# Tropical Hibiscus Mermaid Amigurumi Free Crochet Pattern
Okay, I have to be honest — I did not set out to make a mermaid. I set out to use up a skein of teal yarn, and somehow three episodes of my comfort show later, she had a tail, a flower in her hair, and a whole personality. That’s just how amigurumi goes around here.
She’s a sweet little mermaid with a scaly teal tail, long brown hair, and a big coral hibiscus tucked behind her ear like she’s perpetually on her way to a garden party. The whole doll is worked in simple single crochet rounds, so if you’ve made even one amigurumi before, she’ll feel like an old friend. She sits about ten inches tall and makes the loveliest shelf or nursery gift.
What You’ll Need
- Worsted weight (#4) acrylic yarn: skin tone (peach or tan), teal, coral pink, golden yellow, and dark brown
- Size G (4.0 mm) crochet hook
- Two 10 mm safety eyes (or black yarn to embroider eyes)
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Tapestry needle and stitch marker
- Small amount of pink embroidery floss for cheeks and smile
Finished size:
- Approximately 10 inches tall and 4 inches wide at the tail
The Pattern
Work in continuous rounds unless noted. Mark the first stitch of each round.
Head
With skin tone yarn:
Round 1: Magic ring, work 6 SC into ring. (6)
Round 2: 2 SC in each stitch around. (12)
Round 3: [SC in next stitch, increase] repeat around. (18)
Round 4: [SC in next 2 stitches, increase] repeat around. (24)
Round 5: [SC in next 3 stitches, increase] repeat around. (30)
Rounds 6–12: SC in each stitch around. (30)
Round 13: [SC in next 3 stitches, decrease] repeat around. (24)
Round 14: [SC in next 2 stitches, decrease] repeat around. (18)
Attach safety eyes between Rounds 9 and 10, about 6 stitches apart. Embroider a small smile and blush cheeks with pink floss.
Round 15: [SC in next stitch, decrease] repeat around. (12)
Stuff the head firmly.
Round 16: Decrease around. (6)
Fasten off and weave the tail through the remaining stitches to close.
Tail and Body
Worked as one piece from the tail tip up, with teal yarn:
Round 1: Magic ring, work 6 SC into ring. (6)
Round 2: 2 SC in each stitch around. (12)
Round 3: [SC in next stitch, increase] repeat around. (18)
Round 4: [SC in next 2 stitches, increase] repeat around. (24)
Rounds 5–8: SC in each stitch around. (24)
For a scaly texture, work Rounds 5–8 in the back loops only — it gives the loveliest ridged mermaid-tail look.
Round 9: [SC in next 2 stitches, decrease] repeat around. (18)
Round 10: SC in each stitch around. (18)
Round 11: [SC in next 4 stitches, decrease] repeat around. (15)
Rounds 12–14: SC in each stitch around. (15)
Switch to skin tone yarn for the torso:
Rounds 15–20: SC in each stitch around. (15)
Round 21: [SC in next 3 stitches, decrease] repeat around. (12)
Round 22: SC in each stitch around. (12)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff firmly and sew the head to the top of the torso.
Tail Fin (make 2)
With teal yarn, chain 9.
Row 1: SC in second chain from hook and across. (8)
Row 2: Decrease, SC in next 4, decrease. (6)
Row 3: Decrease, SC in next 2, decrease. (4)
Row 4: Decrease twice. (2)
Fasten off. Sew both flukes to the tip of the tail at a slight angle, like a fishtail.
Arms (make 2)
With skin tone yarn:
Round 1: Magic ring, work 4 SC into ring. (4)
Round 2: [SC in next stitch, increase] repeat twice. (6)
Rounds 3–6: SC in each stitch around. (6)
Fasten off, stuff lightly, and sew to the sides of the torso at Round 17.
Hair
With dark brown yarn, make a hair cap:
Round 1: Magic ring, work 6 SC into ring. (6)
Round 2: 2 SC in each stitch around. (12)
Round 3: [SC in next stitch, increase] repeat around. (18)
Round 4: [SC in next 2 stitches, increase] repeat around. (24)
Round 5: [SC in next 3 stitches, increase] repeat around. (30)
Round 6: SC in each stitch around. (30)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Sew the cap to the top of the head, covering the crown.
For the long hair, cut strands of brown yarn about 14 inches long. Fold each strand in half and attach around the edge of the cap with lark’s head knots, then trim to your favorite mermaid length. I gave mine a little side part — she insisted.
Hibiscus Flower
With coral pink yarn, make 5 petals:
Chain 8. Working back along the chain: slip stitch in second chain from hook, SC in next, HDC in next, DC in next, TR in next, DC in next, HDC in next, SC in last. Fasten off. (This makes one petal.)
Make 5 petals total. Arrange them in a circle, overlapping slightly, and stitch them together at the base.
Flower center: With golden yellow yarn, magic ring and work 6 SC into ring, join with a slip stitch. Chain 5, then work a small knot or French knot at the tip for the stamen. Sew the center to the middle of the petals, then stitch the whole flower to the side of the mermaid’s hair.
Sophie’s Tips
- Stuff as you go — the tail tip is much easier to fill before the opening gets small. I use the eraser end of a pencil to push stuffing into tight spots.
- If this is a gift for a little one under three, skip the safety eyes and embroider the eyes with yarn instead. Cute and worry-free.
- The hibiscus looks adorable as a hair clip too — sew it to a plain barrette instead of the doll’s head and you’ve got a matching accessory.
She’s ready for her close-up — pop her on a shelf where she can watch over your yarn stash!
