This little project from Colourful Crochet creates a colourful decorative lace edging on any tag. Designer Emma Leith's personal favourite is the Lilac Mist tag – the pink and yellow French knots are bright and zingy, making them pop out beautifully.
YARN AND MATERIALS
Brown kraft paper gift tags
Scheepjes Maxi Sweet Treat (100% mercerised cotton, approx. 140m/153yd per 25g/7⁄8oz ball) 2-ply (lace) weight yarn, 1 ball each of:
- Lemon shade 280 (A)
- Yellow Gold shade 208 (B)
- Spring Green shade 513 (C)
- Jade shade 514 (D)
- Fuchsia shade 786 (E)
- Tulip shade 222 (F)
- Light Orchid shade 226 (G)
- Crystalline shade 385 (H)
- Bridal White shade 105 (I)
- Icy Pink shade 246 (J)
- Lilac Mist shade 399 (K)
HOOKS AND EQUIPMENT
1.5mm (US size 8 steel) crochet hook
Yarn needle
Sharp needle to make holes in tags
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Project is easily adjusted to fit chosen gift tag.
Tags shown measure approx. 11cm (41⁄4in) long, 6cm (21⁄4in) wide
TENSION
Tension is not important for this project but stitches should be kept tight and dense.
Skill level: *
Tips
- You could create a decorative edge on a face cloth or other fabric pieces using the same pattern.
- The size of the crochet hook means it can be pushed through most lightweight fabrics.
Colour combinations
- Tag 1 Yarns B and A
- Tag 2 Yarns D and C
- Tag 3 Yarns E and F
- Tag 4 Yarn A with C and G French knots
- Tag 5 Yarn H with I and J French knots
- Tag 6 Yarn K with E and A French knots
Tags 1, 2 and 3
Measure and mark position of holes so they are evenly spaced about 0.5cm (1⁄4in) apart around edge of each tag. Push a sharp yarn needle through each marked place to make holes.
Round 1: Join first colour in any hole, ch1 (does not count as st), 1dc in same hole, ch1, [1dc in next hole, ch1] around tag, working (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in each corner hole, ss in first dc to join.
Fasten off.
Round 2: Join second colour in any ch-1 sp, *ch3, 1htr in third ch from hook, miss next dc, ss in next sp; rep from * to end, ss in first ch of beg ch-3 to join.
Fasten off.
Tags 4, 5 and 6
Measure and mark position of holes so they are evenly spaced about 1cm (3⁄8in) apart around edge of each tag. Push a sharp yarn needle through each marked place to make holes.
Round 1: Join yarn in any hole, ch2 (counts as first htr), 2htr in same hole, ch1, [3htr in next hole, ch1] around tag, working (3htr, ch3, 3htr) in each corner hole, ss in top of beg ch-2 to join.
Fasten off.
Decoration
Make first French knot in first hole to one side of main string hole at tip of tag, miss next hole. Repeat to make a French knot in every other hole around tag.
Fasten off. Repeat the process with second colour in rem holes.
Making up and finishing
Secure all ends neatly behind your work on the reverse side of the tags.
Colour therapy
Inspired by spring bouquets with a hint of warmth in their tone, the airy colours used sit in contrast to the classic brown tag, allowing the stitches to zing off the surface and give a happy feeling to the tags.
This project is from Colourful Crochet by Emma Leith. To get more free projects like this one - direct to your inbox - sign up to our mailing list here.