Jack’s beanstalk

Grow a fun houseplant that never needs watering! Make as many of Emma Leith’s yarny fronds as you desire – they can go all the way up to the sky, just like the beanstalk in the classic fairy story

■ Rico Creative Cotton Aran (100% cotton, 50g/85m), 3 balls of Yarn D Fir Green (023), 2 balls of Yarn A Light Green (040), 1 ball of each: Yarn B Green (049), Yarn C Emerald (069)

■ A 6mm (US J/10) hook

■ A 4mm (US G/6) hook

■ Florist wire

■ 140cm macramé cord, 3mm wide

TENSION

Tension is not critical, but it may affect the yarn quantities required

MEASUREMENTS

Strand measures approx 140cm (55in) long

ABBREVIATIONS

alt ss Remove live loop from hook, insert hook in ch indicated, place loop back on hook and pull through

For a full list, see page 78

NOTES

Strand of Leaves are made up of 9 large Leaves and 19 small Leaves. Large and small Leaves are worked to the same pattern. The large Leaves are worked with a 6mm hook and 2 stands of yarn held together as one. The small Leaves are worked with a single strand of yarn and a 4mm hook.

BEANSTALK

STRAND OF LEAVES

LEAVES (MAKE 28)

To make a large Leaf use 2 strands of the same colour yarn and a 6mm hook.

To make a small Leaf use a single strand of yarn and a 4mm hook.

Using Yarn A, make 2 large Leaves and 8 small Leaves.

Using Yarn B, make 8 small Leaves.

Using Yarn C, make 1 large Leaf and 3 small Leaves.

Using Yarn D, make 6 large Leaves.

Ch17.

Row 1 Ss in third ch from hook, dc in next ch, htr in next ch, tr in next ch, ch3, pm in last ch, dc in next ch of beg ch-17, ss in next ch, turn.

Row 2 Ch4, alt ss in marked ch of ch-3, turn. [Ch-4 sp]

Row 3 Ch2 (counts as htr throughout), (2htr, dc) in ch-4 sp, ss in final ch of ch-4, dc in next ch from foundation ch, ss in next ch, turn. [5 sts] Row 4 Ch6, alt ss in top of beg ch-2 from last row, turn. [Ch-6 sp]

Row 5 Ch3 (counts as tr), (htr, htr, dc) in ch-6 sp, ss in last 3 ch of ch-6 sp, dc in next ch from foundation ch, ss in next ch, turn. [8 sts]

Row 6 Ch6, alt ss in top of beg ch-3 from last row, turn. [Ch-6 sp]

Row 7 As Row 5.

Row 8 Ch5, alt ss in top of beg ch-3 from last row, turn. [Ch-5 sp]

Row 9 Ch2, (htr, tr, htr, dc) in ch-5 sp, ss in last ch of ch-5 sp, dc in next ch from foundation ch, ss in next ch, turn. [7 sts]

Row 10 Ch4, alt ss in top of beg ch-2 of last row, turn. [Ch-4 sp]

Row 11 Ch1, (dc, htr, 2tr, htr) in ch-4 sp, ss in last ch of foundation ch, ch1, turn to work down opposite edge of foundation ch, dc in next 13 ch, ss in next 2 ch, turn. [19 sts]

Row 12 Ch1, dc in next st, htr in next st, tr in next st, ch3, dc in next st, ss in next st, turn. [5 sts, 1 ch-3 sp]

Row 13 Ch4, alt ss in first ch of ch-3 from last row, turn. [Ch-4 sp]

Row 14 Ch2, (2htr, dc) in ch-4 sp, ss in final ch of ch-4 sp, dc in next st from Row 11, ss in next st, turn. [6 sts]

Row 15 Ch6, alt ss in top of beg ch-2 from last row, turn. [Ch-6 sp]

Row 16 Ch3, (tr, htr, dc) in ch-6 sp, ss in fourth ch of ch-6, ss in next 2 ch, dc in next st from Row 11, ss in next st, turn. [8 sts]

Row 17 Ch6, alt ss in top of beg ch-3 from last row, turn. [Ch-6 sp]

Row 18 As Row 16.

Row 19 Ch5, alt ss in top of beg ch-3 from last row, turn. [Ch-5 sp]

Row 20 Ch2, (htr, tr, htr, dc) in ch-5 sp, ss in last ch of ch-5 sp, dc in next st from Row 11, ss in next st, turn. [7 sts]

Row 21 Ch4, alt ss in top of beg ch-2 from last row, turn. [Ch-4 sp]

Row 22 Ch1, (dc, htr, 2tr, htr) in ch-4 sp, ss in next st of Row 11, ch9, ss in second ch from hook, ss in next 7 ch (stem made).

Fasten off.

TO MAKE UP

Thread florist wire along centre and through ‘veins’ of each Leaf. You can use the image as a guide.

Using a single strand of Yarn D and a 4mm hook, dc around length of rope.

Fasten off.

Sew the stems of each Leaf randomly across the rope. Weave in all ends.