Mermaid Bookmark – Free Crochet Pattern

Crochet Mermaid Bookmark Pattern

I remember being seven years old and being obsessed with mermaids. It’s really special at the moment because my seven-year-old daughter is also loving mermaids! Just like how I was, she loves to swim and could pretend to be a mermaid all day long.

My daughter also loves to read and has started enjoying chapter books. But we never have a bookmark handy. I thought I would make her a mermaid bookmark as a Christmas gift.

I’m excited to share this pattern with you in case there’s a mermaid-lover in your life.

This bookmark pattern is very easy and fast to make. You only need a few yards of four different colors, making it a great way to use up your scrap yarn.

---

---

Pattern Details

Skill Level

Easy

Size

The pattern creates a bookmark that is approx. 6.5” long (not including the hair).

Materials

Yarn: Any size 3 (light) yarn or a thin size 4 (medium) yarn in 4 colors. You will need a few yards of each color. 

I used Patons Canadiana. This yarn is technically a size 4 (medium) weight but is quite thin. It’s 100% acrylic. A skein is 205 yds / 187 m and 3.5 oz and 100 g. 

I used the colors:

1. Tail – Medium Green Tea (green) 
2. Skin – Oatmeal (beige) 
3. Bikini Top – Pale Teal (blue) 
4. Hair – Rosette (red)

Crochet Hook Size: F/5 (3.75 mm).

Other Materials: Yarn needle, scissors and a measuring tape. 

Terminology

This pattern is written for right-handed crochet using standard US terminology. If you’re more familiar with UK terms, here’s my US to UK Conversion Chart. 

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches 
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet dc = double crochet 
• sc2tog = single crochet two  together

Gauge

After Row 12, work should measure 3.5” long (exact sizing is not important for this pattern).

Pattern Notes

• Always work into the first stitch (the stitch attached to the chain). 
• Chains never count as stitches. 
• In this pattern, a single crochet two together (sc2tog) is worked over two stitches, which makes a decrease. If sc2tog is new to you, here’s how to do it: insert your hook in the first designated stitch. Yarn over and pull through a loop (2 loops on your hook). Insert your hook in the next designated stitch. Yarn over and pull through a loop (3 loops on your hook). Yarn over and pull the yarn through the 3 loops on your hook. This completed sc2tog counts as one stitch. 
• Change colors when instructed by placing the new color on your hook and pulling it through the loop of the current color on your hook. 
• The bookmark is reversible.

Here is the back/wrong side of the bookmark:

Color Legend

• A = Tail 
• B = Skin 
• C = Bikini Top 
• D = Hair

Pattern Instructions

Start: With A (the tail color – I used green), chain 5.

For Row 1 (only) work into the back ridge loops. 

Row 1: In the second ch from hook, sc. Hdc in the next ch. Dc in the next 2 chains. Ch 5. In the second ch from hook, sc. Hdc in the next ch. Dc in the next 2 chains. Sl st into the first ch made (the ch attached to the slip knot).

Row 2: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in the same ch (the same ch you made a sl st in). Sc in the next st (the top of the dc from the previous row). Leave the rest of the sts unworked. (2 sts. Reminder: chains never count as sts). 

Row 3: Ch 1 and turn. (Reminder: always work in the first st). Sc in the next 2 sts. (2 sts).

Row 4: Ch 1 and turn. In the first st, 2 sc. In the last st, 2 sc. (4 sts). 

Row 5: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in the next 4 sts. (4 sts). 

Rows 6 & 7: Repeat Row 5.

Row 8: Ch 1 and turn. In the first st, 2 sc. Sc in the next 2 sts. In the last st, 2 sc. (6 sts). 

Row 9: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in the next 6 sts. (6 sts).

Row 10: Repeat Row 9.

Row 11: Ch 1 turn. Over the first and second sts, sc2tog. Sc in the next 2 sts. Over the next and last sts, sc2tog. (4 sts).

Row 12: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in the next 4 sts. (4 sts).

Row 13: Attach B (skin color – I used beige). Fasten off A. With B, ch 1 and turn. Sc in the next 4 sts. (4 sts).

Row 14: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in the next 4 sts. (4 sts).

Row 15: Repeat Row 14.

Row 16: Ch 1 and turn. In the first st, 2 sc. Sc in the next 2 sts. In the last st, 2 sc. (6 sts).

Row 17: Attach C (bikini top color – I used blue). Fasten off B. With C, ch 1 and turn. Sc in the next 6 sts. (6 sts).

Row 18: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in the next 6 sts. (6 sts).

Row 19: Attach B (skin color). Fasten off C. With B, ch 1 and turn. Sc in the next 6 sts. (6 sts).

Row 20: Ch 1 and turn. Over the first and second sts, sc2tog. Sc in the next 2 sts. Over the next and last sts, sc2tog. (4 sts).

Row 21: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in the next 4 sts. (4 sts).

Row 22: Ch 1 and turn. Over the first and second sts, sc2tog. Over the next and last sts, sc2tog. (2 sts).

Row 23: Ch 1 and turn. Over the first and last sts, sc2tog. (1 st).

Row 24: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in the st. (1 sts). Fasten off B. 

Weave in all loose ends.

Hair

Cut 8 strands of D (hair color – I used red) that are approx. 10” long. 

A) Fold the strands in half and place them on your hook. With the front of the mermaid facing you, insert your hook through the last stitch made, from back to front, and place the folded strands on your hook. Pull the hook through the stitch so the folded strands form a loop. 

B) Remove your hook. With your fingers, grab the yarn from back to front and pull the strands through the loop.

C & D) Pull the strands tight. 

To cover the back of the “neck,” cut a 12” strand of D and wrap it around the neck several times until the neck is hidden. Then incorporate that strand into the hair. 

You can trim the ends of the hair if necessary. I trimmed mine to be different lengths for a more natural look. 

Blocking (Optional)

Blocking can help correct any curling and help shape your work. To block your finished work, pin it on blocking boards with rust-proof pins, spray it with water and leave it to dry.

---

Get the PDF

For a limited time, I’m offering the PDF version of this pattern for free! The PDF version includes everything from this free version but in a format that’s easy to print, save and keep forever.

---

---

More Patterns You Might Like

---