LACY BAUBLE TRIO
These lace spheres can be worked in three different sizes and will look stunning on your tree. By Anne Egan.
King Cole Giza Cotton 4ply (100% cotton, 50g/158m), 2 balls of each: Yarn A White (2190), Yarn B Glacier (2194) A 2mm (US Steel 4 or B/1) hook PVA glue Water balloons for moulds
MEASUREMENTS
Each Small Bauble measures 7cm (2 in) diameter when glued Each Medium Bauble measures 9cm (3 in) diameter when glued Each Large Bauble measures 12cm (4 in) diameter when glued
SMALL BAUBLE
Make 2 sides in each colour to join together. Ch2. Round 1 6dc in second ch from hook, ss in first dc to join. [6 dc]
Round 2 Ch4 (counts as tr, ch1), tr in st at base of ch-3, (tr, ch1, tr) in each dc around, ss in third ch of beg ch-4 to join. [18 sts]
Round 3 Ss to ch-1 sp, ch5 (counts as tr, ch2), tr in same ch-1 sp, ch1, *(tr, ch2, tr) in next ch-1 sp, ch1; repeat from * 4 more times, ss in third ch of beg ch-5 to join. [30 sts]
Round 4 *Ss to next ch-2 sp, ch8, ss in same ch-2 sp, dc in bl of next tr, ss in next ch-1 sp, ch3, ss in second and third ch from hook, dc in bl of next tr; repeat from * 5 more times, ss in next ch-2 sp to join.
Round 5 Ss in first 4 ch of ch-8 sp, *ch5, ss in ch-1 sp of Round 3 (behind ch-3 group), ch5, ss to next ch-8 sp, repeat from * 5 more times. [12 ch-5 sps]
Round 6 *(Ch4, ss in third ch of next ch-5 sp) twice, ch4, ss in next ss; repeat from * around. [18 ch-4 sps]
Round 7 Dc in each ch of each ch-4 sp around. [72 dc]
Round 8 Ch4 (counts as tr, ch1), skip next
st, *tr in next st, ch1, skip next st; repeat from * around, ss in third ch of beg ch-4 to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.
MEDIUM BAUBLE
Make 2 sides in each colour to join together.
Rounds 1-6 Work as Rounds 1-6 of Small Bauble. [18 ch-4 sps]
Round 7 *Ss to next ch-4 sp, ch8, ss in same ch-4 sp, ss in next ch-4 sp, (dc, ch3, ss in second and third ch from hook, dc) in same ch-4 sp; repeat from * around, ss to first ch-4 sp to join. [9 ch-8 sps]
Round 8 Ss in first 4 ch of ch-8 sp, *ch5, ss in ch-4 sp of Round 6 (behind ch-3 group), ch5, ss to ch-8 sp; repeat from * around. [18 ch-5 sps]
Round 9 Work as Round 6 of Small Bauble. [27 ch-4 sps] Rounds 10-11 Work as Rounds 7 and 8 of Small Bauble.
LARGE BAUBLE
Make 2 sides in each colour to join together.
Rounds 1-9 Work as Rounds 1-9 of Medium Bauble. [27 ch-4 sps]
Round 10 *Ss to next ch-4 sp, ch8, ss in same ch-4 sp, ss to next ch-4 sp, (dc, ch3, ss in second and third ch from hook, dc) in same ch-4 sp, ss to next ch-4 sp, ch8, ss in same ch-4 sp; repeat from * around, ss in next ch-4 sp to join. [18 ch-8 sps]
Round 11 Ss in first 4 ch of ch-8 sp, *ch5, ss in ch-4 sp of Round 9 (behind ch-3 group), (ch5, ss in next ch-8 sp) twice; repeat from * around. [27 ch-5 sps]
Round 12 *(Ch4, ss in third ch of next ch-5 sp) twice, ch4, ss in next ss, ss in each of next 5 ch; repeat from * around. [27 ch-4 sps] Rounds 13-14 Work as Rounds 7-8 of Small Bauble.
TO MAKE UP
All sizes
With WS facing inwards, join the two sides with a ss seam in bl of facing half and fl of other half. Soak each Bauble in PVA glue, making sure you get all stitches well covered in glue, wring out gently. Stuff a water balloon into each bauble and blow up to stated size, making sure you maintain a spherical shape. Spread the stitches out carefully, maintaining the symmetrical pattern. Leave overnight to dry thoroughly. Once dry, carefully push the balloon away from the bauble to unstick the glue from the balloon before popping it and removing it.