Merry-Go-Round: 1 Motif – 2 Ways

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You may remember me showing you this pattern that I was working on way back here.

Well that was January and now it’s almost the end of April!  Once again time has flown out the door and this almost finished pattern has sat glaring at me ever since.  Mainly because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with it …. hexi or square …. cushion or blanket … this or that …

So enough with the muddled over-thinking!  I give it to you as is and you can choose what you would like to make.  Hexi or Square it’s up to you (or you could even make just the circle and use it as a pretty little embellishment or even a garland…)

OK let’s make stuff!

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Merry-Go-Round Pattern:

I’ve written out the patterns in both US terms and UK/AUS terms.  Find the version you’re familiar with and lets get hookin…

Also – I haven’t had this pattern tested externally so please do let me know if you spot any errors.  Edit – 3/5/16: there was a small error in round 2 which has now been fixed.  

Size:  9 cm

What You’ll Need:

  • 4mm hook
  • 8ply/DK yarn:  I’ve used Cascade Ultra Pima cotton in Sunshine, Honeysuckle, China Pink and Cool Mint but any yarn will do.

Colour Combinations:

With just 4 colours you can get at least 24 different colour combinations.   I’ve used the same colour in Rounds 1 & 6 giving you even more (don’t ask me to do the math – too hard! 😉 .  Check out this site  for a great formula for creating unique colour combo’s.

Abbreviations:

US Terms used (UK in brackets)

ch                chain

dc (tr)         double crochet (treble crochet)

sc (dc)         single crochet (double crochet)

sl st              slip stitch

sp/s             space/s           

yo                 yarn over

Special Stitches:  

US Terms / (UK/AUS in brackets)

2-dc (tr) Cluster stitch: Work first half of a dc (tr) as normal but before the last yo (2 loops on hook), yo and insert back into same st, yo, pull loop through (4 loops on hook), yo, pull through first 2 loops on hook (3 loops on hook), yo, pull through all 3 loops (stitch made)

Note : the first cluster st in a round will be worked differently. Instructions are given within the pattern for this first st then follow the above instructions for all subsequent stitches

Long DC (tr): Worked the same as a regular dc (tr) but into a stitch further down in the previous round. Keep your tension on the looser side and draw the stitch up so that it is even with the rest of the stitches in current round.

Popcorn: Work 3 dc (tr) into same stitch, drop the loop off your hook and re-insert hook under the top 2 loops of the first dc (tr) in the group, grab the dropped loop with your hook and pull back through the stitch, ch 1 to secure.

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Pattern – US TERMS:

SQUARE

Start:   Make a magic circle or ch 4 and join with a sl st to form a ring

Round 1:  Using Colour A, ch 3 (counts as first dc), 11 dc into ring. Join with a sl st and into top of beginning ch-3. Fasten off (12 dc)

Round 2:  Join Colour B, ch 2 (counts as 1st partial dc), yo and insert hook back into same st, yo, pull loop through (3 loops on hook), yo, pull through first 2 loops on hook (2 loops on hook), yo, pull through  2 loops (first 2-dc Cluster stitch made), ch 1, * 2-dc cluster, ch 1. Repeat from * into each st to end. Join with a sl st into top of first cluster and fasten off (12 x 2-dc clusters)

Round 3:  Join Colour C into top of first cluster st of previous round, ch 1, sc into same st, make a long dc into the base of the same cluster st, *sc into top of next cluster st, long dc into base of same cluster st . Repeat from * to end   Join with a sl st into top of first sc and fasten off.

Round 4:  Join Colour D into top of first long dc from previous round, ch 1, sc into same st, make a popcorn in the next st , * sc in next st, popcorn in next st. Repeat from * to end.       Join with a sl st into first sc and fasten off.

Round 5:  Join Colour A into the first sc between popcorns of previous round, ch 1, sc into same st, ch 3, * sc into next st between popcorns, ch 3. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st into first sc. Don’t break off yarn. * if you’re making a hexi scroll down to Hexi instructions for Round 6.

Round 6:  Sl st into first ch space, [ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] into same sp, 3 dc into next two spaces, * [3 dc, ch 2 , 3 dc] into next sp, 3 dc into next two spaces. Repeat from * to end (4 corners & 2 sets of 3 dc between). Join with a sl st into top of beginning ch-3 and fasten off.

Round 7:  Join White into any corner sp, [ch 3 (counts as first dc), 1 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into same sp, dc into next 12 sts, * [2dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into corner sp, dc into next 12 sts. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st into beginning ch-3. Fasten off and weave in ends.

HEXI:

Rounds 1 – 5:  Work as for square

Round 6: Sl st into first ch space, [ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc, ch 2 , 3 dc] into same sp, 3 dc into next sp, * [3 dc, ch 2 , 3 dc] into next sp, 3 dc into next sp. Repeat from * to end (6 corners & 1 set of 3 dc between). Join with a sl st into top of beginning ch-3 and fasten off.

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Pattern – UK/AUS TERMS:

SQUARE

Start:   Make a magic circle or ch 4 and join with a sl st to form a ring

Round 1:  Using Colour A, ch 3 (counts as first tr), 11 tr into ring. Join with a sl st and into top of beginning ch-3. Fasten off (12 tr)

Round 2:  Join Colour B, ch 2 (counts as 1st partial tr), yo and insert hook back into same st, yo, pull loop through (3 loops on hook), yo, pull through first 2 loops on hook (2 loops on hook), yo, pull through 2 loops (first 2-tr Cluster stitch made), ch 1, * 2-tr cluster, ch 1. Repeat from * into each st to end. Join with a sl st into top of first cluster and fasten off (12 x 2-tr clusters)

Round 3:  Join Colour C into top of first cluster st of previous round, ch 1, dc into same st, make a long tr into the base of the same cluster st, * dc into top of next cluster st, long tr into base of same cluster st . Repeat from * to end   Join with a sl st into top of first dc and fasten off.

Round 4:  Join Colour D into top of first long tr from previous round, ch 1, dc into same st, make a popcorn in the next st , * dc in next st, popcorn in next st. Repeat from * to end.       Join with a sl st into first dc and fasten off.

Round 5:  Join Colour A into the first dc between popcorns of previous round, ch 1, dc into same st, ch 3, * dc into next st between popcorns, ch 3. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st into first dc. Don’t break off yarn.* if you’re making a hexi scroll down to Hexi instructions for Round 6.

Round 6:  Sl st into first ch space, [ch 3 (counts as first tr), 2 tr, ch 2 , 3 tr] into same sp, 3 tr into next two spaces, * [3 tr, ch 2 , 3 tr] into next sp, 3 tr into next two spaces. Repeat from * to end (4 corners & 2 sets of 3 tr between). Join with a sl st into top of beginning ch-3 and fasten off.

Round 7:  Join White into any corner sp, [ch 3 (counts as first tr), 1 tr, ch 1, 2 tr] into same sp, tr into next 12 sts, * [2tr, ch 1, 2 tr] into corner sp, tr into next 12 sts. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st into beginning ch-3. Fasten off and weave in ends.

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HEXI:

Rounds 1 – 5:  Work as for square

Round 6: Sl st into first ch space, [ch 3 (counts as first tr), 2 tr, ch 2 , 3 tr] into same sp, 3 tr into next sp, * [3 tr, ch 2 , 3 tr] into next sp, 3 tr into next sp. Repeat from * to end (6 corners & 1 set of 3 tr between). Join with a sl st into top of beginning ch-3 and fasten off.

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I hope you’ll enjoy making these sweet motifs.

Until next time

Michelle x

 

 

Fab-ify your flip flops

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Why just wear ordinary flip flops when you can wear FABULOUS flip flops that are uniquely you.

This is a great stash buster project that uses the tiniest bits of yarn and can be done in an afternoon.

Use the colours I’ve used here or let your imagination loose and go wild.  Make them your own!

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What you’ll need:

  • 3mm hook
  • Flip Flops:  I got mine from a large department store starting with ‘T’ for $4.00
  • Needle & thread
  • 4 ply cotton yarn (3ply works well too – just go down one hook size)

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Colours used:  L-R Coral, Salmon, Dk Mint, Lt Mint, Grey, White

Let the making begin:

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  • US terms used
  • Ch – chain
  • SC – single crochet (AU/UK DC)
  • Please read through all instructions before you start

Step 1:  Refer to colour chart above for colour guidance, Ch 10, turn

Step 2:  SC into 2nd ch from hook, sc 8, turn

Step 3:  Ch1, SC 9 following chart from row 3.  Repeat this step through to Row 76*

* My giant size 9 hoofs took 76 rows.  This may vary depending on your size.  You can check the length required towards the end by draping your work across and around the strap of your flip flops to get an idea of how far to go.

** Keep scrolling down to see the bits about changing colours and dealing with those pesky tail ends.

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6changecolor

Changing colours:  Pull new colour through loop on

hook (this makes a chain stitch with the new colour),

turn, and continue on following pattern.

7ends

Crochet over the ends as you go.  You’ll

thank me later.

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Step 4:   Once you’ve reached the desired length it’s time to stitch them up

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* Wrap your strip around the flip flop strap as far down to the base as you can go.

* Bring edges together

* Insert your needle into the bottom corner of one side and make a small stitch over to

the other side to secure.

* Work your way up the strip, stitch from one side to the other (Mattress Stitch)

*Don’t worry too much about perfect little stitches here as they will be hidden.

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* It’s a little bit awkward stitching around the in-between-toe-thingy

but as you’ll see in the photo, I’ve just made a few big stitches

and they are holding well.

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Voila!  Now step out in style in your fabulous flip flops.