purlJam

# Vintage Granny Stitch Bauble

**Description:**
A festive, retro-style Christmas bauble featuring the classic granny stitch. This pattern is worked in the round, starting from the bottom, working up the sides, and enclosing the bauble at the top. It is designed to fit a standard 7cm shatterproof or polystyrene bauble insert.

**Difficulty:** Intermediate

**Yarn Weight:** DK (Double Knitting)
**Recommended Yarn:** 100% Cotton or Acrylic blend. Approx. 20g required per bauble. (e.g., Stylecraft Special DK or Ricorumi DK).

**Materials:**
*   3.5mm crochet hook (or size needed to obtain tension).
*   7cm diameter plain bauble (plastic or polystyrene) – *Note: Loose fibre fill is not recommended due to the open nature of the stitch.*
*   Tapestry needle.
*   Scissors.
*   Stitch marker.

**Tension (Gauge):**
5 cluster groups = 6cm wide.
Rows 1–3 (flat circle diameter) = approx. 6.5cm.
*Tension is critical for a snug fit. If your circle is too large, drop a hook size.*

**Terminology & Abbreviations (UK English):**
*   **beg:** beginning
*   **ch:** chain
*   **ch-sp:** chain space
*   **dc:** double crochet (US single crochet)
*   **dtr:** double treble (US treble crochet) – *used for hanging loop only*
*   **rep:** repeat
*   **rnd:** round
*   **sl st:** slip stitch
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **tr:** treble crochet (US double crochet)
*   **yrh:** yarn round hook

**Special Stitches:**
*   **Granny Cluster (cl):** 3 tr in the same space.
*   **Decrease Cluster (dec-cl):** (Used to merge two spaces) Yrh, insert hook in first sp, yrh, pull up loop, yrh, pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Yrh, insert hook in *next* sp, yrh, pull up loop, yrh, pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook). Yrh, insert hook in same (second) sp, yrh, pull up loop, yrh, pull through 2 loops (4 loops on hook). Yrh, pull through all 4 loops. *Technically acts as a cluster bridging two spaces.*

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### Instructions

**Note on Construction:**
The pattern is worked in rounds. To keep the seam straight and the granny texture even, do not turn the work unless specified. The starting chain counts as the first stitch of a cluster.

#### Base (Increases)

**Rnd 1:** Start with a magic ring (or ch4, sl st to first ch to form ring). Ch3 (counts as 1 tr), 2 tr in ring. Ch1. *3 tr in ring, ch1; rep from * 4 more times. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
`[Math Check: 6 clusters + 6 ch-1 sps]`

**Rnd 2:** Sl st into the next 2 sts to reach the first ch-1 sp. Ch3, 2 tr in same sp, ch1, 3 tr in same sp (corner made). *Skip next cluster, (3 tr, ch1, 3 tr) in next ch-1 sp; rep from * around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
`[Math Check: 6 corners = 12 clusters total]`

**Rnd 3:** Sl st to first ch-1 sp. Ch3, 2 tr in same sp. *(3 tr, ch1, 3 tr) in next space between corners (increase made), 3 tr in next space; rep from * around, ending with the increase group. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
*Note: You are increasing in every second space.*
`[Math Check: 6 increases (12 clusters) + 6 regular clusters = 18 clusters total]`

#### Body (Work Even)

**Rnd 4:** Sl st to next space between clusters. Ch3, 2 tr in same sp. *3 tr in next sp; rep from * around. You should not be making any chain spaces between clusters in this section, just work the tr groups tightly. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
`[Math Check: 1 cluster in each of 18 spaces = 18 clusters]`

**Rnd 5 – Rnd 7:** Rep Rnd 4.
`[Math Check: Count remains constant at 18 clusters]`

*At this point, insert your 7cm bauble into the crocheted cup. It should be a snug fit. If it feels loose, remove Rnd 7. The crochet fabric needs to stretch slightly over the ball.*

#### Top (Decreases)

**Rnd 8 (Decrease Rnd):** Sl st to next space. Ch3, 2 tr in same sp. *Dec-cl (see Special Stitches) over next 2 spaces, 3 tr in next sp; rep from * around, ending with a Dec-cl. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
`[Math Check: Pattern repeats 6 times. (1 normal cl + 1 dec-cl that consumes 2 spaces) x 6 = 12 resulting clusters]`

**Rnd 9 (Final Decrease):** Sl st to next space. Ch2 (counts as part of first st), work remaining legs of a `dec-cl` spanning the starting space and the next space. *Dec-cl over next 2 spaces; rep from * around. Join with sl st to top of first st.
`[Math Check: 12 spaces reduced by half = 6 clusters]`

### Finishing

1.  Fasten off, leaving a long tail (approx. 20cm).
2.  Using a tapestry needle, weave the tail through the tops of the stitches of the final round.
3.  Pull tight to close the gap around the neck of the bauble (or the bauble hook). Secure with a knot.

**Hanging Loop (Optional):**
Join yarn to the top centre. Ch 25. Sl st back into the same space. Fasten off and weave in ends.

**Tech Editor Notes:**
*   **Fit:** If using a slightly smaller bauble (6cm), omit Round 7.
*   **Colour Changes:** If changing colour every round, fasten off at the end of the round and join new colour in any space with a standing treble crochet. This eliminates the need to slip stitch across clusters to start.
*   **Gap Management:** If you find the gaps in Rnd 8 are too large, you may substitute the `dec-cl` with a standard `3 tr` in every *second* space, skipping the space in between entirely, but pull your tension tight to close the gap.