Yarn Bombing

Well...crochet rock bombing actually. 

Just a bit of silly whimsy on a warm early summer day.  I thought it was time to lighten up a bit here.
If you've a mind to make one of these beauties I'm laying out instructions here for you.  I will also be teaching this at Stash Needle Art Lounge - two 3 hour classes in July and two in August .  It should be great fun so come on and join us.  You can access the schedule for Stash's classes here
OK...here we go:

Crochet for Rocks  1,   Degree of difficulty - Easy

 Stitches used.  Chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st), double crochet stitch (dc).

Materials.  5 wt crochet cotton and 2.25 mm crochet hook,  and a rock…of course.

Instructions:

Chain 8.  Sl st to first ch to form a ring.

Round 1:  Into the centre of the ring, * Ch4:  1 dc, ch2* 15 times.  Sl st in 2^nd ch at beginning of round.

Round 2:  ch 2, 1 dc in first ch2 space below, ch2: *2dc in next ch2 sp, ch2* around. Sl st in 2^nd ch at

                    beginning of round.     

Round 3:   ch 6; *dc in ch2 sp below, ch 4* around. Sl st in 2^nd ch at beginning of the round.

*While your work is still flat, stop and tail in that centre thread.  This will save you grief later.

Now it is time to lay your work on the top of your chosen rock and measure it.  It should be exactly the same dimension as your rock top – if not, do another round like round 3.

If your work is the same dimension as the top of your rock, it is time to shape your work.

Next round:  ch 5 *dc in ch 4 sp below, ch 3* around.  Sl st to 2^nd ch at the beginning of the round.

*Things should be starting to curl in.  Slip your rock into the work.  How does it fit?  If you’re happy with the way it is fitting…let’s carry on.  If you’re thinking it still isn’t quite big enough , do one more crochet round like the one you just finished.   If the curl is too tight and you can’t insert your rock, you’ll have to pull out the round. Try making one more ch st between dc’s.  You have to be a bit flexible here.  It is all about fit after all and every rock is different.

Next round:  ch 4 *dc in ch 3 sp below, ch 2* around.  Sl st to 2^nd ch at the beginning of the round.  Insert the stone into the work.

Note:  From here on in, the work is completed with the stone inside.  This can be a bit awkward so persevere.  You’re almost there.

Last  round:  Ch 2 *dc in each ch 2 space around.   Snug it up, end off, and tail in your end.   Your crochet cover should fit tightly around your rock.    

Enjoy your rock!  These crochet rocks make lovely paper weights, door stops,  fun gifts, decoration- where ever your imagination takes you.

 If you are looking for a bit more of a challenge  you can try this one:

Crochet for Rocks 2. – Degree of Difficulty – Intermediate.

Stitches used.  Chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), Treble crochet (tr)

Materials :  5 wt crochet cotton, 2.25 mm hook, suitable rock.

Instructions:

Ch 8 and sl st to first chain to form a ring.

Round 1:  Make 16 sc in ring, sl st to first sc.

Round 2: Ch3 – counts as first dc; *ch 4, skip 1 sc, 1 dc in next sc* around, sl st to 3rd ch of starting ch 3. 8 ch4 spaces.

Round 3: Ch 1.  In each ch 4 space, work: 1 sc, 1 dc, 2 tr, 1 dc, 1 sc, around.  Sl st to ch 1 beginning of round.

Round 4:  ch 3 – counts as first dc. *ch 6, dc between 2 tr, ch 6 * around.  Join with sl st to 3^rd chain of ch 3 at beginning of round

Measure your work against the top of the rock you are covering.  They should be exactly the same.  If they are not, make another round like round 4.

If they are the same, continue onto round 5:

Round 5:  This is where we start to curl around the sides of the rock.

                  Ch 3, counts as first dc *ch 5, dc in top of dc below* around.  Join with sl st to 3^rd ch beginning the round.

Round 6:  Fit the stone into your work.  Round 6 is completed with the stone in place, as follows.

                  Ch 2; * dc in ch 5 sp, dc in dc below*, around.  Sl  st to 2^nd ch of beginning ch 2.  End off, pull work snug, tail in your end.

Note:  This pattern is designed for rocks approximately  3 to 3 ½ inches or 8-9 cm.  If you find or love a bigger rock that’s OK.  Your flat rounds will be the same – that’s the centre design – and then at round 4,  you will need to do more rounds to cover the surface and sides of your rock.  If you are working with a smaller rock, you might have to eliminate a round.   One must be flexible when crocheting around a rock – because the rock won’t move, which means you will have to.

And if you have good crochet skills and are comfortable with small hooks and crochet cotton - try this one:

Crochet for Rocks 3 -  not for the faint of heart…but really not too bad.   You must know how to do the following to complete this design:

Stitches used:  slip stitch (sl st) chain, (ch),  single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), double crochet cluster (dc cl) Yarn over (yo) Half double crochet (hdc)

Special stitches – double crochet cluster:    yarn over, insert hook into stitch or loop below, draw up loop – you have three loops on hook, yo draw through two loops, yarn over, insert hook back into same stitch below, draw up loop, yarn over and draw hook through two loops.   Three loops are left on the hook.  Yarn over, insert hook back into the same stitch below, draw up loop, yarn over, draw hook through two loops, yarn over, draw through all remaining loops on hook.  One dc cluster made.  (dc cl)

Materials:   5 wt crochet cotton, 2.25 mm hook, and a suitable rock

 Instructions

Make 5 ch, join into ring with sl st.

Round 1:  Ch 1, make 11 sc into centre of ring, sl st to 1^st ch.

Round 2:  *Ch 13, sl st into next sc* - around , sl st to sl st at end of round one.  12 chain petals made.

Round 3:  Sl st into first 6 ch on first loop.  Make  1 dc cl, ch 3, 1 dc cl, ch 4 in top of this loop. In top of next ch 13 loop make 1 sc, ch 4 .  continuing this pattern, make * 1 dc cl, ch 3, 1 dc cl, ch 4 in top of next ch 13 loop, 1 sc, ch 4 in next loop* around.  Join with sl st to the top of the first dc cl made.

A Note of caution:   Be careful not to twist your loop petals when working round 3.

Now is the time to measure your work against the rock you are covering.  It should cover the entire top of the rock.     Now is also the time to tail in your beginning tail because once you have inserted your rock and crocheted around it, you won’t be able to get at that tail easily.

Round 4:  Sl st into first 2 ch of the ch 3 sp between the first cluster pair, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc)  *ch 3, dc in next ch sp * around.  Sl st to 2^nd ch 2 at beginning of round.

Round 5:  sl st to middle of first ch 3 sp below, ch 2 (this is first dc) , * ch 3, dc in next ch space , ch 3, dc in next ch sp,* – around to beginning, sl st to top of first dc made.

Your work should be curling around the sides.  Try it on the rock and see how things are progressing. 

Here is where you might need to make one more round like round 5 to accommodate your particular rock – it’s a judgement call at this point.

Round 6:  sl t to middle of ch 3 sp at beginning of last round, ch 2 – this is your first dc) ch 2, make one dc in middle of next ch 3 sp ch 2, around.  Sl st to top of beginning ch 2.

Fit your work over the rock.  It should be snug.   The next and last round is done working with the rock inside your work.

 Round 7:  Ch 2, hdc in next ch 2 sp – around.  Sl st into 2^nd ch at beginning.  Pull tight and end off and tail in end.

You can have a bit of fun with these babies - and you can make them big or small - give them away, leave them for people to find, or put them in your own garden.  You'll never look at rocks the same way again - I guarantee it.