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!
Making this very cute blanket for my 4-year-old niece. I did it adult-sized as I figure she can use it as a full-sized blanket now and as a lapghan when she’s older!
I’m about to attach the tail/fin to the bottom of the blanket and I’m not totally clear on the “how”…. you said ” 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.”
I’m assuming that you attach the top of the fin to the seam where you closed off the end of the blanket, but I’m not sure what you meant but the “sides of the sc rows”?
Thanks!
I had the same thoughts about this size for kids, lol!
To where to sew it helps to lay the tail face down on the floor or table flat. Now lay the fin face down below it and stitch the two together. Sides of the sc rows are the sides between your last row of sc tog and the sc boarder.
I have a knit pattern book and looked up some stitches for those who do not crochet. The ‘scales’ are not the same in appearance but are the simplist I found.
Needle size should be about an 8.
Seed stitch (odd number of stitches)
All rows: *k1 p 1* across – end in k1
Modified seed stitch (odd number of stitches)
Row1 knit all stitches across
Row 2 *k1 p1* across – end in k1
Row 3 knit across all stitches
Row 4 *p1 k1* across – end in p 1
Repeat these 4 rows for pattern
Double seed/ moss/ rice – even number of stitches (multiples of 4 plus 2 – 154 stitches
Row 1 *k2 p2* across – end in k2
Row 2 *p2 k2* across – end in p2
Row 3 Same as row 2
Row 4 Same as row 1
Repeat these 4 rows for pattern
I did not figure the tail pattern but thought it could be done in garter stitch (knit every row) and knit in front and back of a stitche for increase and knit two together for decrease.
This is brilliant! Do you have a blog or somewhere you have this posted for others? I will gladly link to it for other knitters out there.
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…………………….i am really confused on how to sew the fin onto the main body of the afghan. Can you please post more pics or explain more??? thank you.
I’m wondering the exact same thing, Carol Toennis 🙂 (for some reason my comment doesn’t seem to be showing up)
I am behind on answering comments… Work, kids and trying to get orders done and the dreaded cleaning of the house and laundry! Ugh…
When decreasing down to the end _ I do not understand what you mean “sc tog where the next two Scott should be” … I know what sc tog means, am I skipping a 3dc shell and sc the next two shells together via the center dc on TWO shells? Could you show me a picture of what it looks like?
When decreasing down to the end _ I do not understand what you mean “sc tog where the next two Scott should be” … I know what sc tog means, am I skipping a 3dc shell and sc the next two shells together via the center dc on TWO shells? Could you show me a picture of what it looks like?
Love the pattern btw- it’s very generous of you to share with us AND anger our questions!
That’s exactly what you do. You are making one sc and skipping a shell group.
I lost it on the second row, and I don’t know where i went wrong. I ended up with 3 spaces after I made the last shell and the instructions said to do 3 dc in the last sc, chain 1 and turn. Any ideas?
Was your starting ch and first row of dc on count? Is this the first row of 5dc pattern or second? The first row of the patten sounds right because then you have the right place for a sc to end the row. The second row should end with three dc in that last sc…
TaDa! I did it! Thanks Shelley, not only the pattern, but the clarifications and moral support 🙂
*not only for the pattern*
wOOt! I’m so glad you got it!
Please help me ……………..anyone. .i am really confused on how to sew the fin onto the main body of the afghan. Can you please post more pics or explain more??? thank you. this is a gift and i want to get it mailed soon..l Thanks
To where to sew it helps to lay the tail face down on the floor or table flat. Now lay the fin face down below it and stitch the two together.
I am on row 4 and am getting a little gap between the SC and 5DC. I’m not sure how to fix it or tighten it up. Does yours have a small gap there, and maybe mine will end up being just fine after I get more rows done? Its not really obvious, but its not as tight and uniform as I think it should be.
thanks! My 9 year old daughter and 40-something year old friend are both very excited for me to make them this blanket!
It will have a small gap, but I can’t get my pinkie through it on mine… Do you crochet loosely? I tend to be slightly tight and have been using a h hook.
Thanks for responding! Its maybe the size of my pinkie finger so I’ll just assume I have a bit looser stitches. I’m using a 5.5/I hook so that might be the difference. (was too lazy to hunt down my missing H hook;) )
ive just spent the last half hour reading through all the comments on this blog lol. I was trying to find an answer to my question before I asked you…but k couldn’t find one.
I’m doing the tail…..almost have it all done it I’m confused about the last four lines. Are we doing the sc together on the part of the fin where we attach it to the blanket? Also it says to chain 1 and then do it again….but my question is…are we turning it and sc tog on the part where we sc together on the last row? I’m just confused because it doesn’t say turn and so I was a bit confused.
Thanks for all your help!
Hey! That is a new question! Thanks for looking first though! So sweet of you! To answer your question though after you sc around the fin the last few rows of sc decrease is only on the side where you will be attaching to the tail… The side opposite of the v made of the decreases and increases.
I am on the second row of the 72 in the beginning and I notice that it is starting to curl. Is that ok as I go down will it better? I don’t know what I could have done wrong?! Please if anyone can answer in need to have this done by a certain time. Thank you!
I saw the video you posted about the shell stitch. The only thing I have a question about is in your pattern you have your 5dc pattern. in the * it says *sc in the first dc… So I have been doing a sc after ever 5dc because it was in the *. I think that is why it was curling. In that video it only has it doing it once in the beginning so is that how it suppose to be done. Or is there a sc after every 5dc.
The video shows the shell stitch pattern. The first row should have sc, sk 2, 5dc, sk 2, sc, sk 2, 5dc…
Thank you I finally got it. I had to start over but it is looking a lot better. 🙂
Finished last night! Took about 15 hours. I made it shorter for my niece. I have to say I got confused a few times but I took your advice in the pattern and just went with the flow. Made it work! I also crocheted in the back loops only for the fin to make it look more textured. Thank you for sharing the pattern and all your replies!!
could anyone please find me a free knitted pattern for the mermaid lapfgan
I am still at a loss for sewing the fin to the body. I wish I could put a diagram on here, but I do not know how.
you have the start of the fin, then the decreases, then another part of the fin.
Which part of the fin do you sew to the body? I don’t get it, sorry!!!!!!!!!!!
the beginning 43 stitches or the last 43 st. or do you sew the middle to the body? thank you
You have the straight side then the opposite side of decrease and increase. You will be sewing the straight side to the tail after you do the sc tog.
I am doing the tail and I am a little confused with the stitches*, Where there is an astrist* does that mean from the first * to the other *is the pattern to work?
Granddaughter is an Aries fan..she just turned 5..I am using your pattern more as inspiration than as actual directions! I bought a bargain bag of sparkly turquoise Starbella yarn (very mermaidy-looking) with the intent of making a mermaid tail..coccoon-style..
Of course, I had 7 skeins of this stuff..but only about 300+ yds each..had to search around for more!
I also just used double crochet for the whole tube..The yarn is fancy enough..and very thick (it’s the yarn that makes those ruffle scarves)
Stumped on how to do the tail since I didn’t use your directions..but I’ll figure out something. .hopefully the GO will model it for a picture! Maybe on your FB page..;)
Stupid auto correct. .was supposed to say Ariel fan!
She loves it! Now she wants a purple seashell top to go with her tail..
The fin is floppy; might reinforce with cable ties to make the tail lie flat when she “swims”
Yarn isn’t showing up glittery blue..bummer
Photo didn’t attach 🙁
This is a know problem that I’ve been working to fix. Apologies for the inconvenience. Hopefully I will have it resolved soon.
–Dan
Hi Barb,
I finally got this fixed! You can submit an image with your comment now. Sorry for the issues.
–Dan
My daughter in law fell in love with this. She is Plus size. Ideas for sizing???
You can make the “width” whatever you choose…. just has to be a multiple of 6, plus 3 (example: 6X30=180+3=183) The number you muptiply 6 by (in this example is 30) tells you how many shell patterns you will have in a row. That way, you can do a ‘test’ swatch of shells to see what your gauge is ( how long your shells are depending on your yarn weight, needle size and personal stitch tension) and from that, guesstimate how many total shells you’ll need. Take the number of total shells (across) that you decide on, multiply by 6, add 3….do that many chain stitches and follow the pattern from there. If she has an unusual height, you may have to do some adjusting on number of rows…. but only if she’s VERY tall or VERY short. Good luck!
OMG! I cannot figure out the fin> why it is looking crooked. I did everything right, but it doesn’t look right!! Help , Do you have a picture of it up-close so I can see it not being attached?
what is the gauge to which you are crocheting. I tend to crochet tight so I must go up one to two sizes to meet most patterns. Thanks
I didn’t write up a gauge. The yarn I used suggested a H hook, the variegated suggested a G hook, so I used an H hook.
Thanks love the pattern just confused about sizing i did the chain 153 at beginning now about 20 rows in im questionning the top width
It says the finished size is 38″ width
How many 5dc shell stitiches did u end up with a starting chain of 153
i have 25 5dc shells with 27 sc but is much wider than the 38″
Thanks
Maybe your hook,yarn weight or tension is different than mine? I counted the one I’m working on to be double sure and it has 25 shell groups in between sc at each end. I do tend to be close to recommended hook for yarn weight if not slightly tight.
I have 33 5dc shells across
The one I made was definitely a good bit wider than 38″ across when I changed 153… so I ended up undoing and starting over and had about 133 double crochet in the first row and then 22 shells across (so 136ish chaining to start?) This made it about 38″. I used Craft Smart Value yarn from Michael’s and the suggested H (5mm) hook…. that yarn was 244 yds/223 m for the variegated (I used roughly 2.5 balls) and 364 yds/333 m for the solid (I used 1.75 balls of my main colour and 1.5 balls of the other solid colour).
Hope that helps! 🙂
Actually I find this interesting… Using the Caron simply soft should have been almost the same as mine since that works up similar… Odd…