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!
So happy I didn’t cave and buy the one pattern!
My cousin linked the other one to me and my daughter saw it and went ga ga over it. I almost bought it, but I was really unimpressed with the pictures other people did and the fact that it takes (at least) 8-9 skeins to make.
I think I’ll be trying yours with one of those lovely “Unforgettable” yarns that are self striping. Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
A lady from my church contacted me about making one of these for her 5 year old grandbaby. The little one is about 3′ 6″ a small little one really would it suit to just cut the pattern in half of I were to make it for her? Thank you!
thank you so much for this pattern! I, too, purchased the pattern in order to make it for my great niece. Once I read the directions, I said Forget it! There is no way I am going to see in that many loose ends! I decided to create my own version using the crocodile stitch, but after a few rows, I realized that would take a huge amount of yarn and nixed that idea. Then I found your pattern! Score! I’m making it in purple sparkle, pink sparkle, and regular white yarns. (I couldn’t find a variegated yarn in the colors I wanted.) I plan to do the tail and edging in silver sparkle yarn if it looks ok. Thank you again! I know a little girl who will be so happy!
What girl wouldn’t love this in sparkle yarn? Or anything sparkle? I’ve been trying to go through the yarn I have so I can make this in some sparkle or boutique yarns. I hope it works up great for you!
Does anyone have a link to this pattern in knitting form?
I spent over $100 , which is a LOT to me to make as a bday gift for my oldest grandaughter. I too bought “the pattern” OMGosh it scares me to pieces, and it does not sound at all as the picture looks. It has to be full of holes everywhere. I did look at others that had been completed and in several the holes are evident. Anyway i am NOT wasting this yarn, it is beautiful. Any suggestions of how to incorporate all 4 of the colors in it? Should I try to do every other shell a dif color? Any suggestions would help . And if you do not answer, I certainly understand why..this is popular and we are hitting you left and right with questions and comments. Tyvm for the pattern !!!
It looks like the pattern above uses two or 3 different colors. I think it would be the same to use four, just add in the extra color rows as needed.
For reference, this person is making it with four colors, so it’s definitely possible: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/crankyangel/mermaid-lapghan
I think that was my real problem was the holes it left for me… That and it didn’t seem it would hold true to those shapes. The yarn is gorgeous. You can do this pattern with four different yarns. Just change to a different strand for each row. As long as you don’t bind off, just pick up a color after a row it works fine and gives a bit more random coloring to the blanket. Just be careful not to get the strands twisted as you pick up a new color and turn. I hope that makes sense! I’ve been itching to try this in the boutique yarn…
tyvm
Thank u for sharing this stunning idea,love it…. Definitely going to try it…
Hi – this fantastic, as everyone says. Well done, and also very well done on all the credit it is getting. I saw your first post about it on FB My Hobby is Crochet and then had friends Share it on my page saying how great it is!!! I felt very honoured like I knew you – lol
To get my head around the pattern I thought I’d make a scaled (haha) down version for my kids’s Barbie doll. It really helped and I am very excited to make my first proper one (my 12 yo daughter has already bought her wool for it!!!) – however, I am having trouble visualising the tail and not having any luck scaling it down. Are you able to talk me through what you are making (eg: two pieces and sewing together, a flat piece… etc) Thank you very much – I understand you are probably very busy but I would love to hear from you.
I’m actually still shocked by how many people like this one truthfully… Lol! Any who, the fin is a lot easier than it seems. Essentially (before you sc around the piece) you want to have a flat side with the opposite side where you decrease then increase… The decreasing /increasing is just making a big ‘V’ along that side. Hope that helps!
Thanks so much for giving us the free pattern – I appreciate the time you took to write it all down. This is the one i just finished. I went up a hook size and used all 3 colored strands for the fin.
hope the pic shows up this time!
thanks for the pattern i will be busy for our grand kids for christmas
I bet I know what pattern you bought, I did to the join as you go was ok but connecting all was awful and hated how 1strip went 1 way and the next went the other, thank you for this one.
I was looking for a mermaid pattern for our Granddaughter who just turned 6, and fell in love with this one. I have been crocheting since I was taught at the age of 13, so I think is can crochet this down to a size for her. I crocheted her mother’s Three piece Wedding Gown and Train with Beads all around every part and a crocheted Bible cover with beads also .. I can hardly wait to get started on this for her daughter our only Granddaughter. I crochet a lot and enter a lot of what I do in our local fair and have won many ribbons that I am very proud of THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THIS WONDERFUL PATTERN IT LOOKS SO MUCH EASIER THAN OTHERS I HAVE SEEN AGAIN THANK YOU BARBARA FETTEROLF FROM SOUTH CAROLINA
Is the top part of the mermaid lapghan open like a blanket or sew all around so you have to get inside of it ?
I had wondered the same thing. I am not looking for a cocoon but a lapghan/blanket, for only on top. if you find out would you share the answer pl, tyvm
It’s open at the top… closed near the bottom. So the first 72 rows… it’s flat/open like a blanket. Then you join and go in rounds for the remaining 20 or so rows and close it off and attach the fin. So your feet have a “pocket” to go into. Does that help? 🙂
Thank you so much for the pattern. I also purchased a pattern like you were talking about and it did not work out well with anything I tried. I am working on the decrease on this pattern and I just finished the 4 rows of decrease with 3 dc and 1 sc. I am now stuck on this… Then you are going to 3dc, sc tog 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. I am having a problem with the sc tog where the next 2 sc would go. Thank you again for posting this pattern.
I am having the same issue and wondering if someone can explain it in a different way. After the 4 rows of 3dc mine doesn’t seem to be decreasing very quickly to close it up.
The sc tog (decrease) is what will really bring it to a close quickly…
I am trying this pattern for my sister *she loves mermaids) but I am wondering is it supposed to bunch I am following the pattern but it’s bunching and not straightening out am I doing something wrong?
It shouldn’t be bunching until you get to the tog/decrease parts. It will be bumpy texture wise though.
In the first row after the row of DC’s, you start with a SC then skip 2 and then 5 DC’s and so on but do you do a SC after the 5 DC’s
The repeat pattern is with the sc, yes. So in-between the 5dc shells you will have a sc.
I do not have a website, and I am having trouble with the fin, I wrote a previous email and hope you got it,if not can you let me know. thank you so much, loving your pattern
I know I saved it, but now I don’t see it… The fin is basically a straight side with the opposite side coming in from the decreases then going back out from the increases. The increase side should mirror the decrease side in shape and number of rows worked. Did that help?
I hope I can figure it out now. thank you
There is something wrong with this pattern.. I have been crocheting for over 35 years and it is not working out for me…I get the first 72 rows..After that…I am lost..I understand what ” TOG ” means..
I have now finished four and the instructions have worked. I have had others complete it too, so I’m confident in the pattern as I can be. Tog is for together and is another term for decrease.
Anyone have an estimate on how long this took them?
I average around 14-16 hours, depending on how much I get to actually work on it.
I did it!! This is my first project in a loonngg time. Used Google & YouTube for some of the stitches, faked it in some spots, & thoroughly enjoyed myself! My daughter even agreed to model for me. Thank you!
You have no idea how much I wish I could like our upvote this! Thank you so much for saying exactly what I would have done if I came across this pattern and attempted it. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!