12 Days of Christmas: “Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas; It’s the Best Time of the Year”
I am half way there! Day 6 and I’m feeling good and all is fabulous! I like to really challenge myself and set high goals. I pulled out all my Christmas stash and WIPs that I have been working for Christmas and it was just taking over my office and giving me massive anxiety because I like a neat work space. I also worried that I would get distracted and not use so many of the materials that I have had saved all year for Christmas projects – so, I gave myself this 12-days of Christmas challenge and put it out into the social media world before I had a chance to back down! Ha! But, for real! I have used about half my Christmas yarn stash and am well on my way to an empty clean office!! So, I present Day 6 to you.
One thing to note in this pattern – and the patterns for my Christmas trees – I shop end of year clearance sales – so, go after Christmas if you need to stock up on a stash to work up for next year. These foam balls and cones can be expensive, but if you shop with 50% off coupons and sales you can be thrifty as well.
If this is your first stop on my 12 Days of Christmas blog extravaganza make sure you go back and see
All of these post have a different pattern and fun information. I am working hard to make a new blog post with a new pattern each day for all 12 days. Unless something drastic happens check back here each day and see all the fun, holiday goodness. I don’t even know my plans for all the days yet – so, save this post and come back and check.
UPDATE: Get the ridiculously low priced 12 Days of Christmas Pattern in a Downloadable PDF right here. You can ALL 12 Days of Christmas for one super low price. Merry Christmas! (Etsy only right now – I will try to get this over on Ravelry soon)
These patterns are intended for personal use only. This pattern -and all my patterns- are offered for free or a small fee to help support my family so please do not redistribute, sell, copy or use them in any way not in accordance with fairness.
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Kristi Bergin-Smith and The Burgundy Basket, 2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to me, Kristi Bergin-Smith and The Burgundy Basket with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Materials:
Assorted. I have written most of these patterns with “stash busting” in mind. I have a huge assortment of old yarn and odds and ends yarns from a vast collection of mostly thrifted bags of yarn. Most all of what I am using is 4-ply worsted weight yarns like Red Heart Super Saver. I will note any changes and give you the best idea I can on what to use to make each pattern.
I will have a full list of all products used for each pattern at the start of that pattern.
-Hooks : Hook sizes will vary greatly for all of these patterns. I will note at the start of each pattern the hook/hooks that I have used.
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I looked all over the Hobby Lobby site trying to link you there to this product, but I could not find it – so, here is one like it from Amazon:
These Christmas balls are not only super easy, but they are fun and fast! But, be on the lookout after the Holidays for the supplies and buy them at clearance prices. I found these at my local Hobby Lobby and they are huge! They are labeled 6” and at first you think 6” isn’t giant, but being spheres they just seem so much larger – especially after the crochet work goes on and the topper gets added.
Materials: in addition to the foam balls and toppers, I have again – one of my favorite ways to make plain colors exciting and to “stash bust” – I have held two strands together for these and used my K/6.5mm hook.
If you need a photo tutorial on how to start the crochet work please go back up in the pattern to the toe of the stockings because you will work the start of these balls the same way – BUT, if you have different size foam balls than mine please adjust the increase rows to fit your foam balls.
Working in the CONTINUOUS Round:
*I do not join and chain, but continue to work in the next stitch. Use a stitch marker for this so you don’t lose your place.
Starting/Increasing:
Chain 2.
Single crochet 6 in the second chain from the hook and work over your starting tail.
Starting in the first sc make 2 sc in that stitch and in each stitch around. (12) *Still work over the starting tail.
After getting done with all 12 sc for that round, pull the starting tail to cinch up the opening. You can now trim that tail or weave it in or just leave it if it will be on the inside of your work.
You want to move your stitch marker to the last stitch of each round so you know when you get to the end.
Round 3: (Make 1 sc in next stitch, make 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (18)
Round 4: (Make 1 sc in next 2 stitches, make 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (24)
Round 5: (Make 1 sc in next 3 stitches, make 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (30)
Round 6: (Make 1 sc in next 4 stitches, make 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (36)
Round 7: (Make 1 sc in next 5 stitches, make 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (42)
Round 8: (Make 1 sc in next 6 stitches, make 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (48)
Round 9: (Make 1 sc in next 7 stitches, make 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (54)
When you get to this part you want to have your crochet fit just a little larger than your ball. You want it to be snug when you get done with your crochet work, but you don’t want to stretch your stitches. So, fold it around the top of your ball and see how it fits. It should look “loose” around the edges. If you need continue in the increase pattern above and make more increases or if you think it’s just way too large pull back a row.
You can see how it should “bowl” up a little and have some gaps around the ball.
Rounds 10-17: sc in each stitch around (54)
After doing a few rounds you might want to check for size again:
Continue working in rounds.
Round 18: To go from 54 to 48: (Make 1 sc in next 7 stitches, make an inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around
Round 19: To go from 48 to 42: (Make 1 sc in next 6 stitches, make an inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around
Round 20: To go from 42 to 36: (Make 1 sc in next 5 stitches, make an inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around
Round 21: To go from 36 to 30: (Make 1 sc in next 4 stitches, make an inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around
***Once I got here to 30 stitches around, I inserted my foam ball. If you are using balls like mine and they have a hole make sure you put the hole facing you. It might be a little tight – just stretch it and pop it in. You will have to do the rest of the decreases with the foam inserted. Just pull out the stitches a little as you work into them.
Round 22: To go from 30 to 24: (Make 1 sc in next 3 stitches, make an inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around
Round 23: To go from 24 to 18: (Make 1 sc in next 2 stitches, make an inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around
Round 24: To go from 18 to 12: (Make 1 sc in next stitch, make an inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around.
Round 25: make one sc in each stitch around (12) and leave a tail to weave opening shut. I use only one of my two tails to weave shut and then when you come back around tie the two together and hide tails with your needle under a few stitches.
This blue and teal ball is worked with the exact same pattern as above, but I have worked in the Back Loop Only (BLO) all the way around.
Speaking of balls: looks at this big, adorable boy! He just got his second Bark Box today and immediately stole the football toy. He is a big hunk! He will chew through anything, so we got him the super chewer box and love all the toys and treats each month. For just two more days they have a great introductory price and some savings. We – or me most of all ! – look forward to our box now and can’t wait to explore! I am sure he is having football slobbery dreams.
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