To kick off the month of May, I led a Mystery Crochet-A-Long! Now all the instructions are complete, and I’ve added my own photos of the original project. I hope you’ve all had fun, and that we can do it again in the future!
Please feel free to post your pictures! If you’re a member of the Crochet Lounge you can post them there, or post them directly to the Moogly Facebook page! I can’t wait to see them! And if you’re a Ravelry member, be sure to add the project to your notebook!
So are you ready to get started? If there’s a stitch, abbreviation, or technique you’re not familiar with, and it’s in blue, that means it’s a link to a video tutorial, so just click!
Moogly Mystery Crochet-A-Long: Mystery Fish Pouch
Add this pattern to your Ravelry Notebook or Queue!
- US – G, 4.00mm hook
- Worsted weight yarn in 3 colors:
Color A – 70 yds
Color B – 70 yds
Color C – 10 yds - Optional – 2 small buttons
DAY 1 – Using Color A
Round 1: Ch 40. Sl st in first ch to form circle, being sure not to twist chain.
Round 2: Ch 1, hdc in 1st ch. *Ch 1, skip next ch, hdc in next ch. Repeat from * until 1 ch remains. Ch 1, skip last ch, join to 1st hdc with a sl st. (20 hdc, 20 ch)
Round 3: Ch 1, hdc in each st and ch sp around. Join to first hdc with a sl st. (40 sts)
Round 4 – 10: Ch 1, hdc in BLO of each st around. Join to first st with a sl st. (40 sts) At the end of Round 10, break yarn and use seamless join in the 2nd st to finish off.
DAY 2 – Using Color B
Round 11: Join with a sl st to any st of Round 10. Ch 1, sc in same st. Skip the next st, work 5 dc in the next st, skip the next st. *Sc in the next st, skip the next st, 5 dc in the next st, skip the next st. Repeat from * to end. Join to BLO of first st with a sl st. (10 shells, 10 sc)
Round 12: Ch 3, work 4 dc in the BLO of the same st. Skip next 2 sts, sc in BLO of next st. *Skip the next 2 sts, 5 dc in the BLO of the next st, skip the next 2 sts, sc in BLO of next st. Repeat from * to end. Skip the last 2 sts and sl st in BLO of top of ch 3. (10 shells, 10 sc)
Round 13: Sl st in BLO of the next 2 sts (to center of shell). Ch 1, sc in BLO of same st. *Skip the next 2 sts, 5 dc in BLO of next st (sc of previous round), skip next 2 sts, sc in BLO of next st. Repeat from *, ending with a sl st in the BLO of the first sc of the round. (10 shells, 10 sc)
Round 14: Repeat Round 12.
Round 15: Repeat Round 13.
Round 16: Repeat Round 12.
Round 17: Sl st in BLO of the next 2 sts (to center of shell). Ch 1, sc in BLO of same st. *Skip the next 2 sts, 3 dc in BLO of next st (sc of previous round), skip next 2 sts, sc in BLO of next st. Repeat from *, ending with a sl st in the BLO of the first sc of the round. (10 shells, 10 sc)
Round 18: Ch 3, 2 dc in BLO of first st. Skip next st. sc in BLO of next st. *Skip next st, 3 dc in BLO of next st. Skip next st, sc in BLO of next st. Repeat from * to end, skipping the last st, sl st in BLO of top of ch 3.
Round 19: Sl st in BLO of next st. Ch 1, sc in BLO of same st. *Skip the next st, 2 dc in the BLO of next st, skip next st, sc in BLO of next st. Repeat from *, ending with sl st in BLO of first sc of the round.
Round 20: Ch 3, dc in BLO of same st. Skip next st, sc in BLO of next st. * Work 2 dc in BLO of next st, skip next st, sc in BLO of next st. Repeat from *, ending with a sl st in the BLO of top of ch 3.
Round 21: Sl st in BLO of next st. Ch 1, sc in BLO of same st. *Dc in BLO of next st, skip next st, sc in BLO of next st. Repeat from *, ending with a dc st and one st remaining. Break yarn and seamless join to top of first sc of round. (20 sts)
DAY 3
Using Color A:
Row 22: Flatten the work at Round 21 so that you can crochet the end closed and straight. Starting at right side, sc through both loops of both layers to close up the end. Turn. (10 sts)
Row 23: Ch 2, 2 dc in first st, dc in the next 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in the next 3 sts, 2 dc in the last st. Turn. (11 sts)
Row 24: Ch 3, 2 trc in the first st, dc in the next st, hdc in the next st, sc in the next 2 sts, skip next st. Sc in the next 2 sts, hdc in the next st, dc in the next st, 2 trc in the last st. Ch 3 and break yarn, sewing the end into the base of the last trc. Weave in ends.
Using Color C, make 2:
Make magic circle, ch 1 and work 9 hdc into the ring. Break and seamless join, leaving 12” tail. Sew them onto Rounds 7 and 8 of Day 1 work, positioned so that the are opposite each other when the work is laid flat but closer to one side or the other, as shown. Add a button to the top of each circle if desired.
Using Color A:
Ch for 15 inches. Finish off and tie or weave in ends. Weave through the ch 1 sps of Round 1. Pull ends to close. Finished!
UPDATE! Moogly fan Pamela Morgan has come up with a fantastic alteration to this pattern, and has generously given me permission to share it with all of you! Instead of making a small pouch, you can make a Fish Plastic Bag Keeper! Her instructions:
“From Round 14 to 16, continue with this pattern for 22 rows, ending with a Row 12.” Et voila!
It’s been SO fun leading this Mystery CAL – even when the model didn’t quite cooperate… I hope you had fun too!
Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2013. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others. If you wish to make items for sale from this pattern, please visit the About page for details.You can contact me via Facebook messages or at [email protected]
Julia says
How fun! This sounds like the perfect CAL for me as I usually go really the strong the first few days and then wander off…. Looking forward to joining you on this!
Tamara Kelly says
Thanks Julia! 😀
judy says
this will be my first also! Can’t wait Tamare 🙂
Denise says
Any certain fibers that would be best for this? Will 100% Cotton work?
Exciting!!
Tamara Kelly says
100% cotton is what I used, but any fiber should work. A smooth yarn would be better than something like Homespun or a boucle. Great question, thanks!
Amber says
I never heard of this before but it sounds like fun. I can’t join this time but looking forward to another time.
Angela says
I am super excited to do this!! It will be my first one 🙂
Tamara Kelly says
I’ve done them before but it’s my first time leading. An adventure all around! 😀
sue says
my first one too.
Neema says
Waiting for May now! 🙂
Derie Ward says
What is the Crochet Lounge you spoke of?
Facebook will have the instructions or check back here?
Tamara Kelly says
I’ll post the instructions here! The Crochet Lounge is a Facebook group. 🙂
Jessica says
Cannot wait to get started…you are my one stop shop for anything crochet and I love it… your patterns are always so easy to read, complete and understand THANK YOU
Tamara Kelly says
Thank YOU Jessica! 😀
Becca says
Can’t wait!!! 🙂
Tena Helms says
Just wondering will it be any skill level??? I am a still in the beginning stages LOL.
Tamara Kelly says
Good question! I think I’d call it beginner to intermediate. I’ll include charts and links to stitch tutorials where I can too. And each day there will be a picture of where you “should” be after finishing the day before.
Nancy says
Looking forward to doing this. I’ve never participated in anything like this, it should be interesting. And as Julia said, I’m gung-ho the first few days, then peter out. I have a LOT of WIP’s , hahahaha…….Nancy
Sunshine says
Yay! Found you via Pinterest, I would love to join this “mystery” crochet-a-long and I am super excited because it’s going to be my first one… Already following you on facebook… Can’t wait!
Tamara Kelly says
Yay! Thanks Sunshine!
Judy B says
I love mystery CAL can’t wait to get started,thanks,sounds like fun and I love quick projects.
Heather says
I am going to see if I can do this…. Never did one before…. 🙂
Petra says
Hmm… I know what Im gonna be doing when I am supposed to be prepping for a craft show or two. lol. Looking forward to it. There will be time!
Tamara Kelly says
Yep, it’s a quick one! 😀
Patti Wells says
I love this web site and I love the patterns here. I have done one other mystery CAL and am really looking forward to doing this one. I’ve never done one that is only 3 days long so it should be interesting and hold my attention longer. Thank you so much for offering this. Am anxious to get started. Patti
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thanks so much Patti!
Ashlee says
I might be crazy to join this with school, planning a wedding, and playing mom on my plate, but what the heck! It sounds too fun not to!
Tamara Kelly says
It’s pretty quick – just a nice bite of crochet each day!
Nicole Foy says
I’d love to do this! I’m new at crocheting. I work days, will that pose a problem to join in?
Tamara Kelly says
I don’t think so Nicole! I’ll post the parts of the pattern each morning, so it will be up for 24 hours before the next section. And then the whole thing will be up as a complete pattern forever. 🙂
Nicole says
Yeah!!! I’m sooooo excited. I’ve never done one of these and looking forward to it.
Annie says
Ooo! Ooo! I have wanted to do a crochet-along for so long and keep stumbling on interesting patterns only after the first few days/weeks are already over. I’m in, Tamara!
And just to top off my anticipation? I’m almost to the end of an unrelated project. It closes April 30. No it’s-over letdown for me–jump right from the end of one project to the beginning of the next. 🙂
Jan says
This will be my first, looking forward to it! Thanks for offering a short one. 🙂
Davina says
My first CAL and it’s looks like a short one. This will be good for us beginners.
Patrice Knoll says
I recently discovered your blog and I love it! This sounds like fun. I can’t wait to get started.
JoJo says
So exciting! Bought my yarn today (100% cotton Aran weight). Have never participated in a CAL before, let alone a mystery one – looking forward to tomorrow’s part 1 reveal 🙂
Julia says
What fun! I hope we have lots of hookers in on this! Got the yarn and the hook and the first set done!
carol edwards says
Please don’t think me stupid, but what exactly does BLO stand for in the instructions? I’m not to advanced, and have taught myself, but this one has me stumped. thanks, and don’t laugh! lol
Tamara Kelly says
Not stupid at all! BLO is Back Loop Only. I’ve linked BLO and hdc to video tutorials here on Moogly, and will do that with other abbreviations as needed. If it’s in blue and you don’t know what it means or how to do it, just click! 😀
Penny says
I’ve never done this before – how fun! I’m finished with the first one, but I have a question….. you say “At the end of Round 10, break yarn and use seamless join in the 2nd st to finish off.” So, are we joining to the second hdc, or are you counting the chain 1 from that round as a stitch and we are joining to the first hdc?
Penny says
Forgot to check the notify me of comments box.
Tamara Kelly says
You’ll want to join to the second hdc. This maintains the stitch count for the next section – you can treat the join as a stitch, and have exactly 40 when done. 🙂
Penny says
OK that’s what I did, but wanted to make sure before I weaved in the ends. I am dieing to know what we’re making! Please just go ahead and tell me – I won’t tell anyone, I promise! 🙂
Tamara Kelly says
LOL! Sorry, you’re going to have to wait! 😀
Petra says
Just finished today’s instructions. Normally I would do BLO patterns but Im intrigued by the mystery so Ive persevered and Im glad I did. Makes a nice cuff at the moment. 🙂
Tamara Kelly says
I’m hoping it will all be a mystery until Day 3! Keep it exciting! 😀
Angela says
I posted today’s work on the moogly facebook page and will do the same in crochet lounge as soon as I am accepted 🙂
Tamara Kelly says
Yay! Love seeing the pictures come in!
Kimberlie Goodnough says
I am staring this NOW! How fun! I’m gonna throw a guess out there – Purse! 🙂
Sally says
First one I’ve caught from the start, and a mystery to boot… I’m all in!
Neema says
I’ve started!! Blue is color A, white is color B and Yellow for color C! What is this “Crochet Lounge” you talk about, Tamara?
Tamara Kelly says
It’s a facebook group – one of the admins encouraged me to do a CAL. 🙂
Neema says
Ha! Done 🙂 Can’t hardly wait for instruction set #2.
Thank you Tamara!
Angela says
What a fantastic idea! I am working on it right now, and will post my pictures to your facebook page once I am finished. Thank you for posting something fun, unique, and mysterious!
Tess says
Well, I can hardly wait for tomorrow!!! I’ve got to find a needle to do the “finish”… This is my 1st to do, too!!! Thanks for the fun!! 🙂
Renee Warnock says
I’m guessing a wine bottle cover….and we are beginning at the top!! LOL – ready for day 2 🙂
Denise says
Hey Tamara!
Quick question about round 12. 4 dc in BLO of same stitch as the sl?
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Denise! Work the 4 dc in the same st as you joined to – the first st of the last round. 🙂
Denise says
See, this is what happens when I read a pattern BEFORE my first cup of coffee. Had coffee, dropped kids off at school, came home and re-read pattern and GOT IT! Thanks for understanding my un-caffeinated brain this morning!
Tamara Kelly says
Heh, I understand completely!
Penny says
I love shells! I just finished Day #2 CAL. I’ll post a pic to your FB page. This is really fun!
Susan G. says
Ok sounds like fun!!! Where or how do we join this “crochet lounge” ?
Tamara Kelly says
The Crochet Lounge is a facebook group, but you don’t have to join to do the CAL (though you can if you want to)! If you’re a fan of the Moogly fb page you are welcome to post your pics there, or you can just follow along here on the blog! 🙂
Heather says
I have completed the 2 days….. dont know whether its right or not…. but sorry I didnt choose other colours now…… 🙂 cant wait for todays instructions, I have been staying up “rather late” at night to do it….. have no idea what it might be after day 2 ….. 🙂
Simi says
Hi, its very pretty but what is it?
Tamara Kelly says
It’s a mystery! 😉 I’ll be adding my finished photos this evening.
Simi says
Ok I’ll be patient 🙂
Denise says
Tamara,
I know you have had a little excitement today, but I just have another quick question.
When you say sew the buttons opposite each other, do you mean opposite of the same side (ie 1 left 1 right) or opposite sides (ie 1 front 1 back)?
If I don’t make since sorry! Migraine this morning, a little scare for my friend and her son, and a huge scare for one of our nephews and a crashed plane, not his thankfully!
Denise says
NEVER MIND!!! I got it! 1 on each side of the project!
Tamara Kelly says
😀
Eneida says
Ta-Dah!!!!!
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s480x480/936783_10151653994803304_327713843_n.jpg
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Fun!
Eneida says
Tks, I had a lot of fun! Waiting for next crochet along!
Penny says
Thank you so much for doing this, Tamara! I had so much fun – it was truly a mystery to the end for me. What a hoot!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Glad to hear it Penny!
Christin says
Super cute, all finished! This was my first CAL and I loved it. Can’t wait for the next one 🙂
Tamara Kelly says
Glad you liked it Christin! 😀
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Glad you liked it!
Nicole says
This was my first CAL and it was so much fun!!! Had no idea what it was until the very end. 🙂
Juanita says
Really enjoyed this CAL!! I agree with some others. It was short and sweet and over before I had time to get bored or distracted. I really liked that about it. Good job!! I finished and still have no clue what it is. What does that say about my imagination!? This is my first finished CAL. I started one once that was a major undertaking and I actually forgot to go back and get more instructions and then I forgot where the CAL was!! Short attention span and even shorter memory!
Tamara Kelly says
It’s almost dinner time here, so I think I’ll add the photos now! 🙂
Penny says
Love your model! 🙂
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you! 😀
Leslie says
If you sew the eyes on the same side it resembles an owl.
Tamara Kelly says
Ooo, you’re right! Add a beak and it’s a whole different bag!
Amy Barber says
My daughter,age four, commendered it immediately. So I put a strap on it and she has a fish purse! I will post pics this weekend. Thanks, this was fun!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 So glad you (and your daughter!) enjoyed it!
Betty Radcliffe says
Does this fish do anything, like dispense plastic bags out its mouth or is it just a hanging toy? I’m sorry to be so lame but I need to understand what this darling fish does. Thank you. Betty
Tamara Kelly says
As written it’s a simple drawstring pouch – my youngest has filled it with his markers! One person I know is using it to hold their water bottle, another is leaving off the eyes to make it a mermaid dress for a doll, and a third has made a “split tail” so that they can dispense plastic bags out of the bottom for their baby changing table. 🙂
Betty Radcliffe says
Thanks Tamara….obviously I didn’t read the whole thing very well did I? Thanks for opening my eyes!! Betty
Amy Barber says
I thought it might be a fun dusting cloth, making an icky chore more fun. Love the mermaid idea!
Annie says
So much fun! I’m going to do this pattern again but with better color choices this time. My colors were not very fishy.
Leslie, I love the idea of converting it to an owl, too.
Thanks, Tamara!
Carolyn says
Great pattern I used green for color #1 and pink for color #2 and black for color #3 turned out looking good. Thanks was fun
Tamara Kelly says
Glad you enjoyed it Carolyn! 😀
fariba says
Very cute , thank you so much
Corinne Grealish says
I LOVE this fish!!!!
I’m a SCUBA diver and I think this would be awesome to take on dives as a “shell bag”. Bizarre question, but have you ever used nylon “paracord” to crochet? I am thinking it would be the best option for a salt-water proof bag…
Tamara Kelly says
I’ve used the thin stuff, like this: http://www.redheart.com/crochet-thread/red-heart-crochet-nylon-size-18 , but not paracord – but I know that some others do, so I think it would work!
Katie says
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this!! 😀 Added it to my Etsy shop!! 😀 Woohoo!!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/KatiesCrochetGoodies
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Awesome! Thanks for the link too!
Rebecca Mccart says
I wish I would have seen this from the beginning. I love mystery projects. I missed out on this one.
Tamara Kelly says
Hopefully I’ll be able to think of another one! 🙂
Pat Krieg says
I am at the end of row 14, but I have 3 stitches between last sc and top of ch 3. I have ripped out and repeated so many times. What am I doing wrong? I’m expecting to skip 2 stitches and then sl st in BLO of top of ch 3. I’ve got an extra stitch in there. Thanks. Trying to make this for my 1.5 year old great niece.
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Pat! It’s hard to say without being there to see the project in person, but my best guess is that something got shifted. I’d go ahead and skip all 3 and see how the next round works out.
Linda Kennedy says
I have a grandson who LOVES fishing and is interested in crochet. This is perfect for him. Now, to figure out what colors an 11 year old boy would actually use…
Tamara Kelly says
😀 How fun, thank you Linda!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 How fun, thank you Linda!
Lorie Patterson says
I loved making this! It turned out so cute! My granddaughter will love it! Super easy to follow! I couldn’t figure out where to post a picture!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 I’m so glad you like it Lorie! You can share a photo on the Moogly Facebook page if you like!