Thread Colors:
White, yellow, black
Crochet Instructions:
This pattern is worked in continuous rounds. Do not chain and turn. Always use the top loop of every st throughout pattern.
Using white, chain 4, sl st to join. (4)
Rounds 1-2: 2 sc in each st around. (8) (16)
Rounds 3-4: 1 sc in each st around. (16)
Rounds 5-6: * 1 sc in each of the next 2 sts, skip third st, repeat from * around. (12) (9)
Round 7: 2 sc in each st around. (18)
Rounds 8-12: 1 sc in each st around. (18)
Rounds 13-16: * 1 sc in each of the next 2 sts, skip third st, repeat from * around. (14) (11) (9) (7) Ch 3, 1 sc in next st, * ch 2, 1 sc in next st, repeat from * around. Break off and fasten, bucking ends.
Wings. Using white, sl st sc into back of dove, 1 sc in each of the next 6 sts, working down the body, ch 1 and turn, 1 sc in each of the bottom sc loops, turn and continue 1 sc in each of the top sc loops. (12)
Rounds 2-3: 1 sc in each st around. (12)
Rounds 4-6: * 1 sc in each of the next 2 sts, skip third st, repeat from * around.
Round 7: Sl st every other st around until wing opening is closed. (3) (2) (0)
Wing trim. Ch 3, sl st, sc into outside edge of wing, * ch 2, 1 sc in next st, repeat from *, working down wing to body. Break off and fasten, tucking ends. Repeat from start to finish for other wing. (9) (7) (6)
Hanger. Sl st sc into back between wings, ch 10, sl st back into same st, and break off and fasten.
Beak. Using yellow, sl st sc into head, 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc all in the same st. Break off and fasten, tying ends together and tucking ends.
Shaping Instructions:
See General Instructions for pinning and spraying. Pull body tube outwards at center to form a rounded shape. Pinch bottom of body tube, right above tail, tightly together, to taper body shape to a narrow width. Let tail flare outward below this as tail feathers. Pinch and pin tube to a narrow width at neck, and form head above into a nice round shape. Spread wing tubes widely at their base. Wings will be flat. Stretch lower edge of wings, so they come to a point at top of wing tube farthest from the body. Put some wave into the wings, and position them back from and to each side of body. Don't be afraid to stretch and pull the stitches to get the shape required. Be sure to pin tauntly into shape. Shape hanger into a diamond or other open shape. With black, embroider an eye on each side of head, above and back from beak.
Other great patterns from Christmas-Time Crochet, Book 7317:
Pattern © 1979 by Plaid Enterprises, Inc. Reproduced with permission from Plaid. PurpleKittyYarns.com is not endorsed by Plaid.