So this week we received a letter from school to let us know that the reception teacher would be leaving the school for pastures new! Shes been a lovely teacher and my son settled into reception well with her so I wanted to give her a little token thank you gift. Now seen as I work from home crocheting ans desperately tryign to sell my wares i'm by no means rich as you can imagine! so would could I make for very little money and in just a day or 2? well... I came up with these 2 things. A chocolate orange cover in the shape of, you guessed it, an apple and a Mug cosy replicating the school uniform. So today i'll show you the apple cover and if I ever get round to actually writing the mug cosy pattern down instead of winging it i'll share that with you too.
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What you'll need
Colour A - Brown DK
Colour B - Green or Red DK
4mm hook
A chocolate orange (or 2, in case you eat one in the process)
needle for weaving in you ends and assembly.
SC - Single Crochet (UK Double)
HDC - Half Double (UK half treble)
DC - Double Crochet (UK Treble)
SL - Slip Stitch
INC - Increase, 2 SC into 1 stitch
DEC - Decrease, single crochet 2 together (invisible decrease or normal decrease is fine)
CH - Chain
Turn at the end of EVERY row
The cover
Start with your brown yarn and create a magic ring (if you don't like the magic ring then chain 3, join to the first chain to make a circle)
R1 6SC into the center, sl to finish. Switch to Colour B R2 - INC into each stitch (12), SL, Ch1 Turn
R3 - *SC , INC* Repeat around (18) SL, Ch1 Turn
R4 - *SC, SC, INC* Repeat around (24) SL, Ch1 Turn
R5 - *SC, SC, SC, INC* Repeat around (30) SL, Ch1 Turn
R6 - *SC, SC, SC, SC, INC* Repeat around (36) SL, Ch1 Turn
R7 - R14 - SC in each stitch around (36). SL, Ch1 at the end of every row as normal
when you get to about round 10 just check that it will fit over your orange. If you find it is too tight then increase your hook size to a 4.5mm and start again
R15 - *SC, SC, SC, SC, DEC* x6 times (30) Do not slip stitch and join. Just Chain 1 and Turn
R16 - *SC, SC, SC, DEC* x6 times (24) Do not slip stitch and join. Just Chain 1 and Turn
R17 - *SC, SC, DEC* x6 times (18) Do not slip stitch and join. Just Chain 1 and Turn
R18 - Slip stitch in every stitch, including the V that has been made with your decreases.
The stork - Colour A/Brown
Create Magic ring
6SC into the magic ring and pull right. SL to join.
CH1 and do 6 sc into each stitch for 6 rounds. Leave a long tail for attaching to the brown section of the top of the apple. Sew together using a whip stitch.
The Leaf - Green
Ch5, then you'll be working your way back down the chain and back up the other side to create the leaf.
SC in the 2nd chain from the hook, HDC, DC, HDC, 3SC in the last chain of the row and work back up the other side as follows, HDC, DC, HDC, SC and SL to the first stitch to join leaving a long end and use this to sew onto the stork.
Tadaa! you now have a super cute chocolate orange cover, add a choc orange or small bath bomb and hey presto super cheap, easy, quick and unique teacher gift.
Don't forget to to subscribe so you know when the next free pattern is published! There's even more on my ravelry store and if you prefer printable PDF's then you can buy them in my Etsy Store. if you make one dont forget to tag me on insta @letscreateagift and use the hashtag #crochetcollective20. Of find me on Facebook I love seeing your makes.
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