This pattern uses American crochet terms. US single crochet = UK double crochet. US double crochet = UK treble and so on
Materials
American Thread Company “De Luxe” Mercerized Crochet and Knitting Cotton, article 346,
1-300 yd. Ball White
“Star” Pearl Cotton, article 90, size 5
1-50 yd. Ball Red
“Star” Six Strand Mercerized Embroidery Cotton, article 50
1 skein Black.
Steel Crochet Hook No. 7/1.65mm.
Pattern
With White, ch 67, sc in 3rd st from hook, 1 sc in next st of ch, * ch 1, skip 1 st of ch, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sts, repeat from * across row, ch 2, turn.
2nd Row: Skip 1 sc, 2 sc in next sc, * ch 1, skip 1 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * across row, ch 2, turn.
Work should measure about 6 inches wde.
Repeat the 2nd row until work measures 6 inches square, break thread.
Work another section in same manner.
Crab
With Red, ch 2, 2 s c in 2nd st from hook, ch 1 to turn each row.
2nd Row: 2 sc in each sc.
3rd Row: 2 sc in 1st sc, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc, 2 sc in last sc.
4th and 5th Rows: 1 sc in each sc.
6th and 7th Rows: Increase 1 sc at beginning and end of each row.
8th Row: Work even. Repeat the last 3 rows twice.
15th Row: Increase 1 sc at beginning and end of row, then work 1 row even.
17th Row: Same as 15th row, then work 9 rows even.
27th Row: Decrease 1 sc at beginning and end of row, then work 1 row even.
Repeat the last 2 rows.
31st and 32nd Rows: Same as 27th row, then work 1 row even.
Next 2 Rows: Decrease 1 sc at beginning and end of each row, then work 2 rows even.
Next 3 Rows: Same as 27th row, then work 1 row even.
Next Row: * Skip 1 sc, insert needle in next sc, pull loop through, repeat from * once, thread over and pull through all
loops on needle at one time, without breaking thread, ch 3, d c in same space, then work a row of sc around entire shell working 2 dc at opposite end, break thread.
Claw
With Red, ch 4, sc in 2nd st from hook, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sts of ch, ch 1 to turn each row.
2nd Row: 1 sc in each sc.
Repeat the 2nd row 8 times.
11th Row: Skip 1 sc, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc.
12th Row: 1 sc in each sc.
Repeat last row 5 times.
18th Row: Skip 1 sc, sc in next sc.
19th Row: 1 sc in sc.
Repeat last row twice, break thread.
Work 7 more claws in same manner.
Front Claw
With Red, ch 5 and work 4 sc on ch, ch 1 to turn each row.
2nd Row: 1 sc in each sc.
3rd Row: Increase 1 sc at beginning and end of row, then work 8 rows even.
12th Row: Decrease 1 sc at beginning and end of row, then work 2 rows even.
15th Row: 1 sc in next sc, sdc in next sc, (sdc: thread over needle, insert in se, pull through, thread over and work off all loops at one time) dc in next sc, 2 tr c in last sc, ch 4, turn.
16th Row: 2 tr c in same space with ch 4, 1 dc in each of the next 2 sts, 1 sc in each of the next 2 scs, ch 1, turn.
17th Row: 1 sc in each st omitting the end ch.
18th and 19th Rows: 1 sc in each sc.
20th Row: Increase 1 sc at end of row, then work 7 rows even.
28th Row: 1 sc in each of the next 4 sc, ch 1, turn.
29th Row: Decrease 1 st, 1 sc in each of the next 3 sc, ch 1, turn.
30th Row: Decrease 1 sc, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc, ch 1, turn, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc, ch 1, turn, skip 1 sc, 1 sc
in last sc, ch 1, turn, 1 sc in sc, break thread.
Attach thread in 1st free st at center of 27th row and work 1 sc in same space, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc, ch 1, turn, * 1 sc in each sc, ch 1, turn, repeat from * once, skip 1 sc, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc, ch 1, turn, 1 sc in each sc, ch 1, turn, skip 1 sc, sc in sc, ch 1, turn, sc in sc, break thread.
Work another front claw in same manner.
Sew shell of crab to center of top section starting about 2½ inches from top.
Sew the 2 front claws in position about 1½ inches from side point of shell.
Sew other claws in position as illustrated bending claws as desired.
With Black Six Strand Embroidery Cotton, embroider eyes and feelers using a satin stitch for eyes.
Indicate the joints of each claw and embroider body as illustrated.
With Red, crochet the two sections together as follows:
* ch 2, dc in same space, skip the length of a dc, sc in next st, repeat from * all around.
With Red, cover a bone hook and attach to top of potholder.
The original publication of this pattern is in the public domain. This digital version is copyright Sarah Bradberry, July 21st 2012. All rights reserved.