crochet pattern | koi fish plushie

⚘ here's my attempt of a crochet koi fish! (as a part of my Orange Color Crochet Challenge on my youtube channel "celeste's nook")

Note: The text in this pattern is color-coded for easy readability! If you can't see the different colors, I highly recommend to try a different browser because it'll make the color changes much easier.

i also show my process/tips throughout my crochet vlogs if you want to see the behind-the-scenes of this pattern, or if you need something to watch as you crochet! would love to have you crochet with me :)

[click the photo to redirect to my vlogs]

Materials I Used

• Chenille yarn, (Recommended Weight: 5-6)
• White/Cream 
• Orange
• 5.5mm crochet hook 
• Stuffing (polyfil, etc.)
• Tapestry needle

Abbreviations

ch - chain

slst - slip stitch

sc - single crochet

inc - single crochet increase

dec - single crochet decrease

hdc - half double crochet

dc - double crochet

dc inc - double crochet increase

PATTERN ⋅˚₊‧ ଳ ‧₊˚ ⋅

KOI BODY (working in a spiral)

R1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)

R2: 6 sc inc (12)

R3: [sc, inc]x6 (18)

R4: [2 sc, inc]x6 (24)

R5: [3 sc, inc]x6 (30)

R6: [4 sc, inc]x6, slst (36)

⚠️ Rows 7-19 will all have 36 sc across, with the following color changes:

R7: 25 sc white, 3 sc orange, 8 sc white (36)

R8: 24 white, 5 orange, 7 white (36)

R9: 22 white, 7 orange, 7 white (36)

R10: 21 white, 8 orange, 7 white (36)

R11: 21 white, 7 orange, 8 white (36)

R12: 20 white, 7 orange, 9 white (36)

R13: 19 white, 8 orange, 9 white (36)

R14: 17 white, 12 orange, 7 white (36)

R15: 16 white, 13 orange, 7 white (36)

R16: 16 white, 13 orange, 7 white (36)

R17: 16 white, 11 orange, 9 white (36)

R18: 18 white, 7 orange, 11 white (36)

R19: 20 white, 3 orange, 13 white (36)

🛑 PLACE EYES between R4-5 with ~11 st in between them (modify to your preference)

🛑 Start STUFFING body with filling

⚠️ Rows 20-31 will start to decrease the width, with the following color changes:

R20: [4 sc, dec]x5 white, 4 sc orange, dec white (30)

R21: 23 white, 6 sc orange, 1 white (30)

R22: ([3 sc, dec]x4, 3 sc) white, (dec, 3 sc, dec) orange (24)

R23: 18 sc white, 6 sc orange (24)

R24: ([2 sc, dec]x4, 1 sc) white, (1 sc, dec, 2 sc, dec) orange (18)

R25: 14 sc white, 3 sc orange, 1 sc white (18)

R26: 18 sc white (18)

R27: [1 sc, dec]x6 white (12)

R28-29: 12 sc white (12)

R30: 6 sc together (6)

R31: 6 sc across (6)

DO NOT fasten off; working directly from the last sc

KOI TAIL (See photos for reference)

First tail: 

• ch6, *working in back bump of chains* skip 1, sc, hdc, 3dc
• sc into 3rd stitch from R31

Second tail: 

• ch6, *working in back bump of chains* skip 1, sc, hdc, 3dc 
• slst into 6th stitch from R31 

ch1, turn work, sc across all around the tails: 5sc, 3sc on tip of second tail, 11sc, 3sc on tip of first tail, 5sc 

Fasten off, leaving long end for sewing. Sew the tails along edge of R31 to secure; weave ends.

FRONT FINS (2x)

R1: ch7, *working in back bump of chains* skip 2, hdc, 4dc

R2: ch1, turn work, 5sc, 3sc on tip of fin, 5sc

Fasten off, leaving long end for sewing.

Where to Attach Front Fins: from R10 to R14

BACK FINS (2x)

R1: ch4, *working in back bump of chains* skip 1, sc, 2hdc

Fasten off, leaving long end for sewing.

Where to Attach Back Fins: from R22 to R23

TOP FIN

R1: ch14, *working in back bump of chains* skip 2, dc inc across (24)

Where to Attach Top Fin: from R22 to R23

MOUTH

R1: ch10, *working in back bump of chains* 10 slst (10)

Fasten off, leaving long end for sewing, connect both sides to make an O shape

Where to Attach Mouth: around R2-3

...and that's it! ♥️

- celeste

ig (@celestes.nook)

tiktok (@celestespringride)

yt (celeste's nook)