Today I’m going to be making this fantail goldfish crochet pattern and tutorial. When finished the goldfish crochet will look like this.

For the example today I’ll be making the multi-coloured goldfish crochet appliqué.

If you would like to follow along with the video tutorial the how to video is available on my YouTube channel at Crochet Goldfish Tutorial.

This pattern will be using US terminology, for the UK version go to Fantail Goldfish Crochet Pattern (UK Version).

The complete pattern is available to view for free on this page if you continue to scroll down. If you would like to download the pattern it’s available on Ravelry for $1 at Fantail Goldfish Crochet Pattern.

If you like the goldfish, I’ve just released the crochet pattern for this clown fish that you might like as well.

Fantail Goldfish Crochet Pattern

Abbreviations

• st – stitch
• sts – stitches
• ch – chain
• sl st – slip stitch
• sc – single crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• dc – double crochet
• tr – treble crochet

Materials used

• 5 colours of cotton or wool if making a multi-coloured fish, or 3 colours if making a plain goldfish. Crochet hook.
• Scissors.
• Darning needle for weaving in ends.
• Sewing needle.
• Black and white thread for sewing on the eyes. 

Head

Make a magic loop.
Row 1:  3 ch. Work 14 dc into loop and pull tight. Slip st. into 3^rd ch.
Row 2:  3 ch. Work 1 dc in same place as ch, then 2 dc into each dc. Join with a sl st in 3^rd ch.

Row 3:  1 ch, work 1 sc in same place as ch and then 1 sc in each of next 4 sts, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in following 2 sts) 4 times, 2 dc in next st, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, 1 sc in each of next 5 sts, fasten off if using a different colour for mouth.

Mouth

Join Contrast colour if desired and continue row.
sl st in next st, 4 ch, 1 tr in same st, 1 tr in next st, 4 ch & sl st into same st as last tr, 4 ch, 1 tr in same st, 1 tr in next st, 4 ch & sl st into same st. Fasten off.

Body

Join cotton after 2^nd hdc.

Row 1: 1 ch 1 joined sc in same st as ch and next st, 1 ch, sl st in same st as last sc, sl st into next st, 2 ch, a  joined hdc over same st as ch and next st, 2 ch, sl st into same st as last hdc, sl st into next st (3 ch, 2 joined dc, over same st as ch and next st, 3 ch sl st into same st as last dc, sl st into next st) 6 times work 2 ch, a  joined hdc over same st as ch and next st, 2 ch, sl st into same st as last hdc, sl st into next st, 1 ch 1 joined sc in same st as ch and next st, 1 ch, sl st in same st, as last sc. Turn.

Row 2: 1 ch, sl st into bottom middle of cluster, 3 ch sl st into bottom middle of next cluster, repeat across to end. Turn.

Row 3: 1 ch (sl st into next 3 ch space, work 3 ch, a joined dc, 3 ch sl st into same 3 ch space), repeat into each 3 ch space across. Turn.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 with one less cluster until you finish with 1 cluster.  Fasten off.

Tail

Join thread to bottom back of body on the last cluster.

15 ch, miss 1^st ch, 1 sc in each of next 3 ch, 1 hdc in each of next 2 ch, 2 dc in each of next 2 ch, 1 tr in each ch to end, join with a sl st to top of last cluster.  Turn, work 8 sc along tail 15 ch miss 1 ch, 1 sc in next st, 1 hdc in following st, 1 dc in each of next 5 sts, 1 tr in each of next 4 sts, 2 tr in each of next 2 sts, 1 tr in each of next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, 1 sc in each of next 2 sts and sl st in last st.

Top tail bit

25 ch, miss 1 ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 sts, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 7 sts, 1 tr in each of next 5 sts, 2 tr in each of next 3 sts, dc over remaining ch and 1 dc in base of last row, join to body. Turn.

1 ch, 1 hdc in next st, 1 dc in following st, 1 tr in each of next 3 sts, (2 tr in next st, 1 tr in following st) 3 times, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in following st, 1 sc in each of next 2 sts, 1 sl st. Turn.

Sl st, sc in next st, 1 hdc in following st, 2 dc in next st, (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in following st) 5 times, 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in next st, 1 joined sc over next 2 sts.  Turn.

Sl st in first st. 1 sc in each of next 13 sts, 17 ch, miss 1 ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 sts, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 4 sts, tr along rest of ch, 2 dc in each of 1^st 2 sts after you meet rest of tail, 1 dc in each of next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 1 hdc in next st, sc down to body and join to body with a sl st. Fasten off.

Fin bottom near face

Join yarn to body near face.
5 ch miss 1 ch, 1 sc in next st, 1 hdc in following st, 2 dc in next ch, 1 tr, join to body with a sl st. Fasten off.

Fin bottom back

9 ch, hdc in 3^rd st from hook, 1 dc in next st, 1 dec tr over next 2 sts, 1 tr in each of remaining sts, join to body with a sl st.  Fasten off.

Top fins

Join yarn half way along top of body.
4 ch 1 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, sl st into body.
1 sc in next st on body, 5 ch, 1 sc and 1 hdc in 2^nd st from hook, 2 dc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch and 2 dc in last ch, sl st into body.

1 sc in next st on body, 11 ch,1 sc and 1 hdc in 2^nd ch from hook, 2 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, 2 dc in next ch, 1 tr in next ch, 2 tr in next ch, 1 tr in each of next 2 ch, st. st. into body.

1 sc in next st on body, 8 ch, 1 sc and 1 hdc in 2^nd ch from hook, 1 dec dc over next 2 ch, dc over remaining ch, sl st into body.  Fasten off.

Eyes

Middle of eye (black)

Make a magic loop.
1 ch 8 sc into loop and pull tight sl st into ch.  Fasten off.

Outside of Eye (White)

Make a magic loop.
3 ch, 12 dc into loop and pull tight. Join with a sl st into 3^rd ch.  Fasten off.

To Make up

Weave in ends.  Stitch inner eye to outer eye.  Attach eye to face.

I hope you enjoy the goldfish crochet pattern, leave a comment to let me know how you go or if you have any issues.