Gus the Goldfish Pillow Buddy

Version 1.2
Pattern by Accessorize This Designs

"Gus” the Goldfish is the coolest fish in the sea! So many colour combinations make him perfect
for home & nursery décor. Measuring approximately 2 feet and made with Bernat Blanket
Bright Super Bulky yarn making him soft, cuddly and quick to work up.

Please feel free to sell any finished items made using this pattern, but please link back to this pattern and reference myself as the designer.
All photographs on this page and in the pattern are copyright protected and cannot be used to sell or promote your items.
There are no returns or refunds for pattern sales. All sales are final.
Materials:

Hook size 9mm (M/N)

Bernat Blanket Brights Yarn

1 big ball (300g) – Carrot Orange
1 small ball (150g) – School Bus Yellow

Scrap worsted weight yarn in black and

white for the eyes

16” Round Pillow form

Stitch Markers

Safety pins to help with sewing placement

Yarn needle to weave in the ends

Note: May also substitute a double or triple strand of worsted weight (4) yarn, eg Vanna’s Choice for the
blanket yarn, as long as the gauge is accurate

Some helpful sources for yarn www.yarnspirations.com and pillow forms www.pillowforms.ca or
www.pillowformsplus.com

Gauge: 1 round Dc = approx. 2 ¼ inch diameter

Abbreviations:

Magic ring – there are lots of tutorials online which explain this method of beginning
Dc – double crochet
Sc – single crochet
ss- slip stitch
ch- chain
Hdc – half double crochet
Trc- triple crochet
St – stitch
*to* - repeat
fpDc – front post double crochet - http://www.creamofthecropcrochet.com/2015/01/front-post-double-
crochet-tutorial/
fsc – foundation single crochet - http://www.mooglyblog.com/extending-rows-fsc/
surface crochet – http://www.mooglyblog.com/surface-crochet-tutorial/
sdc - standing double crochet- http://www.mooglyblog.com/chainless-starting-double-crochet-round/
Mattress Stitch Seam - http://www.mooglyblog.com/mattress-stitch-seaming/

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Body:

Using Bernat Blanket Brights Yarn in Carrot Orange, create a Magic Ring
Note: All rounds are joined with a slip stitch in the first stitch of the round unless noted otherwise.
Note: The first stitch of the round is worked in the same stich as joining

Front:

Round 1: work 1 standing double crochet (sdc) and 11 Dc in the Magic Ring, join (12)
Round 2: sdc, Fpdc in same st, *dc and fpdc* in each of the next 8 dc, 2dc in each of the last 3 st,
join (24)
Round 3: sdc, dc in same st, fpdc in the fpdc, *2dc in the next dc, fpdc in the fpdc * 8 times,
*2dc, dc* 3 times, join (36)
Round 4: sdc, dc in same st, work dc in the next dc, fpdc in the fpdc, *3dc in the next dc, sk dc,
fpdc in the fpdc* 8 times, *2dc, dc, dc* 3 times, join (48)
Round 5: sdc, dc in same st, dc in each of the next 2 st, fpdc in the next fpdc, *3dc in the next
dc, [in the same st begin working the first portion of a dc (yo, pick up loop, yo draw
through 2 loops) with 2 loops on the hook, sk 1 dc st, insert hook into the next dc st
and pick up loop, yo and pull through all 3 loops on the hook], fpdc in the fpdc*,
repeat * to * 8 times, *2dc, dc in the next 3 st* times 3, join (60)
Note: I’ve added a figure 10 to show the breakdown of the stitch counts after row 5 to provide additional
clarity
Round 6: sdc, dc in same st, dc in each of the next 3 dc, fpdc in the fpdc, *4 dc in the next dc, [in
the same st begin working dc (yo, pick up loop, yo, draw through 2 loops, with 2 loops
on the hook, sk 1 st, pull up a loop from each of the next 2dc, yo and pull through 4
remaining loops], fpdc in the fpdc* 8 times, *2dc, dc in the next 4 st* 3 times, join (72)
Round 7: sdc, dc in same st, dc in each of the next 4 st, fpdc in the next fpdc, *5dc in the next dc,
[in the same st begin working dc (yo, pick up loop, yo, pull through 2 loops, with 2
loops on the hook, sk 2 dc, pull up a loop from each of the next 2dc, yo and pull
through 4 remaining loops] , fpdc in the fpdc* 8 times, *2dc, dc in the next 5 st* 3
times, join (84)
Round 8: sdc, dc in same st, dc in each of the next 5 st, fpdc in the next fpdc *in the next 6st,
(2dc, hdc, sc, sc, hdc, dc,) fpdc in the fpdc* 8 times. *2dc, dc in the next 6st* 3 times,
join TURN (96)
Note: Row 9 is a short row, only using 17 sts from round 8
Row 9: ch1, sc in the next 3st, 2hdc, hdc, dc, dc, 2trc, 3trc, 2trc, dc, dc, hdc, 2hdc, sc in the next
3 st. ss in the next st. End off leaving approx. 24inches for sewing (23)

Back:
Note: The back is very similar to the front, but the spiral spins the opposite direction

Round 1: 1 standing Dc (Sdc) and 11 Dc in the Magic Ring, join (12)

Round 2: Sdc, Fpdc in same st, *dc and fpdc* in each of the next 8 dc, 2dc in each of the last 3
st, join (24)
Round 3: sdc, dc in same st, fpdc in the fpdc, *2dc in the next dc, fpdc in the fpdc * 8 times,
*2dc, dc* 3 times, join (36)
Round 4: sdc, dc in same st, dc in the next dc, fpdc in the fpdc, *sk 1dc, 3dc in the next dc, fpdc
in the fpdc* 8 times, *2dc, dc, dc* 3 times, join (48)

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 Round 5: sdc, dc in same st, dc in each of the next 2 st, fpdc in the next fpdc, *[pull up loop
from first dc, sk 1 dc, yo, pick up loop from last dc, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, pull
through all 3 loops on the hook], 3dc in the last dc), fpdc in the fpdc*, repeat * to * 8
times, *2dc, dc in the next 3 st* times 3, join (60)
Round 6: sdc, dc in same st, dc in each of the next 3 dc, fpdc in the fpdc,*[pull up loop from the
cluster st below, pull up 2nd loop from the next dc, sk 1 dc, yo pull up loop from the
last dc, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, pull through remaining 4 loops on hook],
complete 4 more dc in the last dc, fpdc in the fpdc* 8 times, *2dc, dc in the next 4 st* 3
times, join (72)
Round 7: sdc, dc in same st, dc in each of the next 4 st, fpdc in the next fpdc, *[pull up loop from
the cluster st below, pull up 2nd loop from the next dc, sk 2 dc, yo pull up loop from
the last dc, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, pull through remaining 4 loops on hook],
complete 5 more dc in the last dc, fpdc in the fpdc* 8 times, *2dc, dc in the next 5 st* 3
times, join (84)
Round 8: sdc, dc in same st, dc in each of the next 5 st, fpdc in the next fpdc *in the next 6st, (dc,
hdc, sc, sc, hdc, 2dc,) fpdc in the fpdc* 8 times. *2dc, dc in the next 6st* 3 times, join
TURN (96)
Note: Row 9 is a short row, only using 17 sts from round 8
Row 9: ch1, sc in the next 3st, 2hdc, hdc, dc, dc, 2trc, 3trc, 2trc, dc, dc, hdc, 2hdc, sc in the next
3 st. ss in the next st. End off leaving approx. 24inches for sewing (23)

Side Fin: (Make 2)

Note: while working on the fins and tail, you do not need to end off the yarn at each colour change. The
colour changes will be concealed once sewn onto the body

Using Bernat Blanket Brights Yarn Carrot Orange, ch 8 st

Note: All rows for fins and tail will be worked in BLO unless otherwise stated.
Row 1: ss in the 2nd st from the hook and in the next 6 st
Change colour to Yellow TURN ch1
Row 2: ss in the next 7st, ch2 TURN
Row 3: ss in the 2nd st from the hook and in the next 7st,
Change colour to Orange, TURN ch1
Row 4: ss in the next 8 st, ch2 TURN
Row 5: ss in the 2nd st from the hook and in the next 8st,
Change colour to Yellow, TURN ch 1
Row 6: ss in the next 9st TURN ch 1
Row 7: ss in next 9 st
Change colour to Orange, TURN ch 1
Row 8: ss in the next 9st TURN ch1
Row 9: ss in next 9 st
Change colour to Yellow, TURN ch 1
Row 10: ss in the next 8 st TURN ch1 (leave the last ss unworked)
Row 11: ss in the next 8 st
Change colour to Orange, TURN ch 1
Row 12: ss in the next 7st TURN ch1 (leave the last ss unworked)
Row 13: ss in the next 7 st. end off leaving approx. 6 inches for sewing

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Top Fin:

Starting with Bernat Blanket Brights Carrot Orange, ch 6

Note: All rows for fins and tail will be worked in BLO unless otherwise stated.

Row 1: ss in 2nd ch from the hook and in the next 4 st, TURN
Change to Yellow, TURN ch 1
Row 2: ss in the next 5 ss, ch2 TURN
Row 3: ss in the 2nd ch from the hook and in the next 5st
Change to Orange, TURN ch 1
Row 4: ss in the next 6st, ch 2 TURN
Row 5: ss in the 2nd ch from the hook and in the next 6st
Change to Yellow, TURN ch 1
Row 6: ss in the next 7 st, ch2 TURN
Row 7: ss in the 2nd ch from the hook and in the the next 7st
Change to Orange, TURN ch 1
Row 8: ss in the next 8st, ch2 TURN
Row 9: ss in the 2nd ch from the hook and in the next 8 st
Change to Yellow, TURN ch 1
Row 10: ss in the next 9 st, ch1 TURN
Row 11: ss in the next 9 st
Change to Orange, TURN ch 1
Rows 12-21: repeat Rows 10 and 11 (alternating colours every 2 rows)
Change to Yellow, TURN ch 1
Row 22: ss in the next 8 st, ch 1 TURN (this will leave 1 st unworked)
Row 23: ss in the next 8st,
Change to Orange, TURN ch 1
Row 24: ss in the next 7st, ch 1 TURN (this will leave 1 st unworked)
Row 25: ss in the next 7st,
Change to Yellow, TURN ch 1
Row 26: ss in the next 5 st, ch TURN (leaving 2 st unworked)
Row 27: ss in the next 5 st
Change to Orange, TURN ch 1
Row 28: ss in the next 3 st ch1, TURN (leaving 2 st unworked)
Row 29: ss in the next 3 st,
End off leaving approx. 12inch tail for sewing

Tail:

Using Bernat Blanket Brights Yarn in Carrot Orange, ch 17 st

Note: All rows for fins and tail will be worked in BLO unless otherwise stated.

Row 1: Turn and ss in the 2nd ch from the hook, ss in the next 15 st
Change to Yellow, ch 1 TURN
Row 2: ss in the next 5 st, sc in the next 11 st, add 1 fsc to the last st, ch 1 TURN
Row 3: Sc in the next 12 st, ss in the next 5 st
Change to Orange, TURN ch 1
Row 4: ss in the next 5 st, sc in the next 12st, add 1fsc to the last st, ch1 TURN

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 Row 5: sc in the next 13st, ss in the next 5 st
Change to Yellow, TURN ch 1
Row 6: ss in the next 5st, sc in the next 13st, ch1 TURN
Row 7: sc in the next 13st, ss in the next 5st
Change to Orange, TURN ch 1
Row 8: repeat Row 6
Row 9: repeat Row 7
Change to Yellow, TURN ch 1
Row 10: ss in the next 5 st, sc in the next 11 st (leaving 2 st unworked), ch1 TURN
Row 11: sc in the next 11 st, ss in the next 5 st
Change to Orange, TURN ch 1
Row 12: ss in the next 5 st, sc in the next 9 st (leaving 2st unworked), ch1 TURN
Row 13: sc in the next 9 st, ss in the next 5 st
Change to Yellow, TURN ch 1
Row 14: ss in the next 5 st, sc in the next 7 st (leaving 2 st unworked), ch1 TURN
Row 15: sc in the next 7 st, ss in the next 5 st
Change to Orange, TURN ch 1
Row 16: ss in the next 5 st, sc in the next 7 st, add 2 fsc st to the end of the row (see Tutorial),
ch1 TURN
Row 17: sc in the first 9 st, ss in the next 5 st
Change to Yellow, TURN ch 1
Row 18: ss in the first 5 st, sc in the next 9 st, add 2fsc to the end of the row, ch1 TURN
Row 19: sc in the first 11 st, ss in the next 5 st
Change to Orange, TURN ch 1
Row 20: ss in the first 5 st, sc in the next 11 st, add 2fsc to the end of the row, ch1 TURN
Row 21: sc in the first 13 st, ss in the next 5 st
Change to Yellow, TURN ch 1
Row 22: ss in the first 5 st, sc in the next 13 st, ch 1 Turn
Row 23: sc in the first 13 st, ss in the next 5 st
Change to Orange, TURN ch 1
Row 24: repeat row 22
Row 25: repeat row 23
Change to Yellow: ch 1 TURN
Row 26: ss in the first 5 st, sc in the next 12 st (leaving 1 st unworked), ch 1 TURN
Row 27: sc in the first 12 st, ss in the next 5 st
Change to Orange, TURN ch 1
Row 28: ss in the first 5 st, sc in the next 11 st (leaving 1 st unworked), ch 1 TURN
Row 29: ss across all 16 st
End off leaving an 18 inch tail for sewing

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Eyes: (make 2)

Using a single strand of black blanket yarn OR a double strand of Black worsted weight yarn,
make a magic ring
Round 1: in the ring 2sc, 2dc, 2sc, 2dc, ss to the first sc (8)
Switch to White Blanket yarn OR a double strand of White worsted weight yarn leaving the black yarn
attached
Round 2: ch 1, 2sc in the same sc, sc and hdc in next st, 3 dc in EACH of the next 2 sts, hdc
and sc in the next st, 2sc in each of the last 3 sts, join end off (18)
Round 3: using the double strand of black yarn to surface crochet through the base of the
white sts (see Figure 1)
Change to Orange, attach to the hdc stitch of the left side of the eye (see Figure 2)

Figure 1 (blue yarn used for clarity)

Figure 2 Figure 3

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Eyes: (Continued)
Round 4: ch 5 sts, ss to the hdc at the right side of the eye (see Figure 3), in ch closest to
where you just ss, sc, hdc in the next ch, 2dc in next ch, hdc, in the next ch, sc in the
last ch, ss into the HDc (see Figure 4a)
Round 5: continue to sc around the eye counter clockwise, starting with the hdc the yarn was
attached to (See Figure 4b) sc in the hdc st, (2sc, sc,) 5 times, sc in the hdc st,
continue working *2sc, sc* 3 times counter clockwise around the eye by crocheting
the front (Orange) and back (White) stitches together, (26) End off leaving a 9 inch
tail for sewing.
Note: if you’d like to have the “white fleck” in the eye, take the tail of the white yarn and sew up through the
centre of the magic ring and back down into the black portion of the eye angled slightly to the left.

Figure 4a Figure 4b

Figure 5 (Complete eye)

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Sewing Placement:

Eyes and Side fin:

I placed the side fins on the last fpdc of rounds 2-5 (Figure 6). I placed the eyes between rounds 4
and 6 about 2 stiches from the first fpdc. (Figure 6)

Body:
With right sides facing out and fpdc’s lined up I used a mattress st (see tutorial in abbreviations
section above) to sew around the body of the fish. Don’t forget to add in the pillow form at about
halfway through,
When you reach the dc sts of the ‘mouth’ area (dc, 2tr, 3tr, 2tr, dc section of row 9 of the body), sew
the two sides together at the base of these stiches, (not the top) to form a mouth (Figure 7).

Mouth:
Ss around the ‘mouth’ circle created using the dc and tr from the 9th row (Figure 7).

Top Fin:
Place the front of the fin (side with 3ss) at the first fpdc of the round 8, when you reach the back of
the fin sew side down also (Figure 8)

Tail:
Place the tail at approx. between 5th and 7th fpdc from row 8

Figure 6 Figure 7

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Figure 8 Figure 9

Figure 10

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