HOOK TO HOOK

We challenged two designers to come up with a fab design, each using the same yarn… which is your fave?

BOW wreath

Don’t keep big, beautiful bows just for gift wrapping – they also work brilliantly for Easter wreaths. Make this eggy yellow one to celebrate Easter this year. Go big or go home.

■ DY Choice Cotton Fresh DK (100% cotton, 100g/170m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A White (01), Yarn B Pebble (17), Yarn C Aqua (08), Yarn D Kiwi (10), Yarn E Magenta (15), Yarn F Amber (12)

■ A 4mm (US G/6) hook

■ 24cm (9 in) wide white polystyrene

wreath, 4cm (1 in) diameter

■ Small amount of polyester fibrefill

■ Glue gun (if required)

■ Tapestry needle

■ Pins

TENSION

Tension is not critical for this project

MEASUREMENTS

To fit a 24cm wreath, Large Bow measures approx 19x12cm (7 x4 in) Measurements are not critical for all Flowers and Bows

ABBREVIATIONS

For a full list, see page 92

COVER

Using 4mm hook and Yarn A, ch18 loosely.

Row 1 Htr in second ch from hook (missed ch does not count as a st), 1htr in each ch to end, turn. [17 sts]

Rows 2-68 Ch1 (does not count as a st), 1htr in each st to end, turn.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

GIANT BOW

Using 4mm hook and Yarn F, ch21 loosely.

Row 1 1tr in 3rd ch from hook (missed ch2 counts as a st), 1tr in each st to end, turn. [20 sts]

Rows 2-28 Ch2, 1tr in each st to end, turn.

Fasten off leaving a long tail, gather the sides in to centre of bow, sew the long tail through folds to secure it together. Using Yarn E, ch150, fasten off.

Wrap the ch around the centre of the bow, pull tight to form a bow shape.

Sew in all ends.

EGGS MAKE 2

Use a stitch marker for each round. Using 4mm hook and Yarn A, ch2, 4dc in 2nd ch from hook (missed ch-2 does not count as st), ss in first st to join into ring. Row 1 Ch1 (does not count as a st here and throughout), 2dc in each st around, ss in first st. [8 sts]

Row 2 Ch1, 2dc in first st, 1dc in next st, (2dc in next st, 1dc in next st) to end, ss in first st. [12 sts]

Row 3 Ch1, 2dc in first st, 1dc in next 2 sts, (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 2 sts) to end, ss in first st. [16 sts]

Row 4 Ch1, 2dc in first st, 1dc in next 3 sts, (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 3 sts) to end, ss in first st. [20 sts]

Row 5 Ch1, 2dc in first st, 1dc in next 4 sts, (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 4 sts) to end, ss in first st. [24 sts]

Rows 6-11 Ch1, 1dc in each st around, ss in first st, fasten off.

Change to Yarn F.

Row 12 Ch1, 1dc in next 10 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 10 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 2 sts, ss in first st. [26 sts]

Row 13 Ch1, 1dc in each st around, ss in first st.

Row 14 Ch1, (1dc in next 4 sts, dc2tog, 1dc in next 5 sts, dc2tog) twice, ss in first st. [22 sts]

Row 15 Ch1, (1dc, dc2tog) 7 times, 1dc, ss in first st. [15 sts]

Stuff the Eggs.

Row 16 (Dc2tog) to last st, 1dc in last st.

Fasten off and use yarn tail to sew up the hole.

SMALL BOW MAKE 2

Make 1 in Yarn C, 1 in Yarn D.

Using 4mm hook, ch13.

Row 1 1tr in 3rd ch from hook (missed ch-2 counts as a st), 1tr in each st to end, turn. [12 sts]

Row 2 Ch2 (counts as a st), 1tr into each st to end, turn.

Row 3 Ch2, 1tr in each st to end, fasten off. Using 1 long strand of Yarn E (for the Yarn D bow) and Yarn F (for the Yarn C bow), tie yarn tightly around middle of the bow to form bow shape.

LARGE TWIRLY FLOWER MAKE 7

Use any two colours for each flower. Using 4mm hook and first colour, ch22.

Row 1 1dc in 3rd ch from hook (missed ch-2 counts as a st), 1dc in each st to end, fasten off. [20 sts]

Row 2 Join second colour, ch3, 4tr in same st, ss in next st, (5tr in next st, ss in next st) to end, fasten off leaving a long tail. Twirl the flower into shape, sew to secure.

LARGE FLOWER MAKE 12

Use any two colours for each flower. Using 4mm hook and first colour, ch2, 10htr in 2nd ch from hook, ss to first st to join, fasten off.

Row 1 Join second colour, (ss, ch6, ss) in each st to end, ss to first st, fasten off. [10 petals]

Sew in ends.

SMALL FLOWER MAKE 7

Use any two colours for each flower. Using 4mm hook and first colour, ch2, 6dc in 2nd ch from hook, ss to first st to join. Fasten off.

Row 1 Join second colour, (ss, ch4, ss) in each st to end, ss to first st, fasten off.

[6 petals]

TINY FLOWER MAKE 6

Use one colour only for each flower. Using 4mm hook, ch2, ss in 2nd ch from hook, (ch4, ss in same ch) 5 times, ss to first st, fasten off. [5 petals]

TO FINISH

To make up the Wreath, wrap the cover around the polystyrene ring, using pins to secure. Sew together at the back along the long sides. Use the remaining tail to sew up the short sides. Make a long crochet chain to tie around the top middle part of the Wreath, to hang on a wall or door. Using photo as a guide, attach Bows, Eggs and Flowers using a glue gun (or sew onto cover if preferred).

BUNNY wreath

Deck out your door this Easter with Louise’s humorous wreath of bunny bottoms, chocolate eggs and flowers.

■ DY Choice Cotton Fresh DK (100% cotton, 100g/170m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A Amber (12), Yarn B Kiwi (10), Yarn C Magenta (15), Yarn D Aqua (8), Yarn E Pebble (17),

Yarn F White (1)

■ A 2.75mm (US C/2) hook

■ 24cm (9 in) wide white polystyrene

wreath, 4cm (1 in) diameter

■ Fabric glue or glue gun

■ Small amount of toy stuffing

■ Tapestry needle

■ Small amount of stranded cotton in black

or dark brown

MEASUREMENTS

To fit a 24cm wreath

Bunny measures approx 10cm tall (4in) Measurements are not critical for all Flowers, Leaves and Eggs.

ABBREVIATIONS

Puff st *Yrh, insert into st, yrh and draw through st, repeat from * twice more, yrh and draw through all 7 loops on hook, ch1 to close

NOTES

The Eggs and Bunnies are both worked using the amigurumi method. Work in a continuous spiral without closing off each round with a slip stitch. You may find it helpful to place a marker in the first st of each round and move it up as you work.

WREATH COVER

Using Yarn A, ch21.

Row 1 (RS) Dc in second ch from hook and each of next 6 ch, htr in each of next 8 ch, dc in each of next 6 ch, turn. [20 sts]

Row 2 Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), dc in each of next 6 dc, htr in each of next 8 htr, dc in each of next

6 dc, turn.

Repeat Row 2 until work fits (tightly) around polystyrene ring, ending with a WS row.

Next row Ss first and last rows together to create a loop.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

LEAF (MAKE ABOUT 72)

Using Yarn B, ch9.

Round 1 (RS) Ss in third ch from hook, dc in next ch, htr in next ch, tr in next ch, 2tr in next ch, htr in next ch, 3dc in next ch, rotate to work in opposite side of starting chain, htr in next ch, 2tr in next ch, tr in next ch, htr in next ch, dc in next ch, ss in next ch, ss in ch-2 sp.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

EGG (MAKE 8)

Using Yarn D, make a magic loop.

Round 1 4dc into loop. [4 dc]

Round 2 2dc in each of next 4 dc.

[8 dc]

Round 3 Dc in each of next 8 dc.

Round 4 Dc in next st, dc2tog, dc in each of next 2 sts, dc2tog, dc in next st. [6 dc]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Lightly stuff Egg.

Weave tail through remaining 6 sts, pull tightly and weave end into Egg to hide.

DAISY (MAKE 5)

Using Yarn A, make a magic loop.

Round 1 5dc into loop. [5 dc] Change to Yarn F.

Round 2 (Ch1, puff st, ch1, ss) in first st, (ss, ch1, puff st, ch1, ss) in next st four times, ss in base of beginning puff st.

[5 puff st]

Fasten off and weave in ends.

ROSE (MAKE 3)

Using Yarn C, ch22.

Row 1 Dc in second ch from hook, htr in next st, (dc, ss) in next st, dc in next st, htr in next st, (dc, ss) in next st, *(ss, htr) in next st, tr in next st, (htr, ss) in next st, repeat from * twice more, **(ss, tr) in next st, dtr in next st, (tr, ss) in next st, repeat from ** once more.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Wrap the Rose around itself – it will naturally curl into a rose shape. Weave tail through foundation row ch sts, approx every other ch, and pull tightly to secure.

Weave in ends.

BUNNY BOTTOM (MAKE 4)

Using Yarn E, make a magic loop.

Round 1 6dc into loop. [6 dc]

Round 2 2dc in each of next 6 dc. [12 dc]

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

Rounds 4-6 Dc in each st around.

Round 7 (Dc in next st, dc2tog) 6 times. [12 sts]

Begin stuffing Bunny Bottom and continue stuffing as you go.

Round 8 Dc2tog around. [6 sts]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Weave tail through remaining 6 dc and pull tightly to secure. Weave in ends.

FEET (MAKE 8)

Using Yarn E, make a magic loop.

Round 1 6dc into loop. [6 dc]

Rounds 2-4 Dc around.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

TAIL (MAKE 4)

Using Yarn F, make a magic loop.

Round 1 4dc into loop. [4 dc]

Round 2 2dc in each of next 4 dc. [8 dc]

Round 3 (Dc2tog) 4 times. [4 sts]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Weave tail through remaining 4 sts and pull tightly to secure. Leave tail for sewing.

HEAD

Using Yarn E, make a magic loop.

Round 1 8dc into loop. [8 dc]

Round 2 2dc in each of next 8 dc. [16 dc]

Round 3 (Dc in next st, 2dc in next st) 8 times. [24 dc]

Rounds 4-6 Dc around.

Round 7 (Dc in next st, dc2tog) 8 times. [16 sts]

Begin stuffing Head and continue stuffing as you go.

Round 8 Dc2tog around. [8 sts]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Weave tail through remaining 8 dc and pull tightly to secure.

Leave tail for sewing. EARS (MAKE 2)

Using Yarn E, ch8.

Round 1 Dc in second ch from hook, htr in next ch, tr in each of next 3 ch, htr in next ch, 3dc in next ch, rotate to work in opposite side of chain, htr in next ch, tr in next 3 ch, htr in next ch, dc in next ch.

Fasten off and leave tail for sewing.

ARMS (MAKE 2)

Using Yarn E, make a magic loop.

Round 1 6dc into loop. [6 dc]

Rounds 2-6 Dc around.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

HANGING TAB

Using Yarn B, ch12.

Round 1 Dc in second ch from hook and next 9 ch, 3dc in last ch, rotate to work in opposite side of starting chain, dc in next 9 ch, 2dc in last ch, ss in first dc to join. [24 dc]

TO FINISH

Using tails, sew 2 Legs to each Bunny Bottom (use the image as a guide). Sew a Tail to each Bunny Bottom. Sew Head and Arms to one of the Bunny Bottoms, using the image as a guide. Sew Ears to top of Head. Using image as a guide, embroider face details with black embroidery thread. Place Wreath Cover around polystyrene ring and sew edges closed, using matching yarn or thread.

Pin everything onto the Wreath, apart from the main Bunny.

Once happy with positions, begin gluing everything in place, removing pins as you go.

Once glue has dried, sew the Bunny’s right arm to the tip of a Leaf and left Ear to another Leaf.

Sew Hanging Tab to back of Wreath, at top (just behind where the Bunny hangs).

From left: we just can’t get over those little bunny bottoms Louise has designed – we can almost see them wriggling; both the bunny bottoms and the bunny body use dc increases to create the round shape, then you just add a little bit of stuffing and...

From left: It’s clear from the photos of the wreath which colours Sharna has used, but feel free to make up your own combinations; the flowers won’t take long to make as even the largest ones only have a couple of rounds to complete. Make a few more to...

From left: Sharna says the inspiration for her bow tie-decorated Easter wreath came from an egg-shaped gift box, which came with a giant bow tied around the middle; here you can see her initial sketch of the pattern (though the bunny didn’t make it to...

From left: hook those sweet little roses using dcs, htrs, trs and dtrs across one row to create petal shapes; we take a peek into Louise’s lovely sketchbook – she planned her wreath around the sweet little bunnies first and then added in the other...