Welcome back to the warmth of my studio. Today, we are moving beyond simple toys and stepping into the world of architectural fiber art. To capture the magic of the garden swing you shared, we must think like engineers as much as artists.
I have scaled our main figure to approximately 14cm, ensuring she feels substantial yet maintains those endearing proportions we adore. We will use wire for the vine and precise increases to create the flared “bell” of the lanterns.
Grab your finest cotton and a sharp hook. Let us begin this journey of precision and beauty.
Warmly,
Patricia Poltera
About This Creation
This project represents the pinnacle of the “Krocheta” aesthetic. We are balancing the heavy structure of a display piece with the soft, rounded features of the “Gaze of Innocence” style. The focus here is on asymmetrical shaping—using increases specifically to pull fabric into cheek curves—and the integration of mixed media like wire and internal stiffeners to ensure your garden stands tall.
Project Snapshot
✨ Difficulty: Advanced / Artisan
✨ Size: Approximately 28cm total height (Doll: 14cm)
✨ Time: 15-20 hours
✨ Techniques: Wirework, asymmetrical increases, color changes, surface crochet.
Materials
🧶 Sport weight cotton yarn in Sage Green, Cream, Yellow, Red, Pink, Brown, and Skin Tone.
🧶 2.25mm or 2.5mm crochet hook (maintain a very tight tension).
🧶 2.0mm aluminum craft wire for the vine and swing supports.
🧶 12mm safety eyes.
🧶 Polyester fiberfill stuffing.
🧶 Rigid plastic or heavy cardboard for the base disk.
🪡 Yarn needle, stitch markers, and pins.
Abbreviations
✨ MR: Magic Ring
✨ Sc: Single crochet
✨ Inc: Increase (2 sc in one stitch)
✨ Dec: Decrease (Invisible decrease recommended)
✨ Hdc: Half double crochet
✨ Dc: Double crochet
✨ BLO: Back loops only
✨ FLO: Front loops only
✨ St(s): Stitch(es)
The Pattern
The Garden Base (Meadow)
We begin with a sturdy foundation. Use Sage Green.
➡️ R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
➡️ R2: 6 inc (12)
➡️ R3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
➡️ R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
➡️ R5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
➡️ R6: (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)
➡️ R7: (5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)
➡️ R8: (6 sc, inc) x 6 (48)
➡️ R9: (7 sc, inc) x 6 (54)
➡️ R10: (8 sc, inc) x 6 (60)
➡️ R11: (9 sc, inc) x 6 (66)
➡️ R12: (10 sc, inc) x 6 (72)
➡️ R13: (11 sc, inc) x 6 (78)
➡️ R14: BLO 78 sc (78)
➡️ R15-18: 78 sc (78)
➡️ R19: BLO (11 sc, dec) x 6 (72)
➡️ Insert your rigid plastic disk here to ensure the base remains flat.
➡️ R20: (10 sc, dec) x 6 (66)
➡️ R21: (9 sc, dec) x 6 (60)
➡️ Continue decreasing following the established logic until closed. Stuff firmly around the edges of the disk.
The Main Vine (Structural Stem)
Use Sage Green. This is a long tube worked over a 2.0mm wire.
➡️ R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
➡️ R2-55: 6 sc (6)
➡️ Insert the wire as you go. Leave 5cm of wire exposed at the bottom to anchor into the base.
The Large Bell Lamp (Main)
Use Yellow yarn. We want a sharp flare at the bottom.
➡️ R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
➡️ R2: (1 sc, inc) x 3 (9)
➡️ R3: 9 sc (9)
➡️ R4: (2 sc, inc) x 3 (12)
➡️ R5-6: 12 sc (12)
➡️ R7: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
➡️ R8: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
➡️ R9: (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
➡️ R10: (FLO: 4 dc in one st, skip 1 st, sl st in next) repeat around to create the scalloped petal edge.
Little Red (The Doll Head)
Use Skin Tone. This uses specific shaping for the cheeks.
➡️ R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
➡️ R2: 6 inc (12)
➡️ R3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
➡️ R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
➡️ R5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
➡️ R6: (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)
➡️ R7: (5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)
➡️ R8: (6 sc, inc) x 6 (48)
➡️ R9-17: 48 sc (48)
➡️ Place 12mm safety eyes between R14 and R15, spaced 9 stitches apart.
➡️ R18 (Cheek Shaping): 14 sc, (inc, 1 sc) x 4, 4 sc, (1 sc, inc) x 4, 14 sc (56)
➡️ R19-21: 56 sc (56)
➡️ R22: 14 sc, (dec, 1 sc) x 4, 4 sc, (1 sc, dec) x 4, 14 sc (48)
➡️ R23: (6 sc, dec) x 6 (42)
➡️ R24: (5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)
➡️ R25: (4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)
➡️ R26: (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
➡️ R27: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
➡️ Stuff the head very firmly, focusing on the cheek area.
The Tiny Bunny
Use White yarn.
➡️ R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
➡️ R2: 6 inc (12)
➡️ R3-5: 12 sc (12)
➡️ R6: 6 dec (6)
➡️ Ears (Make 2): Chain 4, starting in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sl st, 1 sc, 1 hdc. Sew to R2.
Assembly Instructions
1. The Vine: Bend the wire-filled green tube into a graceful “C” curve. Push the bottom wire through the center of the Garden Base and secure it underneath before closing the base.
2. The Lanterns: Sew the large bell lamp to the very tip of the vine. Attach three smaller bells (using the same logic as the large bell but stopping at R8) at intervals along the stem.
3. The Doll: Sew the head to the small body (60/40 ratio). Ensure the eyes are low and the face looks upward toward the lanterns.
4. The Swing: Construct a rectangle for the seat (12 sc x 8 rows in Brown). Loop two lengths of yarn or wire from the large lamp’s base down to the seat. Secure Little Red onto the seat with a few hidden stitches.
5. Finishing Touches: Embroider small pink lines for cheeks just under the eyes. Attach the tiny bunny to Little Red’s arms using a small stitch. Scatter your floral clusters around the vine’s base to hide the structural entry point.
