This is the first in a 3-part pattern series to create a life-sized, anatomically correct human spine, as part of my life-sized skeleton series. A full list of all patterns published fo far in this series can be found here.
Difficulty:
Medium - difficult
This pattern can be quite fiddly, but I'm hoping that the accompanying images will explain everything well
You will need:
- A 2mm crochet hook
- A 0.8mm crochet hook
- Anchor creativa fino 4ply cotton in white (you will need multiple balls of this)
- Rico essentials #10 crotton in cream
- A darning needle
- Polyester toy stuffing
Note:
- This pattern includes the back-to-front single crochet stitch (bfsc). A video to show you how to do this can be found here. It's pretty simple but if you can't work it out you can just use a regular single crochet stitch, but this will give it a slightly different look.
- 'Fasten off neatly' refers to a special way of fastening off which is neater and makes it easier to see where you should be crocheting on the next round (also known as invisible fastening off). This involves pulling up your yarn through your stitch, threading the yarn underneath the second stitch from where you pulled your yarn up, then threading your yarn back through the top of this stitch and down through the back of the work. There is a very helpful site that explains it clearly found here. Just make sure when you do this that you thread your needle through the SECOND stitch after the last stitch you made, otherwise you will end up with an extra stitch which may mean that all of the following rounds are out of line with each other. The false stitch that you create is referred to in this pattern as the 'new' st.
- There are various points throughout this pattern noted as 'Point ...' that will be referred to later on - I'd recommend somehow marking these so that you can refer back to them later on
- Rounds marked with * are slightly more than a single round. They will likely end with a sc2tog, and this will bleed over to the following round. In this case the round marker sould be moved to after the sc2tog.
For the bones
Use a 2mm hook and 4ply yarn throughout
For the atlas bone:
For the superior articular facets (SAFs) (make 2):
Ch5
Round 1: sc in the 2nd chain st from hook, then sc in the next 2 sts. Make 3sc in the first chain st you made, then sc in the back of the previous 2 chain sts. Make 2sc in the back loop of the first st you crocheted into (10sc)
Fasten off neatly
For the main section:
For the superior articular facets (SAFs) (make 2):
Ch5
Round 1: sc in the 2nd chain st from hook, then sc in the next 2 sts. Make 3sc in the first chain st you made, then sc in the back of the previous 2 chain sts. Make 2sc in the back loop of the first st you crocheted into (10sc)
Fasten off neatly
For the main section:
Round 1: Ch7, sc in the back loop of the 'new' st you created when fastening off neatly on one of the SAFs, then sc in the back loop of the next 6sts (Point A). ch11, sc in the back loop of the 3rd st before the 'new' st on the other SAF, then sc in the back loop of the next 6sts (33 sts, including chain sts)
Round 2: Sc in the first chain st of the previous round, sc in the next chain st, hdc in the next 3 chain sts, sc in the last 2 chain sts, hdc2, ch6, skip the next st (Point B), sc2, make 2sc in the next st, sc2tog between the next st and the following chain st. In the next chain sts: sc3, make 2sc in the following st, hdc, make 2sc in the next st, sc3, sc2tog between the last chain st and the next st, make 2sc in the next st, sc, ch6, skip1(Point C), hdc2, sc (44sts)
Round 3: (Point D) Sc3, 2hdc, sc3 (Point E), sc, sc in the next 2 chain sts, make 2hdc in the next chain st, hdc in the following chain st, ch2, sc in the next 2 chain sts, Sc2tog, sc5 (Point G), sc6 (Point H), sc5, sc2tog, sc in the first 2 chain sts, ch2, hdc in the following chain st, make 2hdc in the next chain st, sc5, ch1 (Point I) (49sts)
Round 3: (Point D) Sc3, 2hdc, sc3 (Point E), sc, sc in the next 2 chain sts, make 2hdc in the next chain st, hdc in the following chain st, ch2, sc in the next 2 chain sts, Sc2tog, sc5 (Point G), sc6 (Point H), sc5, sc2tog, sc in the first 2 chain sts, ch2, hdc in the following chain st, make 2hdc in the next chain st, sc5, ch1 (Point I) (49sts)
This is where things start to deviate from what you might expect - I'm hoping the images will clarify things but let me know if you have any questions (best way is to email me or message on my Instagram)
Round 4: Sc in the back loop of the st after the last st you crocheted into on the SAF (see photos below). Make sure this is done so that the chain st you just made lies underneath the SAF
Round 4: Sc in the back loop of the st after the last st you crocheted into on the SAF (see photos below). Make sure this is done so that the chain st you just made lies underneath the SAF
Sc in the back loop of the next 2sts of the SAF, then sc in the back loop of the following st (which should be the first st of the SAF you crocheted into on round 1).
Turn your crochet over to work in the reverse side.
Ch1, then sc in the st you skipped on round 2 when making the ch6 (Point C). Sc in the next st (the same one you crocheted into after making the ch6), ch1
Sc in the chain st you made before crocheting in the back loop of the SAF on the last round (i.e. point I) . These last 9sts form a new round.
Round 5: Slip4, sc, hdc3, sc (9sts)
Round 6: Slip5, sc, hdc3 (9sts)
Round 7*: Sc2tog, sc2, sc3tog, sc, sc2tog (5sts)
Fasten off
Rejoin yarn to the other SAF to the next st after the last one you crocheted into at point A
Round 4: Sc in the back loop of this st and the next 3sts, ch1, then sc in the st you skipped on round 2 at point B (in the same way as you did on the other side). Sc in the following st, ch2. These last 9sts form a new round
Round 5: Slip3, sc, hdc3, sc, slip1
Round 6: Slip5, sc, hdc3 (9sts)
Round 7*: Sc2tog, sc2, sc3tog, sc, sc2tog (5sts)
Fasten off
Rejoin yarn to the other SAF to the next st after the last one you crocheted into at point A
Round 4: Sc in the back loop of this st and the next 3sts, ch1, then sc in the st you skipped on round 2 at point B (in the same way as you did on the other side). Sc in the following st, ch2. These last 9sts form a new round
Round 5: Slip3, sc, hdc3, sc, slip1
Round 6*: Slip4, sc, hdc3, sc2tog
Round 7: sc2, sc3tog, sc, sc2tog
Fasten off
Rejoin yarn to the back of the end chain st of the ch7 section you made right at the start of the main section of this bone (see 1st image below). Sc in the back of this chain st and each of the next 2 chain sts, hdc in the following chain st, sc in the back loop of the last 3 chain sts.
Rejoin yarn to the back of the end chain st of the ch7 section you made right at the start of the main section of this bone (see 1st image below). Sc in the back of this chain st and each of the next 2 chain sts, hdc in the following chain st, sc in the back loop of the last 3 chain sts.
Fasten off
Sew this cast off edge to the sts you made on round 3 between Points D and E.
Rejoin yarn to the back loop of the 3rd chain st from the end of the ch11 you made right at the start of this bone.
Sc in the back loop of this chain st, then sc in the back of the next (/previous) 6 chain sts (i.e. from the 9th chain st you made round to the 3rd)
Fasten off
Fasten off
Sew this to round 3 between points G and H.
Sew in all loose ends
For the axis bone:
For the left SAF:
Make a magic loop with 6sc
Round 1: make 2hdc in the first st, make 3hdc in the next st, make 3sc in the following st (9sts)
Fasten off neatly
For the right SAF:
Make a magic loop with 6sc
Round 1: make 3sc in the first st, make 3hdc in the next st, make 2hdc in the following st
Fasten off neatly
For the dens (continuing into the body of the bone):
Make a magic loop with 6sc
Round 1: (sc, make 2sc in the next st) 3 times (9sc)
Round 2: Sc5, sc2tog twice (7sc)
Rounds 3-4: (2 rounds) Sc7
ch1, turn
Round 5: Sc4, then sc in the left SAF in the the back loop only of 3rd st after the 'new' st you created when fastening off. Sc in the back of the next 3sts, slip the back of the next st, sc in the back loop of the next 3sts, ch11, sc in the back loop of the 3rd st after the 'new' st of the Right SAF, in the back loop only around the SAF: sc in the next 2sts, slip1, sc3. (29sts)
Round 6: Sc in the 2nd st of the last round (i.e. the 2nd st before the last st you made on the end before crocheting into the SAF, see image below). Sc3, slip1, sc2, ch4, skip1, sc in the next 3 sts (Image 2 below), along the chain sts: sc4, make 2hdc in the next st, hdc, make 2hdc in the next st, sc4, sc in the next 3sts, ch4, skip1, sc2, slip1 (39sts)
Round 5: Sc4, then sc in the left SAF in the the back loop only of 3rd st after the 'new' st you created when fastening off. Sc in the back of the next 3sts, slip the back of the next st, sc in the back loop of the next 3sts, ch11, sc in the back loop of the 3rd st after the 'new' st of the Right SAF, in the back loop only around the SAF: sc in the next 2sts, slip1, sc3. (29sts)
Round 6: Sc in the 2nd st of the last round (i.e. the 2nd st before the last st you made on the end before crocheting into the SAF, see image below). Sc3, slip1, sc2, ch4, skip1, sc in the next 3 sts (Image 2 below), along the chain sts: sc4, make 2hdc in the next st, hdc, make 2hdc in the next st, sc4, sc in the next 3sts, ch4, skip1, sc2, slip1 (39sts)
Round 7: Sc5, slip2, slip the next 2 chain sts, make 2sc in the next chain st, slip the next chain st and the following st, make 2hdc in each of the next 2sts, sc4, hdc, make 2hdc in the next st, hdc (Point A), make 2hdc in the next st, hdc, make 2hdc in the next st, sc4, make 2hdc in each of the next 2sts, slip the next st and the following chain st, make 2sc in the following st, slip the last 2 chain sts and the following st (Point B), ch2 (47sts, though note that this is less than a full round)
Round 8: Sc in the back loop of the st before the 'new' st of the left SAF (as shown in the photos below).
Round 8: Sc in the back loop of the st before the 'new' st of the left SAF (as shown in the photos below).
 |
| This shows the underside of the bone |
Sc in the back loop only of the next 3sts of the SAF, ch1, sc in the st you skipped when you made the ch4 on round 6, sc in the next st, ch1
Round 9: Sc in the last chain st you made on the round 7, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog twice, sc (6sc)
Round 10: sc2tog
Fasten off
Rejoin yarn to the back loop of the 'new' st of the left SAF
Rejoin yarn to the back loop of the 'new' st of the left SAF
Round 8: Sc in the back loop of this st and the next 3sts. Ch1, sc in the st you skipped when you made the ch4 on round 6, sc in the next st, ch1 (8sts)
Round 9: Sc in the first st of the last round, sc, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog twice (5sts)
Fasten off
Row 6: Rejoin yarn to the back loop of the last of the 11 chain sts you made on round 5, then sc in the back of each of these 11 sts. Ch1, turn
Row 7: Bfsc11. Without fastening off, slip the 7th st before Point A, then slip the next 4sts, bfsc, make 2hdc in the following st, bfsc, make 2hdc in the next st, bfsc, slip5.
Fasten off
Sew the cast-off end to the cast-on end of this last section you made (as shown in the first photo below). Sew up the rest of this section as shown below.
Rejoin yarn to the dens to the next st after the last one you crocheted in (see image below)
Round 8: Sc in this st and the next 3sts of the dens. Ch2, sc in the first st of round 6 that you skipped on round 7 when you started working on the bottom of the SAF (Point B). Essentially this is the next st you would have expected to crochet into if you'd continued working in the round. Sc in the next 4sts (i.e. the next 4sts of round 7), ch2 (12sts)
Round 9: Sc in the first 4sts of the last round, sc in the 2 chain sts, slip1, sc3, slip1, sc2
Round 10: Sc2tog, sc, sc2tog twice, sc3, sc2tog twice (7sts)
Round 11: sc, sc3tog (5sts)
Fasten off
Fasten off
For the C3/C4 bones (make 2):
For the SAFs (make 2):
Ch3
Round 1: sc in the 2nd chain st from hook, then make 3sc in the first chain st you made. Make 2sc in the back of the first chain st you crocheted into (6sc)
Round 2: Slip1, sc, hdc, sc, slip2
Round 3: Sc, hdc3, sc, slip1
Fasten off neatly
Ch3
Round 1: sc in the 2nd chain st from hook, then make 3sc in the first chain st you made. Make 2sc in the back of the first chain st you crocheted into (6sc)
Round 2: Slip1, sc, hdc, sc, slip2
Round 3: Sc, hdc3, sc, slip1
Fasten off neatly
For the body:
Ch4
Round 1: Sc in the 2nd chain st from hook and the next chain st. Make 3sc in the first chain st you made, then sc in the back of the previous chain st you crocheted into. Make 2sc in the back of the first chain st you crocheted into (8sc)
Round 2: make 2sc in the first st, sc, make 2sc in each of the next 3sts, sc, make 2sc in both of the next 2sts (14sc)
Fasten off neatly
Round 3: Rejoin yarn to the body to the 2nd st after the 'new' st you created when fastening off neatly.
Sc in the back loop of this st and the next 5sts (Point A), ch10, skip3, sc in the back loop of the next 5sts (20sts)
Round 4: Sc4, ch4, sc in the next 2sts, In the chain sts: sc3, make 2sc in the next st, hdc, ch3, sc in the 2nd chain st from hook and the next chain st (Image 1). Along the rest of the ch10 sts: hdc (Image 2), make 2sc in the next st, sc3. Sc2, ch4, sc in the next 3sts (35 sts (Note that this excludes one of the ch3 sts as the last of these is classed as a turning st))
Round 5: Slip4, then slip the next 2 chain sts, make 2sc in the next chain st, slip the following chain st, sc, sc in the st before the 'new' st you created when fastening off on one of the SAFs. Sc in the next st, hdc3, skip1 on the main section, then sc in the next 6sts. Sc in the back loop of the first chain sts of the ch3 you made on the last round.
Make 3hdc in the back of the next chain st.
Make 2hdc in the first of the sts you made into the chain sts on the last round, then sc in the next 7sts.
Fasten off neatly
Turn the bone over
Rejoin yarn to the front loop of the body to the same st as you crocheted into when making the last st at point A (This is seen in the first image but you should join on the yarn from the other side). By front loop I mean front as looking at it from the reverse side.
Round 6: Sc in the front loop of this st and the next 4sts of the body.
Round 7*: Sc in the first 4sts of the last round, sc2tog twice, sc4, sc2tog twice (11sts)
Round 8: Sc3, sc2tog twice, sc2, sc2tog
Round 9: sc2tog
Fasten off
Stuff this section lightly
Rejoin yarn to the back of the last of the ch10 sts, then sc in the back of this chain sts and the next 9 chain sts.
Locate the central hdc st at the tip of the bone, and attach a st marker
Fasten off
Stuff this section lightly
Rejoin yarn to the back of the last of the ch10 sts, then sc in the back of this chain sts and the next 9 chain sts.
Locate the central hdc st at the tip of the bone, and attach a st marker
Turn the bone over from the orientation shown in the images above
Slip the 7th st before the stitch marker st (see below), then slip the next 5sts. Sc, hdc in the same st, slip1, hdc, sc in the same st, slip6
Fasten off neatly
Sew the fasten-off st to the cast-on end of this section you just made, then sew up as you did for the previous vertebra, and as shown in the photos below.
For the C5 bone:
This bone is essentially the same as C3/C4, just with some bits being slightly wider/ longer.
Make the SAFs the same as for C3/C4
For the body:
Ch5
Round 1: sc in the 2nd chain st from hook, then sc in the next 2 sts. Make 3sc in the first chain st you made, then sc in the back of the previous 2 chain sts. Make 2sc in the back loop of the first st you crocheted into (10sc)
Round 2: make 2sc in the first st, sc2, make 2sc in each of the next 3sts, sc, make 2sc in both of the last 2sts (16sc)
Fasten off neatly
Rejoin yarn to the body to the 3rd st after the 'new' st you created when fastening off neatly.
Round 3: Sc in the back loop of this st and the next 6sts (Point A), ch10, skip3, sc in the back loop of the next 6sts (22sts)
Round 4: Sc5, ch4, sc in the next 2sts, in the chain sts: sc3, make 2sc in the next st, hdc, ch4, sc in the 2nd chain st from hook and the next 2 chain sts (In the same way as you did for C3/C4). Along the rest of the ch10 sts: hdc, make 2sc in the next st, sc3. Sc2, ch4, sc in the next 4sts (39sts)
Round 5: Slip the first 5sts and the following 2 chain sts, make 2sc in the next chain st, slip1, sc, sc in the st before the 'new' st you created when fastening off on one of the SAFs. hdc3, skip1 on the main section, then sc in the next 6sts. Sc in the back loop of the first chain sts of the ch3 you made on the last round (same as C3/C4). Sc in the back of the next chain st, Make 3hdc in the back of the next chain st. Ch1, then slip the same st. Ch1, then make 3hdc in the first of the sts you made into the chain sts on the last round (Same as C3/C4), sc in the next 8sts. Hdc in the 2nd st before the 'new' st on the other SAF, then hdc2, sc, skip 1 on the main section, sc, slip the first chain st, make 2sc in the next st, slip the next 2 chain sts, slip4 (54sts)
Fasten off neatly
Turn the bone over
Rejoin yarn to the front loop of the body to the same st as you crocheted into when making the last st at point A.
Round 6: Sc in the front loop of this st and the next 4sts of the body. Ch2, slip the 3rd st before the new st made when fastening off at the end of round 5, slip the next st, sc4, slip2, ch2 (17sts)
Round 7*: Sc in the first 4sts of the last round, sc2tog, sc3tog, sc4, sc3tog, sc2tog (11sts)
Round 8*: Sc2, sc2tog twice, sc2, sc2tog twice (5sts)
Round 7*: Sc in the first 4sts of the last round, sc2tog, sc3tog, sc4, sc3tog, sc2tog (11sts)
Round 8*: Sc2, sc2tog twice, sc2, sc2tog twice (5sts)
Fasten off
Stuff this section lightly
Rejoin yarn to the last of the ch10 sts, then sc in the back of this chain sts nd the next 9 chain sts. Ch1, turn
Bfsc10
Fasten off
Sew up as you did for the previous vertebrae, and as shown in the photos.
For the C6 bone:
Stuff this section lightly
Rejoin yarn to the last of the ch10 sts, then sc in the back of this chain sts nd the next 9 chain sts. Ch1, turn
Bfsc10
Fasten off
Sew up as you did for the previous vertebrae, and as shown in the photos.
For the C6 bone:
For the SAFs (make 2):
Ch3
Ch3
Round 1: Sc in the 2nd chain st from your hook, make 3sc in the first chain st you made, then make 2sc into the back of the first chain st you crocheted into (6sc)
Round 2: Hdc3, sc, slip1
Fasten off neatly
Round 2: Hdc3, sc, slip1
Fasten off neatly
For the body:
Ch6
Round 1: sc in the 2nd chain st from hook and the next 3 chain sts. Make 3sc in the first chain st you made, then sc in the back of the previous 3 chain sts in turn. Make 2sc in the first chain st you crocheted into (12sc)
Round 2: make 2sc in the first st, sc3, make 2sc in each of the next 3sts, sc3, make 2sc in each of the last 2sts (18sc)
Fasten off neatly
Rejoin yarn to the body to the 4th st after the 'new' st you created when fastening off neatly.
Round 3: Sc in the back loop of this st and the next 6sts (Point A), ch11, skip4, sc in the back loop of the next 7st (25sts)
Round 4: Sc4, slip3, sc, make 2sc in the next st, sc2, hdc, make 2hdc in the next st, hdc, sc2, make 2sc in the following chain st, sc in the last chain st, slip3, sc4 (28sts)
Round 5: Slip5, ch6, skip3, hdc, st in the st before the 'new' st on the SAF, sc in the next 4sts of the SAF, sc in the next 3sts of the main section, make 2hdc in the following st, hdc, ch5, sc in the 2nd chain st from hook and the next 3 chain sts, hdc in the next st of the main section, make 2hdc in the following st, sc3, sc in the 2nd st after the 'new' st of the SAF, then sc in the next 4sts. Hdc in the next st of the main section, ch6, skip3, slip5 (48sts)
Round 6: Slip5, sc in the next 2 chain sts, make 2sc in the next chain st, sc, make 2sc in the following chain st, sc in the last chain st, slip2, sc, make 2hdc in the next st, hdc, sc2tog, sc, slip4, sc in the back of the first of the ch5 sts you made on the last round, then sc in the back loop of the next 2 chain sts. Sc in the back of the next chain st, make 2hdc in the back of the same chain st, ch1, slip the same st, ch1, make 2hdc in the st you made in the first of the chain sts on the previous round, then sc in this same st, slip7, sc, sc2tog, hdc, make 2hdc in the next st, sc, slip2, sc in the first chain st, make 2sc in the next chain st, sc, make 2sc in the following chain st, sc2, slip1 (This is slightly less than a full round) (65sts)
Fasten off neatly
Turn the bone over
Rejoin yarn to the front loop of the body to the same st as you crocheted into when making the last st at Point A.
Round 3: Sc in the back loop of this st and the next 6sts (Point A), ch11, skip4, sc in the back loop of the next 7st (25sts)
Round 4: Sc4, slip3, sc, make 2sc in the next st, sc2, hdc, make 2hdc in the next st, hdc, sc2, make 2sc in the following chain st, sc in the last chain st, slip3, sc4 (28sts)
Round 5: Slip5, ch6, skip3, hdc, st in the st before the 'new' st on the SAF, sc in the next 4sts of the SAF, sc in the next 3sts of the main section, make 2hdc in the following st, hdc, ch5, sc in the 2nd chain st from hook and the next 3 chain sts, hdc in the next st of the main section, make 2hdc in the following st, sc3, sc in the 2nd st after the 'new' st of the SAF, then sc in the next 4sts. Hdc in the next st of the main section, ch6, skip3, slip5 (48sts)
Round 6: Slip5, sc in the next 2 chain sts, make 2sc in the next chain st, sc, make 2sc in the following chain st, sc in the last chain st, slip2, sc, make 2hdc in the next st, hdc, sc2tog, sc, slip4, sc in the back of the first of the ch5 sts you made on the last round, then sc in the back loop of the next 2 chain sts. Sc in the back of the next chain st, make 2hdc in the back of the same chain st, ch1, slip the same st, ch1, make 2hdc in the st you made in the first of the chain sts on the previous round, then sc in this same st, slip7, sc, sc2tog, hdc, make 2hdc in the next st, sc, slip2, sc in the first chain st, make 2sc in the next chain st, sc, make 2sc in the following chain st, sc2, slip1 (This is slightly less than a full round) (65sts)
Fasten off neatly
Turn the bone over
Rejoin yarn to the front loop of the body to the same st as you crocheted into when making the last st at Point A.
Round 7: Hdc in the front loop of this st and the next 5sts of the body. Sc in the last of the chain sts you skipped when you made the ch6sts on round 5, ch1, slip the st after the 'new' st you created when last fastening off, slip the next 6sts, ch1, sc in the first st you skipped when making the ch6 at the start of round 5 (17sts)
Round 8: Sc in the first 4sts of the last round, sc2tog 3 times, sc3, sc2tog twice (12sts)
Stuff
Round 9*: sc2tog, Sc2, sc2tog twice, sc, sc2tog twice (7sc)
Fasten off
Rejoin yarn to the back loop of the last of the ch11 sts, then sc in the back of this chain sts and the next 10 chain sts.
Fasten off
Sew up as you did for the previous vertebrae, and as shown in the photos below.
Round 8: Sc in the first 4sts of the last round, sc2tog 3 times, sc3, sc2tog twice (12sts)
Stuff
Round 9*: sc2tog, Sc2, sc2tog twice, sc, sc2tog twice (7sc)
Fasten off
Rejoin yarn to the back loop of the last of the ch11 sts, then sc in the back of this chain sts and the next 10 chain sts.
Fasten off
Sew up as you did for the previous vertebrae, and as shown in the photos below.
For C7:
Make the body the same as you did for C6
For the SAFs (make 2):
ch3
Round 1: Sc in the 2nd chain st from your hook, make 3sc in the first chain st you made, then make 2sc into the back of the first chain st you crocheted into (6sc)
Round 2: Hdc3
Fasten off neatly
Rejoin yarn to the body to the 3rd st after the 'new' st you created when fastening off neatly.
Round 3: Sc in the back loop of this st and the next 7sts (Point A), ch11, skip4, sc in the back loop of the next 6sts (25sts)
Round 4: Sc5, slip3, sc in the first chain st, make 2sc in the next st, sc2, hdc, make 2hdc in the following st, hdc, sc2, make 2sc in the next st, sc, slip3, sc3 (28sts)
Round 5: Slip7, ch3, skip2, hdc, sc in the 2nd st after the 'new' st on the SAF, sc in the next 3sts of the SAF, sc in the next 3sts of the main section, make 2hdc in the following st, hdc, ch6, sc in the 2nd chain st from hook and the next 4 chain sts, hdc in the next st of the main section, make 2hdc in the next st, sc3, sc in the st after the 'new' st of the SAF, then sc in the next 3sts. Hdc in the next st of the main section, ch3, skip2, slip5 (50sts)
Round 6: Slip7, slip the first chain st, make 2sc in the next st, sc in the last chain st, slip2, sc, hdc in the same st, hdc, hdc2tog, slip5, sc in the back of the first of the ch6 sts you made on the last round, then sc in the back loop of the next 3 chain sts. Make 3hdc in the back of the next chain st, make 2hdc in the st you made in the first of the chain sts on the previous round, sc5, slip4, hdc2tog, hdc2, sc in the same st as the 2nd hdc, slip2, sc in the first chain st, make 2sc in the next st, slip the last chain st and the following st (51sts)
Fasten off neatly
Turn the bone over
Rejoin yarn to the front loop of the body to the same st as you crocheted into when making the last st at point A. (as you did for the other sections).
Turn the bone over
Rejoin yarn to the front loop of the body to the same st as you crocheted into when making the last st at point A. (as you did for the other sections).
Round 7: Hdc in the front loop of this st and the next 5sts of the body. Sc in the 2nd of the chain sts you skipped when you made the ch6 sts on round 5, ch1, slip the st after the 'new' st you created when last fastening off, slip the next 9sts, ch1, sc in the first st you skipped when making the ch6 at the start of round 5 (20sts)
Round 8: Sc in the first 5sts of the last round, sc2tog 3 times, sc5, sc2tog twice (15sc)
Stuff
Round 9*: Sc2tog, sc3, sc2tog twice, sc, sc2tog 3 times
Round 10: Sc, sc3tog
Fasten off
Rejoin yarn to the 2nd to last of the ch11 sts (similar to how you did for the previous vertebrae), then sc in the back of this chain sts and the next 8 chain sts. ch1, turn (9sc)
Bfsc9
Locate the central st at the tip of the bone (As you did for C3/C4) and insert a stitch marker into it
Turn the bone over and slip the 12th st before the st you marked (as shown below), slip the next 4sts, bfsc5, bfsc5tog, bfsc5, slip5
Fasten off
Sew the fasten-off st to the cast-on end of this section you just made, then sew up as you did for the previous vertebrae.
Round 8: Sc in the first 5sts of the last round, sc2tog 3 times, sc5, sc2tog twice (15sc)
Stuff
Round 9*: Sc2tog, sc3, sc2tog twice, sc, sc2tog 3 times
Round 10: Sc, sc3tog
Fasten off
Rejoin yarn to the 2nd to last of the ch11 sts (similar to how you did for the previous vertebrae), then sc in the back of this chain sts and the next 8 chain sts. ch1, turn (9sc)
Bfsc9
Locate the central st at the tip of the bone (As you did for C3/C4) and insert a stitch marker into it
Turn the bone over and slip the 12th st before the st you marked (as shown below), slip the next 4sts, bfsc5, bfsc5tog, bfsc5, slip5
Fasten off
Sew the fasten-off st to the cast-on end of this section you just made, then sew up as you did for the previous vertebrae.
The intervertebral discs
Use a 1mm hook and #10 yarnFor disc C2/3:
Make a magic loop with 6sc
Round 1: make 2sc in each st (12sc)
Round 2: (sc, make 2sc in the next st) 6 times (18sc)
Round 3: Sc in each st
Round 4: (sc, make 2sc in the next st) 6 times (12sc)
Round 5: sc2tog 6 times (6sc)
Fasten off
Make a magic loop with 6sc
Round 1: make 2sc in each st (12sc)
Round 2: (sc, make 2sc in the next st) 6 times (18sc)
Round 3: Sc in each st
Round 4: (sc, make 2sc in the next st) 6 times (12sc)
Round 5: sc2tog 6 times (6sc)
Fasten off
For discs C4/5 and C3/4 (make 2):
Ch4
Round 1: sc in the 2nd st from hook and the next chain st. Make 3sc in the first chain st you crochetd into. Sc in the back of the loop of the previous chain st you crochted into, then make 2sc in teh first chain st you crocheted into (8sc)
Round 2: make 2sc in the first st, sc, make 2sc in each of the next 3sts, sc, make 2sc in each of the last 2sts (14sc)
Round 3: sc, make 2sc in the next st, sc, (sc, make 2sc in the next st) 3 times, sc, (sc, make 2sc in the following st) twice (20sc)
Round 4: Sc in each st
Round 5: sc, sc2tog, sc, (sc, sc2tog) 3 times, sc, (sc, sc2tog) twice (14sc)
Round 6: sc2tog, sc, sc2tog 3 times, sc, sc2tog twice (8sc)
Fasten off
Ch4
Round 1: sc in the 2nd st from hook and the next chain st. Make 3sc in the first chain st you crochetd into. Sc in the back of the loop of the previous chain st you crochted into, then make 2sc in teh first chain st you crocheted into (8sc)
Round 2: make 2sc in the first st, sc, make 2sc in each of the next 3sts, sc, make 2sc in each of the last 2sts (14sc)
Round 3: sc, make 2sc in the next st, sc, (sc, make 2sc in the next st) 3 times, sc, (sc, make 2sc in the following st) twice (20sc)
Round 4: Sc in each st
Round 5: sc, sc2tog, sc, (sc, sc2tog) 3 times, sc, (sc, sc2tog) twice (14sc)
Round 6: sc2tog, sc, sc2tog 3 times, sc, sc2tog twice (8sc)
Fasten off
For discs C5/6 and C6/7 (make 2):
Ch5
Round 1: sc in the 2nd chain st from hook, then sc in the next 2 sts. Make 3sc in the first chain st you made, then sc in the back of the previous 2 chain sts. Make 2sc in the back loop of the first st you crocheted into (10sc)
Round 2: make 2sc in the first st, sc2, make 2sc in each of the next 3sts, sc, make 2sc in both of the last 2sts (16sc)
Round 3: sc, make 2sc in the next st, sc, (sc, make 2sc in the following st) 3 times, sc, (sc, make 2sc in the nex st) twice (22sc)
Round 4: Sc in each st
Round 5: sc, sc2tog, sc, (sc, sc2tog) 3 times, sc, (sc, sc2tog) twice (16sc)
Round 6: sc2tog, sc, sc2tog 3 times, sc, sc2tog twice (10sc)
Fasten off
To make up sandwich the discs in between the bodies of the vertebrae and sew in place, as shown below.
That's all from this pattern - I hope you've enjoyed it! If you have any questions please feel free to email them to me at lhodginscrochet@gmail.com. If you want to hear more about my work and find out when I publish a new pattern the best way is to follow me on my Instagram page. As always you're very welcome to sell finished products but I ask that you don't re-post this pattern or claim it as your own. Thank you!
