Garland Tissue Box Cover Pattern

COATS & CLARK'S O.N.T. “SPEED-CRO-SHEEN” MERCERIZED COTTON: 2 balls of No. 1 White; and

COATS & CLARK'S “O.N.T” PEARL COTTON: 1 ball each of No. 15 Shaded Pinks and No. 48 Hunter's Green.

Milwards Steel Crochet Hooks No. 7 and No. 2/0 (double zero).

Elastic thread; 1 large size tissue box.

GAUGE: 5 h dc = 1 inch; 3 rows = 1 inch.

SIDE … Starting at narrow edge with White and No. 2/0 hook, ch 21, having 5 chain to 1 inch. 1st row (wrong side): H dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across—19 h dc. Ch 2, turn. 2nd row: Pick­ing up back loop only throughout, h dc in each h dc across. Ch 2, turn. 3rd row: Picking up front loop only throughout (see Fig. 1 below), h dc in each h dc across. Ch 2, turn. Repeat 2nd and 3rd rows for pattern. Work in pattern until piece measures 26½ inches, ending with 2nd row. Ch 1, but do not turn. Sc closely across the long edge (lower edge). Break off and fasten.

TOP … First Half: Starting at narrow edge with White and No. 2/0 hook, ch 27. First 3 rows: Repeat first 3 rows of Side, having 25 h dc instead of 19 h dc. The end of 3rd row is side edge. Ch 2, turn. b: Work in pattern across the first 10 sts. Ch 2, turn. Continue in pattern over these 10 sts until piece measures 9 inches in all, ending with 2nd row of pattern. Break off and fasten.

Second Half: Skip next 5 sts on 3rd row for slot opening, attach thread in next st, ch 2, picking up back loop only throughout, h dc in same place and in each h dc across—10 h dc. Ch 2, turn. Continue in pattern until length is same as First Half, ending with 2nd row. Ch 2, turn. Next row: Work in pattern across first 10 sts, ch 5, then work in pattern across sts of First Half. Ch 2, turn. Following row: Work in pattern across first 10 sts, h dc in next 5 ch, work in pattern across re­maining sts. Ch 2, turn. Next 2 rows: Work in pattern across. Break off and fasten.
  With right side facing, sc closely around entire slot opening. Break off and fasten. Press each piece lightly. Sew nar­row ends of side together. With wrong sides facing, sew top to side. Fold elastic thread in half and draw through the sc's at lower edge. Place cover over box, pull elastic to fit around box and tie ends.

LEAVES … With Green and No. 7 hook, ch 8, * sc in 2nd ch from hook, h dc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in next ch, dc in next ch, h dc in next ch, sc in next ch; ch 8, sc in 2nd ch from hook, h dc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in next ch, dc in next ch, h dc in next ch, sc in next ch—two-leaf cluster made; ch 15. Repeat from * until 24 two-leaf clusters have been made, ending with ch 7 instead of ch 15. Break off and fasten. Sew around top on seam as shown.

CORNER LEAF CLUSTER (Make 2) … Work as for two-leaf cluster, making 3 leaves instead of 2. Break off and fasten. Sew one cluster to each end of slot opening, as shown.

FLOWER (Make 26) … With Pink and No. 7 hook, ch 5. Join with sl st to form ring. In ring make (ch 3, dc, ch 3 and sl st) 5 times. Join. Break off and fasten, leav­ing a 6-inch end for sewing. Sew a flower over each leaf cluster, as shown.