Grab 3-5 Of Your Favorite Colors Of Yarn And Crochet This Super Trendy Item!

These are so popular right now! Learn how to make your own!

These whimsical mermaid tail blankets are so popular right now! I made my first mermaid tail for a friend who was moving away, and when word got around that I held the magic of crocheted mermaid tails… well, it wasn’t long before the requests started rolling in. These blankets are wonderfully warm and cocoon-like, plus they bring a little bit of magic with them wherever they go! I searched high and low for a simple pattern available to make this project, and didn’t see anything I loved, or captured the heart of the mermaid feel. So I made up my own, scales and all. This pattern is hopefully easy to understand, it uses double crochet groups to form shell stitches, alternating colors every row to get the “scale” look.

I made a doll version on camera, but the same stitches apply to the full sized version. Check out the video, and get the free pattern below the video for both doll and human sizes.

Doll Version:

Chain 21, connect to the first chain with a slip stitch.

Round 1: Half double crochet in each chain, join round with a slip stitch.

Round 2: Switch colors, chain two, *double crochet in next stitch 5 times, skip next stitch, single crochet in next stitch, skip next stitch (this forms a shell stitch), repeat from * Join round with a slip stitch.

Round 3: Switch colors, chain 2, *double crochet 5 times in the same stitch, skip 2 stitches, single crochet in the next stitch (should be the 3rd double crochet of the previous row), skip two, repeat from * Join round with a slip stitch.

Round 4: Repeat round 3, continuing to alternate colors for each row until you’ve reached the desired length.

To fasten off, do a wide running stitch around the bottom of the last row, and pull tight. Slip stitch and tie off.

For the tail: Chain 6, turn, puff stitch into the second chain, single crochet each chain.

Switch colors. Single crochet down the row, chain 3, turn the work, puff stitch into the second chain, single crochet the rest of the row. Repeat switching colors, adding length by 3 chains each row, and puff stitch at the end. Mirror this pattern for the other side of the tail.

Attach to the body with a row of single crochets.

Full-Size Version:

Chain 100-150 (depending on size of waist / personal preference). Join to first chain with a slip stitch (be careful not to twist the chain).

Round 1: Chain 3. Double crochet in each chain, join round with a slip stitch at the top of the 3rd chain.

Round 2: Chain 3. Double crochet 3 times in the same stitch as chain 3. Skip next 2 stitches, single crochet in next stitch. Skip 2 stitches. * Double crochet 5 times in next stitch. Skip 2 stitches, single crochet in next stitch, skip 2 stitches. Repeat from * around. End round by double crocheting in the same stitch as the initial chain 3, (making 5 double crochets total) and slip stitch into top of chain 3.

Round 3: Switch colors, single crochet in the top of the 3rd double crochet in the cluster of 5 double crochets. Skip 2 stitches. * Double crochet 5 times in the single crochet of the previous row. Skip 2 stitches, single crochet in the 3rd double crochet in the cluster of 5 double crochets from the previous row. Skip 2 stitches. Repeat from * around. End with a slip stitch into the first single crochet.

Round 4: Switch colors. Chain 3, double crochet 3 times in the same stitch as chain 3. Skip next two stitches. * Single crochet in the 3rd double crochet in the cluster of 5 double crochets from the previous row. Skip 2 stitches. Double crochet 5 times in the single crochet of the previous row. Skip two stitches. Repeat from * around. End round by double crocheting in the same stitch as the initial chain 3, (making 5 double crochets total) and slip stitch into top of chain 3.

Round 5 (and all odd-numbered rounds): Same as round 3.

Round 6 (and all even-numbered rounds): Same as round 4.

Keep crocheting in the round, alternating colors until the desired length is reached. To finish off, sew a wide running stitch with a tapestry needle and yarn. Pull to close, weave in ends.

To make the tail:

Chain 15, turn, puff stitch into the second chain. Single crochet the rest of the row.

Switch colors. Single crochet down the row. When you reach the end, chain 3, turn, puff stitch into the second chain. Single crochet the rest of the row.

Switch colors. Continue in rows of single crochet, adding 3 chains, and a puff stitch to one end of each row. This will create a diagonal pattern.

When you’ve reached the desired width of one side of the tail, flip the piece, and start with the shortest row (the first row, of 15 stitches).

Mirror the pattern to form the other half of the tail: single crochet down the row, at the end chain 3, turn the work, puff stitch into the second chain, and single crochet the rest of the row.

Continue adding rows of single crochet, increasing by three, ending with the puff stitch, until you have as many rows as the other side. Below is a diagram to help visualize the tail piece.

Once complete, attach with a row of single crochets, fasten off and weave in ends.

The finishing touch: braid several strands of the yarn used in the pattern together to create a drawstring. Tie knots at both ends, and weave in and out of the double crochet posts in the very first row of double crochets in the body of the blanket.

Note: You can decrease the stitches in the body of the blanket at the knees and calves, for a more fitted look. Make sure to decrease one both sides (since you’re crocheting in the round), and that the decrease is even on both sides.