purlJam

# Christmas Gift Tag

**Skill Level:** Beginner

**Yarn:**
*   Worsted weight (Aran weight in UK) yarn, approximately 10-15 metres (11-16 yards).
*   *Suggested yarn fibre:* Acrylic or cotton for durability and easy care.

**Hook:**
*   4.0 mm (G/6 US) crochet hook

**Tension (Gauge):**
*   16 htr and 12 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) square, worked in htr.
*   *Achieving exact tension is not critical for this project, but aiming for this will result in the approximate finished dimensions.*

**Finished Measurements:**
*   Approximately 8 cm (3.2 inches) wide x 9 cm (3.5 inches) high (excluding loop).
*   Loop adds approximately 4 cm (1.5 inches) to height.

**Abbreviations:**
*   **ch** – chain
*   **dc** – double crochet (US single crochet)
*   **htr** – half treble crochet (US half double crochet)
*   **sl st** – slip stitch
*   **st(s)** – stitch(es)
*   **yo** – yarn over

**Pattern Notes:**
*   This pattern uses UK crochet terminology.
*   The turning chain at the beginning of each htr row does **not** count as a stitch.
*   Always work the first stitch of the row into the first stitch of the previous row (or the last stitch made in the previous row, if referring to the first stitch of the current row).
*   Numbers in parentheses at the end of a row or round indicate the stitch count for that specific row/round.

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### Instructions

**Tag Body**

**Foundation Chain:** Ch 14.

**Row 1:** Htr in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. (13 htr)

**Row 2-10:** Htr in each st across. Ch 1, turn. (13 htr)
*   *(After Row 10, your piece should measure approximately 8.3 cm / 3.3 inches high.)*
*   *(Total number of rows = 10 rows. Total stitches per row = 13 sts.)*

Do not fasten off. You will now work the border and the hanging loop.

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**Border and Loop**

**Round 1:** Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), then work dc stitches evenly around the entire tag as follows:

1.  Work 1 dc in the first st (corner).
2.  Work 1 dc in each of the next 11 htr sts across the top edge. (11 dc)
3.  Work 3 dc in the last htr st on the top edge (corner).
4.  Rotate your work 90 degrees clockwise. Work 11 dc evenly down the side of the tag (working into the ends of the htr rows). (11 dc)
5.  Work 3 dc in the corner stitch at the bottom.
6.  Rotate your work 90 degrees clockwise. Work 11 dc evenly across the bottom edge (working into the loops of the foundation chain). (11 dc)
7.  Work 3 dc in the last corner stitch.
8.  Rotate your work 90 degrees clockwise. Work 11 dc evenly up the remaining side of the tag (working into the ends of the htr rows). (11 dc)
9.  Sl st to the first dc of the round to join.

*   *(Total stitches in Round 1 before loop: 1 + 11 + 3 + 11 + 3 + 11 + 3 + 11 = 54 dc.)*

**Creating the Loop:**
This loop will be worked directly after the border round, at one of the top corners.

**Round 2:** (This round incorporates the loop and refines the border if desired, but for simplicity we will add the loop directly and fasten off.)

*   From where you joined Round 1, **ch 18**.
*   Sl st into the same dc st where you started the chain for the loop (this anchors the loop).
*   *(The loop will measure approximately 4 cm / 1.5 inches.)*

Fasten off.

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### Finishing

1.  Weave in all loose ends securely using a yarn needle.
2.  Gently block your tag if desired, to even out the stitches and shape.
3.  Write your message on the tag directly, or attach a small paper tag to it.
4.  Attach to your Christmas gifts using the sturdy loop.