Murdock the Kelpie | Free Crochet Pattern
This new and improved version of the Murdock the Kelpie free crochet pattern adds a new spin on a favorite amigurumi project from Hooked by Kati.
The Kelpie, sometimes called a “water horse” is a shape-shifting water spirit of Scottish legend. The Loch Ness Monster has been referred to as a “kelpie” because he is a water spirit haunting the loch. They are a symbol of power, as they were said to have the strength and endurance of 10 horses. And if you touched a kelpie, you could never let go, and it would drag you into the water, never to be seen again.
Kind of a morbid mythos really — but I loved the darker take on the merhorse or hippocampus. The rewrite for Murdock started because I wanted him to be a mount for mer-people — but not a froo-froo mount for a sea princess, but a steed for underwater warriors to ride into battle.
Murdock means “Protector of the Sea” and I thought it incredibly fitting considering I was searching for a traditional Scottish name to match his watery personality.
Construction
The new version of Murdock still uses short rounds to curve his tail, but now it is longer, with more curves to add some drama and movement to the piece.
His legs also use short rounds to add bends in the knees, one more dramatic than the other.
All of Murdock’s fins are worked in the back loops only, with longer spines on the ends for a more sinister look than the floaty fins of the first version.
All in all, Murdock now has a little more style and pizzazz.
Murdock’s Premium Pattern has been upgraded to the 2.0 pattern! That means WAY more pictures, making the curves much easier to follow. And row-by-row walkthroughs of the fins to make them crystal clear.
And as with all 2.0 patterns, Murdock the Kelpie now has checkboxes for every row so you can walk away from your project when you need to and never lose your place.
This pattern is also available as a Premium Pattern! Premium Patterns are ad-free, printable .pdf files, professionally formatted and edited, with extra tutorial photos not available in the free version, and print-only perks, like checkboxes for every round*!
Premium Patterns are available in the Hooked by Kati Shop, Ravelry, and Etsy.
Murdock the Kelpie | Premium Pattern
The Premium Pattern of Murdock the Kelpie amigurumi is a printable pdf with clear instructions, LOTS of photos, and checkboxes for every row.
Murdock the Kelpie
Pattern is written in English, in US terms, using Craft Yarn Council abbreviations.
You Need to Know
Chains (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), back loops only (BLO), Right side (RS), Wrong side (WS), increases and decreases, mattress stitch sewing. Be eager to learn and ready to have fun!
For a quick refresher of these basic skills, go to www.hookedbykati.com/basics
You Will Practice Advanced Techniques:
- How to use pins to perfectly place and attach amigurumi parts
- How to crochet on the surface of a 3D object
- How to shape amigurumi using short rounds
- Create textured fins with short rows and BLO
Supplies
- Big Twist Value, worsted weight yarn, 100% acrylic, 380 yds/ 6 oz/ 347 m, Cerulean Blue (BLU), 1 ball.
- Big Twist Twinkle, worsted weight yarn, 97% acrylic/ 3% polyester, 380 yds /6 oz/ 347 m, Teal (TEAL), 1 ball.
- G (4.00 mm) Furls hook
- Two 18mm colored round-pupil safety eyes
- Polyfil stuffing
- Tapestry needle
- Straight pins
- Stitch markers
Measurements
11” tall x 16” long
Gauge
8 sts x 8 rows in sc = 2” x 2”
Pattern Notes
- Work in continuous rounds. Do not slip stitch unless otherwise specified by the pattern.
- For best results, assemble parts in order as directed.
- Weave in attachment ends at very end of project in case pieces require repositioning.
- Rounds labeled “Short round” are worked back and forth and will end before the round is complete, leaving stitches deliberately unworked to be worked in later rounds as instructed.
- When instructed, an additional sc(s) will be added at the end of a round to move the starting stitch of the next round to the left (clockwise). This does not change the stitch count of the round. It only moves the starting point.
Special Stitches
- Bobble-st – Bobble stitch: [Yo, insert hook into st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook] 5 times in same st, yo, pull through all 6 loops on hook.
- Surface sc – Surface single crochet: With loop on hook, insert hook around post or between stitches of finished work, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through both loops on hook. Work single crochets on top of finished work.
- Sc join – Single crochet join: Slip knot in yarn, loop slip knot over hook, insert hook through stitch, yo, pull through, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
Instructions
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Tail/Torso
With BLU, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)
Rnd 2: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 3: [2 sc, inc] twice. (8)
Rnd 4: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] twice. (10)
Rnd 6 Sc evenly around.
Rnd 7: [4 sc, inc] twice, turn. (12)
Rnd 8: (WS)(Short rnd) (see Pattern Notes) Do not chain, 6 sc, leave remaining 6 sts unworked, turn. (6)
Rnd 9: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 6 sc, do not turn. (6)
Rnd 10: (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnd, 12 sc. (12)
Rnd 11: [5 sc, inc] twice, turn. (14)
Rnd 12: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 7 sc, leave remaining 7 sts unworked, turn. (7)
Rnd 13: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 7 sc, do not turn. (7)
Rnd 14: (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnd, 14 sc. (14)
Rnd 15: [6 sc, inc] twice, turn. (16)
Rnd 16: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 8 sc, leave remaining 8 sts unworked, turn. (8)
Rnd 17: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 8 sc, do not turn. (8)
Rnd 18: (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnd, 16 sc. (16)
Rnd 19: [7 sc, inc] twice, turn. (18)
Rnd 20: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 9 sc, leave remaining 9 sts unworked, turn. (9)
Rnd 21: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 9 sc, do not turn. (9)
Rnd 22: (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnd, 18 sc. (18)
Rnd 23: [8 sc, inc] twice. 10 sc to move starting st. (see Pattern Notes) (20)
Rnds 24-25: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 26: [9 sc, inc] twice. (22)
Rnd 27: Sc evenly around.
Start stuffing.
Rnd 28: Sc evenly around, turn.
Rnd 29: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 11 sc, leave remaining 11 sts unworked, turn. (11)
Rnd 30: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 10 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (10)
Rnd 31: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 9 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (9)
Rnd 32: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 9 sc, do not turn. (9)
Rnd 33: (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnds, 22 sc. Sc to move starting st. (22)
Rnd 34: [10 sc, inc] twice, turn. (24)
Rnd 35: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 12 sc, leave remaining 12 sts unworked, turn. (12)
Rnd 36: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 11 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (11)
Rnd 37: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 10 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (10)
Rnd 38: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 10 sc, do not turn. (10)
Rnd 39: (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnd, 24 sc. Sc to move starting st. (24)
Rnd 40: [11 sc, inc] twice, turn. (26)
Rnd 41: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 13 sc, leave remaining 10 sts unworked, turn. (13)
Rnd 42: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 12 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (12)
Rnd 43: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 11 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (11)
Rnd 44: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 11 sc, do not turn. (11)
Rnd 45: (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnd, 26 sc. Sc to move starting st. (26)
Rnd 46: [12 sc, inc] twice, turn. (28)
Rnd 47: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 14 sc, leave remaining 14 sts unworked, turn. (14)
Rnd 48: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 13 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (13)
Rnd 49: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 12 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (12)
Rnd 50: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 12 sc, do not turn. (12)
Rnd 51: (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnd, 28 sc. Sc to move starting st. (28)
Rnd 52: [13 sc, inc] twice, turn. (30)
Rnd 53: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 15 sc, leave remaining 15 sts unworked, turn. (15)
Rnd 54: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 14 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (14)
Rnd 55: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 13 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (13)
Rnd 56: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 13 sc, do not turn. (13)
Rnd 57: (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnd, 30 sc. Sc to move starting st. (30)
Continue stuffing.
Rnd 58: [14 sc, inc] twice, turn. (32)
Rnd 59: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 16 sc, leave remaining 16 sts unworked, turn. (16)
Rnd 60: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 15 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (15)
Rnd 61: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 14 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (14)
Rnd 62: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 14 sc, do not turn. (14)
Rnd 63: (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnd, 32 sc. Sc to move starting st. (32)
Rnd 64: [15 sc, inc] twice, turn. (34)
Rnd 65: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 17 sc, leave remaining 17 sts unworked, turn. (17)
Rnd 66: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 16 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (16)
Rnd 67: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 15 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (15)
Rnd 68: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 15 sc, do not turn. (15)
Rnd 69: (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnd, 34 sc. Sc to move starting st. (34)
Rnd 70: [16 sc, inc] twice. turn. (36)
Rnd 71 (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 18 sc, leave remaining 18 sts unworked, turn. (18)
Rnd 72: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 17 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (17)
Rnd 73: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 16 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (16)
Rnd 74: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 16 sc, do not turn. (16)
Rnd 75: (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnd, 36 sc. 2 sc to move starting st. (36)
Rnd 76: [17 sc, inc] twice. (38)
Rnds 77-89: Sc evenly around, after Rnd 89, change to BLU.
Rnds 90-91: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 92: 3 sc in next st, 37 sc. (40)
Rnd 93: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 94: Sc, 3 sc in next st, 38 sc. (42)
Continue stuffing.
Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.
Neck
With BLU, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 4 times. (16)
Rnd 5: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 6: [3 sc, inc] 4 times. (20)
Rnds 7-8: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 9: [4 sc, inc] 4 times. (24)
Rnds 10-12: Sc evenly around. (24)
Rnd 13: [5 sc, inc] 4 times. (28)
Rnds 14-17: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 18: [6 sc, inc] 4 times. (32)
Rnds 19-22: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 23: [7 sc, inc] 4 times. (36)
Rnd 24-27: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 28: [8 sc, inc] 4 times. (40)
Rnds 29-36: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 37: [3 sc, dec] 8 times. (32)
Rnd 38: [2 sc, dec] 8 times. (24)
Stuff firmly.
Rnd 39: [sc, dec] 8 times. (16)
Rnd 40: Dec 8 times. (8)
Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 8 sts. Pull tightly to close. Weave in ends.
Set the neck on a flat surface standing straight up. Position the tail so it lays on the flat surface with the 3-sc inc of the last rnd pointed up. (This will form the top of the shoulder.)
Hold the open end of tail/torso against the neck, bottom of the opening at Rnd 36 of the neck and the 3-sc increase of the torso touching the neck at Rnd 19.
Using pins, mark on the neck and the last round of the open torso where they touch. Using pins as a guide, sew the open torso to the neck. Sew ¾ around, then firmly stuff the torso, then finish the attachment.
Head
With BLU, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 5 sc in second ch from hook. (5)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (10)
Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 5 times. (15)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 5 times. (20)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 5 times. (25)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 5 times. (30)
Rnd 7: 8 sc, 2 bobble-sts (see Special Stitches), 8 sc, 2 bobble-sts, 10 sc. (26 sc, 4 bobbles)
Rnds 8-9: Sc evenly around. (30)
Push bobble-sts in to create nostrils.
Rnd 10: [3 sc, dec] 6 times. (24)
Rnds 11-14: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 15: 10 sc, inc, 6 sc, inc, 6 sc. (26)
Rnd 16: 3 sc, 4 inc, 15 sc, 4 inc. (34)
Rnd 17: 14 sc, inc, 8 sc, inc, 10 sc. (36)
Rnd 18: 14 sc, 2 inc, 9 sc, 2 inc, 9 sc. (40)
Rnd 19: 14 sc, 4 hdc, 9 sc, 4 hdc, 9 sc. (40)
Rnds 20-21: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 22: 11 sc, dec twice, 16 sc, dec twice, 5 sc. (36)
Rnds 23-25: Sc evenly around.
Insert safety eyes in base of first and last increases of Rnd 18 in line with nostrils.
Start stuffing.
Rnd 26: [4 sc, dec] 6 times. (30)
Rnd 27: [3 sc, dec] 6 times. (24)
Rnd 28: [2 sc, dec] 6 times. (18)
Finish stuffing.
Rnd 29: [sc, dec] 6 times. (12)
Rnd 30: Dec 6 times. (6)
Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close. Leave long tail for sewing.
Nostril Flairs
With BLU, sl st into Round 6 on outside of nostril, working around edge of nostril, surface sc (see Special Stitches) around outside edge of nostril and back to Rnd 6, sl st on Rnd 6 on the opposite side. Repeat on other nostril. Weave in ends.
Eyebrows
(Make 2)
With BLU, ch 6.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, 3 sc, sl st in last ch. (4 sc, 1 sl st)
Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.
Sewing through the back of the starting ch, sew eyebrows in a straight line at an angle above the safety eyes.
Ears
(Make 2)
With BLU, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)
Rnd 2: Sc evenly around. (6)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] 3 times. (9)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 3 times. (12)
Rnd 5: Sc evenly around. (12)
Rnd 6: [3 sc, inc] 3 times. (15)
Rnds 7-8: Sc evenly around. (15)
Rnd 9: [sc, dec] 5 times. (10)
Rnd 10: Sc evenly around. (10)
Bind off leaving long tail for sewing. Press flat. Thread yarn through far side of last round, curving bottom of ear into bowl shape.
Ears are attached to the head with the concave side facing forward. Mark 5 sts in a small circle between Rnds 23 and 24, 7 sts apart, even with the safety eyes. Sewing through both layers of the last round of the ears, using the pins as a guide, sew the ears to the head.
Head Attachment
Hold the head against the neck with the last st of the head and the first st of the neck touching. Position the head at a downward angle, the underside of the head touching Rnd 17 of the neck. Using pins, mark all the way around where the head touches the neck. Using the pins as a guide, sew the head to the neck.
Bent Leg
Leave long tail at beginning. Hold on RS of work so it remains on the outside to use later for sewing.
With BLU, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times. (30)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times. (36)
Rnd 7: Sc evenly around. (36)
Rnd 8: [7 sc, dec] 4 times. (32)
Rnd 9: Sc evenly around. (32)
Rnd 10: [6 sc, dec] 4 times. (28)
Rnd 11: Sc evenly around. (28)
Rnd 12: [5 sc, dec] 4 times. (24)
Rnd 13: Sc evenly around. (24)
Rnd 14: [4 sc, dec] 4 times. (20)
Rnd 15: Sc evenly around. (20)
Rnd 16: [3 sc, dec] 4 times. (16)
Rnd 17-20: Sc evenly around. At the end of Rnd 20, turn. (16)
Stuff thigh loosely.
Rnd 21: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not ch, 14 sc, leave 2 sts unworked, turn. (14)
Rnd 22: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not ch, 12 sc, leave 2 sts unworked, turn. (12)
Rnd 23: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not ch, 10 sc, leave 2 sts unworked, turn. (10)
Rnd 24: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not ch, 8 sc, leave 2 sts unworked, turn. (8)
Rnd 25: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not ch, 6 sc, leave 2 sts, unworked, turn. (6)
Rnd 26: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not ch, 6 sc, do not turn. (6)
Rnd 27: (RS) Continuing on unworked sts from previous rnds, 16 sc. (16)
Rnd 28: [2 sc, dec] 4 times. (12)
Rnds 29-34: Sc evenly around. At end of Rnd 32, 4 sc to move starting st, turn. (12)
Stuff knee firmly.
Rnd 35: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not ch, 10 sc, leave 2 sts unworked, turn. (10)
Rnd 36: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not ch, 8 sc, leave 2 sts unworked, turn. (8)
Rnd 37: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not ch, 6 sc, leave 2 sts unworked, turn. (6)
Rnd 38: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not ch, 6 sc, do not turn. (6)
Rnd 39: (RS) Continuing on unworked sts from previous rnds, 12 sc. (12)
Rnd 40: Change to TEAL, [sc, inc] 6 times. (18)
Rnds 41-44: Sc evenly around.
Finish stuffing.
Rnd 45: Working in BLO, 9 dec. (9)
Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 9 sts. Pull tightly to close. Weave in ends.
Hold the loosely-stuffed thigh against the neck on either side of the neck. The back of the thigh should touch the tail/torso 2 rows from the attachment. The leg should be positioned so the hoof does not touch the ground. Using pins, mark around the thigh where it meets the neck. Mark the neck in corresponding sts where it meets the pins on the thigh.
Using the tail from beginning of the leg, sew the thigh to the neck/body.
Extended Leg
Leave long tail at beginning. Hold on RS of work so it remains on the outside to use later for sewing.
With BLU, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times. (30)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times. (36)
Rnd 7: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 8: [7 sc, dec] 4 times. (32)
Rnd 9: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 10: [6 sc, dec] 4 times. (28)
Rnd 11: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 12: [5 sc, dec] 4 times. (24)
Rnd 13: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 14: [4 sc, dec] 4 times. (20)
Rnd 15: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 16: [3 sc, dec] 4 times. (16)
Rnd 17-20: Sc evenly around. At the end of Rnd 20, turn. (16)
Stuff thigh loosely.
Rnd 21: (Short rnd)(WS) Do not ch, 14 sc, leave 2 sts unworked, turn. (14)
Rnd 22: (Short rnd)(RS) Do not ch, 12 sc, leave 2 sts unworked, turn. (12)
Rnd 23: (Short rnd)(WS) Do not ch, 10 sc, leave 2 sts unworked, turn. (10)
Rnd 24: (Short rnd)(RS) Do not ch, 10 sc, do not turn.
Rnd 25: (RS) Continuing on unworked sts from previous rnds, 16 sc.
Rnd 26: [2 sc, dec] 4 times. (12)
Rnds 27-34: Sc evenly around. At end of Rnd 34, sc 4 to move starting st, turn. (12)
Rnd 35: (Short rnd)(WS) Do not ch, 10 sc, leave 2 sts unworked, turn. (10)
Rnd 36: (Short rnd)(RS) Do not ch, 10 sc, do not turn. (10)
Rnd 37: (RS) Continuing on unworked sts from previous rnds, 12 sc.
Rnd 38: Change to TEAL,[Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)
Rnds 39-42: Sc evenly around. (18)
Finish stuffing.
Rnd 43: Working in BLO, 9 dec. (9)
Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 9 sts. Pull tightly to close. Weave in ends.
Hold the loosely-stuffed thigh against the neck directly opposite the other leg. The back of the thigh should touch the tail/torso 2 rows from the attachment. The leg should be positioned so it extends out and the hoof touches the ground. Using pins, mark around the thigh where it meets the neck. Mark the neck in corresponding sts where it meets the pins on the thigh.
Using the tail from beginning of the leg, sew the thigh to the neck/body.
Tail Fins
(Make 2)
Row-by-row tutorial photos available in the Premium Pattern 2.0.
Work in BLO for Tail Fins.
With TEAL, ch 13.
Row 1: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, inc, 7 sc, turn. (9 sc, 3 sl sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, 8 sc, inc, ch 5, turn. (10 sc, 5 chs)
Row 3: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, inc, 6 sc, leave remaining 3 sts unworked, turn. (8 sc, 3 sl sts)
Row 4: Do not chain, 7 sc, inc, ch 5, turn. (9 sc, 5 chs)
Row 5: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, inc, 5 sc, leave remaining 3 sts unworked, turn. (7, 3 sl sts)
Row 6: Do not chain, 6 sc, inc, ch 5, turn. (8 sc, 5 chs)
Row 7: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, inc, 4 sc, leave remaining 3 sts unworked, turn. (6 sc, 3 sl sts)
Row 8: Do not chain, 5 sc, inc, ch 5, turn. (7 sc, 5 chs)
Row 9: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, inc, 3 sc, leave remaining 3 sts unworked, turn. (5 sc, 3 sl sts)
Row 10: Do not chain, 4 sc, inc, ch 5, turn. (6 sc, 5 chs)
Row 11: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, working down all skipped sts, 18 sc, turn. (18 sc, 3 sl sts)
Row 12: Ch 1, 18 sc, ch 5, turn. (18 sc, 5 chs)
Row 13: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, dec, 4 sc, leave remaining 12 sts unworked, turn. (5 sc, 3 sl sts)
Row 14: Do not chain, 3 sc, dec, ch 5, turn. (4 sc, 5 chs)
Row 15: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, dec, 2 sc, 3 sc in skipped sts of Row 13, turn. (6 sc, 3 sl sts)
Row 16: Do not chain, 4 sc, dec, ch 5, turn. (5 sc, 5 chs)
Row 17: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, dec, 3 sc, 3 sc in skipped sts of Row 13, turn. (7 sc, 3 sl sts)
Row 18: Do not chain, 5 sc, dec, ch 5, turn. (6 sc, 5 chs)
Row 19: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, dec, 4 sc, 3 sc in skipped sts of Row 13, turn. (8 sc, 3 sl sts)
Row 20: Do not chain, 6 sc, dec, ch 5, turn. (7 sc, 5 chs)
Row 21: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, dec, 5 sc, 3 sc in skipped sts of Row 13. (9 sc, 3 sl sts)
Set kelpie on surface with end of tail lying flat. Using pins, mark the tip of the tail and a point 6 sts from the tip on either side.
Sewing through the short edge of the tail fin, attach one tail fin to each side of the tail along a line between the tip of the tail and the marked pin.
Head/Neck Fins
Work in BLO for Neck Fins.
With TEAL, ch 10.
Row 1: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, inc, 4 sc, turn. (6 sc, 3 sl sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, 5 sc, ch 5, turn. (5 sc, 5 chs)
Row 3: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, 5 sc, turn. (5 sc, 3 sl sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, 4 sc, ch 5, turn. (4 sc, 5 chs)
Row 5: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, 4 sc, turn. (4 sc, 3 sl sts)
Row 6: Ch 1, 3 sc, ch 5, turn. (3 sc, 5 chs)
Row 7: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, 3 sc, turn. (3 sc, 3 sl sts)
Rows 8- 35: Repeat Rows 6 and 7 fourteen times.
18 spines total.
Starting 3 rows in front of the ears, in the center of the face, pin a line between the ears and over the peak of the head, down the back of the neck, to the point of the torso. Use this marked line to sew the fins from forehead to neck, with the long fins (Row 1) at the forehead.
Back Fin
Work in BLO for Back Fins.
With TEAL, ch 7.
Row 1: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, 2 sc, turn. (2 sc, 3 sl sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc, inc, ch 5, turn. (3 sc, 5 chs)
Row 3: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, inc, 2 sc, turn. (4 sc, 3 sl sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, 3 sc, inc, ch 5, turn. (5 sc, 5 chs)
Row 5: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, inc, 4 sc, turn. (6 sc, 3 sl sts)
Row 6: Ch 1, 5 sc, inc, ch 5, turn. (7 sc, 5 chs)
Row 7: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, inc, 6 sc, turn. (8 sc, 3 sl sts)
Row 8: Ch 1, 8 sc, ch 5, turn. (8 sc, 5 chs)
Row 9: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, 8 sc, turn. (8 sc, 3 sl sts)
Rows 10-13: Repeat Rows 8 and 9 twice.
Row 14: Ch 1, 6 sc, dec, ch 5, turn. (7 sc, 5 chs)
Row 15: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, dec, 5 sc, turn. (6 sc, 3 sl sts)
Row 16: Ch 1, 4 sc, dec, ch 5, turn. (5 sc, 5 chs)
Row 17: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, dec, 3 sc, turn. (4 sc, 3 sl sts)
Row 18: Ch 1, 2 sc, dec, ch 5, turn. (3 sc, 5 chs)
Row 19: Sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in next 2 chs, dec, sc. (2 sc, 3 sl sts)
Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.
Using pins, mark a line on the top of the torso starting at the color change (Rnd 90) and extending 19 stitches straight down the center of the back. Sewing through the long side of the fin (the side opposite the spines), sew the back fin to the body along this line.
Weave in all attachment ends when parts are positioned as desired.
(c) Hooked by Kati LLC 2024
Here are a few more free crochet patterns you might like:
ULYSSA THE UNICORN
VINCENT THE DRAGON
TOBY THE NEWBORN DRAGON
GRACE THE KOI MERMAID
CARTER THE BETTA
Yarn on,
Kati
Kati is the designer behind Hooked by Kati. With thousands of patterns sold around the world, Kati prides herself in creating innovative, easy-to-follow amigurumi patterns. She has designed for several publications, including Crochet!, Crochet World, Simply Crochet, and I Like Crochet. Kati finds her inspiration in science fiction, video games, and numerous visits to the zoo — all passions she shares with her husband and two boys.
The color change instructions are not correct, especially on the tail working into the body. It says BLU when you actually want us to work in the dark blue that you’re referencing as TEAL. It’d be less confusing if you referred to them as colors A & B, or as “yarn of your choice for BLANK.” They would have to be the correct instructions for even that to work though.
do you have a book? I am loving a so many of your patterns.
The Tail/Torso section starts with the blue yarn. Then all the way down at row 89 it says to change to blue yarn. Is there another color change in there that was accidentally omitted? Or perhaps the starting color is supposed to be the teal?
I compared this pattern to the first one as I’m about to start and it was confusing me too, and I’m sure you’re supposed to start with teal, as you’re working from the tail upwards
I too am working on the original murdock kelpie pattern
Can yoy stiill access video and on line pattern?
Help! For my grandsughters new big girl room don in mermaids!
Amazing pattern… I’ve had the most fun making him… thank you so much for sharing your awesome creativity ! I’ll be trying out more of your pattern creations soon 😁 thanks again 😊
Did you take down the original Murdock? I was right in the middle of the pattern and I can’t access the pattern any more. It’s a gift for my niece for Christmas so I would like to be able to access the o pattern for a few days. Willing to buy the PDF if needed (I don’t have a printer which is why I haven’t bought it)
this is a great pattern!
thank you for offering if as a free option.
love your style!
Thanks for posting this wonderful pattern. For the short rounds are we sc in the 2nd stitch from the hook or the first?
I recently finished your original Murdock the Kelpie, the white one. I thoroughly enjoyed the process and outcome. You are such a talented and creative artist. Thanks for sharing your patterns with us!
Just completed my Murdoch Kelpie and he is wonderful, bit glum looking but love the pattern.