FreshStitches afresh approachto crochet
Easter Eggs designed by: Stacey Trock size: 2 inches created: February, 2009 For detailed instructions, articles and more patterns, visit: http://www.freshstitches.com
Abbreviations
ch: chain ch tog: chain together sc: single crochet st: stitch
Materials
Sizes G and H crochet hook a few handfuls of stuffing
Yarn
Several yards of yarn are used for each egg. For this project, we used a variety of yarns and hook sizes to create different looks. $\mathbf{Egg}\,\mathbf{A}_{\mathrm{:}}$ Plain Egg, size H crochet hook MC- Ella Rae Classic (pink, color #54) $\mathbf{Egg\,B}$ , Striped Egg, size G crochet hook MC- Red Heart Designer Sport (yellow, color #3201) MC- Red Heart Designer Sport (green, color #3620) $\mathbf{Egg\,C}$ , Plain Egg, size H crochet hook MC- Arauncania Nature Wool (blue, color #47) Egg D, Squares Egg, size H crochet hook MC- Ella Rae Classic (pink, color #54) MC- Ella Rae Classic (yellow, color #44)
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 completed your first round, pull on the tail, while holding the loop you have created (b). The loop will end up tighter, as pictured in (c).
Color Changes
This pattern calls for switching from one color to another, but there is a trick to doing it so the change in color is very clean. Stitch up to 2 stiches before you are supposed to change colors (we are demonstrating here with the single crochet). In the next stitch (the last one of your current color), do not pull the final loop through, leaving as pictured in (a). Instead, loop the new color around your needle (b), and pull the loop through (c). Now, just stitch as normal. This technique leaves you with a clean color change, as shown in (d).
The Pattern
Plain Egg
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 in each st (12) Round 4: \* sc twice in next st, sc in next st. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (18) Rounds 5-6: sc in each st (18) Round 7: \* sc twice in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (24) Rounds 8-10: sc in each st (24) Round 11: \* ch tog next 2 sts, sc in each of next 2 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times (18)
At this point, stuffthe egg Round 12: \* ch tog next 2 sts, sc in each of next 1 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times (12) Round 13: \* ch tog next 2 sts. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (6) Round 13: ch tog next and third sts (1) Fasten Off, pulling knot towards center.
Striped Egg
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 in each st (12) Round 4: \* sc twice in next st, sc in next st. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (18) Rounds 5-6: With SC, sc in each st (18) Round 7: \* sc twice in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (24) Rounds 8-10: With MC, sc in each st (24) Round 11: With SC, \* ch tog next 2 sts, sc in each of next 2 sts. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (18)
At this point, stuffthe egg Round 12: \* ch tog next 2 sts, sc in each of next 1 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times (12) Round 13: \* ch tog next 2 sts. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (6) Round 13: ch tog next and third sts (1) Fasten Off, pulling knot towards center.
Squares Egg
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 in each st (12) Round 4: \* sc twice in next st, sc in next st. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (18) Rounds 5-6: \*With MC, sc in next 4 sts. With SC, sc in next 2 sts. Repeat from $^*2$ times (18) Round 7: \* sc twice in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (24) Rounds 8-10: \*With SC, sc in next 3 sts. With MC, sc in next 3 sts. Repeat from $^\ast3$ times (24) Round 11: \* ch tog next 2 sts, sc in each of next 2 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times (18) At this point, stuffthe egg Round 12: \* ch tog next 2 sts, sc in each of next 1 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times (12) Round 13: \* ch tog next 2 sts. Repeat from $^\ast5$ times (6) Round 13: ch tog next and third sts (1) Fasten Off, pulling knot towards center.
Congrats! You now have great easter eggs!
