purlJam

# Pattern: The Royal Bobble Bauble

**A vintage-inspired textured Christmas ornament.**

**DIFFICULTY LEVEL:** Intermediate
**TEMPLATE TO FOLLOW:** Pattern

## YARN WEIGHT: Sport
**SPECIFICATIONS FOR THIS YARN WEIGHT:**
*   **Yarn A (Main):** Approx 25g of Sport weight yarn (Recommendation: 100% Mercerised Cotton or a Wool blend for definition). Deep Red or Emerald Green.
*   **Yarn B (Accent):** Approx 5g of Metallic Gold or Silver Sport weight yarn.
*   **Stuffing:** High-quality polyester fibre fill (or a recycled nylon stocking to contain stuffing if tension is loose).

## TERMINOLOGY & ABBREVIATION PROFILE:
**Language:** UK English
**Measurements:** Metric (cm)
**Stitch Dictionary:**
*   **ch:** chain
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **sl st:** slip stitch
*   **dc:** double crochet (equivalent to US single crochet)
*   **dc2tog:** double crochet two together (decrease)
*   **tr:** treble crochet (equivalent to US double crochet)
*   **Bobble:** (Yarn over, insert hook into st, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops) 5 times in the same st. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops on hook. Push the bobble to the RS (Right Side) of the work.
*   **RS:** Right Side
*   **[]:** Stitches within brackets are worked into the same stitch or represent a repeatable sequence.

## SPECIFICATIONS:
*   **Hook Size:** 3.5mm (Note: If you crochet loosely, ensure you tug the yarn tight after every bobble to prevent gaps).
*   **Tension:** 22 sts and 24 rows = 10cm in standard dc. (Gauge is not critical for fit, but critical to prevent stuffing showing).
*   **Finished Size:** Approximately 7cm diameter.

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### Phase 1: The Base (Increases)
*Worked in a continuous spiral. Place a stitch marker at the start of each round.*

**Round 1:** Using **Yarn A**, make a magic ring. Work 6 dc into the ring.
`[Math: 6 sts]`

**Round 2:** 2 dc in each st around.
`[Math: 6 * 2 = 12 sts]`

**Round 3:** (1 dc, 2 dc in next st) 6 times.
`[Math: 6 + 6 inc = 18 sts]`

**Round 4:** (2 dc, 2 dc in next st) 6 times.
`[Math: 18 + 6 inc = 24 sts]`

**Round 5:** (3 dc, 2 dc in next st) 6 times.
`[Math: 24 + 6 inc = 30 sts]`

**Round 6:** (4 dc, 2 dc in next st) 6 times.
`[Math: 30 + 6 inc = 36 sts]`

**Round 7:** (5 dc, 2 dc in next st) 6 times.
`[Math: 36 + 6 inc = 42 sts]`

**Round 8:** (6 dc, 2 dc in next st) 6 times. Sl st to first dc to join.
`[Math: 42 + 6 inc = 48 sts]`

*Note: We now switch to joined rounds to ensure the bobble pattern aligns perfectly.*

### Phase 2: Texture & Body
*Worked in joined rounds. The ch 1 at the start of a round does NOT count as a stitch.*

**Round 9 (Setup):** Ch 1, 1 dc in each st around. Sl st to first dc.
`[Math: 48 sts]`

**Round 10 (Bobbles):** Ch 1. *1 dc in next 3 sts, 1 Bobble in next st.* Repeat from * to * 11 more times. Sl st to first dc.
`[Math: 12 repeats * 4 sts = 48 sts (12 Bobbles total)]`

**Round 11 (Plain):** Ch 1, 1 dc in each st around (ensure you work into the top of the bobble, not the gap). Sl st to first dc.
`[Math: 48 sts]`

**Round 12 (Offset Bobbles):** Ch 1. *1 dc in next st, 1 Bobble in next st, 1 dc in next 2 sts.* Repeat from * to * 11 more times. Sl st to first dc.
`[Math: 12 repeats * 4 sts = 48 sts]`
*Editor's Note: This shifts the bobbles to sit between the bobbles of Round 10.*

**Round 13:** Ch 1, 1 dc in each st around. Sl st to first dc.
`[Math: 48 sts]`

**Round 14:** Repeat Round 10 (3 dc, 1 Bobble).
`[Math: 48 sts]`

**Round 15:** Ch 1, 1 dc in each st around. Sl st to first dc.
`[Math: 48 sts]`

**Round 16:** Repeat Round 12 (Offset Bobbles).
`[Math: 48 sts]`

**Round 17:** Ch 1, 1 dc in each st around. Do NOT join; continue in a spiral for the decreases.
`[Math: 48 sts]`

### Phase 3: The Close (Decreases)
*Start stuffing the bauble firmly now. Continue stuffing as the hole closes.*

**Round 18:** (6 dc, dc2tog) 6 times.
`[Math: 48 - 6 dec = 42 sts]`

**Round 19:** (5 dc, dc2tog) 6 times.
`[Math: 42 - 6 dec = 36 sts]`

**Round 20:** (4 dc, dc2tog) 6 times.
`[Math: 36 - 6 dec = 30 sts]`

**Round 21:** (3 dc, dc2tog) 6 times.
`[Math: 30 - 6 dec = 24 sts]`

**Round 22:** (2 dc, dc2tog) 6 times.
`[Math: 24 - 6 dec = 18 sts]`

**Round 23:** (1 dc, dc2tog) 6 times.
`[Math: 18 - 6 dec = 12 sts]`

**Round 24:** (dc2tog) 6 times.
`[Math: 12 - 6 dec = 6 sts]`

**Finishing:**
Cut yarn leaving a 20cm tail. Weave the tail through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close the hole. Fasten off securely.

### Phase 4: Embellishment & Loop

**Gold Band (Optional):**
Using **Yarn B (Gold)** and 3.5mm hook:
1.  Join yarn with a sl st to any stitch on Round 9 (the row before the first bobbles).
2.  Surface slip stitch loosely around the circumference of the bauble.
3.  Join and fasten off.
4.  Repeat on Round 17 (the row after the last bobbles).

**Hanging Loop:**
1.  Join **Yarn A or B** to the very top centre of the bauble.
2.  Chain 25.
3.  Slip stitch back into the same space at the top of the bauble.
4.  Fasten off and weave in ends inside the bauble.