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LULU, the mermaid Amigurumi Pattern

LULU, the mermaid Amigurumi Pattern
4.8★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
3.0K Made This
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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 makes a small mermaid amigurumi named Lulu, worked in cotton yarn with separate pieces for head, wig, arms and a tail. It features a removable wig option, embroidered facial details, and a pretty wavy hem for a delicate finish. The instructions guide you through shaping, stuffing and assembly for a polished handmade toy.

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

You will crochet the pieces in spiral rounds and rows, sew the wig and hair strands in place, and finish with simple embroideries for the nose and eyebrows. The finished doll measures approximately 26 cm when using the recommended yarn and hook.

Why You'll Love This LULU, the mermaid Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it brings together small, precise crochet techniques that create an incredibly expressive little character. I enjoy the wig and hairstrand options — they let me customize each mermaid's look and personality. The way the tail and wavy hem are worked gives such a pretty silhouette that I never tire of making variations. Sewing the parts together and adding embroidered details always makes the doll feel complete and special.

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 easily you can customise Lulu by changing yarn colours; try pastel shades for a soft baby-friendly look or jewel tones for a richer aesthetic.

You can make Lulu larger or smaller by changing your yarn weight and hook size—use a larger hook and bulky cotton for a chunky mermaid or thinner yarn for a tiny keychain version.

I often swap the safety eyes for embroidered eyes when I want the doll to be safer for young children; embroidering gives a gentler, handcrafted expression.

Try different hairstyles: long wig, short bob, or braids made from chained strands to give each doll a distinct personality.

Make a whole collection by varying tail colours and wavy hems—mix and match to create coordinating sets for gifts or displays.

Add outfits or tiny props like a crochet starfish, shell purse, or a tiny crown to personalise each mermaid further.

For a posable feel, consider inserting thin wire into the arms before sewing to create gentle poseability while still keeping the soft crochet exterior.

Experiment with embroidery for different facial expressions; a small change in eyebrow placement or mouth stitch can change the doll from shy to cheerful.

Use different fibres like bamboo or mercerized cotton for subtle sheen and a smoother finish on the tail and wig pieces.

I sometimes add beads or tiny sequins to the flower centres for an extra sparkle—just make sure they are securely sewn if the toy will be handled often.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping stitch markers during rounds can cause you to lose track of increases and decreases; place a marker at the first stitch of each round to maintain accurate counts and shaping. ✗ Stuffing the head too early or too firmly leads to bulges and visible fiber through stitches; stuff gradually, especially in the neck area, and check that stitches do not stretch or gap. ✗ Not placing or securing the safety eyes at the recommended rounds will alter facial proportions; attach the eyes between rounds 16 and 17 with 11 visible stitches apart and secure tightly before modelling. ✗ Changing colour incorrectly at the round boundaries can create a loose or messy join; change colour by finishing the last stitch of the previous round leaving two loops, yarn over with the new colour and finish the stitch for a neat transition. ✗ Sewing hair parts without pinning may result in uneven placement; pin the wig and hairstrands before sewing so they sit symmetrically and at the correct distance from the eyes.

LULU, the mermaid Amigurumi Pattern

Create a sweet handcrafted mermaid amigurumi with clear, step-by-step instructions. This pattern uses cotton yarn and small parts to make a 26 cm tall doll with hair, fins, and sweet facial details. You'll enjoy shaping the head, sewing the wig, and adding tiny accessories to give each mermaid a unique personality. Perfect for handmade gifts or a cozy addition to your craft collection.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for LULU, the mermaid Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Cotton yarn, 115 yard / 50g per skein, six different colours
  • 02
    Colour A - Skin tone (25 g) (examples: Babytoly 610 Chocolate, Babytoly 434 Ecru, Babytoly 434 Ecru, Babytoly 225 Mocha depending on doll)
  • 03
    Colour B - Hair (15 g) (examples: Babytoly 727 Terracotta, Babytoly 014 Natural, Babytoly 812 Camel, Babytoly 520 Seaweed)
  • 04
    Colour C - Tail fin (17 g) (examples: Ecobebek 975 Argentino, Ecobebek 969 Steel, Babytoly 450 Biscuit, Babytoly 018 Sand)
  • 05
    Colour D - Wavy hem (small amount) (examples: Babytoly 205 Sage, Babytoly 450 Biscuit, Babytoly 560 Dusty Rose, Babytoly 770 Olive)
  • 06
    Colour E - Flower (small amount) (examples: Babytoly 560 Dusty Rose, 780 Mustard, Ecobebek 969 Steel, Babytoly 014 Natural)
  • 07
    Colour F - Bustier (small amount) (examples: Babytoly 560 Dusty Rose, Ecobebek 969 Steel, Babytoly 205 Sage, Babytoly 120 Powder Pink)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 2.5 mm
  • 02
    Safety eyes 8 mm (for dolls 2 and 3)
  • 03
    Safety eyes 9 mm (for dolls 1 and 4)
  • 04
    Sharp sewing needle for sewing and embroidering
  • 05
    Thin cotton yarn in black or brown for the eyebrows
  • 06
    White cotton yarn for the white of the eye
  • 07
    Polyfiber fill (polyfill)
  • 08
    Pins for positioning parts
  • 09
    Scissors
  • 10
    Pink blush for cheeks and the flower
  • 11
    Optional: stitch marker
  • 12
    Optional: thin sewing yarn (especially in the colour of the hair) to sew on the hair strands
  • 13
    Optional: foam curler to stabilize the head

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Head :

Round 1 :

6 sc into a MR (6)

Round 2 :

inc x 6 (12)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Round 4 :

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

Round 5 :

(3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)

Round 6 :

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

Round 7 :

(5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)

Round 8 :

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

Round 9-18 :

48 sc (48) (10 rounds)

Info :

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

Round 19 :

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

Round 20 :

(5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)

Round 21 :

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

Round 22 :

(3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)

Round 23 :

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

Info :

Start to stuff the head with polyfiber.

Round 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.

Round 1 :

6 sc into a MR (6)

Round 2 :

inc x 6 (12)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Round 4 :

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

Round 5 :

(3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)

Round 6 :

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

Round 7 :

(5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)

Round 8 :

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

Round 9-15 :

48 sc (48) (7 rounds)

Round 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.

Info :

Crochet ch 20, turn the chain. (20)

Round 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.

Round 1 :

6 sc into a MR (6)

Round 2 :

inc x 6 (12)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Round 4 :

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

Round 5 :

24 sc (24)

Round 6 :

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

Round 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 :

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.

Round 1 :

6 sc into a MR (6)

Round 2 :

(2 sc, inc) x 2 (8)

Round 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.

Round 1 :

6 sc into a MR (6)

Round 2 :

(1 sc, inc) x 3 (9)

Round 3 & 4 :

9 sc (9) (2 rounds)

Round 5 :

(2 sc, inc) x 3 (12)

Round 6 :

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

Round 7 :

(3 sc, inc) x 3 (15)

Round 8 :

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

Round 9 :

(4 sc, inc) x 3 (18)

Round 10 :

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

Round 11 :

(5 sc, inc) x 3 (21)

Round 12 :

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

Round 13 :

(6 sc, inc) x 3 (24)

Round 14 :

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

Round 15 :

(7 sc, inc) x 3 (27)

Round 16 :

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

Round 17 :

(8 sc, inc) x 3 (30)

Round 18 :

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

Round 19 :

(9 sc, inc) x 3 (33)

Round 20 :

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

Round 21 :

(10 sc, inc) x 3 (36)

Round 22 & 23 :

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

Round 24-26 :

36 sc (36) (3 rounds)

Round 27 :

(10 sc, dec) x 3 (33)

Info :

Colour change to colour A.

Round 28 :

33 sc, into BLO! (33)

Round 29 & 30 :

33 sc (33) (2 rounds)

Round 31 :

(9 sc, dec) x 3 (30)

Round 32 & 33 :

30 sc (30) (2 rounds)

Round 34 :

(8 sc, dec) x 3 (27)

Round 35 & 36 :

27 sc (27) (2 rounds)

Round 37 :

(7 sc, dec) x 3 (24)

Round 38 :

24 sc (24)

Round 39 :

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

Round 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.

Round 1 :

6 sc into a MR (6)

Round 2 :

6 sc (6)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 3 (9)

Round 4 :

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

Round 5 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Round 6 :

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

Round 7-14 :

24 sc (24) (8 rounds)

Round 15 :

dec x 12 (12)

Round 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 achive 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.

Info :

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 with 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.

Info :

If necessary you can now add some more stuffing into the head with the help of the end of the crochet hook.

— 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 them 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 sarp 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.

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.

Info :

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

  • Attach the head to the body: align the head opening with the top of the body, insert and sew securely using the long tail left after finishing the head, reinforcing the neck area with careful whipstitching.
  • Position arms on either side of the body between the appropriate rounds (pin to check symmetry) and sew them in place using the long thread left on each arm, securing stitches through the body to prevent movement.
  • Sew both buns under the hairstrands at the hairline, fixing them with pins and stitching around all 9 stitches from the last round of each bun for a neat, secure attachment.
  • Place and sew the wig onto the head symmetrically; if the doll is for a small child sew the wig with stitches, otherwise secure threads carefully or use fabric glue for decorative dolls.
  • Attach the fins to the bottom tail openings, ensuring even placement and stable stitching so the mermaid sits well and the fins lie flat.
  • Add the wavy hem by standing sc into the first front loop of round 28 of the tail and working the wave sequence all around, then fasten off and sew threads securely.

Important Notes

  • 💡When using similar or the same yarn with the same hook size, the mermaid will be approx. 26 cm tall.
  • 💡When you need to decrease, make Invisible Decrease crochet stitches to have a neater result.
  • 💡Please be aware that when you use different yarns and hook sizes, the outcome may vary and you may have to adjust the size of eyes.
  • 💡Colour change is worked at the end of the previous stitch: work the last stitch before the colour change as usual but don’t complete the last stitch, yarn over in the new colour and finish the stitch.

This sweet Lulu mermaid brings a touch of handmade magic to any shelf or nursery. Each doll is made with cotton yarn and tiny embroidered details for a gentle, personal finish. Make a set in different colours for a delightful display and thoughtful gifts. 🧶✨🧜‍♀️

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished amigurumi measures approximately 26 cm tall when using the recommended cotton yarn and a 2.5 mm hook.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but this will change the final size and may require adjusting safety eye sizes and hook choice.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate; basic knowledge of single crochet, increases, decreases, and working in spiral rounds is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this project in 5-7 hours, though time may vary based on experience level and the amount of finishing and sewing you do.

Are the wig and hairstrands removable?

The wig can be sewn in place for small children or simply positioned for decorative dolls; hairstrands and buns are sewn on and can be attached securely or with fabric glue for decorative use.