Turtle Coasters Pattern #9018

Materials: Clark's O.N.T. "Brilliant", 5 balls of Green.
Clark's O.N.T. or J. & P. Coats Six Strand, 1 skein each of Yellow and Black.
Milward's steel crochet hook No. 8.

This amount of materials is sufficient for a set of 6 coasters for cocktail glasses with 2½-inch bases.

Foot. With Green ch 8. 1st row: S c in 2nd ch from hook, s c in each ch across, 3 s c in last ch. Then, working along opposite side of foundation chain, make s c in each ch across, 2 s c in last ch. Ch 1, turn. Hereafter pick up only the front loop of each s c unless otherwise specified. 2nd row. S c in each s c to within center s c of 3-s c group, 3 s c in center s c, s c in each s c across, 2 s c in last s c. Ch 1, turn. Repeat 2nd row once more. Break off. Make another piece same as this, but do not break off. Fit both pieces together and sl st through both thicknesses all along curved edge. Break off. This completes one foot. Make 3 more feet exactly like this.

Head. Ch 10 and continue as for foot, but work the 2nd row 4 times in all (instead of twice). Break off. With full strands of Black Six Strand, work a French knot for each eye, and make 2 running stitches for nostrils. With full strands of Yellow, outline each French knot (see illustration). Make another piece same as this, omitting embroidery. Sl st both pieces together as for foot.

Tail. Ch 6. 1st row: S c in 2nd ch from hook, s c in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. 2nd row: Skip next s c, s c in each s c across. Ch 1, turn. Repeat 2nd row until all sts are worked off. Break off. Make another piece same as this, but do not break off. Sl st both pieces together as before.

Upper Piece. Work exactly as for head, but repeat 2nd row until piece measures 2¾ inches across straight edge. Work 1 s c in every other row across straight edge (thus shortening straight edge to 2½ inches). Break off. Pin this piece to ironing board, having straight edge measure 2½ inches; and 1¾ inches from straight edge to highest point of curve. Pin curved edges to form half an oval, and press under a damp cloth with a hot iron. Embroider markings of turtle on this piece with back stitch, as in illustration, using 3 strands of Yellow. Make another piece same as this. Work a row of s c around curved edge only, then around curved edge of first piece, thus joining the 2 pieces.

Lower Piece. Starting at center, ch 15. 1st rnd: S c in 2nd ch from hook, s c in each ch across, 3 s c in last ch. Then work along opposite side of foundation chain, and make s c in each ch across, 3 s c in last ch. 2nd rnd: Picking up the back loop only of each s c, * s c in each s c across to within center s c of 3-s c group, 3 s c in center s c. Repeat from * once more. Repeat the 2nd rnd until piece measures 2½ x 3½ inches. Break off. Pin this piece to joined upper pieces so that they match exactly, and press. Sew head and tail (see illustration) at opposite ends of lower piece, just inside outer edge, having wrong side of lower piece and right side of head toward you. Sew feet in position in same manner. Place joined upper piece in position over lower piece and, with Green, work over-and-over stitches all around outer edge, working through the 2 thicknesses (thus joining pieces). Make 5 more coasters same as this.