make a plarn betta!

a tribute to Sushi the betta fish, my pet betta fish that passed away.

i used those thin translucent plastic bags from the produce section in the grocery store, partly because we don't get free plastic bags here in Toronto and the only plastic bags i have on hand are those produce ones. but also because i think the translucent and delicate quality of the produce bags would make a nice fish.

for this project you'll need:

plarn (aka plastic bag yarn. if you need instruction on how to make plastic bag yarn see http://hellejorgensen.typepad.com/gooseflesh/2007/02/plastic_bag_yar.html)
3-4 of those produce bags would suffice.

3.5mm crochet hook

white glue

another plastic bag to stuff fish

shiny silver material (i.e. the inside of a candy wrapper)

a black Sharpie

Step 1: Crochet the Body

ch 3, 6 sc in third ch from hook, 2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc, [2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc] around and around until piece measures about 2″ in diameter, end with a sl st in next sc. Don’t fasten off.

You’ll get a shallow cup shape.

Step 2: Stuffing and Seaming

Fold piece in half, with the stitch on hook on one end of the fold line. Then ch 1, crochet together the top edges with slip stitch through back loops only.

When half way across, stuff with bits of a plastic bag, then continue crocheting edges together. Leave a 2″ tail and fasten off.

Step 3: Making Fins and Tail

After the body is made you can shape the fins and tail to make it into any fish you like.

For fins, cut a 4″ length of plarn, hook it halfway through a stitch on the body where you’d like to position the fin, then glue the 2 halves together with a dot of white glue in between. Before the glue dries one could shape the fin a bit and trim it.

Repeat for all the fins. One could also add more plarn to the tail to make it look fuller, using the same method.

I made this demo one with seam side up, but I think I like the shape better when it’s seam side down, like the orange/white one in the intro page.

Step 4: Make the Fish Eyes

For the eyes, I looked for shiny silver materials, like this Tootsie Roll wrapper here. I then cut a tiny circle out of it and drew the eye with a black Sharpie, and attached it to the fish with white glue.

Step 5: C'est Fini!

and it's done! :D

visitors to my blog suggested hanging them in front of windows, making mobiles with them, or weighing them down with BB pellets and placing them in a fish bowl. i haven't tried any of these, but i might make a watercolour background for them and make a wall-hanging of some kind.

happy crafting!