Plush Mermaid Crochet Pattern-a free amigurumi pattern

This free plush mermaid crochet pattern makes a sweet amigurumi doll! This amigurumi pattern works up quickly with plush blanket yarn-perfect for gifts and markets.

Plush Yarn Mermaid Crochet Pattern

I have fallen in love with plush yarn and the effect it has when using it for amigurumi! I can’t resist making free crochet plushie patterns, as you can see here! The bulkier yarn allows for a good sized project with less stitches, so I feel like I am flying through the creating process. Once you are familiar with this type of yarn, I think that this is a very beginner friendly project. This little crochet doll definitely works up much faster than the traditional amigurumi!

A mermaid crochet pattern was actually one of my very first that I shared, about 8 years ago. Crazy how time flies! This is based on that, but adjusted to the bulkier yarn. The fun thing, is that even though it takes less stitches, they work up about the same size! One problem I do have with bulky or plush yarn is that you need to be really careful when adding a lot of detail. I prefer to have relatively simple patterns when I use chenille yarn, or else I think you would have a very, very large final plushie!

So, I took great care to make sure that every detail was well thought out. There are a few tips below to make the most of the yarn and stitches in this plush mermaid crochet pattern, so please don’t miss them!

If you are interested in the different colors and types of yarn, I have this page with the dolls and links to the yarn I used for each one! Hopefully that can help with some color inspiration and to find the yarn, I know that can be tricky for skin colors!

Materials you’ll need

To get started making this free plush mermaid crochet pattern, you’ll want to gather all your materials first.

For this pattern, I used two methods for the single crochets. On the tail, fins and hair I use the yarn over/yarn over method. For anything that is skin-colored, I use the yarn under/yarn over method. I know this sounds complicated, but I promise it isn’t as bad as it may sound! I made the video below to show what I mean. If you are not interested in trying this method, using a slightly smaller hook or tighter tension could work. It is not, of course, mandatory. I just prefer this method, especially using plush yarn!

Crochet Mermaid Doll Amigurumi Pattern

Crochet Mermaid Parts

Arms
NOTE: I highly suggest you visit this post before attaching the arms and the legs. This is my favorite method by far to attach limbs, and is worth watching the video and seeing the tutorial pictures!
Round 1: SC 7 in a magic circle
Rounds 2-8: SC in each around. *7 rounds*
Fasten off and leave a long tail to sew on. Sew on between rounds 13 and 14.

Fins
Round 1: In a magic circle, SC 8.
Round 2: SC in each around. (8)
Round 3: SC INC in each around. (16)
Round 4: SC in each around. (16)
Round 5: SC in the first, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (24)
Round 6: SC in each around. (24)
Round 7: SC in the first, INV DEC in the next. Repeat around. (16)
Round 8: INV DEC in each around. (8)
Fasten off. Sew each fin to each side of the base of the tail.

Bikini Top
I used worsted weight yarn. Your hook size, how much you stuffed the body, and yarn type may affect this number. Luckily, you can easily adjust by adding/removing chains. I made sure the chains just overlapped when I “tried it on” the body. Then add two.
Row 1: Chain 25.
Row 2: Turn and DC the second chain from the hook. DC in each chain across (23)
Sew the two ends in the back, knot, then weave in the ends. Trim any remaining tails.

Hair
*Size up half a hook size or loosen your tension. This is to make sure you have the room to go over the head.*
Round 1: In a magic circle, SC 8.
Round 2: SC INC in each around. (16)
Round 3: SC in the first, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (24)
Round 4: SC in the first 2, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (32)
Rounds 5-8: SC in each around. (32)
Round 9: HDC, HDC INC, DC, DC INC, DC, DC INC, skip a stitch and slip stitch in the next. Skip a stitch and DC INC, DC , DC INC, HDC, SC. *If you are doing messy buns, finish the round with single crochets. Otherwise continue to the brackets*[Chain 20. Slip stitch back in each chain until you reach the top. SC in the next stitch.] Repeat this until you reach the end of the round. (10 curls) The more tightly you slip stitch, the tighter the curl.
Fasten off and attach with the “part” on an angle.

Messy Buns
Make a magic circle. Chain 6. Slip stitch back into the magic circle ring. Chain 6 more and slip stitch back into the circle. Lightly pull the ring almost closed, but leave enough room for your hook. Repeat the chain 6 and slip stitch until you have a bun. I made 8 loops. 
Make two of these buns. Make the hair pattern from above until you get to round 9. Crochet round 9 until you get to the part where you would chain 20, and instead SC in each remaining stitch until you get to the end of the round. Fasten off and attach to the head. Attach the buns to the top.

Hair Flower
In a magic circle, chain 8. Slip stich into the center of the circle. (This is one petal.) Chain 8 and slip stitch to the middle. Repeat for a total of 5 petals.
Pull the circle closed, fasten off, and sew on the hair.