Crochet NYC Cab Ornament

GAUGE: 10 sts = 4″ (10 cm); 14 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in single crochet. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge.

Ornament measures 3½ x 5” (9 x 12.5 cm)

Notes

1. Gauge is not critical for this project. Work tightly so stuffing will not show between stitches.

2. To change color, work last stitch of old color to last yarn over. Yarn over with new color and draw through all loops on hook to complete stitch. Proceed with new color. Do not fasten off old color until instructed. Carry color not in use across wrong side of piece or under stitches of working color.

BODY

Sides

Beginning at lower edge with A, ch 46; taking care not to twist chains, join with slip st in first ch to form a ring.

Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around; join with slip st in first sc—46 sc.

Rounds 2 and 3: Sc in each sc around; join with slip st in first sc.Fasten off A.

Round 4 (top edge): With right side facing, join B with sc in any st; change to C, sc in next st, *with B, sc in next st; with C, sc in next st; repeat from * around; join with slip st in first sc. Fasten off B and C.

Top and Bottom (make 2)

With A, ch 9.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch across, turn—8 sc.

Rows 2–16: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assemble Body: Use photograph as a guide.

Sew top to top edge of sides. Sew bottom to lower edge of sides, stuffing piece before finishing the sewing.

CAB

Sides

Beginning at lower edge with A, ch 26; taking care not to twist chains; join with slip st in first ch to form a ring.

Round 1: Join F with sc in same ch as joining, sc in next 2 ch; [with A, sc in next ch; with F, sc in next 2 ch] twice; with A, sc in next ch; with F, sc in next 6 ch; [with A, sc in next ch; with F, sc in next 2 ch] twice; with A, sc in next ch; with F, sc in next 3 ch; join with slip st in first sc—26 sc.

Round 2: With F, sc in same st as joining, sc in next 2 sc; [with A, sc in next sc; with F, sc in next 2 sc] twice; with A, sc in next sc; with F, sc in next 6 sc; [with A, sc in next sc; with F, sc in next 2 sc] twice; with A, sc in next sc; with F, sc in next 3 sc; join with slip st in first sc. Fasten off F, continue with A only.

Round 3: With A, ch 1, sc in each sc around; join with slip st in first sc.

Roof

With A, ch 9.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn—8 sc.

Rows 2–6: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assemble Cab: Use photograph as a guide.

Sew roof to top of sides. Sew cab to top of body, stuffing piece before finishing the sewing. Do not center the cab on the top of the body, Place it slightly closer to one end (rear of taxi) than the other (front end of taxi).

TIRES (make 4)

Hub Cap

With D, ch 2.

Round 1 (right side): Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook; join with slip st in first sc—6 sc.

Fasten off D.

With C, ch 2.

Round 1 (right side): Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook; join with slip st in first sc, turn—6 sc.

Place hubcap on top of back of tire so that wrong sides of the two pieces are together.

Round 2: Continue with C, ch 1, working through both thicknesses, 2 sc in each sc around; join with slip st in first sc—12 sc.

Fasten off.

Wheel Well

Row 1: Join A with sc in any sc, 2 sc in next sc, [sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] twice, sc in next sc; leave remaining sts unworked—10 sc. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Attach Tires to Taxi: Sew two tires to each side of body, taking care that wheel wells are at top, the hubcaps face outwards, and the black portion of each tire hangs below the bottom of the taxi.

WREATH

With E, ch 8; taking care not to twist chains, join with slip st in first ch to form a ring.

Round 1: Ch 1, 2 sc in each ch around; join with slip st in first sc—16 sc.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew wreath to front of taxi. Cut a length of D, tie small bow to top of wreath.

HEADLIGHTS (make 2)

With F, ch 2.

Round 1: Work 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook; join with slip st in first sc—5 sc.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Sew headlights to front of taxi, sewing one headlight on each side of wreath.

“TAXI” SIGN

With B, ch 7.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch across, turn—6 sc.

Rows 2–5: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Fold sign in half, matching stitches of first and last row. Whipstitch first row to last row. With C, embroider “TAXI” to front of sign, making sure that stitches do not show on back of sign. Sew whip stitched edge to top front edge of cab.

FINISHING

With D, embroider two taillights on rear of taxi.

Cut a 7” (18cm) length of E. Thread the length through the taxi sign and tie ends together for hanging loop.

Weave in any remaining ends.

ABBREVIATIONS

A, B, C, D, E, and F = Color A, B, C, D, E, and F; ch = chain; sc = single crochet; st(s) = stitch (es); [] = work directions in brackets the number of times specified; * = repeat whatever follows the * as indicated.