Decorations

To raise a bit of Christmas cheer, trim your tree with eye-catching neon baubles designed by Vickie Smith

■ Scheepjes Softy (75% polyester, 25% nylon,

50g/145m), 2 balls of White (494)

■ Scheepjes Catona (100% cotton, 25g/62m), 2 balls of Snow White (106), 1 ball of each: Neon Orange (603), Neon Yellow (601), Neon Pink (604), Neon Green (602), Cyan (397)

■ A 2.5mm (US B/1 or C/2) hook

■ A stitch marker

■ Toy stuffing

■ A pompom maker, 2.5cm

TENSION

Tension is not critical for this project, but it may affect the yarn quantities required

MEASUREMENTS

Each Decoration measures 12cm (4¾in) in diameter

NOTES

Decorations are made of 2 Panels, which are joined together with a slip stitch seam. Each Panel is worked in a continuous spiral using 2 colours. When changing colour place the loop of the previous colour onto a stitch marker ready to use again on the next round. The first round of the Panel is extended, so all subsequent rounds begin with a colour change.

DECORATIONS PANEL (MAKE 2)

Using Neon Orange, make a magic loop.

Round 1 (RS) Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), 3dc in loop, place live loop on marker, join Snow White into magic loop, ch1, 3dc in loop, dc in next 3 sts, place live loop on marker. [9 sts]

Round 2 (RS) Pick up loop of Neon Orange, 2dc in next 6 sts, place live loop on marker. [12 sts]

Round 3 Pick up loop of Snow White, (1dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times, place live loop on marker. [18 sts] Round 4 Pick up loop of Neon Orange, (2dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times, place live loop on marker. [24 sts]

Round 5 Pick up loop of Snow White, (3dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times, place live loop on marker. [30 sts]

Round 6 Pick up loop of Neon Orange, (4dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times, place live loop on marker. [36 sts]

Round 7 Pick up loop of Snow White, (5dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [42 sts]

Fasten off Snow White.

Round 8 Pick up loop of Neon Orange, dc in each st around, ss to beg dc.

Fasten off first Panel only.

Round 9 Ch1, dc in bl of each st around, ss to

beg dc. Rounds 10-12 Ch1, dc in each st around, ss to beg dc.

Place both Panels together with RS facing out. Work next round through final rounds of both Panels to join.

Using Neon Orange, ss in each st around, stuffing the decoration as you go.

Fasten off leaving a long tail.

Using the tail, make a loop to hang the Decoration.

Make a Decoration using each remaining colour with Snow White.

TO FINISH

Using White, make a pompom and sew to the base of each decoration.