It’s possible that a mermaid tail chapstick holder is a bit of a stretch for Mother’s Day gifts, but, as a mother myself, I can tell you, I am always losing my chapstick. I don’t think I have ever, in my lifetime, finished a chapstick from start to finish. In fact, I’m pretty convinced that there is a secret safe haven where chapsticks run to hide from dry lips, and they are just living it up in all their half used glory. Maybe they’re canoodling with single socks!
So I came up with a solution, because I am also I mommy who loves all things under the sea!
Materials:
Worsted weight yarn in the magical mermaid color of your choice.
Hook size E-3.5mm
Plastic lobster clasp hook (Clickable)
Yarn needle for weaving in ends.
Terms and abbreviations to know:
ch, chs – chain, chains
st, sts – stitch, stitches
rnd, rnds – round, rounds
sl st – slip stitch
hdc – half double crochet
hdc2tog – half double crochet 2 together, decrease with hdc
- Yarn over.
- Insert hook into next st.
- Do NOT yarn over again. Insert hook into next st.
- Yarn over, and pull through 2 loops.
- Yarn over, and pull through all 3 loops.
sc – single crochet
inc – 2 single crochet into 1 st
BLO – back loop only
FLO – front loop only
Notes: This pattern begins at the fin, working in rows, but is worked all in one piece. When working the decreases in the first part, be sure you are either in the FLO or BLO of the designated sts, depending on the row you’re working. They are not worked through both loops of the st. When working in rnds, the rnds are worked continuously, without joining. If working with a slightly thinner yarn, you may need more rnds. The sts should still stretch to accommodate the ChapStick, but you want the tube portion of the holder to measure approximately 2.5 inches. If you’d like an ad-free PDF copy, click on the pattern title below for the Ravelry listing, for a small fee.
All text and images are owned by Erin Greene of ekayg, copyright ©2017. Images may not be used by anyone else without express written permission. If used, the ekayg watermark must be visible. Pattern credit must be linked back to ekayg. Finished products made from this pattern may be used for sale.
Mermaid Tail ChapStick Holder
Row 1: hdc in 3rd ch from the hook and next 2 chs, sl st in last 3 chs; 6 sts
Row 2: ch 1 and turn, BLO sl st in next 3 sts, hdc in next st, hdc2tog; 5 sts
Row 3: ch 1 and turn, BLO, hdc2tog, sl st in next 3 ts; 4 sts
Row 4: ch 1 and turn, BLO, sc in each st across; 4 sts
Row 5: ch 1 and turn, BLO, 2 hdc in next st, sl st in next 3 sts; 5 sts
Row 6: ch 1 and turn, BLO, sl st in next 3 sts, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st; 6 sts
Row 7: ch 2 and turn, BLO, hdc in next 3 sts, sl st in next 3 sts; 6 sts
Ch 1, but do NOT turn. Work 3 sc across the flat ends of the rows.
The pattern will switch here to working in rnds.
Rnd 1: turn and sc 3 across in FLO, then turn and sc 3 across in the unworked loops behind, do not join; 6 sts
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After completing the fin, do not turn. Work 3 sc evenly across the flat portion.
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Ch 1, then turn. To make the first rnd, you will be working around both sides of these 3 sts.
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Turn and work in FLO next 3 sts.
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Then turn again, and work through the unworked loops behind the 3 just worked.
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Completed rnd 1. Now continue without joining.
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Rnd 3-11: BLO, sc in each st around; 12 sts
Cut yarn. To attach clip, ch 1, put the clip on the back of the hook and slide it forward, pulling the hook and yarn through clip. Ch 1 and sl st into next st to end. Weave in ends.
For some finishing touches while weaving in ends, see the final picture.
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Cut yarn, so that you can attach your clip.
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Ch 1, then slide clip onto the back of your hook. Then, with hook, pull your loop and yarn end through the clip.
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Ch 1 again, then attach to next st with sl st and fasten off.
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To tighten up the section between the fin, and make a bit thinner, weave your loose end through and around that section.
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Just made one, it came out awesome, it’s for my secret santa gift. I will be making them for my nieces for Christmas. Thank you
Sorry, I am just now seeing your comment! I’m so glad you enjoyed that pattern! Thank you 🙂
Hey I love the mermaid tail chapstick holder. Going to make for my nieces! But I must ask, where did you get that purse?
Thank you!! It is one of my favorite accessories. 🙂
I got that purse at a JC Penney’s Mother’s Day sale a few years back. It’s my favorite! The aqua part is actually a butterfly!
I love this, but I’m not following 🙁 Do you think you could make a YouTube tutorial maybe?
Whitney, I am still working on my video quality. I’m not very good at recording myself yet. 🙂 But I’d love to create one eventually! Is there a part of the pattern this is particularly confusing to you?
My mom helped me figure it out! I’m a beginner lol. I posted a pic! Thanks so much for the great project and pattern!
After I crochet across o just can’t figure out how to crochet in the round. Have tried and tried and it doesn’t come out right please help!!!!!!
Hi! No worries. If you look at the first set of pictures, they should help. In order to start working in the rnd, your first rnd is going to be using first the front loops, and then the unworked loops behind them (where the arrows are pointing in picture 4), of that single row you worked across the top of the fin. I don’t really know any other way to explain it, but let me know if this doesn’t help, and I will try another way. 🙂 I hope this helps!
Thank you for the pattern! My yarn and I were KNOT getting along this afternoon and your mermaid chapstick holder was just the thing I needed. Quick and easy something different from the other things I was failing at doing.
You’re welcome! I know what you mean. Sometimes I need something quick and fun to break up the more difficult tasks. I’m glad this design could serve that purpose for you!!