Skill Level

Intermediate to Advanced

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Materials List

1. Yarn:
   • 100% acrylic yarn, 2 mm thickness.
   • Required Colors: Olive Green (leaves) and Red (berries).
2. Crochet Hook: Size 4 mm metal hook.
3. Wire:
   • 22-gauge wire measuring approximately 1 mm thick.
   • Pieces needed:
     • 3 pieces, each 30 cm long (for leaves).
     • 1 piece, 20 cm long (for berries).
4. Additional Supplies:
   • A tapestry needle (blunt) for weaving ends and sewing parts together.
   • Scissors.
   • Floral tape (green or brown is optional).
   • A lighter or candle to seal yarn fibers.
   • Wire cutters for cutting excess wire.
   • Hair straightener or iron to improve the holly’s appearance.

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Key Abbreviations (US Terminology)

• ch: Chain.
• sc: Single crochet.
• hdc: Half double crochet.
• dc: Double crochet.
• tr: Treble crochet.
• sl st: Slip stitch.
• inc: Increase (work 2 stitches into the same stitch).

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Special Notes

• Wire Placement: Wire runs through the center of the leaves to make them adjustable and sturdy.
• Shaping: The yarn fibers are lightly sealed with heat for a polished finish using a lighter/candle.
• Assembly: Floral tape is optional for clean wrapping around the stems.

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Step-by-Step Pattern

Step 1: Crochet the Leaves

1. Start with olive green yarn.
2. Foundation Chains:
   • Make 20 chains and mark the last chain with a stitch marker.
3. Row 1:
   • In the second chain from the hook, crochet 1 sc.
   • In the next chain, work 1 sc.
   • Crochet 2 hdc, one in each of the next chains.
   • In the next 10 chains, work 1 dc in each chain.
   • Continue with 3 hdc, one in each of the next chains.
   • In the next chain, work 1 sc.
   • In the last chain, crochet 1 sc, ch 1, and 1 sc.
4. Turn Work:
   • Rotate your work to crochet along the opposite side of the foundation chain.
5. Opposite Side (Row 2):
   • In the first chain, crochet 1 sc.
   • Crochet 3 hdc, one per stitch.
   • Work 10 dc, one in each chain.
   • Continue with 3 hdc, one in each chain.
   • Finish with 2 sc, working into each chain until the stitch marker.
   • Slip stitch into the marked stitch to finish the round.
6. Add Wire:
   • Insert a 30 cm wire doubled in half into the chain where the slip stitch was made.
7. Row 3:
   • Work over the wire to securely encase it within the yarn stitches:
     • At the wire insertion point, crochet 1 sc.
     • Work 3 hdc, one in each stitch.
     • Crochet an increase of 2 hdc in the next stitch.
     • Continue with 2 hdc.
     • Work another increase (2 hdc) in the next stitch.
     • Continue with 2 hdc.
     • Crochet 1 increase of 2 hdc followed by 6 hdc, one in each stitch.
     • Work 2 sc and pass over the point created by the chain stitch in Row 1 (skip the chain stitch).
     • Continue with 1 sc, ch 1, and 1 sc.
8. Reverse Side:
   • Rotate work and mirror the stitches on the reverse side of the leaf:
     • Work 2 sc, 6 hdc, 1 hdc increase, 2 hdc, 1 hdc increase, 2 hdc, 1 hdc increase, and 3 hdc until reaching the taper at the end of the wire.
     • Finish with 1 sc and sl st into the marked stitch to end the leaf.
9. Shaping:
   • Cut and secure yarn.
   • Stretch and adjust the leaf shape by bending the wire.
10. Repeat:
    • Create 2 more leaves using the same pattern.

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Step 2: Crochet the Berries

1. Start with red yarn.
2. Magic Ring:
   • Make a magic ring and crochet 4 sc into the ring.
   • Pull to close the ring.
3. Row 2:
   • Work 2 sc into each stitch (inc stitch in every stitch).
   • At the end, you will have 8 sc.
4. Rows 3-4:
   • Work 1 sc in each stitch, maintaining 8 sc total.
5. Finish:
   • Slip stitch into the next stitch.
   • Leave a long yarn tail for sewing.
   • Tighten the ring and cut off excess yarn.
6. No Filling:
   • Use the yarn ends as stuffing for the berries instead of synthetic fiber filling.
7. Assembly:
   • Thread the yarn ends using a tapestry needle.
   • Weave along the outer edge of the berry, pulling to close the circle neatly.
   • Tie a tight knot and trim excess yarn.
8. Repeat:
   • Make 4 more berries following the same pattern.

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Step 3: Finishing & Shaping with Heat

1. Burn Fibers:
   • Using a lighter/candle, carefully burn the acrylic yarn fibers for a smoother finish.
   • Be cautious to avoid excessive burning and maintain distance (about 3-4 cm).
2. Straighten Leaves:
   • Use a flat iron or straightener on the leaves to flatten them and improve their final stiffness.

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Step 4: Assembly

1. Join Berries:
   • Gather all berry strands together at the base.
   • Tie them securely to form a cluster.
2. Attach Wire (20 cm):
   • Insert the wire into the base of the berry cluster.
   • Wrap yarn tightly around the wire to secure it in place.
3. Add Leaves:
   • If using floral tape:
     • Place one leaf at the base of the berry cluster and wrap it with tape.
     • Repeat for each subsequent leaf, attaching them one at a time and rolling the tape down the wire stem.
4. Final Touches:
   • Adjust wire stem length based on the intended use (short for small decor, long for garlands).

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Conclusion

Your holly sprig is complete! This beautiful decoration is perfect for accentuating holiday displays. Its wire-reinforced leaves allow for shape adjustment while the berries add a festive pop of color. Use it in wreaths, garlands, as table centerpieces, or even gift-wrap embellishments.

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Pattern Correction & Tips

1. Correction:
   • Ensure stitches are balanced along the leaf edges by counting correctly. A skipped stitch may misalign the symmetry.
2. Tips:
   • Use heat carefully for a polished finish without damaging your yarn.
   • If floral tape isn’t available, wrap the wire with yarn for blending purposes.
   • To create a more elaborate piece, increase the number of holly clusters and attach them to a longer garland wire.