For International Yarn Bombing Day, which was on the 9th of June, I decided to crochet traffic cones. There are a lot of roadworks going on where I am at the moment so I've been seeing quite a few of those bright orange cones around. I remembered seeing some crocheted traffic cones on the internet way back when I was first learning to crochet so I thought I would give them a go. I liked the idea of surrounding different things with the little crocheted fellas. Unfortunately, I only managed to crochet six for the yarn bombing but I think they did their job pretty well. The top photos were taken on a beach boardwalk and the bottom in an airport toilet. The toilet traffic cones are surrounding a crocheted puddle I made. I'm hoping they gave a few people a good chuckle. I've included the pattern below in case you're interested in making some of your own. If you'd like to make some hollow traffic cones, check out this pattern over at the Mad Crochet Lab. Enjoy! Traffic Cones Size 4cm/1.6in tall Skill Level Easy to Moderate. There are two parts, the cone and the base. The cone is worked in a spiral, the base in rows. The pattern calls for a colour change. Note on yarn and hook size I used DK weight yarn and a 3.0mm hook for this pattern. For those using US hooks, I recommend a size C or D, for those using UK hooks, I recommend a size 11. You can use a different weight yarn than DK but it will change the size of the traffic cone. Remember to use the same weight yarn for all colours so that your toy is in proportion. Choose a hook size that will give you a nice tight stitch. Materials Yarn (DK/8 Ply) Orange White Black Crochet hook - 3.0mm or size that gives you a nice tight stitch Filling Tapestry needle Scissors White and Black felt for eyes (optional) Needle and thread or glue to attach felt eyes (optional) Terminology ***This pattern was written using US crochet terminology*** Rnd – Round sc – Single crochet sc2tog – Single crochet two stitches together. sl st – Slip stitch st – Stitch. This term covers chains, sc, hdc, sl st and other stitches used in crochet. Make a ring – The starting point for crocheting in a spiral. Use which ever method you prefer. * * - Repeat the instructions between the asterisks as directed. ( ) – The number of stitches that should be in a completed round are placed in brackets at the end of that round’s instructions. Instructions Cone (in Orange and White) Starting with Orange. Make a ring. Rnd 1: 6 sc in ring (6) Rnd 2: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 st* twice (8) Rnd 3: change to White, *sc in next 3 st, 2 sc in next st* twice (10) Rnd 4: continue crocheting in White, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 st* twice (12) Rnd 5: change to Orange (you can now cut the white yarn and fasten it off), *sc in next 5 st, 2 sc in next st* twice (14) Rnd 6: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 st* twice (16) Rnd 7: *sc in next 7 st, 2 sc in next st* twice (18) Rnd 8: sc in each st around Cut yarn and fasten off, leaving a tail of yarn to use when joining the cone to the base. Base (in Orange) This section requires you to crochet in the back humps of a chain. Knot Sew Cute has a great tutorial on how to do this. Chain 9. Row 1: Working in the back humps of the chains, sc in 2nd chain from the hook, sc in each chain to the end (8) Row 2-8: chain 1, turn, sc in each sc to the end (8) Slip stitch evenly around three sides of the base. Check out the photos below for guidance. Cut yarn and weave in ends. The ovals indicate where to place your slip stitches. The base with its slip stitch border. Assembly ***These are guidelines only. Be guided by your own eye at all times.*** Join the cone to the base. Stuff the cone firmly and attach to the base using the tail of yarn left on the cone. You can use pins to hold the cone in place but be careful not to jab yourself. Add eyes and a mouth. I used white and black yarn to stitch in the eyes on my yarn bomb traffic cones. I had more time to make the one pictured below so I decided to cut out some felt eyes for it. You can stitch the felt eyes on with needle and thread or you can glue them on. Use some black yarn to stitch in a mouth. Traffic Cone with yarn eyes. Traffic Cone with felt eyes. And you're finished. Now, what to do with your traffic cones ... how about making a whole army of them to keep your kids' toys inline? Or what about gluing a magnet to the base to create some funky fridge magnets? Whatever you do, I hope you have fun. Copyright © Kim Lapsley 2013