Mermaid Fish Tail Treat Bags -free crochet pattern-


I had been approached by a regular customer of mine, a mother of two small children, to create some treat/gift bags for the upcoming birthday of her little girl.  With the Bubble Guppies (kids tv show) as the theme, our first thought was to create character bags for each child.  However, instead we agreed on mermaid tail or fish tail bags, keeping in theme of the tv show, but making the bags similar to one another. (and avoiding any child conflict on wanting another child's bag instead:) ) I am quite pleased with the result, and have decided to share this free pattern with you today!

Starting from the bottom up, you will work the tail fin back and forth in short rows, where the first and last row are joined, and continue to work up in rounds.  The top decorative edge is made by using the crocodile stitch, and finally finished off with the simple drawstring.

Photos and hdc crocodile stitch tutorial included!


Designed By: Farrah Hodgson aka Firene Designs

Skill Level:  Intermediate

Materials
  • Worsted Weight yarn, approximately 80-100 yards
  • Size 4.25mm (G/6) crochet hook
  • Yarn needle for sewing
Measurements: 6 inches high (without tail); 10 inches high with tail; 4.5 inches wide (laying flat)


THE PATTERN!

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.




And that's it!  I made 8 of these :)



Comments

  1. Wow, I love this pattern! It is easy and yet adorable. I am making up some for a craft booth next week. I only made a couple of very slight changes. I work the body in one continuous round and I work 2 hdc in each place in the eyelet round. Thanks so much for sharing this awesome pattern.

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  2. I have been making these as an ends stash buster project. My kids love them, especially the ones I modified from your original pattern. Wish I could share the picture!

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  3. Would it be possible to make this in to a cocoon for a newborn or 3 month old baby? I think this would make an adorable cocoon and maybe put little straps on the top for the arms to go through. I would like to try to make one for my great granddaughter who is expecting a baby girl on Nov 7th. Her name is Aria Skye! I don't know if this will be hard for me to do. It is Beautiful!

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    Replies
    1. You could do it, but you'd have to just play around with the sizing, I would start by setting the gauge for the width of the body first, how many sts it would take to get that width. It would be easiest to make that count in multiples of 10 sts for easier math. For example, where my pattern ends at a stitch count of 40hdc, you could keep going until you get the proper width, so the next added rnd would be: Ch1, (hdc in next 3 sts, 2hdc in next st) 10 times, sl st in 1st hdc to join. (=50 hdc) and then: Ch1, (hdc in next 4 sts, 2hdc in next st) 10 times, sl st in 1st hdc to join. (=60 hdc) ..... and so forth, keep increasing the width until you get to your proper measurement. For the tail, you could easily double each row and end with 25 sts along the top to sew the bottom up. You would also want to double (or more) the length of the tail. And also you could use a larger hook. I hope that all makes sense!!

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  4. This is way to small for what you want....it is possible, but would take a major change. this is so small that stuffed animals that are about 4-6 inches tall can be too big!
    Sounds like a fun challenge. I might join in rethinking this.

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  5. Thank you for this pattern...i made for my daughter's 4th birthday!

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  6. this is an excellent pattern so easy to follow and with the help of photos too...thanks for sharing..

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  7. Such an awesome pattern! Can I sell finished project, giving credit to you and your website? Thanks so much! Love it!!!

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    Replies
    1. Absolutely :)thank you and so glad you like the pattern!

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  8. Thank you so much! It is so adorable! My great niece loved hers. She is 18 months. I gave it to her this morning 9-19-2017 and she hasn't put it down. Thank you for such a wonderful pattern.

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    Replies
    1. Great!! SO glad she (and you) enjoyed the pattern :)

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  9. Hello, i was wondering what yarn you used for the orange and white ones? The yarn is so pretty.

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  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  11. I always check this type of advisory post and I found your article which is related to my interest. fun pillowcases for kids This is a great way to increase knowledge for us. Thanks for sharing an article like this.

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  12. I’m confused with stitch counts on the crocodile rounds, should I be decreasing somewhere?

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