Twisty

Twisty
(Named after our lovely duckling with the twisted beak)

This is a variation on the "Easy Does It!" super easy neckwarmer. The ribbed texture is made possible by half-double crochet stitches worked in the back-loop of stitches in rows, making for good stretchy fabric. The twist takes advantage of this stretch and texture, plus the change in subtle colour, creating an elegant twist to a simple design.

Hook: 3.5mm
Yarn: Alpaca in light pink and light orange colour
Substitute with DK / 8 ply (11 wpi) yarn that has good wool content for stretch, warmth and softness. You will need 20 grams of yarn of each colour.

Design Notes:

This neckwarmer is crocheted in rows flat, in one colour, then continued in a second colour. The neckwarmer is then twisted once and the ends crocheted together. Choose softly complimenting colours to re-create the subtle colour lightness of the neckwarmer.

Using suggested yarn and hook, starting 31 ch makes a neckwarmer 5.5" tall. Make shorter or higher as you require. The circumference is 20" which fits adult sizes with a bit extra to accommodate for the twist. Adjust to desired size accordingly.

Special stitches:
Half-double crochet: (Hdc): Yarn over hook, insert hook in stitch, yarn over hook, pull yarn through stitch, yarn over hook, pull yarn through all 3 loops on hook (one half double crochet made).

Backloop half-double crochet (bl-hdc): Yarn over hook, insert hook in back loop of stitch, yarn over hook, pull yarn through stitch, yarn over hook, pull yarn through all 3 loops on hook (one back-loop half double crochet made).

Instructions:

Ch 31.

Row 1: Sk first ch, hdc in next ch, hdc in each ch across, 30 hdc made. Ch 1, turn.

Row 2: Bl-hdc in each of next 30 hdc. Ch 1, turn.

Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 10". Join second colour yarn and repeat as in Row 2 until entire piece measures a total of 20". Twist once and start seaming as follows:

Working in both layers of stitches at ends of the piece, make sc in each of the 30 stitches. Fasten off. Weave in all ends.

This is Twisty. She was born with a deformed beak. The kid who brought her here said he had to help her out of her shell. I think her beak wasn't strong enough to break out of her shell. She has trouble eating, she can't pick up seeds quick enough before the others could gobble it all up. So we have to give her special treatment, we let her eat straight from the bucket!