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!
The second row, is it dc in every 3rd chain? Should I be doing the shells in the second row? I’ve done 11 rows, and no way is a 5″7 person could fit thru top. Love the pattern, and thank you so much for sharing. Janet
The first row should be a complete row of dc… The first dc is in the 3rd, but dc in every chain after.
I would like to know when and if you are going to do this pattern so we can see it step by step i have a friend who wants me to do one for her 13 year old for her Bday and I am one of them that needs to fellow along with some one showing me how and talking me through the project so looking foward to hereing from you
I have, I’m just waiting for the final approval and link. I’ll make a post on the Facebook page and a blog post on here about it as soon as I have the details.
I’ve been asked about 5 times to make the other blanket but refused due to the cost of yarn. Thank you for doing this pattern! I hope I can make it. My 10 yr old niece wants one eeeek. I’m nervous. I saw your comment above about the amount of yarn etc but should I chain less to make it a smaller blanket overall? Since yours is for an adult? TIA I know your really busy now since it’s so popular now! Congrats
I would say take a look at the measurements. My 9 year old fits in this, he just gets to cuddle more lol! And that way they don’t grow out of it so quickly… But other than that I know I have seen some on etsy resizing it, but they didn’t share how so I could link to their blog… As long as you get the basic of the pattern, you can start with any starting chain and make it work from there.
Is this cotton or acrylic yarn?
I used acrylic, but cotton would work too I imagine.
Thank you Shelley for the pattern…I too bought the paid pattern…but did NOT like it!!! I’m on the fin part….cannot figure it out. Please help…I’ve tried it twice….and it does not look correct! Sorry to bother you…but I need help…just does not make sense to me. E-mail please…thx, Brenda
It basically makes a mirror image of itself. The one side will be straight, the other will decrease and then increase making a v shape.
How would I do this for a 2, 6, and 8 year old?
The best advice I have it start with a chain that goes over the hips, pattern to calves, them close and decrease. I don’t have exact on how to resize as I haven’t done it yet. I’ve seen others on etsy resizing it, but I don’t have a link to their changes to do so.
Oh no!! Was cruising along on the body of the lapghan but hit a snag when I got to the decreases…. I’m at a loss. I dont understand which stitches are in the decrease. It looks as though I am to do my 3 double crochets, then sc together the top stitch of the next 2 shells, then do the 3 double crochets, then sc together the top stitch of the next 2 shells, etc. Unfortunately, it seems to be decreasing too quickly. I’m going to set this aside and work on the tail til I hear from you Shelley. If you could just tell me how many rows or rounds you decrease over and how big (number of stitches) left in the opening at the end…. I could at least figure it out enough to finish the project. Please help :-/
Actually, if you are at the sc decrease part you are right as I read it. After the sc decrease it closes up pretty quickly. It makes it fit nicer with the tail.
Am I supposed to be decreasing after every group of 5dcs or after every third group of 5dcs?
Every third.
Thanks!
This looks adorable. I’m new to crocheting. What do the different terms stand for? ch, dc, sc, sk, SI, etc… I’m a proficient seamstress, so I’m sure I can do this, just need some clarification. Thanks!
Ch chain
Dc double crochet
Sc single crochet
Sk skip
St stitch
SL slip
In this Google and YouTube are your friends. There are so many wonderful YouTube videos out there to describe how to do the stitches.
Um so, I’ve started making this pattern, however, it turns out like huge ruffles and on my third row I’m up over 300 stitches. I started with 153. What am I doing wrong? The picture of yours looks flat.
kathy from NH
Yeah… You are adding stitches somewhere. It should ripple, but not ruffle. Did you skip 2 dc between the sc and 5dc on the first row of the pattern? Also make sure you are putting the 5dc in only the sc from the row before and only a sc in the 5dc from the before.
Shelley, mine is ruffling real bad, is that sk 2 sc and then 5 dc and then sk 2 sc and then do a sc and then back to sk 2 sc and then a 5 dc in the same sc. And then keep doing it that way or what am I doing wrong here, please help.
Kathy…. try watching this and see if it helps… you have to make sure your sc are at the top (third of the five double crochet) of the shell and the 5 dcs are in the “valley” between the shells.
Copy and paste this link: http://youtu.be/cfaikv0KvX0
Good Luck 😉
I could hug you. Thank you so very much!
Please help!!! I am at a lose for doing the rounds, you talk about. This is very confusing to me and I cannot see how to connect it, so that the entire pattern closes. I just don’t get it.
Take the last row you did and without turning anything bring it to the first sc in that round. Slip stitch to that sc and go from there.
I got caught up here, too…. I ended up just joining each round and that was okay, but your way (spiral) sounds more efficient, so would I want to understand how you did it. When you say “bring the two sides together and slipstitch into the first sc”…. do you mean the first sc stitch, or the first place where I would have been doing a sc in the shell pattern (top of the 3rd dc of five)? When I joined my sides, I had a five dc shell on either side of my slipstitch…. ended up just chaining and doing half a shell, working the round ending with the other half of the shell and joining…. which landed me back at the same predicament. I got through it but I think I made it harder than it needed to be. Please clarify, ’cause I’m probably going to have to make a couple more and anything that makes it easier is much appreciated.
Thank you for clarifying the start of the rounds, you are awesome!!!!
Lol! I have gotten a kick out of how many of us bought that crazy pattern! I have just started this pattern and want to share the yarn I’m using. It is called Marble Chunky (although I think it is closer to a worsted weight), and the color is a wonderful mix of greens and blues; this way I don’t have to change colors. I also (and this is a pain) am adding blue and green sequins that I am stringing on before I begin to crochet. Thank you for the pattern!
It has cracked me up to! I never said which pattern, but everyone seems to know… And some have gotten mad at my saying it was dreadful. What you are doing sounds so simply gorgeous! I would love to see the finished item!
Both my daughter and granddaughter sent me pictures of your blanket and asked me to make them for their daughters. Before looking over the pattern, I bought all varigated yarn of the same color. Will this work, or should I exchange it for 3 different colors? Just wondering if I would get the same effect.
I don’t know because I don’t know what yarn you have, but I have seen others just use the variegated and it looks wonderful.
Gosh – I wish I found this before doing the paid one. Yes, I bought it. I am almost done it and honestly – I will never, never do another one with that pattern. The problem was once I received the paid download – I realized that the yarns used in it couldn’t be tossed in the washer and dryer. Not very kid friendly. So I substituted acrylic yarns and added some bits of sparkly yarn to it.
Your pattern is a keeper and I thank you for coming up with a kid-friendly, crocheter friendly, non-motiff version of the afghan!
-Karen
I hope you like it! I do have a weakness for the boutique yarn though… Until I see how much I need for a project and how much it costs then… I do kinda wish I would have finished that one, but the gaps just were to much.
Hi Shelley,
I am working on the border now and you are right the gaps are bad. I am kinda closing up the edge gaps with the border. I worked so long on this I didn’t want to give up. If it wasn’t motifs I would have taken it apart but not much use for small bits of yarn. I am anxious to start your pattern but I made myself promise to not start another big project until the one I am working on is finished….lol Thanks again, Karen
I had hopes the gaps wouldn’t be bad, but they just didn’t close up… And honestly I threw mine away because it wouldn’t be worth taking it apart for the scraps. If you do work mine up, let me know what you think! I’m curious since you successfully finished the other.
Your so patient to answer so many questions. Thank You, I did about ten rows , ripped it out and started again, hopefully I got it right this time. THANKS
Hi I just want to say I love this pattern I am making one for a gift I am starting the decreasing but I am a little confused at this part that you have written :
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 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 the 3rd sc spot, then sc tog.
Please help me.
Please forgive me, but what part of those rounds isn’t meshing? The sc decrease? You are essentially making one sc where you would have put two before and skipping a 3dc group.
Hi, thank you for the pattern. I’m starting the project but the first row has me stumped when you say sc into the first dc. What exactly do you mean by that? What effect am I supposed to be seeing here and I’I’m I doing this across the entire row? Am I going from behind or in front? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I just need to understand.
Many thanks,
Rita
Try this video for the shell pattern someone found. It might help http://youtu.be/cfaikv0KvX0
im so lost on the arc. Half of the pattern. I did the 72 rows but don’t understand the sec. Part! Is there a video u can show us r me on how to start it please?
Thanks,
Kandyce
I don’t have a video unfortunately. It really is just bringing it together to make a tube. I know it helps me to just take a stitch by stitch approach when it comes to understanding patterns sometimes.
Hi Shelley, I’ve started this pattern and am on row two, but its starting to curve inward quite a bit. It js supposed to do that?
It shouldn’t be curving… Someone found this video for the shell patten http://youtu.be/cfaikv0KvX0
I need help figuring out the fin. Did you make a video?
I don’t see myself doing a video… The fin is essentially one piece that has a straight side with the opposite side decreasing in then increasing back to size.