The last days of our London trip were just as amazing as the first two. Our tour guide for Windsor Castle was Alfie, and our driver for the 22-mile drive was Graham. Can’t get much more British than that! The weather was cold and rainy, but Alfie was a fountain of knowledge of British history. Windsor Castle is the Queen’s childhood home and where she spends her weekends. The first part of the tour was the church in the castle – St. George’s Chapel. Construction began on this section of the castle in the 14th century. It is called a Royal Peculiar, which is a fancy way of saying that it is under the direct jurisdiction of the monarch. The Queen’s parents and sister are interred in St. George’s Chapel, along with Henry VIII and his beloved Jane Seymour.

YouTube – Windsor Castle

The State Apartments are on the north side of the castle and contain a vast collection of artwork, antiques, artifacts, and royal china.

Outside of the castle is a shopping mall with souvenir shops and restaurants. I wanted to warm up, so we went into a pub called Bella Italia for a cappuccino. Wow! I’ve never seen a liquor with my name on it.

After warming up and doing a little shopping, it was time to walk down to Bel & The Dragon Pub for lunch with the rest of the group. Their website says “The historic restaurant and tea room has been serving food and drink since the 11th Century.”

Bel & The Dragon

It was a lovely luncheon with spiced cauliflower soup followed by roasted suckling pig and potatoes roasted in duck fat. After lunch and several cups of tea, we had a little time to wander the shops of the area. By this time, the rain had stopped and the view of the river was gorgeous.

Once we got back to London, the rain started again, so we decided not to attend the dinner cruise on the River Thames. Instead, we opted for Trader Vic’s in our hotel for drinks and an excellent steak dinner.

Texans v. Jaguars

Sunday started out with a pregame party at Sway with tailgate-style food and two of the best party hosts ever. Sway Bar

The hat is from a pattern in my Etsy shop – Football Earflap Hat.

Then it was back onto the bus for the 1-hour ride to Wembley Stadium. The attendance that day was 85,000 people – wow! I never realized Europeans like American football so much, but we were surrounded by British, French, German, and Croatian fans. Fortunately, our Texans won the game.

It was an unforgettable adventure!

Crown Christmas Tree Ornament

Materials:

Worsted weight yarn:

0.4 oz. red

0.2 oz. gold metallic

Crochet hook size G (4.00 mm)

Finished crown measures approximately 2-3/4” diameter by 1½” tall.

Directions:

RED:

Rnd 1: Ch 2 (or magic circle). Sc 7 in second ch from hook. Do not join.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc (14 sc).

Rnd 3: *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (21 sc).

Rnd 4: *1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (28 sc).

Rnd 5: *1 sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (35 sc).

Rnd 6: Working in back loop only, mark first st and sc in each st around. Do not join.

Rnds 7-10: Working in both loops, sc in each st in continuous rounds.

Rnd 11: *Dec, sc in next 3 sc,* repeat around (28 sc).

Rnd 12: *Dec, sc in next 2 sc,* repeat around (21 sc).

Rnd 13: *Dec, sc in next st,* repeat around (14 sc).

Rnd 14: Dec around (7 sc). Fasten off leaving 4” length. Thread this length through yarn needle and draw up all 7 sts. Pull tight to close.

GOLD:

Rnd 1: Go back to marker at Rnd 6 of red. Using remaining loop, attach gold metallic yarn, ch 1, sc in each st (36 sc). Join with sl st.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, *sc in next st, sk next st, (2 dc, ch-3 picot, 2 dc) in next st, sk next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st.

Ch 14, sl st on opposite side of crown with ch-14 going across top of crown. Join with sl st to gold crown. Fasten off leaving 6” length. Mark halfway point between the ends of the ch-14 and attach gold yarn. Ch 14, going across top of crown and sl st in opposite side of crown. Fasten off leaving 6” length. Use both one 6” length to tack down tops of ch-3 picots. Use the other 6” length to tack down both ch-14s. Weave in all ends.

Picot: Ch 3, sl st in 3^rd ch from hook.

PDF download available at My Fingers Fly on Etsy

More about our London trip –

London Trip Part II – Toy Soldier Cuddler – Pumpkin Pie Earrings

London – Phone Booth Scarf Pattern

Another ornament I made this past week is a pumpkin pie. Last week’s free pattern was earrings, so I changed to worsted weight yarn and a G hook to make a pie large enough for a Christmas tree ornament. Pumpkin Pie Earrings

With the holidays upon us, crocheters (and all crafters) are super busy, but there are many opportunities to discover new patterns for your Christmas gift list. I have joined the Sunflower Cottage Crochet 12 days of Christmas Round-up – 10 designers and 16 patterns. 12 Days of Christmas

More Christmas Patterns

Melted Snowman Ornament

Steer Skull Ornament

Fox Christmas Ornament

Texas Flag Christmas Tree Ornament

Roller Skate Christmas Stocking

2020 Crochet Calendar

Use code CROCHET2020 to get free domestic first class shipping on my 2020 Crochet Calendar. Free Shipping

Shop my Etsy shop during Cyber Week to get 20% off any $5.00 purchase. My Fingers Fly on Etsy

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