About This Fish Granny Square Crochet Pattern
This pattern creates a delightful fish motif worked into a granny-style square, perfect for blankets or decorative accents. You will crochet a circular base, switch colors, and make small appliques for the fins, tail, and eye. The pattern includes clear round-by-round instructions and helpful finishing techniques to get neat edges.
Photographs and explanation of the invisible stitch method are provided to give a professional finish. All components are stitched onto the square using the yarn tails for a secure attachment.
Why You'll Love This Fish Granny Square Crochet Pattern
I absolutely love this pattern because it turns a simple granny square into a playful fish motif with minimal extra pieces. I enjoy the balance between working in rounds and adding small appliques — it keeps the project engaging without being overwhelming. The invisible stitch and color-change methods give a clean, finished look that I find very satisfying. Making a set of squares in different colors is one of my favorite ways to customize blankets or decorative panels.
Switch Things Up
I love using different color palettes to change the mood of this Fish Granny Square; swap yellow for coral and blue for aqua for a tropical feel.
I often adjust size by changing yarn weight and hook size—use DK yarn and a 3.5 mm hook for a slightly smaller square or worsted weight and a 5 mm hook for a chunkier version.
I add embroidery details like a small mouth or scales with contrasting yarn to give extra personality to the fish.
I sometimes replace the crocheted eye with a safety eye for a more toy-like finish, or embroider a stitched eye for sturdiness on blankets.
I like to make a set of squares in alternating colors and join them into a playful baby blanket pattern for themed gifts.
I recommend experimenting with textured stitches for the background rounds, such as popping in a round of hdc or fpdc to create subtle ridges around the fish.
I also enjoy mixing in metallic or sparkle yarn for a single round to give the square a shimmery highlight that mimics fish scales.
I sometimes make mini versions by using fingering yarn and a 2.5 mm hook to turn this into a keychain or small ornament.
I suggest trying different placements for the fins and tail to create varied expressions and silhouettes across a blanket or cushion panel.
I encourage you to combine appliques—a coral, a small shell, or another fish—to build a whole undersea theme with coordinated squares.
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them
✗ Not tightening the magic ring can leave a hole in the center; pull the tail to close the MR securely before joining or slipping into the first stitch.
✗ Skipping the invisible stitch step after Round 4 can leave a bulky join; follow the invisible stitch instructions to create a smooth, neat edge and weave in the tail.
✗ Forgetting to change color correctly at the last dc of Round 4 can create a visible knot; either change color in the last dc or finish with the invisible stitch and attach new yarn as instructed.
✗ Neglecting to leave long tails on small appliques makes stitching them into position difficult; leave a generous tail and use it to secure each piece with neat whipstitches.
