet 2 together) twice, slip stitch to join.
Round 22: Chain 1, work (single crochet 2 together, 7 single crochets, single crochet 2 together) twice, slip stitch to join.
Round 23: Chain 1, change to white yarn, work (single crochet 2 together, 5 single crochets, single crochet 2 together) twice, slip stitch to join.
Round 24: Chain 1, work 14 single crochets, slip stitch to join.
Round 25: Chain 1, change to orange yarn, work (6 single crochets, single crochet increase) twice, slip stitch to join.
Round 26: Chain 1, work (single crochet increase, half double crochet, 4 double crochets, half double crochet, single crochet increase) twice, slip stitch to join.
Round 27: Chain 1, change to black yarn, work 10 single crochets together, slip stitch to join.
Finishing: Using 2 strands of black yarn, backstitch along the white edge. Without breaking yarn, embroider mouth on round 2.
Tips: Remember to stuff your clownfish body firmly as you go, especially in the first 15 rounds. This helps maintain its rounded shape and prevents the stuffing from showing through your stitches later on.
How to Crochet the Side Fins (Make 2)
Round 1: Create a magic ring. Chain 1, work 6 single crochets into the ring, slip stitch to join.
Round 2: Chain 1, work 5 single crochets, work 1 single crochet increase (leave an opening for attaching to body), slip stitch to join.
Round 3: Using 2 strands of black yarn, chain 1, work single crochets around the entire edge, slip stitch to join.
How to Crochet the Large Dorsal Fins (Make 1)
Round 1: Chain 5, work 4 single crochets in the second chain from hook, slip stitch to join.
Round 2: Chain 2, turn your work, work (half double crochet, half double crochet increase) twice, slip stitch to join.
Round 3: Using 2 strands of black yarn, chain 1, work single crochets around the entire edge, slip stitch to join.
How to Crochet the Small Fins (Make 3)
Round 1: Chain 5, work 4 single crochets in the second chain from hook, slip stitch to join.
Round 2: Chain 2, turn your work, work 2 half double crochets, slip stitch, chain 1, slip stitch to join.
Round 3: Using 2 strands of black yarn, chain 1, work single crochets around the entire edge, slip stitch to join.
Tips: When working with multiple yarn colors, carry the unused color along the wrong side loosely. This makes color changes smoother and prevents having too many ends to weave in later.
Crochet Clownfish Assemble
Step 1: Attach the large dorsal fin to the orange section between rounds 11-15 on the upper body.
Step 2: Sew the side fins symmetrically on both sides at round 11.
Step 3: Attach one small fin to the orange section between rounds 17-21 on the upper body.
Step 4: Sew another small fin to the orange section between rounds 17-21 on the lower body.
Step 5: Attach the last small fin to the orange section between rounds 11-15 on the lower body.
Step 6: Place and secure the safety eyes between rounds 5-6 of the body.
Tips: To achieve perfect fin placement, use pins to mark all fin positions before sewing. Start with one side fin as your reference point, then mirror the other fins for perfect symmetry. This ensures your clownfish looks balanced and adorable.
Care and Cleaning Instructions
Daily Care Tips
Keep your crocheted clownfish looking its best by giving it a gentle brush with a soft-bristled brush occasionally to remove any dust or fuzz. If your little ocean friend lives on display, consider rotating its position every few weeks to maintain its shape and prevent dust from settling too heavily on one side.
Washing Methods
When your clownfish needs refreshing, spot clean with a slightly damp cloth as needed. For deeper cleaning, hand wash gently in cool water with mild soap, being careful not to scrub too vigorously. Press excess water out gently with a towel (never wring or twist!), then reshape and air dry flat away from direct sunlight to preserve those vibrant colors.
Storage Suggestions
When your clownfish needs a break from swimming about, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. A clean container or drawer lined with acid-free tissue paper makes a cozy home. To maintain its adorable shape, avoid stacking heavy items on top of it – after all, we want those fins to stay perky and perfect!
What’s Next?
Did your little clownfish make a splash in your crafting journey? Share your creation on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter! Tag me @loopara so I can see your ocean friend swim into life. Your unique color choices and creative touches might inspire other crocheters to dive into this pattern too!
