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Grandma Perkins Lucha Libre Thumb Wrestlers

Today we will have a mini history lesson.

Cinco de Mayo (May 5^th) will be here soon.

Many of you have heard of it, but who knows what it is?

It is a celebration of freedom and democracy in the US and Mexico.

During the American Civil War, the Mexican Army 
(against overwhelming odds, in an unlikely victory)

defeated the French forces in the state of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

It was thought that France wanted to break up the American Union.

The Mexican’s great victory kept Napoleon III from supplying the confederates.

This allowed the North time to build a powerful army.

The Union won victory

at Vicksburg and Gettysburg,

14 months after the battle of Puebla.

In effect, Cinco de Mayo signaled

the end of the Civil War.

So May 5^th is a celebration for

Mexicans and Americans.

Another Mexican culture 

is Lucha Libre.

It means “free fighting”,

and is a form of wrestling,

characterized by colorful masks.

Lucha libre wrestlers are known as luchadores.

This is a very silly, 

but easy pattern.  

And it is good for using up 

all those tiny balls of yarn 

that have been accumulating.

So grab your hooks, and later on we can have a thumb-match.

 

Size: Adult Thumb

Materials:

Caron Simply Soft (WW Med yarn): Various colors

~ 20 yds (or less)  (~12 yds for just the body)

Caron Simply Soft Light Sport wt: Small amount of Black for detailing

F / 3.75 mm hook (If you crochet tightly use a G / 4 mm or larger hook)

Yarn needle

Optional: Google Plastic Eyes and Permanent Fabric Glue

Remember: Google eyes are not safe for children that might want to eat them.

Note: Adjust the hook size, if you want a larger or smaller one.

US Terminology

Gauge:  4 sc and 4 Rnds = ~ 1”  Not crucial.

Abbreviations:

~ = Approximately

Beg = Beginning

Ch = Chain

Dc = Double Crochet

FO = Fasten Off

Hdc = Half Double Crochet

Inc = 2 Single Crochets in same stitch
Lp(s) = Loop(s)

MR = Magic Ring

Rnd(s) = Round(s)

Sc = Single Crochet

Sk = Skip

Ss = Slip Stitch

St(s) = Stitch(es)

Thumb Wrestler:

Rnd 1:  MR, Ch 1, 5 Sc in the ring.  Join to first sc with a ss.  (5)

Rnd 2:  Ch 1, Inc around.  Join.  (10)

Rnds 3-5:  Ch 1, Sc around.  Join.  (10)

Rnd 6:  Ch 1, Inc, Sc in 4, Inc, Sc in 4. Join. (12)

Rnd 7:  Ch 1, Sc in BLO of the first 4 st,

Sc in 1, Inc, Sc in 1. 

Sc in BLO of the next st.  (Mark that free-lp).

Sc in BLO of the last 4.  Join. 

(13 sts and there will be 9 free-lps from Rnd 6) 

Rnd 8:  Ch 1, Sc in 6, Inc, Sc in 6.  Join.  (14)

Rnd 9:  Ch 1, Sk 1 sc, Sc in 13.  Join.  (13)

Rnd 10:  Ch 1, Sc in 6, Sk 1, Sc in 6.  Join.  (12)

Rnd 11:  Ch 1, Inc, Sc in 5, Inc, Sc in 5.  Join.  (14)

Rnd 12: This Rnd all in FLO.  Ch 1, Sc in 6, Inc, Sc in 7.  Join.  (15)

Rnd 13:  Ch 1, Inc, Sc in 14.  Join.  (16)

Rnd 14:  Ch 1, Sc in 15, Inc.  Join.  (17)

Rnd 15:  Ch 1, Inc, Sc in 16.  Join and FO.  (18)

Note:  Bottom (Rnd 12-15) can be folded up or down if you prefer.

Cape:

Row 1:  (RT side) With top of head toward you, join with a Sc in the marked st (free-lp) from rnd 7.

Note: Work over the beg yarn throughout this row so you will not need to weave in later.

            Sc in the next 4 free lps.  Sk the joined ss.  Sc in the last 4 free lps.  Turn.  (9)

Row 2:  Ch 1, Inc, Sc in 7, Inc.  Turn.  (11)

Row 3:  Ch 1, Inc, Sc in 9, Inc.  Turn.  (13)

Row 4:  Ch 1, Inc, Sc in 11, Inc.  Turn.  (15)

Row 5:  Ch 1, Inc, Sc in 13, Inc.  FO.  (17)

Note:  Cape can be worn traditionally down

or up to frame the face.

Mask:

Rnd 1:  MR, Ch 1, 6 Sc in the ring.

Join to first sc with a ss.  (6)

Rnd 2:  Ch 1, Inc around.  Join.  (12)

Rnd 3:  (Eyes)  Ch 1, Sc in 2, Hdc in next, Dc in next,

Ch 4, Sk 1, Sc in next, Ch 4, Sk 1, Dc in next,

Hdc in next, Sc in 3. 

Join.  (10 sts + 2 ch-2-lps)

Rnd 3:  (Eyes)  Ch 1, Sc in 3, Dc in next, Ch 2, Sk 1,

Dc, Ch 2, Sk 1, Dc in next Sc in 4. 

Join.  (10 sts + 2 ch-2-lps)

Rnd 4:  Ch 1, Sc in 4, 2 Sc in each ch-lp, Sc in 5.  Join.  (14)

Rnd 5:  (Mouth)  Ch 1, Sc in 5, Dc in next, Ch 3, Sk 3,  

Dc in next, Sc in 5.  Join.  (12 sts + ch-3-lp)

Rnd 6:  Ch 1, Sc in 6, 4 sc in ch-lp, Sc in 6.  Join.  FO.  (16)

Note: After you sc in the loops on Rnds 4 and 6, be sure not to miss the next st. 

It can sometimes hide under the sc’s.

You can add google eyes or embroider a face or decorate with fabric paint.

The cape and the mask can be decorated however you like.

Have fun designing them.  And Enjoy!   

P Perkins 2011

Thumb Wrestler Pdf

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