Make it count
Fill these candy-coloured pockets with treats and let the countdown begin. Designed by Esme Crick.
How many more sleeps? Get ready for the Christmas countdown with this fabulously sugary Advent calendar. Finished with wooden star buttons and felt numbers, it’s a gorgeous make the kids will love. SQUARES (MAKE 24) See Colour Guide below for yarn choice, ch17. Row 1 Dc in second ch from hook and each ch across, turn. [16 dc] Rows 2-17 Ch1 (does not count as st), dc in each st across, turn. Fasten off and weave in ends. EDGING Join Moon Stone in first st, ch1 (does not count as st), dc in each st and row end around edge of each square working (dc, ch2, dc) in each corner, ss in first dc to join.
Fasten off and weave in ends. Block squares to shape. TREE Make 24 in total, see colour guide. Leaving a long starting tail of 20cm, ch2.
Row 1 (RS) 2dc in second ch from hook, turn. [2 dc]
Row 2 (WS) Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), dc in each dc across, turn. [2 dc] Row 3 Ch1, 2dc in each st across, turn. [4 dc] Row 4 Repeat Row 2. Row 5 Ch1, 2dc in first st, dc in each st across to last st, 2dc in last st, turn. [6 dc] Row 6 Repeat Row 2. Rows 7-10 Repeat Rows 5-6. [10 dc] TREE BASE Row 1 (RS) With RS facing, join Moon Stone into fifth st of Row 10 along base of tree, ch1, dc in same st and next st, turn. [2 dc] Row 2 Ch1, dc in each dc across. [2 dc] Fasten off and weave in ends except the long starting tail.
TO MAKE UP
Glue or sew each tree onto each square following the Colour Guide. Use the long starting thread to sew star button onto top of each tree using the image as a guide.
BACKING
Hold both pieces of fabric RS tog. Sew a seam 1cm in from outside edge along one short side, along the bottom and up the other short side. Turn right side out. Fold raw long top edge in 1cm and iron to hold seam in place ready for tabs. Use the 4 small pieces of fabric to make hanging tabs. Fold each long edge in 1cm, iron and sew in place, ensuring each is the same width (5cm). Fold each tab in half with RS facing out and insert raw edge 1cm into top seam of main fabric at equal distances along the top edge. Pin into place ensuring each tab is the same length (5cm). Sew along top seam of main fabric to fasten tabs in place. Arrange the 24 squares onto fabric using the image as a guide, leaving gaps between squares as desired. Sew 3 sides of squares on through both pieces of fabric, leaving top edge open for advent treats! Attach felt advent number onto each square. Insert copper pipe into tabs along top to hang. Hang up your calendar either with ribbon attached to copper pipe or simply hang the pipe directly on hooks on the wall.