Sweet Nothings Crochet: CHRISTMAS ANGEL 1

CHRISTMAS ANGEL 1

Christmas is around the corner .. and I thought I’d add a few Christmassy cheery ideas to my blog.. and what’s the *bestest* thing on your Christmas tree.. Yup, the Angel. While I was browsing through the internet, I’ve found quite a few charts for lovely angels, so if you like what you find here, do follow me so that you can get all the other blogs direct to your fingertips .. literally

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Inspired by a photo with its attached graph / chart , here are my original pattern notes.

Materials used : Today I have used our lovely Indian Red rose metallic cotton yarn with a 1.3 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue to seal ends and Mod Podge for stiffening & protecting your project.

This yarn is not specific for this project.

You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.

For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros e ; or unbranded knitting cotton as well

International yarns : Among the international yarns I have used, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.

Size made : Length : 5.5” ; Width : 4.5”

Difficulty level : Intermediate Skill level

Stitches used :

Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

Triple Crochet : trc : wrap yarn twice around hook, insert hk into st ; yo (4 lps on hk); [yo, draw through 2 lps] three times. One trc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/A0y4BbgDTbs

Chainless start for Triple / Treble Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of trc.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/f42MO0cGYC0

How to work a picot stitch : Traditionally for a ch-3 picot, you work (ch 3, sl-st in 3rd ch from hook). For a ch-5 picot, you will do (ch 5, sl-st in 5th ch from hook).

Here’s a great video https://youtu.be/8s3zVaBcn4s

Abbreviations used : Using U.S Terminology

dc : Double crochet sp(s) : Space(s)

st(s) : Stitch(es) hk : Hook

lp : Loop(s) yo : Yarn Over

sk : Skip sc : Single crochet

ch : Chain

fsc : Foundation single crochet

trc : Treble / Triple crochet

dtr : Double treble crochet

Instructions using U.S terminology

Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.

Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.

Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.

This is a really cute little angel that can be made for hanging off your tree or just like that. I think that if you make two parts of this, attach them along the sides, and lightly stuff it with polyfill and glitter, this will make a cute little angel for the top of your tree too.. do go ahead and try that out, won’t you?

However, as this is a pretty lacy creation, may I suggest that you put your polyfill into a stocking that matches the yarn color used (or stocking net that we use for making flowers) and then put in your poly-fill .. and if that does work out, when you share it on all the social media and do remember to credit me. Thanks.

Magic circle : https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);

[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0

What is a slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

Start with a magic circle and 16 dc in that circle.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st dc.

Pull lightly to close.

Round 1 : 2 dc in the 1^st dc

and in each dc all around.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st dc.

In the following round, we’ll create the halo around the angel’s head.

For this, we will use a trc or a treble crochet as well as a dtr which is a double treble crochet.

Double Treble /Triple Crochet : dtrc : wrap yarn three times around hook, insert hk into st ; yo (4 lps on hk); [yo, draw through 2 lps] three times. One trc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/XyPrnAtOs3U

What is a crochet chain stitch ? https://youtu.be/pXx5ukBjKkY

Round 2 : sl-st in the 1^st 6 dc ;

ch 3; *sk next dc, dc in the ;

ch 2, sk next dc, trc in the next dc ;

[ch 2, sk next dc, dtr in the next dc] ;

rep [to] once ;

(ch 2, dtr in the next dc) ;

rep (to) once ;

rep [to] once ;

ch 2, sk next dc, dc in the next dc ;

ch 3, sk next dc, sl-st in the next dc & in the next 5 dc ;

ch 3, sk next dc ;

dc in the next dc ;

ch 3 and join with a sl-st to the 1^st dc.

We will now work side to side for the body of the little angel.

Row 3 : 5 dc in the 1^st ch-3 sp ;

dc in the next dc ;

5 dc in the next ch-3 sp. Turn.

Row 4 : dc in the 1^st dc ;

*ch 1, dc in the next dc* ;

rep *to* till end. Turn.

Row 5 : dc in the 1^st dc ;

*ch 2, dc in the next dc* ;

rep *to* till end. Turn.

In the following row, we will use a Shell stitch, which is (dc ; ch 3, dc) all in the same st or ch-sp

Row 6 : dc in the 1^st dc ;

*ch 2, sk dc, Shell st in the next ch-2 sp* ;

rep *to* till end ;

ch 2, dc in the last dc. Turn.

In the following row, we’ll add 2 dc to the Shell stitch, so let’s call this Shell A, and this will be (2 dc ; ch 2, 2 dc) all in the same ch-sp.

Row 7 : dc in the 1^st dc ;

ch 3, Shell st in the next ch-2 sp ;

[Shell st in the next 3 Shell sts] ;

(Shell A st in the next 4 Shell st) ;

rep [to] once ;

Shell st in the last ch-2 sp ;

ch 3, dc in the last dc. Turn.

In the following row, we’re creating yet another Shell stitch, so let’s call this Shell B, and this will be (3 dc ; ch 3, 3 dc) all in the same ch-sp.

Row 8 : dc in the 1^st dc ;

ch 2, Shell st in the next ch-3 sp ;

[Shell st in the next 4 Shell sts] ;

(Shell B, st in the next 4 Shell A st) ;

rep [to] once ;

Shell st in the last ch-2 sp ;

ch 2, dc in the last dc. Turn.

We have now finished the wings of the little angel.

Fasten off yarn. Weave in ends.

We will now continue with the skirt of our angel.

You will have fastened off at the right hand side of your motif.

So you will come back to the last Shell B you have made and re-attach yarn at the 1^st dc of your Shell B.

Row 9 : dc in the 1^st dc ;

sk 2 dc, Shell B st in the next 4 Shell B sts ;

sk next 2 dc and dc in the next dc. Turn.

Row 10 : dc in the 1^st dc ;

sk 2 dc, (Shell B st in the next Shell B st ;

dc in the sp between 2 Shell B sts) ;

rep (to) till end ;

sk next 2 dc and dc in the next dc. Turn.

Row 11 : dc in the 1^st dc ;

sk 2 dc, (Shell B st in the next Shell B st ;

[dc ; ch 1, dc in the next dc]) ;

rep (to) till end ;

sk next 3 dc and dc in the next dc. Turn.

Row 12 : dc in the 1^st dc ;

sk 2 dc, (Shell B st in the next Shell B st ;

[dc ; ch 2, dc in the next ch-1 sp]) ;

rep (to) till end ;

sk next 3 dc and dc in the next dc. Turn.

Row 13 : dc in the 1^st dc ;

sk 2 dc, (Shell B st in the next Shell B st ;

[Shell A in the next ch-2 sp]) ;

rep (to) till end ;

sk next 3 dc and dc in the next dc. Turn.

Row 14 : dc in the 1^st dc ;

sk 2 dc, (Shell B st in the next Shell B st ;

[Shell B in the next Shell A st]) ;

rep (to) till end ;

sk next 3 dc and dc in the next dc. Turn.

Row 15 : dc in the 1^st dc ;

sk 2 dc, Shell B st in the next Shell B st ;

(ch 1, Shell B st in the next Shell B st) ;

rep (to) till end ;

sk next 2 dc and dc in the next dc. Turn.

Row 16 : dc in the 1^st dc ;

sk 2 dc, Shell B st in the next Shell B st ;

(ch 2, Shell B st in the next Shell B st) ;

rep (to) till end ;

sk next 3 dc and dc in the next dc. Turn.

Row 17 : dc in the 1^st dc ; sk 2 dc,

*(4 dc ; ch 1, 4 dc in the next Shell B st) ;

[dc ; ch 2, dc in the next ch-2 sp]* ;

rep *to* till end ;

sk next 3 dc and dc in the next dc. Turn.

Now for the grand finale, we will work one continuous row of finishing all around the lovely angel motif.

Take a quick break.. put your beautiful work down and admire it for a bit.. OK.. back to work 😀

So let’s visualise what we’re going to do now.

You’re at the bottom edge of your angel motif.

We will first work along the edge of this skirt and work along the skirt edge up to the wings & head ;

we will then work the underside of the wing, up to the head, around the head and down the wing to the other side of the dress.

We will be working along the vertical dc for the skirt portion.

So how do we calculate ‘stitches’.

Usually when working along the vertical dc bar, we assume these are 2 sc.

Then there is the space/stitch between 2 vertical dc. This is the space that we will be using to place an sc as well. OK great.. let’s start.

Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps. One sc made. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k

First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M

Row 18 : sc in the 1^st dc ;

Turn and work along one side of skirt ;

[2 sc in each vertical dc ; sc in the sp between 2 vertical dc] ;

rep [to] 7 times ;

Turn and work along the underside of the 1^st wing ;

{dc ; ch 3, dc} in the next 6 ch-3 sps ;

ch 2, dc in the last dc ;

Turn and work along the top side of the 1^st wing ;

rep [to] 6 times ;

Turn and work back down along this side of the angel –

first the top side of the wing ;

Sl-st in all the sc till the 1^st corner wing {to} ch-3 sp ;

Turn and work along the underside of the wing ;

(sc ; ch 2, sc) all in the ch-3 sp ;

rep (to) 6 times ;

Turn and work along the side of skirt ;

rep (to) 8 times.

Fasten off and weave in ends for this side.

Re-attach yarn at the bottom edge of the other side of the angel skirt and repeat instructions of Row 18 for the other side.

Fasten off and glue in all ends.

Note : You may want to run a row of sc around the top of the halo as well, and in case you do, then work that in when you reach the neck section for one side, and then sl-st all the way back till the neck & wing again.

Finishing :

I would suggest that you block your angel, especially if you’ve used a cotton yarn. First lightly iron it (using a light muslin cloth as a cover between the iron and your work – i.e do not iron directly on the work). This stretches and flattens down your work.

Use a white glue (Mod Podge or Indian Fevicol) as a stiffener. I use 1 part glue to 2 parts water and make a light paste, and then I lightly apply this over the back of my work using a paint brush. Allow to flat dry before gifting or using it as your decoration.

Have a fun creative time.

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