Meg and School of Fish

Meg and School of Fish Knitted Toys by Stana D. Sortor

Project Overview

Meg and School of Fish is a collection of knitted toy designs featuring a megalodon shark named Meg and four progressively larger fish companions. This intermediate-level knitting project allows crafters to create an entire aquatic family of stuffed toys, ranging from small 3-inch fish to a dramatic 56-inch megalodon centerpiece. The designs are suitable for knitters with some experience who are comfortable working with increasing complexity and larger projects.

What Is Being Made

This pattern set includes five distinct knitted toys:

• Fish One: Approximately 3 inches head to tail with a 4-inch circumference at the widest point—an ideal small starter fish
• Fish Two: Approximately 5 inches head to tail with a 6-inch circumference—a medium-sized companion piece
• Fish Three: Approximately 8.5 inches head to tail with a 13-inch circumference—a larger fish in the school
• Fish Four: Approximately 16 inches head to tail with a 22-inch circumference—a substantial fish toy
• Meg the Megalodon: Approximately 56 inches head to tail with a 42-inch circumference at the widest point—a dramatic statement piece representing the prehistoric megalodon shark

Each toy is three-dimensional and designed to be stuffed, creating plush, tactile playthings or decorative items. The graduated sizing allows crafters to build the entire school progressively or select individual projects based on their time and yarn availability.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

These toys are constructed using fundamental knitting techniques adapted for three-dimensional toy making. The designs employ in-the-round knitting methods to create seamless or minimally seamed toy bodies. Crafters will work with increases and decreases to shape the fish bodies and create dimensional forms. The construction method allows for stuffing the completed pieces to achieve a soft, sculptural quality. Intermediate knitters should be comfortable reading pattern instructions that involve shaping techniques and managing stitches across multiple rounds.

Stitches Used

While specific stitch details are not fully enumerated in the available pattern information, knitted toys of this style typically employ stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base, combined with garter stitch or ribbing for structural elements. Shaping is achieved through strategic increases (such as yarn overs or knit-front-and-back stitches) and decreases (such as knit two together or slip-slip-knit decreases). These fundamental stitches, when combined in the round, create the smooth, rounded forms characteristic of knitted amigurumi-style toys.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is designed for worsted weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn that works well for toy construction, providing good stitch definition and durability. The pictured School of Fish uses Lion Brand Feels Like Butta (100% polyester, 218 yards per 100 grams), with color recommendations including Pale Grey, Dusty Blue, and Mint for creating a coordinated aquatic palette. The pictured Meg uses Lion Brand Pound of Love (100% premium acrylic, 1020 yards per 454 grams) in Oxford Grey for the main color, with Lion Brand Vanna's Choice (100% acrylic, 171 yards per 100 grams) for accent details. These yarn choices provide excellent stitch definition and are suitable for toys that may be handled frequently.

Tools and Finishing

Knitters will need appropriately sized needles for worsted weight yarn (typically US 8-10 / 5-6 mm), though exact needle sizes should be confirmed in the full pattern. Toy stuffing material (polyester fiberfill) will be required to fill the completed pieces. Basic finishing skills including weaving in ends and potentially sewing seams or adding embellishments (such as eyes or fins) may be necessary to complete the toys.

Skill Level and Project Scope

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this project is ideal for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to tackle shaping and three-dimensional construction. The graduated sizing of the fish allows crafters to practice techniques on smaller pieces before committing yarn and time to the impressive 56-inch Meg. The collection format makes it possible to create a complete aquatic scene or to select individual projects based on skill level and available materials.