Our star is a soft, blush-pink piglet with a chubby tummy and a dream of the deep blue sea. She doesn’t just pretend; she commits! She is squeezed into a glamorous, form-fitting mermaid tail skirt featuring the intricate “Dragon Scale” (or Crocodile) stitch in mesmerizing shades of shifting Turquoise and Jade Green. On her upper half, she wears a modest bikini top made of two lilac scallop shells.

No mermaid is complete without her treasures. She accessorizes with a starfish and pearl hair clip, and carries a quirky handbag shaped exactly like a fish. In her trotters, she holds a hand mirror and a comb, ensuring her “beach waves” are always perfect. Accompanying her on her dry-land adventures is a feisty little red Crab who is always ready to strike a pose. This pattern is an intermediate project due to the scale stitch technique, but the result is a showstopper.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• MR – Magic Ring
• ch – Chain
• sc – Single Crochet
• hdc – Half Double Crochet
• dc – Double Crochet
• tr – Treble Crochet
• sl st – Slip Stitch
• inc – Increase (2 sc in one stitch)
• dec – Decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
• st(s) – Stitch(es)
• rnd – Round
• BLO – Back Loop Only
• Crocodile St (Scale) – Work 5 dc down the post of the first dc, ch 1, work 5 dc up the post of the next dc.
• FO – Fasten Off

Materials Needed

• DK or Sport weight yarn in Blush Pink (Pig Body)
• DK weight yarn in Gradient Turquoise/Jade/Green (Mermaid Tail)
• DK weight yarn in Lilac/Light Purple (Shell Top)
• DK weight yarn in Bright Red (Crab)
• DK weight yarn in Pastel Blue/Pink (Fish Bag)
• Small amount of Grey/Silver (Mirror glass) and Beige (Comb/Mirror handle)
• 2.5 mm crochet hook (for amigurumi parts)
• 3.0 mm crochet hook (for the tail texture)
• Pair of 10mm black safety eyes (Pig)
• Pair of 4mm beads (Crab eyes)
• Pearl beads (for hair clip and decoration)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers
• A small piece of cardboard (for mirror backing)

Gauge & Finished Size

Work tightly in continuous spiral rounds for the pig body so the stuffing does not show. Using DK yarn and a 2.5mm hook, the finished pig stands approximately 26-28 cm (11 inches) tall. The mermaid tail is designed to fit snugly over the pig’s lower body.

Construction Overview

The pig is constructed as a base doll with legs. The Mermaid Tail is a separate piece (like a long skirt) that pulls over the legs, allowing you to display the pig as a “normal” pig or a mermaid. The Scale Stitch used for the tail requires a multiple of stitches (usually 6) to work correctly. The shell top is tied on. The accessories—crab, bag, mirror, and comb—are detailed miniatures.

Body Parts (The Pig)

Head

Use Blush Pink yarn and 2.5mm hook.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) repeat around (18)
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) repeat around (36)
• Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) repeat around (48)
• Rnd 9: (7 sc, inc) repeat around (54)
• Rnd 10–20: sc around (54).
• Rnd 21: (7 sc, dec) repeat around (48).
• Rnd 22: (6 sc, dec) repeat around (42).
• Rnd 23: (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36).

Insert safety eyes between Rnds 16 and 17, spaced 10 stitches apart.

• Rnd 24: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30).
• Rnd 25: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24).
• Rnd 26: (2 sc, dec) repeat around (18).

Stuff firmly. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Snout

Use Blush Pink yarn.

• Rnd 1: Ch 6. Oval start: sc 4, 3 sc in last, sc 3, inc (12).
• Rnd 2: inc, sc 3, 3 inc, sc 3, 2 inc (18).
• Rnd 3: (BLO) sc around (18).
• Rnd 4–5: sc around (18).

FO. Sew to face between eyes. Stuff lightly. Embroider two large nostrils with darker pink thread.

Ears (Make 2)

Use Blush Pink yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: (1 sc, inc) around (9).
• Rnd 3: (2 sc, inc) around (12).
• Rnd 4: (3 sc, inc) around (15).
• Rnd 5–7: sc around (15).
• Rnd 8: (3 sc, dec) around (12).

Flatten and sew to the top of the head. Fold the tips slightly for character.

Legs (Make 2)

Use Blush Pink yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 4–6: sc around (18).
• Rnd 7: (4 sc, dec) around (15).
• Rnd 8–15: sc around (15).

Stuff firmly. FO first leg. Do not cut yarn on second leg.

Body

Join legs: From second leg, ch 4, join to first leg with sc.

• Rnd 16: sc 15 (leg 1), sc 4 in ch, sc 15 (leg 2), sc 4 in ch (38).
• Rnd 17: (inc, 18 sc) repeat twice (40).
• Rnd 18: (4 sc, inc) around (48).
• Rnd 19–26: sc around (48). (A nice chubby belly).
• Rnd 27: (6 sc, dec) around (42).
• Rnd 28–29: sc around (42).
• Rnd 30: (5 sc, dec) around (36).
• Rnd 31: sc around.
• Rnd 32: (4 sc, dec) around (30).
• Rnd 33: sc around.
• Rnd 34: (3 sc, dec) around (24).
• Rnd 35: (2 sc, dec) around (18).

Stuff firmly. FO. Sew head to body.

Arms (Make 2)

Use Blush Pink yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3–12: sc around (12).

Stuff lightly. Flatten and sew to body.

The Mermaid Costume

Scale Stitch Tail

Use Gradient Turquoise/Green yarn and 3.0mm hook. Worked waist-down.

• Waistband: Ch 48 (Ensure this fits over the pig’s hips). Join.
  Rnd 1–3: sc around (48).
• Foundation Round for Scales:
  Rnd 4: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st, *ch 1, skip 2, 2 dc in next* repeat around. Join. (You should have V-stitches around).
• Scale Round 1:
  Rnd 5: Work a Crocodile Scale in every V-stitch: *Work 5 dc down the first post of the V, ch 1, work 5 dc up the second post of the V*. Skip the ch-1 spaces between Vs.
• Foundation Round 2:
  Rnd 6: Work V-stitches (2 dc) into the center of each scale from previous round AND into the spaces between scales. (Increase V-stitches here if needed to widen hips, or keep straight).
• Scale Round 2: Work scales in each V-stitch.
• Repeat Foundation and Scale rounds, gradually decreasing the number of V-stitches as you get towards the ankles to taper the tail.
• Work until the tail covers the feet.
• The Fin (Fluke):
  Switch to plain sc. Flatten the bottom of the tail.
  Work a large shell or chevron shape off each side of the flattened bottom to create the tail fins.
  Rnd 1: Ch 10, dc back, inc at ends… (Create two large triangles).

Shell Bikini Top

Use Lilac yarn. Make 2.

• Rnd 1: MR. Ch 3, 11 dc into ring. Do not join. Turn.
• Rnd 2: Ch 3, (dc, ch 1) in each st across.
• Rnd 3: sc in ch-spaces to create a scalloped edge.
• Sew the two shells together at the center. Chain long straps from the sides to tie around the pig’s back.

Under the Sea Accessories

Fish Handbag

Use Pastel Blue/Pink.

• Body: MR 6, inc to 12, inc to 18, inc to 24. Work 8 rounds. dec to 18, dec to 12.
• Tail: Flatten opening. Ch 3, 3 dc, ch 3, sl st. Repeat for second lobe of tail.
• Strap: Ch 25. Sew to body.
• Embroider an eye and scales on the bag.

Hand Mirror

• Glass (Grey): MR 6, inc to 12, inc to 18. FO.
• Frame (Beige): MR 6, inc to 12, inc to 18. Do not cut. Place Grey circle on top of Beige.
  Rnd 4: sc around both layers to join.
  Handle: Ch 8, sc back down the chain attached to the frame. Insert a wire or toothpick for stiffness if needed.

Hair Comb

Use Beige yarn.

• Ch 10. sc across.
• *Ch 3, sl st in next st* across to create “teeth.”

Starfish Clip

Use Peach/Orange yarn.

• MR. *Ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next, hdc in next, sl st into MR* repeat 5 times.
• Sew a pearl bead in the center. Sew to the pig’s head.

The Crab Companion

Use Bright Red yarn.

• Body: MR 6, inc to 12, inc to 18, inc to 24. Work 2 rounds. dec to 18, dec to 12. Stuff. Close.
• Legs: Insert hook into side of body. Ch 4, sl st back. Make 3 legs on each side.
• Claws: Ch 5. In 2nd ch from hook work 3 dc (bobble), sl st down. Make 2 large claws for the front.
• Eyes: Sew two beads on top of the body (or crochet tiny stalks: ch 2, bobble).

Assembly

1. Dress the pig: Pull the Mermaid Tail skirt up over her legs. Tie the Shell Top around her chest.
2. Sew the Starfish Clip near her ear.
3. Place the Fish Bag on her arm.
4. Stitch the Mirror to one hand and the Comb to the other.
5. Position the Crab on the ground next to her tail.

Your Land Mermaid Piggy is ready to make a splash (figuratively)! Enjoy the beach vibes.