.png)
This pattern was updated on 7/26/2023 to include instructions for a cute little mermaid top!
A while ago I was on a kind of bear kick and I also noticed that mermaids were really popular, so I did what any logical person might do... I Frankensteined the two to see what it would look like and I came up with a Mer-Bear.. Or a Bear-Maid? Either way, I made something that is both equally cute and terrifying. A bear that lives underwater!
I love this pattern so much, you can do so much with the color combinations and I even thought it might be cool to add jewels or a headband to it if I end up making it again! My favorite yarn to use for the tail is "I Love This Yarn" in any of the metallic colors, and you can find it at Hobby Lobby. I'm not sponsored or anything, I just think that yarn is pretty cool!
Let's get to the pattern, shall we?
~If you have any questions about the pattern, or you just want to send me a picture of your finished project please contact me at contact.cutiepiecrochet@gmail.com! Feel free to make and sell these, but please do not mass produce! If you would like to share this pattern, please link to this page, but do not reprint it on your site. Also, please credit me when using this pattern by tagging me @cutiepie_crochet on Instagram. Thanks, and have lots of fun making your new plushie friend!~
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.
Materials:
Worsted weight yarn in the colors of your choice
Embroidery thread or yarn for nose.
Abbreviations:
mr- magic ring
st- stitch
sc- single crochet
dc- double crochet
inc- increase
dec- decrease
Tail/Body:
Start in tail color.
Round 1: mr 6 (6)
Round 2: sc around (6)
Round 3: (sc 1, inc)x3 (9)
Round 4: sc around (9)
Round 5: (sc 2, inc)x3 (12)
Round 6: sc around (12)
Round 7: (sc 3, inc)x3 (15)
Round 8: sc around (15)
Round 9: (sc 4, inc)x3 (18)
Round 10: (sc 5, inc)x3 (21)
Round 11: sc around (21)
Round 12: (sc 6, inc)x3 (24)
Round 13: (sc 7, inc)x3 (27)
Round 14: sc around (27)
Round 15: (sc 8, inc)x3 (30)
Round 16: (sc 9, inc)x3 (33)
Round 17: sc around (33)
Round 18: (sc 10, inc)x3 (36)
*Switch to bear color *
Round 19: sc in back loops only
Rounds 20-23: sc around (36)
Round 24: (sc 4, dec)x6 (30)
Round 25: sc around (30)
Round 26: (sc 3, dec)x6 (24)
Round 27: sc around (24)
Round 28: (sc 2, dec)x6 (18)
Round 29: sc around (18)
Fasten off.
Round 18a: Go back to round 18 and ss into any stitch, sc in front loops around
sc around once.
Round 18b: place 3 sc in every st around. ss into first st of round.
Fasten off.
Head:
Round 1: mr 6 (6)
Round 2: inc x6 (12)
Round 3: (sc 1, inc)x6 (18)
Round 4: (sc 2, inc)x6 (24)
Round 5: (sc 3, inc)x6 (30)
Round 6: (sc 4, inc)x6 (36)
Round 7: (sc 5, inc)x6 (42)
Round 8: (sc 6, inc)x6 (48)
Rounds 9-16: sc around (48)
Round 17: (sc 6, dec)x6 (42)
Round 18: (sc 5, dec)x6 (36)
Round 19: (sc 4, dec)x6 (32)
Round 20: (sc 3, dec)x6 (24)
Round 21: (sc 2, dec)x6 (18)
Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing, attach to body. Place eyes between rows 12 and 13, about 10 st apart.
Fins (x2):
Round 1: mr 6 (6)
Round 2: inc x6 (12)
Rounds 3-4: sc around (12)
Round 5: (sc 1, dec)x4 (8)
Round 6: sc around
Round 7: (sc 2, dec)x2 (6)
Fasten off, attach to either side of tip of tail
Ears(x2):
Round 1: mr 6 (6)
Round 2: inc x6 (12)
Round 3: (sc 1, inc)x6 (18)
Rounds 4-5: sc around
Fasten off, sew in half, and attach to top of head.
Snout:
Ch 4
Round 1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, inc, flip work, sc 2, inc (8)
Round 2: (sc 1, inc)x4 (12)
Round 3: (sc 2, inc)x4 (16)
Round 4: (sc 3, inc)x4 (20)
Round 5: (sc 4, inc)x4 (24)
Fasten off, embroider face, sew flat to head, in between eyes. To embroider the nose, just make an upside down triangle, fill it in, and then make a short line extending the tip of the triangle straight down.
Arms(x2):
Round 1: mr 6 (6)
Round 2: inc x6 (12)
Rounds 3-10: sc around (12)
Round 11: (sc 1, dec)x4 (8)
Fasten off, sew in half, attach to sides of upper body.
Top:
Ch 25
Row 1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 24 across, ch 1 [24]
Row 2: (sc 3, inc)x6, ch 1 [30]
Row 3: sc across, ch 1 [30]
Row 4: (sc 4, inc)x6 [36]
Fasten off, weave in ends.
Using a medium length piece of yarn, tie the very middle of the top, creating a cinched effect, weave in ends. Using a long piece of yarn, lace up the back of the top so that it looks like a corset or how shoes lace up, tie in a bow and snip remaining yarn to desired length.
I hope you have a lot of fun making your very own Mer-Bear! Don't forget to tag me on Instagram @cutiepie_crochet! And please pin this to Pinterest if you loved it!
If you enjoyed this pattern and can spare a dollar or two, please consider donating to my Ko-Fi! Your donations help pay for blog fees and help me keep making free patterns!