Friday 31 October 2014

Granny Circle Christmas Tree Skirt

Last year when I took down our Christmas tree, I discovered our cat had thrown up on my cute felt Teddy Bear Christmas tree skirt . It was something I had cherished because a friend made it for me over 30 years ago. I tried washing it in a net bag on gentle but it fell apart.

I resolved to make a new Christmas tree skirt for 2014, something washable. What do you think of this Granny Circle Christmas Tree Skirt? I think it's perfect.
I've used a little pedestal table to show how it will fit around the base of our Christmas tree. I considered pulling out our tree for photos but realized that was way too much effort. Christmas decorating can wait until December which is only a month away.

I love the way my Granny Circle Christmas tree skirt turned out. I love the granny stitch, I love circles and I even love the colours. Who says traditional Christmas colours must be used? I was especially happy to find inexpensive yarn on sale. This tree skirt is both pretty and practical. If you decide to make one too, use whatever yarns and colours make YOU happy. 
I am very excited to share this pattern. It's especially exciting as it is my first original pattern. 

The granny stitch and a granny circle are not original but this granny circle is unique. It has a hole in the middle to accommodate the Christmas tree post and is split down the side for wrapping around the tree stand. It's the hole and the split that make this pattern original.

When this Granny Circle Christmas Tree Skirt is spread out on the floor, you can see how it forms a neat circle with a hole in the centre. 
Our poodle approves and loves to get in on photo sessions. Isn't she pretty with her Halloween kerchief? It's Halloween and I'm featuring Christmas crochet. I'm sure fellow crafters understand the rush. 
 You can clearly see the granny stitch and shell edge in this photo.
Folded and ready for Christmas. I know it's early but I wanted to have it done in time to share in case any of you might like to make one too. The pattern is listed below. I hope it's clear and easy to follow. 
If you decide to make a Granny Circle Christmas Tree Skirt using my pattern, please do send me a photo. I'd love to see your version. 

GRANNY CIRCLE CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT


PDF Version

Supplies:

Any worsted weight yarn in colours you like but these are the yarns and colours I used:
  • Peaches and Crème cotton yarn (Panorama) – part of a cone (14 oz)
  • Bargain Bin 1 pound of worsted weight acrylic yarn (sage)
  • Bernat Handicrafter cotton yarn (black currant and off-white) for border
5.00 mm crochet hook
Yarn needle for weaving in ends

Stitches Used:

Chain (ch)
Slip Stitch (ss)
Single Crochet (sc)
Half Double Crochet (hdc)
Double Crochet (dc)
Granny = (3 dc + ch 1) in ch-1 space
Granny Increase = (3 dc + ch 1 + 3 dc + ch 1) in ch-1 space

Note: starting chain 3 counts as beginning double crochet

Instructions:

Starting with Peaches and Crème cotton yarn (or any worsted weight yarn you choose)

Chain 26

Note: Crochet into back ‘bump’ of the starting chain, it leaves a nice finish along the edge.

Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, 2 dc in same space, ch 1, *skip ch, 3 dc in next ch, ch 1**, repeat * to ** around, dc in last ch, ch 3 and turn (there should be 11 ch-1 spaces)
Row 2: 2 dc + ch 1 in beginning ch space (first Granny completed), Granny in each ch-1 space across, dc in top of ch 3 at end of row, ch 3, turn
Row 3: 2 dc + ch 1 + 3 dc + ch 1 in beginning ch space (first Granny Increase completed), Granny Increase in each ch-1 space across, ending with dc at top of ch 3 at end of row, ch 3 and turn
Rows 4, 5: Repeat Row 2 (no increases)
Row 6: Granny in 1st ch-1 space, Granny Increase in next ch-1 space (increasing every other ch-1 space, ending with dc at top of ch 3 at end of row, ch 3 and turn
Rows 7, 8, 9: repeat Row 2 (no increases)
Row 10: Granny in 1st ch-1 space, Granny in 2nd ch-1 space, Granny Increase in 3rd ch-1 space (increase every 3rd ch-1 space across), ending with dc at top of ch 3 at end of row, ch 3 and turn
Rows 11, 12, 13: Repeat Row 2 (no increases)
Row 14: Granny in 1st ch-1 space, Granny in 2nd ch-1 space, Granny Increase in 3rd ch-1 space (increase every 3rd ch-1 space across), ending with 1 Granny in each of the last 2 ch-1 spaces and dc at top of ch 3 at end of row, ch 3 and turn
Rows 15, 16, 17: Repeat Row 2 (no increases)
Row 18: Granny in 1st ch-1 space, Granny in 2nd ch-1 space, Granny in 3rd ch-1 space, Granny Increase in 4th ch-1 space (increase every 4th ch-1 space across), ending with 1 Granny in each of the last 2 ch-1 spaces and dc at top of ch 3 at end of row, ch 3 and turn
Rows 19, 20, 21, 22: Repeat Row 2 (no increases)

Note: I finished off at end of row 21 and switched to sage acrylic yarn for row 22

Row 23: Granny in 1st ch-1 space, Granny in 2nd ch-1 space, Granny in 3rd ch-1 space, Granny Increase in 4th ch-1 space (increase every 4th ch-1 space across), ending with dc at top of ch 3 at end of row, ch 3 and turn
Rows 24, 25, 26, 27: Repeat Row 2 (no increases)
Row 28: Granny in 1st ch-1 space, Granny in 2nd ch-1 space, Granny in 3rd ch-1 space, Granny Increase in 4th ch-1 space (increase every 4th ch-1 space across), ending with 1 Granny in each of the last 2 ch-1 spaces and dc at top of ch 3 at end of row, ch 3 and turn
Rows 29, 30, 31, 32: Repeat Row 2 (no increases)
Row 33: Granny in 1st ch-1 space, Granny in 2nd ch-1 space, Granny in 3rd ch-1 space, Granny Increase in 4th ch-1 space (increase every 4th ch-1 space across), ending with 1 Granny in last 2 ch-1 space and dc at top of ch 3 at end of row, ch 3 and turn
Rows 34, 35, 36, 37: Repeat Row 2 (no increases)
Row 38: Granny in 1st ch-1 space, Granny in 2nd ch-1 space, Granny in 3rd ch-1 space, Granny in 4th ch-1 space, Granny in 5th ch-1 space, Granny Increase in 4th ch-1 space (increase every 6th ch-1 space across), ending with 1 Granny in last 2 ch-1 space and dc at top of ch 3 at end of row, ch 3 and turn
Row 39: Repeat Row 2 (no increases) – Finish off at end of row

Border: 

2 rows – For each row, join yarn at far right side with right side facing (working counter clockwise). Again use any colour combination you like.

Note: The right side is when the odd # row is facing up, go back to the beginning of row 39 to join your yarn. Start with black currant (purple).

Row 1: Join with ss at top of ch 3, sc in same stitch, *ch 3, sc in next dc**, repeat * to ** across, finish off at end of row. Switch to new colour (off-white).
Row 2: Shell Edge starting at far right with right side facing. Join with ss in 1st sc *(1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc) in ch-3 space, ss in sc**, repeat * to ** across ending with ss in last sc and finish off

Finishing:

Weave in loose ends using yarn needle then sit back and admire your work. You’re done. You've made a beautiful new Granny Circle Christmas Tree Skirt that will last for years and look amazing covering the not-so-nice Christmas tree stand. 


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8 comments:

  1. Looks great - wow, typing out all those instructions must have taken some time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks and yes, writing a pattern does take time. I've 'created' original things before but not written it down. I'll have to make the effort to record original designs so I can duplicate them. It's worth the effort.

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  2. Lots of good stories start with someone throwing up (a cat in this case) :-) Nice work

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  3. Just what I have been looking for! Do you mind if I link to this from Ravelry? id like to share pics of mine completed

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't mind at all. I'd love to see your pics too. Have fun with it.

      Delete
  4. Would this pattern work if I wanted to crochet a circle skirt? The starting chain would need to be the waist circumference (24"), but I'm wondering how the increase rows would work out?

    ReplyDelete