Two months have passed since my last post, but that does not mean I’ve been sitting on my hands all this time. You’ll find out in time, but as the season commands, I’ll start with my latest Advent Calendar!
For those few that don’t know what an Advent Calendar is, it’s a western custom that has already gained fans all over the country. Personally I’ve been thinking about it for the past two years, and this year I’ve managed to make one just in time (I finished the last piece just this morning). Historicaly, in the early days Christmas countdown was marked with chalk on the doors of the devout. Circa 19nth century the first printed calendars contained small Christmas themed gravures. Later, these were replaced by small windows which the children could open up, one by one each day. The idea spread quickly and nowadays you can find them in many different forms, from the simplest to the most elaborate, containing small or big surprise presents.
In contrast to the mainstream of such calendars, mine is comprised of 31 days. This is beacause in my area, being Orthodox Christians, Santa Claus comes on New Year’s Day and not on Christmass, and I wanted to extend my children’s joy for a few more days. For the common days I chose tiny socks, while for Christmas day, being special, I made a mitten. For New Year’s Eve I chose a star and I combined them all in a garland, which in turn I pinned on the notice board.
The Christmas socks are easy to make, they take about 15 minutes each, they are 7.5 cm tall and can become beutiful little ornaments for the tree. I used red, white, green, and yellow acrylic yarn and a 4 mm crochet hook.
Abbreviations:
ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
hdc: half double crochet
sc: single crochet
st(s): stitch(es)
For the christmas socks:
Round 1: In a magic circle work 5 hdc, join with sl st (5 sts).
Round 2: 2 hdc in each st around, join with sl st (10 sts).
Rounds 3-5: 1 hdc in each st around, join with sl st (10 sts).
Round 6: 1 hdc in next 6 sts (6 sts).
Rounds 7-8: Turn. Ch2, work 1 hdc in each st (6 sts).
Insert hook through first stitch of the row and join with sl st.
Round 9: Ch 2 and work 12 hdc around (13 sts)
Rounds 10-15: Work 1 hdc in each sts around (13 sts).
Ch 7 for the loop, join with sl st. Fasten off.
With tapestry needle and some yarn sew the heel hole closed.
Round 16: Attach new yarn and work 1 sc in each sts around (13 sts).
Round 17: Ch 2 and turn, work 1 hdc in each sts around (13 sts).
Round 18: Ch 2 and work 1 hdc in each sts around (13 sts).
Fasten off. Weave in the ends. Fold the brim outwards.
This is the basic pattern, you can make many colour combinations or you can make them bigger by adding stitches and rounds.
Good month to you all!
