HOW TO MAKE… CROCHET VEGETABLES

MATERIALS

DMC Natura Just Cotton, 100% cotton, 50g/155m per ball, one ball each in Ivory (N02) (Yarn A), Blue Layette (N05) (Yarn B), Rose Layette (N06) (Yarn C), Light Green (N12) (Yarn D), Lobelia (N82) (Yarn E), Ble (N83) (Yarn F), Glacier (N87) (Yarn G) 2.5mm (UK 12, US C/2) crochet hook 4mm (UK 8, US G/6) crochet hook Yarn needle Stitch marker Soft toy stuffing

TENSION

Tension isn’t important – just keep your stitches tight to prevent any stuffing showing through

ABBREVIATIONS (UK)

st(s) stitch(es) ch chain ss slip stitch dc double crochet inc double crochet increase: work two dc in the given stitch (counts as two dc) yrh yarn round hook dc2tog double crochet 2 together: (insert hook in next st, yrh and draw loop through) twice, yrh and draw through all 3 loops on hook htr half treble tr treble dtr double treble Magic ring to make a magic ring, hold yarn in your hand, wrap working yarn around forefinger twice to create ring, slip ring off your finger and insert hook to pick up first st, ch1, then work the necessary sts for round 1 and close the ring tightly by pulling the loose end

FINISHED SIZE

Carrot measures 8.5cm (33/ in length – use as a guide for the set If you’re handier with a hook than you are a trowel, turn your tools to this bumper crop of spring veg. So scrumptious we want to crochet a whole basketful, they’re as useful as they are beautiful. Use as place settings on a farmhouse-style table, or add a metal hoop to create a keyring for the allotment shed.

You could also make a set for a kids’ play kitchen – their tactile qualities and small size are just right for little fingers. And, it might even encourage them to eat their greens. Instructions Unless stated, work into both loops of any stitch. Except where indicated, pieces in the round are worked in a continuous spiral. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of your rounds as you work. Onion Main body Round 1 using Yarn E and 2.5mm hook, work 6dc into a magic ring and pull tight [6 sts] Round 2 1inc in each st around [12 sts] Round 3 (1dc, 1inc) 6 times [18 sts] Round 4 (1dc, 1inc, 1dc) 6 times [24 sts] Round 5 (3dc, 1inc) 6 times [30 sts] Round 6 (9dc, 1inc) 3 times [33 sts] Rounds 7-9 1dc in each st around Round 10 (9dc, dc2tog) 3 times [30 sts] Round 11 (4dc, dc2tog, 4dc) 3 times [27 sts] Round 12 (dc2tog, 7dc) 3 times [24 sts] Round 13 (1dc, dc2tog, 1dc) 6 times [18 sts] Stuff firmly Round 14 (2dc, dc2tog, 2dc) 3 times [15 sts] Round 15 (dc2tog, 1dc) 5 times [10 sts] Round 16 4dc2tog, in back loops only work 1 dc2tog, turn [5 sts] Ch2, work 1 dc into the back loops only of each of the 5 sts of Round 16 Continuing into the two unworked front loops of Round 15, work 1dc into the first loop, and ss into the second loop Fasten off and weave in the yarn tail. Roots Cut six or seven 8cm (31/") lengths of Yarn B and tie a knot in the

middle of each. Insert these lengths into the base of the onion around Round 1. Fray the yarn and trim it short to complete the onion’s roots. Radish Main body Round 1 using Yarn A and 2.5mm hook, work 5dc into a magic ring and pull tight [5 sts] Round 2 2inc, 1dc, 1inc, 1dc [8 sts] Round 3 change to Yarn B, 3dc, 1inc, 3dc, 1inc [10 sts] Round 4 (1dc, 1inc) 5 times [15 sts] Rounds 5-12 work 1dc in each st around Stuff firmly Round 13 (dc2tog, 1dc) 5 times [10 sts] Fasten off and use the yarn tail to close the top of the radish. Roots Cut two 8cm (31/") lengths of Yarn A and insert through Round 1 of the radish. Knot the lengths together, fray, then trim the ends to finish. Leaves Using Yarn G and 4mm hook, ch8, *1htr into back loop only of 3rd ch from hook, work (2tr, 2dtr, 2tr, 1htr, ch1, ss) into the same ch**, ss into back loops only of each of remaining 5ch back to beginning, ch10, repeat from * to **, ss into back loops only of each of remaining 7ch back to beginning. Fasten off and use the tails to sew the leaves to the top of the radish. Mushroom Cap Round 1 using Yarn G and 2.5mm hook, work 6dc into a magic ring and pull tight [6 sts] Round 2 work 1inc into each st around [12 sts] Round 3 (1dc, 1inc) 6 times [18 sts] Round 4 (1dc, 1inc, 1dc) 6 times [24 sts] Round 5 1dc in each st around Round 6 (1inc, 3dc) 6 times [30 sts] Rounds 7-8 work 1dc in each st around Round 9 (3dc, dc2tog) 6 times [24 sts] Round 10 (1dc, dc2tog, 1dc) 6 times [18 sts]. Stuff firmly Round 11 working in the back loops only, (1dc, dc2tog) 6 times [12 sts] Fasten off. Stalk The stalk is worked in joined rounds, using Yarn G and 2.5mm hook Round 1 work ch2 (does not count as st) and 8 htr into a magic ring and pull tight, join with ss into the first htr [8 sts] Round 2 ch1 (does not count as st), work 1inc in each htr around, join with a ss into the back loop of the first dc [16 sts] Round 3 ch1 (does not count as st), (2dc, dc2tog) 4 times, join with ss into first dc [12 sts] Fasten off with a long tail, then use to sew the stalk to the cap. Carrot Root Round 1 using Yarn F and 2.5mm hook, work 5dc into a magic ring and pull tight [5 sts] Round 2 3dc, 2inc [7 sts] Round 3 1dc, 1inc, 2dc, 1inc, 2dc [9 sts] Round 4 (1inc, 2dc) 3 times [12 sts] Round 5 work 1 dc in each st around Round 6 2dc, 1inc, 4dc, 1inc, 4dc [14 sts] Round 7 (3dc, 1inc, 3dc) twice [16 sts]