Contributors - Crochet your Christmas Ornaments

12cm (438in) tall

DMC Natura Just Cotton yarn (100% cotton, 50g/155m per ball):

A 50g (134oz) of shade N11 Noir

B 50g (134oz) of shade N23 Passion

C 50g (134oz) of shade N01 Ibiza

D 50g (134oz) of shade N35 Nacar

E oddments of shade N16 Tournesol

F oddments of shade N39 Ombre

Crochet hook: 2.5mm (US B/1 or C/2)

Tapestry needle

Embroidery needle

Toy stuffing

These patterns are worked using the amigurumi method. Work stitches continuously in a spiral without closing off each round with a slip stitch unless directed otherwise. It may help to use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round, moving it up as you work. When changing colour, pick up the new colour in the last yrh of the previous stitch. When fastening off, leave tails of yarn that can be used for sewing the pieces together afterwards, unless instructed to weave in ends.

Using A, make a magic ring.

Round 1 (RS): Ch1 (does not count as st), 6dc into the ring. [6 sts]

Round 2: 2dc into each st around. [12 sts]

Rounds 35: Dc in each st around. Change to B.

Rounds 610: Using B, dc in each st around. Fasten off on first leg only.

Make second leg, dont fasten off.

When you have finished the second leg, work another 3dc on second leg, then beginning in the next unworked st on the first leg, 10dc. (This places the seams at the back of the legs.)

The next st will be back on the second leg, but you will need to leave two stitches in the centre unworked before continuing on the second leg. Work 7dc on the second leg to complete the round.

Use the tail end from the first leg to sew together the two unworked sts in the centre of both legs.

You will now have a round of 20 sts. Do not fasten off.

Round 1 (RS): 2dc in each st around. [40 sts]

Round 2: Dc in each st around.

Round 3: (4dc, dc2tog, 5dc, dc2tog) twice, (5dc, dc2tog) twice. [34 sts]

Round 4: Working in back loop only: (6dc, dc2tog, 7dc, dc2tog) twice. [30 sts]

Round 5: Working in both loops: (5dc, dc2tog, 6dc, dc2tog) twice. [26 sts]

Rounds 68: Dc in each st around.

Round 9: (11dc, dc2tog) twice. [24 sts]

Round 10: (2dc, dc2tog) 6 times. [18 sts]

Round 11: (7dc, dc2tog) twice. [16 sts]

Flatten the top ready to close straight across with a dc seam. Work enough sts to position the hook and yarn at one end of the seam, stuff and then dc through both layers to close. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Rejoin B at centre back in one of the remaining loops from Round 3 of the body. Make sure the legs are facing away from you when you rejoin the yarn, so the RS of the work will show when you continue working in the round.

Round 1 (RS): Ch1 (does not count as st), dc in each st around, ss to first dc. [34 sts]

Rounds 24: Rep Round 1, change to C at the end of Round 4.

Round 5: Ch1 (does not count as st), (2dc in next st, 16dc) twice, ss to first dc. [36 sts]

Round 6: Ch1 (does not count as st), dc in each st around, ss to first dc.

Round 7: Working in front loop only: Ch1 (does not count as st), dc in each st around, ss to first dc.

Round 8: As Round 6, fasten off and weave in ends.

Using D, make a magic ring.

Round 1 (RS): Ch1 (does not count as st), 4dc into ring. [4 sts]

Round 2: 2dc in each st around. [8 sts]

Rounds 34: Dc in each st around, change to B at the end of Round 4.

Round 5: Working in back loop only: dc in each st around.

Continue working in a spiral on these 8 sts until the arm measures 5cm (2in). Fasten off.