I've since played around with sizes and have adapted the instructions for the organic cotton I've been using. I use a 4mm hook and a double knit cotton. Forgive the British terms but this is how I do it not a How To Do IT. It's also the first time I've written down instructions.

How I make yoyosNo place here for a closed centre. It needs to look like a Polo mint not a Trebor.

1) Chain 6 and join with a slip stitch to make a ring.

2) Chain 6 (this acts as your first quadruple treble), 21 quadtr into the ring, ss into the 6th chain.

3) Chain 2, 1 tr into the next stitch, 2trtog 10 times, ss into the 2nd chain to join and gather up the puff.

This is the part where I say leave a long tail. I didn't leave enough the first time so ended up have to join them in a way I wasn't happy with. A long tail means about 20cm, leaving you enough to catch the puff down on the wrong side. Still with the needle threaded run it up through the middle of a stitch to the edge. You can now use this to join the next yoyo.

To finish, run the needle back down through the middle and fasten off near the centre opening.

Do play around with it. Different threads and hook sizes will give your yoyos individuality. Experiment with longer or shorter stitches. Remember to have an even amount of stitches for the last round gathering and you can't go wrong.

The top green has 22 quadtr and the purple 24. The bottom row has 20 trtr

Crochet Tutorial: Yo-Yo Puff

Difficulty Level: Beginner, must know how to crochet tptr, tr, dc, tr2tog, sl st & ch

Abbreviations:

ch = chaintr = trebletr dec = Treble decrease (aka tr2tog – treble next 2 stitches together)tptr = Triple treblesl st = slip stitchst = stitchyo = yarn over

Patterns:

Yo-Yo Puff

Written:

Starting Ring: ch5, slst to first chain to form a base ring.Rnd 1 : ch8, tptr19, slst to the 8th chain.Rnd 2 : ch3, tr on the next st, *tr2tog or tr dec on the next 2 sts*, repeat * 9 times, slst to the dc loop. fo with at least 8″ long yarn tail.

Diagram:

Using 2.5mm hook or recommended hook size for your choice of yarn.

Starting chain: chain 5, sl st to the first chain to form a ring.

Round 1: Chain 8, this is deem as the first st of your tptr.

To crochet a tptr: Yo 4 times, insert hook into the ring, yo, draw loop through (6 loops on hook), *yo, draw through 2 loops* 5 times.

A finished tptr as the 2nd st of this round. Crochet another 18 tptr to have 20 sts in the ring altogether.

Sl st to the 8th chain of the first st to complete 1st round.Next, we are going to decrease the st to make the back layer of the puff.

Round 2: Chain 3, yo twice and get ready to crochet a tr.

Insert hook in the next st, yo, draw loop through (4 loops on hook), *yo, draw through 2 loops on the hook*, repeat 3 times.This deem to be the first pair of tr dec.

Crochet tr dec for the next 2 sts; Yo twice, insert hook in the next st,yo, draw loop through (4 loops on hook), *yo, draw through 2 loops* twice to make the 1st st of tr dec. Repeat the same for the 2nd st of tr dec.

Yo, draw through 3 loops on the hook. Repeat another 8 times for the tr dec.

Sl st to the 3rd chain. Leaving a long end of about 8″.

Use a tapestry needle to sew the chain edge of the 2nd round to the wrong side of the first round slightly away from the center opening.

Finished yo-yo puff with 1st round as the right side. It is about 1.5″ in diameter if using 100% cotton DK light worsted yarn with 2.5mm hook.Stay tuned to my upcoming post which I made a summer hat for my daughter by using these puffs.