The very first!

MY very first Tutorial

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I am holding my breath somewhat on this one and hoping I haven't forgotten anything.
I don't write patterns. I usually make up a sample of my work for myself and I get my pattern from there if I ever want to use the same stitch or shape again.
This is harder than what I thought and now realize what all those pattern writers have to do and I've nothing but admiration for their patience and tenacity.
I'm also going to say something now which just may horrify some crochet pattern writers out there......writing out patterns is BORING!!!

Anyhow...I'm averting the task at hand...so here we go:
I've called this pattern  JIGSAW PUFF COVER as it is a bit of a jigsaw putting together the hexagons for the top of the cover. It does depend on the type of puff you wish to cover,of course.

JIGSAW PUFF COVER

For a Puff sized:
Top: 36 cm diameter
Sides 103cm circumference
Height: 32 cm

Materials: You can use any yarn at all however I used cotton.
It's too hot here to sit on wool with shorts on!

Coats SMC Catania RED x 3
Coats SMC Catania Brown x 2
Coats SMC Catania Orange x 2(looks yellow in the photo)
Coats SMC Catania Green x 2

Hook: depending on the yarn you use. I used a 2,50 hook.

Abbreviations:

I used UK abbreviations throughout.

Canada/USA                              UK/Australia/Europe
sl st - slip stitch                                  sl st - slip stitch
sc - single crochet                        dc - double crochet
hdc - half double crochet              htr - half treble crochet
dc- double crochet                             tr - treble crochet
tr - triple crochet                          dtr or dbl tr - double treble
                                                     ch - chain
                                                     st = stitch
                                                     RS= right side
How-to :
Magic ring: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLuSVyKvoUg
Invisible decrease:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPnIYYNC1oU
Increasing:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4agkabFD40
Basic crochet stitches:http://www.learn2knit.co.uk/crochet/basic-stitches.php

Pattern:

The TOP

Spikey Centre Hexagon

Row 1.  6 ch ring joining to first ch with a sl st

Row 2.  3 ch and 11 tr into ring sl st into top of 3 ch

Row 3. 2 chain into top of 3 chain, *2 ch, htr into next st,2 ch * repeat from * to * to end sl st into top of 2ch.

Row 4. 3 ch * 1 tr,2 ch,1 tr into 2 ch space,2 tr into next ch space x 2,1 tr, 2ch,1 tr into next 2 ch space * repeat * to * to end. Sl st into top of 3ch.

Row 5. 3 ch,*1 tr 2ch,1 tr into 2 ch space,1 tr into next 5 trs,1 tr,2ch,1 tr into next 2ch space * repeat from * to ^to end,sl st into top of 3ch .

Row 6. 3ch * 1 tr,2ch,1tr in next 2ch space,1 tr in next 7 trs,1 tr,2ch,1tr in next 2 ch space * repeat from * to *  sl st in top of 3 ch

FASTEN OFF

Crinkle Centre Hexagon

Row 1. Magic ring. 6 dc into ring.

Row 2. 2 ch, 1 dtr ,1 ch , 1 dtr in each dc to end,sl st in top of 2 ch chain. (12)

Row 3. 2 ch,*1 htr in 1 ch space,2ch,1 htr in next 1 ch space* repeat from * to * to end. Sl st in 3 ch

Row 4. 3ch,1 tr,2ch 1 tr in 2 ch space,1 tr in next htr,1 tr in 2ch space,1 tr in next htr,1 tr,2ch.1 tr in next 2ch space * repeat from * to * to end. Sl st in 3 ch.

Row 5. 3ch in 2 ch space,2ch,1 tr,*1 tr in next 5 tr,1 tr,2ch,1 tr in next 2ch space* repeat from * to * until end. Sl st in 3ch. Fasten Off

RS facing return to Row 2,join yarn with ch in 1 ch space,dc ,ch 5,1 tr all in same space,*1 dc in next 1 ch space,ch 5,1 tr in same space * repeat from * to * until end  sl st in first dc.

FASTEN OFF.

Triangle

sorry bit blurred

Adapted from Edie Eckman's Beyond the square Crochet Motif,Motif Nº 57 page 97

Row 1.  magic ring   3 tr,6ch into magic ring, sl st into first stitch

Row 2.  3ch in first tr, 2 tr in next two stitches,*3 tr,6ch ,3 tr in 6ch space,1 tr in each of next 3 tr* repeat from * to * to end. Sl st in 3ch.

FASTEN OFF

Makeup as many Spikey Centre and Crinkle Centre Hexagons as you need to cover your puff top. Make up as many triangles as you need for spaces which are too small for a hexagon. 

This is the jigsaw part.

Once you have completed the jigsaw join together RS facing. You can do so by crocheting the hexagons together using dc stitches which will give it a ribbed effect or by sewing them together. 

THE SIDES

RIM: this very much depends on the shape of your puff. I did  3 rows of dc around the completed Hexagon top . I didn't want the hexagons completely on the rim as they would get worn with use. I thought closed rows of dc would make it firmer. You may have to increase if its too tight or decrease if too loose. You may have to do a few more rows of dc but you are aiming at just going over the rim.I just started to overlap the rim by the 2nd dc row.

SIDES:If the top of your puff is winder than the sides then you will have to invisible descrease as you do the following:

Row 1. dc all around. Invisible decreasing after each 10 stitches for 2 rows. Invisible deceasing after each 8 stitches for 2 rows from Row 6 to Row 8.

Row 2. htr all around

of each colour

until 2 rows away from the bottom of the puff.

Last 2 rows 

1. dc all around

2. sl stitch all around 

The sides must be snug! Your aim is a tight fit otherwise it will go slack and baggy with use. I struggled to slip my cover over the puff but I'm glad I kept it pretty tight because I can see there is slack already.

I hope I haven't missed anything out but you know where I am if you have queries

Enjoy your weekend

Amanda :-)