Introduction
Tiny crochet fish are such happy little projects. They are quick, colorful, and perfect for using up small yarn scraps while still making something cute enough to gift, sell, or turn into a keychain.
The linked Sweet Softies page includes its own free Mini Minnows pattern, described as a quick beginner-friendly no-sew fish that can be made in different yarn weights and used as keychains, ornaments, party favors, baby mobile pieces, and more. To follow our copyright strategy, this version is a new original mini fish pattern with different stitch counts, shaping, tail construction, fins, color layout, and finishing details. (Sweet Softies)
This Mini Lagoon Fish Amigurumi keeps the same useful idea of a small crochet fish, but gives it a fresh rounded body, soft color-blocked face, little side fins, and a separate shaped tail for a slightly more polished look.
Description
This mini fish has a rounded oval body, a pale face section, colorful body section, small side fins, and a soft fan-shaped tail. It is small enough to sit in your palm and works beautifully as a keychain, backpack charm, cat toy, nursery mobile piece, party favor, or tiny handmade gift.
The sample color palette uses pastel aqua, lavender, coral pink, pale blue, and cream. You can make one fish in two colors or create a whole school of fish in different bright combinations.
This easy amigurumi crochet pattern is beginner-friendly if you are comfortable with basic rounds, increases, decreases, simple color changes, and sewing on small parts.
Materials
- Worsted weight cotton yarn or plush yarn in Color A for the face
- Worsted weight cotton yarn or plush yarn in Color B for the body
- Worsted weight cotton yarn or plush yarn in Color C for tail and fins
- Small amount of black yarn for embroidered eyes, or 6–8 mm safety eyes
- 3.5 mm crochet hook for worsted yarn
- 5 mm crochet hook for plush yarn
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch marker
- Polyester fiberfill
- Optional keychain ring
Finished Size
Approximate size with worsted weight yarn:
- Length: 3–3.5 inches
Approximate size with plush yarn:
- Length: 4–5 inches
Finished size depends on yarn, hook, stuffing, and tension.
Gauge
Gauge is not critical for this small plush.
Your stitches should be tight enough that stuffing does not show.
If stuffing shows through, use a smaller hook.
Abbreviations
- MR: magic ring
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- inc: increase, 2 sc in the same stitch
- dec: invisible decrease
- sl st: slip stitch
- st: stitch
- sts: stitches
- FO: fasten off
Pattern Notes
The fish body is worked from the face toward the tail.
The body is stuffed before closing.
The tail and fins are made separately and sewn on.
For a baby-safe or pet-safe version, embroider the eyes instead of using plastic safety eyes.
Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Fish Body
Start with Color A for the face.
Round 1
Make a MR.
Work 6 sc into the ring. (6)
Round 2
Inc in each st around. (12)
Round 3
Repeat around: sc in next st, inc in next st. (18)
Round 4
Sc in each st around. (18)
Change to Color B at the end of Round 4.
Round 5
With Color B, sc in each st around. (18)
Round 6
Repeat around: sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st. (24)
Rounds 7–9
Sc in each st around. (24)
If using safety eyes, place them between Rounds 3 and 4, about 5 stitches apart, on the face section.
Round 10
Repeat around: sc in next 2 sts, dec. (18)
Begin stuffing the fish.
Shape the body into a soft oval.
Round 11
Repeat around: sc in next st, dec. (12)
Add more stuffing if needed.
Round 12
Dec around. (6)
FO and close the opening.
This end will be covered by the tail.
Tail
Use Color C.
Make 2 tail pieces.
Row 1
Ch 6.
Sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Hdc in next ch.
Dc in next ch.
Hdc in next ch.
Sc in last ch.
FO, leaving a tail for sewing.
Repeat once more.
Place both tail pieces together at the narrow ends so they form a small fan shape.
Sew the narrow ends together.
Sew the tail to the closed back end of the fish body.
Side Fins
Make 2 using Color C.
Fin
Ch 4.
Sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Hdc in next ch.
Sc in last ch.
FO, leaving a tail for sewing.
Sew one fin to each side of the fish around Rounds 7–8.
Angle the fins slightly backward.
Optional Top Fin
Use Color C.
Ch 5.
Sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Hdc in next ch.
Dc in next ch.
Sc in last ch.
FO, leaving a tail for sewing.
Sew the top fin along the upper back of the fish between Rounds 7 and 9.
Face
If you did not use safety eyes, embroider two small black eyes on the face section.
Place the eyes between Rounds 3 and 4.
Optional: embroider one tiny smile with black yarn or thread.
Keep the face small and simple.
Optional Stripe Detail
Use a contrast yarn color.
Surface stitch one or two short curved stripes on each side of the fish body.
Place them near the color-change line or toward the center body.
Do not make the stitches too tight, or the fish shape may pucker.
Optional Keychain Loop
Join yarn at the top center of the fish.
Ch 8.
Sl st back into the same stitch to form a loop.
FO and weave in ends securely.
Attach a keyring if desired.
For baby toys or cat toys, skip the metal hardware.
Finishing
Weave in all ends.
Check that the tail and fins are sewn securely.
Gently shape the body with your hands.
Trim any loose yarn fibers.
If using plush yarn, avoid over-brushing the stitches.
Color Ideas
Try these color combinations:
- Cream face, aqua body, pale blue fins
- Lavender face, magenta body, lavender tail
- Pale pink face, bright pink body, cream tail
- White face, blue body, gray tail
- Peach face, coral body, yellow tail
- Mint face, teal body, cream tail
Make several colors for a cute school of fish.
Tips & Variations
Use cotton yarn for crisp stitch definition and keychain size.
Use plush yarn for a soft squishy toy.
Use two colors for a simple beginner fish.
Use three colors for a more playful look.
For a no-plastic version, embroider the eyes.
For a cat toy, add catnip inside with the stuffing.
For a nursery mobile, make several fish and hang them from clear thread or soft yarn.
For a party favor, make each fish in a different color.
FAQ
Is this mini fish crochet pattern beginner-friendly?
Yes. This pattern is beginner-friendly if you know basic amigurumi rounds, increases, decreases, and simple sewing.
Is this the same as the Sweet Softies Mini Minnows pattern?
No. The linked Sweet Softies page has its own Mini Minnows pattern. This is a new original version with different stitch counts, shaping, tail construction, fin pieces, and assembly. (Sweet Softies)
What yarn works best?
Cotton yarn works well for a small keychain-size fish, while plush yarn makes a bigger, softer fish.
Can I make this fish no-sew?
This version uses sewn fins and a sewn tail for a more finished shape. For the fastest version, you can skip the side fins and embroider small fin lines instead.
Can I turn it into a keychain?
Yes. Add a small crochet loop at the top and attach a keyring.
Conclusion
The Mini Lagoon Fish Amigurumi is quick, colorful, and easy to customize. Its rounded body, soft face section, tiny fins, and fan-shaped tail make it a sweet little crochet project for gifts, markets, party favors, nursery decor, or keychains.
Make one fish in your favorite colors, or crochet a whole school in pastels, brights, ocean blues, or rainbow scraps.
