Cherries Boutonniere Pattern #2249

Materials: Clark's O.N.T. or J. & P. Coats Pearl Cotton, size 5, 1 ball for cherries and 1 ball for leaves and stems.
Milward's steel crochet hook No. 8.

Cherries. 1st rnd: Starting at center, ch 2, 6 s c in 2nd ch from hook. 2nd rnd: 2 s c in each s c around. 3rd rnd: * S c in next s c, 2 s c in next s c. Repeat from * around until there are 24 s c in the rnd. Then make 1 s c in each s c until piece measures ¾ inch from center. Next and subsequent rnds: * S c in next s c, skip 1 s c, s c in next. Repeat from * until 8 s c remain. Break off. Stuff cherry firmly with the same thread. Make 6 cherries.

Stems. Make a stem for each cherry. Stems are made in various lengths. Make a chain the length desired, turn and work a sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in each ch across. Break off. Sew stem to cherry, so that the remaining 8 s c of cherry circles the stem.

Leaves. To begin, ch 24, turn. 1st row: S c in 2nd ch from hook, s c in next ch, half d c in each of next 2 ch, d c in next 2 ch, tr in each of next 8 ch, d c in each of next 2 ch, half d c in each of next 2 ch, s c in next 2 ch, sl st in next 2 ch. 2nd row: Working along other side of ch make: 2 sl st, 2 s c, 2 half d c, 2 d c, 2 tr, 5 d tr, 2 tr, 2 d c, 1 half d c, 1 s c, sl st. Break off. Make 4 leaves. Sew leaves to stems. Arrange cherries into a bunch and tie together at stems.