PINE CONES

Glue a wooden star to the top of the tree and 2 stars over Rows 13-14.

These textured pine cones by Natalie Beard are a stunning addition to your table

■ King Cole Forest Aran (35% wool, 25% viscose, 20% acrylic, 20% polyamide, 100g/300m), 1 ball of each: Balvain Woods (1915), Kielder Forest (1916), Grizedale Forest (1918), Avondale Forest (1920), Wyre Forest (1923)

■ A 4mm (US G/6) hook

■ Toy stuffing

TENSION

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

MEASUREMENTS

Pine Cone measures approx 10cm (4in) tall

NOTES

Each Pine Cone uses approx 17g of yarn. The pattern is worked 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 the round, moving it up as you work.

PINE CONE

Using any colour, make a magic loop.

Round 1 (RS) Ch1 (does not count as st), 6dc in loop. [6 sts]

Round 2 2dc in each st around. [12 sts] Round 3 (1dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [18 sts] Round 4 (2dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [24 sts]

Rounds 5-10 Dc in bl of each st around. Round 11 (6dc, dc2tog) 3 times. [21 sts] Round 12 (5dc, dc2tog) 3 times. [18 sts]

Stuff. Round 13 (1dc, dc2tog) 6 times. [12 sts] Round 14 (Dc2tog) 6 times. Fasten off, thread tail through final 6 sts and pull tight to close.

SCALES

Join same colour in first unused fl from Round 5. Scales are worked in the unused fl from Rounds 5-10.

Round 1 (RS) Ch3, tr in st at base of ch-3, *tr in next st, ch3, ss in st at base of tr, ss in next 2 sts, ch3, tr in same st as last ss; rep from * 6 times more, tr in next st, ch3, ss in st at base of tr, ss in next st. Round 2 *Ss in next 2 sts, ch3, tr in same st as last ss, tr in next st, ch3, ss in same st as tr; rep from * 7 times more, ss in next st.

Rounds 3-10 Rep Rounds 1-2. Fasten off and weave in ends.