Today is the 17th of Tammuz, a solemn day on the Jewish calendar which includes fasting for many and is the beginning of a period known as the three weeks, which lead up to the most solemn day of the year, Tisha B'Av. During this period we are in mourning over the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, and on this day, we commemorate the penetration of the walls of Jerusalem, as you can see in the coloring page my 8 year old brought home from school.
I have to admit, I got a bit confused thinking that I always crochet around this coloring page, which is the same year after year, but in fact, in previous years I have actually crocheted around a coloring page marking the Tenth of Tevet, also a fast day and also connected to the destruction of the Holy Temple, but not the same, silly me.
Nonetheless, on a day when we aren't doing any projects since my boys would rather be out building a treehouse understandably, and my daughter is at gymastics, I had to do something to share the importance of this day with you. It's true, crocheting around a piece of paper may be a bit trite, but that's really all I have time for at the moment, so please accept my humble effort with the knowledge that I am not in any way mocking the holiday, rather attempting to embue it with importance.
That said, crocheting an edging on paper is a great way to make signs or cards for festive occasions like parties, graduations, or just about any time. Or you could even make some place mats on laminated plastic! Here are the basic instructions to get you started, though of course there's no limit to the edging one can crochet, enjoy!
You'll Need:
- a picture or piece of paper/cardboard to crochet around
- a hole punch
- a crochet hook and yarn that will fit through the hole
How To: Punch holes around the perimeter of your piece of paper and crochet as follows:
Round 1: Attach yarn through first hole, and single crochet into hole. Chain stitch until you reach the next hole, and then single crochet into that hole. At each corner, single crochet, chain 1, single crochet, and continue around. Join to first single crochet with a slip stitch.
Round 2: Chain 3 and 3dc in ch space. *ch 1 and 4 dc in next ch space. Repeat from * around, at corners 1ch space make 3dc.
