Free Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Meowmaid
PUBLISHED ON JANUARY 22, 2021 © ALANNA O'DEA
Do you love cats? How about mermaids? If you can't quite decide which one you love more, then this pattern is especially for you! This cute little Meowmaid was designed with my beautiful little niece in mind...who definitely love both equally!! Keep yours as a miniature teddy (my niece uses hers as a 'teddy for her teddy') or add a keychain and attach her to your handbag, school bag, nappy bag - any bag! A great project to use up your some of your smaller scrap yarn, this meowmaid is so versatile and fun to make...you'll be making her again and again!
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Enjoy a simple and free online version of the pattern, or get an INEXPENSIVE PDF of this pattern HERE! This beautifully formatted PDF includes step-by-step photos to guide you through the process of making your very own sweet little Meowmaid.
Pin it now, make it later!
© 2024 Theodore And Rose - Alanna O'Dea. All rights reserved. This pattern is for PERSONAL USE ONLY! No part of this pattern may be published, resold, reproduced (in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, recording or otherwise), shared, translated or altered without prior permission in writing from the author. You cannot form or sell kits for my patterns without my written permission.
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You are permitted to sell the finished items made from my patterns, on the condition that they are handmade by yourself and you credit Alanna O'Dea (Theodore And Rose) as the designer.
All Theodore And Rose toys are original designs. I dedicate considerable effort to creating these crochet designs, writing patterns, capturing photographs, and providing friendly customer service.
Please honour my hard work by crediting me whenever you share items made using my patterns.
Thank you.
Amigurumi Crochet Pattern Notes
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Skill Level: Advanced beginner.
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Written in English using US crochet terms.
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Read the entire pattern before you start.
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Be sure to check out my TIPS & TUTORIALS page for helpful tips and techniques on essentials like the magic ring, invisible decrease, two ways to single crochet, how to determine the right and wrong side of your work and more, all invaluable aids for crocheting this pattern.
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When working amigurumi parts (head and ears), work stitches in a continuous spiral, without closing the round off with a slip stitch (slst) unless otherwise instructed.
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Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round, moving it up as you work. This helps to keep track of the round and when counting your stitches to compare it to the pattern.
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I use the 'X' single crochet method for amigurumi parts as opposed to the traditional 'V' stitch method. This results in a tighter fabric and the finished toy ends up smaller than when using the traditional method. If you need further information on he difference between the two ways to make a single crochet, you can read more about it HERE.
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To prevent the fabric from showing large stretch holes when stuffed, choose a smaller hook size than that recommended on the ball sleeve of your yarn.
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Stuff firmly unless instructed otherwise. Insert small amounts at a time until you get the right look. Stuffing your toy can be tricky, but it is a very important step in achieving the right shape and look for your toy: overstuffing might stretch the fabric too far and show gaps, and understuffing will give your toy a deflated look. Take your time with this step, shaping as you go.
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To help you when sewing pieces together, first pin them into place and check that you are happy with the positioning.
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Always leave long enough yarn ends where instructed so that they can be used for sewing later.
Gauge and Finished Size
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Gauge: 5 rounds = 3cm (1.18") across (Note: crochet the first 5 rounds of the head to use as a gauge swatch).
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Finished Size: Approximately 9cm (3.54") from top to tail.
Suggested Crochet Tools and Materials​
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Hook: 2mm (US B/1)
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Yarn: 4ply (fingering cotton)
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Black embroidery cotton for the eyes and nose
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Toy stuffing
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Stitch marker
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Embroidery scissors
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Yarn needle
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Glass-headed pins
Crochet Abbreviations (US Terminology)
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[...] 'X' times = work instructions within brackets, as a sequence, as many times as directed
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BLO = back loop only
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ch = chain (yarn over, pull through)
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dec = single crochet invisible decrease (Insert hook into front loop only of next two stitches, yarn over, pull through, you will have two loops on the hook. yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook)
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FLO = front loop only
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inc = single crochet increase (Make two complete single crochets (sc) into the same stitch)
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Rnd = round
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sc = single crochet (Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have two loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through remaining two loops). Note: I use the 'X' single crochet method for amigurumi parts - click HERE to learn more.
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sk = skip
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slst = slip stitch (Insert hook, yarn over, pull through both stitch and loop on hook).
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turn = turn your work so you can work the next row.
Let's Get Making!!
Head
Using colour 'A', make a magic ring (View tutorial on magic ring HERE)
Rnd 1: ch1, sc 6 into magic ring. Pull the ring closed. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: sc inc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [sc in next st, sc inc in next st] 6 times (18 sts)
Rnd 4: [sc in next 2 sts, sc inc in next st] 6 times (24 sts)
Rnd 5: [sc in next 3 sts, sc inc in next st] 6 times (30 sts)
Rnd 6: sc in next 2 sts, sc inc in next st, [sc in next 4 sts, sc inc in next st] 5 times, sc in next 2 sts (36 sts)
Rnd 7-12: sc in each st around (36 sts) (6 Rnds)
Rnd 13: sc in next 2 sts, dec, [sc in next 4 sts, dec] 5 times, sc in next 2 sts (30 sts)
Rnd 14: [sc in next 3 sts, dec] 6 times (24 sts)
Rnd 15: [sc in next 2 sts, dec] 6 times (18 sts)
Stuff the head with fiberfill. Take your time with this step, shaping as you go.
Rnd 16: [sc in next st, dec] 6 times (12 sts)
Rnd 17: Work all sts in this round in BLO: [dec] 6 times (6 sts)
Fasten off. Weave the yarn tail through the FLO of Rnd 17 & pull firmly to close off the head. Weave in the yarn tail. You can find a tutorial on how to close your stitches HERE.
Ears (make 2)
Using colour 'A', make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: ch1, sc 3 into magic ring. Pull the ring closed. (3 sts)
Rnd 2: sc inc in each st around (6 sts)
Rnd 3: [sc in next st, sc inc in next st] 3 times (9 sts)
Rnd 4: sc in each st around (9 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing the ear to the head.
Flower
Using colour 'D', make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: ch1, sc 6 into magic ring. Pull the ring closed. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: [ch 5, work a slst into next st] 6 times (6 petals)
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing the flower to the head. Weave in starting yarn tail only.
Seaweed
Using colour 'E', ch 20.
Row 1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, work 1 slst into next 9 ch, ch 7, starting in 2nd ch from hook, work 1 slst in next 6 ch. Next, work 1 slst into the remaining 10 ch on the starting foundation ch.
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing the seaweed to the head. Weave in starting yarn tail only.
Assemble The Head
Step 1: Position the ears centered on the head over Rnds 4 & 8. Sew into place with the yarn tails. Note: secure the yarn tails at the base of the head (within the bounds of Rnd 17) where the body will later hide it.
Step 2: Use a fine thread of black embroidery yarn to embroider on the eyes using a series of long stitch.
Note: the top of the eye sits between Rnds 9 & 10.
Step 3: Using the yarn tail, sew the seaweed to the head, positioning it close to the ear.
Step 4: Using the yarn tail, sew the flower into place on top of the seaweed.
Body
Join colour 'A' to BLO stitches (Rnd 17) of head.
Rnd 1: sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnd 2: sc inc in each st around (24 sts)
Rnd 3: [sc in next 3 sts, sc inc in next st] 6 times (30 sts)
Rnd 4: sc in each st around. Make a colour change to colour ‘B’ with last st of round (30 sts) Tutorial: "Changing Colours in The Round"
Rnd 5: Work all sts in this round in BLO: sc in each st around (30 sts)
Rnd 6: sc in each st around (30 sts)
Rnd 7: sc in next 2 sts, sc inc in next st, [sc in next 4 sts, sc inc in next st] 5 times, sc in next 2 sts (36 sts)
Rnd 8: sc in each st around (36 sts)
Rnd 9: sc in next 2 sts, dec, [sc in next 4 sts, dec] 5 times, sc in next 2 sts (30 sts)
Rnd 10: [sc in next 3 sts, dec] 6 times (24 sts)
Rnd 11: [sc in next 2 sts, dec] 6 times (18 sts)
Rnd 12: [sc in next st, dec] 6 times (12 sts)
Stuff the body with fiberfill. Take your time with this step, shaping as you go.
Rnd 13: [sc in next 2 sts, dec] 3 times (9 sts)
Rnd 14: [sc in next st, dec] 3 times (6 sts)
Rnd 15: [dec] 3 times (3 sts)
Fasten off. Weave the yarn tail through the FLO of Rnd 15 & pull firmly to close off the body. Weave in the yarn tail.
Fins (make 2)
Using colour 'C', make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: ch 1, sc 3 into magic ring. Pull the ring closed. (3 sts)
Rnd 2: sc inc in each st around (6 sts)
Rnd 3: [sc in next st, sc inc in next st] 3 times (9 sts)
Rnd 4: [sc in next 2 sts, sc inc in next st] 3 times (12 sts)
Rnd 5: [dec] 6 times (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing the fins to the body. Weave the yarn tail through the FLO of Rnd 5 & pull firmly to close off the fin.
Ruffle
Join colour 'C' to BLO stitches (Rnd 5) of the body.
Rnd 1: [ch 4, sk next st, slst into next st] 15 times
Fasten off. Weave in yarn tails.
Arms (make 2)
Using colour 'A', ch 6.
Row 1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, work 1 sc into next 5 ch, turn (5 sts)
Row 2: ch 1, starting in 2nd ch from hook, work 1 sc into next 5 ch (5 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing the arms to the body. Weave in starting yarn tail only. Fold your crocheted piece in half lengthways & sew sides together with the finishing yarn tail.
Notes On Body & Assembly
Step 1: Using colour 'C', embroider detail on to the tail part of the body by making a series of straight stitches.
Step 2: Using the yarn tails, attach the fins securely to the bottom of the body.
Step 3: Using the yarn tails, sew the arms on to the body.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Your Meowmaid is finished.
Like to Feature on Our Socials?
I hope you enjoy making this cutie just as much as I enjoyed creating her for you!
I would love to see your finished makes. If you would like to, please tag your photos with @theodoreandrose or #theodoreandrose on Instagram and Facebook.
Where to find me:
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Thank you for stopping by and for your support! Happy crocheting!
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