Plecostomus: Free Pattern

Such awful pictures.
We always have a plecostomus (plec, for short. An algae sucker) in our fish tank. We had one for over ten years, and it died a few years ago. He was a boring sort of fella; just stuck to the glass, hiding in the corner. Every plec we've gotten after that only lasted a year at the most. About a month ago we got a new little guy, and he is the most exciting thing! This guy will have none of that "hiding in the corner" business. He swims around, wiggling his tail and picking at the rocks with such vigor! Sometimes he just leans vertically against one of our rocks like he's Joe Cool and doesn't care about gravity. He's amazing to watch, I've never seen such an active little fellow, and I just had to make one!

The weird sparkle black yarn was all I could find that suited him. Not sure how many people want to make a little bottom-dwelling algae-sucker, but go for it!

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This is a pretty basic pattern and has not been tested.

What you'll need:

• G crochet hook (4.25 mm)
• Worsted weight yarn in a fishy, bottom-dweller color of your choice
• Needle with large eye for attaching parts
• Stuffing
• Plastic canvas helps make the bottom of your pleco nice and flat, but it isn't necessary.
Instructions that need to be repeated will be marked with marked with asterisks like *this*, followed by the number of times repeated. Everything is crocheted in the round unless stated otherwise.


Body

R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook.
R2: Inc each sc around. (12)
R3: *Sc 1, inc 1*, rep 6 times. (18)
R4-5: Sc in each sc around. (18)
R6: *Sc 2, inc 1*, rep 6 times. (24)
R7-8: Sc in each sc around. (24)
R9: *Sc 3, inc 1*, rep 6 times. (30)
R10-13: Sc in each sc around. (30)
R14: *Sc 8, dec 1*, rep 3 times. (27)
R15-17: Sc in each sc around. (27)
R18: Sc 11, dec 1, sc 12, dec 1. (25)
R19-20: Sc in each sc around. (25)
R21: Sc 10, dec 1, sc 11, dec 1. (23)
R22: Sc 9, dec 1, sc 10, dec 1. (21)
R23: Sc 8, dec 1, sc 9, dec 1. (19)
At this point, if you want a somewhat flat bottom to your fish, insert a piece of plastic canvas into the body you have made to help create a flatter edge. Just use the piece you are working on and cut a shape out of plastic canvas to match and fit inside. Then you can stuff around the canvas, and it will give it a pretty nice flat bottom.
Continue to stuff as you go along.
R24: Sc 7, dec 1, sc 8, dec 1. (17)
R25: Sc in each sc around. (17)
R26: Sc 6, dec 1, sc 7, dec 1. (15)
R27: Sc in each sc around. (15)
R28: Sc 5, dec 1, sc 6, dec 1. (13)
R29: Sc in each sc around. (13)
R30: Sc 4, dec 1, sc 5, dec 1. (11)
R31: Sc 3, dec 1, sc 4, dec 1. (9)
R32: Sc in each sc around. (9)
R33: Sc 2, dec 1, sc 3, dec 1. (7)
R34: Sc 5, dec 1. (6)
Close off. Weave in ends.

Dorsal Fin
Crocheted in rows, not in the round. Ch
R1: Ch 9, turn. (8)
At the end of each row, chain 1 and turn.
R2: Sc across. (8)
R3: Dec 1, sc 6. (7)
R4: Sc 5, dec 1. (6)
R5-6: Sc across. (6)
R7: Dec 1, sc 4. (5)
R9: Sc across. (4)
R10: Sc 2, dec 1. (3)
R11: Dec 1, sc 1. (2)
Tie off, leave long tail for sewing.

Primary Fins (make 2)
Crocheted in rows, not in the round. Ch
R1: Ch 6, turn. (5)
At the end of each row, chain 1 and turn.
R2: Sc across. (5)
R3: Sc 1, inc 1, sc 2, inc 1. (7)
R4: Inc 1, sc 6. (8)
R5: Sc 1, inc 1, sc 2, inc 1, sc 2, inc 1. (11)
R6: *Sc 2, inc 1*, rep 3 times, sc 2. (14)
Tie off, leave long tail for sewing.

Secondary Fins (make 2)
Crocheted in rows, not in the round. Ch
R1: Ch 5, turn. (4)
At the end of each row, chain 1 and turn.
R2: Sc across. (4)
R3: Sc 1, inc 1, sc 1, inc 1. (6)
R4: Inc 1, sc 2, inc 1, sc 2. (8)
Tie off, leave long tail for sewing.


Tail Fin
Crocheted in rows, not in the round. Ch
R1: Ch 4, turn. (3)
At the end of each row, chain 1 and turn.
R2: Sc across. (3)
R3: Inc 1, sc 1, inc 1. (5)
R4: Sc across. (5)
R5: Inc 1, sc 3, inc 1. (7)
R6-9: Sc across. (7)
R10: Double Crochet 2, Half-double crochet 1, sc 1, Half Double Crochet 1, Double Crochet 2.
Tie off, leave long tail for sewing.

For the mouth, use a different color and chain about 12 stitches, then sew on the bottom in a circle.

Attach all of the fins as shown in the picture, with the dorsal fin on top, the primary and secondary fins on the side. I really don't know what they're technically called, but I gave it a shot. Pectoral fins? And the tail fin goes on the tail. The eyes are painted with a dab of fabric paint.

Tah-dah! Do let me know if you make one, or if you find any errors! Who doesn't want an algae sucker made of yarn, right? Stick a suction cup on that thing and stick it to your car window. It'll eat the bird poop off. Okay, somebody please do that.