Meet Sunshine, my newest Amigurumi Mermaid pattern! She’s been swimming around in my imagination for quite a while, and I couldn’t wait to bring her to life.
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From her playful pink curls to her removable mermaid tail, every detail was designed to make her fun to crochet and even more fun to play with.
One of my favorite things about designing crochet dolls is creating pieces that spark children’s imaginations. That’s why I gave Sunshine a removable tail, so she can transform from a little mermaid into a doll wearing her bikini outfit.
And those pink, bouncy curls? They were a must! I wanted her hair to have plenty of texture and personality, making her as charming as she is unique.
I’m thrilled with how this Amigurumi Mermaid turned out, and I already have plans to design a matching children’s mermaid tail blanket inspired by her. If you love mermaid-themed crochet projects, stay tuned for more!
Amigurumi Mermaid Design
This low-sew Amigurumi Mermaid is worked from the bottom up in continuous rounds of tight single crochet stitches to create a sturdy, well-shaped doll. The arms are crocheted separately and attached as you crochet the body, minimizing sewing and making assembly easier.
Her curly wig is crocheted as a separate piece, beginning with a simple cap worked in single crochet. Each hair strand is then added around the circle using chains and half double crochet stitches, with increases at the ends to create soft, playful curls. Once complete, the wig is sewn securely to the head.
To finish the look, you’ll crochet a bikini top, bikini bottoms, and a removable mermaid tail. The tail features shell stitches that resemble shimmering scales, while the fins are shaped with back-loop-only single crochet short rows for beautiful texture and movement.
The result is a lovely crochet doll that’s as fun to make as it is to display or give as a gift.
Here is an image of Sunshine, the Amigurumi Mermaid, lying on pretend sand with the removable tail on the side:
Let’s gather your supplies and prepare your workspace—it’s time to crochet the cutest Amigurumi Mermaid ever!
What You’ll Need:
Yarn Specifics:
Abbreviations:
Do you like free PDFs? You can get a Free Guide to Abbreviations & Terms (PDF download right here on the blog.
Project Size:
Using the recommended yarn and hook size, Sunshine, the Amigurumi Mermaid, measures approximately 13 inches (33 cm) tall without the removable tail.
Pattern Notes:
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Amigurumi Mermaid Instructions
Before you begin, take a moment to review the materials list and pattern notes above. They’ll help you understand the supplies you’ll need and what to expect as you crochet your doll.
Crocheting the Arms (2x):
Rnd 1: sc 6 in a magic circle
Rnd 2: (sc inc) 6x. [12]
Rnd 3: (sc inc, sc 3) 3x. [15]
Rnd 4-8: sc around. [15]
Rnd 9: (sc dec, sc 3) 3x. [12]
Rnd 10-23: sc around. [12]
Stuff only the lower halves of the arms.
Rnd 24: (sc dec, sc 2) 3x. [9]
Rnd 25: (sc dec, sc) 3x. Cut the yarn, FO, and set them aside. [6]
Feet / Legs (2x)
Rnd 1: 5 chs, sc inc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 2 chs, sc 5 in last ch. Now, do the sts in the opposite side of chs: sc in each of the next 2 chs, sc inc in the same ch you did the first inc. [13]
Maggie’s Pro Tip #1: When stuffing the arms or legs of your Amigurumi mermaid, divide one piece of fiberfill into two equal portions as soon as you begin stuffing the first limb. Use one half for the first limb and save the other for the matching limb. This simple trick helps both limbs stay evenly stuffed and the same size.
Rnd 2: (sc inc) 2x, sc in next 2 sts, (hdc inc) 5x, sc in next 2 sts, (sc inc) 2x. [22]
Rnd 3: (sc inc) 2x, sc in next 6 sts, (hdc inc) 6x, sc in next 6 sts, (sc inc) 2x. [32]
Rnd 4: sc 14, (sc dec) 2x, sc 14. [30]
Rnd 5: 8 sc, (hdc2tog) 7x, 8 sc. [23]
Maggie’s Pro Tip #2: If you think the hdc sts will create gaps that cause the fiber to show through, turn the piece wrong side out before stuffing it, then use a tapestry needle and a strand of matching yarn to stitch the gaps closed. Turn right side back out and continue with next steps.
Rnd 6: sc dec, 5 sc, (hdc2tog) 5x, 4 sc, sc dec. [16]
Rnd 7-25: sc around. Cut the yarn for the first leg only, then crochet the 2nd leg and proceed to the next step. [16]
Join the Crotch and Crochet the Torso
Align both legs, ensuring the toes face the same direction, slightly inward.
Rnd 26: Ch 1, sc in the 7th st of the 1st leg, that st will be the first st of this round. Place a st marker in it. Sc in next 15 sts of 1st leg, sc in flo of the ch. Sc around all 16 sts in 2nd leg, sc in blo of the ch. [34]
Rnd 27: (sc inc) 2x, 9 sc, (sc inc) 12x, 9 sc, (sc inc) 2x. [50]
Rnd 28: [(sc inc) 2x, 22 sc] 2x, (sc inc) 2x. [56]
Rnd 29-35: sc around. [56]
Rnd 36: 19 sc, (sc dec, sc) x 6, 19 sc. [50]
Rnd 37: 16 sc, (sc dec, sc) x 6, 16 sc. [44]
Rnd 38: 20 sc, (sc dec) x 2, 20 sc. [42]
Rnd 39: (sc dec, 5 sc) 6x. [36]
Rnd 40-49: sc around. [36]
Note: the doll’s bottom was designed to be round and will need plenty of stuffing to shape it properly.
Rnd 50: sc in each stitch around, using 3 sts on each side of the doll to attach the arms, ensuring they are centered on each shoulder.
Rnd 51: (sc dec, 4 sc) 6x. [30]
Rnd 52: (sc dec, 3 sc) 6x. [24]
Rnd 53: (sc dec, 2 sc) 6x. [18]
Rnd 54: (sc dec, 2 sc) 6x. [12]
Rnd 55-58: sc around. Do not cut the yarn yet. [12]
Maggie’s Pro Tip for Keeping the Doll’s Head Straight Up: I add extra fiber to the neck before crocheting the head, and this usually works well. You can also use craft wire; just make sure the tips are bent and taped with masking tape to prevent them from poking out of the fabric.
Amigurumi Mermaid’s Head
Rnd 59: (sc inc) 12x. [24]
Rnd 60: (sc, sc inc) 12x. [36]
Rnd 61: (sc inc, 5 sc) 6x. [42]
Rnd 62-75: sc around. [42]
Place the eyes between rounds 68 and 69, 9 sts apart.
Rnd 76: (sc dec, 5 sc) 6x. [36]
Rnd 77: (sc dec, 3 sc) 6x. [24]
Rnd 78: (sc dec, 2 sc) 6x. [18]
Rnd 79: (sc dec, sc) 6x. [12]
Rnd 80: (sc dec) 6x. Cut the yarn, and FO. [6]
Ears (2x)
Start a magic circle and leave a tail about 5 inches long. Then ch 1, hdc 6, and sl st in the mc. Do not join. Pull the ring tight, then cut another long tail the same length as the first. Then use the tails and a tapestry needle to sew the ears onto the sides of the head.
Wig
The hair is crocheted into an 8-round circle for the wig cap, and then we crochet one strand at a time around the circle.
Rnd 1: sc 6 in a magic circle
Rnd 2: (sc inc) 6x. [12]
Rnd 3: (sc inc, sc) 6x. [18]
Rnd 4: (sc inc, 2 sc) 6x. [24]
Rnd 5: (sc inc, 3 sc) 6x. [30]
Rnd 6: (sc inc, 4 sc) 6x. [36]
Rnd 7: (sc inc, 5 sc) 6x. [42]
Rnd 8: (sc inc, 6 sc) 6x. [48]
Rnd 9 Strand #1: Ch 30, sl in 2nd ch from hook, sc in 3rd ch, hdc 2 in next 12 chs, hdc in the rem chs, sl st in next sc st on rnd 8.
Rnd 9 Strand #2: Repeat instructions from Strand #1, sk 1 sc st on rnd 8, sl st in next st.
Maggie’s Pro Tip for Doll’s Hair: Strands created with one skipped stitch in their roots will slightly overlap those with no skipped stitches. This technique helps prevent gaps when we sew the wig onto the head, so the “scalp” isn’t visible.
Repeat the instructions for Strands #1 and #2 around.
Hair Assembly
- Pin the wig to the top of the Amigurumi mermaid’s head using sewing pins.
- Use a matching-color thread and the needle to sew the wig around the head, using the stitches around the cap and the bottom of the strands.
- Once the cap is sewn on, pin every other strand that appears slightly lower than the others on the back of the head, starting above the ears, and sew them into the back hairline.
- The strands at the front of the head can either be left alone to be styled as desired or stitched onto the top of the head to cover the cap.
Embroider the Face
Using the skin-tone yarn, embroider the nose centered one round below the eyes. Then, use dark embroidery thread for the eyelashes and eyebrows, white thread for the whites of the eyes, and pink thread for the lips. Refer to the photo below for the placement of all facial features.
Amigurumi Mermaid’s Bikini Top
Row 1: Ch 2, 4 sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 1, turn.
Row 2: (sc inc) 4x, ch 1, turn.
Row 3-17: sc across, ch 1, turn.
Row 18: (sc dec) 4x, ch 1, turn.
Row 19: Sc4tog, ch 30, then working back along the chain, sl st in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each remaining chain across to create the first strap. FO and cut the yarn. Attach the yarn to the opposite side of the rectangle, ch 30, and repeat the same steps to crochet the second strap.
To finish the top, wrap a strand of yarn a few times around the front to make the cups.
Amigurumi Mermaid’s Bikini Bottom
Row 1: Ch 17, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 1, turn.
Row 2-10: sc dec, sc until 2 sts rem, sc dec, ch 1, turn. Two sts in row 10.
Row 11-13: sc in next 2 sc sts, ch 1, turn.
Row 14: (sc inc) 2x, ch 1, turn.
Row 15-23: sc inc, sc until 2 sts rem, sc inc, ch 1, turn. Cut the yarn and FO.
To make the straps, ch 21 separately from the bikini bottom piece. Then, working back along the chain, sl st in the second chain from the hook and in each remaining chain. Continue by slip stitching across the top back edge of the bikini bottom (Row 23). Ch 21 again and repeat the same steps to create the second back strap. Fasten off and cut the yarn. Repeat this process to crochet the two front straps.
Mermaid’s Removable Tail
Rnd 1: Ch 36, join the ends with a sl st to make a ring, ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st), sc in the back bump of each of the 36 chs, sl st to the first sc to join.
Rnd 2: ch 1 (doesn’t count as a st), *sc, sk 2 sts, dc 5 in next st, sk 2 sts, rep from the asterisk 5 more times, sl st to the 1stsc to join.
Rnd 3-18: sl st in next 2 dc sts (won’t count as sts), ch 1, *sc in next sc st on center of the shell, sk 2 dc sts, dc 5 in next sc st, sk the next 2 dc sts* rep between asterisks 5 more times, sl st in the first sc to join.
Rnd 19: (sc in next 3 sts on top of the shell, sk the next 3 sts,) 6 times, sl st to initial sc to join.
Rnd 20 (base for the fins): (ch 2, dc2tog) this will count as the first dc3tog, dc3tog 5x, sl st to the first dc2tog to join. Then, close the tail opening with 2 sc sts. Do not cut the yarn yet.
We’ll crochet the fins, one at a time in turning rows: we start with short rows, create chs to increase, then shape the tail with longer rows. The last 2 sc sts serve as the base to anchor the sl sts at the bottom of the fin rows: one sc for each fin.
Watch the video I recorded for my fishtail ice pop holder pattern in this blog post, where I use the same fin method.
Fins (2x)
Create 5 chs to begin the first fin.
Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, sc in the next 2 chs, ch 1, sk 1 ch, sl st in the base sc st, ch 1, turn. Total of 3 sc sts.
Row 2: sk the ch from the previous row, sc in blo of the next sc to last, ch 3, turn. You’ll have a total of 3 sc sts plus 3 chs.
Row 3: sc in blo of the 2nd ch from the hook, sc in blo of the next ch, sc in blo of next sc to last, ch 1, sk the ch from the previous row, sl in the same base sc as last row. You’ll have a total of 5 sc sts (an increase of two sts for this and all of the additional odd rows).
Row #4-16: Repeat the instructions in rows 2 and 3. At the end, cut the yarn for the first fin and attach it to the second base sc st, then repeat the above steps for the second fin. FO. Cut the yarn and weave-in all the loose ends.
Finished Amigurumi Mermaid Images
Amigurumi Mermaid Pattern – FAQs
Is this Amigurumi Mermaid pattern beginner-friendly?
This pattern is best suited for adventurous beginners to intermediate crocheters. You’ll need to know basic stitches, work in continuous rounds, and be comfortable with simple shaping, sewing a few pieces together, and embroidery.
Can I make the mermaid with a different type of yarn?
Absolutely! I designed my sample using chenille yarn for a soft finish, but you can use any yarn you like. Just keep in mind that changing the yarn weight and hook size will affect the finished size of your Amigurumi Mermaid.
Is the mermaid tail removable?
Yes! One of my favorite features of this pattern is the removable tail. Your finished doll can be displayed as a mermaid or dressed in her crocheted bikini for imaginative dress-up play.
How much sewing is required?
This is a low-sew Amigurumi pattern. The arms are attached as you crochet the body, while the ears and the wig are sewn on during assembly. The result is much less sewing than many traditional crochet dolls.
Can I sell Amigurumi Mermaids made from this pattern?
Yes! You’re welcome to sell finished dolls made from this pattern on a small scale. Please use your own photos to advertise your work, and do not reproduce, redistribute, or sell the pattern itself.
And that’s it—your Amigurumi Mermaid is ready to make a splash! I hope you enjoyed bringing Sunshine to life, from her playful curls to her removable mermaid tail. Whether you’re making her for a little mermaid fan, adding her to your amigurumi collection, or gifting her to someone special, she’s sure to bring plenty of smiles. I’d love to see your finished mermaid, so keep scrolling to find all the ways you can share your project with me.
Happy Crocheting! 🧶
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