Hlana's Knit American Girl Mermaid
This project began because I was looking for a knit pattern for a mermaid tail. I could not find one I liked and most are currently available in crochet. My daughter and her friends love their mermaid dolls! Materials - US 13/9mm needles, stitch holder (I use a thin piece of scrap yarn), tapestry needle Yarn- Bernat Softee Chunky or any Super Bulky Yarn Gauge -Not critical
Abbreviations
K- Knit P- Purl RS- Right Side WS- Wrong Side Sts- stitches BO- Bind off CO- cast on Sl1yf- Slip 1 as if to purl with yarn in front YO- Yarn over Kfb- Knit into the front and then the back of the next stitch. This is an increase. K2tog- Knit 2 stitches together. This is a decrease. P2tog- Purl 2 stitches together. This is a decrease The pattern is divided into three sections. The tail, fin, and top are knitted separately and then the tail and fin are sewn together.
Mermaid Tail
Multiple of 2 stitches with a 4 row repeat. CO 30 sts and leave a long yarn strand to sew the work together later. Row 1 (RS) K1, \*YO, K2, pass YO over last 2 stitches worked. repeat from \*, K1 Row 2 (WS) Purl all sts Row 3 (RS) K2, \* YO, K2, pass YO over last 2 stitches worked. repeat from \*, K2 Row 4 (WS) Purl all sts Repeat rows (1-4) four times and then begin decrease. Row 5 (RS) K1, \*YO, K2, pass YO over last 2 stitches worked. repeat from \*, K1 Row 6 (WS) P1, P2tog, \*Purl. repeat from \*, P2tog, P1 Row 7 (RS) K2, \* YO, K2, pass YO over last 2 stitches worked. repeat from \*, K2 Row 8 (WS) ) P1, P2tog, \*Purl. repeat from \*, P2tog, P1 Repeat decrease rows (5-8) four times. 14 sts will remain. Knit in pattern (rows 1-4) one last time. BO in knit stitch. Leave a long yarn strand to use to sew the bottom of the tail closed later. If you have the 18" doll, I suggest you sew the tail together lengthwise from top to bottom (using the long yarn strand from the CO) while its wrapped around the doll. This way you are able to adjust the width if necessary and make the tail tight enough to not fall down. Wrap the tail around the doll with the WS out. This way all stitches are hidden on the inside of the tail. Next, sew the bottom together and seal the tail. Turn the tail so the RS is on the outside. Weave in ends.
Fin
CO 10 sts Row 1 K9, sllyf Row 2 K9, sl1yf Row 3 K1, kfb 8 times, sl1yf (18 sts) Row 4-7 K17, Sl1yf Row 8 K9 sts. Place all 9 sts on the left needle (the stitches you have not worked in this row) onto a stitch holder. This will cause the split in the fin. You will work one side, BO, and then work the other side. Row 9 K8, sl1yf Row 10 K1, K2tog, K2tog, K1, K2tog, sllyf (6 sts remain) Row 11 K5, sl1yf Row 12 K1, K2tog, K2tog, sl1yf (4 sts remain) Row 13 K3, sl1yf Row 14 K1, K2tog, sl1yf (3 sts remain) Row 15 K2, sl1yf Row 16 K2tog, sl1yf (2 sts remain) Row 17 K1, sllyf BO Place held sts back onto the needle with the needle tip facing the center of the work. Repeat Rows (9-17) by adding the yarn from the skein; just pick up the end of the yarn, and begin to work with it as if it is already attached. BO. Weave in ends and sew the fin to the bottom of the tail.
Top
CO 7 sts All rows K1, P1 Knit in seed stitch until the work measures about 9" long. BO in Knit stitch leaving a long yarn strand to sew the work together. Sew the work together while around the doll if possible to make sure it is tight enough not to slide. Use the remainder of the yarn to wrap around the seam to create the cups. Tuck the end of the yarn around the wrap section on the inside and secure with a knot. Weave in ends.
