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# **MÉXICO WALL HANGING**

A stunning tribute to Mexican heritage, this decorative wall hanging features the iconic tricolour flag with an intricately crocheted coat of arms centre medallion. Advanced techniques include tapestry crochet, detailed appliqué work, and surface embellishments.

**Finished Measurements**: 45cm wide × 30cm high (18" × 12")

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## **MATERIALS**

**Yarn**: Worsted weight (aran) 100% cotton or acrylic
- Colour A (Green): 80m (87 yards)
- Colour B (White): 80m (87 yards)
- Colour C (Red): 80m (87 yards)
- Colour D (Brown): 20m (22 yards) for coat of arms
- Colour E (Gold/Yellow): 15m (16 yards) for coat of arms
- Small amounts in Grey, Black, and additional Brown for details

**Hook**: 4.5mm (UK 7, US 7)
3.5mm (UK 9, US E/4) for coat of arms detail work

**Notions**:
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Dowel rod or hanging rod 50cm (20") long
- Blocking pins and mat
- Steam iron or spray bottle for blocking

**Tension**: 16 tr and 9 rows = 10cm (4") in treble crochet with 4.5mm hook
**Tension is crucial for correct finished measurements. Take time to check and adjust hook size if necessary.**

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## **ABBREVIATIONS** (UK Terms)

- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- dc: double crochet (US single crochet)
- htr: half treble crochet (US half double crochet)
- tr: treble crochet (US double crochet)
- dtr: double treble crochet (US treble crochet)
- tr2tog: treble 2 together (decrease)
- BLO: back loop only
- FLO: front loop only
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sp: space
- rep: repeat
- cont: continue

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## **PATTERN NOTES**

1. Each stripe panel is worked separately from bottom to top, then joined together.
2. Turning chain of 3 counts as first tr throughout.
3. All stitch counts are given at end of rows in parentheses.
4. Work with RS facing unless otherwise noted.
5. The coat of arms is worked separately in rounds and rows, then appliquéd to the white centre stripe.
6. Surface crochet is used to add fine details.
7. Weave in ends as you go to reduce finishing time.
8. Block all pieces before assembly for best results.

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## **STRIPE PANELS** (Make 3: one in each colour)

**Green Stripe (Colour A):**

Foundation: Ch 25.

**Row 1 (RS):** Tr in 4th ch from hook (skipped ch counts as first tr), tr in each ch across. (24 tr)

**Row 2:** Ch 3 (counts as first tr here and throughout), turn, tr in each st across. (24 tr)

**Rows 3-27:** Rep Row 2. (24 tr)

Fasten off, leaving a 30cm (12") tail for seaming.

**White Stripe (Colour B):**

Work exactly as Green Stripe using Colour B.

**Red Stripe (Colour C):**

Work exactly as Green Stripe using Colour C.

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## **COAT OF ARMS APPLIQUÉ**

The coat of arms features a stylised eagle perched on a cactus, holding a snake. This is worked in sections and assembled.

### **Cactus Base**

With 3.5mm hook and Colour D (Brown), ch 2.

**Round 1:** 6 dc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st to first dc. (6 dc)

**Round 2:** Ch 1, 2 dc in each dc around, sl st to first dc. (12 dc)

**Round 3:** Ch 1, dc in each dc around, sl st to first dc. (12 dc)

Switch to Colour D (darker brown/green for cactus).

**Round 4:** Ch 1, [dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc] 6 times, sl st to first dc. (18 dc)

**Round 5:** Ch 1, dc in each dc around, sl st to first dc. (18 dc)

**Rounds 6-8:** Rep Round 5. (18 dc)

**Round 9:** Ch 1, [dc in next 4 dc, tr in next dc, dtr in next dc, tr in next dc, dc in next 2 dc] twice for cactus arms. Sl st to first dc. (18 sts)

Fasten off.

### **Cactus Arms** (Make 2)

With 3.5mm hook and cactus colour, ch 8.

**Row 1:** Dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next 6 ch. (7 dc)

**Row 2:** Ch 1, turn, dc in each dc across. (7 dc)

**Row 3:** Ch 1, turn, dc2tog, dc in next 3 dc, dc2tog. (5 dc)

**Row 4:** Ch 1, turn, dc in each dc across. (5 dc)

Fasten off, leaving tail for sewing.

Position arms extending from Round 9 of cactus base at sides and stitch in place.

### **Eagle Body**

With 3.5mm hook and Colour D (Brown), ch 2.

**Round 1:** 6 dc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st to first dc. (6 dc)

**Round 2:** Ch 1, 2 dc in each dc around, sl st to first dc. (12 dc)

**Round 3:** Ch 1, [dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc] 6 times, sl st to first dc. (18 dc)

**Round 4:** Ch 1, [dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc] 6 times, sl st to first dc. (24 dc)

**Round 5:** Ch 1, dc in each dc around, sl st to first dc. (24 dc)

**Round 6:** Ch 1, [dc in next 2 dc, dc2tog] 6 times, sl st to first dc. (18 dc)

Fasten off, leaving long tail for assembly. Stuff lightly if desired for dimension.

### **Eagle Head**

With 3.5mm hook and Colour D (Brown), ch 2.

**Round 1:** 6 dc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st to first dc. (6 dc)

**Round 2:** Ch 1, 2 dc in each dc around, sl st to first dc. (12 dc)

**Round 3:** Ch 1, dc in each dc around, sl st to first dc. (12 dc)

**Round 4:** Ch 1, [dc2tog] 6 times, sl st to first dc. (6 dc)

Fasten off. Stuff lightly. Sew to body.

### **Eagle Wings** (Make 2)

With 3.5mm hook and Colour D (Brown), ch 10.

**Row 1:** Dc in 2nd ch from hook, htr in next 2 ch, tr in next 3 ch, dtr in next 3 ch. (9 sts)

**Row 2:** Ch 3, turn, dtr in first dtr, dtr in next 2 dtr, tr in next 3 tr, htr in next 2 htr, dc in last dc. (9 sts)

**Row 3:** Ch 1, turn, dc2tog, htr in next 2 htr, tr in next 2 tr, dtr2tog twice. (6 sts)

Fasten off. Sew wings to sides of eagle body, positioned to extend outward.

### **Eagle Beak**

With 3.5mm hook and Colour E (Gold), ch 3.

**Row 1:** Dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next ch. (2 dc)

Fasten off. Sew to front of eagle head.

### **Snake**

With 3.5mm hook and Colour E (Gold) or green, ch 35.

**Row 1:** Dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in each ch across. (34 dc)

Fasten off, leaving long tail.

Shape into curved S-shape. With Black, embroider French knots for eyes and forked tongue using surface crochet.

### **Assembly of Coat of Arms**

1. Position cactus on a circle of Colour B (white) approximately 12cm (4.75") diameter (optional backing).
2. Place eagle body on top of cactus.
3. Position snake coming from right side, appearing to be held in eagle's beak/talons.
4. Use surface crochet with Black to add eye details to eagle.
5. With Colour E, add decorative scroll work around the base using chain stitch embroidery.

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## **ASSEMBLY**

### **Joining Stripe Panels**

1. Block all three stripe panels to 15cm × 30cm (6" × 12") each.

2. Place white stripe in centre, green stripe on left (when viewed from RS), red stripe on right.

3. **Joining Method (Invisible Vertical Seam):**
   - Hold green and white stripes with RS together.
   - With tapestry needle and matching yarn, working through back loops only of edge stitches, whip stitch panels together along entire length.
   - Repeat to join white and red stripes.
   
   Alternatively, use sl st crochet join:
   - With RS facing and 4.5mm hook, join yarn at bottom edge where two panels meet.
   - Working through both thicknesses, sl st through edge sts of both panels to top.

4. Weave in all ends securely.

### **Attaching Coat of Arms**

1. Centre the assembled coat of arms appliqué on the white stripe, positioned approximately 10cm (4") from top edge.

2. Using white yarn and whipstitch, carefully sew around all edges of the appliqué components, ensuring all pieces are secure.

3. Add surface crochet details if desired for additional dimension.

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## **HANGING LOOPS** (Make 5)

With 4.5mm hook and Colour B (White), ch 12.

**Row 1:** Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in each ch across. (11 sl st)

Fasten off, leaving tails for sewing.

Position loops evenly across top edge of hanging (approximately 9cm/3.5" apart), folding each in half to create loop. Sew securely to wrong side of top edge.

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## **BORDER** (Optional)

For a more finished look, work a border around entire hanging:

**Round 1:** With RS facing, join Colour A with sl st in any corner, ch 1.

*Work dc evenly around entire edge, working 3 dc in each corner.* Join with sl st to first dc.

**Round 2:** Ch 1, dc in each dc around, working 3 dc in each corner dc. Join with sl st to first dc.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

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## **FINISHING**

1. **Blocking**: Steam block the assembled piece thoroughly to ensure all edges are straight and measurements are accurate. Pin to blocking mat and allow to dry completely.

2. **Surface Details**: With Black yarn and tapestry needle, add additional embroidered details to coat of arms as desired (feather definition, snake scales, etc.).

3. **Hanging**: Thread dowel rod through the loops at top edge. Add cord or twine to ends of dowel for wall hanging.

4. **Final Inspection**: Check all ends are woven in securely. Trim any excess yarn tails.

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## **DESIGN NOTES**

This wall hanging celebrates the rich symbolism of the Mexican flag. The coat of arms depicts the legendary founding of Tenochtitlán (now Mexico City), where Aztecs saw an eagle perched on a cactus devouring a snake—the sign they had been seeking from the gods.

**Variations:**
- Scale up by using chunky yarn and larger hook for a dramatic statement piece
- Add fringe to bottom edge in alternating flag colours
- Embroider "MÉXICO" across bottom in satin stitch
- Create additional appliqué elements (laurel wreaths, oak leaves) around the coat of arms for more detail

**Display Suggestions:**
- Frame without glass for textural impact
- Hang as tapestry with decorative rod
- Mount on stretched canvas for stability

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## **YARN REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY**

Based on tension swatch and calculations:
- **Total yardage needed**: Approximately 350m (383 yards) including coat of arms and finishing
- All amounts listed in materials include 10% extra for tension swatching and safety margin

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**Pattern designed for advanced crocheters familiar with colourwork, appliqué techniques, and surface crochet embellishment.**

*Mathematical Verification:*
- *Green stripe: 24 sts × 27 rows at 16 tr/10cm × 9 rows/10cm = 15cm × 30cm ✓*
- *White stripe: 24 sts × 27 rows = 15cm × 30cm ✓*
- *Red stripe: 24 sts × 27 rows = 15cm × 30cm ✓*
- *Total width: 15cm + 15cm + 15cm = 45cm ✓*
- *Total height: 30cm ✓*