Every little girl at some point dreams of being a little mermaid. Let your little one’s imagination come to life with this cozy mermaid tail cocoon.
LOOM: Knitting loom: 28” with Extenders (168 pegs total) + 6 peg sliders (2).
YARN: Approx 2,000 yards of worsted weight wool blend. Knit Picks Chroma, 70% superwash wool, 30% nylon, 198 yds/100g (10 balls) in Lupine color was used in sample.
NOTIONS: Cable needle, knitting tool, row counter (optional), cable needle
GAUGE: 9 sts x 13 rnds = 2” in stockinette
SIZE: 48” L x 17 W cocoon; 26” tail length.
ABBREVIATIONS
Approx=approximately
k=knit stitch (note: the true knit stitch is recommended for this project with this type of yarn)
p=purl stitch
CO=Cast on
st(s)=stitch(es)
rnd(s)=round(s)
Rem=remain
st(s)=stitch(es)
cn=cable needle
Back Cross (BCP)=With the working yarn held to the front of the loom, slip 1 stitch to cn and hold towards the center of the loom (peg is now empty), knit the next peg then move this loop to the emptied peg, place the stitch from the cn on the empty peg then proceed to purl it.
Front Cross (FCP)=With the working yarn held to the center of the loom, slip 1 stitch to cn and hold towards the front of the loom between the pegs (peg is now empty), purl the next peg then move this loop to the emptied peg, place the peg from the cn on the empty peg, proceed to knit it.
Basic Hourglass Chart-multiple of 8 sts
INSTRUCTIONS
Set the knitting at 168 pegs, using the peg extenders.
Cast on 168 sts, prepare to work a flat panel.
Row 1, 3, 5, 7, 9: k to end of row.
Row 2, 4, 6, 8, 10: p to end of row.
Row 11: k8, [work Row 1 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern] 20x, k8.
Row 12: p8, [work Row 2 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern] 20x, p8
Row 13: k8, [work Row 3 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern] 20x, k8.
Row 14: p8, [work Row 4 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern] 20x, p8
Row 15: k8, [work Row 5 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern] 20x, k8.
Row 16: p8, [work Row 6 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern] 20x, p8.
Row 17: k8, [work Row 7 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern] 20x, k8.
Row 18: p8, [work Row 8 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern] 20x, p8.
Row 19: k8, [work Row 9 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern] 20x, k8.
Row 20: p8, [work Row 10 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern] 20x, p8.
Row 21: k8, [work Row 11 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern] 20x, k8.
Row 22: p8, [work Row 12 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern] 20x, p8.
Row 23: k8, [work Row 13 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern] 20x, k8.
Row 24: p8, [work Row 14 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern] 20x, p8.
Row 25: k8, [work Row 15 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern] 20x, k8.
Row 26: p8, [work Row 16 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern] 20x, p8.
Rep Row 11-Row 26: 4 more times.
From this point forward, you will be working in the round. Join to work in the round.
**Next Rnd: work Rnd 1 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern.
Next Rnd: work Rnd 2 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern.
Next Rnd: work Rnd 3 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern.
Next Rnd: work Rnd 4 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern.
Next Rnd: work Rnd 5 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern.
Next Rnd: work Rnd 6 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern.
Next Rnd: work Rnd 7 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern.
Next Rnd: work Rnd 8 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern.
Next Rnd: work Rnd 9 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern.
Next Rnd: work Rnd 10 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern.
Next Rnd: work Rnd 11 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern.
Next Rnd: work Rnd 12 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern.
Next Rnd: work Rnd 13 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern.
Next Rnd: work Rnd 14 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern.
Next Rnd: work Rnd 15 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern.
Next Rnd: work Rnd 16 of Basic Hourglass stitch pattern.**
Rep from ** to ** 12 more times.
Next 4 rnds: *k2, p2; rep from * to end.
Remove all the stitches off the knitting loom onto a piece of contrasting color yarn.
Adjust the knitting loom and set it to 84 pegs using the 6 peg sliders, instead of the extenders.
Place the stitches back on the knitting loom, placing two stitches per peg.
Next rnd: *k2tog, p2tog; rep from * to end. (84 sts).
Basic bind off.
Centering the vertical opening at the cast on edge (created by the first 130 rows), sew the bind off section flat using the mattress stitch.
Weave all ends in.
Fin
(Make 2)
Cast on 84 sts, prepare to work a flat panel
Row 1: k to end.
Row 2: p2tog, p to end.
Rep Row 1 and Row 2 until 20 sts remain.
Bind off with basic bind off method.
Mattress stitch together the two bind off edges.
Assembly
Centering the seam from the first 130 rows (where the opening is at the top of the cocoon), mattress stitch the straight edge of the tail around the cocoon, starting at the midpoint on the back of the tail and continuing to the front then around the back of the tail to the midpoint.
Have questions or comments, please feel free to contact Isela Phelps by leaving a comment below.
I want to say this looks amazing!! I am just having a trouble with the bcp and fcp. I don’t understand “slip stitch to cn” then how the beg becomes empty. Thank you for all your help.
You are removing the loop from the peg and putting it on a cable needle.
Need a video of this.
Is there any way this could be done on the super afghan loom? Just curious. Thank you.
Can you do this on the super afghan loom? I don’t have the 28″ knitting loom with extenders. Thank you.
Donna, the pattern starts off as a flat panel and then you have to knit it in the round. You could knit it all flat then seam it but as it is written, it was designed to be knitted in the round.
Thank you. After reading the pattern I think it would be easier if I just invested in the 28″ loom. I can always use a new one in my collection. I already have 7 different looms you all sell and I use them all. Keep making them and I will keep buying them!
I think this is amazing. I have just taken an interest in loom knitting and I am wondering if you can help me with two random questions.
1. Where can I find that casting tool that is used to cast on? what is it called?
2. Why do you skip pegs for some patterns and how do you decide which ones to skip?
Is there a video of how to do the hourglass stitch from left to right and then right to left? I am confused which part of the cross has the purl stitch. Thank you!