Let's Make Fish : a tutorial for making a merfish necklace

If you have been following this blog or my etsy shop you know that the merfish are very hot commodities. No sooner do they swim into the shop then they are on their way out again traveling to far off exotic locations. I have been wanting to share how to make them with you for a while now. The only thing I ask is that if you make them for yourself, your family and friends, PLEASE DON"T SELL THEM. 

That just wouldn't be nice.

This tutorial is very similar to the last one for the rock fish except it is made with a much smaller stone, a tiny little crochet hook and very thin crochet cotton. You might find as I did that it requires reading glasses or magnifiers to work at this tiny scale.

Here is what you will need:

a suitable merfish shaped smooth stone, or sea glass

crochet cotton size 10

a crochet hook size 1.25 or 1.50 mm

a needle

scissors

glasses ( optional ) 

Step I : Measure the circumference of your stone at its widest point and make a chain the same length. I made mine 21 stitches long.

Step 2: Join the chain to form a circle.

Step 3: Made a single crochet in every link of the chain to make your foundation row.

Step 4: Continue crocheting around the circle in single crochet for a few rows. The number of rounds will depend on the length of your stone. For this example I made 10 rounds before starting my decreases.

Step 5: This round you will start to decrease the number of stitches per round in order to shape your fish.

To do this crochet in the next 2 stitches and then skip a stitch. At this point I  usually place the stone inside the crocheted cover so I can judge the length. Sometimes it slips out but can easily be replaced. Continue the decreases until you have the desired length and you have only 6 stitches left.

Step 6: close the end by crocheting the front and back stitches together . You should now have only three stitches.

Step 7: Crochet one row.

Step 8: Now you are ready to make the fish's tail. I like making bilobed tails but you could make a simple one if you wanted to.

Use the chart below.

 On the first and last stitch of the first row make two single crochet in each stitch. The same goes for row 2. One the next row you work only one side of tail continuing to follow the chart. Sometimes I like longer tails and extend the numbers of rows or the rate of decreases a little. There is quite a lot of variation in fish tails. When you have reached the end bind off the last stitch. Then rejoin at the edge of the other side of the tail. Again follow the chart until you have finished and bind off. 

Step 10:  You can stop here if you don't want a necklace, or continue. At the upper edge and side of the merfish attach the cotton thread and start making a chain. I usually reinforce it with an extra stitch or two. I make it at least as long as it will fit easily over my head. If it fits over my head it will fit over anyone's since I have a huge noggin. Attach the chain to the opposite upper edge and again reinforce it with a few stitches. Bind off.

Step 11: Sew in all your yarn ends. The yarn at the beginning should be sewn in with the stone in place so you can use it to make it snug with the stone. 

I hope you are enjoying the making fish tutorials so far. If you make a rock fish or a merfish please email me a picture or post it in the covered stone group on flickr. 

I would really love to see the diversity of stone fish that will evolve. Maybe we could come up with our own taxonomy to classify them:) No tutorial tomorrow , just a beautiful blog post but then I will be back later in the week with a softie version of the crochet covered fish that I am pretty excited about.

Now I am off to drive my daughter to her first soccer practice of the season. Have I ever told you soccer is my favorite sport? 

 

Comments

[Kathi]

So cute. I love the tutorial too.
I won't be trying this but still enjoy watching you work!

[melissa]

wow. now i have even more respect for the things you make! crochet is not for me- i've tried learning countless times, including last week. but my fingers just won't me crochet. so i must wait until i find your little works of art in your shop! ;)
p.s. it's so generous of you to share your design.

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Thank you Margie! I want to try this.

[Izabela]

thank you for sharing this lovely! I love this fish!

[Wendy]

Cute I will make some for my children :-)

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GORGEOUS! I'm *loving* the hoop titles. Please tell me there is a book in your future! I'll be linking.

[Carrie D'Anna]

love love love this.
so very whisical.
perfect little crochet project I need. I neede something I could actually accomplish in a short amount of time, I am itching to crochet but so very busy this month.

thank you for the beautiful tutorial...

[Nancy]

Thank you so much for posting this! I have been given a delightful collection of sea glass from a friend and have wanted to make her a thank you gift. This is perfect! I'll post a pic of the collection and my fishy when he's completed.

Your blog brings me much joy. Thanks again!

Nancy

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Beautiful...thank you so much for sharing these!

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How wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing. My kids will love these!

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I love your merfish necklace, it's awesome. Thank you for the instruction, I will try to make it by myself. I like to craft a new types of jewels and to wear them afterwards. It will be good exhibit to my home collection!:)

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thank's for the wonderful tutorial of this beautiful mermaidlike fish : i made my own fish and blogged about it here: http://lheurebleue.blogspot.com/2010/10/zeemeervissen-2.html

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