Crochet art - You are my sunshine

Use chunky yarn, or any DK, to make this happy wall art – or why not make several into a happy child’s blanket?

DK, 12mm, 10mm

Yarn used Patons Fab DK 1 ball each in Canary 2305 (MC), Mint 2300 (CC1), and pink 2304 (CC2) Small amount in black 2311 Available from www.knittingwool.com

About the yarn DK; 272m per 100g; 100% acrylic

Tension 9 sts x 9 rows = 10cm with larger hook and yarn held triple over dc 3 blocks = 10cm with smaller hook and yarn held double over C2C

Hooks used 10mm 12mm

Other supplies picture frame, 50x50cm double-sided tape tapestry needle stitch markers

Sizing 48x48cm

Start crocheting

The Sun is worked in the round in amigurumi style (continuous rounds, do not join with a sl st) and yarn held triple – you can use the Chain Plying method, or wind your yarn into 3 balls. The Background is made using the C2C method and 2 colours held together.

Sun

With MC held triple and larger hook.

Rnd 1: Working into magic ring, 6 dc. 6 sts

Rnd 2: <2 dc in next st> to end. 12 sts

Rnd 3: <1 dc, 2 dc in next st> to end. 18 sts

Rnd 4: <2 dc, 2 dc in next st> to end. 24 sts

Rnd 5: <3 dc, 2 dc in next st> to end. 30 sts

Rnd 6: <4 dc, 2 dc in next st> to end. 36 sts

Rnd 7: <5 dc, 2 dc in next st> to end. 42 sts

Sun Rays

The rays are worked in rows, by joining to difference parts of the sun.

*Rnd 8: 5dc. Turn. 5 sts

Next row: 1 ch, 5 dc. Turn. Rep last row 9 more times. 10 rows Fasten off. Miss 2 sts on Sun and re-join MC. Rep from * around for a total of 6 rays. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Background With smaller hook, and holding CC1 and CC2 together, chain 6.

Row 1: 1 tr in 4th ch from hook, tr in next 2 ch. Turn. 1 block

Row 2: 6 ch, 1 tr in 4th ch from hook, tr in next 2 ch, [sl st, 3 ch, 3 tr] in 3ch-sp from previous row. Turn. 2 blocks

Row 3: 6 ch, 1 tr in 4th ch from hook, tr in next 2 ch, {[sl st, 3 ch, 3 tr] in 3ch-sp from previous row} twice. Turn. 3 blocks.

Continue to increase in this manner until 14 rows have been worked. Work decreases from Row 15 onwards:

Row 15: Sl st across first tr, {[sl st, 3 ch, 3 tr] in 3ch-sp from previous row} in all 3ch-sps from previous row til last 3ch-sp, sl st in last 3ch-sp. Turn.

Continue in this manner until one black remains. Fasten off.

Making up

With black, embroider smiling face onto Sun. Use stitch markers to position Sun on Background and sew into place with MC. With double sided tape, stick Background and into frame.