Around a year ago, I made a hand-sized mermaid pattern on Instructables (which I’ve linked to previously and can be found here: http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Little-Crochet-Mermaid/ ). This is similar to that one, with a few obvious changes. One being the head-shape and another being the size. This mini mermaid is smaller (only 3.5in [8.89cm] long with the guage I used). I, personally, think that the proportions of this new pattern are much cuter.
-Mini Mermaid-
Supplies (information in parenthesis is what I used):
-Yarn (Järbo Garn Nova)
-Crochet hook to gauge with your yarn (D/3-3.25MM)
-Safety eyes
-Stuffing
– Yarn needle
-Scissors
Abbreviations:
R – Round
Ch – Chain
Sc – Single crochet
Sl st – Slip stitch
St – Stitch
Make the following pieces…
Head (make 1):
Make a magic ring.
R1 – 6sc inside the magic ring. (6)
R2 – 2sc in each of the next 6 sts. (12)
R3 – [1sc in the next st, 2sc in the next st]*6 times around. (18)
R4 – R6 – 1sc in each of the next 18 sts. (18)
Here is the point where, if you’re using safety eyes, you should insert them while the opening is still big enough. You can also secure the tail of your magic ring on the inside now.
R7 – [1sc in the next st, sc the next 2 sts together]*6 times. (12)
R8 – [Sc the next two sts together]*6 times around. (6)
Now you can stuff the head. I use the handle of one of my bigger hooks to help push the stuffing through the hole. If you’re having a hard time stuffing, take out a few stitches until the opening is big enough for you to stuff. Redo the stitches when you’re done.
Sew the opening closed and finish off the tail.
Arms (make 2):
Make a magic ring.
R1 – 3sc inside the magic ring. (3)
R 2 & R3 – 1sc in the next 3 sts. (3)
Finish, leaving a long tail.
Fins (make 2):
R1 – Ch 4. Turn. (4)
R2 – 1sc in the second ch from hook. 1sc in each of the next 2 sts. Ch 1 and turn. (3)
R3 – 1sc in the first st. Sc the next 2 sts together. Ch 1 and turn. (2)
R4 – Sc the next two sts together. (1)
Finish, leaving a long tail.
Bra (make 2) (optional):
Make a magic ring.
3sc inside the magic ring. (3)
Finish, leaving a long tail.
Torso (make 1):
Make a magic ring.
R1 – 6sc inside the magic ring. (6)
R2 – 2sc in each of the next 6 sts. (12)
R3 – R5 – 1sc in each of the next 12 sts. (12)
Finish off.
Tail (make 1):
Make a magic ring.
R1 – 3sc inside the magic ring. (3)
R2 – 2sc in each of the next 3 sts. (6)
R3 – 1sc in each of the next 6sts. (6)
R4 – [1sc in the next st, 2sc in the next st]*3 times around. (9)
R5 – 1sc in each of the next 9 sts.
R6 – [1sc in each of the next 2 sts, 2sc in the next st]*3 times around. (12)
R7 – 1sc in each of the next 12 sts. Ch. 1 (12)
With the ch still on your hook, take the torso piece and hold the opening end up against the opening of the tail. While the tail is facing you, sc through the front loops of both pieces all the way around. Before reaching the end, stuff the pieces. Sl st into the first sc of the round and finish off the tail. If you want to use different colors for the main piece of the tail and this border, just finish off the tail after R7 and continue with a new color.
Assembly:
Using the tail at the bottom of the head, attach the head to the top of the torso/tail piece.
With the face forward, sew the arms to each side of the top half of the torso.
Sew the fins to each side of the bottom of the tail. The widest, flattest edge should be sewn against the tail (the side where both yarn tails are coming out from).
Sew each bra piece to the chest and stitch a line around the torso to act as a bra strap.
Cut strands of yarn that are twice the length of the mermaid’s body.
Option 1: Fold a strand in half and, using your crochet hook, pull the folded middle portion under a stitch on the head. You should now have a loop on one side of the stitch and two strands sticking out of the other side. Pull the two strands over through the loop and tug tight. Here is a representation of how that looks from the old pattern:
Option 2: I’ve found that I tend to pull out a bit of stuffing whenever I use my crochet hook in making hair. A second way to do this with less stuffing loss is to use a yarn needle. Thread your strand of yarn through the yarn needle and pull it under a stitch as before. Only pull it about three fourths of the way through, but not all the way. With some of the yarn still sticking out of the other side, pull the needle back under the same stitch until you have two strands on one side and a loop on the other. Pull the strands over through the loop and tug tight.
After you’ve finished attaching all of the hair you can leave it as is or you can take the time to split each strand of yarn for finer hair (I prefer this look).
Done!
Alligator Creator 