Squirrel Away Crochet Net for Potted Plant

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Recently I got this Sweet Bay Magnolia plant and wanted to keep it potted on my deck. As cooler weather is setting in a squirrel has decided to bury nuts in my deck plants. I guess he thinks they will be easy to find them later. Plus the dirt is so easy to dig in.

Well after Mr. Squirrel broke off a couple new starts of the plant near the base I decided it was time to take action. So this netting is hopefully an answer to solve the problem..time will tell.

The yarn used is I Love This Cotton, Copper Spice. The hook is size G and it fits a 16" diameter pot.

The pattern is basically made like a Christmas tree skirt with an opening to drape the piece around the plant. Then I just laced the 2 edges together and took a long doubled piece of yarn to weave through the last rows of mesh, pull it tight to gather and secure the piece and tie it off. Adjust pattern as you need to in the beginning number of chains and number of rows.

Row 1: ch 30. Dc in 4th ch from hook. Ch 1, sk 1 ch, dc in next ch.
Step A - ch 1, sk 1 ch, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch
Step B - (ch 1, sk 1 ch, dc in next ch) 3x
Repeat Step A, then Step B for 2 more times.

Row 2: ch 4, turn. Dc in same st. Repeat (ch1, dc) mesh to ch 1 sp increase on previous row. Then work in that ch 1 sp (ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1). Note, you will also work the dc st on each side of the ch 1 sp. At the end of the row work an increase (dc, ch 1, dc) in top of turning ch.

Row 3 - 6: Repeat Row 2.

Row 7: On this row you will continue the same previous increases but also make an increase in the middle of each area; basically having 6 regular mesh dc sts between each increase.

Rows 8 - 10: ch 4, turn. Continue working mesh pattern and working an increase on the center ch 1 sp of each previous increase.

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Drape around plant. Take a length of yarn and lace the 2 open edges together. Then take a doubled length of yarn and weave over and under 2 meshes at a time around the outside perimeter of the net. Draw it up tight and tie off.