Christmas Decorations: A Mini Hot Air Balloon Tutorial.

Materials:
8ply yarn in assorted colours.
4ply metallic yarn.
3.5mm crochet hook
3mm crochet hook
needle
stuffing

Abbreviations (U.S. crochet terms):
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
slpst = slip stitch
b.l.o. = back loops only
st/s = stitch/es

N.B. All rounds are worked in continuous spirals unless otherwise stated such as with the base of the basket. I have used two spools of 4ply metallic thread at once for the balloon as I haven't been able to locate any 8ply silver.

For the Balloon.

Round 1. ch 2, 6 sc into the 2nd ch from the hook, join with slst into first sc. (6)

Round 2. *2 sc in each sc. *Repeat until end. (12)

Round 3. *1 sc in the next st then 2 sc in following sc. *Repeat until end. (18)

Round 4. *1 sc in following 2 sts then 2 sc in next sc. *Repeat until end. (24)

Round 5. 1sc into every st until the end of the round. (24)

Round 6. *1sc into the following 3 sts then 2sc into the next st. *Repeat until end. (30)

Round 7. *1sc into the following 4 sts then 2sc into the next st. *Repeat until end. (36)

Rounds 8-10. 1 sc into each st until 3 rounds have been completed. (36)

Round 13. *1sc into the first 5 sts then skip the sixth st. *Repeat until the end of the round.

Round 14. 1sc into every st until the end of the round. (30)

Round 15. *1sc into the next 4 sts then skip the fifth st. *Repeat until the end of the round.

Round 16. 1sc into every st until the end of the round.(24)

Round 17. *1sc into each of the next three sc then skip the fourth st. *Repeat until the end of the round.

Round 18. 1 sc into every st until the end of the round. (18)

Round 19. *1sc into each of the next two sc then skip the third sc. *Repeat until end of the round.

Rounds 20 - 22. 1sc into every st until 3 rounds have been completed. (12)

Stuff firmly.

Round 23. 1 sc into every 2nd st through b.l.o.

Bind off.

Tuck the tails up through the balloon leaving the bottom of it nice and flat - see in the photograph below.

For the Basket.

Using the 3mm hook with basket coloured 8ply yarn (I have used cotton), the base of the basket is worked from side to side.

Chain 6 then turn. 1 sc into the 2nd chain from the hook and then sc once into each st until the end of the row. (5).

*Turn and ch1. Sc into each st until the end of the row. (5)

Repeat from * until a square is formed (which usually takes 5 rows including the foundation chain.)

The basket sides are now worked in continuous spiralling rounds.

Ch1 and then work 5sc along each side of the base. 

Continue to work 1 sc into each st for another 4 rounds. Slpst into the last st and bind off.

 Using the metallic 4ply yarn and the 3mm hook, work 1sc into each st for one round. Bind off leaving a 30cm tail. Thread the needle with the tail and sew the tail around to the middle of one side.

 Then pull the thread through the bottom of the hot air balloon. Bring the thread through the other side of the basket and bind off. 

 Et voila.

 Pop in a lolly or a scorched almond and hang in your Christmas tree....

Or go crazy (like someone I know rather well) and make a fleet to stick to your ceiling!!!!

Have fun!

Lots of love, Kate xxooxx.