As with a lot of things I make, this started with an idea from someone. They had an idea of what they wanted because they saw a picture… Of a paid pattern. Now, I typically stay away from paid patterns on general principal, but I had a weak moment. I bought the rather pricey pattern… I knew I shouldn’t, but I did. It was absolutely dreadful! It had good reviews and was written decently, but I found it just awful. It was made of motifs that you connected as you went… OK, I can do that. However when you did connect them it left gaping holes in the pattern and did not look like scales at all! Just not for me… so here is what I came up with after I got rid of that hideous attempt.
Measurements:
Tail to top 42 inches
Tail to tip of fin 12 inches
Top width 38 inches
size H hook
worsted weight yarn: The best estimate I have on how much I used until I duplicate this more is a total of 1600 yds. Now the one pictured I used Bernat super value (426 yds per skein) in lilac and light damson. Then the variegated yarn was 2 skeins (since they come in 275 yd skeins) in fresh lilac. As always though everyone can use different amounts of yarn depending on how tight or loose you crochet. Please err on the side of having extra yarn. As I have made more this is roughly accurate. Notice though I find I need extra yarn of the two solid colors (not just one skein of the super value) and so I can do a two stranded fin.
Edit: So I’ve been grabbing 2 skeins each of the solid color and 2 of the variegated yarn. I swear every time I make this I have different amount of yarn leftover… The last two I’ve made the fin out of the solid colors because the variegated almost ran out. The solid colors I am left with over a half of one and all over 3/4 of the other… Trying to get down the yardage for this has been tearing my hair out. The yarns are not exactly the same is my thought.
Also for those who need to resize the pattern, Rachel Z. Commented this:
“Thanks for the great pattern. I just finished a child size one and I’ve seen a lot of request for the modifications… my top chain was 128 (includes 2 turning chains). If you work in multiples of 6 and add 2 for turning, it always works out. I did 42 5dc rows then joined it together. After joining, I did 15 5dc rows. When reducing to a 3dc pattern, I followed the remaining instructions until I had 14 st at the close. I made the same fin, which the top reduces to 7 st and it attaches to the tail perfectly. I hope this helps others wanting to make a child sized blanket :)”
Also for those with problems understanding the crochet language a fellow hooker named HAB posted this: “For instructions of terminology you don’t understand, use Google search engine to ask or go to a yarn website and search for abbreviations. At the very least buy a basic crochet book. sctog = single crochet two together. http://www.lionbrand.com/faq/
For Knit and Crochet abbreviationshttp://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-
This free pattern is written by someone who is not a professional pattern writer. I applaud her efforts. To understand how she writes her pattern requires being very familiar with crochet terminology and patterns in general. Or locating instructions/terms unfamiliar to you in a crochet book or online crochet information source. Here is a great one:http://www.craftyarncouncil.
To help you decipher her instructions I suggest you copy and paste into a word processor and then begin labeling rows and rounds. Make sure you understand *the stitch pattern* (the crocodile stitch) as noted in the first paragraph following the initial chains: *sc in first dc, sk 2 dc, 5 dc in next, sk 2 dc* (this makes what I will call 5dc (stitch) pattern for the rest of the (mermaid) pattern) My (stitch) pattern ended on a sc. ch 2 and turn”
Note on the color changes. I started changing color after the first 5dc pattern row and changed color after each row. Being that I was using 3 different yarns that made things easier and less ends to weave in because I never bound off at the end of the row. I simply dropped one color, picked up the next and went. Now, I did NOT carry behind the work. I truly just let it stay there. Believe it or not, it works and doesn’t mess up the color pattern you are doing. After you have all three colors joined in you will see that when you end a row you just pick up the strand you had left before. Sounds so much more difficult than it really is, but so much a time saver not having to weave in all those ends.
Also note. Your work might not be the exact same counts as mine. That’s cool. It might end on a sc where I had 3dc. That’s cool. It is really just that 5 dc shell pattern you want for the scales. If your row ends on a sc, ch 2 turn, 2dc in first then go with the pattern. If your row ends on a dc group, sc in last st, ch 1 turn and sc in first the go with the pattern. It is really simple once you get used to it.
To start, ch 153 (this gave me the width I was looking for, so if you are altering for a different size start with a chain that works for your project)
dc in third chain and across, chain 1
*sc in first dc, sk 2 dc, 5 dc in next, sk 2 dc* (this makes what I will call 5dc pattern for the rest of the pattern) My pattern ended on a sc. ch 2 and turn
2dc in first st (that last sc), sk 2 st, sc in the 3rd dc of the 5 dc shell, sk 2 st, then follow the 5dc pattern until last sc where you only do 3dc, ch 1 and turn
sc in first st, sk 2 st, then follow the 5dc pattern until the end where you sc in that last st/dc. ch 2 and turn
Now you just do those last two rows for 72 5dc pattern rows. This made the lapghan go down to about the calf length (in case you are re-sizing the pattern).
Now we are going to start going in rounds instead of rows. How you might ask? Very carefully… Make sure when you pull the ends together the right side of the first row of dc is facing out. Or not, either way would be fine I imagine honestly. Just keep the strands of the none working yarn to the back/inside of the tail and change colors where it looks best to you.
What follows is how I brought the two sides together so I could work more of a spiral because that made things easier on me and doesn’t leave a seam. Truly, you could just do what makes sense to you as you look at the work in your hands. As long as you are still doing the 5dc pattern, it will all be good. Just relax and have a drink and go with it.
Sl st to the 1st dc of the row, ch 1, sc in joining, then proceed on with 5 dc pattern.
Sl st to 1st sc, changing colors, ch 2 and 4dc in same as join. 5 dc pattern to last sc. Now sc tog last sc to the 2nd dc from the beginning, make sure to change color.
Ch 1, sc in same as join then go on with the 5 dc pattern.
From here you should be able to just go in a spiral, changing colors as you get back to the start of the spiral. I did a total of 20 rounds counting from the beginning of the original join. This took the me down to about covering the foot when the foot is pointed.
Now you get to start bringing it in to a close. So that means you are almost done!
Keep doing the pattern and color changing around, but instead of the 5dc, do only 3dc, still skipping 2 stitches. On the 2nd, 3rd and 4th round only sk 1 st in-between the dc and the sc. Do this for a total of 4 3dc pattern rounds.
Then you are going to 3dc, sc tog (tog is also known as a decrease) where the next 2 sc would go (in the 2nd dc of the 3 dc group). Do your 3dc pattern until every 3rd sc spot, then sc tog.
Next round, change colors in the first sc spot, 3dc then sc tog (in the 2nd dc of the 3 dc group). Do your 3dc patten until every 3rd sc spot, then sc tog.
This next round 3dc, sc tog over the next 2 sc spot. Do your 3rd dc patten until every 3rd sc spot, then sc tog.
This should leave it almost closed up and you tired of turning your work around and around. So go ahead and change colors in the first sc, then sc tog where every sc spot should be for 2 rounds.
Bind off, and leave a tail so you can go ahead and sew the tail closed.
Join your yarn on the outside of the opening where you joined the rounds and sc around the opening. Placing 3 sc in the corners. Bind off and weave in the end.
Feels great to be done with that part doesn’t it? Now on to the much easier to do fin. Again, I sized it for the lapghan I was working on.
Fin
I did the fin in the variegated yarn. If you want a thicker fin, use two strands held together. The fin shape will have a straight side with the opposite side decreasing in, then increasing back out. The straight side will be the top where you do your sc tog to then sew it on the tail.
Another option on the tail can be found here (https://handcraftsofjoy.com/2015/10/14/handcrafts-of-joys-mermaid-tail-fin-pattern/) it works up well and it is a bigger version of what I did.
Ch 43
dc in 4th chain and dc across, ch 2 and turn
*dc tog, dc in rest of stitches, ch 2 and turn
dc across, dc tog in last two dc, ch 2 and turn*
repeat this pattern for a total of 5 times
now do 2 dc tog, dc in rest of stitches, ch 2 and turn
dc across and do 2 dc tog in last 4 st, ch 2 and turn
2 dc in each of the next 2 st, dc across, ch 2 and turn
dc across, put 2 dc in each of the last 2 dc, ch 2 and turn
*2 dc in first dc, dc across, ch 2 and turn
dc across, 2 dc in last st, ch 2 and turn*
repeat this pattern for a total of 5 times
dc across, ch 1 and turn
sc around, making sure to put 3 sc in the corners except the last corner you come to. Ch 1 and turn so that now you are working on the top of the fin (where you just have a bunch of dc, not the dc tog or 2dc)
sc tog across, ch 1
sc tog across, ch 1
*sc tog, sc* ch 1
*sc tog, sc * ch 1
bind off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Now you are going to sew this where the bottom of your fin is… where you sewed it close. It is worth noting that I sewed the sides of the sc rows to the tail as well as the sc. I thought it looked better and helped hold the fin out.
There you have it… a cozy mermaid tail!
Mad Hooking!
Thank you from all the “mermaid ” fans out there. Great pattern.
It is an untried pattern. I need to replicate it soon, but really it is the idea of how I think. Any hooker who has been hooking for a while would see it as a suggestion, I hope, and to do what they like.
hi shelly how many chain would i need for a child 1 plz and thank you
I finished the 72 rows, Now I am confused, do I join the side together now? don’t understand how to start that. I tried the two sides and I had a ridge the whole length from doing the 5 dc across, rip it out again. any help ?????? please
Yep, you should be able to slip stitch to the first sc of the row you worked and go from there.
do you decrease on every shell ? or just at the beginning of the row?
I found that mistake… I fixed the pattern last night. At first you decrease every 3rd sc.
I didn’t do rounds, just kept going until I finished the 72 rows. Then I sewed it together from the bottom up about 2 feet. Sew up as far as you like.
Hi I’ve just finished the 72 row part I’m now confused as to what I do please can you help me?
Would you possibly be able to do a video tutorial of making one? I’m not the best at reading patterns
There will be a step by step, but I honestly don’t know when it will be released. When it is I will make another blog post and post it on my Facebook page.
Shelly
I would love to have the step by step instructions for this Adult lapaghan. Think you
Mrs. Shelly,
Help! lol I have enjoyed the Mermaid LapGan and in fact am doing one for a friends daughter who is obsessed with mermaids but…. have run across a problem. The fin part…. It starts out fine.. then something around the second “repete 5x’s”.. I become lost. One time it was so decreased i couldnt figure it out.. the other so increased.. i didnt know what row i was even on. is there a easier way to figure out the second part of “repete 5x’s” pattern…? whats a completed row.. or is it all one complete row persay? please help…?
Desperately in need of Finhelp
Lisa
Just want to pay it forward for all the other great free patterns I have used. I’m so happy you like it!
I also bought the pattern to make a mermaid afghan. The yarn would have been almost $70-and that was on sale! This one looks like one I would do. Thank you.
Just wondering if you have this in pdf form? If I print this right from the page it’s 34 pages LOL Thanks!
Heather
Hi Heather!
Sorry about that, I started to fix it the other day and got sidetracked. You should be able to refresh and use the “print” button at the bottom of the post near the share buttons to have a (mostly) print-friendly version. It’s coming up as 4 pages for me which is a bit better. 🙂 Cheers!
-Dan
Heather & Dan,
You can download a free program that creates pdf’s of anything you would normally print. Just go to pdf995.com I use this all the time!
Dawn
If you click print preview, you can just mark the pages you want printed.
hi, thanks for the pattern. I have made the body and now wanted to start the fin. I’m a little confused on that part. Is there a way you can clarify the part that is in the first part, repeating that part for 5 times. Is it just repeating he line before or the first three rows for 5 times? Thanks so much!
Sorry, it is the last two rows repeated five times…
allo
j aimerais avoir ce patron formidable en francais pour enfant de 10 ans merci
If my Google translator was right, you are asking for the pattern in French for a 10 year old. Honestly you could just use this one translated by Google I think. Check the measurements to see if it would work… My kids are tall so I tend to go by them. The model in the picture is 12 and 5’7″.
how many cast on would you need for a child size?
This looks wonderful! I have a very good friend, and my daughter who are both Scuba divers, my girlfriend calls herself a Mermaid, this would be fun to make for her. Of course first I have to finish the baby afghan I’m working on, and several small items I’m doing for an anniversary party, but I will get to this!
Thanks for simplifying it!
I’m making the mermaid lapghan and I don’t get what you mean when you are saying dc tog. and sc together as in the fin. I have been winging it with the tail and it kind of looks right. but I am really confused here. I am just making the tail a solid color and a variegated color for the fin. Right now I started the fin and am totally lost
Exactly what part of the fin are you stuck on?
I was stuck on the 3 dc tog. The pictures you posted on how to do that really helped thanks. I haven’t crocheted in years and it totally slipped my mind on what it meant. Thanks for posting the pictures. I’m making both my granddaughters one and they are really excited.
Ok I got everything done. But I’m stuck on how you attached the fin. Does it just get sewed to the front of side of the bottom of the tail, or is it supposed to go around the whole bottom (back and front ) of the tail or sewed to the back. help.
I scaled down your pattern and made it for a 7 yr old girl…..green, blue and a pink fin….just what she wanted. I got creative and made it round, decreasing every tenth or so round to narrow it a bit. Continued working to length she wanted and added the fin. Very nice and so easy to do….Thanks
i would just like to thank you for figuring out that crazy pattern! I didn’t want to pay for the pattern, and all of the yarn it called for too! Yours looks like a cocoon style, which is a plus! I can’t wait to try yours! Thank you, Thank you, Thank You!!!
It actually just cocoons the feet and a blanket the rest of the way… But you could sew it together or start it as a spiral to begin with.
Exactly what I was wondering — is there any reason not to make it circular from the beginning? Then I realized it would be more convenient to be able to open it. I just might put buttons on mine!! My nieces will just adore this.
Truth be told I made it like this because I love the idea of the feet being inside and moving the fin, but I could just picture my fluffy butt falling if it was a full cocoon… So that’s why I went with this style.
Did you just use one super value skein in each color, or did you need a couple of each?
As best guess I have since I didn’t start with a full skein (because I tried that pattern and had to use some of another) I used the super saver for the solid colors. Those come in 500 yds. It was 2 of the variegated, but since those come in smaller skeins my guess was 500 yds of that as well with less left over.
Awesome thanks so much!
Omgosh My 12 year old daughter would love that!! She is obsessed with Little Mermaid!! Will you be selling mermaid Lapghans?
Yeah, I think I will have some posted on the store side of this site. As soon as I convince myself to make another, lol!
I too bought the pattern you did and since Im not a advanced crocheter made 171 motifs and 25 half motifs and my daughter helped me sew them all together, we just finished last night and it is the ugliest thing Ive ever made! I was never so disappointed, What I love about your pattern is that it’s forgiving and actually enjoyable to make. Thank you for this delightful pattern, I also adore your blog. Sincerely, Pam
You have no idea how much I enjoyed reading your post! I kept thinking it was just me… I was joining the motifs as I went, but I agree it was so ugly! It didn’t look a thing like scales… I love forgiving patterns. Makes it more enjoyable to crochet and not fret so much!
I bought that pattern as well. And right after I wanted to take it back lol. it was ridiculous!! Thank you so much for this. My daughter will be so happy to have a mermaid tail….that doesn’t look ugly lollol
Were could I get the pattern please
I bought that pattern as well. I have never worked up a pattern that went up and down instead of in rows and btw the gaps in the motifs were strange. I put that WIP down and don’t know if I will pick it up again. It was not worth the cost of the pattern at all! Thanks for reworking and I might try yours.
It looked cute though right? I think my real problem was the gaps between in motifs… And the fact that I didn’t want to sew them together more after I joined… I hope you like my attempt though!
I cant wait to try this out. I bought the pattern you were talking about wi th the motifs and was so disappointed at how difficult it was. I don’t like starting a project but once it’s started you just go and it gets bigger and bigger I love that you can usually. Watch TV or chat with people while you do it. But with the paid for pattern I bought you have to start a new motif every second it was so tedious and confusing. I am very thankful you took the time to make a better pattern because the idea was Fantastic.
I am the exact same way! I love to talk or watch TV or even read and this pattern allowed me to do just that. A simple mistake will never be noticed too. I can’t say enough how hearing others not like the other pattern makes me glad. I truly believed that it was just me.
I love the pattern and plan to make one for my granddaughter who is a little mermaid fan. I also don’t like to pay for patterns and appreciate when I can find what I can for free.
I also thank you for being so generous in sharing your mermaids pattern. My daughter-in-law saw the oh so complicated one you are referring to and wanted me to make it for her. So I bought the pattern and have been struggling with it! When I found your pattern I was thrilled and so thankful that you sharing it at no cost! God bless you.
I love how I never said exactly which pattern, but we all know! It makes me feel so much better that it wasn’t just me being wenchy! I hope this one is easier for you. Don’t stress over the pattern, nothing about it had to be exact.
Can u make one for my 9 yr old she’s a mermaid lover. Insists mom they r real and even watches the show on Nat Geo mermaids. I’d b willing to pay you for this. She would b ecstatic!
Check the measurements. My nine year old fits in this, he just gets to snuggle down in it a bit… Mind you, he’s tall…
My niece would love one. Is there anyway you might be willing to sell one? And could you do specific colors? Very serious!!! My mother was the crocheter and we losses her almost two years ago before she could teach her.
I will be making more in the near future since their is an interest in it. I’ll post it on my store side of the blog when I have one to sell.
Are you a knitter? Do you think you could change this into a knitting pattern?
So nice to see this. Yes, we all know what pattern it was. Impossible. I’ll use the yarn I bought to try out this pattern. If I can I’ll add some iridescent pailettes so it will look like the fish in the bathtub book about a little fish who didn’t want to share his beautiful scales.
It just wasn’t for me. Who knows? Maybe I would have liked it if I used the suggested yarn? If I wouldn’t have paid that much for it? That being said, I would love to see yours when you are done and what you did with it! Sounds just so cute!
Rainbow Fish!!
You could maybe just (sew in) randomly sequins…it would be tedious but so long as it’s not in a pattern, you could watch TV or anything since you don’t have to pay attention.
I have actually thought about doing this pattern with some nicer yarns, to change it up a bit, but sewing the sequins would be an excellent work around! Nice idea!
You can buy yarn with sequins in it in the uk.
In the UK also. The OP states worsted weight yarn. To me this is 4ply, but photographs look as though it’s heavier weight. Any clues?
The Bernat yarn I have says medium 4, 4 ply, worsted. That being said the suggested hook is an H. I’m not sure beyond that how they differ. If you have Red Heart saver yarn, it is similar.
Before reading about the comment about sewing sequins on the lapshan, I had thought of that while buying the yarn. Great(crafting) minds think alike!
i’m thinking this could be knit fairly simply…..large rectangle…. length you want by width for the around the body measurement….using some of that self striping yarn, perhaps….gathered together at the bottom and sewn together part way up the back…….and then the tail fin could be a smaller triangle gathered in the middle and sewn to the gathered end …..just hypothesizing….i like to make things out of rectangles and geometric shapes
I’m not a knitter, but you got it basically. The fin is just basically pleated at the top. Does knit have a shell pattern? I would love to see what you come up with!
I have gotten a request for this blanket and I was wondering about how long does it take to make it.
Roughly 16 hours for me
If anyone can make this mermaid tail and sell it to me. I have a special needs 11-year-old girl that would just love this for her birthday. 478-919-8590 or email [email protected]
Thank you so much
Donna
Donna, I am finishing one up now for a birthday gift. When would you need yours for your daughter’s birthday? Please email me: [email protected]
This Mermaid is happy to find a place to warm her fins!
Love this! Well start making me and my daughters one ASAP! Thanks for the free pattern and time you spent figuring out how to make it better!
Hi Pauline from Belfast, Northern Ireland (just kept my Canadian email as I lived in Vancouver for equivalent of 7 months) have crochet from a very early age I’m left handed tried everything even using a mirror with manual but can only crochet right handed – I find pattern difficult to understand so everything I’ve made has been just using my eye – from baby blankets/shawls, throws for ur lap cuddling up on the sofa. hats, scarves, cuddly toys, and recently an Ironman for my grand nephew and Japanese/Chinese Toroto characters (not spelled right) for my daughter who’s 26 yrs old – I just study a pic and create my own version – friend sent me ur link and have to have a go at ur Mermaid it’s wonderful-may I send u some pics? Our sizes here r all metric and by the way what is that wooden device u r using- sorry to have gone a bit but I can’t wait to have a go at ur Mermaid creation 🙂 sorry to have bent ur ear so much ta ta
Of course I would love to see pictures! This pattern should be fine for lefties since it is a repeat shell. Lol! That wooden thing is my hook. I have large hands and I get pain from crocheting too long with smaller hooks so me and my husband made a few and I love them! I have tried so many different hooks just to end up needing a hook glued inside a dowel…
I would be interested in carrying your mermaid tails at Blue Crab Treasures, my gift shop in Chincoteague, VA. Thanks so much for sharing your pattern. I also have a smaller shop, Treasures by the Sea, which is in a cooperative of businesses located in Snow Hill, MD. Both businesses have Facebook pages. Hope you check them out.
I cannot tell you how much you just made me geek out! I wish I could turn these out faster to sell in your shops! Thank you so much for making my week! I’ll have to try and see if I can make them faster, lol!
Hi, ever thought of contacting a senior citizens home or retirement home to help make these. It would give them a little extra joy knowing they are helping make young girls happy. Just a thought. Could have them write a little tag about themselves and where they live. Even give them a percentage of the sales.
Omg! I love your shop! I’m in there almost every summer!!!! Small world!!
Hi, I would love to make this for a friend who is mermaid daft :), how much yarn do you think it would take as she would like to buy it for me , thanks in advance x
I didn’t keep exact track of the yarn. I’m going to make a few and try to keep better track. That being said my best estimate was a total of 1500 yds divided between 3 colors. Bernat super saver in dark purple and lilac, then two skeins of the variegated yarn since it comes in smaller skeins.
Hi! I’ve made 5 of these already as gifts – thank you for such an easy & beautiful pattern! FYI I saw your edit about yardage – I use the 1500 yd method and it’s pretty consistent. However if you come up short save your yarn label and contact the manufacturer. They will replace your skein for free!! Happy hooking!
Since you’ve made a few Kelly maybe you could answer my question that i posted thanks judy
I posted a pic with a white blanket behind the one I’m making now to show you…
I fold the sides I’m joining into the middle of my lap so I have them already lined up to join. Slip stitch into the first DC of the side you are joining then do a SC in the same hole. Continue with the pattern all the way around as normal; when you get back to that joining stitch be sure to put a stitch into the join (either a SC or a 5 DC she’ll depending on how your pattern plays out. The Judy keep going in rounds until you have 20 from the join. I hope it helps!
where would a person see the photos?
There are some posted on the Facebook page..
Thank you for making me feel like I’m not that crazy! I swear that’s how much I used at first, but depending on the variegated color I have seen it not be quite enough… So frustrating! That being said your pictures are so cute! I am so loving the Nemo one!
Hi Kelly,
I see you made a lot of these can you help me. I am confused after the 72 rows. I don’t understand how to start doing rounds. Can I just sew the it up together? Can you explain to me any better please!
Hi,
I explained above with a photo under it. Sewing it is fine but will leave a warped Seam if your decreases are off even by a few stitches.
If you fold ove the work like I show above and end on a 5 DC:
Chain 1
Sc into the first stitch on the side you are joining.
5 DC into the same stitch
sC into the top of the next shell and continue around. The first row at the join would seem funny to you – you are creating a spiral so it slightly changes things. Remember , the join and the subsequent rows after it are under your finished work and will not be visible or obvious. I hope that helps! I’m sorry for typos I’m on my phone.
Such a cute idea! I’m not very knowledgeable with the crochet directions and was wondering if you could make a video of your instructions? Thanks!
It really is just a shell pattern. I know it looks more complicated than that… I’ve never made a video before… That could be fun.
omg. COULD YOU DO IT TONIGHT?
I started out with that “other” pattern as my granddaughter REALLY wants a mermaid lapghan, but it is just too much. I’m so happy to find your pattern before i tried the other one. I’ve already spent about $90 on sequined yarn and I’m scared to death to even start this one of yours. A tutorial would be wonderful!!
Thanks again. Going to start on the weekend.
I’m not very experienced with following patterns either. I went to youtube and searched the shell stitch and other stitches i wasn’t familiar with. It worked for me and I am almost finished with my first lapghan. My nieces saw the picture and insisted I make them one each. The second one should go quicker since I won’t have to run to youtube every new stitch or abbreviation. lol
I almost purchased a pattern for this, but don’t like doing the motifs and then having to sew them together. Thank you for your generosity for this pattern. And making an easier one.
I’m not a motif kind of person either, but some people prefer it… Whatever works best for the hooker. I’m glad you like my patten though! Thanks!