Several weeks ago, a few of my friends contacted me showing me a photo they found online of a mermaid blanket. Not all mermaid blankets were exactly the same, so I did my own research and used variations of different stitches and patterns I found on the internet, I created my own mermaid afghan. Since I borrowed stitches from several different patterns (including this pattern by Mad Hooker), I combined them to make my own in this exclusive FREE pattern that I have written. Below you will find the instructions to make 3 different sizes (Small, Medium, Large). You can use any combination of colors to create the scale look. This is an easy to follow pattern, and I highly recommend watching the video tutorial to follow along if you get stuck. Enjoy and Happy Hookin’! ~Nadia
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Teacher: Nadia Fuad
Video and Editing: Fuad Azmat (My Daddy)
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Pattern:
Designed by Nadia Fuad You *may* sell items made from my pattern, but please reference my website YARNutopia.com.
Please do not copy, sell, and/or post this pattern and claim it as your own.
Sizing: Size Small will fit a child that is 4 feet-5 feet tall. The Medium will fit anybody that is 5 feet to 6 feet tall (this is the one I filmed), and the Large fits anybody over 6 feet tall. The Width for each is the same so it can fit larger or skinnier people. It measures approximately 50 inches wide.
View this video to help with making SIZE MEDIUM of this Mermaid Afghan:
Although I used Red Heart Yarns in this project, here is a great substitution of yarn that works great as well. Brava yarn by WeCrochet/Knit Picks
-Red Heart Super Saver Medium (worsted) weight yarn: The skeins of yarn are Approx.364 yds (333 m) per skein. Please keep that in mind when you are purchasing yarn.
Size Small: 2 skeins Macaw, 1 skein Jade, and 1 skein Peacock (Peacock comes in Red Heart With Love) Size Medium: 3 skeins Macaw, 2 skeins Jade, and 2 skeins Peacock (Peacock comes in Red Heart With Love) Size Large: 4 skeins Macaw, 3 skeins Jade, and 3 skeins Peacock (Peacock comes in Red Heart With Love)
If you cannot get these exact brands of yarn, go to Yarnsub.com to find an equivalent type of yarn.
Ch: chain
Sl st: slip stitch
DC: double crochet
Sc: single crochet
Sc2tog: Single crochet 2 together
Notes:
-When you finish this project, you may sew up the “open” side to make this a full cocoon style. You may also crochet a single crochet around the entire edge to “cover up” the edges where you sew in your ends.
-To sew in your ends, just take a yarn needle and hide all the ends back into your work. (I do not show how to do this in this video, but if you watch any of my other video tutorials, I show how I sew in my ends if you want to do it like me).
-The chain is the same in all sizes, but if you dont want it that wide, chain something that is in groups of 6 +2. So if you chain something that is 114 + 2, you would have 116 chains. I hope that makes sense!
-Ch 3 at beg of rnd counts as dc throughout.
–Change color after every row, sew in ends as you go
-sc2tog on “blanket” portion means to go into the middle st of 5dc group, yarn over, go into the middle st of the next 5dc group, yarn over, then yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on your hook.
-To make the tail fin bigger: Repeat rows 2 and 3 for however big you want it to be (maybe 60 or 70 stitches), then repeat rows 14 and 15 to decrease for the other half. I hope that makes sense!
Small
Ch 153
Row 1: dc in 3rd ch from hook and across, ch 1, turn (150 dc)
Row 2: sc in first dc, *skip 2 sts, 5dc in next st, skip 2 dc, sc in next st, repeat from * across, ch 3, turn (25 shells made)
Row 3: 2dc in same spot you chained up 3, skip 2 sts,* sc in next dc (the middle dc of shell), sk 2 sts, 5dc into sc, repeat from * until you reach the last sc, 3dc in the last dc, ch 1, turn
Row 4: Sc in first dc, skip 2 dc, *5 dc into sc, skip 2 sts, sc in next dc (middle DC), skip 2 sts, repeat from *, ending with a sc in the beginning ch 3, ch 3 and turn.
Row 5-50: repeat rows 3-4 (Your last row will need to be a repeat of row 3, so you may need to do an extra row at this point.) If you feel like this is not long enough, or too long, you can add or eliminate rows and just continue to work the next round whichever row you end on. Make sure to end on a repeat row of row 3. The blanket should reach from the top of your hips to right above your ankle at this point. If it does not, make more rows and then go onto the instructions for row 51.
Now you will be connecting and working in the round (continuous circle) I highly suggest watching the video to understand this part.
Round 51: Sc in ch 3 of beginning of row 50 (this completes the circle), *sk 2 dc, 5dc into sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, repeat from *around, ending with sc in 3rd dc of prev row.
Round 52: sk sc from previous rnd and sk 2 dc, sc in middle st of 5dc grouping, *sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 5dc into sc, repeat from *around, ending with Sc2tog into middle of 5dc group from prev. rnd (rnd 51) AND the middle st of 5 dc grouping of rnd 52. (see video to help explain this)
Round 53:5dc in next sc st, sc in the middle of the next 5dc st all the way around, ending with 5 dc in the last sc
Round 54: (dec round) Sc2tog (see Notes), *5dc in next sc, Sc2tog, repeat from * around, ending with Sc2tog
Round 55: *5dc in next sc st, sc in middle st of 5dc grouping, repeat from * around, ending with 5dc grouping
Round 56: *Sc in middle st of 5dc grouping, 5dc in next sc st, repeat from * around, ending with Sc2tog into middle of 5dc gropuing from prev. rnd (rnd 55) AND the middle st of 5 dc grouping of rnd 56. (see video to help explain this)
Round 57: (dec round) *5dc in next sc st, Sc2tog, repeat from * around, ending with 5dc in sc st
Round 58: *Sc in middle st of 5dc grouping, 5dc in next sc st, repeat from * around ending with sc
Round 59: *5dc in next sc st, sc in middle st of 5dc grouping, repeat from * around ending with 5dc in last sc
Round 60: (dec. round) *Sc2tog, 5dc in next sc st, repeat from * around. Sl st to first sc of round. (You should only have 2 shells left, if you have 3 or 4 shells, thats okay too! Fasten off anyway and sew it closed.)
Fasten off with long tail, sew remaining hole closed.
Medium (Demonstrated in Video Tutorial)
Ch 153
Row 1: dc in 3rd ch from hook and across, ch 1, turn (150 dc)
Row 2: sc in first dc, *skip 2 sts, 5dc in next st, skip 2 dc, sc in next st, repeat from * across, ch 3, turn (25 shells made)
Row 3: 2dc in same spot you chained up 3, skip 2 sts,* sc in next dc (the middle dc of shell), sk 2 sts, 5dc into sc, repeat from * until you reach the last sc, 3dc in the last dc, ch 1, turn
Row 4: Sc in first dc, skip 2 dc, *5 dc into sc, skip 2 sts, sc in next dc (middle DC), skip 2 sts, repeat from *, ending with a sc in the beginning ch 3, ch 3 and turn.
Row 5-66: repeat rows 3-4 (Your last row will be a repeat of row 3, so you may need to do an extra row at this point.) If you feel like this is not long enough, or too long, you can add or eliminate rows and just continue to work the next round whichever row you end on. Make sure to end on a repeat row of row 3. The blanket should reach from the top of your hips to right above your ankle at this point. If it does not, make more rows and then go onto the instructions for row 67.
Now you will be connecting and working in the round (continuous circle) I highly suggest watching the video to understand this part.
Round 67: Sc in ch 3 of beginning of row 66 (this completes the circle), *sk 2 dc, 5dc into sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, repeat from *around, ending with sc in 3rd dc of prev row.
Round 68: sk sc from previous rnd and sk 2 dc, sc in middle st of 5dc grouping, *sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 5dc into sc, repeat from *around, ending with Sc2tog into middle of 5dc group from prev. rnd (rnd 67) AND the middle st of 5 dc grouping of rnd 68. (see video to help explain this)
Round 69:5dc in next sc st, sc in the middle of the next 5dc st all the way around, ending with 5 dc in the last sc
Round 70: (dec round) Sc2tog (see Notes), *5dc in next sc, Sc2tog, repeat from * around, ending with Sc2tog
Round 71: *5dc in next sc st, sc in middle st of 5dc grouping, repeat from * around, ending with 5dc grouping
Round 72: *Sc in middle st of 5dc grouping, 5dc in next sc st, repeat from * around, ending with Sc2tog into middle of 5dc gropuing from prev. rnd (rnd 71) AND the middle st of 5 dc grouping of rnd 72. (see video to help explain this)
Round 73: (dec round) *5dc in next sc st, Sc2tog, repeat from * around, ending with 5dc in sc st
Round 74: *Sc in middle st of 5dc grouping, 5dc in next sc st, repeat from * around ending with sc
Round 75: *5dc in next sc st, sc in middle st of 5dc grouping, repeat from * around ending with 5dc in last sc
Round 76: (dec. round) *Sc2tog, 5dc in next sc st, repeat from * around. Sl st to first sc of round. (You should only have 2 shells left, if you have 3 or 4 shells, thats okay too! Fasten off anyway and sew it closed.)
Fasten off with long tail, sew remaining hole closed.
Large
Ch 153
Row 1: dc in 3rd ch from hook and across, ch 1, turn (150 dc)
Row 2: sc in first dc, *skip 2 sts, 5dc in next st, skip 2 dc, sc in next st, repeat from * across, ch 3, turn (25 shells made)
Row 3: 2dc in same spot you chained up 3, skip 2 dc,* sc in next dc (the middle dc of shell), sk 2 dc, 5dc into sc, repeat from * until you reach the last sc, 3dc in the last dc, ch 1, turn
Row 4: Sc in first dc, skip 2 dc, *5 dc into sc, skip 2 dc, sc in next dc, skip 2 dc, repeat from *, ending with a sc in the beginning ch 3, ch 3 and turn.
Row 5-74: repeat rows 3-4 (Your last row will be a repeat of row 3, so you may need to do an extra row at this point.) If you feel like this is not long enough, or too long, you can add or eliminate rows and just continue to work the next round whichever row you end on. Make sure to end on a repeat row of row 3. The blanket should reach from the top of your hips to right above your ankle at this point. If it does not, make more rows and then go onto the instructions for row 75.
Now you will be connecting and working in the round (continuous circle) I highly suggest watching the video to understand this part.
Round 75: Sc in ch 3 of beginning of row 74 (this completes the circle), *sk 2 dc, 5dc into sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, repeat from *around, ending with sc in 3rd dc of prev row.
Round 76: sk sc from previous rnd and sk 2 dc, sc in middle st of 5dc grouping, *sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 5dc into sc, repeat from *around, ending with Sc2tog into middle of 5dc group from prev. rnd (rnd 75) AND the middle st of 5 dc grouping of rnd 76. (see video to help explain this)
Round 77:5dc in next sc st, sc in the middle of the next 5dc st all the way around, ending with 5 dc in the last sc
Round 78: (dec round) Sc2tog (see Notes), *5dc in next sc, Sc2tog, repeat from * around, ending with Sc2tog
Round 79: *5dc in next sc st, sc in middle st of 5dc grouping, repeat from * around, ending with 5dc grouping
Round 80: *Sc in middle st of 5dc grouping, 5dc in next sc st, repeat from * around, ending with Sc2tog into middle of 5dc gropuing from prev. rnd (rnd 79) AND the middle st of 5 dc grouping of rnd 80. (see video to help explain this)
Round 81: (dec round) *5dc in next sc st, Sc2tog, repeat from * around, ending with 5dc in sc st
Round 82: *Sc in middle st of 5dc grouping, 5dc in next sc st, repeat from * around ending with sc
Round 83: *5dc in next sc st, sc in middle st of 5dc grouping, repeat from * around ending with 5dc in last sc
Round 84: (dec. round) *Sc2tog, 5dc in next sc st, repeat from * around. Sl st to first sc of round. (You should only have 2 shells left, if you have 3 or 4 shells, thats okay too! Fasten off anyway and sew it closed.)
Fasten off with long tail, sew remaining hole closed.
Tail Fin (Same for all sizes)
Row 1: Chain 43, dc in 4th ch from hook and across, ch 2, turn (40dc)
Row 2: Dc2tog, dc in each stitch across, ch 2, Turn (39dc)
Row 3: DC in each stitch until the last 2 sts, dc2tog, ch 2, turn (38)
Row 4-11: repeat row 2 & 3 until you have 30 sts
Row 12: Dc2tog, Dc2tog, dc in each st across, ch 2, turn (28)
Row 13: Dc in each st across until the last 2 sts, 2dc in each of the last 2 sts, ch 2, turn (30)
Row 14: 2dc in first st, dc across, ch 2, turn (31)
Row 15: dc across until the last st, 2 dc in last st, ch 2, turn (32
Rows 16-23: Repeat rows 14 & 15 until you have 40 sts
Row 24: Dc across
Sc around entire tail, put 3 sc in each corner around, once you come back to the beginning do not fasten off, ch 1 and turn so you are working on the flat side of fin (the side edge that is going to be sewed to the tail)
I suggest watching the video to understand this next part.
Enjoy this video and subscribe to my channel on YouTube for more tutorials on how to crochet!
Leave a comment, and share with your friends!
Happy Hookin’
~Nadia
This post contains affiliate links, which I may be compensated for when you make a purchase. That means if you click on any link and buy from the linked websites, I will receive a small percentage of the value of your order. The amount you pay is not changed. Thank you for all your support in clicking the links in my blog!! You all are so amazing!! ~Nadia
The yarn provided for this pattern is courtesy of Red Heart Yarns
I also made this mermaid. I love it. I do crochet much tighter and was way too small when I was done, so I purchased 3 more skeins and made it bigger turned out great I used the variegated yarn. Also on the tail I felt it was too small and flimsy so I doubled my yarn, used a bigger hook and added a 4 extra rows. It turned out beautiful. Now I almost finished with a bikini top to match that is shaped like a big seashell. Its all going to be beautiful when completed. thank you nadia
I can’t even tell you how awesome you are for making this tutorial! My daughters are going to be psyched this Christmas. You made an overwhelming project easy peasy. Thank you for your generosity in this free pattern and video.
Thanks I just finished my forth. Three more to go before Christmas. This video make it so much faster than reading the pattern. I’ll take pictures when there all done.
Thank you so very much for sharing this wonderful pattern, I just finished my first of three for my nieces for Christmas, I will be one popular auntie this year.
Did your color pattern go peacock, macaw, jade and then repeat or did it go peacock, macaw, jade, macaw with the variegated macaw repeating after each solid color? Thanks.
I started this tonight for my 5 year old goddaughter. I’m so happy it seems to go fairly quick. I’ve made and given her a couple of hats thus year but this is going to be a complete surprise Christmas gift. She’s gonna flip!!! Thank you so much for making it easy to follow. Color changes normally freak me out, but the knots help to keep things straight.
I did. No problems. You can stitch the tail first because it is attached at the end, after stitching the blanket. It’s easier for me to crochet tails while traveling in the car.
This is so cool!
I’m planning on making this soon, thank you so much for posting such an easy and detailed description and pattern (I’m fairly new to the world of crochet).
I was wondering though if you knew how much yarn that I would need for just the fin? I would like to do a color that’s a smaller skein than the blanket part, but I don’t know how to tell how much I may need.
I believe the written row 2 instructions for the blanket are incorrect because it does not state chain one after the five double crochet….but the video does say that.
Is this why I’m only getting 24 shells on row 2. I’ve just come here to try and figure this out as all my counts are correct. Ugh someone please help I don’t want to frog 🙁
Love, love, love this pattern! Thank you for the videos! It definitely answers any questions I have as I go along. I recommend everyone to watch the video first, it answers any questions you might have before stitching. Definitely going to be the best Auntie this Christmas.
Oh my goodness…I’ve been looking for a mermaid blanket for my two grand-daughters…
Thank you so much for making this video….I will be starting this tomorrow….
Your video was very good in explaining to do each row and the fin…..
You are an angel for taking the time to do this for everyone!
I have an awesome tip. I didn’t cut my ends. As long as your working with three colors it works perfectly to just drop your yarn then pick it up (work it through some) on the next row needed. 🙂
This is what I did, too! No crazy ends to sew in at the end! So much quicker and much less tedious! I will either single crochet an edge or crab stitch (the backwards single crochet) to hide those carry overs 😉
This pattern is for a blanket, but I made mine into more of a sleeping bag. Instead of ending a row I would just keep going in the round. I did not cut my yarn, I would just drop a color and pick up the next color.
Thank you so much for sharing your pattern and video!!! Your video is awesome. Just finished my first one and think I will be making more after Christmas. I wasn’t sure I could do this, but my grand daughter requested it for Christmas and I like to do things they like. I am a knitter but I can see crocheting in my future as well. I couldn’t have done it without your video, so thank you very much for the time you have spent on this. Kathy
hi i have just gotten my yarn and now want to start.. have watched the video once but was wondering i am making one for my grand daughter .. but i want to make a few for friends also and they are larger women .. but not over 6 ft .. so how would i make this wider? or do you think it would work as is in video ? thanks i haven’t crochet for a long while … the video really helps..
I need help with your pattern please. How many Oz are the skiens you use? Your pattern called for 4skiens for a small and I ran out.. I’m atleast a skien and a half short..
The scales don’t look like scales. I stopped the project to change yarns.
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Akamar
I found that using a 5 weight bulky yarn worked fine. I chained about half of the instructions (80), then used triple crochets for the shells instead of doubles. I’m using Michaels charisma yarn.I may not need at many rows, either. I’m kind of playing it by ear at the moment.
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Akamar
Oh! and a size N hook.
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Lisa Trego
I love it. Could you tell me how to make a scarf out of the shark one. For example, the shark mouth would go over your head and then the body would be long to make it a scarf. Not for sure how to measure it down. Thanks
Thank you so much for this beautiful and FREE pattern for the mermaid tail blanket. I am going to make my grand daughters very happy with these!
Your pattern is much nicer then some of the other ones I have seen for sale. Thank you again!
Gloria
Thank you for the video! So helpful! My first one turned out great, so now I’m ready to make more! A few little girls will be super excited this Christmas!
[…] so I’m happy to make one for her sweet girl E. I am using pink/purple tones and using Nadia’s (YARNutopia) free pattern. I love her site. Great patterns and tutorials, plus she is just so enthusiastic about crochet […]
I absolutely love this tutorial and I’m aiming to do it starting this week. I want to use thicker yarn. how would it change the amount of chains, stitches, and crochets?
Just fininshed my first one of these amazing blankets for my Granddaughter’s Christmas present. Am very impressed and thankful to you for taking the time to make this video. I haven’t crocheted in ages and this just made it really simple. Thank you so much. I will take a photo and post it on your FB page.
Barbara
Just finished your mermaid afghan for my granddaughter, turned out pretty nice. I did a final row of sc along the edges to give the afghan a nice finished look, plus great way to hide the end threads. You did a wonderful job on the tutorial. Super easy to follow along.
[…] Grand Aubrey, but they are turning out so cute. I am using the pattern by Nadia Faud on her blog Yarnutopia. I am hoping to be teaching this in the Hurst, Texas, area in […]
How much yarn does the tail take? Ijust got to the part where you join the blanket to itself and it seems kinda short… not sure if I will need more yarn.
First of all, you have no idea how grateful I am for your pattern. second, do you know how long I would need to consistently crochet to have the small one done in a week?
Thank you for this pattern – it’s good of you to put it here for free. Much appreciated. However, I did find that the medium I have made (my first) is much too short for the size of adult described. I put in a few extra rows, but I also assumed it would stretch, as the number it appeared to need was so different from the one in the pattern. Luckily the person I’ve made it for is quite small at the moment – but I was hoping that she’d be able to keep it for years as she grew! I also couldn’t get the maths to work – perhaps I am being stupid, but if you crochet 62 rows (5-66 inclusive), starting on 3, then the last one will be a 4, not a 3. This held me up for quite a while – in the end I had to ignore that part of the pattern. Also, how do you sew wool together? I tried, but the thread and the biggest knot I could tie in it pulled straight through, as I thought it would. I crocheted the parts together in the end – it looks fine! Did anyone else have these issues? If not, can anyone tell me what I did wrong?
I found this same issue with making the small size. I’m just planning to ignore it when I get there, and either make 49 or 51 rows so I can end on row 3 (with the small you end on row 50, which is supposed to be row 3, but is actually 4. There are a few other mistakes such as giving instructions for the large size in the small size – for round 51 it tells me to sc in the ch 3 of row 66. As an experienced crocheter I can get around these issues, but a beginner could have a lot of problems. I hate to complain about a free pattern, but I would think she’d want to know so she can fix the instructions.
She also stated that if anyone finds an error to just let her know and she would update/correct the pattern. I can’t see that anything has been corrected at all. I have read many comments regarding errors and nothing has been changed.