What you need...

• As Sebastian the crab would say: darlin’ it’s better, down where it’s wetter. Named after her gorgeously big hair, which is really easy to replicate, Violet is an ideal project for knitting beginners and makes a fabulous present for summer birthdays. Her tail, torso and head are made in one fell swoop, meaning less sewing up at the end! Don't forget to head to letsknit.co.uk for more summer patterns.

instructions

1. Tail Fin - Make two
   Using 4.5mm needles and Sparkly Blue cast on one st
   Row 1: kfb. Two sts
   Row 2: kfb, k1. Three sts
   Rows 3-4: kfb, k to end. Five sts
   Rows 5-13: k
   Rows 14-15: k to last two sts, k2tog. Three sts
   Cut yarn, place three sts on st holder

2. Body - Using 4.5mm needles and Sparkly Blue pick up six sts from Row 15 of Tail Fins
   Row 1: k2, k2tog, k to end. Five sts
   Row 2: skpo, k1, k2tog. Three sts
   Rows 3-4: cast on two sts, k to end. Seven sts
   Row 5: k1, kfb, k2, kfb, k to end. Nine sts
   Rows 6-7: k
   Row 8: k1, kfb, k4, kfb, k to end. 11 sts
   Rows 9-11: k
   Row 12: k1, kfb, k6, kfb, k to end. 13 sts
   Rows 13-16: k
   Row 17: k1, kfb, k8, kfb, k to end. 15 sts
   Rows 18-22: k
   Row 23: k1, kfb, k10, kfb, k to end. 17 sts
   Change to Dark Pink
   Row 24 (torso): k
   Row 25: (k1, kfb) to last st, k1. 25 sts
   Rows 26-33: starting with a k row work in st st
   Row 34: (k1, k2tog) to last st, k1. 17 sts
   Row 35: k
   Change to Pale Pink
   Row 36 (head): (k1, k2tog) to last two sts, k to end. 12 sts
   Row 37 and every odd-numbered row: p
   Row 38: (kfb, k1) to end. 18 sts
   Row 40: (kfb, k2) to end. 24 sts
   Rows 41-47: starting with a p row work in st st
   Row 48: (k1, k2tog) to end. 16 sts
   Row 49: p
   Row 50: (k2tog) to end. Eight sts
   Cut yarn leaving a long tail, thread tail onto tapestry needle and thread through rem sts, fasten off

3. Arm - Make two
   Using 4.5mm needles and Pale Pink cast on eight sts
   Rows 1-12: starting with a k row work in st st
   Cut yarn leaving a long tail, thread tail onto tapestry needle and thread through rem sts, fasten off

4. To Make Up - Sew seam along back of mermaid starting at top of head and working down to bottom of tail, stuffing as you go. Sew seam along Arms, stuffing as you go. Attach Arms to sides of Body. Weave in all ends. Using a tapestry needle, embroider mouth with Dark Pink and eyes with Violet. To make hair, cut 40cm lengths of Violet. Fold length of yarn in half and use crochet hook to pull yarn through sts on top of head. Pull ends of yarn through the loop created. Rep over front and top of head. Trim yarn to desired hair length