Create your own creche

JOSEPH

1. Follow Mary, steps 1 through 5, omitting mouth.

2. With single-crochet stitches and yarn, work in round to crochet a solid circle approx 5 cm (2 in) in diameter, for hair. Backstitch to head.

With single-crochet stitches and matching yarn, crochet flat beard, using pattern piece as shape guide. Backstitch to head, joining to hair at each temple.

3. Follow Mary, steps 7 and 8.

BABY

1. Sew 2 body pieces together, leaving open between Xs at top of head. Clip seam allowance at underarms and crotch. Turn right side out. Stuff. Turn under 6 mm around opening; slipstitch opening closed. Wrap short length of matching floss around neck; tie at back, gathering slightly to form neck. Tack hands together.

2. Embroider stitches for eyes, nose and mouth where indicated.

3. Follow Joseph, Step 2, crocheting circle 4 cm (1-5/8 in) in diameter and omitting beard.

4. Press under 6 mm twice around all edges of square; stitch. Fold in half to form triangle and wrap around baby; tack closed.

SHEPHERD

1. Follow Mary, steps 1 through 5, omitting mouth.

2. Follow Joseph, Step 2, backstitching eyebrows if desired.

3. Follow Mary, Step 7.

4. Sew lining to vest around all edges, leaving open between Xs. Clip seam allowance around curves. Turn right side out. Turn under 6 mm around opening. Slipstitch opening closed. Put vest on shepherd. Slipstitch shoulder seams closed.

5. Stitch or glue crook to 1 palm.

WISE MAN

1. Follow Mary, steps 1 through 5, omitting mouth if face is bearded.

2. Follow Joseph, Step 2, omitting beard or backstitching mouth or eyebrows if desired.

3. Follow Mary, steps 7 and 8, satin stitching corners of cloak closed with metallic thread and stitching decorative trim along edges of robe and cloak as desired.

GIFTS

Note: Each step makes separate gift. Glue finished gift between palms of each wise man.

1. Centre and glue flat bottom of small dowel to flat top of large dowel. Let dry. With marker, colour red. Glue trim around each dowel section. Centre and glue black bead on top of small dowel.

2. With brown marker, draw “lid” line around 1/2-in-tall sides of 3/4- x 1-in wood. On 1 long side, draw lock and hinges on “box.”

3. Centre and glue large flat side of 1- x 2-in wooden rectangle to 1/8-in-thick square. With markers, colour rectangle blue and square red. Glue trim around sides of rectangle.

LAMB

1. From fake fur, cut one 9 cm (3-1/2-in) square, for body; 4 pieces, 7 x 4 cm (2-3/4 x 1-5/8 in), for legs; and 1 piece, 3 x 2 cm (1-1/8 x 3/4 in), for tail. From fleece, cut 1 head piece; and 4 pieces, 7 x 2.5 cm (2-3/4 x 1 in), for hooves. From felt, cut 2 ears.

2. Sew neck edge of head along 1 edge of body, making small tuck at midpoint of body edge so corners match. Fold joined piece in half along length; sew down front of face and along belly, leaving back end open. Turn right side out. Stuff. Turn under 6 mm twice around opening; slipstitch opening closed. Wrap short length of matching floss around neck; tie under chin, gathering slightly to form neck.

3. With black floss, satin-stitch eyes and embroider a stitch for each nostril where indicated. With white floss, outline eyes with tiny backstitches.

Fold each ear in half along length; tack straight edge to head.

Press under 3 mm around all edges of tail; fold in half along length; slipstitch open edges closed. Tack in place.

4. Sew 1 hoof to each leg, joining 7 cm edges, Fold each joined piece in half along length; stitch across bottom edge and up leg, leaving top edge open. (Note: Round corners and use slightly larger seam allowance on hooves.) Turn right side out.

Stuff. Turn under 6 mm around each opening; slipstitch leg in place. (Note: if necessary, add stuffing to ensure rigid leg joint.)