Orangeback Spider Decoration Free Pattern

Designed by Sandi Marshall

You could use this spider to go on the crocheted spider's web at http://crochet.about.com/library/nspider.htm, but it would be great on its own hanging by a string, attached to a basket full of Halloween goodies, as a pin or as a fridgie magnet.

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Materials
Worsted Weight Yarn
8 yds. black
1 yd. orange
(2) size 11/0 white or off-white seed beads for eyes
an orange button (sample shows a 1/2" button)
Size G crochet hook

Finished size: 3" long x 2" wide at widest point (not counting the legs)

Spider Directions

Note: At the end of each row, you will chain 1 to turn.

sc two sc tog for dec = single crochet two single crochet together for decrease. To do this, insert hook in next sc, draw up a loop, insert hook in next sc, draw up a loop, yarn over, pull this loop through all three loops on hook (1 decrease made).
Photos Showing Steps For Single Crochet Decrease:
http://crochet.about.com/library/bl_decrease.htm

Starting chain: ch 2.
Row 1: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (2 sc)
Row 2: sc two sc tog for dec. (1 sc)
Row 3: 4 sc in the sc. (4 sc)
Row 4: 2 sc in first sc, sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in last sc. (6 sc)
Row 5: With black, sc in first sc; attach orange, (crocheting over unused black yarn) sc next 4 sc in orange; with black, sc in last sc. (6 sc)
Row 6: With black, sc in first 2 sc; with orange, sc in next 2 sc; with black, sc in last 2 sc. (6 sc)
Row 7: Repeat row 6. (6 sc)
Row 8: Repeat row 5. (6 sc)
Row 9: With black, sc first 2 sc tog for dec, sc in next 2 sc, sc last 2 sc tog for dec. (4 sc)
Row 10: With black, sc first two sc tog for dec, sc last two sc tog for dec. (2 sc)

Do not end off. Working in the row edges, sc in end of each row, until you have reached row 4; * ch 12, slip stitch in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next 11 ch; sl st in end of next row * , repeat from * to * 3 more times. sc in end of each row on side of spider's head, sc in the two sc of row 1, sc in end of each row on other side of spider's head. At the point directly opposide where last ch 12 was worked, sl st in the row that is this opposite point, then * ch 12, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next 11 ch, sl st in end of next row * , repeat from * to * 3 more times. sc in end of each row the rest of the way around; sl st in first sc of this outside round. End off. Weave in ends.

Sew the orange button on the spider's back over the center of rows 6 and 7.

Sew the two size 11/0 white seed beads for eyes to the spider's head at about row 2. I used clear nymo beading thread and a thin beading needle to do this. I brought the needle and thread up through the center of the bead, then back down the outside of the bead on one side edge, through the yarn to the back of the spider's head; then, back up through the center of the bead again and down the outside edge of the opposite side of the bead, so that the hole of the bead would stay in place, letting the black yarn show through the bead hole. The beads are much more effective as eyes this way.

If you don't wish to use seed beads for the eyes, you could embroider eyes with tiny straight stitches or with french knots, using embroidery floss. If you don't have any embroidery floss, a tiny straight stitch with white yarn for each eye would do the trick.

(Optional) To keep the legs in spiderly position, you could apply a small amount of fabric stiffener to the spots of the legs you wish to bend, then shape and let dry.

Hang from a string for Halloween or make it into a pin or a magnet.

This Orangeback Spider Pattern is an original by Sandi Marshall, copyright 1998 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc.
All rights reserved worldwide.
Free for your own personal use only.
Per copyright law, do not redistribute this pattern (with or without charge) in any form.

Do not copy and paste this pattern to be posted on another web site; do not post this pattern to any bulletin board; do not send this pattern as a message to an email discussion listserv, do not photocopy and distribute.
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