SUPPLIES & TOOLS:
- RED HEART® Super Saver®:
- 316 Soft White A, 1 skein
- 3950 Charcoal B, 1 skein
- 254 Pumpkin C
- Susan Bates® Crochet Hook: 3.75mm [US F-5] & 4mm [US G-6]
- 12" diameter metal wreath form
- Fiberfill
- Stitch markers
- Safety pin
- Yarn needle
- GAUGE:
- 20 sc = 4"; 20 rows = 4" in single crochet using smaller hook. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge.
- Measurements:
- Each skeleton measures 4" wide x 5" tall.
DIRECTIONS:
NOTES:Skulls are worked in rounds in some sections and turned rows in others as stated in the instructions. Eye sockets and nose hole are worked on wrong side of skull for a hallow look. Skulls are attached to the wire wreath form using a crocheted tab. Tabs are sewn to back of skull and woven through the wire form.
SKULL (make 8)
NOTE: This section is worked in continuous rounds.
Round 1: With A and smaller hook, ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook - 6 sc. Place marker for beginning of round.
Round 2: 2 sc in each st around - 12 sts.
Round 3: [Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times - 18 sts.
Round 4: [Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in st] 6 times - 24 sts.
Round 5: [Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st] 6 times - 30 sts.
Round 6: [Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st] 6 times - 36 sts.
Round 7: [Sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st] 6 times - 42 sts.
Round 8: [Sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st] 6 times - 48 sts.
Rounds 9-12: Sc in each st around.
Round 13: [Sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog] 6 times - 42 sts.
Shape Eye Sockets
Round 14: Sc in next 4 sts, ch 10, skip next 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts, ch 10, skip next 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts, [sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog] 3 times, sc in last 5 sts - 55 sts.
Round 15: Sc in next 4 sts, sc in each of next 10 ch, skip next st, sc in next 2 sts, skip next st, sc in each of next 10 ch, skip next st, sc in remaining 26 sts - 52 sts.
Shape Nose Hole
Round 16: Sc in next 12 sts, ch 4, skip next 6 sts, sc in next 34 sts - 50 sts.
Note: This section is worked in turned rows.
Row 17: Sc in next 4 sts and move marker to last st just worked, ch 1, turn, working along back of Skull, sc across next 30 sts, leave remaining sts unworked - 30 sts.
Row 18: Ch 1, turn, sc in next 30 sts, leave remaining sts unworked.
Row 19: Ch 1, turn, [sc in 3 sts, sc2tog] 3 times, [sc2tog, sc in 3 sts] 3 times - 24 sts.
Note: Before proceeding with skull rounds, fill in sockets and nose hole. Secure live A st on safety pin to prevent raveling while filling in Eye Sockets and Nose Hole. Turn Skull inside out.
Eye Sockets
NOTE: This section is worked in continuous rounds.
Round 1: Join B in front loop of any st in Eye Socket, ch 1, sc in same space, sc 13 sts evenly spaced around - 14 sts. Place marker for beginning of round.
Round 2: [Sc in next st, sc2tog] 4 times, sc in last 2 sts - 10 sts.
Round 3: [Sc in next st, sc2tog] 3 times, sc in last st - 7 sts. Fasten off, leaving a long end. Weave long end through remaining sts to close. Secure end. Repeat for second Eye Socket.
Nose Hole
Round 1: Join B in front loop of any st in Nose Hole, ch 1, sc in same place, sc 9 sts evenly spaced around - 10 sts. Place marker for beginning of round.
Round 2: [Sc in next st, sc2tog] 3 times, sc in last st - 7 sts.
Round 3: [Sc in next st, sc2tog] twice, sc in last st - 5 sts. Fasten off, leaving a long end. Weave long end through remaining sts to close. Secure end.
Head Note: Turn Skull right side out. Insert hook in live st ready to continue to work in rounds.
Round 20: Ch 1 turn, sc across next 24 sts, skip first 4 sts along side of Eye Socket, sc in next 4 sts, sc across 4 ch of Nose Hole, sc in next 4 sts, skip next 4 sts along side of second Eye Socket, join with slip st in first sc - 36 sts.
Round 21: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 22 sts, sc2tog, sc in last 10 sts - 34 sts.
Round 22: [Sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog] 4 times, sc in last 2 sts - 30 sts.
Note: Before proceeding, turn Skull inside out and sew holes beside Eye Sockets closed using matching scrap yarn and matching edges. Secure ends. Turn right side out. Begin stuffing firmly with fiberfill.
Round 23: [Sc2tog, sc in next 8 sts] 2 times, sc in last 10 sts - 28 sts. Continue to add fiberfill as rounds are completed.
Round 24: Sc in each st around.
Round 25: Sc in next 28 sts, sc in next 10 sts and move marker here for new beginning of round.
Round 26: Working in back loops only, sc in each st around - 28 sts.
Round 27: [Sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog] 4 times - 24 sts.
Round 28: [Sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog] 6 times - 18 sts.
Round 29: [Sc in next st, sc2tog] 6 times - 12 sts. Fasten off, leaving a long end. Weave tail through remaining sts to close. Secure end.
WREATH TAB (make 1 for each Skull)
Using smaller hook and A, ch 7.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across - 6 sts.
Rows 2-10: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. Fasten off, leaving yarn ends for sewing.
STRIPED RUFFLE
NOTE: This section is worked in joined rounds.
Round 1: With right side facing, using larger hook and C, working over outer wire of wreath frame, sc 270 sts (or any multiple of 5 sts) around, slip st in first sc to join.
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Fasten off.
Round 3: With right side facing, join B in any st with slip st, ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, [sc in 4 sts, 2 sc in next st] around - 3/4 sts.
Round 4: Ch 1, sc in each st around, slip st in first sc to join. Fasten off.
Round 5: With right side facing, join C with slip st in any st, ch 1, sc in each st around - 3/4 sts.
Round 6: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next sc, [sc in 5 sts, 2 sc in next sc] around, slip st in first sc - 378 sts. Fasten off.
Round 7: With right side facing, join B with slip st in any st, ch 1, sc in each st around, slip st in first sc.
Round 8: Ch 1, sc in each st around, slip st in first sc. Fasten off.
Round 9: With right side facing, join C with slip st in any st, ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next sc, [sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next sc] around, slip st in first sc - 432 sts.
Round 10: Ch 1, sc in each st around, slip st in first sc. Fasten off.
FINISHING
Referring to photo and using B, embroider mouth in straight sts across each Skull. Work small straight sts perpendicular across mouth for teeth. Using B, insert yarn needle through back of head, lining up with middle of one Eye Socket, pull to center of Eye Socket, skip 1/4", reinsert yarn needle through Eye Socket and Skull to back of head. Pull ends to shape Skull and tie ends together. Repeat for second Eye Socket and Nose Hole. Sew one end of Wreath Tab to back of Skull. Weave in ends. Fold Wreath Tab over wire frame and sew opposite end of Wreath Tab to back of Skull. Repeat to arrange to attach Skulls to wire frame.
ABBREVIATIONS
A, B, C = Color A, B, C
ch = chain
cm = centimeters
mm = millimeters
sc = single crochet
sc2tog: [Draw up a loop in next st] twice, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook
st(s) = stitch(es)
tog = together
[ ] = work directions in brackets the number of times specified