Foldable Desktop Christmas Tree
I just wanted to bring you a little Christmas cheer. This is a very easy and versatile pattern. It is essentially just crocheting triangles, and stitching them together. It is a nice size tofit on a desk or small table. It ischild-safe. And it can be folded, to store easily after the holidays. Decorated it with your imagination. Here are some ideas: Attach dollar bills to it as a special gift Adorn with colored paper clips for an office theme Affix with star stickers for a classroom Pin small folded Origami cranes on it Use it as an Advent tree Drape it with jewelry or earrings Clip on a chain-garland Use tiny plastic doll clothespins Or tape bows and little ornaments Add a small Tree-Top Star or Angel.... whatever. Or maybe a Silly Gnome on top. Hopeyour Holidays areTheBest!
Materials:
Worsted Weight Yarn (l used Sugar n Cream Cotton) Use any Colors you wish for the trees and edging. (\~ 55 yds for a 24 row 3-segment-folding tree) 4.00 mm / F-G hook Yarn needle Scissor or Snips
Gauge is not crucial. 4 sts and 4 rows = 1 inch (2.5cm) For stuffed trees, just make your stitches tight enough so the stuffing will not show through. Size: For a 24 row 3-segment-folding tree: Height = about 6" (15.2cm) Width at the bottom of the tree = about 6 1/2" (16.5cm) Depth when folded flat = about 1" (2.5cm)
US Terminology
Abbreviations:
Ch(s) = Chain(s) FO =Fasten Off Inc = Increase with 2 single crochets into one stitch Sc = Single Crochet Ss = Slip Stitch St(s) = Stitch(es) Pattern Notes: Pattern is adaptable for different sizes. A taller tree can be made by continuing beyond row 24, with more odd and even rows. If it is a lot taller, it might be good to lightly stuff before closing (to help support it so it can stand erect). It may not fold completely flat, because of the fullness. But it looks very pretty. A smaller tree can be made by making less rows. A plump-stuffed standing tree can be made with 2 or 3 complete segments. Stitch together down the center, and stuffed before closing the segments. A simple flat or fluffed Tree-ornament can be created from using just one complete segment. Add a bit of stuffing, and crochet a small chain-loop at the top for hanging. When joining two pieces for a segment, work over the yarn ends to eliminate weaving them in later. You can sew on or use fabric glue to attach bows or crocheted flat-circle-ornaments. You could also attach with small bent paperclips, safety pins or plastic doll clothespins. A simple white or red or gold chain-stitch might make a nice garland. And a tiny angel or star for the top would look good. Tree: Note: One complete segment is made from 2 sides: a front and a back. Six sides (for 3 complete segments) will be needed for the foldable tree. Row 1: Ch 2, 3 Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook. Turn. (3) Row 2: Ch 1, Sc across. Turn. Note: Repeat Row 2 for all even-numbered Rows. Mark Row 1 as the right side with a stitch-marker, thread or safety pin: It will help keep track of even and odd rows, and will be used for placement of ornaments later. Row 3: Ch 1, Inc, Sc, Inc. Turn (5) ODD Rows 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 23: Ch 1, Inc, Sc across, Inc. Turn. (7,9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25) Row 24: (Last Row) Ch 1, Sc across. FO the first piece.
To complete one segment:
Make another tree piece, but do not FO. Ch 1 and DO NOT TURN Hold the first piece in front with wrong sides facing and top-points together. 3 Sc through both pieces in the first (corner) st, Continue to Sc (through both pieces) completely around, with 3 Sc in each of the next 2 corners. Join with a ss to the first sc and FO. (One Segment Complete)
Assembly:
Hold 3 complete segments together, with the right sides of the outer two segments facing out Ss through the top center-sc-point of all 3 tree segments. With yarn underneath, (ss) surface crochet through each row, straight down the center. Be sure to keep the 3 segments aligned, and the stitches snug. By keeping the pieces aligned, I found it fairly easy to crochet. I periodically checked in the middle and back, to make sure it stayed even. When you reach the bottom, secure and weave in the ends. OR If you find that it is too difficult to surface crochet through 6 layers: Sew with a back stitch from the top point, straight down the center. Keep the 3 segments aligned. Secure and weave in the ends.
For a Stuffed Tree:
To complete one segment:
Hold 2 tree pieces together with wrong sides facing and top-points together. Ch 1, Sc through both pieces up the first side. (Note: Only 1 sc in the first stitch and other bottom corner). 3 Sc in the top corner and continue down the other side. DO NOT crochet across the bottom. FO with about 20" (depending on the width of your tree) to sew the bottom later.
Assembly:
Hold 3 complete segments together, with the right sides of the outer two segments facing out. Ss through the top center-sc-point of all 3 tree segments. With yarn underneath, (ss) surface crochet through each row, straight down the center. Be sure to keep the 3 segments aligned, and the stitches snug. By keeping the pieces aligned, I found it fairly easy to crochet. I periodically checked in the middle and back, to make sure it stayed even. When you reach the bottom, secure end. Lightly stuff the individual sections, and sew the bottoms closed.
OR
If you find that it is too difficult to surface crochet through 6 layers: Sew with a back stitch from the top point, straight down the center. Keep the 3 segments aligned. When you reach the bottom, secure end. Then lightly stuff the individual sections, and sew the bottoms closed.
