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LULU the mermaid Amigurumi Pattern

LULU the mermaid Amigurumi Pattern
4.2★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
3.6K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

🧸

Cute Companion

An adorable friend to cherish, handcrafted with love to bring comfort and joy for years to come.

About This LULU the mermaid Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern creates a small, charming mermaid amigurumi named Lulu with interchangeable colour options for skin, hair and tail. It includes full round-by-round instructions for head, body, tail, fins, hair pieces and small accessories. The pattern focuses on shaping, small details and neat finishing for a professional look.

LULU the mermaid Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Youll learn colour changes, invisible decreases and assembly tips to sew parts securely. Photos and step notes guide you through modelling eyes, embroidering features and finishing touches.

Why You'll Love This LULU the mermaid Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it blends simple shaping with sweet little details that give the mermaid personality. I enjoy the way the colour options let you create many unique characters from the same instructions. The pattern lets me practise invisible decreases and neat finishing techniques I care about. Seeing each mermaid come to life with tiny flowers, blush and hair is incredibly rewarding and always makes me smile.

LULU the mermaid Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress LULU the mermaid Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress LULU the mermaid Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories LULU the mermaid Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how many different looks you can create with this pattern just by changing colours and tiny details.

Try pastel tones and tiny pearls for a soft nursery-friendly mermaid or bold jewel tones for a vibrant shelf display.

If you want a mini keychain version, use thinner yarn and a smaller hook to reduce the size significantly.

To make a chunky, cuddly version, choose a bulky cotton blend and a larger hook for a plush, oversized mermaid.

I often add embroidered freckles or a small stitched mouth to change expressions and personality.

Swap the flower for a tiny crocheted crown or starfish to create a different theme for your mermaid.

Use safety joints or a small wire inside the tail for light posability in display pieces.

Add tiny accessories like a crocheted shell bag or scarf for giftable character and play value.

Experiment with hair: long looped hair using loops, or dense bangs by adding extra wig rows for a full head of hair.

Combine different yarn textures for the wavy hem and tail fin to create contrast and tactile interest in your finished doll.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping stitch markers during shaping leads to uneven rounds and inaccurate increases; use a marker at the start of each round to stay on track and recount frequently. ✗ Under-stuffing the head and tail results in floppy or collapsed parts; stuff gradually, especially around neck and wider tail sections, to maintain shape and avoid bulges. ✗ Tension inconsistencies when changing colours create visible ridges; keep consistent tension and finish colour changes by completing the last stitch of the old colour before switching. ✗ Forgetting to seat safety eyes at the correct round makes facial placement awkward; attach eyes between the rounds indicated (between rnd 16 & 17) and double-check visible stitch spacing before securing. ✗ Pulling the thread too tight when modelling the eyes can distort the face; pull slowly, check symmetry and knot carefully, then bury the threads inside the head to secure them.

LULU the mermaid Amigurumi Pattern

Make a sweet mermaid amigurumi with clear, photo-supported instructions you can follow at home. This pattern guides you through crocheting the head, hair, tail and all tiny details so your mermaid looks polished and lovable. Youll learn shaping, colour changes, simple embroidery and assembly techniques to bring Lulu to life.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for LULU the mermaid Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Cotton yarn, 115 yard / 50g per skein (multiple colours as listed below)
  • 02
    Colour A: Skin tone - approx. 25 g (per doll)
  • 03
    Colour B: Hair - approx. 15 g (per doll)
  • 04
    Colour C: Tail fin - approx. 17 g (per doll)
  • 05
    Colour D: Wavy hem - small amount for decorative edge
  • 06
    Colour E: Flower - small amount for flowers or details
  • 07
    Colour F: Bustier - small amount for chest detail
  • 08
    Colour codes (examples from pattern): Doll 1 - Skin A: Babytoly 610 Chocolate; Hair B: Babytoly 727 Terracotta; Tail C: Ecobebek 975 Argentino; Wavy hem D: Babytoly 205 Sage; Bustier F: Babytoly 560 Dusty Rose
  • 09
    Doll 2 - Skin A: Babytoly 434 Ecru; Hair B: Babytoly 014 Natural; Tail C: Ecobebek 969 Steel; Wavy hem D: Babytoly 450 Biscuit; Bustier F: Ecobebek 969 Steel
  • 10
    Doll 3 - Skin A: Babytoly 434 Ecru; Hair B: Babytoly 812 Camel; Tail C: Babytoly 450 Biscuit; Wavy hem D: Babytoly 560 Dusty Rose; Flowers E: Babytoly 560 Dusty Rose, 780 Mustard, Ecobebek 969 Steel; Bustier F: Babytoly 205 Sage
  • 11
    Doll 4 - Skin A: Babytoly 225 Mocha; Hair B: Babytoly 520 Seaweed; Tail C: Babytoly 018 Sand; Wavy hem D: Babytoly 770 Olive; Flower E: Babytoly 014 Natural; Bustier F: Babytoly 120 Powder Pink

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 2.5 mm
  • 02
    Safety eyes 8 mm (for dolls 2 and 3) or 9 mm (for dolls 1 and 4)
  • 03
    Sharp sewing needle for sewing and embroidering
  • 04
    Thin cotton yarn in black or brown for the eyebrows
  • 05
    White cotton yarn for the white of the eye
  • 06
    Polyfiber fill (polyfill)
  • 07
    Pins for positioning parts
  • 08
    Scissors
  • 09
    Pink blush for cheeks and flower centre
  • 10
    Optional: stitch marker
  • 11
    Optional: thin sewing yarn (especially in the colour of the hair) to sew on the hair strands
  • 12
    Optional: foam curler to stabilize the head

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Head :

rnd 1 :

6 sc into a MR (6)

rnd 2 :

inc x 6 (12)

rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

rnd 4 :

1 sc, inc, (2 sc, inc) x 5, 1 sc (24)

rnd 5 :

(3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)

rnd 6 :

2 sc, inc, (4 sc, inc) x 5, 2 sc (36)

rnd 7 :

(5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)

rnd 8 :

3 sc, inc, (6 sc, inc) x 5, 3 sc (48)

rnds 9-18 :

48 sc (48) (10 rounds)

Info :

Attach the eyes between rnd 16 & 17, with a distance of 11 visible stitches.

rnd 19 :

3 sc, dec, (6 sc, dec) x 5, 3 sc (42)

rnd 20 :

(5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)

rnd 21 :

2 sc, dec, (4 sc, dec) x 5, 2 sc (30)

rnd 22 :

(3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)

Rnd 23 :

1 sc, dec, (2 sc, dec) x 5, 1 sc (18)

Info :

Start to stuff the head with polyfiber.

Rnd 24 :

(1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)

Info :

Finish the head with 1 sl st, fasten off and cut the yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing onto the body later. Continue to stuff the head, especially in the neck area (if you use a piece of a foam curler to stabilize the head which is explained later, you can leave the neck area unfilled). The head should be filled evenly without any bulges and it should have a complete round form. But also be aware to not fill too much. When you notice that the stitches stretch and the holes between them get bigger so you can see the polyfiber fill through them, then you have stuffed too much. In this case remove some of it.

— Hair wig :

Info :

Crochet in spiral rounds. Colour B.

rnd 1 :

6 sc into a MR (6)

rnd 2 :

inc x 6 (12)

rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

rnd 4 :

1 sc, inc, (2 sc, inc) x 5, 1 sc (24)

rnd 5 :

(3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)

rnd 6 :

2 sc, inc, (4 sc, inc) x 5, 2 sc (36)

rnd 7 :

(5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)

rnd 8 :

3 sc, inc, (6 sc, inc) x 5, 3 sc (48)

rnds 9-15 :

48 sc (48) (7 rounds)

rnd 16 :

3 sc, dec, (6 sc, dec) x 5, 3 sc (42)

Info :

Finish the work with 1 sl st, fasten off and cut the yarn. Sew the thread inside of the wig. (If the doll is for a smaller child, you can sew the wig onto the head.)

— Hairstrand (make 2) :

Info :

Crochet in rows. Colour B.

Instruction :

Crochet ch 20, turn the chain. (20)

r 1 :

start into the 3rd chain from hook and crochet dc inc (36)

Info :

Cut the yarn and pull it through the loop.

— Bun (make 2) :

Info :

Crochet in spiral rounds. Colour B.

rnd 1 :

6 sc into a MR (6)

rnd 2 :

inc x 6 (12)

rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

rnd 4 :

1 sc, inc, (2 sc, inc) x 5, 1 sc (24)

rnd 5 :

24 sc (24)

rnd 6 :

1 sc, dec, (2 sc, dec) x 5, 1 sc (18)

rnd 7 :

dec x 9 (9)

Info :

Finish the work with 1 sl st, fasten off and leave a long thread to sew the bun onto the hair later. Stuff the bun slightly.

— Ear (make 2). (optional) :

Info :

Colour A. Mostly I make my dolls without ears but if you prefer your doll with ears, you can crochet it this way: Crochet 3 sc into a MR. Cut the yarn and pull it through the loop. At the end pull the initial thread slightly to close the MR.

— Arm (make 2) :

Info :

Crochet in spiral rounds. Colour A.

rnd 1 :

6 sc into a MR (6)

rnd 2 :

(2 sc, inc) x 2 (8)

rnds 3-17 :

8 sc (8) (15 rounds)

Info :

Do not stuff the arm. Flatten the arm and crochet both sides together with 3 sc. Cut the yarn, leaving a long thread, and fasten off.

— Tail & Body :

Info :

Crochet in spiral rounds from the bottom of the tail up to the body. Colour A and C. Start with colour C. Start to fill the tail very early as you go. At the bottom fill it very loose but fill it more tense the wider the tail gets.

rnd 1 :

6 sc into a MR (6)

rnd 2 :

(1 sc, inc) x 3 (9)

rnds 3&4 :

9 sc (9) (2 rounds)

rnd 5 :

(2 sc, inc) x 3 (12)

rnd 6 :

dec, 4 sc, inc, 5 sc (12)

rnd 7 :

(3 sc, inc) x 3 (15)

rnd 8 :

dec, 6 sc, inc, 6 sc (15)

rnd 9 :

(4 sc, inc) x 3 (18)

rnd 10 :

dec, 7 sc, inc, 8 sc (18)

rnd 11 :

(5 sc, inc) x 3 (21)

rnd 12 :

dec, 9 sc, inc, 9 sc (21)

rnd 13 :

(6 sc, inc) x 3 (24)

rnd 14 :

dec, 10 sc, inc, 11 sc (24)

rnd 15 :

(7 sc, inc) x 3 (27)

rnd 16 :

dec, 12 sc, inc, 12 sc (27)

rnd 17 :

(8 sc, inc) x 3 (30)

rnd 18 :

dec, 13 sc, inc, 14 sc (30)

rnd 19 :

(9 sc, inc) x 3 (33)

rnd 20 :

dec, 15 sc, inc, 15 sc (33)

rnd 21 :

(10 sc, inc) x 3 (36)

rnds 22&23 :

dec, 16 sc, inc, 17 sc (36) (2 rounds)

rnds 24-26 :

36 sc (36) (3 rounds)

rnd 27 :

(10 sc, dec) x 3 (33)

Info :

Colour change to colour A.

rnd 28 :

33 sc, into BLO! (33)

rnds 29&30 :

33 sc (33) (2 rounds)

rnd 31 :

(9 sc, dec) x 3 (30)

rnds 32&33 :

30 sc (30) (2 rounds)

rnd 34 :

(8 sc, dec) x 3 (27)

rnds 35&36 :

27 sc (27) (2 rounds)

rnd 37 :

(7 sc, dec) x 3 (24)

rnd 38 :

24 sc (24)

rnd 39 :

1 sc, dec, (2 sc, dec) x 5, 1 sc (18)

rnd 40 :

(1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)

Info :

Finish the work with 1 sl st, cut the yarn and fasten off. Sew the thread carefully.

— Fin (make 2) :

Info :

Crochet in spiral rounds. Colour C.

rnd 1 :

6 sc into a MR (6)

rnd 2 :

6 sc (6)

rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 3 (9)

rnd 4 :

1 sc, inc, (2 sc, inc) x 2, 1 sc (12)

rnd 5 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

rnd 6 :

1 sc, inc, (2 sc, inc) x 5, 1 sc (24)

rnds 7-14 :

24 sc (24) (8 rounds)

rnd 15 :

dec x 12 (12)

rnd 16 :

dec x 6 (6)

Info :

Do not stuff the fin with polyfill.

— Wavy hem :

Info :

Colour D. Take the yarn and make a standing sc into the first front loop of rnd 28 of the tail. Continue as follows: (skip 2 sts, 5 dc into a st, skip 2 sts, 1 sc into a st) x 5 (in the last unit just skip only 1st, so that you achieve 6 waves all around). Crochet 1 sl st into the first sc of the previous round. Cut the yarn, fasten off and sew both threads carefully.

— Flower in the hair :

Info :

Colour E. Start with a MR (leave a long starting yarn tail). (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc into 2nd chain from hook) x 5. Sl st into the first st. Cut the yarn and fasten off by pulling the tail of yarn until the MR is closed. Sew the thread. With pink blush and a brush paint the centre of the flower with a pink dot. Alternatively you can crochet several flowers to make a flower crown across the hair line (as you can see on doll 3).

— Modelling the eyes :

Info :

After you have crocheted all body parts, you can now start to shape the eyes by bringing the eyes inwards. Take a sharp sewing needle and a long thread of colour A. Pull both ends of the thread through the head very close to the eye and bring them out at the head opening. Take one of the thread ends and repeat the same with the second eye. Pull on both thread ends as tight as possible until the eyes move inwards. Knot both ends very tightly. At the end stuff both threads into the head.

— White of the eye :

Info :

Once the eyes have been modelled, you can add the white of the eyes to the outer edge of the eye. Use a long cotton thread in a white colour and embroider a small stitch at the outer part of the eye. Repeat these steps on the second eye as well. Knot the ends at the bottom of the head and stuff the threads into the head.

— Eyebrows :

Info :

Take a thin sewing or embroidering yarn in colour black or brown and a thin sharp needle. Embroider the eye brows 2 rounds above the eye, diagonally over 1,5 stitches. (or alternatively as you can see at doll 4 embroidered directly over the eye, diagonally over 2,5 stitches).

— Nose :

Info :

For embroidering the nose cut a long tail from colour A. Between rnd 16 and 17 you can embroider 2 horizontal stripes, running over 2-3 sts. Don’t sew the thread but wrap it with the needle tightly around the horizontal stripes.

— Finishing touches :

Info :

At the end take a small brush and put some pink blush onto the cheeks of your mermaid.

— Sewing the hair parts (plus optional the ears) :

Info :

Put the hair wig onto the head of your mermaid. Be sure that it is symmetrical around the head and at the right distance from the eyes. If the doll will be played by a small child, you can now sew the wig onto the head with some sts. Otherwise it’s not necessary to sew it as the wig is quite tight on the head. In this case just sew the thread carefully.

Info :

Now you place the 2 hairstrands symmetrically across the hairline and pin them. For sewing them you can either use one of the remaining threads or a thin sewing thread and a thinner needle. But be sure to take a very long sewing needle which makes it easier for you (for reference: my needle is about 6-7 cm long). Start to sew the first strand beginning at the top downwards, ending approximately at the level of the eyes. Make the same with the 2nd hair strand on the other side of the head. If you are only using the doll as a decorative object, you could use fabric glue to attach the hair strands onto the wig.

Info :

Now sew both buns. Position them below the hair strands at the hair line and fix them with pins. Sew them around all 9 sts from the last rnd of the bun. Sew the thread carefully.

Info :

If you have chosen to crochet the ears, you can now sew them at eye level directly next to the hair line. Use both threads of the ear above and below for sewing. Sew the threads carefully.

Assembly Instructions

  • Sew the wig onto the head if the doll is for a small child, otherwise position the wig symmetrically and sew a few securing stitches inside the wig before finishing.
  • Attach the hair strands symmetrically across the hairline and sew them from top to bottom so they end at eye level, using a long sewing needle and thin sewing thread for neatness.
  • Position the buns below the hair strands at the hair line, pin them in place and sew around all 9 sts from the last rnd of each bun to secure them.
  • Sew the head to the body using the long tail left on the head; align the neck opening with the body top and use a sturdy whipstitch to fasten securely.
  • Attach the arms to the sides of the body by sewing them between appropriate rounds so they sit slightly forward for a natural pose, and secure with a few strong stitches.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers to mark the start of each round and especially when shaping or changing colours to maintain correct stitch counts.
  • 💡Stuff parts gradually and evenly; avoid overstuffing which can stretch stitches and cause gaps where stuffing shows through.
  • 💡When changing colours, complete the last stitch of the old colour leaving two loops on the hook, yarn over with the new colour and finish the stitch for a cleaner colour join.
  • 💡Sew parts with long, even stitches and secure threads by weaving them inside the body to prevent them from coming loose.
  • 💡Place safety eyes and other small components considering the recommended round placement and distance to achieve balanced facial expression.

This Lulu mermaid pattern invites you to create a tiny, charming companion with personality and handmade detail. Keep experimenting with colours, flowers and hair styles to make each mermaid your own. Enjoy the meditative rhythm of amigurumi and share your little handmade friend with someone special. 🧶🧜‍♀️

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we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

When using similar yarn and the recommended hook size, the finished mermaid measures approximately 26 cm tall.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but this will change the final size. Adjust the hook size accordingly and expect variations in finished measurements.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate; basic knowledge of amigurumi techniques, increases, decreases and working in spiral rounds is recommended for best results.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters finish this project in about 5-7 hours, though time can vary depending on experience, detail work and assembly speed.