Grandma Perkins Lucha Libre Thumb Wrestlers
Today we will have a mini
history lesson.
Cinco de Mayo (May 5th)
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)
(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 5th 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)
Lp(s) = Loop(s)
MR = Magic Ring
Rnd(s) =
Round(s)
Sc =
Single Crochet
Sk = Skip
Ss = Slip
Stitch
St(s) = Stitch(es)
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!
