MERMAID.
Scales crochet
Beginning with the tail fin…
Leave a long beginning tail, approximately 12 inches (for sewing later on), and Ch 18.
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next 9 chs, hdc in next 3 chs, sc in last 2 chs.
Row 2: Ch1, turn; sc in next 13 sts, sc2tog over last 2 sts. (to decrease)
Row 3: Ch3, turn; dc2tog over first 2 sts (to decrease), dc in next 7 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, sc in
last 2 sts.
Row 4: Ch1, turn; sc in next 11 sts, sc2tog over last 2 sts.
Row 5: Ch3, turn; dc2tog over first 2 sts, dc in next 5 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, sc in last 2 sts.
Row 6: Ch1, turn; sc in next 9 sts, sc2tog over last 2 sts.
Row 7: Ch3, turn; dc2tog over first 2 sts, dc in next 3 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, sc in last 2 sts.
Row 8: Ch1, turn; sc in next 9 sts.
Half of the tail fin
Row 9: Ch3, turn; 2dc in first st (to increase), dc in next 3 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, sc in last 2 sts.
Row 10: Ch1, turn; sc in next 9 sts, 2sc in last st (to increase).
Row 11: Ch3, turn; 2dc in first st, dc in next 5 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, sc in last 2 sts.
Row 12: Ch1, turn, sc in next 11 sts, 2sc in last st.
Row 13: Ch3, turn; 2dc in first st, dc in next 7 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, sc in last 2 sts.
Row 14: Ch1, turn, sc in next 13 sts, 2sc in last st.
Row 15: Ch3, turn; dc in next 10 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, sc in last 2 sts.
… Ch1, (working in the row ends) work 15sc across top edge of the fin, fold the fin over (right
side facing) and sl st in the first sc to join.
…continue on with the tail in rounds
*tip: work your 1st stitch of the round not in the joining st, but the next one, this eliminates a
seem.
Rnds 1 and 2: Ch1, -do not turn for remainder of pattern- hdc in next 3 sts, sc in next 9 sts, hdc
in last 3 sts,
Rnd 3: Ch1, (hdc in next 2 sts, 2hdc in next st) 5 times, sl st in 1st hdc to join. (=20 hdc)
Rnd 4: Ch1, (hdc in next st, 2hdc in next st) 10 times, sl st in 1st hdc to join. (=30hdc)
Rnd 5: Ch1, hdc in each hdc, sl st in 1st hdc to join. (30hdc)
Rnd 6: Ch1, (hdc in next 2 sts, 2hdc in next st) 10 times, sl st in 1st hdc to join. (=40 hdc)
Rnds 7-17: Ch1, hdc in each hdc, sl st in 1st hdc to join. (40hdc)
… and now work the crocodile stitch trim
*Note: If you feel uncomfortable with the crocodile stitch, you can skip this step and just add 2
more rows of hdc… but if you’re already good at it, or ready for something new, let’s add this
minor but cute detail!
Rnd 18: (Track Rnd) Ch3, hdc in same st as join, (Ch1- skip next st, hdc in next st, ch1- skip next
st, hdc in next 2 sts) 7 times, ch1- skip next st, hdc in next st, ch1- skip last st, sl st in 2nd ch of
beginning ch2 to join.
Rnd 19: (Crocodile Stitch) (work 4hdc downward around the front post of the first hdc, work
4hdc upward around the front post of the 2nd hdc, skip next ch1, sc in next 1 hdc) repeat 8
times.
Rnd 20: (Track Rnd) Ch2, hdc in same st, (ch1- 1hdc in center of next crocodile st, ch1- 2hdc in
next sc) 7 times, ch1- hdc in center of last crocodile st, ch1- sl st in 2nd ch of beginning ch2."
Rnd 21: (Crocodile Stitch) Repeat Rnd 19
Rnd 22: (Drawstring Rnd) Ch4, (hdc in center of next crocodile st, ch2- hdc in next sc, ch2) 7
times, hdc in center of last crocodile st, ch2, sl st in 2nd ch of beginning ch4. Fasten off. Sew in
the end.
Using your beginning long tail, sew the bottom of the bag closed.
…drawstring
Ch 80, fasten off. Weave the chain through the last round (Rnd 22). Tie the 2 ends together
and sew in your tails. Pull drawstring so that you have two handles.
