Pretty pockets

YOUR COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS!

YOU WILL NEED

■ Cygnet DK Cotton (100% cotton, 100g/200m) 3 balls of Blush (3275) 2 balls of White (20800) 1 ball of each: Peony Pink (4065) Golden (3184) Lagoon (5331) Frosty Blue (5033) Spring (6711) Pepper (6206) Black (2117)

■ A4mm (US G/6) hook

■ Adowel, 60cm long

■ 24 gift tags, 7x2cm For yarn stockists contact Cygnet Yarns 01274 743374 www.cygnetyarns.com

TENSION 20 sts and 24 rows measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over double crochet st using a 4mm hook, or size needed to obtain correct tension

MEASUREMENTS Calendar measures 54x54cm (21¼x21¼ in) Each pocket measures 8.5x8.5cm (3¼x3¼in)

ABBREVIATIONS picot Ch2, ss in last ch from hook (does not count as st in stitch count) surface crochet Hold yarn at WS, insert hook from RS through to the WS, yrh and pull up a loop, *insert hook from RS to WS, yrh and pull up a loop, pull through loop on hook French knot Thread yarn onto needle, bring working yarn to RS, hold yarn 3-5cm from where it exited the fabric to create tension, place needle against yarn from fabric, wrap around needle 4 times, insert needle next to original exit point continuing to hold working yarn and pull needle through For a full list, see page 86 of Simply Crochet magazine

Get ready for Christmas day by filling this Advent calendar with countdown treats. Bring it out each year and make it a tradition!

NOTES The Advent calendar is made of a Background and 24 Pockets. Background and Pockets are worked in rows and finished with a Border. Pockets are embellished using tapestry crochet, appliqués, surface crochet and embroidery. If using more than one colour on a Pocket, change colour on the final yrh of st before colour change is indicated. Carry the unused colour across the top of the sts, enclosing the strand as you work. There are Charts on pages 7-8, which you will need to refer to. Each small square represent 1dc unless otherwise stated. Read all RS rows from right to left and WS rows from left to right. The first 2 rows of colourwork have been written out for all Charts as a guide.

ADVENT CALENDAR BACKGROUND

Using Blush, ch105. Row 1 (RS) Dc in second ch from hook, dc in each ch across, turn. [104 dc] Rows 2-125 Ch1 (does not count as a st throughout), dc in each st across, turn. Fasten off.

BORDER With RS facing, join White in top-right corner. Round 1 Ch1, (dc in next st, skip 2 sts, 5tr in next st, skip 2 sts) 16 times, dc in next st, skip 2 sts, 5tr in next st, skip 1 st, dc in next st, skip 1 st, 5tr in last st, turn to work in row ends, skip 1 row-end, (dc in next row-end, skip 2 row-ends, 5tr in next row-end, skip 2 row-ends) 20 times, dc in next row-end, skip 2 row-ends, 5tr in last row-end, turn to work along bottom, skip 1 st, (dc in next st, skip 2 sts, 5tr in next st, skip 2 sts) 16 times, dc in next st, skip 2 sts, 5tr in next st, skip 1 st, dc in next st, skip 1 st, turn to work in row-ends, 5tr in first row-end, skip 1 row-end, (dc in next row-end, skip 2 row-ends, 5tr in next row-end, skip 2 row-ends) 20 times, dc in next row-end, skip 1 row-end, 5tr in last row-end, ss to beg dc. [78 dc, 78 tr shells] Fasten off and weave in ends.