Crochet Mermaid Tail

Keep warm with the mermaid tail craze.

Skill Level | Intermediate
Available Sizes | Baby, Toddler, Child, Teen & Adult

Project Sponsored by Yarnspirations

About this Pattern


If you’re looking for a fun way to keep your legs and toes warm while cuddled up with a good book or your favorite TV show, you’re in the right place. The crochet mermaid tail is perfect for that! With 5 different sizes, you can make one for everyone in your family.

With this project you’ll work primarily with double crochet stitches and with the recommended yarn, the color happens automatically. No need to create more ends to weave in than necessary. You’ll also learn how to create a ruffled border, a skill you can use on future projects when you need just the right finishing touch.

Before you begin, review this page entirely so you understand the full scope of the project. The pattern is available in five different sizes from baby to adult. We’ve prepared a list of recommended supplies, abbreviations you’ll need to get started as well as a video tutorial demonstrating how to crochet the ruffles. And, of course, written instructions to complete the entire project from start to finish.

Recommended Supplies


  • Bernat Pop! Yarn; 4 balls – baby & toddler; 5 balls – child; 6 balls – teen; 7 balls – adult (colorway pictured: Blue Blaze)
  • 6 mm Crochet hook
  • Yarn Needle
  • Scissors

Abbreviations


This pattern is written using standard US crochet terminology.

  • BLO Back Loop Only
  • Ch Chain
  • Dc Double Crochet
  • Rep Repeat
  • Sk Skip
  • Sts Stitches

Additional Notes


Finished Size
  • Baby: 12″ wide by 23″ long
  • Toddler: 16″ wide by 30″ long
  • Child: 19″ wide by 36″ long
  • Teen: 21″ wide by 43″ long
  • Adult: 23″ wide by 50″ long
Gauge

7 sts x 4 rows = 2″
(double crochet stitch)

This crochet mermaid tail is an extension of the Mystic Mermaid Cocoon pattern you’ll find here at B.Hooked. This redesign fulfilled requests for additional sizes and includes changes to the fin and yarn.

You’ll crochet your mermaid tail in three different sections: the body, the fin and the ruffles. Ch 3 at beginning of rounds counts as dc.

Fin Instructions are given as follows: Baby (Toddler, Child, Teen, Adult)

The body and fin are sewn together with a tapestry needle. The ruffles are crocheted directly to the top of the mermaid tail. This technique is very easy once you get the hang of it but the written instructions can appear somewhat confusing at first glance. To help with this, you’ll find a tutorial on this page.

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Buy the PDF Version

Written Instructions


Mermaid Tail Body: Rounds 1-23 = All Sizes

Round 1: Ch 4 (the first ch counts as the center of the ring, 3 ch counts as dc). 7 dc in the first ch. Join with a slst to 3rd ch. (8 sts)

Round 2: Ch 3. 2 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (16 sts)

Rounds 3-4: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (16 sts)

Round 5: Ch 3. *2 dc 2 in next st. 1 dc in next st. Rep from * to last st. 2 dc last st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (24 sts)

Round 6: Ch 3. 1 dc in next st. *2 dc in next st. 1 dc in the next 2 sts. Rep from * to the last st. 2 dc last st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (32 sts)

Round 7: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (32 stitches)

Round 8: Ch 3. 1 dc in next 2 sts. *2 dc in next st. 1 dc in the next 3 sts. Rep from * to the last st. 2 dc last st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (40 sts)

Round 9: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (40 sts)

Round 10: Ch 3. 1 dc in next 3 sts. *2 dc in next st. 1 dc in the next 4 sts. Rep from * to the last st. 2 dc last st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (48 sts)

Rounds 11-12: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (48 sts)

Round 13: Ch 3. 1 dc in next 4 sts. *2 dc in next st. 1 dc in the next 5 sts. Rep from * to end to the last st. 2 dc last st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (56 sts)

Round 14: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (56 sts)

Round 15: Ch 3. 1 dc in next 5 sts. *2 dc 2 in next st. 1 dc in the next 6 sts. Rep from * to the last st. 2 dc last st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (64 sts)

Round 16: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (64 sts)

Round 17: Ch 3. 1 dc in next 6 sts. *2 dc in next st. 1 dc in the next 7 sts. Rep from * to last st. 2 dc last st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (72 sts)

Round 18: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (72 sts)

Round 19: Ch 3. 1 dc in next 7 sts. *2 dc in next st. 1 dc in the next 8 sts. Rep from * to last st. 2 dc last st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (80 sts)

Round 20: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (80 sts)

Round 21: Ch 3. 1 dc in next 8 sts. *2 dc in next st. 1 dc in the next 9 sts. Rep from * to last st. 2 dc last st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (88 sts)

Round 22: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (88 sts)

Round 23: Ch 3. 1 dc in next 9 sts. *2 dc in next st. 1 dc int next 10 sts. Rep from * to last st. 2 dc last st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (96 sts)

Round 24: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (96 sts)

For baby size: Rep round 24 until your mermaid tail measures 18″ long. For other sizes, continue.

Rounds 25-26: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (96 sts)

Round 27: Ch 3. 1 dc in next 10 sts. *2 dc in next st. 1 dc in the next 11 sts. Rep from * to last st. 2 dc last st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (104 sts)

Rounds 28-29: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (104 sts)

Round 30: Ch 3. 1 dc in next 11 sts. *2 dc in next st. 1 dc in the next 12 sts. Rep from * to last st. 2 dc last st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (112 sts)

Round 31: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (112 sts)

For Toddler size: Rep round 31 until your mermaid tail measures 30″ long. For other sizes, continue.

Rounds 32-33: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (112 sts)

Round 34: Ch 3. 1 dc in next 12 sts. *2 dc in next st. 1 dc in the next 13 sts. Rep from * to last st. 2 dc last st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (120 sts)

Rounds 35-36: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (120 sts)

Round 37: Ch 3. 1 dc in next 13 sts. *2 dc in next st. 1 dc in the next 14 sts. Rep from * to last st. 2 dc last st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (128 sts)

Round 38: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (128 sts)

For Child size: Rep round 38 until your mermaid tail measures 36″ long. For other sizes, continue.

Rounds 39-40: Ch 3. 1 dc in st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (128 sts)

Round 41: Ch 3. 1 dc in next 14 sts. *2 dc 2 in next st. 1 dc in the next 15 sts. Rep from * to last st. 2 dc last st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (136 sts)

Rounds 42-43: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (136 sts)

Round 44: Ch 3. 1 dc in next 15 sts. *2 dc in next st. 1 dc in the next 16 sts. Rep from * to last st. 2 dc last st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (144 sts)

Round 45: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (144 sts)

For Teen size: Rep round 45 until your mermaid tail measures 43″ long. For other sizes, continue.

Rounds 46-47: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (144 sts)

Round 48: Ch 3. 1 dc in next 16 sts. *2 dc in next st. 1 dc in the next 17 sts. Rep from * to last st. 2 dc last st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (152 sts)

Rounds 49: Ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Join with a slst to 3rd chain. (152 sts)

For Adult size: Rep round 49 until your mermaid tail measures 50″ long.

Fasten off and weave in your ends.

Mermaid Tail Fin: All sizes

Ch  27 (32, 37, 42, 47).

Row 1: 1 dc in 4th ch from hook and in each rem ch. 25(30, 35, 40, 45) sts

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc). 1 dc in BLO of every st. 25(30, 35, 40, 45) sts

Rep Row 2 until your fin measures 16″(20″, 20″, 24″, 24″) long. Fasten off and weave in your ends.

Assembly

Step 1: Find the middle of the fin by folding it in half lengthwise. Make a cut of yarn that is approx 12″ long. With a darning needle, run the yarn in and out of each double crochet stitch, leaving a tail at the beginning that measures 4″. Holding on to the tail at the bottom of the fin, scrunch the fin up to the top. Secure the tail by tying a knot and weaving it in.

Step 2: Sew the top part of the fin to the body of the mermaid tail with another cut of yarn. Weave in your ends.

Mermaid Tail Ruffles: All Sizes

Fasten on at the back, wrapping it around the chain 3 of your join on the second to last round.

*4 dc around ch. Rotate work 90 degrees counterclockwise. 3 dc 3 in between next 2 dc. Rotate work 90 degrees counterclockwise. 5 dc around next dc. Rotate work 90 degrees clockwise. 3 dc in between the next 2 dc. Rotate work 90 degrees clockwise. 5 dc around next dc.

Rep from * around the circumference of work. Join with a slst to 3rd chain and fasten off.

Fasten on again in the same place on the back of the cocoon but skip one row down. Rep the above steps for the previous round of ruffles for a total of 3 ruffle rounds.


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How to Crochet Ruffles on Your Mermaid Tail


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Left-Handed Tutorial on YouTube

Right-Handed Tutorial on YouTube

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