Meet this adorable goldfish amigurumi that's ready to swim into your heart! With its chubby body and flowing fins, this little aquatic friend brings a perfect blend of charm and whimsy to your crochet collection. At just the right size, it features beautifully textured scales and graceful tail fins that give it that classic goldfish charm.
Ready to dive into this delightful project? I've included detailed step-by-step instructions and clear photos below to help you create your own underwater companion. Let's get hooking!
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Details About the Goldfish
This adorable goldfish amigurumi measures approximately 5 inches (13 cm) long from nose to tail fin, making it the perfect size to display or hold in your palm. The design features a beautiful combination of red and white yarn with delicate golden embroidery details that catch the light and create the illusion of shimmering scales.
I absolutely love how the pattern incorporates different textures and details - from the flowing tail fins to the puffy cheeks with a pearl bead accent. For the main body, I chose a vibrant red that really pops against the crisp white belly and fins, but you could also try orange, pink, or even fancy metallic yarn for an extra special touch! The golden thread embroidery adds just the right amount of sparkle and helps create those classic goldfish markings.
The finished plushie has a wonderfully chunky, cuddly shape while still maintaining elegant flowing lines in the fins. What makes this goldfish extra special is how the carefully placed color changes and textured stitches create natural-looking curves and dimension, making it look like it's gracefully swimming through water!
Recommended Yarn and Crochet Hooks
Let's dive into my yarn recommendations for this graceful goldfish! For the best results, I strongly recommend Loopara 5 ply milk cotton yarn - it has a beautiful sheen that really captures that fish-like quality, and the texture is simply perfect for creating crisp, well-defined stitches.
For our aquatic friend, you'll want some red (or bright orange) for the main body, pure white for the belly and fins, plus a bit of gold embroidery thread for those shimmering scale details. The milk cotton yarn gives a gorgeous semi-matte finish that looks almost pearlescent when the light hits it - exactly what we want for a goldfish!
I used a 2.8mm hook throughout this project. This size is absolutely perfect for creating tight, neat stitches that prevent any stuffing from showing through. A quick note from my experience - if you find your stitches are too tight with this hook size, don't force it! It's better to go up to a 3.0mm hook and maintain even tension than struggle with tight stitches. The goal is to create a smooth, polished finish that makes your goldfish look like it's ready to swim away!
Materials needed for the Goldfish
- Yarn – Loopara 5ply combed cotton (Red 24 and White 61)
- Hook – 2.8mm
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Yarn Needle
- Glue stick
- Stitch marker
- Fiberfill
- Gold thread
- Eyes
- Pearl
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch - chain
- sc - single crochet
- dc - double crochet
- tr - triple crochet
- hdc - half double crochet
- sl - slip stitch
- sc inc - single crochet increase
- sc2tog - single crochet 2 together (decrease)
- BLO - Back Loops Only
How to Crochet Goldfish – Step by Step
How to Crochet the Main Body (Make 1)
Round 1: With white yarn, chain 18, join to form ring, slip stitch to join.
Round 2: Chain 1, work 18 single crochet around, slip stitch to join.
Round 3: Chain 1, 2 single crochet, single crochet increase, 2 single crochet, (change to red) single crochet increase, 2 single crochet, (change to white) single crochet increase, 2 single crochet, (change to red) single crochet increase, 2 single crochet, (change to white) single crochet increase, 2 single crochet, single crochet increase, slip stitch to join.
Round 4: Chain 1, 6 single crochet, (change to red) 5 single crochet, (change to white) 2 single crochet, (change to red) 5 single crochet, (change to white) 6 single crochet, slip stitch to join.
Round 5: Chain 1, 3 single crochet, single crochet increase, (change to red) repeat (3 single crochet, single crochet increase) 4 times, (change to white) 3 single crochet, single crochet increase, slip stitch to join.
Round 6: Chain 1, single crochet increase, 4 single crochet, (change to red) repeat (single crochet increase, 4 single crochet) 4 times, (change to white) single crochet increase, 4 single crochet, slip stitch to join.
Round 7: Chain 1, 5 single crochet, single crochet increase, (change to red) repeat (5 single crochet, single crochet increase) 4 times, (change to white) 5 single crochet, single crochet increase, slip stitch to join.
Round 8: Chain 1, 12 single crochet, (change to red) 18 single crochet, (change to white) 12 single crochet, slip stitch to join.
Round 9: Chain 1, 14 single crochet, (change to red) 14 single crochet, (change to white) 14 single crochet, slip stitch to join.
Round 10: Chain 1, 13 single crochet, (change to red) 16 single crochet, (change to white) 13 single crochet, slip stitch to join.
Rounds 11-12: Chain 1, 11 single crochet, (change to red) 20 single crochet, (change to white) 11 single crochet, slip stitch to join.
Round 13: Chain 1, 10 single crochet, (change to red) 22 single crochet, (change to white) 10 single crochet, slip stitch to join.
Round 14: Chain 1, 8 single crochet, (change to red) 26 single crochet, (change to white) 8 single crochet, slip stitch to join.
Round 15: Chain 1, 5 single crochet, single crochet 2 together, (change to red) repeat (5 single crochet, single crochet 2 together) 4 times, (change to white) 5 single crochet, single crochet 2 together, slip stitch to join.
Round 16: Chain 1, 4 single crochet, single crochet 2 together, 2 single crochet, (change to red) 2 single crochet, single crochet 2 together, repeat (4 single crochet, single crochet 2 together) twice, 4 single crochet, (change to white) single crochet 2 together, 4 single crochet, single crochet 2 together, slip stitch to join.
Round 17: Chain 1, 9 single crochet, (change to red) 14 single crochet, (change to white) 7 single crochet, slip stitch to join.
Round 18: Chain 1, repeat (3 single crochet, single crochet 2 together) twice, (change to red) repeat (3 single crochet, single crochet 2 together) twice, 2 single crochet, (change to white) single crochet, single crochet 2 together, 3 single crochet, single crochet 2 together, slip stitch to join.
Round 19: Chain 1, 7 single crochet, (change to red) 12 single crochet, (change to white) 5 single crochet, slip stitch to join.
Round 20: Chain 1, repeat (2 single crochet, single crochet 2 together) twice, 2 single crochet, (change to red) single crochet 2 together, 2 single crochet, single crochet 2 together, 2 single crochet, (change to white) single crochet 2 together, 2 single crochet, single crochet 2 together, slip stitch to join.
Round 21: Chain 1, 8 single crochet, (change to red) 6 single crochet, (change to white) 4 single crochet, slip stitch to join.
Round 22: Chain 1, repeat (single crochet, single crochet 2 together) 3 times, (change to red) single crochet, single crochet 2 together, single crochet, (change to white) single crochet 2 together, single crochet, single crochet 2 together, slip stitch to join.
Tips: Make your color changes in the unfinished stitch of the previous round for smoother transitions. Keep your tension consistent throughout to maintain the goldfish's elegant shape. Remember to pull each stitch snug when changing colors to avoid any gaps in your work.
How to Crochet the Tail (Make 1)
Round 1: With white yarn. Chain 15, work 14 single crochet in second chain from hook, slip stitch in same stitch.
Round 2: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 12 single crochet, single crochet 2 together.
Round 3: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work single crochet 2 together, work 11 single crochet, slip stitch in next stitch.
Round 4: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 10 single crochet, single crochet 2 together.
Round 5: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, single crochet 2 together, work 9 single crochet, slip stitch in same stitch.
Round 6: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 8 single crochet, single crochet 2 together.
Round 7: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, single crochet 2 together, work 7 single crochet, slip stitch in next stitch.
Round 8: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 6 single crochet, single crochet 2 together.
Round 9: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 7 single crochet, slip stitch in same stitch.
Round 10: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 7 single crochet.
Round 11: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, single crochet increase, work 6 single crochet, slip stitch in next stitch.
Round 12: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 7 single crochet, single crochet increase.
Round 13: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, single crochet increase, work 8 single crochet, slip stitch in same stitch.
Round 14: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 9 single crochet, single crochet increase.
Round 15: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, single crochet increase, work 10 single crochet, slip stitch in same stitch.
Round 16: Change to red yarn. Chain 1, turn, in back loops only work 11 single crochet, single crochet increase.
Round 17: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, single crochet increase, work 12 single crochet, slip stitch in same stitch.
Round 18: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 13 single crochet, single crochet increase.
Round 19: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, single crochet increase, work 14 single crochet, slip stitch in next stitch.
Round 20: Slip stitch in next stitch, chain 17, work 16 single crochet in second chain from hook.
Round 21: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 14 single crochet, single crochet 2 together.
Round 22: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, single crochet 2 together, work 13 single crochet, slip stitch in next stitch.
Round 23: Change to white yarn. Chain 1, turn, in back loops only work 12 single crochet, single crochet 2 together.
Round 24: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, single crochet 2 together, work 11 single crochet, slip stitch in same stitch.
Round 25: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 10 single crochet, single crochet 2 together.
Round 26: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, single crochet 2 together, work 9 single crochet, slip stitch in next stitch.
Round 27: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 8 single crochet, single crochet 2 together.
Round 28: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, single crochet 2 together, work 7 single crochet, slip stitch in same stitch.
Round 29: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 6 single crochet, single crochet 2 together.
Round 30: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 7 single crochet, slip stitch in next stitch.
Round 31: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 6 single crochet, single crochet increase.
Round 32: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, single crochet increase, work 7 single crochet, slip stitch in same stitch.
Round 33: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 8 single crochet, single crochet increase.
Round 34: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, single crochet increase, work 9 single crochet, slip stitch in next stitch.
Round 35: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 10 single crochet, single crochet increase.
Round 36: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, single crochet increase, work 11 single crochet, slip stitch in same stitch.
Round 37: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 12 single crochet, single crochet increase.
Round 38: Chain 1, turn, back loops only, work 14 single crochet, slip stitch to join.
Leave a long tail for sewing. Fold the piece in half and sew the opening closed.
Tips: Make your color change in the last loop of the final stitch of the previous round for clean transitions. Remember to maintain the same tension when switching colors to keep your tail's shape consistent and flowing. When working the chain in round 20, keep it relaxed to create that lovely fanned effect in the tail fin. When working the final white section, maintain the same tension throughout to match the beginning section.
How to Crochet the Ventral Fins (Make 2)
With white yarn, start at row 9, with 6 stitches between fins.
Round 1: Chain 8, work 7 single crochet in second chain from hook, slip stitch in same stitch.
Round 2: Chain 1, turn, in back loops only work 5 single crochet, single crochet 2 together.
Round 3: Chain 1, turn, in back loops only single crochet 2 together, work 4 single crochet, slip stitch in same stitch.
Round 4: Chain 1, turn, in back loops only work 3 single crochet, single crochet 2 together.
Round 5: Chain 1, turn, in back loops only single crochet 2 together, work 2 single crochet, slip stitch in same stitch. Fasten off and weave in ends.
How to Crochet the Dorsal Fin (Make 1)
Round 1: Work into the 11th row from the mouth with red yarn. Chain 2, half double crochet, work 4 half double crochet, single crochet, slip stitch. Fasten off.
Round 2: With white yarn, work into the 9th row from the mouth. Chain 5, triple crochet, work another triple crochet, work 4 double crochet, work 3 half double crochet, single crochet, slip stitch. Fasten off.
How to Crochet the Mouth (Make 1)
Round 1: With white yarn. Chain 1, work 18 single crochet around, slip stitch to join.
Round 2: Chain 1, work 18 single crochet around, slip stitch to join.
Round 3: Chain 1, repeat (single crochet, single crochet 2 together) 6 times, slip stitch to join.
Round 4: Chain 1, repeat (single crochet, single crochet 2 together) 4 times, slip stitch to join. Fasten off.
Stuff the mouth, then attach the pearl inside with glue stick.
How to Crochet the Eyes (Make 2)
Use white yarn to create a magic ring, then chain 1, work 6 single crochet into the ring, slip stitch to join, fasten off.
Attach the eyes with a glue stick.
How to Crochet the Texture
Thread the gold thread at the tail. Use a sewing needle to embroider the body texture.
Care and Cleaning Instructions
Daily Care Tips
Keep your goldfish looking fresh by gently brushing with a soft brush occasionally to prevent dust buildup. The gold embroidery details are delicate, so handle with care to avoid pulling or snagging. Keep your aquatic friend away from direct sunlight to preserve those vibrant red and white colors.
Washing Methods
Should your goldfish need a bath, spot cleaning with a damp cloth is best for small marks. For a deeper clean, hand wash gently in cool water using mild detergent. Never wring or twist - instead, press gently to remove excess water. Reshape carefully while damp, paying special attention to the fins and tail. Air dry flat away from direct heat or sunlight to maintain those perfect fin shapes.
Storage Suggestions
Store your goldfish in a cool, dry place where it won't get squished or misshapen. If you're storing long-term, use a breathable fabric bag rather than plastic to prevent moisture buildup. The fins and tail are especially delicate, so avoid storing anything heavy on top. You can stuff the body with tissue paper to help maintain its shape during storage.
What's Next?
Made a charming goldfish amigurumi? Let's make waves in the crochet community! Share your creation on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter with #GoldfishAmigurumi and inspire other crafters! Whether it's your color choices, work-in-progress shots, or that perfect finished piece - your unique take on this swimming friend might be just what another maker needs to see!
