Last year as part of my Free Festive Friday series I designed a Light up Christmas Tree which worked yarn and light strings together.

As a last minute christmas gift, I adapted the pattern and used finer yarn to make small tree tree decorations – if that makes any sense.

Here’s one I popped in a Christmas Card to my step mum who lives overseas and who loved it!  I thought this was a lovely small way of sharing handmade so wanted to share the pattern with you too.

This was made with some acrylic yarn paired with the gorgeous King Cole Cosmos (aff) yarn which is great for adding some sequins and sparkle to any project!

So let’s get straight into the patten for these quick cuties!

Pattern Notes

• This pattern uses US crochet terms
• Turning Chains do not count as stitches
• Numbers in brackets at the end of the row indicate the number of stitches in that row
• Stitches should be worked in consecutive stitches
• Instructions in brackets should be worked in the same stitch
• If you want more of a step by step photo guide then have a look at the Light up Tree post as the first part of the pattern is the same (only a lot chunkier!) but it breaks the process down a lot more if you’re stuck!

Materials

This pattern will work with a small amount of any yarn.  I have paired various yarns together here so you can see how much you can personalise it!

I do love the sequin filled Cosmos from King Cole as used with the green, but in the tree pictured in the header, I used Sirdar Elle which is a sparkly cotton yarn I had in my stash (sadly I think it has been discontinued).

I used a 3.5mm hook with this dk yarn to make sure my stitches were nice and tight but use what works for your tension and yarn!

Whatever yarn you choose, I would recommend going down a hook size as this helps with structure too!

A quick note that you can ass starch spray to cotton yarn to make it stiffer and give it a quick cool dry press to stop the decoration from curling. See the Structure and Finishing section below for some more ideas on how to stiffen things up…

Stitch Abbreviations (US Terms)

ch = chain

st = stitch

ss = slip stitch

sc = single crochet (UK double crochet)

The Pattern

The Tree

Row 1: Ch2, 2sc in the 2nd chain from hook, turn   (2)

Row 2: Ch 1, 1sc in next 2 st, turn (2)

Row 3: Ch1, 2sc in first st, sc in each st to end, turn (3)

Row 4: Ch1, 2sc in first st, sc in each st to end, turn (4)

Row 5: Ch1, 1sc in each st across, turn (4)

Row 6-14: Repeat rows 3-5

If you want to make your tree larger, continue repeating rows 3-5

Row 15: 1ss in each st along the bottom of the tree

Fasten off.

Trunk:

Row 1:  attaching new yarn, work 1sc into the back loop of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th sl st across the bottom, turn (4)

Row 2-4: Ch1, 1sc in next 4 st, turn (4)

Fasten off and sew in ends*

If you have made a larger tree, be sure yo place your trunk in the centre of the base!

Hanging

*You can either double over and tie the tail from the orginal slip knot (which will be at the top of the tree) to create a hanging loop or thread some ribbon through the sc at the top of the tree to hang.

Structure and Finishing

If your tree is a big floppy or curly there are various ways to deal with it.  As I mentioned in the materials section, some starch spray and a quick press will help stiffen up a decoration made with cotton yarn but doesn’t work so well on acrylic – and direct heat on acrylic yarn is a big no-no as it melts it!

For an alternative, mix some pvc glue (I like to use glitter glue… because glitter!) with some water, pin your trees out to shape and brush with the glue mix and leave to dry overnight.  This will give your trees some extra structure and ensure they last from year to year!

I’m in the process of making a garland using this technique right now, so will update the post when the glue is dry!

I hope you enjoy this quick and easy project, I’d love to see how you get on, so, as always, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @doraexplored, or use #hookmehappy. I’d love to see and share your efforts!

Big Love

Dx

P.S. If you have animals, you will know the joy of trying to keep them out of what you’re doing… here’s me failing to keep my cat away from my photo shoot! She’s definitely a curious one! x