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!
Finally a “doable” mermaid blanket pattern for someone who can’t stand long, drawn-out, complicated projects. (Which is why I am a fan of amigurumi projects) A friend asked me to make one for her daughter and I just couldn’t bring myself to buying a pattern in the event it was too confusing or just poorly written. I thank you so much for this!! I will be using my yarn stash to make this one – willy nilly on the colors for now. Just to get the pattern tried.
I also suffer from crochet ADHD… If a project is taking too long I find myself dragging my feet more and more with it. I actually love the idea of using scraps for this. I have plans to do one too. I love the variety!
How do I print this?
Thank you
There is a print option at the bottom of the pattern. Either that or copy/paste.
This is so cute! I’ve done about 30 shell pattern rows so far. The picture looks like there is a crochet border going around the edges of the lapghan. Should I crochet a border around the lapghan after I complete the fin? Sorry if I missed it in the instructions.
my girlfriend really wants one of these how much do they cost
The ones I have finished I post on the store side of this blog for sale.
I am a fairly advanced crotcheter but found this pattern extremely difficult to follow. Had to use some of my own ideas
I usually adapt all the patterns I use. Sometimes I think it is just in a hookers nature. You do what has worked for you in the past and what makes sense to you.
Thank you for sharing. Can’t wait to try it. Have looked at the bought pattern as well but from experience I know that not all of them are workable. So why waste money.
I know, but it looked so cute and others have liked it… It just wasn’t what I needed.
Hi I want to make this for baby/toddlers how would you change the pattern? Sorry I’m not that great at crochet yet
X
Do projects for kids in Chemo therapy for Covenant Hospital in Lubbock. I do hats, bands, blankets, shoes, what ever pops in my head. Kinds come in with nothing sometimes. This is their treet box. My minnon hats are in demand as well as my Texas Teck boggins. This will be a great addition. Thanks for the chance to share.
This is so sweet and great of you! Honestly, you should be commended for all that hard work you do… All those smiles on the little ones faces. Just awesome!
Hi,
Super excited about this! Quick question…on the 2nd row, after you do the initial sc in the 3rd shell, are you then reverting to the starred * first row! referred to as the 5dc shell pattern, or are you alternating the 1st and 2nd row for the rest of the 72 rows?
Thank you,
Steph
If I read this right, then yes. You are repeating the first two rows off the 5dc shell pattern for a total of 72 rows.
Thank you Shelley for your kindness and patience. You’re the best!
Thank you for saying thank you! That actually means a lot to me!
Do you have a pattern for your open net infinity scarf? If so, I would love to try it.
Thanks!
That is a wonderful free pattern and everyone loved them! It was my go to for Christmas… And the best thing is you only use 1 skein of yarn and just keep going until you ruin out of the yarn! I found that the tie is really unnecessary, but if you choose to do it I would say to maybe do that first if you can. That way you are sure to have enough and use up all the yarn.http://www.mooglyblog.com/artfully-simple-infinity-scarf/
Im not good with reading how to crochet patterns, I didn’t read all the comments, but do you have a YouTube video or something? That would be awesome!
I don’t have a video. I should have a step by step coming out soon. I’ll post it as soon as it is available.
Ok thank you, I saw someone said something about copying and pasting. I’m going to try that for now and practice. I just picked up crocheting again the other day. Thank you for the free pattern! Your awesome!
Do you have any suggestions for making for children (6 and 8 yrs)? I know a smaller hook will make it a bit smaller but not sure if there are other ways to make it smaller.
Look at the measurements. My 9 year old fits in this one, but he a little tall. He just gets to pull it up a lot higher… I would suggest starting with a smaller chain, bringing it together when it reaches the calves, but I don’t have any concrete pattern…
Hello Shelley,
Thank you for sharing your pattern. I am going to make this as a gift for a few family members. If they turn out well I would like to list them in my ETSY shop for sale but would like your permission to do so. I will of course give credit for the pattern to you in my listings.
I have a request from someone to purchase one already.
Thank you again for sharing the pattern. This one looks a lot easier and user friendly than the one I purchased.
I don’t mind as long as nobody says the pattern was theirs or tries to sell this or a direct deviation of the pattern. The pattern is meant to be for everyone… Not to mention, as many people want this we will be crocheting for a while. Lol!
I am working on this pattern now. Does the blanket connect on the sides at all somewhere? Am I just missing it? Or is it only connected from ROW 73 and down to the tail fin? Thank you for your help !! I’m only on Row 20 and wondering how you connect it to make it “mermaid-ish” 🙂
It’s only connected from 73 down. That way it cocoons the feet, but makes it easier to get in and put of.
I love this pattern, too. I bought the other one because it was sized from 3 to 10 years. I need to make this for 3 five year old and one 10 year old grandaughter. So….how woukd I go about sizing this pattern down for kids? Thank you, and thank you for sharing this pattern!
I have thoughts about resizing, but I haven’t done so yet. If you start with a chain long enough to go over their hips, shell pattern down to the calves and bring it in from their it will work, but besides the thought I don’t have anything concrete…
Shelly, I was thinking of filling a plastic Ester egg with beans or something, gluing it shit, of course—but then realized that the first time someone stepped on it—it would be crushed. So far, the only other thing I can think of is a cat or dog toy that rattles—they are made of a heavier plastic. I guess just about any container, as strong as possible, that would hold beans would work, because it would have to be surrounded by stuffing, which would give it some protection. But, I am waaaaay ahead of myself. I haven’t even attempted the regular size pattern yet, let alone try to reduce it. What difficulty level do you consider it? I consider myself a pretty good crocheter, I think—-I did enter 3 afghans into our county fair about 13 yrs ago. One had tulip motives crocheted into the pattern,(you carried the extra yarn across the back) I also made a Flag, and a Daisy afghan –all individual motifs, sewn together. The flag and the daisy afghans got white ribbons—but my tulip quilt got the blue rosette, and “Best Afghan”. I learned to crochet when I was about 11, but didn’t learn the proper way to turn—so everything eventually got smaller as I went. I picked up a hook again 13 yrs ago, and discovered that I could read patterns. I still don’t consider my self “fantastic” I crochet too tight and have to go 2 sizes up in a hook and do my best to keep things loose. My last attempt was a cute vest I was making for myself. My stitches are so tight—it was too small for my 10 yr old daughter. Based on that info—will I be able to do this?
I’m still thinking on the rattle, but I’m sure by the time I start the blanket I’ll have thought of something… Then everyone can tell me I’m wrong later, lol! If you did those, you can do this one. Just take each step at a time instead of worrying ahead.
Thank you for the tutorial! Its awesome. Making one for myself. How to you change colors when you start the fin?
Thank you!
The fin where I did stripes? I changed colors every two rows similar to how I dropped the yarn for the body of the blanket.
Hi,
I’d love to be able to make this but have never understood written patterns, do you by any chance have a YouTube channel where you teach your patterns? If you do would you mind terribly sending me an email to my address above so I could learn something new, I’m disabled so I don’t do much else than read or crochet and I can only make so many hats and scarves. LoL
I would like to promise I’m making one, if nothing just for you, but I’m not sure we will be… I’ll talk about it again with my husband since he would have to do all the editing…
I’m trying to get this started but my brain just doesn’t seem to be following the pattern right. Is there a way to simplify the pattern where you show what each row should be and the number of stitches or shell patterns that should fit? I guess it’s really confusing because you say to start off in rows and then later on move to rounds and I don’t get how you would be able to join the previous rows that you did then before continuing in the rounds. Is it just two separate ways to do it, one with rows and one in rounds?
Hopefully there should be a step by step soon… The pattern goes in rows until row 73 where you start to join it together to a spiral when it goes to rounds. Best advice is just to calm down and take it one step at a time. The pattern seems confusing until you see how it is working in your hands.
Okay, I think I’m getting it now. Thanks for the clarification
Cali… 1st row is the 153 chain stitches, next row dc into 3rd stitch from hook (dont count loop on hook) and in remaining 150 stitches (when done will look like 152 dc), next row is 25 shells plus skip 2 and sc in last stitch at end of row, next row will look like 1/2 shell followed by 24 complete shells, followed by 1/2 shell, the next row is 25 complete shells, etc, etc.
Don’t know if that helps or makes it more confusing… just would hate for you to give up because it is such a fun pattern!
Okay that makes a lot more sense now! Thanks for the help!
lolamae, I think you answered MY question, the second row is dc in every chain except first two!! I did dc in every third chain, BIG difference. Thanks
I am just trying to learn how to crochet. I love this lapghan. I don’t know how to read a pattern. Is it possible for you to do a step by step video? I would really appreciate it. Thank you for your time….
We keep thinking about a video to help people, but I just don’t know if that will come to fruition honestly…
Maybe someone could do a video for you? ….I am almost done my tail (adult sized) and in love with your pattern! I can’t wait to try my hand at a child sized too (since I’m sure I’ll get requests from more family lol. Props to you!! Can’t wait to give it to my niece for her 20 th birthday! I’m in awe of anyone that could make their own patterns. Thanks a million!