Stitchfinder: Crochet Nature Motif: Snail
work into back strand of st on first side of shell, but work into front strand of st on second side
SHELL (first side)
Using larger hook and A, make 5ch, join with ss into a ring.
1st round (RS) 1ch, 4sc, 2hdc, 5dc in ring.
** Now work in continuous rounds without joining and working into the back strand of each st, 3dc in each of next 7 sts, 2tr in each of next 7 sts, without working the last wrap of each st, 1tr in next st, 1dtr in next st, yrh and pull yarn through all 4 loops on hook. Fasten off.
SHELL (second side)
As first side, but working all sts from ** in the front strand of each st and noting that the back of the work will be the RS.
BODY
Using smaller hook and B, make a slip ring.
1st round (WS) 2ch, 5sc in ring, pull end to close ring, ss in top ch of 2ch. 6 sts.
Marking the beginning of each round, work in continuous rounds of sc without joining, and working in the back strand of each st. Work 3 rounds straight.
5th round [1sc in each of next 2 sts, 2sc in next st] twice. 8 sts.
6th round [1sc in next st, 2sc in next st] 4 times. 12 sts.
7th round [1sc in next st] 12 times.
8th round [1sc in each of next 2 sts, 2sc in next st] 4 times. 16 sts.
Turn work inside out (RS is now outside), continue working with WS facing, working into back strand of each st.
9th round [1sc in next st, 2sc in next st] 8 times. 24 sts.
10th round [1sc in next st] 24 times.
11th round [1sc in each of next 3 sts, 2sc in next st] 6 times. 30 sts.
Work 6 rounds straight. Fill the body with batting and continue to fill as you crochet.
Decrease round [1sc in next st, sc decrease in next 2 sts] 10 times. 20 sts.
Work 4 rounds straight.
FIRST HORN
Make 10ch, miss 2ch, ss in each of next 8ch. 1sc in each of next 3sc, make second horn to match, then complete the round. Ensuring horns protrude on RS, work 1 round, then a part round, ending at underside.
Shaping the body carefully to keep underside flat, finish stuffing, take yarn end through top of last round of sts and draw up.
FINISHING
Leaving outer strand of each st free, and starting at final st of each piece, join top seam of shell for 15 sts, catch it down on either side of the body and lightly stuff with spare yarn. Insert fine wire into the horns and sew a bead on the end of each horn.
Directions reproduced with permission from 75 Birds, Butterflies & Little Beasts to Knit and Crochet, St. Martin's Press, 2011
dtr = double treble
yrh = yarn round hook