Crochet Nutcracker Christmas Ornament

It’s Christmas Crochet-a-Long day and I have an ornament for you that is very near and dear to my heart.

I grew up practicing ballet (among other forms of dance) for about ten years.

Some of my best (and most embarrassing) childhood memories happened on stage or in a studio. My mom was a dancer for decades and I grew up with lots of ballet slippers and tutus!

I even had the pleasure of dancing in professional productions of the Nutcracker Ballet for three years in a row and it was my favorite production to be a part of!

I remember that all the elementary schools in the area would take field trips to see this production (it was quite well known around my city) and I wouldn’t turn in my permission slip, proclaiming proudly that I was a ballerina IN the show!

I only ever danced corps or background roles but nonetheless, I got to wear the pretty costume and warm up backstage next to real live New York City ballerinas!

I still proudly tell those stories and have to watch the Nutcracker every year and relive a bit of that magic.

THE TRADITION: Watch the Nutcracker Ballet! Whether you see it on stage or on your television, watch the ballet with family. There is really some magic in those pointe shoes.

If you think the kids will be bored by the ballet, think again! This one is full of whimsical story, action, and energy – especially if you take them to the theater!

 

PATTERN

• Get the ad-free, large print, printable PDF pattern from Etsy HERE.
• PIN this pattern to your Pinterest boards for later HERE.
• Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue HERE.

Materials:

–Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in black, white, ecru, goldenrod, and red

–Size C crochet hook

–Safety eyes (I get them HERE on Amazon for really cheap!)

–Tapestry needle

 

*Don’t join rounds, place a stitch marker in the first stitch of the round and move it up after each round

Head:

With ecru, make a magic ring, Ch 1, 6 Sc inside ring (6)

Round 2: 2 Sc in each around (12)

Round 3: 2 Sc, Sc, repeat around (18)

Round 4: 2 Sc, Sc in next 2, repeat around (24)

Round 5: 2 Sc, Sc in next 5, repeat around (28)

Rounds 6-11: Sc in each around (28)

Round 12: Sc decrease, Sc in next 5, repeat around (24)

Round 13: Sc decrease, Sc in next 2, repeat around (18)

-At this point proceed with the hat, mustache, and stitching (below)

-Once those steps are completed, stuff with polyfil and continue

Round 14: Sc decrease, Sc, repeat around (12)

Round 15: Sc decrease, repeat around (6)

-Finish off and weave end through Round 15 sts to cinch closed and secure

 

Hat:

With black, make a magic ring, Ch 1, 6 Sc in ring (6)

Round 2: 2 Sc in each around (12)

Round 3: 2 Sc, Sc, repeat around (18)

Round 4: 2 Sc, Sc in next 2, repeat around (24)

Round 5: 2 Sc, Sc in next 3, repeat around (30)

Round 6: Sc in back loops only around (30)

Rounds 7-12: Sc in each around (30)

-Color change to goldenrod

Rounds 13-14: Sc in each around (30)

-Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing

-With goldenrod, Ch 15 and sew onto front of hat over Row 8

-With red, sew 4 french knots on Row 11

 

Mustache pieces:

*make two

With black, make a magic ring, Ch 1, 6 Sc in ring (6)

Round 2: 2 Sc, Sc in next 2, repeat around (8)

Rounds 3-4: Sc in each around (8)

Round 5: Sc decrease, Sc, repeat around (6)

Round 6: Sc decrease around (3)

-Finish off and weave end through Round 6 sts to cinch closed and secure

-Sew mustache pieces over Rounds 8-11 of head

 

Nose:

With ecru, make a magic ring, Ch 1, 6 Sc in ring, sl st to join, finish off leaving a long tail for sewing (6)

-Sew nose over Rounds 7-8 nestled right above the mustache

-Place safety eyes between Rounds 5 & 6 (leave 2 sts between the eyes)

 

Don’t forget to PIN this project to your Pinterest boards!

 

Cheers to making Christmas memories (and ornaments!)