A few nights ago I decided to make a crochet chain garland for our Christmas tree after seeing this post. Seeing how lovely the chain looked as it curled in my lap gave me the idea to make these chain trees. And --because I've never seen these done before-- I decided to do a little tutorial showing how I made them.
Items needed:
- Your choice of yarn (I used two different colors to achieve the look above but one color would be just as nice)
- The appropriate sized crochet hook for your yarn
- poster board or a light weight cardboard for the tree form (you could also use a styrofoam form or even a birthday party hat)
- tape and scissors
- hot glue gun
To make your tree form, draw a circle on your posterboard. I traced a dinner plate to get a perfect circle. Cut out your circle and then cut the circle in half (one half circle makes one tree). Then fold the half circle - bringing the straight edge together - and tape like so:
Now start chaining your yarn. I suppose a little crochet knowledge is necessary at this point. There are many great instructions on the web showing how to make a crochet chain. Try this one or even this one.
It's kind of hard to judge how long the chain should be. Make it as long as you think you might need based on the size of your tree form (you can alway chain more if need be). Don't cut your yarn yet though.
Begin gluing the bottom of the chain onto the bottom of the tree form, wrapping it around the form as you go and making sure that there are no gaps.
When you get to the tip top, leave your top chain open to fasten off. You may need to remove a few stitches.
Snip your yarn and then insert your crochet hook through the loop. Pull the yarn through to fasten off.
With a small squirt of hot glue, secure the top knot. Snip the loose ends and clean up those nasty hot glue cob webbs and your all done.
Now get to decorating and enjoying the pretty chain tree you just created!
