figure out the "waist" size you want for the fish. Say you
want it to be 4 inches around, and your yarn is going to get 5 stitches
per
inch. You're going to want 20 stitches, but first you have to knit a
> tail. Cast on just half (10 stitches) and work back and forth in
garter
stitch for 1 1/2 or 2 inches. Now do the same again. Now -- join the
20 stitches into a tube and work circularly in stockinette (or back
and
forth, to sew into a tube later). When your finished piece is about
6 or 7 inches long, knit 2 together all the way around.
Then break the yarn,thread through
the stitches, and cinch it up tight. This is the mouth end of the fish.
The two garter stitch panels will
be the tail. Stuffthe tube firmly with fiberfill or whatever, up to
where the garter stitch section begins.
Either sew a seam along that border,
or tie it off tightly. Embroider eyes or fins -- I wouldn't go to the
trouble of knitting fins, because the cats will get those off in a flash.
(Remember, realism is not all that important in cat toys).
You could do it fancier, I guess, but this should be quick, and the
kittens will be pleased.