Mermaid Tail Crochet Baby Blanket

My poor blog has fallen by the wayside in the last couple of years. A lot of life stuff has happened while I've been absent and I'm now a busy mama to not just Poppet (who is almost 6, btw!) but also to my sweet boy who just turned 11 months. It's busy around here these days and I have a lot less time and energy for crafting but I have noticed in the last few weeks I'm feeling a lot more inspired to get making (and I have several projects underway!). I've managed to make a few things recently. My biggest make of recent months has been a mermaid tail baby blanket for my second niece who's arrival is eagerly anticipated by the whole family (and not least by her mama!). A few more weeks to go before we get to squish her!

This new baby has a beautiful mermaid themed nursery ready and waiting for her. As soon as I knew the nursery theme I just knew I had to make her a mermaid tail blanket! These have become very popular here in the UK in the last few years but I wanted to make one that is different to the rest. Most mermaid tail blankets are like cocoons that you put your legs in and pull up over you to make it look like you're wearing the tail. These are cute and I even made one for Poppet a couple of years ago, but for a baby I wanted a flat blanket. Those cocoon/pouches are sweet but so impractical. Have you ever tried to stuff an octopus into a sock? That's how I'd best describe what it is to get a squirmy baby into one of those!

I scoured Pinterest for inspiration and looked all over for a flat mermaid tail blanket. I knew in my mind's eye what I wanted it to look like but it appeared that no one else had thought of it yet (and I'm not clever enough to design my own!). But then I found this great post which was just what I wanted! Kali at the Friend Red Fox had already done the hard work for me and written up her pattern for a mermaid tail baby blanket. So I dived right in! I had a few setbacks due to choosing the wrong thickness of yarn and then trying to upscale the pattern but I just couldn't make it work. I eventually went back to my local yarn shop and bought the right kind of yarn and whipped the blanket in just a few evenings. It's amazing what can happen when you stick to the pattern, ha!

Mermaid Tail Crochet Baby Blanket

I particularly wanted to share this project as I found it so difficult to find a pattern for a flat blanket with a mermaid tail that was suitable for a baby. I used Caron Simply Soft in Ocean for the main blanket colour and in Teal Zeal for the tail and border with a 4.5mm hook as I wanted a tighter fabric. For the border, I used this great pattern to get that seashell/wave look and using the ombre yarn has really given it a nice effect.

 

This blanket has turned out so well, I may be making more for future babies! I didn't measure it before gifting it but I would say it's a good size for a baby or toddler and ideal for a carseat as there is plenty to tuck in around the legs. I think for the best effect, the blanket is ideal for use in a crib or cot as then you'd see the full tail. I can't wait to see my baby niece snuggled under this!