Well winter
is finally here! It hit me with a sharp freezing wind, I mean I knew
it's coming,
but with November being so mild I actually thought we might get away
with it.
Still, there are lots of things to love about winter: wearing woollen
jumpers , scarfs,
gloves, it's far too cold to go out and socialise so you stay at home
and actually
have the time to finish all your projects, it helps that TV is
relatively good.
And of
course Christmas!
I really do
love Christmas, actually I love the run up to Christmas more, the fantastic
atmosphere when it gets dark so early, but all the decorations are up everywhere
and everything sparkles, the fantastic markets and even the carols being played
on continuous loop, but the thing I love the most about Christmas is MULLED WINE!!
Everyone
says that Christmas is far too commercial, of course it is, but it is us who
made it that way. On the other hand, how often do you really treat yourself?
How often have you promised yourself the earrings, handbag or bracelet, but
there were always far more important things to spend money on, is treating yourself
or loved ones once a year such a bad thing? Some retailers start Christmas advertising
in August, but for some this is make or break period, it will decide whether
they can survive and continue to trade next year or not, so not surprisingly they
start as early as they possibly can.
Anyway, Christmas
wouldn’t be Christmas without beautiful, sparkling Christmas tree! My one is
not up yet, but I have been busy making decorations for it. One of the
decorations is the crocheted little Robin. He’s a cute little fella with
slightly wonky wings, I first designed him for my Little Festive Workshops and
I’m pleased to report he has been a massive success.
If you would
like to make one yourself the pattern is as follows:
Abbreviation
Ch – chain
Dc (US sc)–
double crochet (US – single crochet)
Dc2tog (US
sc2tog)– double crochet two together - insert hook into stitch and draw up a
loop. Insert hook into next stitch and draw up a loop. Yarn over, draw through
all 3 loops on hook. (US – single crochet two together)
Ss – slip
stitch
Materials
Rowan Cotton
Glace or any 4ply mercerised cotton
A – Brown,
Earth sh.863
B – Red,
Poppy sh.741 - oddments
C – Yellow,
Mineral sh.856 - oddments
3mm (UK 11) crochet
hook
Toy stuffing
2 x small black beads for eyes
Finished size
Completed robin measures approximately 15cm in circumference and 8cm in height, but it really doesn't matter if he's a bit bigger or smaller.
2 x small black beads for eyes
Finished size
Completed robin measures approximately 15cm in circumference and 8cm in height, but it really doesn't matter if he's a bit bigger or smaller.
Body
With yarn A
and 3mm hook make 6 dc into magic ring.
Round 2:
ch1, 2dc into every dc. (12)
Round 3:
ch1, *2dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc. Repeat from *to end, ss to first dc.
(18)
Round 4:
ch1, *2dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 2 dc. Repeat from *to end, ss to first
dc. (24)
Round 5:
ch1, 1 dc in each dc to end. (24)
Round 6:
ch1, *2dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 3 dc. Repeat from *to end, ss to first
dc. (30)
Round 7 to
11: ch1, 1 dc into each dc to end, ss to
first dc (30)
Round 12:
ch1, *2dctog, 1 dc into next 3 dc. Rep from* to end, ss to first dc (24)
Begin
stuffing
Round 21:
ch1, *2dctog, 1 dc into next 2 dc, rep from* to end, ss to first dc (18)
Round 22:
ch1, *2dctog, dc into next dc, rep from * to end, ss to first dc (12)
Round 23:
*2dctog, to end, ss to first dc (6)
Close
opening by weaving in yarn and pulling tight.
Fasten off.
Red Breast
With yarn B
and 3mm hook make 6 dc into magic ring.
Round 2:
ch1, 2dc into each dc to end, ss to first dc (12)
Round 3:
ch1, *2dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc. Repeat from *to end, ss to first dc
(18)
Round 4:
ch1, *2dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 2 dc. Repeat from * to end, ss to first
dc (24)
Fasten off
Attach to
centre of Robin.
Wings (make
two)
With yarn A
make 6 ch.
Row 1: 1 dc
into second ch from hook , I dc into every dc to end. Turn.
Row 2: ch1,
dc2tog , 1 dc into every dc to end. Turn.
Row 3: ch1,
1 dc into next 2 dc, dc2tog. Turn.
Row 4: ch1,
dc2tog, dc into last dc. Turn.
Row 5: ch1,
dc2tog.
Fasten off
Beak
With yarn B
work 3 dc into the centre of 2nd row above red breast.
Row 1: ch1,
dc2tog, 1 dc into next dc. Turn.
Row 2: ch1,
dc2tog.
Fasten off.
Fold the tip
of the beak and secure it to the body.
Happy Robin
making!
Merry Christmas!!
Anna x