Crocheted yo-yos are super quick and fun to make, and by using a “join-as-you-go” method you’ll be amazed at how fast this project grows! Select your favourite bright shades of cool cotton yarns to create this eye-catching striped effect.
MATERIALS
• Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton (100% cotton; 90m/98yds per 57g/2oz ball) aran-weight yarn
4 x 57g (2oz) balls of shade 148 Tropic Breeze (A)
4 x 57g (2oz) balls of shade 098 Vanilla (B)
4 x 57g (2oz) balls of shade 147 Grape (C)
• 5mm (US H/8) crochet hook
• Tapestry needle
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
51cm (20in) wide x 170.5cm (67in) long
TENSION
1 yo-yo measures 4.5cm (1¾in) across
ABBREVIATIONS
See page 9.
FOR THE WRAP
Work the first yo-yo of the first row as follows:
Foundation: Using yarn A and 5mm (US H/8) hook, make 4ch. Join with a sl st in first ch to form a circle.
Round 1: 3ch (counts as 1tr), 14tr in foundation circle. Join with a sl st in third ch of 3ch. Fasten off.
For subsequent yo-yos on first row:
Foundation: Using yarn A and 5mm (US H/8) hook, make 4ch. Join with a sl st in first ch to form a circle.
Round 1: 3ch (counts as 1tr throughout), 4tr into the circle, slip the loop off the hook and pass the hook through corresponding st on adjacent yo-yo, return loop to hook and pull-through to join, work 10tr into circle. Join with a sl st in third ch of 3ch. Fasten off.
Make a further 10 yo-yos as set, joining them to one another as you go. (12 joined yo-yos)
Make it yours
Each yo-yo requires only a small amount of yarn so this is a great way to use up oddments of yarn from your stash to create a multi-coloured design – just be sure that you select yarns of a similar weight to each other.
For the first yo-yo of second row, work as follows:
Foundation: Using yarn A and 5mm (US H/8) hook, make 4ch. Join with a sl st in first ch to form a circle.
Round 1: 3ch (counts as 1tr throughout), 4tr into the circle, slip the loop off the hook and pass the hook through corresponding st on adjacent yo-yo of first row, return loop to hook and pull-through to join, work 10tr into circle. Join with a sl st in third ch of 3ch. Fasten off.
For subsequent yo-yos on second row, work as follows:
Foundation: Using yarn A and 5mm (US H/8) hook, make 4ch. Join with a sl st in first ch to form a circle.
Round 1: 3ch (count as 1tr throughout), 4tr into the circle, slip the loop off the hook and pass the hook through corresponding st on adjacent yo-yo, return loop to hook and pull-through to join, work 5tr into circle, slip the loop off the hook and pass the hook through corresponding st on adjacent yo-yo, return loop to hook and pull-through to join, work 5tr into ring. Join with a sl st in third ch of 3ch. Fasten off.
Make a further 10 yo-yos as set, joining them to one another as you go. (12 joined yo-yos)
Second row sets pattern.
Continue in pattern, working rows of yo-yos and joining them as you go as set by the second row, to make a total of 37 rows of yo-yos, changing colours in the following sequence:
Rows 3 and 4: Yarn B.
Rows 5 and 6: Yarn C.
Rows 7 and 8: Yarn A.
Rows 9 and 10: Yarn B.
Rows 11 and 12: Yarn C.
Rows 13 and 14: Yarn A.
Rows 15 and 16: Yarn B.
Rows 17 and 18: Yarn C.
Row 19: Yarn B.
Rows 20 and 21: Yarn C.
Rows 22 and 23: Yarn B.
Rows 24 and 25: Yarn A.
Rows 26 and 27: Yarn C.
Rows 28 and 29: Yarn B.
Rows 30 and 31: Yarn A.
Rows 32 and 33: Yarn C.
Rows 34 and 35: Yarn B.
Rows 36 and 37: Yarn A.
Tip
Although this project is joined as you go, there are still lots of ends to weave in – try weaving them in as you finish each yo-yo to save having to do them all at the end.
Tip
The size of this wrap is easy to customise by adding fewer or more yo-yos per row, or simply by working more or fewer rows. Remember to adjust the yarn quantities accordingly to accommodate different sizing.
MAKING UP AND FINISHING
Weave in all remaining loose ends and block to measurements.