New Years is right around the corner and this pattern will help you start a new fun tradition with your kids! With entities out there such as Netflix having early New Years countdowns for kids this will be a fun thing for them to ring in the New Year with! This is a fun "crochet" spin on a pinata!
So how does it work exactly you ask?!
Well, the front section and the back section are made completely separate and you make a few small stitches at the top middle section (just to make a small connection/or join) so that it will collapse when the string is pulled and release a fun shower of candy (or any other little goodies you want to fill it with)!
Check out the video (below the two photos to the left and lower right) of my 5 year old, Cataleya, demonstrating how it works!
So are you ready to start a new family tradition with your kids?! Well I am here to help make that possible for you! Below is the written crochet pattern instructions for how to make this little stick of dynamite!
“Firework Pinata Pattern”
Materials:
Yarn: Worsted Weight 4
Red (MC main color)
White (CC contrast color)
Hook: G 4mm
4 Toilet Paper Cardboard Tubes
Candy or other filling of choice (toys, New Years resolution notes, money, etc)
Needle
Hot glue or fabric glue
Scissors
Stitches:
Sc - single crochet
Sl st - slip stitch
Hdc - half double crochet
Hdc2tog - half double crochet 2 sts together
BLO - back loop only
FLO - front loop only
#st - complete # of sts in same space
St # - complete stitch in next number of space(s)
Skill level / Language - Beginner: If you are unsure of any stitches YouTube will be your friend! There are great tutorials on the different stitches and on crocheting in rounds. American Standard Terms
Pattern Instructions
*this pattern will give you about a 23 inch firework
*beginning chains do not count as st
*begin each st in the same space as the chain on each round
*leave long tails for sewing or weave in ends if hot gluing
*if you decide to use a paper towel cardboard tube or a wrapping paper tube you will need to increase your rounds after round 26 before completing round 27 until you reach the end; if using more than one color you will need to eyeball where you want your color changes to be
Firework Midsection - Red & White (or colors of choice) - make 2 (second one you will start with the contrast color see pic for reference
Begin: Red - MR, ch 1.
Round 1: 10 Hdc in MR, sl st to join, ch 1 . (10st)
Round 2: 2Hdc in each st, sl st to join, ch 1. (20st)
Round 3: Sc in each st around, sl st to join, ch 1. (20st)
Round 4: BLO Hdc in each st around, sl st to join, ch 1. (20st)
Round 5 - 14: Hdc 20, sl st to join, ch 1.
Round 15: Hdc 19, hdc 1 change colors to white before finishing st, ch 1. (20st)
Round 16: Hdc 20, sl st to join, ch 1.
Note: Stretch opening slightly and slide/twist in your first toilet paper cardboard tube carefully, do not allow tube to lose its shape.
Round 17 - 26: Hdc 20, sl st to join, ch 1.
Note: Stretch opening slightly and slide/twist in your second toilet paper cardboard tube carefully, do not allow tube to lose its shape, you will essentially be stacking the tubes on top of one another.
Round 27: Sl st 20, sl st to join, fasten off, weave in ends. (20st)
Fire Tassels - Red & White (or colors of choice) - make 6 total alternating colors or as many as desired
Begin: Ch 25
Row 1: 2Hdc in the 2nd ch from the hook, 2hdc in next 24 sts, fasten off. (48st)
Firework Top Cone - Red MC ,(or color of choice)
Begin: MR, ch 1.
Round 1: 10 Hdc in MR, sl st to join, ch 1. (10st)
Round 2: 2Hdc in same st as ch, 2hdc in each st, sl st to join, ch 1. (20st)
Round 3: *Hdc, 2hdc*, repeat *to* around, sl st to join, ch 1. (30st)
Round 4: *Hdc 2, 2hdc*, repeat *to* around, sl st to join, ch 1. (40st)
Round 5: FLO hdc 40, sl st to join, ch 1. (40st)
Round 6: Hdc 40, sl st to join, ch 1. (40st)
Round 7: *Hdc 2, hdc2tog*, repeat *to* around, sl st to join, ch 1. (30st)
Round 8: *Hdc, hdc2tog*, repeat *to* around, sl st to join, ch 1. (20st)
Round 9 - 10: Hdc 20, sl st to join, ch 1. (20st)
Note: Stuff cone before doing round 11.
Round 11: Hdc2tog around, sl st to join, ch 1. (10st)
Round 12: Hdc 10, sl st to join, ch 1. (10st)
Round 13: Hdc2tog around, sl st to join, with needle weave yarn through each st, pull tight to close, weave in end. (5st)
Firework Chain - Red and White (or colors of choice)
Begin: With 2 strands chain 120, fasten off.
Assembly:
Note: I generally assemble my appliques/projects with hot glue, which is a fast and safe method. The glue adheres the fibers quite well and the applique is very secure. The hot glue packaging that I use says non-toxic so just be sure to check your packaging. In addition, you can machine wash on cold, and lay flat to dry or tumble dry/lowest heat setting. You may also use other fabric safe glue or use the traditional method of sewing your pieces together.
How I assembled my firework:
With hot glue, fabric glue, attach tassels to one of the closed ends of the midsection pieces. You can also sew on if desired.
Glue cone onto the section midsection piece (on the closed end side).
Put open end of tubes together and with needle sew about four stitches to connect one side together. You should now be able to open and close the tube with one small section attached.
Attach chain near cone and on the end near tassels either by sewing with your needle and yarn or by joining with hook.
Fill both sides of your mid sections with candy, small toys, notes, money, etc etc.
With a separate piece of yarn and your needle go through a stitch on each side of the midsection tubes and tie a bow (like using a shoestring, you need to thread your yarn through a stitch on each side and then tie a bow).
Test your “Firework Pinata” out by hanging firework up and pulling ONE string to untie and filling should fall out!
Note: You may need to make some “engineering” adjustments (ha ha) depending on the length of your tube and weight of your candy. A few testers needed to add a few stitches to the back to give it more security on there's while others were able to do it with the four.
If you are having difficulties with the middle section there is another little video in the Orchid and Bee's Facebook VIP group that shows how the middle section works a little bit better. As soon as I get my video equipment working a little better I'll get another YouTube video up for you guys, but for the time being you can visit there for a little quick short video that shows the middle!
Below is a photo that Orchid and Bee's VIP Tester Vanessa Strum Submitted! She used a sparkly yarn and added the year to hers! Her Firework Pinata kind of reminds me of the New Orleans Saints ha ha! Our testers had a lot of fun preparing theirs and said their kids and grand kids can't wait to get to pull the string at midnight! If you would like to see other testers photos you can view them in the Orchid and Bee's VIP Facebook group.
My 5 year-old, Nahla and my 3 year old, Cataleya, have been fighting over who gets to do it this year, even though I told them they both will! I have to get busy and make a second one ha ha!
I hope you enjoyed making yours! Please share your videos, photos, and stories of how it went over in your house! I love hearing your stories!
Be sure to subscribe to Orchid and Bee's on the homepage so that you don't miss our free patterns and announcements! And if you ever want to become a tester and participate in contests and giveaways be sure to join our Orchid and Bee's Facebook VIP group!
I hope you have a Happy New Year! I pray that 2020 will be an incredible year for you and your family and I pray many blessings find their way to each of you in 2020!
Lots of Love,
Karen E. :)