Every year for Christmas I try to make many of my Christmas decor items. This year I wanted to warm up my decor with a wreath that looked like a warm and cozy blanket. I think this wreath accomplished that and what I love most is that with a simple change of the bow it can carry you through from Fall to Christmas right to the end of Winter.

Let's get crafting.

Step 1: Assemble Supplies

To begin this wreath you will need the following supplies:

Straw wreath form 2" diameter x 18"
- You can also use foam core or you can even use a pool noodle.The thicker diameter helps to show off the stitches better, a 3" would be even better but I was unable to find it.
Yarn, I used Loops & Threads 14oz 84 yds 100% acrylic yarn
- This size once crocheted into a chain was the exact size for my wreath form. Sizes will vary depending on your wreath size and diameter. I tried to find a nice thick yarn, colors and sizes are completely your choice.
Scissors
Cling wrap - optional

For the bow you will need these supplies:

Ribbon - 2.5 inches wide (length depends on the size you make your bow)
Scissors
Paper clips or floral picks (or hot glue)
Wire cutters
Twine
Ruler

Step 2: Crocheting the Chain

If you have never crocheted before this can sound intimidating but using only your fingers you will see this project will be very fast and very simple. Let's get started!

You will begin with your yarn to form a loop from which your chain will begin. Begin with about a 6 - 8 inch tail and cross the yarn over to form a teardrop.
Holding the tail, put your thumb and pointer finger into the teardrop and grab the yarn and pull though the loop.
This becomes the first link on your chain.

See I told you this would be easy!

Step 3: Crocheting a Completed Chain

Once you have your first link done, you just keep repeating the steps reaching your two fingers into a loop and drawing the yarn though the chain until you come to the end of the yarn.

Ideally what you are looking for is a loose chain, but you want the links to be close enough that once wrapped around the form you will not see the form underneath it. Don't worry about it being perfect, once your wrap it you will not see any uneven links.

Step 4: Preparing the Wreath Form

Depending what kind of wreath form you chose, you may or may not need to prepare it. I was unable to find a foam core wreath so I chose a straw wreath. It worked perfectly but is very messy. I chose to use cling wrap to cover my wreath and contain the fibers from messing up my yarn.

Taking the cling wrap, I rolled it out about 10 inches and layered my wreath form on top of it.
Using scissors, cut the cling wrap.
Taking the wrap, and tightly wrap the form to encase all the straw.
Continue this step to completely cover the wreath.
If you do not have cling wrap, you can use packing tape or duct tape for this step.

Step 5: Wrapping the Yarn Around the Wreath

With your completed chain you now need to wrap it around the wreath.

Take your completed chain and roll it back into a ball so it is easy to slip into the wreath for wrapping.
Split one end of the chains 8" tail into two strands and tie it to the wreath form.
Lay the chain flat on the wreath and slowly start to wrap it around the wreath.
Be sure when you wrap it to keep the chain from twisting, this will give you the knitted look you are going for.
Continue wrapping it around the wreath, either spreading it our squishing it to fit the entire chain on the wreath. You want to make sure that you do not wrap it so tight that you lose the texture of the chain but not so loose that you see the straw behind it.
When you get to the end of the chain, split the ends into two pieces and tie it to the wreath.
In stead of cutting my end I added another knot and used it as my hook for hanging.

Step 6: Making a Bow

The final step to completing the wreath is adding the bow and any additional embellishments as desired. This is always the fun part as you can make it as embellished as you want or keep it simple like mine.

Take any ribbon that you like, the size doesn't matter really except that it will become fuller or flatter depending on the width or weight of the ribbon.
My ribbon width is 2.5" and the width of my finished bow is 15"
Place the end of the ribbon against a ruler at the 7.5" mark, fold the ribbon over at the 0" mark; this becomes the first loop.
Take the ribbon and lay it on top of the first layer till it is at the 15" mark and fold it again on top of itself; you now have the two back loops done.
Lay the ribbon on top of itself till it gets to the 2" mark and fold again on the other side at the 13" mark. Now you have your second layer of loops.
Fold the ribbon again at the 4" and 11" mark.
Cut the ribbon at 7" mark.
Pinch the ribbon at the 7.5" mark and wrap twine around it a couple of times securing it in the back and cutting the ends off.
Start to fluff your bow to make the loops stand out.
Cut another piece of ribbon approximately double the size of your finished bow or to desired length. Mine is 30".
Fold the ribbon in half to find center and place the center over the loops you created, this will become your bow tails.
Pinch the ribbon at the back and twist it, tie with twine.
You now have completed your bow and you can flatten or mold the loops as desired to get the fullness you want for your wreath.

Step 7: Finishing Touches

The final step is adding your bow to the wreath. There are many ways to do that, you can tie them on, hot glue or use floral picks. I preferred the floral picks because I like to change the bow up with the season. I didn't have any on hand so I use paper clips. Using your wire cutters cut the paper clip so that each size is the same length. You can reshape the paper clip to use as a pick. Take the pick and insert them into the fabric of your bow and then pushing them into the straw form.

Finally you have completed your wreath, with just a quick tug you can change the bow to suit the season.

I hope you have fun making your own!

Introduction: Finger Crochet Wreath