Free Crochet Pattern for Christmas Tree Baubles.

 This is a tutorial I put together for the crafty blog It's a Creative World.  I was chuffed to be invited to give a guest post.  (Happy face).

Crochet Christmas Tree Baubles Free Pattern...

 
Copyright A.B. McKenna 2009

I’m using the US term ‘single crochet’ in this pattern. This is the same stitch as ‘double crochet’ in the UK.   I’m happy to help anyone who needs it… my e-mail is

[email protected]

Materials you will need

You will need some yarn. I use the brightly coloured Bamboo Cotton by ‘King Cole’ which is 50% bamboo and 50% cotton. It’s similar to double knitting.

2mm hook (which gives a very tight finish that I like), but you could use a 3mm or even 4mm hook if you wanted.

Various sequins, beads, bling and ric-rac. Note the baubles are meant as a decoration, NOT a toy.

Embroidery thread to match or contrast with your yarn.

Darning needle

Sewing needle that will take embroidery thread but that will also pass through the holes in your beads.

PART ONE Crocheting the bauble.

When you start an Amigurumi style pattern, you can use what’s called a ‘magic loop’ but it’s another thing that can put people off amigurumi, so on this pattern I’m beginning in the traditional way where you make a loop and do 2 chain, try to make the first chain stitch quite loose.

Round one

Into the second chain from the hook, do 6 single crochet stitches (6sc)

 
 
Round two

Do 2 single crochet stitches (2sc) into each of the single crochet stitches below....  

You need to count and make sure you have 12 stitches in round two. (12) 

   
You can begin to see the crochet ‘spiralling’. Now you need to add a stitch marker. The best way I’ve found is to use a contrasting piece of thick thread in the LAST stitch of the round. This is because if you make a mistake or get lost in the pattern, you can rip the work back to the stitch marker, knowing the work was correct up to that place and then you can begin the round again.

 

 

Round three

Do 2 single crochet (2sc) into the first stitch, then 1 single crochet in the next stitch…

 

Repeat another 5 times to give you 18 stitches. Notice how you must actually crochet INTO the stitch which has the stitch marker in it…

Count the stitches to check you have 18, then move your stitch marker. (18)

Round four

Do 2 single crochet (2sc) into the first stitch, then 1 single crochet into each of the next two single crochet stitches on the round below. Repeat another five times (so you did that 6 times altogether). Count to make sure you have 24 stitches then move your stitch marker. (24)

Rounds five to nine

Do 1 sc into each stitch around. Count 24 sc stitches then add your stitch marker into the 24^th stitch. Rounds 6 to 9 are the same. I usually make a mark with a pen on some scrap paper every time I’ve done a round and moved my stitch marker. It’s easy to forget which round you are on if you don’t keep track.

 

Round ten

Now it’s time to decrease.

‘Single crochet decrease’ by crocheting two stitches together. Insert the hook into just the front loops of the first two sc stitches below…

… then do 2sc. Repeat another five times to give you 18 stitches. (18)

Round eleven

Do 1sc then single crochet decrease (by crocheting two stitches together, see previous photo). Repeat five times to give you 12 stitches. (12)

Stuff the bauble firmly with toy stuffing.

 
Round twelve

Single crochet decrease all the way around (a total of six times) to give you 6sc stitches. (6)

Measure about 1 metre of yarn and snip off. Pass the cut end through the last stitch and pull it firmly.

 
Thread a darning needle onto the yarn and make one small neat stitch on the top of the bauble…

 
Then push the darning needle right through the bauble…

PART TWO crocheting the ‘hanging loop’ on the bauble

Wrap the yarn around the tip of your little finger…

Insert the crochet hook through the loop you made around your little finger, catch the yarn and pull it through…

 

Put the yarn over the hook and pull through. Pull this stitch tight and push it down towards the bauble so that it’s touching the bauble and there isn’t a big gap…

Then single crochet around the ‘hanging loop’ …

Fasten-off by passing the yarn through the last stitch. Pull the end tight and thread a darning needle on the yarn.

Push the needle down through the bauble and out the base. Make a few small stitches and fasten off. Thread the cut end up into the bauble.

PART THREE Decorating the bauble

Choose some embroidery thread and a needle that will fit through your beads. Insert the needle up through the base of the bauble and out where you want the sequins and beads to go.

[The needle is a bit high on the photo above.. it needs to be one row down.]

To fasten off tie the two ends together at the base of the bauble. Thread the loose ends up into the bauble.

There are many different ways to decorate the baubles. I tried ric-rac and beads, different sequins with beads and used mini-dots to add some bling! You can also crochet stripes on the baubles (during rounds 5 to 9).

Hope you'll have a go at these simple christmas baubles.  I'd love to get some comments  ;)

Comments

[Katy_Ravensong]

Love them! Thanks so much! I left a comment at Crochetville already!

[CraftyShanna]

These are beautiful! What a wonderful idea. One of the We Love Amigurumi mods posted a link to this, so you may get higher than usual traffic on this post. :D http://community.livejournal.com/weloveamigurumi/643774.html

[guanacaste costa rica]

I embossed the guitar player with silver powder -- much shinier in real life and that flash is powerful as you cannot see through the embossing with your naked eye.The saying is from my favorite retired birthday greeting set -- had to use that song lyric for this one!

[Kiyo Kidman]

LOVE THEM!!! LOVE THE BRIGHT COLORS- I MIGHT JUST MAKE THEM TO HANG AT DIFF. LEVELS FROM THE CEILING IN MY ROOM AGAINST A PINK WALL, WITH DIFF. LENGTHS OF FISHING TWINE. JUST FOR FUN!!

[Gisèle]

thank you so much for the pattern! I have put a link to these lovely baubles on my blog (http://loisirspassion.over-blog.com/article-modele-de-boules-de-noel-au-crochet-61940860.html). Since some readers have asked me for the French translation, would you authorize me to translate it and publish it on my blog, of course with a link to your website? Thank you again for this beautiful pattern. Best wishes, Gisèle

[Mandy]

Hi Gisele,
I'm very happy for you to translate my pattern into French :)
Mandy

[Christina]

Thanks so much for posting!
This is a really great pattern and your instructions are so good! Clear, exact, and step by step! I also love the way you can jazz them up with sequins and other accessories - my kids are going to love hot-gluing all kinds of stuff to these! You've come up with a beautiful ornament and a great Homemade decoration!
I can't wait to try it :-)

[Jo]

This was an amazing find as I have a friend who needs some Christmas decorations for her tree. As a beginner the pictures are also a big help!

Thank you very much for posting such a cute pattern!

[Jane Blogs]

Just wanted to let you know that I linked to your pattern from my blog Free Amigurumi Patterns, and it's been very popular!

Thanks for sharing with us all, and have a wonderful Christmas :D

Cheers,
Jane :)

[Sue Berlet]

Can't wait to make these little baubles. I was just wondering if, in the future, you could post the instructions with the option of no pictures. I wanted to print the instructions without using all the ink in my printer and then follow the picture illustrations if I ran into trouble. Just a thought.
Thanks,
Sue

[mattyfunnyone]

nice clear pictures,I can do what you show but your posting cleared up a few issues I had with stitch counting and markers.thanks

[Jean Thompson]

These are ADORABLE! I'm going to try to get a set done as gifts for my students and colleagues.

[Nana]

Looks and reads simple, Thanks for sharing. I'm going to make some striped ones with a jingle bell in it, no beads or loose decorations. And make as baby and cat toys.

[Nancy]

I love these! They gave me a great idea for a Dr. Seuss themed Christmas tree. My preschool class would love it!

[Shirley de l'Eveille]

thanks for the great pictorial instructions.. i work much better with visual aids !

[Liza]

These are adorable! With the bright colors they could be decorations for any time of the year!

[S Ertl]

Thank you SO much for this pattern - it was in the AllFreeCrochet email today. I LOVE the tutorial - makes it so much more understandable to follow. I am going to make a bunch of these - perhaps 36 - which would give each of my grandchildren 12 ornaments for their trees when they move away from home. That way, they will always part of ME with them. I want them to remember me always. Thanks for that change.
Sharon

[Dolores Morley]

The baubles look asolutely adorable. Can't wait to start making them.
Thank you.

[Joan Rooney]

What a delightful idea and addition for our 3 ft. Christmas tree. I love the baubles! Thank you for the easy instructions, the visual as well as the text in both places. I'm a visual learner with most anything. Text alone doesn't help at all. :p These will be an extra-added addition to my gift packages of free crochet items to friends and family. They're going to be as delighted as I am when they see these adorable baubles. Thanks so much for sharing. Have a blessed week. Joan Rooney
PS. I occasionally use the ichthus fish when signing emails.

[AmbersMom]

Fun project - I am going to fill with some catnip for a toy for my cat!

thanks

[Bethel of Bethania]

G'day,
I love your little babbles... what really surprised me is your Christmas tree... I have one the same & have had it about 8 years... I've not seen another like it before... Thanks for sharing... Bethel

[Lisa Stephens]

Had to forward to my sister who also crochets and want to make some BEFORE Christmas. My two grand daughters would love having them to hang on the Christmas tree this year since I have just recently moved out of state. Thanks for your creative juices you have shared with the world.Lisa

[jeanette moore]

love the baubles great project for the holidays to send grandchildren since they live in different states and loves grandmas homemade stuff thanks again for a great idea

[Beachbaubles]

Absolutely adorable! Can't wait to make these-Thanks!

[izzi]

These baubles are totally AWESOME!! They are really cute and i absolutely love them! thank you so much for this tutorial.. it's very detailed:D