Barry the Plush Bass
CROCHET PATTERN BY
Welcome!
I hope you will enjoy the creation of this Plush Bass! Instructions are included for making a bass with
a small mouth indent (as shown in the multi-colored finished bass) or with a deep mouth pocket (as
shown in the solid color bass). Please don't hesitate to contact me at
[email protected] with any questions that you may have along the way. Have fun!
Did You Know?
• Largemouth bass are surprisingly intelligent and rank among the most cognitively-advanced
freshwater fish.
• They are native to the eastern and central United States, as well as southeastern Canada and
northern Mexico.
• Largemouth bass have impressive long-term memory capabilities and can remember a
particular location or food source for very long periods of time. This allows them to return to
productive feeding areas, avoid danger, and identify patterns in their environment.
The pattern and images contained in this document are the sole
property of Theresa's Crochet Shop. This written pattern is for
personal use only.
Please do not redistribute or sell this pattern in whole or in part.
You may sell the finished product, but please credit
Theresa's Crochet Shop as the designer.
© 2024, Theresa’s Crochet Shop
Barry the Plush Bass i
Materials (Version 1) : Materials (Version 2):
Bass With A Shallow Mouth Bass With A Deep Mouth Pocket
• Crochet hook size: 5mm • Crochet hook size: 5mm
• #6 super bulky weight yarn*: speckled or solid • #6 super bulky weight yarn: speckled or solid
green for the body (70 yards needed), light green for the body, light peach/pink for the
peach/pink for the mouth (15 yards needed), mouth, and tan for the fins
and tan for the fins (15 yards needed) • Yarn needle
• Yarn needle • 1 pair of 25mm 3D glitter safety eyes; 20-
• 1 pair of 20mm 3D safety eyes; 18mm black 25mm black safety eyes can also be used
safety eyes can also be used (see note 1) • 1 pair of 9mm eyes for the worm friend
• Polyester fiber fill stuffing (optional)
• Pipe cleaners, or chenille stems, for making
*To make this plush bass with #7 jumbo weight the worm bendable (optional)
yarn, use an 8mm hook and 25mm eyes. For my • Black embroidery floss, for a smile for the
jumbo bass, I used green (104 yards needed) in worm (optional)
Sweet Snuggles’ color “Green Ash” and light
peach (20 yards needed) in Sweet Snuggles’
color “Apricot.” The finished bass made with
jumbo weight yarn will be 20 inches (or 50 cm)
long.
Abbreviations
ch – chain
st(s) – stitch(es)
sc – single crochet
sl st – slip stitch
dc – double crochet
hdc – half double crochet
BLO – back loops only
dec – sc decrease st (see note 3)
Size
Final measurement for the finished bass with the shallow mouth is 12 inches (or 30.5 cm) long. Final
measurement for the bass with the deep mouth pocket is 13.5 inches (or 34 cm) long.
Videos
Did you know I have a YouTube channel? Here are several video tips that may be helpful as you
make this bass pattern:
Vid #1 – Crocheting in Back Loops Only: https://youtu.be/ODkEYOSWedM
Vid #2 – Placing the Eyes on a Plush Bass: https://youtube.com/shorts/dykJ4_wKe_8
Vid #3 – Crocheting the Gills on a Plush Bass: https://youtube.com/shorts/xGm8llWVL0A
Vid #4 – Mounting a Plush Bass for Gifting: https://youtube.com/shorts/wPaBtqKrBCg
Vid #5 – Shortening Eye Posts for a Deep-Mouthed Bass: https://youtube.com/shorts/E8eQB0YLl5I
© 2024, Theresa’s Crochet Shop
Barry the Plush Bass ii
Notes
1. I like to buy my safety eyes from Etsy or AliExpress. The safety eyes are recommended, but can
be substituted with embroidered or felt eyes if you prefer.
2. In my patterns, I begin each circle with “ch 2, 8 sc in first ch.” Another way of beginning is to start
with a magic circle. If you are more familiar with this method, just do 8 sc into your magic circle.
3. Single crochet decrease stitch explanation: Insert the hook into the next stitch and yarn over.
Pull a loop through so that there are now 2 loops on the hook. Insert the hook into the next
stitch and yarn over. Pull a loop through so that there are now 3 loops on the hook. Yarn over
again and pull the loop of yarn through all 3 loops on the hook.
© 2024, Theresa’s Crochet Shop
Barry the Plush Bass iii
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Instructions
NOTE: If you would like to make your bass with a deep mouth
pocket, skip this “Body With Shallow Mouth” section and see
“Body With Deep Mouth Pocket” instructions on page 03. The
remainder of the pattern is the same for both the bass with and
without the mouth pocket.
Body With Shallow Mouth
--- With light peach yarn ---
R1: Ch 2, 8 sc in first ch (8 sts)
R2: 2 sc in each st around (16 sts)
R3: (Sc 7, 2 sc in next st) 2 times (18 sts)
R4: (Sc 5, 2 sc in next st) 3 times (21 sts)
R5: (Sc 6, 2 sc in next st) 3 times (24 sts)
R6: (Sc 3, 2 sc in next st) 6 times (30 sts)
--- Switch to green yarn ---
This color change will mark the bottom of the bass for future
placement reference
R7: Sl st 1, sc 29 (30 sts)
Crochet R8 into the BACK LOOPS ONLY (BLO)
(see Vid #1 on the Materials page for a video explanation of
crocheting into the back loops)
R8: (Sc 14, 2 sc in next st) 2 times (32 sts)
For the next round, again crochet into the BLO,
R9: Sc 32 (32 sts)
R10: (Sc 15, 2 sc in next st) 2 times (34 sts)
R11-13: Sc 34 (34 sts x 3 rounds)
Here, pause to flip the light peach/mouth part of the fish
inside, so that the 2 rounds of working in the BLO form the Figure 1: Front of Bass
front edge of the fish (Figure 1).
R14: 2 sc in first st, sc 33 (35 sts)
R15: Sc 35 (35 sts)
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R16: 2 sc in first st, sc 34 (36 sts)
Now it’s time to insert the safety eyes into the body. (See Vid #2
on the Materials page for a video of turning the mouth inside out
and placing the eyes.) First, rotate the fish’s body so that the
color change from R7 is at the bottom; then insert the eyes 3
rounds back from the front loop ridge of R10 (Figure 2), 11-12 sts
apart across the top. Then flatten the fish with the color change
at the bottom to check that the eyes are level with each other on
either side.
R17-22: Sc 36 (36 sts x 6 rounds)
R23: (Sc 10, dec 1) 3 times (33 sts) Figure 2: Eye Placement
R24: Sc 33 (33 sts)
R25: (Sc 9, dec 1) 3 times (30 sts)
R26: Sc 30 (30 sts)
R27: (Sc 8, dec 1) 3 times (27 sts)
R28: Sc 27 (27 sts)
R29: (Sc 7, dec 1) 3 times (24 sts)
Start stuffing the body lightly (do not stuff around the mouth
indent). Add enough stuffing so that the body of the fish
holds its shape, but is still somewhat flat like a fish, with the
mouth indent still fully indented and not bulging forward
from the stuffing.
R30: Sc 24 (24 sts)
R31: (Sc 6, dec 1) 3 times (21 sts)
R32: Sc 21 (21 sts)
R33: (Sc 5, dec 1) 3 times (18 sts)
R34: Sc 18 (18 sts)
R35: (Sc 4, dec 1) 3 times (15 sts)
R36: Sc 15 (15 sts)
R37: (Sc 3, dec 1) 3 times (12 sts)
Finish stuffing the body lightly, making sure the stuffing is
evenly distributed throughout the body.
R38: (Sc 2, dec 1) 3 times (9 sts)
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--- Switch to tan yarn ---
R39: (Sc 2, 2 sc in next st) 3 times (12 sts)
R40: (Sc 3, 2 sc in next st) 3 times (15 sts)
R41: (Sc 4, 2 sc in next st) 3 times (18 sts)
Add a little more stuffing to the very end of the body if
needed (before the color change); you will not stuff the tail fin
portion of the bass.
R42: (Sc 5, 2 sc in next st) 3 times (21 sts)
R43: (Sc 6, 2 sc in next st) 3 times (24 sts)
R44: Sc 24 (24 sts)
Wait to fasten off. Now single crochet until you are at the top
of the opening for the tail fin (the number of stitches needed
will depend on your yarn and yarn tension). For the back edge Figure 3: Closing the Tail Fin
of the tail fin, you will crochet through both layers across the
opening of the back of the body (Figure 3), as follows:
R45: Ch 1, 2 dc in first st, 2 dc in next st, hdc 2, sl st 3, hdc 2, 2
dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, sl st (16 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a short yarn tail for weaving in. Thread this
yarn tail onto your yarn needle and weave it inside the fish’s
body. The finished body will now look as shown in Figure 4.
Now skip this next section and go on to the “Pectoral Fins” Figure 4: Finished Body
section.
Body With Deep Mouth Pocket
--- With light peach yarn ---
R1: Ch 2, 8 sc in first ch (8 sts)
R2: 2 sc in each st around (16 sts)
R3: (Sc 7, 2 sc in next st) 2 times (18 sts)
R4: Sc 18 (18 sts)
R5: (Sc 5, 2 sc in next st) 3 times (21 sts)
R6: Sc 21 (21 sts)
R7: (Sc 6, 2 sc in next st) 3 times (24 sts)
R8: Sc 24 (24 sts)
R9: (Sc 3, 2 sc in next st) 6 times (30 sts)
R10: Sc 30 (30 sts)
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R11: (Sc 4, 2 sc in next st) 6 times (36 sts)
R12: Sc 36 (36 sts)
Since you will now be doing so many rounds of 36 sts, insert a
stitch marker into the first st of R13 for easier counting.
R13-26: Sc 36 (36 sts x 14 rounds)
--- Switch to green yarn ---
(this color change will mark the bottom of the bass for future
placement reference),
R27: Sl st 1, sc 35 (36 sts)
For the next round, crochet into the BACK LOOPS ONLY
(BLO); see Vid #1 on the Materials page for a video
explanation of crocheting into the back loops,
R28: (Sc 17, 2 sc in next st) 2 times (38 sts)
For the next round, again crochet into the BLO,
R29: Sc 38 (38 sts)
R30: (Sc 18, 2 sc in next st) 2 times (40 sts)
R31-33: Sc 40 (40 sts x 3 rounds)
R34: 2 sc in first st, sc 39 (41 sts)
R35: Sc 41 (41 sts)
R36: 2 sc in first st, sc 40 (42 sts)
Now it’s time to insert the 25mm safety eyes into the body. Fold
the green part of the body that you’ve made so far over the
mouth pocket. Then rotate the fish’s body so that the color
change from R27 is at the bottom; insert the eyes into the bass
so that there are 4 rounds between the fronts of the safety eyes
and the front loop ridge at the front of the bass. The eyes should
be 11-12 sts apart across the top. Flatten the fish with the color
change at the bottom to check from the front that the eyes are
level with each other on either side. Then secure the backs of the
eyes (see Note below). Now unfold the green portion of the body
for easier crocheting. You will fold it back later on.
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NOTE: The posts of the safety eyes may poke into the inside of the
bass. This is not a big deal since this can’t be seen from the outside
of the fish and you can still reach your hand into the mouth pocket
to retrieve whatever you decide to put in there. However, if you
want to shorten the eye posts, you can do this: after attaching the
backs of the eyes, use sharp wire cutters to cut off the back tip of
the eyes. Then use a lighter to (carefully!) soften the plastic at the
back of the eye post. Next press the softened plastic onto a hard
surface to flatten it so there are no sharp edges. See Vid #5 on the
Materials page for a video explanation of this process.
R37-42: Sc 42 (42 sts x 6 rounds)
R43: (Sc 12, dec 1) 3 times (39 sts)
R44: Sc 39 (39 sts)
R45: (Sc 11, dec 1) 3 times (36 sts)
R46: Sc 36 (36 sts)
R47: (Sc 10, dec 1) 3 times (33 sts)
R48: Sc 33 (33 sts)
R49: (Sc 9, dec 1) 3 times (30 sts)
R50: Sc 30 (30 sts)
R51: (Sc 8, dec 1) 3 times (27 sts)
R52: Sc 27 (27 sts)
R53: (Sc 7, dec 1) 3 times (24 sts)
Here, fold the mouth pocket inside the main part of the body
for the remainder of crocheting the bass. It will be a little
snug for crocheting, but only for the next few rounds.
R54: Sc 24 (24 sts)
R55: (Sc 6, dec 1) 3 times (21 sts)
R56: Sc 21 (21 sts)
R57: (Sc 5, dec 1) 3 times (18 sts)
R58: Sc 18 (18 sts)
R59: (Sc 4, dec 1) 3 times (15 sts)
R60: Sc 15 (15 sts)
R61: (Sc 3, dec 1) 3 times (12 sts)
R62: (Sc 2, dec 1) 3 times (9 sts)
--- Switch to tan yarn ---
R63: (Sc 2, 2 sc in next st) 3 times (12 sts)
R64: (Sc 3, 2 sc in next st) 3 times (15 sts)
R65: (Sc 4, 2 sc in next st) 3 times (18 sts)
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R66: (Sc 5, 2 sc in next st) 3 times (21 sts)
R67: (Sc 6, 2 sc in next st) 3 times (24 sts)
R68: Sc 24 (24 sts)
Wait to fasten off. No stuffing is needed for this bass since
the mouth pocket acts as stuffing to help the fish holds its
shape.
Now single crochet until you are at the top of the opening for
the tail fin (the number of stitches needed will depend on
your yarn/yarn tension). For the back edge of the tail fin, you
will crochet through both layers across the opening of the
back of the body (Figure 3), as follows:
R69: Ch 1, 2 dc in first st, 2 dc in next st, hdc 2, sl st 3, hdc 2, 2
dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, sl st (16 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a short yarn tail for weaving in. Thread this
Figure 5: Body with Deep Mouth
yarn tail onto your yarn needle and weave it inside the fish’s
body. The finished body will look as shown in Figure 5.
Now go on with the pattern as written.
Pectoral Fins X2
--- With tan yarn ---
R1: Ch 2, 4 sc in first ch (4 sts)
R2: (Sc 1, 2 sc in next st) 2 times (6 sts)
R3: (Sc 2, 2 sc in next st) 2 times (8 sts)
Wait to fasten off. Do not stuff these fins. For the back edge
of these pectoral fins, you will crochet through both layers
across the opening of the fins, as you did for the tail fin, as
follows:
R4: Ch 1, sc 4 (4 sts) Figure 6: Pectoral Fins
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing. Weave this yarn tail
through to the pointed/beginning side of the fin; this is the
side of the fin that will be sewn to the body. The fins will look
as shown in Figure 6.
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Sew the fins to the body, 6 rounds back from the eyes, with
the top of the fin in line with the bottom of the eye. You will
only need 4-5 sts to attach each fin to the body.
Gills
See Vid #3 on the Materials page for a video explanation of
crocheting the gills.
With the bass facing left:
--- With green yarn ---
Insert your hook into the body 2 rounds back and 5 sts down
from the eyes (Figure 7),
R1: Sc 9 sts straight up (depending on your yarn weight, you
may need to sc 1-2 more sts so that the next 2 sts are
Figure 7: Crocheting the Gills
angled above the eye), then sc the last 2 sts at an angle
towards the front of the fish (11 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a short yarn tail for weaving in. Weave in
the ends. If you want these ends to be even more secure,
bring the beginning and ending ends out at the same spot on
the body and tie them together in a knot before weaving
them inside the body.
With the bass facing right:
--- With green yarn ---
Insert your hook into the body 5 sts over from the top of the
gills on the left side of the fish, and 3 sts up from the eyes,
R1: Sc 2 sts at an angle away from the front of the fish, then
sc 9 sts straight down (11 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a short yarn tail for weaving in. Weave in the
ends.
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Dorsal Fin
--- With tan yarn, crochet in rows ---
R1: Ch 3, turn, and starting in the 2nd ch from your hook, 2 sc
in next st, sc 1 (3 sts)
R2: Ch 1, turn, sc 2, 2 sc in next st (4 sts)
R3-4: Ch 1, turn, sc 4 (4 sts x 2 rows)
R5: Do not ch 1, turn, sc 3 (3 sts)
R6: Ch 1, turn, sc 3 (3 sts)
R7: Do not ch 1, turn, sc 2 (2 sts)
R8: Ch 1, turn, sc 1, 2 sc in next st (3 sts) Figure 8: Dorsal Fin
R9: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in next st, sc 2 (4 sts)
R10: Ch 1, turn, sc 4 (4 sts)
R11: Do not ch 1, turn, sc 3 (3 sts)
R12: Ch 1, turn, sc 3 (3 sts)
R13: Do not ch 1, turn, sc 2 (2 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing. The finished dorsal
fin will look as shown in Figure 8. Position this dorsal fin onto
the body (with the straight side resting on the body), so the front
of the fin is 13 rounds back from the 2nd front loop ridge at the Figure 9: Sewing on the Dorsal Fin
front of the body (or 7 rounds back from the backs of the eyes).
You can pin the fin on before sewing it to hold it in place as you
sew; or, pause and check placement as you sew to make sure it
remains straight along the top middle of the fish (in line with the
tail fin). Sew the dorsal fin to the body (Figure 9).
Anal Fin
--- With tan yarn, crochet in rows ---
R1: Ch 3, turn, and starting in the 2nd ch from your hook, sc 1,
2 sc in next st (3 sts)
R2-3: Ch 1, turn, sc 3 (3 sts x 2 rows)
R4: Do not ch 1, turn, sc 2 (2 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing (Figure 10). Position
this anal fin with the straight side resting on the bottom
middle of the fish, and the back end of the anal fin in line with
the back end of the top fin (see Figure 12). Sew in place.
Weave the end inside the body, and weave the beginning tail Figure 10: Anal Fin
through the fin and into the body.
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Barry the Plush Bass 08
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Pelvic Fins X2
--- With green yarn ---
insert your hook into the body, 5 sts down from the bottom of
the pectoral/side fin (Figure 11),
R1: Sl st to join to the body, then ch 3, turn, and starting in
the 2nd ch from your hook, sl st 2 down the chain, then
do a sl st to join back to the body in the same st you
attached your yarn (3 sts)
Figure 11: Crocheting the Pelvic Fins
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for weaving in. Weave the yarn
tails into the body. Repeat R1 3 sts over (5 sts down from the
other pectoral/side fin) for the second pelvic fin.
And there you go, you are finished with your bass!
The finished bass with the shallow mouth will look as shown
in Figure 12. The bass with the deep mouth pocket will look as
shown in Figure 13.
Now see the next page for how to make an easy worm friend Figure 12: Bass With Shallow Mouth
to go inside your bass, if you made the bass with the deep
mouth pocket!
Figure 13: Bass With Deep Mouth
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Grumpy Worms
--- With light peach yarn ---
R1: Ch 2, 5 sc in first ch (5 sts)
R2: 2 sc in first st, sc 4 (6 sts)
R3-4: Sc 6 (6 sts x 2 rounds)
Pause here to insert the 9mm safety eyes between R3-4 on the
worm. Attach the backs of the eyes. Then thread a strand of
black embroidery floss onto your yarn needle and sew 1 small
stitch for the mouth. Secure the beginning and ending tails of the
floss in a knot and tuck inside the worm.
R5-12: Sc 6 (6 sts x 8 rounds)
Pause here to insert the pipe cleaners to make your worm
bendy! First fold the tips of both ends up and around the pipe
Figure 14: Grumpy Worms
cleaner so there are no sharp points on either side. Then fold the
pipe cleaner into thirds and insert it inside the worm.
R13: Dec 3 times (3 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing. Thread the yarn tail
onto your yarn needle and weave it through the front loops
of the remaining 3 sts from R13. Pull tight to close the hole;
secure with a knot and weave in the end. The finished
worm(s) will look as shown in Figure 14.
Figure 15: The Deep Mouth!
Thank you so much for joining me in making a largemouth
bass (Figure 15). Enjoy!
~Theresa
© 2024, Theresa’s Crochet Shop
Barry the Plush Bass 10
