Crochet Skull Mug Rug

This week on Ask Me Monday, I show how to work the hdc tapestry crochet skull motif called for in my Dead Man’s Party cowl pattern, plus offer of a free project for a Crochet Skull Mug Rug. Halloween, let’s do this!

This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by Knitter’s Pride/ KnitPro

Featured Knitter’s Pride Products: Zing, Waves & Ginger Crochet Hooks

See Episode HERE

Crochet Skull Mug Rug

MATERIALS

Mystic Fiber Co Enchanted Worsted (100% superwash merino; approx 183 yds/168 m, 3.5 oz/100 g), 1 hank each in colors:

(A) Black Cats, and (B) Fairytale Pumpkin — or equivalent worsted-weight yarn.

Size U.S. I-9/5.5 mm hook — or size needed to obtain gauge

Tapestry needle

Removable stitch marker

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

4 1/2″ x 5″, excluding ball fringe

GAUGE

14 hdc x 11 rows = 4″/10 cm

NOTES

When working from chart, read RS rows from right to left, and WS rows from left to right.
The body of this project is worked in Color A, and the skull motif and edgings are worked in Color B.

Color changing tips:

Change color when completing the last stitch before the stitch in the new color as follows: work hdc until 3 loops are left on hook, YO with new color and draw through 3 loops on hook, proceed in new color.

I’ve found that the color work slants a little less when, as the piece faces you, on the RH side of the motif you YARN UNDER, instead of YO (yarn over) during the switch over to the new color. On the LH side switch over, the usual YO works.

DIRECTIONS

With A, ch 17.

Row 1 (RS): Hdc in 3rd ch from hook, and to end. Turn. — 15 hdc

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1 (doesn’t count as st), hdc in every st across.

Join B when beginning charted skull.

Rows 3-13: Work Rows 1-11 of chart.

Cut A.

Row 14: Ch 1, hdc in every st across.

Row 15: Ch 1, hdc in every st across.; joining B in the last step of the last st.

Cut A.

Edging:

Row 14: With B, ch 1, hdc in every st across.

Row 15 (ball fringe): *Ch 5, [YO and insert hook into third ch from hook, YO, pull through 2 loops on hook] 4 times, (5 loops on hook) YO, pull through all loops on hook (first bobble made)**; ch 3, rep from * to ** (second bobble made); sl st into base of first bobble (this will connect both bobbles to create a ball); ch 3, sk next st, sc in next st; rep from *, ending with sl st in last st.

Fasten off.

Flip the piece over, and repeat the Edging process (Rows 14-15) for the opposite side.