Free Pattern: The Magic Angel

  The Magic Angel is a neat little design worked all in the round. The excess amount of stitches ruffle to create folds as you work it, creating an angel like magic! Inspiration for the pattern came from this butterfly on Roving Crafters (seriously, it's so cute, you gotta check it out!). The question was raised about how many other things could be made from the folded-ruffle-thingy concept. And an angel was born...

  *If you happened to read the previous post, we played a little guessing game! You can check it out to see all the ways this pattern can go wrong if you don't fold it right. Also if you read that post, you might notice that I mentioned working on some VIDEOS! Yup, that's right! It's my first-ever crochet videos (my first-ever videos, period), and they're for this pattern! Go to the next post for a three-part series of how to Crochet the Magic Angel!

Skill level:

Materials:
Worsted (4) weight acrylic yarn (about 12 yards)
* I used an assortment of Red Heart Super Saver, Caron United, and Caron One Pound. Try any worsted weight (even cotton!) you like, using a hook one size larger than the manufacturer's recommended hook size.
Crochet hook size I/9 - 5.50MM, or see note above
Yarn needle


Gauge:
In 2" by 2" (5 cm by 5 cm)"
6 rows, 6 double crochet


Notes:
Use stitch markers to mark the beginning of the first two rounds, if needed.

Pattern can be made in any size yarn or thread. Change hook sizes accordingly. Length of material used will vary.

See additional notes at the end of the pattern for why you might want to leave an extra-long tail before you begin.


Stitches and abbreviations:
(American terms)
Magic circle/ring
Chain (ch)
Slip stitch (sl st)
Single crochet (sc)
Half-double crochet (hdc)
Double crochet (dc)

Begin/beginning (beg)
Space (sp)
Stitch/stitches (st/s)




Directions:

Begin with a magic circle. The closing chain of the circle will count as part of the beg hdc.


Round 1:
Ch 1 (counts as first hdc). Make 5 hdc in circle. Join with a sl st to beg ch-1. (6 hdc)


Round 2:
Ch 2 (counts as hdc). Make 1 hdc in each of the remaining 5 hdc. Join with a sl st to beg ch-2. (6 hdc)


Round 3:
(Ch 4, sl st in same st, sl st in next st) 5 times. Ch 4, sl st in same st. (6 ch-4 spaces)


Round 4:
*Sl st in next ch-4 sp, ch 1. Make (1 sc, 3 hdc) in same sp. Ch 2, make (3 hdc, 1 sc, ch 1, sl st) in next ch-4 sp. (Sl st, ch 3, 4 dc, ch 3, sl st) in the following ch-4 sp.* Repeat from * to *.


Round 5:
*Sl st in the next sl st. (Ch 2, sl st) in each of the next 4 sts. Ch 2, (2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc) in ch-2 sp. (Ch 2, sl st) in each of the next 5 sts. Sl st in ch-3 sp, ch 3. Make 2 dc in same sp. (Ch 2, 3 dc in next dc) 3 times. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 3, sl st) in ch-3 sp.* Repeat from * to *.


Bind off, weave in ends*.


* Use the tail to give your angel more character! Here's a few suggestions:

• Weave in between the stitches of Round 2 and pull tight to give the neck definition. This will prevent you from using the piece as a topper, but it will stiffen the pattern if you want the piece to stand freely.

• To create a halo: Weave loosely back and forth through the stitches of Round 1. Whip stitch over each woven strand around. Continue whip stitching around two or three more times. Secure tail and weave in the end.

• The lazy way: Leave the tail to use for hanging!

• Give your angel "hair". Working over the top and back of the head, weave the tail around (over the stitch, through to the back, and back up) each stitch, leaving a loop over each stitch. Secure tail and weave in.

  You could also embroider a face on your angel, or use beads or buttons for eyes. If you follow the blog, then you know my (lack of) sewing skills. Everything I tried made my angels look like evil aliens. Good luck with yours :)

  Even without embellishments, these angels can take on expressions just by rearranging them. I amused myself during a thunderstorm by taking a few extra photos (in artificial light, and that's why they're all so horrible!), and I found further amusement when I was able to sort through them. Each picture seemed like the angels were up to something different... What do you think?

This one makes me think that the angels are singing, lined up in a chorus.

I think they look sad here...

And here, they're like: "Let's party!" ...Seems like they're dancing!

  I don't know, maybe it's my imagination coming to the rescue on a horribly boring, stormy day. It really feels like every time I look at them, they're doing something different. Maybe there's more magic to them than just the way you fold them...

Happy Crocheting!