When summer is here, I just love seeing all the summer themes. Mermaids are one of my favorites. I am a little old to buying mermaids stuff, but my little girl is the perfect age to be enjoying mermaid dolls. So here is a crochet mermaid doll for all the young girls and women that are young at heart.
Below you will find the complete pattern and instructional photos for this crochet mermaid doll. You will also find all the materials, stitches, gauge, and sizing information. If you would like all of this in a nicely formatted printable format, you can purchase the Ad-Free Large Print PDF Pattern.
A Crochet Mermaid
If you are a Winding Road Crochet fan, you may notice that these mermaid dolls are sisters to the Heirloom Dolls I designed a year or so ago. If just seemed like the perfect base for a mermaid. Just remove the legs and add a tail. This way as I continue designing their wardrobe, they will fit both dolls.
The Heirloom dolls have a fun braided felt hairstyle, that can be used in place of the crocheted mermaid curls and you can now use this mermaid hairstyle for the original dolls.
Let’s Talk About Mermaid Yarn Colors
For this crochet mermaid design I used Red Heart Super Saver yarn. I used a variety of colors ways that they provide to get a neat look.
When customizing your mermaid, you will first need to pick a skin color. This can be tricky so I thought I would list some of my favorite colors in Red Heart yarn for the skin tones.
Aran: For very fair skin tones.
Buff: For medium skin tones.
Cafe Latte: For dark skin tones.
Coffee: For very dark skin tones.
With the hair and tail you can use any color, but to really make these dolls stand out I decided to use some striped and ombre yarns. For the fair skinned mermaid, I used Red Heart Stripes in Cool Stripe (Blue hair) and Fruity Stripe (Pink tail).
When I made my dark skinned mermaid, I could not find the Red Heart Stripes yarn in my stash, so instead I decide to use Red Heart Ombre in Deep Teal and Jazzy. I did have to force the color change every 9 rows in the tail in order to get a nice ombre look.
You can also experiment with other variegated yarns that would give the tail a speckled look. The sky is the limit.
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The Premium Ad-Free PDF Pattern
Below you will find the free pattern with all the instructional photos and videos needed to complete the pattern, but I am also aware that several of us like to crochet on the couch, in the car, or in bed with a print out of the pattern. This is why I also offer a nicely formatted ad-free large font PDF version of the pattern. You can print the pattern and take it on the go with you or tuck it into your project bag or basket.
I moved all the photos to the end of the PDF so you can reference them as you needed them and print just the pattern without using up as much ink. The Premium PDF version of the pattern can be purchased on Etsy of Ravelry.
More Patterns you may Love
Don’t forget to check out all the free patterns at Winding Road Crochet. You may just find a new favorite project. Here are some great patterns you will love.
Crochet Mermaid Doll Pattern
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Materials Needed
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70 yards (1.34 oz) of Red Heart Super Saver in Skin Tone Color
70 yards (1.34 oz) of Red Heart Super Saver in Tail Color
35 yards(0.67 oz) of Red Heart Super Saver in Hair Color
Crochet Hook, Size E, 3.5mm
Yarn Needle
Scissors
Embroidery thread and needles (Thread colors for hair, eyes and eyelashes and lips)
Polyfil
Glue Gun (optional)
Glue Sticks (optional)
**Shop my Favorite Tools Here**
Stitches and Abbreviations
CH – Chain
SC – Single Crochet
SC3TOG – Single Crochet Three Stitches Together
SC2TOG – Single Crochet Two Stitches Together
BLOSC – Back Loop Only Single Crochet
ST(s) – Stitches
SLST – Slip Stitch
MC – Magic Circle (Learn a new way to make a MC here!)
Gauge and Size
Gauge – 5 Sc x 5 Rows = 1 inch
Final Size – The crochet doll measures 12.5 inches tall.
Helpful Video Tutorials
Here are some video tutorials that will help you with making this dress.
How to Change Colors
Special Stitches
SC2TOG – Single Crochet 2 Stitches Together – Insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull the loop through the hook (2 loops on hook), insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull the loop through the hook, (3 loops on the hook) yarn over and pull the first loop through all the loops on the hook. Your decrease is complete.
SC3TOG – Single Crochet 3 Stitches Together – *Insert hook into next St, Yarn over and pull up a loop* repeat from *to* a total of three times. You will end up with 4 loops on your hook and one loop pulled up from each of the next three stitches. Yarn over and pull the first loop through all for loops on the hook. Stitch complete.
Crochet Mermaid Doll Pattern
Notes:
-Written in US terms.
— The pattern is worked in continuous rounds.
– Arms are worked separately and sewn onto the doll.
– You will want to use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of your current row.
Part 1: Crochet Mermaid Body
Ch7
Row 1: Work 2 SC into the second CH from the hook, SC into next 4 CH, Work 3 SC into last CH, (working down the other side of the CH), Work a SC into next 5 CH. (14)
Row 2: Work 3 SC into next ST, SC into next 6 STs, Work 3 SC into next ST, SC into next 6 STs. (18)
Row 3: SC into next ST, 3SC into next ST, SC into next 8 STs, 3SC into next ST, SC into next 7 STs. (22)
Row 4: SC into next 2 STs, 3SC into next ST, SC into next 10 STs, 3SC into next ST, SC into next 8 STs. (26)
Row 5: SC into next 3 STs, 3SC into next ST, SC into next 12 STs, 3SC into next ST, SC into next 9 STs. (30)
Row 6: SC into next 4 STs, 3SC into next ST, SC into next 14 STs, 3SC into next ST, SC into next 10 STs. (34)
Row 7-12: SC into next 34 STs. (34)
Row 13: SC into next 4 STs, SC3TOG, SC into next 14 STs, SC3TOG, SC into next 10 STs. (30)
Row 14: SC into next 3 STs, SC3TOG, SC into next 12 STs, SC3TOG, SC into next 9 STs. (26)
Row 15: SC into next 2 STs, SC3TOG, SC into next 10 STs, SC3TOG, SC into next 8 STs. (22)
Row 16: SC into next ST, SC3TOG, SC into next 8 STs, SC3TOG, SC into next 7 STs. (18)
Row 17: SC3TOG, SC into next 6 STs, SC3TOG, SC into next 6 STs. (14)
Row 18-19: SC into next 14 STs. (14)
Stuff Doll Head. Remember that the doll head is designed to be flat and not round like a sphere. From now on you will stuff as you go.
Row 20: Work 3 SC into next ST, SC into next 6 STs, Work 3 SC into next ST, SC into next 6 STs. (18)
Row 21: SC into next 18 STs. (18)
Row 22: SC into next ST, 3SC into next ST, SC into next 8 STs, 3SC into next ST, SC into next 7 STs. (22)
Change to Tail color for the mermaid’s top.
Row 23-26: SC into next 22 STs. (22)
Change to Skin tone color.
Row 26-30: SC into next 22 STs. (22)
Change to Tail color.
Row 31: SC into next 5 STs, 3SC into next St, SC into next 10 STs, 3SC into next ST, SC into next 5 STs. (26)
Row 32-38: SC into next 26 STs. (26)
Row 39: SC into next 6 STs, SC3TOG, SC into next 10 STs, SC3TOG, SC into next 4 STs. (22)
Row 40-43: SC into next 22 STs. (22)
Row 44: SC into next 6 STs, SC3TOG, SC into next 8 STs, SC3TOG, SC into next 2 STs. (18)
Row 45-46: SC into next 18 STs. (18)
Row 47: SC into next 6 STs, SC3TOG, SC into next 6 STs, SC3TOG. (14)
Row 48-49: SC into next 14 STs. (14)
Row 50: SC into next 4 STs, SC3TOG, SC into next 4 STs, SC3TOG. (10)
Row 51: SC into next 10 STs. (10)
Row 52: SC into next 8 STs.
When you finish row 52 you want to be at the front center of your doll. If you need to work more or less stitches in row 52 to get to the front center, then do so.
Row 53: CH1, Turn, SC in the first 2 STs, Work 3 SC into the next ST, SC in the next 4 STs, Work 3 SC into the next ST, Work a SC into the last 2 STs. (14)
Row 54-60: CH1, Turn, SC in next 14 STs.
Row 61: In this row we will work along the sides of rows 53-60. CH1, Work 1 SC into the side of Rows 53-60. Turn, Work 1 SC into the opposite side of Rows 53-60.
Fasten off and weave in your ends.
If you find Row 61 difficult, you can just fasten off after row 60.
Part 2: Crochet Mermaid Arms
I have designed the arms on this doll to be a bit long like the ragdolls my grandmother made me when I was young. Feel free to omit rows to make the arms shorter, just make sure to remember how many rows you worked so that both arms are the same.
Row 1: Work 5 SC into a Magic Circle. (5)
Row 2: Work 2SC into each of the next 5 STs. (10)
Row 3-24: SC into next 10 Sts.
Fasten off leaving a long yarn tail. Use the yarn tail to gather up the stitches in the last row. Sew the arm shut and sew it onto the doll body.
Part 3: Crochet Mermaid Hair
The hair is made in three pieces and sewn onto the doll to look like her hair. All three pieces use the same pattern but just work a different number of rows before fastening off.
Front 2 curl hairpiece – Work rows 1-3, then fasten off.
Front 3 curl hairpiece – Work rows 1-5, then fasten off.
Back hairpiece – Work rows 1-17 , then fasten off.
Note: I am not including the stitch count because it is hard to count the stitches when they create curls.
Ch 28
Row 1: Work 2 SC in 2nd CH from the hook, SC in next CH, *Work 2 SC in next CH, SC in next CH* repeat from *to* a total of 10 times. SC in next 4 CH, Work 2 SC in last CH.
Row 2: CH1, Turn, Work 2 BLOSC in first ST, BLOSC in next 5 STs, CH23.
Row 3: Work 2 SC in 2nd CH from the hook, SC in next CH, *Work 2 SC in next CH, SC in next CH* repeat from *to* a total of 10 times. BLOSC in next 6 STs, Work 2 BLOSC in last ST.
Row 4: CH1, Turn, Work 2 BLOSC in first ST, BLOSC in next 7 STs, CH23.
Row 5: Work 2 SC in 2nd CH from the hook, SC in next CH, *Work 2 SC in next CH, SC in next CH* repeat from *to* a total of 10 times. BLOSC in next 8 STs, Work 2 BLOSC in last ST.
Row 6: CH1, Turn, Work 2 BLOSC in first ST, BLOSC in next 9 STs, CH23.
Row 7: Work 2 SC in 2nd CH from the hook, SC in next CH, *Work 2 SC in next CH, SC in next CH* repeat from *to* a total of 10 times. BLOSC in next 11 STs.
Row 8: CH1, Turn, BLOSC in next 11 STs, CH23.
Row 9: Work 2 SC in 2nd CH from the hook, SC in next CH, *Work 2 SC in next CH, SC in next CH* repeat from *to* a total of 10 times. BLOSC in next 11 STs.
Row 10: CH1, Turn, BLOSC in next 11 STs, CH23.
Row 11: Work 2 SC in 2nd CH from the hook, SC in next CH, *Work 2 SC in next CH, SC in next CH* repeat from *to* a total of 10 times. BLOSC in next 11 STs.
Row 12: CH1, Turn, SC2TOG, BLOSC in next 9 STs, CH23.
Row 13: Work 2 SC in 2nd CH from the hook, SC in next CH, *Work 2 SC in next CH, SC in next CH* repeat from *to* a total of 10 times. BLOSC in next 8 STs, SC2TOG.
Row 14: CH1, Turn, SC2TOG, BLOSC in next 7 STs, CH23.
Row 15: Work 2 SC in 2nd CH from the hook, SC in next CH, *Work 2 SC in next CH, SC in next CH* repeat from *to* a total of 10 times. BLOSC in next 6 STs, SC2TOG.
Row 16: CH1, Turn, SC2TOG, BLOSC in next 5 STs, CH23.
Row 17: Work 2 SC in 2nd CH from the hook, SC in next CH, *Work 2 SC in next CH, SC in next CH* repeat from *to* a total of 10 times. BLOSC in next 4 STs, SC2TOG.
Fasten off leaving a long yarn end to help sew the hair to the body.
Attaching the Hair to the Body
To attach the hair, I started by using a small amount of hot glue to attach the center of the hairpieces to the head in the places I wanted them.
I started by placing the back hair piece first. Then I took the front 3 curl piece and placed the angled section at the very top of the head like pictured below.
Next, I took the front 2 curl piece and placed it. I placed it in a different way on each doll. On the dark-skinned doll, I placed the slanted section along the side of the head. On the fair-skinned doll, I flipped the piece so that the angled sections set against the 3 curl piece and that brought the hairline down a bit further. Both are pictured below.
Once the pieces were lightly glued in place, I used the long yarn ends to sew the front pieces to the back pieces and to attach the curls to the head where I wanted them.
Part 4: Crochet Mermaid Face
It is hard to give exact instructions on how to embroider the eyes and mouth, but I can tell you how I did it and give you a few tips.
Tip 1: Use a very thin marker to outline where you want your eyes and mouth. Also, practice drawing the eyes and mouth on a piece of paper several times before drawing onto the doll.
Tip 2: To get a nice clean line for your eyes, stitch a simple line first then come back and make a second layer of stitches to cover the gaps left from the first layer.
For the mouth, I made a simple ‘v’ shaped mouth and embroidered the mouth twice to make a thicker line.
Once your face is complete your crochet doll is ready to be gifted and enjoyed.
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So cute; but, I only have little boys at my house!
Thank you.