Maile the Mermaid, her friends Leilani the Mermaid and Sugar the Seahorse are all knit completely in the round and then felted in your washing machine!
Two strands of wool, along with one strand of a novelty yarn like Crystal Palace Little Flowers are held together when knitting on US size 10 1/2 double-pointed needles for the mermaids. One strand of wool yarn and one strand of Little Flowers is held together when knitting the Seahorse on US size 8 double-pointed needles.
Changing the skin-tone, the fin color and the hair allows you to make your mermaids and your seahorses uniquely yours! There are so many wonderful color combinations!
Sugar the Seahorse requires one skein of 100% wool yarn (such as Ella Rae Classic) and one ball of novelty yarn. One strand of each is used throughout on US size 8 double-pointed needles. I highly recommend the use of Ella Rae Classic wool because it felts so beautifully, but as you need less than a skein of yarn to complete the seahorse, you may find something in your stash that would be suitable. For instance, I knit Sugar, as photographed above, with Cascade 220 in a light purple solid, such as 9541, which I had on hand. I held a strand of Crystal Palace Little Flowers in Blueberry Grape with it. Although a fair amount of stitch definition remains, he is still cute! I would also recommend Paton’s Classic Merino, which is quite easy to find at most local craft and hobby stores.
Remember: These will be your mermaids and seahorses. You can use any color combinations that you like! Maile’s fin was knit with Ella Rae Classic number 25 (aquamarine), but there are plenty of other aqua/teal greens that would also be beautiful. I used Crystal Palace Little Flowers in Seafoam. Maile’s Caucasian skin-tone is Ella Rae Classic 54.
Leilani’s fin was knit with Ella Rae Classic number 43, Magenta. I used Crystal Palace Little Flowers Strawberries and Limes. Leilani’s Island skin-tone is Ella Rae Classic number 11, Rose.