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Royal Mardi Gras Mask Crochet Pattern

Abbreviations Used:

st = stitch ch = chain

sc = single crochet

hdc = half double crochet dc = double crochet

sl st = slip stitch trc = treble crochet dec = decrease

Materials Needed:

1 ½ Ounce Purple cotton crochet thread size #10 bedspread weight; size 8/1.50MM steel crochet hook: 100 yards size 5 silver cotton crochet thread. Fabric stiffener (or use recipe provided.) 5# coffee can or appropriate plastic form for shaping mask. Four feet of ¾”Silver metallic lace to go around outside edge of mask and ornamentation. Hot Glue gun

Advanced Crochet Skills Required.

Eye Socket Side 1 – Rnd 1: Beginning at eye hole, ch 54, being careful not to twist ch, join to first ch with sl st to form ring.Ch 1, in joining make sc, hdc and sc (mark hdc as outside eye edge.) Sc in each of the next 26 ch. In next ch make sc, hdc, sc, ( mark hdc as inside edge.) Sc in each of the next 26 ch. Join to first sc with sl st. (58 sts.)

Rnd 2: Ch 3, (counts as first dc now and throughout) Make 5 dc in marked st. (Replace marker in 3rd st.) (Dc in each of the next 6 sc. Make 2 dc in next sc.) 3 times. Dc in each of the next 5 sts. Hdc in next st. Make 2 sc in next st, Sc in marked st. Make 2 sc in next st. Hdc in next st. Dc in each of the next 5 sts. (Make 2 dc in next sc, Dc in each of the next 6 sc.) 2 times. Make 2 dc in next st. Dc in each of the last 5 sts. Join to top of first ch-3 with sl st. (70 sts.)

Rnd 3: Ch 3, dc in each of the next 2 dc. Make 5 dc in marked dc, (replacing marker in 3rd dc.) Dc in each of the next 10 sts. Hdc in each of the next 4 sts. Sc in each of the next 6 sts. Hdc in each of the next 5 sts. Dc in each of the next 6 sts. In next st make (hdc, and 2 sc – marking hdc.) Sc in each of the next 5 sts – removing marker. In next st make (2 sc and hdc – marking hdc.) Dc in each of the next 6 sts. Hdc in each of the next 5 sts. Sc in each of the next 6 sts. Hdc in each of the next 4 sts. Dc in each of the last 7 sts. Join to top of beginning ch-3. End off and weave in ends. (You should now have a piece with 78 sts and 3 markers. The 2 markers are on the inside edge and the 1 marker is on the outside edge. Set aside.

Eye Socket Side 2: Repeat Eye Socket Side 1 Rnds 1-3.

Prepping Eye Sockets: With right sides together and matching markers. Sew side 1 and 2 together between inside 4 markers. Remove inside markers but leave outside markers. There should be approximately 66 stitches at top and 66 stitches at bottom of mask between outside markers to be worked later. Note: Count the next stitches carefully. (From the outside marker count out 31 sts. Place a marker in this st. You now should have 30 unworked sts between the markers) 4 times at the top and at the bottom as shown in photo below. Note: The stitches between these two new markers will become center of nose and center of forehead respectively.

Face of Mask – Rnd 1: Follow this rnd very carefully. Attach thread in an outside marked st. Ch 4, (counts as trc.) Trc in next st, make 3 trc in next st. (Trc in each of the next 2 sts, make 3 trc in next st) twice. Trc in each of the next 8 sts. Dc in each of the next 5 sts. Hdc in each of the next 3 sts. Sc in each of the next 6 st. Sl st in marked st. (Replace another marker in this st.) Make 6 sl sts over center sts. Sl st in marked st. (Replace marker.)

Sc in each of the next 6 sts. Hdc in each of the next 3 sts. Dc in each of the next 5 sts. Trc in each of the next 8 sts. (Make 3 trc in next st. Trc in each of the next 2 sts) twice. Make 3 trc in next st. Trc in next st. Trc in marked st, replacing marker.

Trc in next st. Make 3 trc in next st. (Trc in each of the next 2 sts, make 3 trc in next st) twice. Trc in each of the next 23 sts. (Remove last marker.)

Dtrc (yo 3 times) in the next 2 sts st. Make a dtrc in seam between eyepieces. Mark this st as forehead center. Make 2 more dtrc in sts before next marker. (A total of 5 dtrc have been made at center of forehead.) Beginning at marked st and removing this marker, trc in each of the next 23 sts. (Make 3 trc in next st, trc in each of the next 2 sts.) twice. Make 3 trc in next st. Trc in last st. Join to top of ch-4 with sl st.

Rnd 2: Ch 4, trc in each of the next 4 sts. (Make 2 trc in next st, trc in each of the next 2 sts.) 3 times. Make 2 trc in next st. Trc in each of the next 4 sts. Dc in each of the next 14 sts. Hdc in each of the next 3 st. Sc in each of the next st.

Over nose: Make sl st in next marked st. Replace marker. Sl st in each st before the next marker. Sl st in next marked st. Replace marker.

Sc in each of the next st. Hdc in each of the next 3 sts. Dc in each of the next 14 sts. Trc in each of the next 4 sts. (Make 2 trc in next st, trc in next 2 sts.) 3 times. Make 2 trc in next st. Trc in each of the next 9 sts, replacing outside edge marker.

(Make 2 trc in next st, trc in each of the next 2 sts.) 3 times. Make 2 trc in next st. Trc in each of the next 25 sts. Trc in next marked st. Replace marker. Trc in each of the next 25 sts.

(Make 2 trc in next st, trc in next 2 sts.) 3 times. Make 2 trc in next st. Trc in each of the last 4 sts. Join to top of ch-4 with sl st.

Rnd 3: Ch 3, (dc in next 5 sts, make 2 dc in next st) 4 times. Dc in each of the next 5 sts. Hdc in each of the next 3 sts. Sc in each of the next 2 sts. Sl st in next 5 sts. Sl st in marked st and in sts between markers. Sl st in next marked st. Remove markers. Sl st in next 5 sts. Sc in each of the next 2 sts. Hdc in each of the next 3 sts. (Dc in each of the next 5 sts, make 2 dc in next st) 4 times. Dc in each of the next 5 sts. Dc in marked st.

(Dc in each of the next 5 sts, make 2 dc in next st) 4 times. Dc in each of the next 39 sts. (Make 2 dc in next st. Dc in each of the next 5 sts) 4 times. Join to top of first ch-3 with sl st. End off and weave in end.

Finishing Round: Join Silver Thread in any sc at side on last Rnd. Ch 1, sc evenly around entire mask making increases and decreases as needed to keep work flat. Join to first sc with sl st. End off and weave in end.

Basic Twisted Cord Ties– Make 2 - (Note: Ribbons could also be sewn to sides for ties.)

Cut 2 pieces of Silver thread about 4 yards long.

Put two pieces of thread together and fold in half and tie loosely together at one end. Place the tied loop them over something to hold them in place while you twist. (Post on a chair works well.)

Now you're ready to start twisting the twisted cord. Stretch the yarn out to its full length (still folded in half) and begin twisting.

Continue to twist consistently in the same direction. The yarn will tighten up and begin to look more like one piece instead of two strands of yarn being twisted together.

When your yarn looks nice and twisted and feels like it can't take much more of the pressure you're putting on it without turning into a big knotted mess, slide the loop off whatever's been holding it. Hold both ends carefully stretched out and loop middle of twisted cord back over chair post.

Allow the cord to fold back on itself. It will naturally twist on itself and make a nice looking twisted cord. If there are spots in your cord where the tension is a little uneven, you can smooth them out with your hands.

You may even need to add a bit more twist here to make the end consistent with the way the rest of the cord looks. Tie each end of the cord into a small knot and trim ends to ¼”.

Fold Cord in half leaving one side 2” longer that the other side. Sew at fold to side of mask in a pleasing manner.

Finishing: Using your favorite stiffening agent or use the cornstarch stiffener recipe below, Stiffen mask being careful not to dip ties, and drape over a 5 pound coffee container or face mask to shape. Shape mask as it dries into desired shape.

Cornstarch Stiffener

In saucepan, combine 2 TBS cornstarch and ½ cup cold water. Cook over medium heat until quite thick. Remove from heat and cool to lukewarm, stirring occasionally. (Can also be put into a small bowl with plastic wrap directly place on top so it does not form a skin.) When starch is cool enough to work with, dip mask into it and wring out the excess.

Finishing:

Glue 3/4” metallic lace around outside edge of mask with hot glue or tacky glue. Overlap edges and trim to fit.

Side Ornaments:

With purple thread and size 8 hook, ch 6. Join to form ring.

Row 1: Ch 4, (counts as first trc now and throughout,) make 11 trc in ring. (12 trc.) Turn.

Row 2: Ch 4, trc in same trc for an increase. In next trc make 2 trc. Repeat from across. (24 trc.) Turn at the end of each row.

Row 3: Ch 3, dc in same st as beginning ch-3. (Dc in next st, make 2 dc in next st) 3 times. Trc in next st make 2 trc in next st. Trc in each of the next 2 sts. (Make 2 trc in next st) twice. Trc in each of the next 2 sts. Make 2 trc in next st, trc in next st. (Make 2 dc in next st, dc in next st) 3 times. Make 2 dc in last st. (36 sts.)

Row 4: Ch 3, dc in same st as beginning ch-3. (Dc in next st) two times , make 2 dc in next st. Repeat from across ending with a dc in each of the last 2 sts. (48 sts.)

Row 5: Ch 1, sc in each of the next 14 sts. Make a hdc in next st. Make 2 dc in next st. Make 1 trc in next st. Make 2 trc in next st. Make 1 trc in each of the next 12 sts. Make 2 trc in next st. Make 1 trc in next st. Make 2 dc in next st. Make 1 hdc in next st. Make 1 sc in each of the next 14 sts. (52 sts.)

Row 6: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (52 sts.)

Row 7: Ch 3, dc in each of the next 3 sts. Make 2 dc in next st. (Dc in each of the next 8 sts. Make 2 dc in next st) twice. Dc in each of the next 6 sts. Make 2 dc in next st. (Dc in each of the next 8 sts. Make 2 dc in next st) twice. Dc in each of the last 4 sts. (64 sts.) End off and weave in end.

Begin working across ends of rows 1-7 and around piece: Join Silver thread at right edge of piece. Ch 1, sc around entire piece making increases as needed to keep work flat. Join to first sc with sl st. Weave in end. Stiffen piece and glue metallic edging around entire piece.

Center Ornamentation Piece: With Purple thread, ch 34. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in each of the next 2 ch. Make 1 hdc in each of the next 2 ch. Make 1 dc in each of the next 4 ch. Make 1 trc in each of the next 6 ch. Make 1 dtrc in each of the next 3 ch. Make 1 trc in each of the next 6 ch. Make 1 dc in each of the next 4 ch. Make 1 hdc in each of the next 2 ch. Make 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc. Sl st in last ch. Ch 1, turn.

Working along opposite side of ch, sl st in same st as last sl st. Sc in each of the next 2 ch. Make 1 hdc in each of the next 2 ch. Make 1 dc in each of the next 4 ch. Make 1 trc in each of the next 6 ch. Make 1 dtrc in each of the next 3 ch. Make 1 trc in each of the next 6 ch. Make 1 dc in each of the next 4 ch. Make 1 hdc in each of the next 2 ch. Make 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc. Sl st in last sl st. End off and weave in end.

Edging: Attach silver thread in end st. Ch 1, sc in each st around increasing at tips to keep piece flat. Join to first sc with sl st. End off and weave in end. Stiffen piece and glue metallic edging around entire piece.

Assembling: Hot glue center Ornament to center of large Ornament piece. Glue entire piece securely to side of mask.

(These patterns are for personal use only and should not be reproduced anywhere.)