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Christmas Pickle designed by: Stacey Trock Height: 5.5 inches created: November, 2009 For detailed instructions, articles and more patterns, visit: www.freshstitches.com
Abbreviations
ch: chain bbl: bobble stitch dc: double crochet hdc: half double crochet sc: single crochet sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together sl st: slip stitch st: stitch
Materials
Size H crochet hook a few handfuls of stuffing ribbon, to hang your pickle ornament!
Yarn
Less than 220 yards (1 skein) is required. For the yarn, I use 100% wool worsted weight (Ella Rae is the brand used in the sample). However, any worsted weight yarn is fine. MC- Forest Green (Ella Rae Classic color # 75)
Directions
Stitch into the back
All stitches in the round are into the back loop, unless otherwise directed. Look at picture (a), and see how the arrow points to the back loop? You will stitch into this loop, as pictured in (b). Stitching into the back loop creates ridges on the right side of the piece. For rows, you will stitch into the front loop, unless otherwise directed. You can stitch into both loops if you desire, but this will change the look of the final product.
Starting out: the sloppy slip knot
Most pieces in this pattern (as they are based on circles) begin with stitching six times into one loop. We recommend the 'slopply slip knot' to avoid creating a hole in the center (a). To do this, twist the yarn around the hook to begin, and crochet as directed. Once you have $@2009$ FreshStitches, LLC. All rights reserved. This pattern and items made from this pattern are for personal use only, and may not be distributed or sold without written consent. completed your frst round, pull on the tail, while holding the loop you have created (b). The loop will end up tighter, as pictured in (c).
The Bobble Stitch
This pattern calls for a bobble stitch (bbl). To do the bobble stitch, wrap the yarn over your hook, as you do in double crochet, pictured in (a). Next, insert your hook into the next stitch one row below your current row, and wrap the yarn over and prepare to pull through, as in (b). Pull the loop through the frst stitch on the hook, wrap the yarn around again and pull through two loops on the hook, leaving two loops as pictured in (c). Wrap your yarn over the hook, and insert the hook into the same stitch, repeating the action in (b) and (c) two more times. this will leave 4 loops on the hook, as shown in (d). Now, wrap the yarn over the hook, and pull through all 4 loops, creating the bobble stitch (e)!
The Pattern
With MC, ch 2 Round 1: sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook (6) Round 2: sc twice in each st (12) Round 3: \* sc twice in next st, sc in next st. Repeat from $^\ast\,5$ times (18) Round 4: sc in each st (18) Round 5: \* bbl in next st, sc in next 5 sts. Repeat from $^*2$ times (18) Round 6: sc in each st (18) Round 7: \* sc in next 4 sts, bbl in next st, sc in next st. Repeat from $^*\mathrm{~2~}$ times (18) Rounds 8-11: Repeat rounds 4-7 Round 12: sl st in next 6 sts, sc in next 3 sts, hdc in next 6 sts, sc in next 3 sts (18) Round 13: sl st in next 6 sts, \* bbl in next st, sc in next 5 sts. Repeat from \* one time (18) $\circledcirc$ 2009 FreshStitches, LLC. All rights reserved. This pattern and items made from this pattern are for personal use only, and may not be distributed or sold without written consent. Round 14: Repeat round 12 Round 15: sl st in next 6 sts, \* sc in next 4 sts, bbl in next st, sc in next st. Repeat from \* one time (18) Rounds 16-23: Repeat rounds 4-7, twice At this point, lightly stuff your pickle! Round 24: \* sc2tog, sc in next st. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (12) Round 25: \* sc2tog. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (6) Round 26: sc2tog next and 4th st (1) Fasten off. Use a ribbon to tie a loop onto your pickle for hanging.
Congrats! You now have an adorable pickle for Christmas!
What is a Christmas pickle?
A Christmas pickle is a tradition of mysterious origins, although most likely American. According to tradition, a pickle is hung in the Christmas tree, and the first child to find it on Christmas morning receives a special gift. Glass-blown pickle ornaments have become commonplace, but we think this crocheted one is just perfect!
