Materials2(3:4) x 200g balls of DY Choice Alchemy shade 07 Elixir.1 pair of 6mm KnitPro Nova knittingneedles.1 x 6.5mm KnitPro Nova circular needle 60cm long.1 x 7mm KnitPro Nova circular needle 60cm long.Stitch holders.Stitch markers.

Note: The yarn amounts are based onaverage requirements for the specifiedtension and yarn.

SizesTo fit approximately: 5-8 years(age 9 to small adult:large adult). Full length (approximately – up to end of Fish Scale Pattern 4) 109.5(116:132.5)cm, 43(45¾:52)in. The Mermaid tail is easily adjusted for length by working more repeats of the stitch pattern.There is a choice of 10 fabulous Alchemy colours all of which are suitable for aMermaid tail.

Tension13 sts and 18 rows to 10cm (4in) square over fish scale pattern on 6.5mm needles and 12.5 sts and 17 rows to 10cm (4in) square over fish scale pattern on 7mm needles

It is essential to work to the correct tension. If there are less stitches, use a thinner needle, if there are more stitches, use a thicker needle.

Abbreviationsalt alternatebeg beginningcm centimetrescont continuedec decrease(ing)foll followinggrm grammesin inch(es)inc increase(ing)k knitm1 Make a stitch by picking up horizontal loop lying before next stitch and working into the back of it.mm millimetres0 no stitches or timesp purlpatt patternPM place markerpsso pass slipped stitch overrem remain(ing)rep repeatrnd(s) round(s)RS right sides1 slip 1 stitch knitwaysst(s) stitch(es)tog togetherWS wrong side

Part 4 - Full Pattern

Part 1 - Tain FinLeft fin front sectionUsing 6mm needles cast on 28[33:38] sts.Row 1 (RS): K3[0:1], *p2, k3, rep from * to last 0[3:2] sts, p0[2:2], k0[1:0].Row 2: P0[1:0], k0[2:2], *p3, k2, rep from * to last 3[0:1] sts, p3[0:1].These 2 rows form rib.Work 4 rows more in rib. Keeping rib correct work as follows:-Next row: Patt2tog, patt to last st, m1,patt 1. Work 3 rows straight. Rep last 4 rows 2[4:5] times more, taking incs into rib patt. Then rep last 3 rows once, ending with a RS row. Leave these sts on a stitch holder.

Right fin front sectionUsing 6mm needles cast on 28[33:38] sts.Row 1 (RS): K0[1:0], p0[2:2], k3, *p2, k3, rep from * to last 0[2:3] sts, p0[2:2], k0[0:1].Row 2: P0[0:1], k0[2:2], *p3, k2, rep from * to last 3[1:0] sts, p3[1:0].These 2 rows form rib.Work 4 rows more in rib. Keeping rib correct work as follows:-Next row: Patt 1, m1, patt to last 2 sts, patt2tog. Work 3 rows straight. Rep last 4 rows 2[4:5] times more, taking incs into rib patt. Then rep last 3 rows once, ending with a RS row.

Joining front fin sectionsNext row (WS): Rib 28[33:38], with ws facing, rib across 28[33:38] sts left on a stitch holder for left fin front section. 56[66:76] sts.Next row (RS): Rib 27[32:37], k2tog, rib to end. 55[65:75] sts.** Next row: Rib.Cont in rib dec 1 st at each end of next and every foll 4th row to 47[57:67] sts.Cont straight in rib until fin measures 20[23:26]cm, (8[9:10¼]in), from cast-onedge, ending with a WS row. **

Leave these sts on a stitch holder.

Right fin back sectionWork exactly as given for Left Front Fin Section.

Left fin back sectionWork exactly as given for Right Front Fin Section.

Joining back fin sectionsNext row (WS): Rib 28[33:38], with ws facing, rib across 28[33:38] sts left on a stitch holder for right fin front section. 56[66:76] sts.Next row (RS): Rib 27[32:37], k2tog (place a coloured marker on last st to denote centre back), rib to end. 55[65:75] sts.Complete from ** to ** as given for joining front fin sections .

Joining front and back tail fins Next row: Using 6.5mm circular needle, k7, (k3, k2tog) 7[9:11] times, k5, with RS facing, work across 47[57:67] sts left on a stitch holder for front fin as follows:- k5, (k2tog, k3) 7[9:11] times, k7. 80[96:112] sts.Place a marker between first and last st to indicate beg and end of round, now work in rounds as follows:-

Part 2It is recommended that stitch markers are placed after each 8 st pattern repeat as indicated in the instructions. The markers are left in place throughout. On all subsequent rounds the markers are simply slipped over to the right hand needle.

Fish Scale Pattern 1 (8 st rep).Rnd 1 and every foll alt rnd: Knit. Rnd 2: *K1, m1, s1, k1, psso, k3, k2tog, m1, PM, rep from * to end of round. Rnd 4: *K1, m1, k1, s1, k1, psso, k1, k2tog, k1, m1, rep from * to end of round. Rnd 6: *K1, m1, k2, s1, k2tog, psso, k2, m1, rep from * to end of round.

These 6 rnds form fish scale patt 1.

Rep last 6 rnds 2[2:3] times more.Change to 7mm needles and rep fish scale patt 1, 3[4:5] times more.Next rnd: *K1, m1, k7, m1, rep from * to end of round. 100[120:140] sts.

Fish Scale Pattern 2 (10 st rep).Rnd 1 and every foll alt rnd: Knit. Rnd 2: *K1, m1, s1, k1, psso, k5, k2tog, m1, rep from * to end of round. Rnd 4: *K1, m1, k1, s1, k1, psso, k3, k2tog, k1, m1, rep from * to end of round. Rnd 6: *K1, m1, k2, s1, k1, psso, k1, k2tog, k2, m1, rep from * to end of round. Rnd 8: *K1, m1, k3, s1, k2tog, psso, k3, m1, rep from * to end of round. These 8 rnds form fish scale patt 2.Rep last 8 rnds 4 times more. Next rnd: *K1, m1, k9, m1, rep from * to end of round. 120[144:168] sts.Work as follows for Part 3:-

Part 3Fish Scale Pattern 3 (12 st rep).Rnd 1 and every foll alt rnd: Knit. Rnd 2: *K1, m1, s1, k1, psso, k4, k2tog, k3, m1, rep from * to end of round. Rnd 4: *K1, m1, k1, s1, k1, psso, k2, k2tog, k4, m1, rep to from * end of round. Rnd 6: *K1, m1, k2, s1, k1, psso, k2tog, k5, m1, rep from * to end of round. Rnd 8: *K1, m1, k3, s1, k1, psso, k4, k2tog, m1, rep from * to end of round. Rnd 10: *K1, m1, k4, s1, k1, psso, k2, k2tog, k1, m1, rep from * to end of round. Rnd 12: *K1, m1, k5, s1, k1, psso, k2tog, k2, m1, rep from * to end of round. These 12 rnds form fish scale patt 3.Rep last 12 rnds once more.Divide For Centre Back OpeningNext row: K30[36:42], turn.Now work in rows as follows:- Next row (WS): Inc in 1st st, purl to last st, inc in last st 122[146:170] sts.For 1st and 3rd sizes onlyNext row: Inc in 1st st, k5, m1, k1, *k2, m1, k9, m1, k1, rep from * to last 7 sts, k2, m1, k4, inc in last st. 144[200] sts.For 2nd size onlyNext row: Inc in 1st st, m1, k1, *k2, m1, k9, m1, k1, rep from * to end. [172] sts.

For all 3 sizesWork as follows for Part 4:-

Part 4Fish Scale Pattern 4 (14 st rep with 2 stitch garter border at each end).Row 1 and every foll alt row: K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2. Row 2 (RS): K3, k2tog, k3, m1, k1, *k2, m1, s1, k1, psso, k4, k2tog, k3, m1, k1, rep from * to last 9 sts, k2, m1, s1, k1,psso, k5.Row 4: K2, k2tog, k4, m1, k1,*k2, m1, k1, s1, k1, psso, k2, k2tog, k4, m1, k1, rep from * to last 9 sts, k2, m1, k1, s1, k1, psso, k4. Row 6: K9, *k2, m1, k2, s1, k1, psso, k2tog, k5, m1, k1, rep from * to last 9 sts, k2, m1, k2, s1, k1, psso, k3. Row 8: K6, k2tog, m1, k1, *k2, m1, k3, s1, k1, psso, k4, k2tog, m1, k1, rep from * to last 9 sts, k2, m1, k3, s1, k1, psso, k2. Row 10: K5, k2tog, k1, m1, k1, *k2, m1, k4, s1, k1, psso, k2, k2tog, k1, m1, k1, rep from * to last 9 sts, k9.Row 12: K4, k2tog, k2, m1, k1, *k2, m1, k5, s1, k1, psso, k2tog, k2, m1, k1, rep from * to last 9 sts, k9.These 12 rows form fish scale pattern 4.Rep last 12 rows 3[3:4] times more. Next row: K2, (m1) 1[0:1] times, purl to last 2 sts, (m1) 1[0:1] times, k2.146[172:202] sts.Next row (RS): K2 [5:5], *p2, k3, rep from * to last 4[7:7] sts, p2, k2[5:5].Next row: K2, p0[3:3], k2, *p3, k2, rep from * to last 2[5:5] sts, p0[3:3], k2.Last 2 rows form rib.Cont in rib until reaching desired length or until 2[3:4] balls of yarn have been used, leaving enough yarn to cast off with, ending with a WS row. Cast off in rib.

FinishingJoin tail fin seams. Block lightly if required. Refer to yarn label for care instructions.

Designer Yarns Ltd, unit 8-10 Newbridge Industrial Estate, Pitt Street, Keighley, West Yorkshire. BD21 4PQ

Email: enquiries@designeryarns.uk.com Web: www.designeryarns.uk.com Tel: +44 (0) 1535 664222

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