Darn Good Apple Cozy

I can't even tell you how much I love this yarn. I got a skein in a grab bag from Darn Good Yarn and balled it up and just pet it and stroked it until I had a plan for it. It's made from banana fibers! So yes, I wrapped my apple in bananas.

Darn Good Yarn Banana Fiber - they also have a gorgeous multicolor version- Kaleidoscope Banana Fiber

It's soft, fluffy, absolutely touchable. One ball will make an apple cozy with some leftover for making a bracelet or other accessory, 2 balls will make 3 apple cozies. The cozies fit the "school boy" sized small apples, but it would be easy to adjust the pattern for one of those huge apples if you're really apple crazy.

You will need:
Banana fiber yarn
Size K crochet hook
scissors
smaller hook to weave in ends OR a ribbon threaded through a tapestry needle to make a loop works too. The yarn does not go through needles easily.

Time- very short. These are quick, easy and make great gifts.
American terminology
Stitches:
chain=ch
sc= single crochet
dc= double crochet
sl st= slip stitch
st or sts=stitch or stitches
dec sc= insert hook in first st, yarn over, pull loop through, insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull loop through, yarn over, pull through all three loops on the hook.
Repeat ** means repeat the instructions between the asterisks.

Ch 2 or magic ring
Round 1: 6 sc in first ch or magic ring. Sl st to join (6 sts)
Round 2: ch 1 (does not count as first st) 2 sc in each st around, sl st to join (12 sts)
Round 3:  ch 1 (does not count as first st) sc in first st, 2 sc in next st, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat ** around, sl st to join. (18 sts)
Round 4: ch 1 (does not count as first st) sc in each st, sl st to join (18 sts)
Round 5: ch 1 (does not count as first st) sc in each st, sl st to join (18 sts)

Now we switch to back and forth rows.

Row 1: ch 1 (does not count as first st), sc in same st, sc in next 15 sts (16 sc)
Row 2: ch 1 (does not count as first st) dec sc over first two sts, sc in next 12 sts, dec sc in last 2 sts. (14 sc)
Row 3: ch 1 (does not count as first st) dec sc over first two sts, sc in next 10 sts, dec sc in last 2 sts. (12 sc)
Row 4: ch 1 (does not count as first st) sc in each st (12 sts)
Row 5: chain 15 at end of row 4. Sc in second chain from hook, dc in next 7 sts, sc in next st, sl st in next 5 ch, sc in next 12 sts, ch 15, turn, Sc in second chain from hook, dc in next 7 sts, sc in next st, sl st in next 5 ch, sl st to join. Break off and weave in ends.

Yay! Apple cozy done! In 5 rounds and 5 rows. Put in apple, tie the ties once.

Coming as soon! A pattern for my sunshine shawl.

2 more apple boxes- 2x2x2 cubes

The gingham box is actually the afterthought this time. This pair of free printable boxes is because of a special request from OMazing Kids, who after seeing the stained glass apple box asked if I could make one that could be colored. She plans to use it for "toega", having kids color the apples to match pom poms, and sort the pom poms with their toes into the boxes. (I remember doing something similar with marbles and wine bottles when I was younger.)

Click on the images for larger versions. Print on card stock, cut out, score folds, fold and glue!

Coloring version:

Gingham box:

Printable Apple Box

I hope you enjoy this printable stained glass effect gift box. It's an apple, which is good for back to school, autumn or fairy tales! Click on the image for a larger version, print on cardstock, cut, score folds, fold, glue!

Apple Coloring Page

Now that all the kids are going back to school, I wanted to draw and apple to color. I'll be posting an embroidery pattern based off this design later! Apples for back to school, or for Once Upon a Time fans. I *love* modern fairy tales, and I'm really looking forward to the next season.
Click on the images for larger versions to color.
Small JPG version:

Large Transparent PNG:

My original idea involved knotwork, it didn't work out the way I wanted.

In other news, major windstorms knocked out power all over Anchorage yesterday. In my neighborhood, the power was out for 14 hours.