Designed by: Cylinda Mathews

Materials:
Sm amt #10 cotton thread, size 10 (or metallic thread)
Steel crochet hook, size 8 USA (1.50 mm)

Molding Materials:
Commerical fabric stiffener
Plastic wrap
1 Sm rnd balloon
Drinking glass

Finishing Materials:
Glue
Miniature scene or flocked reindeer
Various Christmas trims or novelties

Finished Size: 2 1/2" x 2 1/4" T
Gauge: 4 rows = 1”/1 shell = 3/8”

Skill Level: Medium

Special Stitches:
Beg Shell: (ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in indicated st.

Shell: (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in indicated st.

Dtrc: yo 3 times, insert hook in indicated st, pull up a lp, (yo, pull through 2 lps on hook) 4 times, to complete the stitch.

Rnd 1) Working from bottom of ornament: form a lp with thread; ch 1, (6 sc) in lp, draw up thread to form a tight lp; join with a sl st in first sc: 6 sc.

Rnd 2) Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in same st, ch 2; * (2 dc) in next sc, ch 2; rep from * around; join with a sl st in first dc: 6 groups of 2 dc.

Rnd 3) (Continue working on outside of ornament); ch 3, dc in same st, ch 2, (2 dc) in next dc, ch 3; * (2 dc) in next dc, ch 2, (2 dc) in next dc, ch 3; rep from * around; join with a sl st to first dc: 6 shells. Either secure starting thread now or pull to outside of piece and secure later.

Rnd 4) Sl st in next sp; beg shell in same sp see special sts, ch 2, sc in next sp, ch 2; * shell in next ch 2 sp see special sts, ch 2, sc in next sp, ch 2; rep from * around; join with a sl st to first dc: 6 shells.

Rnd 5) Sl st in shell sp; beg shell in same sp, ch 2, sc in next sp, ch 3, sc in next sp, ch 2; * shell in next shell sp, ch 2, sc in next sp, ch 3, sc in next sp, ch 2; rep from * around; join with a sl st to first dc: 6 shells/6 ch 3-sps.

Rnd 6) Sl st in next shell sp; beg shell in same sp, ch 4, sk next sp, sc in next sp (center sp), ch 4; * shell in next shell sp, ch 4, sk next sp, sc in next sp (center sp), ch 4; rep from * around; join with a sl st to first dc: 6 shells/12 ch 4-sps.

Row 7) Working in rows to create an opening: sl st in shell sp; beg shell in same sp, (ch 3, sc in next sp) twice, ch 3; * shell in next shell sp, (ch 3, sc in next sp) twice, ch 3; rep from * 3 times, shell in next shell sp: 6 shells/15 ch 3-sps.

Row 8) Ch 3, turn work; shell in shell sp, ch 4, sk next sp, sc in next sp (center sp), ch 4; * shell in next shell sp, ch 4, sk next sp, sc in next sp (center sp), ch 4; rep from * 3 times, shell in next shell sp, dc in last dc of shell in previous row: 6 shells/10 ch 4-sps.

Row 9) Ch 3, turn work; shell in shell sp, ch 2, sc in next sp, ch 3, sc in next sp, ch 2; * shell in next shell sp, ch 2, sc in next sp, ch 3, sc in next sp, ch 2; rep from * 3 times, shell in next shell sp, dc in turning ch of previous row: 6 shells/5 ch 3-sps.

Rows 10-11) Rep rows 8 & 9 respectively.

Rnd 12) Closing the opening: ch 3, turn work; shell in shell sp, ch 3, sk next sp, sc in next sp (center sp), ch 3; * shell in next shell sp, ch 3, sk next sp, sc in next sp (center sp), ch 3; rep from * 3 times, shell in next shell sp, dc in turning chain of previous row, dtrc in top of turning chain on opposite side (to close opening) see special sts; turn work, (working on outside of ornament): 6 shells/10 ch 3-sps.

Rnd 13) Sl st in shell sp; beg shell in same sp, ch 2; * sk next 2 sps, shell in next shell sp, ch 2; rep from * 3 times, shell in next shell sp, ch 2, shell in center of dtrc, ch 2; join with a sl st to first dc of next shell: 7 shells.

Rnd 14) Sl st in shell sp; ch 3, dc in same sp, ch 2; * (2 dc) in next shell sp, ch 2; rep from * around; join with a sl st to first dc: 14 dc/7 ch 2-sps.

Rnd 15) Ch 3; * dc in next dc; rep from * around; join with a sl st to first dc: 14 dc. Fasten off; secure ends.

Finishing:

Cover hard flat work surface and drinking glasses with plastic wrap. Dip ornament in stiffening solution and squeeze out excess being careful not to twist or ring the piece. Slip round balloon inside the cavity of ornament. Blow up until it fills the cavity nice and tight. Tie off balloon and place ornament on top of drinking glass to dry. When dried, prick balloon to release air slowly and clip top, pull out. Decorate as desired or refer to photo. For a hanging loop, either ch 40 using the same thread as for the ornament and join in first ch from hook forming a lp (once it's been woven through the top of the ornament. Or use gold thread to form a hanging lp.

Those who made this pattern also enjoyed our
Christmas Bell Ornaments pattern set.

Any reproduction of this pattern in part or whole without the designer's permission is against the law. Violaters will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.