🧶 Beautiful ✨ Detailed 💝 Adorable

Fish Granny Square Crochet Pattern

Fish Granny Square Crochet Pattern
4.5★ Rating
2-3 Hours Time Needed
2.3K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Bite-Sized Project

Finishes in 2-4 hours—perfect for an afternoon of creative relaxation.

🏡

Cozy Accent

A warm touch for your space that transforms ordinary corners into inviting nooks filled with handmade charm.

About This Fish Granny Square Crochet Pattern

This pattern creates a cute Fish Granny Square motif using lightweight acrylic yarn and a 4 mm hook. It combines circular double crochet rounds, a color change, and small orange fins to form a playful fish applique. The design is perfect for blankets, bags, square swaps, or decorative projects.

Fish Granny Square Crochet Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Step-by-step rounds are provided with photos and finishing notes to help you place fins and the eye accurately. Assembly instructions show how to stitch the components together and weave in ends cleanly.

Why You'll Love This Fish Granny Square Crochet Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it turns a simple granny motif into a charming fish with minimal extra pieces. I enjoy how the circular base and color change create a bold center, while the small fins add personality and dimension. The technique is satisfying and quick, so you get a finished applique in a short amount of time. I also love that you can mix colors and make a whole school of fish from the same pattern.

Fish Granny Square Crochet Pattern step 1 - construction progress Fish Granny Square Crochet Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Fish Granny Square Crochet Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Fish Granny Square Crochet Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love customizing this square by swapping color palettes; try pastel shades for a soft nursery look or neon brights for playful accents.

You can make the square larger by using a thicker yarn and a larger hook for a chunkier motif perfect for blankets.

I often add embroidery to the fish body for extra detail, like small scales or a smiling mouth stitched with contrasting yarn.

To create a set, make several fish in coordinating colors and join them into a blanket or garland.

I sometimes replace the black yarn eye with a safety eye for a more three-dimensional look, but be sure to secure it well for items for children.

If you want a flatter applique, use a smaller hook for the fins so they sit closer to the body when stitched down.

I recommend experimenting with textured yarn for the blue background to give a subtle water-like effect.

For a keychain, make a mini version using thin yarn and a 2.5 mm hook, then attach a split ring to the corner.

I also enjoy making the fish reversible by finishing tails and fins neatly and sewing them in place on both sides for double-sided appliques.

Try creating holiday or themed fish by changing small details: glitter yarn for a party version or earth tones for a nature-themed project.

Dont be afraid to mix stitches; swap the round 5 triple crochet shell for a puff stitch cluster to give the top fin more texture and personality.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the stitch count at the end of each round leads to uneven shaping; always check the number in parentheses after each round to stay on track. ✗ Pulling the magic ring too tight before securing can distort the first round; tighten the ring gently then close with a slip stitch into the first dc as instructed. ✗ Forgetting to change color cleanly at the end of Round 4 causes a messy join; follow Method 1 or Method 2 for a neat color change and weave in tails securely. ✗ Not using the invisible stitch when finishing can leave a visible join; use the invisible stitch method described to create a smooth finish and then weave in the tail. ✗ Attaching fins without pinning can result in uneven placement; pin pieces in place first, check symmetry against the photo, then stitch using the long tails.

Fish Granny Square Crochet Pattern

Make a cheerful fish granny square that adds playful charm to blankets, bags, or decor. This pattern walks you through a circular fish base, color change, and decorative fins for a polished applique. Youll enjoy clear step-by-step rounds, photo tips, and simple assembly so you can finish a bright motif in a single sitting. Perfect for using up scraps or creating a set of aquatic squares.

Intermediate 2-3 Hours

Materials Needed for Fish Granny Square Crochet Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Lightweight acrylic yarn in 4 colors: Yellow, Blue, Black, and Orange

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 4 mm
  • 02
    Yarn Needle
  • 03
    Scissors

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Materials :

Infos :

Lightweight acrylic yarn in 4 colors: Yellow, Blue, Black, and Orange. 4 mm hook. Yarn Needle. Scissors.

— Measurements :

Info :

The square is 11 cm x 11 cm

— Notes :

Infos :

The ( ) at the end of each round/row indicates the total number of stitches that should be completed for that round/row. When working through the rounds/rows, work through the entire stitch (back loop and front loop); unless stated otherwise. The ch1 or ch2 at the beginning of each round do not count as stitches unless stated otherwise. You can use any yarn to make this square. For example, if you use a smaller hook and a suitable yarn, the square will be smaller.

— Square :

Round 1 :

MR, ch2, 12dc inside MR (12)

Info :

Tighten the MR by pulling on the tail and then sl st in the 1st dc (skip the ch2).

Round 2 :

ch2, *dc inc* all around (24)

Round 3 :

ch2, *dc, dc inc* all around (36)

Round 4 :

ch2, *2dc, dc inc* all around (48)

Info :

Invisible stitch: after you are done with Round 4, cut the yarn, leave a long tail, and pull it all the way through. With your needle, go into the 2nd dc from the back to the front through both loops, and then go through the center of the last dc towards the back. Pull the tail tight enough to create a stitch on top of the 1st dc and then weave in the excess yarn to secure it.

Info :

Color Change: at the end of Round 4, you will need to do a color change. Method 1: change color at the last dc of Round 4. Method 2: after Round 4, finish off with an invisible stitch and then attach the new color.

Round 5 :

ch1, *3sc, 2hdc, 2dc, [2tc + ch2 + 2tc] in the same stitch, 2dc, 2hdc* all around (68)

Info :

Insert your hook into any stitch and attach the new yarn by pulling it through the stitch.

Info :

Sl st in the first sc that you did at the beginning of Round 5.

Round 6 :

ch2, *dc* all around and [2dc + ch2 + 2dc] in the ch2 space (84)

Info :

At the end of the round, finish off and weave in any excess yarn. You can finish off using the invisible stitch method or sl st in the 1st dc and then yarn over and pull the yarn all the way through.

— Top Fin :

Row 1 :

Using the orange yarn: sl knot, ch14, sc in the 2nd ch away from the hook, [skip a st, 5dc in the same st, skip a st, sc]x3 (19)

Info :

Finish off and leave a long tail for stitching.

— Side Fin :

Round 1 :

Using the orange yarn: MR, ch3 (counts as a dc), 4dc in MR (5)

Info :

Tighten the MR. Finish off and leave a long tail for stitching.

— Tail :

Round 1 :

Using the orange yarn: MR, ch3 (counts as a dc), 5dc in MR (6)

Info :

Tighten the MR.

Round 2 :

ch3 (counts as a dc), turn, dc in the same st, 4dc, dc inc (8)

— Face :

Round 1 :

Using the orange yarn: MR, ch3 (counts as a dc), 5dc in MR (6)

Info :

Tighten the MR.

Round 2 :

ch3 (counts as a dc), turn, dc in the same st, 4dc, dc inc (8)

Round 3 :

ch3, turn, dc in the same st, 6dc, dc inc (10)

Info :

Finish off and leave a long tail for stitching.

— Eye :

Round 1 :

Using the black yarn: MR, ch1, 5sc in MR (5)

Info :

Tighten the MR. Finish off and leave a long tail for stitching.

— Assembly :

Info :

Place the face components on the square. Use the tails for stitching. Align the elements to the circular base similar to the photo below, stitch them, and weave in the ends.

Assembly Instructions

  • Place the face components on the square and position them to match the circular base photo for correct placement.
  • Use the long tails from each element to stitch them in place securely, hiding the knots on the back of the square.
  • Align the top fin, side fin, and tail around the circular yellow base similar to the sample photo before sewing.
  • Stitch the eye onto the face using the tail and then weave in all ends to the back of the square to secure.

Important Notes

  • 💡The ( ) at the end of each round/row shows the total stitches to complete for that round; check it every round.
  • 💡Work through the entire stitch (front and back loops) unless the pattern specifically instructs otherwise.
  • 💡The ch1 or ch2 at the beginning of a round do not count as stitches unless the pattern explicitly states they do.
  • 💡You can use any yarn and hook size for a different final size; smaller hook and yarn will yield a smaller square.

This Fish Granny Square pattern is a cheerful little applique thats great for blankets, bags, or creating a set of ocean-themed squares. It uses simple rounds, a neat color change, and small fins to bring the fish to life. Happy crocheting and may your projects swim with color and joy! 🧶🐟

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished square measures approximately 11 cm x 11 cm using the recommended lightweight yarn and a 4 mm hook.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights but the final size will change; adjust your hook size accordingly to achieve the look you want.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate, so basic knowledge of double crochet, increases, and working from a magic ring is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete a single fish granny square in about 2-3 hours, though time may vary based on experience and pacing.

How do I make a clean color change at the edge of Round 4?

You can change color at the last dc of Round 4 or finish with the invisible stitch and attach the new color to create a neat join.