Fantasy Crochet Creatures Review with crochet mermaid pattern

I’m sharing a review of a crochet pattern book filled with mythical plushies made with super bulky yarn. I’m also including an excerpted crochet mermaid pattern and a giveaway with the chance to win my review copy, so read on for details.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Page Street Publishing Co. provided me with a free review copy of Fantasy Crochet Creatures: 28 Easy Patterns for Chonky Friends from Distant Realms (available from independent booksellers and on Amazon) by Kensey Davis. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.

Book Review: Fantasy Crochet Creatures

Fantasy Crochet Creatures: 28 Easy Patterns for Chonky Friends from Distant Realms (available from independent booksellers and on Amazon) by Kensey Davis of Atomic Crochet is a collection of crochet patterns for mythical creature plushies. The book opens with an Introduction where Kensey shares two of her favorite parts of the book: the Build-a-Beast section that includes interchangeable elements so you can design your own creatures by mixing and matching, and the Mythical Mamas section which includes more advanced patterns for mama, egg, and baby that fit together.

In Materials for Creating Chonky Creatures, Kensey shares that all patterns in the book are made using Premier Yarns Parfait Chunky, a 100% polyester super bulky (#6/super bulky) weight yarn. (Parfait Chunky is available at Herrschners | Mary Maxim | Amazon.) Kensey also discusses other tools like hooks, stitch markers, scissors, stuffing, safety eyes, pins, and yarn needles. Kensey includes four recommendations for shops that sell hand-painted kawaii-style safety eyes including KaileynsKrafts and TheSaltyCrochetHook.

In Pattern Notes, Kensey shares a general set of notes for making the patterns in the book successfully, including that the patterns are crocheted in the round unless otherwise mentioned, explaining the use of brackets and parentheses, discussing the flow (order) of the pattern pieces, explaining gauge/tension, and including a list of US crochet abbreviations along with a key to converting US terms to UK terms. Pattern Skill Levels explains that the book includes Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced patterns and describes each skill level.

Terrific Techniques includes written instructions with step-by-step photos for colors changes (for both standard stitches and bobbles), crocheting pieces together, stuffing and shaping, and special stitches (mini bobble, bulky bobble, four treble bobble, and half double crochet slip stitch). There is also a QR code to bring you to video tutorials for special stitches used in the book.

The book then moves into the pattern sections, which are organized into Fabled Flyers (5 patterns for winged creatures), Storied Scales (6 patterns for water creatures), Fantastical Furry Friends (4 patterns for furry creatures), Enchanted Forest Dwellers (4 patterns for creatures that live in the forest), Build-a-Beast (7 customized creatures made with interchangeable parts), and Mythical Mamas (2 mama, baby, and egg combos). Each pattern includes an introduction; the skill level; finished measurements; gauge; requirements for yarn (including the color in Parfait Chunky along with a descriptor of that color so you can easily substitute and get a similar look), hook, and safety eyes; a list of abbreviations; and written instructions. Each pattern includes at least one full-page photo along with photos of details or side views. Some patterns include photo tutorials for special stitches and techniques and others include QR codes to access video tutorials. As far as pattern difficulty, there are 12 Beginner, 10 Intermediate, and 6 Advanced patterns, which are distributed throughout the book as follows:

• Fabled Flyers (2 Beginner, 3 Intermediate),
• Storied Scales (2 Beginner, 2 Intermediate, 2 Advanced),
• Fantastical Furry Friends (3 Beginner, 1 Intermediate),
• Enchanted Forest Dwellers (2 Beginner, 2 Intermediate),
• Build-a-Beast (3 Beginner, 2 Intermediate, 2 Advanced), and
• Mythical Mamas (2 Advanced).

The Build-a-Beast section is very fun. Includes 7 patterns that mix-and-match elements from earlier patterns in the book, and it helps readers see the thousands of possibilities for combinations through an illustrated Customizable Creature Legend including starting with a Round Sitting, Aquatic, or Standing body style, and then selecting from 5 options for arms, 8 options for legs, 8 options for tails, 7 options for ears, 5 options for fins, 4 options for wings, 11 options for miscellaneous parts, and 7 options for accessories. The book ends with Acknowledgements, About This Book, and an Index.

Fantasy Crochet Creatures: 28 Easy Patterns for Chonky Friends from Distant Realms (available from independent booksellers and on Amazon) by Kensey Davis is a fun collection of adorable plushies for atypical and mystical creatures. By using the same yarn throughout, it’s easy to understand the relative sizes of each project in the book. The Build-a-Beast section helps motivated crocheters branch out into custom combinations by making the different sections of each creature clearer. Because the patterns use simple stitches and relatively thick yarn, they are designed for near-instant gratification. As with all pattern books, you’ll get more enjoyment if it includes patterns you’d like to make. You can see all the included projects from this book in this Instagram Reel. As with all paperback books, you’ll find it challenging to crochet and read along at the same time. If you love crocheting plushies and enjoy experimenting with different combinations, Fantasy Crochet Creatures: 28 Easy Patterns for Chonky Friends from Distant Realms (available from independent booksellers and on Amazon) could be the right book for you!

Keep reading for the excerpted crochet mermaid pattern for Malissa the Mermaid and your chance to win my review copy!

Malissa the Mermaid

Crochet Mermaid Pattern by Kensey Davis/Atomic Crochet

Reprinted from Fantasy Crochet Creatures: 28 Easy Patterns for Chonky Friends from Distant Realms (available from independent booksellers and on Amazon) by Kensey Davis with permission from Page Street Publishing Co. © Kensey Davis 2025. Photo credit: Christopher and Kensey Davis.

Malissa the Mermaid just wants to show you all that the ocean beholds. She enjoys splashing with her sea friends, especially Katy the Kraken, and eating her favorite food: cotton candy!

Skill Level

• Intermediate

Finished Size

• Approximately 10½ inches (26 cm) tall, 4¼ inches (10.5 cm) wide, and 3 inches (8 cm) deep

Gauge

• 14 sc x 13 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm)

Yarn

• Premier Yarns Parfait Chunky, #6 Super Bulky, 100% polyester, 3.5 oz/100 g, 131 yds/120 m
• Parfait Chunky is available at Herrschners | Mary Maxim | Amazon
  • MC (skin color): Shell, 20 yds/18 m
  • C1 (light blue): Turquoise, 22 yds/20 m
  • C2 (light green): Seaglass, 7 yds/6 m
  • C3 (blue): Light blue, 29 yds/26 m

Hooks & Notions

• Hook: 4.25 mm (G)
• Eyes: 18 mm safety eyes

Abbreviations

• BLO: back loop only
• C#: contrast color #, i.e., 1, 2, 3
• CC: color change
• CH/CHS: chain/chains
• DC: double crochet
• DEC: decrease
• FLO: front loop only
• FO: finish off
• HDC: half double crochet
• INC: increase
• MC: main body color
• MR: magic ring
• SC: single crochet
• SL ST: slip stitch
• SOS: side of stitch
• ST / STS: stitch/stitches
• TR: treble stitch

Malissa the Mermaid Pattern

Arms (make 2)

• Use MC (skin color) and a 4.25 mm (G) hook.
• Round 1: 6 sc in a MR [6].
• Round 2: (2 sc, inc) x 2 [8].
• Rounds 3–5: sc in each st [8], 3 rounds total.
• Lightly stuff.
• Round 6: fold flat and 4 sc closed [4].
• FO and leave a 12-inch (30-cm) tail for sewing.

Hair Buns (make 2)

• Use C3 (blue) and a 4.25 mm (G) hook.
• Round 1: 8 sc in a MR [8].
• Round 2: (3 sc, inc) x 2 [10].
• Rounds 3–4: sc in each st [10], 2 rounds total.
• Round 5: (dec, 3 sc, dec, 3 sc, ch 15, starting in the second ch from hook, 3 sc inc) x 8, 6 sc [38].
• FO and leave a 12-inch (30-cm) tail for sewing.

Tail Fin

• Use C2 (light green) and a 4.25 mm (G) hook.
• Round 1: ch 8, starting in the second ch from hook 7 sc, ch 1 and turn [7].
• Round 2: dec, 3 sc, dec, ch 1 and turn [5].
• Round 3: dec, sc, dec, ch 1 and turn [3].
• Round 4: dec, sc, ch 1 and turn [2].
• Round 5: inc, sc, ch 1 and turn [3].
• Round 6: inc, sc, inc, ch 1 and turn [5].
• Round 7: inc, 3 sc, inc, ch 1 and turn [7].
• Round 8: sc in each st, ch 1 and turn [7].
• Round 9: 6 sc, inc in the point, (ch 3, starting in the second ch from hook, sc, hdc), continuing the tail piece in the SOS, 9 sc, (ch 3, starting in the second ch from hook, sc, hdc), sc in the same st one more time, 6 sc, inc in the corner [30].
• FO and leave a 12-inch (30-cm) tail for sewing.

Hair Cap

• Use C3 (blue) and a 4.25 mm (G) hook.
• Round 1: 8 sc in a MR [8].
• Round 2: (sc, inc) x 4 [12].
• Round 3: (sc, inc) x 6 [18].
• Round 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 [24].
• Round 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 [30].
• Round 6: (14 sc, inc) x 2 [32].
• Rounds 7–9: sc in each st [32], 3 rounds total.
• Round 10: 10 sc, 2 hdc, 2 dc, 2 sl st, 3 dc, 3 hdc, 2 sc, ch 26, starting in the second ch from hook 25 sl st back to the hair cap, sc, ch 26, starting in the second ch from hook, 25 sl st back to the hair cap, 7 sc [32].
• FO and leave a 12-inch (30-cm) tail for sewing.

Head & Body

• Begin by using C1 (light blue) and a 4.25 mm (G) hook.
• Round 1: 8 sc in a MR [8].
• Round 2: (sc, inc) x 4 [12].
• Round 3: sc in each st [12].
• Round 4: (sc, inc) x 6 [18].
• Round 5: sc in each st [18].
• Round 6: (2 sc, inc) x 6 [24].
• Round 7: sc in each st [24].
• Round 8: (3 sc, inc) x 6 [30].
• Round 9: sc in each st [30].
• Round 10: (4 sc, inc) x 6 [36].
• Rounds 11–12: sc in each st [36], 2 rounds total.
• Round 13: (4 sc, dec) x 6 [30].
• Round 14: (3 sc, dec) x 6 [24].
• CC to MC (skin color).
• Mark the first FLO of round 14.
• Round 15: in the BLO sc in each st [24].
• Round 16: sc in each st [24].
• Round 17: (2 sc, dec) x 6 [18].
• Stuff the tail and continue stuffing as you go.
• Round 18: (sc, dec) x 6 [12].
• Round 19: 12 inc [24].
• Round 20: (3 sc, inc) x 6 [30].
• Rounds 21–25: sc in each st [30], 5 rounds total.
• Place your safety eyes between rounds 23 and 24 with 4 visible sts between them.
• Round 26: (3 sc, dec) x 6 [24].
• Finish stuffing firmly but do not overstuff.
• Round 27: (2 sc, dec) x 6 [18].
• Round 28: (sc, dec) x 6 [12].
• Round 29: (sc, dec) x 4 [8].
• FO and leave a 12-inch (30-cm) tail. Sew closed and weave in the ends.

Bust

• Use C1 (light blue) and a 4.25 mm (G) hook.
• Find the center of the body in the front. Use a stitch marker to mark the center st on the marked FLO round 14. With the tail facing down, attach your yarn 4 sts to the right of your stitch marker with a sl st. Continue crocheting across (right to left): sc, [hdc, dc], [dc, hdc], sl st (this should be in your marked center st), [hdc, dc], [dc, hdc], sc, sl st. FO and weave in the ends.

Assembly

• Sew the arms on the body on each side of the bust on rounds 16–18, slightly angled forward.
• Embroider the nose in between the eyes.
• Attach your hair cap with the “part” on the left side. The two long strands will be twisted together and sewn to the other side of the hair cap to create the braid.
• Sew your hair buns 4 stitches apart and right above the braid. The curly lock will be facing the outside of the head.
• Sew the tail fins on round 1–4 of the head and body. Be sure the two “points” are facing downwards and away from the body.

Giveaway

Now that you’ve read my review of Fantasy Crochet Creatures: 28 Easy Patterns for Chonky Friends from Distant Realms by Kensey Davis and tried out the crochet mermaid pattern for Malissa the Mermaid, you’re probably ready to get your hands on this book! You can buy it now from independent booksellers and on Amazon, or enter the giveaway below by 11:59 pm Eastern on Sunday, October 26, 2025 for your chance to win my review copy. While my copy of the book was provided by Page Street Publishing Co., the giveaway is organized by Underground Crafter. Enter using any of the options on the opopter widget below. One winner will be chosen from the entries at random to win my review copy of the book. Winner will be contacted within 1 week after the entries close. Winner will have 3 days to claim the prize. If winner does not respond within 3 days, prize will be awarded to an alternate. By entering this giveaway, you are agreeing to share your contact information with Gleam and/or Underground Crafter. You can read the Gleam Privacy Policy here and the Underground Crafter Privacy Policy here to understand how this information is used. This giveaway is open worldwide, except where prohibited by law. Good luck!

Fantasy Crochet Creatures

If you can’t see the Gleam widget, you can also enter HERE.