PLACEHOLDER

Put old wine corks to good use with these tomte placeholders by Victoria Kairis. Make them unique by choosing your own colours!

■ Yarn and Colors Must-Have (100% mercerised cotton, 50g/125m) 1 ball of each: Nordic Blue (064), Green Beryl (077), Pepper (032), Cream (002), Clematis (057), Blush (103) and Mustard (015)

■ A 2.5mm (B/1 or C/2) hook

■ A Stitch marker

■ Toy stuffing

■ A Wine bottle cork

■ Wire

■ Hot glue gun

TENSION

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

MEASUREMENTS

Place Holder measures 9cm (3½in) tall

ABBREVIATIONS inv dec

Insert hook in front loop of first st to be decreased, insert hook into front loop of second st to be decreased, yrh, pull through 2 loops, yrh and pull through 2 loops on hook For a full list, see page 88

NOTES

The pattern is worked in the amigurumi style. Work stitches continuously in a spiral without closing off each round with a slip stitch. You may find it helpful to mark the first st of the round with a stitch marker, moving it up as you work.

PLACE HOLDER HAT

Using any colour, make a magic loop.

Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 6dc in loop. [6 sts]

Round 2 (Dc in next st, 2dc in next st) 3 times.

[9 sts]

Round 3 (Dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st) 3 times. [12 sts]

Round 4 Dc in each st around.

Round 5 (Dc in next 3 sts, 2dc in next st) 3 times. [15 sts]

Round 6 (Dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts) 3 times. [18 sts]

Round 7 Dc in each st around.

Round 8 (Dc in next 5 sts, 2dc in next st) 3 times. [21 sts]

Round 9 (Dc in next 3 sts, 2dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts) 3 times. [24 sts]

Round 10 Dc in each st around. Round 11 Working in fl only, (dc in next 7 sts, 2dc in next st) 3 times. [27 sts]

Round 12 (Dc in next 4 sts, 2dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts) 3 times. [30 sts]

Fasten off and weave in ends.

BODY

Using any colour, make a magic loop. Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 6dc in loop. [6 sts] Round 2 2dc in each st around. [12 sts] Round 3 (Dc in next st, 2dc in next st) 6 times.

[18 sts]

Round 4 (Dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [24 sts]

Round 5-10 Dc in each st around. Fasten off leaving a long tail.

Sew the Body to the back loops of Round 10 of the Hat. Stuff the Body and Hat before closing.

BEARD

Using Cream, make a magic loop.

Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 6dc in loop. [6 sts]

Round 2 2dc in each st around. [12 sts]

Round 3 Dc in next st, (3tr in next st, ss in next st) 4 times, leave remaining sts unworked. [17 sts] Fasten off leaving a long tail.

Sew the Beard to the Body just under the brim of the Hat using the image as a guide.

NOSE

Using Blush, make a magic loop.

Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 6dc in loop. [6 sts]

Round 2 2dc in each st around. [12 sts] Round 3 (Invdec) 6 times. [6 sts]

Fasten off leaving a long tail.

Sew the Beard to the Body and the Nose to Beard just under the brim of the Hat using the image as a guide.

FEET (MAKE 2)

Using any colour, make a magic loop.

Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 6dc in loop. [6 sts]

Round 2 2dc in each st around. [12 sts] Round 3 (2dc in next 3 sts, dc in next 3 sts) twice. [18 sts]

Round 4 (Invdec) 9 times. [9 sts]

Fasten off leaving a long tail.

Stuff the Feet, then sew theM to the Body on either side of the Beard.

TO FINISH

Using a sharp knife, cut down the edge of the cork to make a flat surface so the cork doesn’t roll. Using hot glue, stick the bottom of the Body to the cork.

Cut a length of wire approximately 15cm long. Wind one end of the wire 3 times around something round to make the loop that will hold the place card. Insert the other end into the top of the Hat.