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!
I am apologizing before I even ask this. Would it be ok to not join it? My grandaughter wants 1 like, you know..”the pattern” that just lies on top of you. tyvm, ready to finally get started.
Why not? It’s your project so if it fits your needs not to join, go for it! I would say make it a few rows longer before you decrease into to fin just so it has that extra length to hang over the feet.
I got the pics, understand it now. much thankis
I was wondering.. You do not have a disclaimer posted. But can products that are made from this pattern be sold?
(the pattern won’t be sold just the product that is made). Also using my own photos of my own product.
Hi Mags,
Yes, products made from this pattern can be sold. We keep forgetting to put up a notice stating that. I’ll try to get something put up this afternoon.
Regards,
Dan
Thank you! 🙂 I just absolutely love this pattern! Have a wonderful Spring!
I’m joining and started my spiral now do i start decreasing now or wait till i get to where the toe is pointed and then start decreasing???
Wait until the point where the toes point. About 20 rows before decrease.
Judy:
After you join your sides, do 20 rows with the 5double crochet shell pattern, the the 4 rows of 3 double crochet shell pattern…THEN you start with the crochet together decreases (technically, going down to the 3double crochet shells is a bit of a decrease in and of itself). Hope that helps…
thank you soo much for the info
Hello! I am planning to make this as a present for my neighbors great granddaughter and I know it will be a bit big for her but they want something for her to be able to grow with. I am a bit confused on the amount of the yarn needed. It might be because of the late hour or the long week but could someone let me know if it is eight skeins or did I miss something?
Thanks!
It has depending on the yarn. I have been getting 2 426 yds of each solid color (4 total) and 2 275 yds of variegated yarn. That being said lately I have been using the solids for the tail because the variegated runs out. Just keep that in mind then for what you want to do with the tail.
I just finished one that I modified for a 2 yr old. In case anyone wants to modify for a child, her measurements are: waist 20 “, 17″ from waist to toes, 11″ from waist to calves. I made it a little bigger to give her some growing room. The finished one has a waist of approx 25″ and is 24” from the waist to the beginning of the tail. Using a size “H” hook I chained 83 (instead of 153 for the adult size one). I went down 22 rows before I started going in rounds (at this point the pattern had gone down 72 rows). For the fin I chained 23 (the pattern called for 43 for the adult sized one).
I couldn’t find the same variegated color the pattern used so I bought Red Heart’s With Love in a color called ‘Waterlily.’ I also couldn’t find the ‘Light Damson’ so I bought a purple called ‘Mulberry’ that looked like it was close to the same color. You can’t really tell from the photos but one of the solid purples and the solid turquoise yarns have metallic threads running thru them that give them a little shimmer. Got them at Jo-Ann Fabrics (I’m in Oregon). They have two different kinds. The ones used here are ‘Red Heart Shimmer’ in Turquoise and Plum. I originally made the fin using the variegated ‘Waterlily’ yarn but didn’t like the look of it so I went back and re-did it using the solid purple ‘Mulberry’ doubled with the Shimmer ‘Plum’. I’m making another one now for the older sibling of the 2yr old and I’m doing different colors and I found that Caron makes a similar one called ‘Simply Soft Party’. I’m using a color called ‘Teal Sparkle’ for her since I’m doing hers in shades of greens and blues.
I’m having trouble attaching my photos. Am trying this again, so apologies if this is still blank. I’ve posted them on the Facebook site if anyone wants to see the colors. Sorry.
Whoo hoo looks like it worked. Here is the yarn…
Couldn’t figure out how to add 2 photos to one post, so here is the finished product for the 2 year old…
Re: the above post I was able to attach both photos of the finished one I re-sized for a 2 year old to the post just above it. I’m now doing another one for a 5 year old in shades of blues and greens. The 5 yr old has a 22″ waist so I chained 103 initially instead of 153 that the adult size started out with. I’m using a size H hook and trying to keep my stitches loose and my waist is coming out at 27″ (to give her some growing room). Right now I’ve got 27 rows done and it’s 14″ long. The child runs 17″ from waist to calves so at about 19-20″ in length I’m going to start working in rounds (again to give her growing room).
I’m using a total of 5 different colors: 4 solids, 2 of which have metallic threads in them and one variegated yarn. As someone suggested I’m using the back loops only and it does give it a more fish scale like look that I like a lot better. The colors are: Caron Simply Soft Paints in ‘Oceana’ (the variegated one), the metallic thread ones are, Caron Simply Soft Party ‘Teal Sparkle’ (the green looking one) and Red Heart Shimmer ‘Turquoise’, and then the solids are Caron Simply Soft ‘Blue Mint’, and Bernat Super Value ‘Royal Blue’. The tail will be done using 2 colors so it’s thicker: the Caron Simply Soft ‘Blue Mint’ and the Red Heart Shimmer ‘Turquoise’. Because I’m using 5 colors I’m using less than one skein of each color for each tail. The Bernat Super Value ‘Royal Blue’ is one of those super value yarns so I’m barely using any of that one and I’m making 2 of these tails using these blue/green colors.
Thank you! I had a bit of issues with decreasing and attaching the tail but think it came out great!!!
Close up of tail
Back side
In one day I had three family members post your blog photo on my Facebook wall asking “please, please, please?” Thank you so much for your free pattern. I love that it is only two pieces (I loathe sewing motifs together).
I almost feel like I should say I’m sorry because I know that feeling when people post pictures, but it made me smile that it is liked so much. Lol! That was why I made it like this, to decrease the ends and parts I have to weave in or sew…
Thank you SO much for sharing this pattern! I did have to make a couple of “tweaks” to it, but they were minor. In order to use two strands for the tail, I needed an extra 1/2 skein of yarn. I used a contrasting color there. My cucustomers wanted a beach theme, so I started with tan, then used three variations of blue to imitate the color changes in the water. The tail was the last shade of blue doubled the other, slightly darker blue. The final effect was stunning!
Sweet! And honestly there are very few patterns I haven’t tweeked… Lol! Every hooker has a different style that works for them.
Do you have a picture? It sounds very cool!
I’m having a bit of trouble with the fin. Do you do the decrease starting in the first stitch or the second? I’ve done it 2 times and I’ve had to rip it out because the sides aren’t even. And when it says to do a decrease in the last 2 double crochet, is that just 1 decrease? I’m sorry for being confused, I’m fairly new at crocheting. If you could just describe in a little more detail what the row after the double crochets is that would be very helpful. Thanks so much.
The row after the 10 rows of one decrease will have two decreases, one after the other. Or not… You could still just do one decrease and it will look fine as long as you only do one increase on the mirror side.
This is wonderful! I just bought my yarn and will be starting soon. Any advice?
Just have fun with it and don’t stress out about it! That was my hope behind it, to make an easy pattern for others to enjoy.
Oh Holy Night!! Thank you so much.. I too have been asked to make a mermaid lapghan.. cocoon… whatever it is.. lol.. my friend paid for that horrible pattern, printed it, snail mailed it to me.. if you think it’s bad in color try getting the pictures in black and white.. lol.. I had her resend it via email and have refused to get started on it.. I’ve actually been searching for one using the crocodile stitch.. which is my least favorite stitch so far ….. because that’s the stitch she wants.. YUCK.. I’m going to make one using your pattern and she will fall in love.. I’m sure!
Thank you so much for taking the time to figure it out and then to share it with everyone.. I so appreciate it!
and so will all of the grandkids who end up with one for Christmas! haha
I can not tell you how much your comment made not only me, but my husband laugh! Thank you for that! Also I have this odd image in my head of a group of kids, sitting in front of the Christmas tree all in mermaid lapghans! Please make this happen! It would be so cool!
If I may — I’m on my second Mermaid lapghan — this time around I’m going through the back loop to puff it out a bit, giving it more of a 3d effect. I’m kicking myself I didn’t do this the first time around! I like it. I’ve attached a picture to see the difference.
So…. my 11 year old daughter is home sick…. had her lay down on the couch by me as I was working on a child size mermaid tail for my friend. It dawned on me that she is the same age I was when I learned to crochet. She wanted to try and -what do you know- she’s a natural! Of course we started with a granny square but I see mermaid tails in her future
Thank you, Shelley , for catching her interest…I’m so pleased that she is doing this!
if possible can you post the stitch count changes for the child size ( about a ten year old it sounds like you were making) I am new to crochet and can’t adapt patterns the way I can with knitting- thanks 🙂
The blanket I made for a 9 year old was the adult size so it can grow with her. They loved the adult size as it went up to her armpits.
I modified it slightly for a 6 year old. I made 123 stitches in the chain and only did 50 some rows before joining and then 18-20 rounds. Effie decreasing and my tall 6 year old fit into it, but wanted to pull it up to her chest. My first one was a trial and error so that i would know how to modify it. The one I am doing now, i chained 133 and will do the same amount of Rows as the adult.
I too purchased the pattern you mentioned. The moffits were not hard to make but as you stated the join was horrible! Also their recommended yarn was in no way practical for my little 3 yr. old grand daughter I was planning on making it for. I did purchase a different yarn but HATED the pattern. Thank you so much for sharing this pattern. There’s going to be one happy girl when she visits her MIMI this summer.
Hi, I really enjoy this pattern. I’m not sure if someone has asked already, but is there a way I can down size this pattern for a child? My older sister found pictures a couple weeks ago of these mermaid blankets and her daughter saw it and asked for one. I want to make one of these for my niece, so she can be a mermaid (my nieces words.)
Hooray, I finished it!! Chuffed to bits with the result! Thanks again Shelley for sharing the pattern xxxxx