LaSard is ready to use up scraps and delight the tinned fish lover in your life. The split tail is knit in two halves, then joined to knit the body in the round. A line of slipped stitches along the top helps hold it in a curved, upturned shape.

This is a quick knit and is good practice for knitting small objects in the round. It uses small amounts (about 4g per sardine) of any kind of light- to medium weight (DK, sport, light worsted) yarn. Try a striped sardine, or sardines in different colors. Bedazzle your sardine with beads or sequins. Embroider a tiny smile for extra personality, or knit tiny berets for your school.

Notions: Tapestry needle, removable stitch marker, safety eye (optional), stuffing, clean sardine can.

Needles: DPNs or needles on a long cord for magic loop. Try US3 for lighter weight yarn and US5 for medium weight yarn.

Gauge: Not important – it’s a sardine. Experiment with different yarn and needle sizes to achieve your desired fabric texture (and to fit your preferred can). Aim for a fabric that’s dense enough to hold the stuffing without falling out, while still allowing for fishy movement.

Eye: I’ve used a single “8mm color safety eye” from Dan Supplies on Etsy on one side of the head. Any small eye will do, or embroider an eye with dark thread. See Susan Anderson’s video, “Face embroidery for knitted toys” for tips.