National Crochet Month 2015 - Boot Cuffs (sized for teens and adults)

Alright, you patient people!  Finally, a crochet pattern - boot cuffs!

Thanks to K for being my photographer for some shots - she did pretty well for her first try - while waiting for dinner!

Boot cuffs (sometimes called boot toppers) are great gift ideas for fall into early spring.  They've become more and more popular over the last couple of years as calf-high and knee-high boots are in style for everyday wear.  In my office, boots are a staple, and everyone loves something to dress them up!

The pattern I'm sharing with you is designed for worsted weight, inexpensive yarn.  It looks great in solids and variegations, and works up super quickly - 2-3 hours per cuff.  Stitches used: slip stitch, single crochet, front-post and back-post half-double crochet, bobbles, and shells.  These are worked in the round, because you know how I hate seaming!  Sizing is listed based on calf circumference, and is easy to adjust based on your own measurements!  The front- and back-post ribbing allows for some stretch, so adjust down if necessary.

Bobble Edged Boot Cuffs
(c) 2015 Andrea Holme

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
ss = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half-double crochet
fphdc = front-post half-double crochet
bphdc = back-post half-double crochet
dc = double crochet
yo = yarn over

Sooooooo soft.  I like to make all the things with this.

Yarn used - Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable in Cappuccino - I love the variegations, and it's really soft (which is important, because this could be worn directly next to your skin).

Stitch instructions:

To work shell - work 3 (5) dc in designated stitch (for start of round - ch3 for first dc and work 2 (4) dc).  The more stitches you have in your shell, the more ruffled your cuff will be.  If you want a pronounced ruffle, use 5 (or more, always an odd number); 3 will still give you a ruffle, but it will be more subtle.

For bobble - yo, insert hook in next stitch, yo and pull through, yo and pull through 2 loops, 2 loops remain on hook; yo and insert hook in same stitch, yo and pull through, yo and pull through 2 loops, 3 loops remain on hook; yo and insert hook in same stitch, yo and pull through, yo and pull through 2 loops, 4 loops remain on hook; yo and pull through all 4 loops.

Gauge: 3 stitches per inch (I/9 hook - 5.5 mm) - I work tightly, so you may be able to use H.  Check your gauge and your measurements, if possible, for the best fit.  This pattern is designed to work with any even number of stitches, so you can easily make adjustments based on your own stitches, yarn, and calf measurement.

Sizing (circumference around largest part of calf): Small - 15", Medium - 16", Large - 17"

There are great tutorials on YouTube for "no-chain foundation row" - look for one for sc to start this way, and try not to let it twist!

Ch 43 (47, 51), join with slip stitch to work in the round - 42 (46, 50 stitches).  If you prefer, you can start with a no-foundation-chain row in sc.  This would count as row 1.  (Yes, I know the math doesn't quite work with the gauge.  You want to round down a little so the cuffs fit snugly, especially if your boots have a heel.)

Rounds 1-3: ch1, sc around, ss to ch1

Round 4: ch2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in next stitch and each stitch around, ss to top of ch 2

Round 5: DO NOT CH2!  yo and work fphdc in ch2 of previous round; *bphdc in next hdc, fphdc in next hdc* repeat from * all the way around, ending with bphdc; ss to top of first fphdc

Round 6: yo and work fphdc in first fphdc of previous round; *bphdc in next bphdc, fphdc in next fphdc* repeat from * all the way around, ending with bphdc; ss to top of first fphdc

Repeat round 6 until cuff is desired height, approximately 3-3.5 inches from edge.

Measuring tapes are our friends.

Embellishment set-up round: ch1, sc around, ss in front loop of ch1

Note - the shells are worked in the back loops, and the bobbles are worked in the front loops.  We'll do the bobbles first.  See my note above on the shells to determine how many stitches you want in each shell.

Front loops!

Bobble round: (worked in front loops) Work bobbles as described above in front loop of previous round; in between bobbles, you may use either ss or sc.  SS will secure the bobbles to the front of the shells like a beaded trim, while sc will create more of a "flap", making it look like the bobbles are folded down in front (this flap can slide onto the top of the boot).    Alternate bobbles and ss or sc all the way around, finishing with sc or ss; ss into back loop behind first bobble to set up for shells.

This image shows the flap created with a sc between bobbles

First shell round (see note above on the shells to determine how many stitches you want):  ch3 (counts as first dc), 2 (4) dc in next stitch, sc in next stitch, *3 (5) dc in next stitch, sc* repeat from * around, ending with sc.  Finish the round with ss in both loops (this is a little fiddly, sorry).

In this image, you see the finished bobble edge, and 2 shell rows.  I made my shells with 3 stitches.

You can fasten off here, or you can do another shell round:  We'll put these shells through both loops  SS to the top of your first shell, then ss in center dc  You have a sc between 2 shells in the previous row - we'll work our shells in those sc's.  *3 (5) dc in sc, ss in center stitch of shell in round before*, repeat from * around, end with final ss; fasten off and weave in ends.

Make one more (I easily get 2+ out of the yarn mentioned).  Wear and enjoy!

I may need some brown boots now!

Copyright notice - this pattern, along with the images used to illustrate it, is my gift to the online stitching community.  You may make as many of these boot cuffs as you like.  Anything you make you can sell.  However, the pattern is my property.  Please do not sell, repost, copy, or otherwise distribute the pattern without my express written permission.  Thanks!
(c) 2015, Andrea Holme