Give a Gift
The Flirty Fish Bag is a fun, eye-catching accessory that makes a splash wherever you go. With playful fish-inspired shaping and textured stitches, it’s both whimsical and practical for carrying your essentials. Lightweight, unique and full of personality, it’s the perfect conversation piece for beach days, market runs or everyday adventures. It is constructed by knitting two sides and sewing them together. Having a seam along the bottom length of the bag helps to give it some rigidity and strength. Pick some fun fabric for the lining and choose wisely with your bag handles. If you didn’t want a bag, you could stuff this, sew up all the seams and use it as a toy or a fun plush cushion.
Time: Weekend Project
Skill Level: Intermediate
SIZES: 52 cm long, 30cm wide
Gauge: 18 sts and 24 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Rico Creative Flufflily DK (40% cotton, 30% polyester, 20% acrylic, 10% wool; 250meters / 150 grams): 008 Light Moss (MC 1 ball).
King Cole Galaxy DK (65% acrylic, 31% wool, 4% soft payette; 191 yards [175 meters] / 50 grams): 683 Mercury (CC1 1 ball).
King Cole Luxury Merino DK (100% merino superwash; 153 yards [140 meters] / 50 grams): 3392 Antique Gold (CC2 1 ball).
Hook: US size E/4 3.5 mm
Needles: US size 4 3.5 mm, 24” straight needles and dpns.
Notions: tapestry needle, 16cm zipper, 0.5m lining fabric, scrap white and black cotton for eyes, 0.5m extra stiff interfacing for tail and fins, sewing needle and matching thread, chain bag handle, tiny amount of polyester stuffing.
Special Stitches
Royal Quilting Stitch
Multiple of 6 + 3. Made using two colors.
Row 1 (WS): In CC1 k1, p1, * sl5 wyib, p1 *; repeat from * to * to last st, k1.
Row 2: In MC, k.
Row 3: In MC, k1, p to last st, k1.
Row 4: In CC1, k1, sl3 wyib, *insert needle under loose strand of CC1 from row 1 below, k into next st so that the strand is caught behind it, sl5 wyib *; repeat from * to * to last 4 sts, sl3 wyib instead of last sl5, k1.
Row 5: In CC1, k1, sl3 wyib, *p1, sl5 wyib*; repeat from * to * to last 5 sts, p1, sl3 wyib, k1.
Rows 6-7: work as for rows 2 + 3.
Row 8: In CC1, k1, *pick up loose strand from row 5, k1 catching strand behind stitch, sl5 wyib *; repeat from * to * to last 2 sts, pick up loose strand and k1 catching strand behind st, k1.
Pattern Notes
Pattern is constructed by knitting two sides of the fish body, which are then sewn together, leaving a gap at the top for the opening. Fins and eyes are sewn on then lining is cut to match and inserted into the bag, and a zipper is sewn into the opening.
Pattern
Body (make 2)
Using 3.5 mm needles and CC2 cast on 9 sts.
Rows 1-2: Beg with a k row, work in St st for 2 rows.
Row 3: K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. (11 sts)
Row 4: P1, m1, p to last st, m1, p1. (13 sts)
Row 5: K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. (15 sts)
Row 6: P
Rows 7-18: Repeat rows 3-6 another 3 times. (33 sts)
Row 19. K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. (35 sts)
Row 20: P.
Rows 21-28: Repeat rows 19-20 another 4 times. (43 sts)
Row 29: K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. (45 sts)
Rows 30-32: Beg with a p row, work in St st for 3 rows.
Rows 33-44: Repeat rows 29-32 another 3 times. (51 sts)
Break off CC2 and join in CC1.
Rows 45-51: K 7 rows.
Join in MC
Rows 52-59: Work rows 1-8 of stitch pattern.
Rows 60-147: Repeat rows 52-59 another 11 times.
Row 148: Work row 1 of stitch pattern.
Row 149: Using MC, k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (49 sts)
Row 150: Using MC, k1, p2tog, p to last 3 sts, p2tog, k1. (47 sts)
Row 151: Using CC1, k2, *pick up strand and k1 with strand caught behind, sl5 wyib *; repeat from * to * to last 3 sts, pick up strand and k, k2.
Row 152: Using CC1, k1, p1, *p1, sl5 wyib*; repeat from * to * to last 3 sts, p2, k1.
Row 153: Using MC, k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (45 sts)
Row 154: Using MC, k1, p2tog, p to last 3 sts, p2tog, k1. (43 sts)
Row 155: Using CC1, k3, *pick up strand and k1 with strand caught behind, sl5 wyib*; repeat from * to * to last 4 sts, pick up and k strand, k3.
Row 156: Using CC1, k1, p2, *p1, sl5 wyib*; repeat from * to * to last 4 sts, p3, k1.
Row 157: Using MC, k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (41 sts)
Row 158: Using MC, k1, p2tog, p to last 3 sts, p2tog, k1. (39 sts)
Row 159: Using CC1, k4, *pick up strand and k1 with strand caught behind, sl5 wyib*; repeat from * to * to last 5 sts, pick up and k strand, k4.
Row 160: Using CC1, k1, p3, *p1, sl5 wyib*; repeat from * to * to last 5 sts, p4, k1.
Row 161: Using MC, k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (37 sts)
Row 162: Using MC, k1, p2tog, p to last 3 sts, p2tog, k1. (35 sts)
Row 163: CC1, k5, * pick up strand and k1 with strand caught behind, sl5 wyib*; repeat from * to * to last 6 sts, pick up and k strand, k5.
Row 164: Using CC1, k1, p4, *p1, sl5 wyib*; repeat form * to * to last 6 sts, p5, k1.
Row 165: Using MC, k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (33 sts)
Row 166: Using MC, k1, p2tog, p to last 3 sts, p2tog, k1. (31 sts)
Row 167: Using CC1, k6, *pick up strand and k1 with strand caught behind, sl5 wyib*; repeat from * to * to last 7 sts, pick up and k strand, k6.
Row 168: Using CC1, p6, * p1, sl5 wyib*; repeat from * to * to last 7 sts, p6, k1.
Row 169: Using MC, k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (29 sts)
Row 170: Using MC, k1, p2tog, p to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. (27 sts)
Row 171: Using CC1, k7, *pick up strand and k1 with strand caught behind, p5 wyib*; repeat from * to * to last 8 sts, pick up and k strand, k7.
Row 172: Using CC1, k1, p6, *p1, sl5 wyib*; repeat from * to * to last 8 sts, p7, k1.
Row 173: Using MC, k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (25 sts)
Row 174: Using MC, k1, p2tog, p to last 3 sts, p2tog, k1. (23 sts)
Row 175: Using CC1, k8, pick up strand and k1 with strand caught behind, k5, pick up strand and k1 with strand caught behind, k8.
Rows 176-178: Using CC1 k 3 rows, and continue in CC1 only.
Row 179: [K2, m1] to last st, k1. (34 sts)
Row 180: [K2, p2] to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 181: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Rows 182-183: repeat rows 180-181.
Row 184: K1, m1, k1, [p2, k2] 7 times, p2, k1, m1, k1. (36 sts)
Row 185: K1, [p2, k2] to last 3 sts, p2, k1.
Row 186: K1, m1, [k2, p2] to last 3 sts, k2, m1, k1. (38 sts)
Row 187: [K2, p2] to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 188: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 189: K1, m1, k1, [p2, k2] 8 times, p2, k1, m1, k1. (40 sts)
Row 190: K1, m1, [p2, k2] to last 3 sts, p2, m1, k1. (42 sts)
Row 191: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 192: [K2, p2] to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 193: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 194: K1, m1, k1, [p2, k2] 9 times, p2, k1, m1, k1. (44 sts)
Row 195: K1, m1, k1, [p2, k2] to last 3 sts, p2, m1, k1. (46 sts)
Row 196: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 197: [K2, p2] to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 198: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 199: K1, m1, k1, [p2, k2] 10 times, p2, k1, m1, k1. (48 sts)
Row 200: K1, m1, [p2, k2] to last 3 sts, p2, m1, k1. (50 sts)
Row 201: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 202: [K2, p2] to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 203: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 204: K1, m1, k1, [p2, k2] 11 times, p2, k1, m1, k1. (52 sts)
Row 205: K1, m1, [p2, k2] to last 3 sts, p2, m1, k1. (54 sts)
Row 206: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 207: [K2, p2] to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 208: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 209: k1, m1, k1, [p2, k2] 12 times, p2, k1, m1, k1. (56 sts)
Row 210: K1, m1, [p2, k2] to last 3 sts, p2, m1, k1. (58 sts)
Row 211: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 212: [K2, p2] to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 213: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 214: K1, m1, k1, [p2, k2] 13 times, p2, k1, m1, k1. (60 sts)
Row 215: K1, m1, [p2, k2] to last 3 sts, p2, m1, k1. (62 sts)
Row 216: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 217: [K2, p2] to last 2 sts, k2.
Cast off in rib.
Side Fin (make 4 pieces)
Using CC1 and 3.5mm needles cast on 18 sts.
Row 1: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 2: [K2, p2] to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 3: Rep row 1.
Row 4: K1, m1, k1, [p2, k2] 3 times, p2, k1, m1, k1. (20 sts)
Row 5: K1, m1, [p2, k2] 4 times, p2, m1, k1. (22 sts)
Row 6: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 7: [K2, p2] to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 8: K1, m1, p1, [k2, p2] 4 times, k2, p1, m1, k1. (24 sts)
Row 9: K1, m1, [k2, p2] 5 times, k2, m1, k1. (26 sts)
Row 10: [K2, p2] to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 11: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Rows 12-15: Repeat rows 10-11 another 2 times.
Cast off in rib.
Eyes (make 2)
Using scrap black yarn and 3.5mm crochet hook,
Rnd 1: Work 6 sts in a magic circle. (6 sts)
Change to MC.
Rnd 2: 2 sc into each st. (12 sts)
Change to scrap white yarn.
Rnd 3: [sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] to end. (18 sts)
Bind off.
Finishing
Block the 2 sides of the body. While they are drying, measure and draw templates to cut interfacing and fabric lining.
Measure the tail fin, and cut matching piece from heavy interfacing, leaving it about 0.5cm smaller all around. Measure the main body of the fish and cut 2 pieces of lining fabric to match. Sew both pieces together, leaving a 16cm opening along the top edge. Measure side fin and cut 2 pieces to match, leaving them about 0.5cm small all around.
Sew body of bag together, leaving a gap along the top edge of 16 cm. Use MC to work a row of i-cord edging around this opening. Using 3.5mm dpns cast on 3 sts.
Row 1: K2, sl 1, pick up and k st from edge, psso.
Repeat row 1 until you have worked all around the opening. Seam to cast on sts.
Place zipper into opening and sew in position with matching thread.
Place tail fin interfacing into the tail of the body. Use CC1 to work a line of stitches along the base of the tail to stop the interfacing slipping out.
Sew 2 pieces of side fin together. Insert 1 piece of matching heavy interfacing. Oversew across cast on sts, then sew to either side of body.
Sew eyes to either side of head, putting a tiny amount of stuffing behind to puff out the eye.
Place fabric lining into bag and sew the opening to the underside of the already sewn in zipper.
Use CC1 to make 2 5cm i-cord lengths. Sew to bag, using the photos as a guide for positioning. Attach ends of bag handles to i-cord loops.