Plarn Betta

Intro: Plarn Betta

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!

Comments

[ElizabethR123]

This is so creative. Thank you for sharing.

[JenniferB11]

Step 1 came out very different... Humm

[ThisIsMyNameOK]

LOL It looks fine to me. ;-)

I don't have any experience crocheting, except with elastic bands, so I can't really say why but, when I was trying to make something similar to this with my rubber bands, I had a similar problem. I seemed to keep picking up extra stitches or something as I went and the rows were always completely uneven.

[ThisIsMyNameOK]

These are so pretty. And I have been looking for a way to use those little produce bags. Now I just have to figure out the crocheting part of it.

[ikaika47]

This is the cutest thing I've ever seen, who new it could be so easy!!

[dragonswing]

Very cute fish. Disappointed that I can't get the pdf download without becoming a premier member. Took me a half hour to figure out how to become a free member. Only the premier block kept popping up. Very unfriendly site so I don't think I will stick around long.
Just saw the block that says no criticisms so I guess I will be banned after this comment. BYE!

[charchar2]

So cute!! I'm so sorry about Sushi... :(

[sugarsnout]

Beautiful!! I may have to brush up on my basic crochet, I really want a beta fish but I have a very crazy kitten who loves seafood! He and the two birds get along but I think this will be awesome. I have had an awesome bowl for a long time. I might suspend the fish in the bowl for display. Thanks for the great idea!!

[BabyRoses7]

Very creative and ingenious I love it!! i wonder could you also use colored marker pens to make different colored betas??< Love your Plarn beta Fish! and im sorry to hear about Sushi! God Bless!

[taria]

awww, I lost my poor Alby a while back as well (my bata that lived for 4 months, hey it's a record for a Walmart fish) he's on my cell though as the back ground. He was all white with one tiny dot of black on his head. That's why he was named Alby. short for albino...lol

I might make one of these and have it, just to have one of my baby Alby. Okay I've lost it...lol

[genuine mudpie]

sushi the betta fish didn't live past 6 months either... i'm not sure where he was bought. but i guess betta fish don't live very long. sad...

[taria]

My daughter had one that lived for 2 years. I think that's long for a betta if I'm not mistaken.

betta fish are so graceful and beautiful....*sighs* I miss my fishies at home, (Koy's sp?)

[jfeuling]

I'm sorry, I'm a bit confused. Could you maybe post some more pictures of your crocheting process?

[genuine mudpie]

which part of the crocheting process are you unclear about?

[Sagi]

Awesome! But i think, it resembles more a fantail gold fish than a betta ;-)!

[gardenwife]

I thought it looked like a fantail goldfish. Either way, it is *really* cool. I love this -- great job! Can you recommend any good video tutorials showing how to crochet? I've never tried that.

[genuine mudpie]

thank you!
i think the videos from lion brand yarn offer some pretty clear instructions. http://learntocrochet.lionbrand.com/

[genuine mudpie]

haha, that's what my mom said (that it looks like a gold fish). i guess it can be a gold fish. though i made it with my pet betta in mind.

[Sagi]

Goldfish or betta - its gorgeous work and very cool! :-)

[plasticpopcorn4]

ahaha i thought it was real :D