These ribs are life-sized and are part of a larger series of patterns that make up an entire human skeleton. If you don't want to dedicate yourself to creation of the whole skeleton, You may wish to create a ribcage by combining this pattern with the sternum pattern I've previously published, and the spine pattern I will be publishing shortly. I also plan to publish a pattern with instructions on how to make up said ribcage.
Difficulty:
Easy - medium
These can be a little fiddly, but aren't too complicated to make
You will need:
- A 2mm crochet hook
- A 2.5mm hoook
- Anchor creativa 4ply cotton in white
- A large number of white pipecleaners (I used just over 60 but you may find you require fewer)
- Craft wire (optional)
- A darning needle (for sewing in loose ends)
- A pair of scissors
- A pair of pliers
Note:
- You should make 2 of each rib
- All of the ribs (apart from rib 1) are filled with pipecleaners that help them keep their shape. I used 3 pipecleaners plaited together, although simply twisting them together would also work. You may feel you require less than 3 pipecleaners in each rib - it depends how sturdy the exact brand you are using is. Craft wire can also take the place of one or more of these pipecleaners. Once you have woven your pipecleaners together you should cut them to a little longer to the rib in question and then use pliers to fold the ends over to stop them being so sharp.
For the 1st rib:
Using a 2mm hook and white 4ply yarn make a magic loop with 6sc
Rounds 1 - 2: (2 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 3: (Sc, make 2sc in the next st) 3 times (9sc)
Round 4: Sc3, sc2tog, sc4 (8sc)
Round 5: Sc in each st
Round 6: Sc3, make 3sc in the next st, sc4 (10sc)
Round 7: Sc3, make 2sc in the next st, sc6 (11sc)
Round 8: Sc, hdc4, sc, slip4
Round 9: Sc, hdc4, sc, slip4
Round 10: Sc in each st
Round 11: Slip1, sc, hdc4, sc, slip3
Rounds 12 - 13: (2 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 14: Slip2, sc, hdc4, Sc, slip2
Rounds 15 - 16: (2 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 17: Slip2, sc, hdc2, make 2hdc in the next st, hdc2, sc, slip1 (12sc)
Round 18: Slip3, sc, hdc2, make 2hdc in the next st, hdc2, sc, slip1 (13sc)
Round 19: Sc in each st
Round 20: Slip4, sc2, hdc2, make 2hdc in the next st, hdc2, sc (14sc)
Rounds 21 - 30: (10 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 31: Sc9, ch1
Round 32: Skip8, sc4
Fasten off
Stuff
Round 3: (Sc, make 2sc in the next st) 3 times (9sc)
Round 4: Sc3, sc2tog, sc4 (8sc)
Round 5: Sc in each st
Round 6: Sc3, make 3sc in the next st, sc4 (10sc)
Round 7: Sc3, make 2sc in the next st, sc6 (11sc)
Round 8: Sc, hdc4, sc, slip4
Round 9: Sc, hdc4, sc, slip4
Round 10: Sc in each st
Round 11: Slip1, sc, hdc4, sc, slip3
Rounds 12 - 13: (2 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 14: Slip2, sc, hdc4, Sc, slip2
Rounds 15 - 16: (2 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 17: Slip2, sc, hdc2, make 2hdc in the next st, hdc2, sc, slip1 (12sc)
Round 18: Slip3, sc, hdc2, make 2hdc in the next st, hdc2, sc, slip1 (13sc)
Round 19: Sc in each st
Round 20: Slip4, sc2, hdc2, make 2hdc in the next st, hdc2, sc (14sc)
Rounds 21 - 30: (10 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 31: Sc9, ch1
Round 32: Skip8, sc4
Fasten off
Stuff
Rejoin yarn to round 30 to the 2nd st from the last st you crocheted in (when making the sc9 on round 31)
Round 31: Sc in this st and the next 5sts (6sc)
Round 32: Slip the first st of the last round
Fasten off
Sew up the end of the rib
For the 2nd rib:
With a 2mm hook make a magic loop with 6sc
Rounds 1 - 2: (2 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 3: Sc2tog, sc4 (5sc)
Rounds 4 - 6: (3 rounds) sc in each st
Round 7: Make 3sc in the first st, sc4 (7sc)
Round 8: Sc2, make 2sc in the next st, sc5 (8sc)
Rounds 9 - 12: (4 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 13: Sc, hdc3, sc, slip3
Round 14: Sc in each st
Round 15: Slip1, sc, hdc3, sc, slip2
Rounds 16 - 17: (2 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 18: Slip2, sc, hdc3, sc, slip1
Round 19: Sc4, make 2sc in the next st, sc3 (9sc)
Rounds 20 - 22: (3 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 23: Sc6, 2sc, sc2 (10sc)
Rounds 24 - 25: (2 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 26: Sc, slip3, sc, hdc5
Rounds 27 - 30: (4 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 31: Hdc, sc, slip4, sc, hdc3
Rounds 32 - 34: (3 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 35: Sc2tog, sc8 (9sc)
Round 36: Sc in each st
Round 37: Hdc2, sc, slip3, sc, hdc2
Round 38: Sc in each st
Round 39: Sc, sc2tog, sc6 (8sc)
Rounds 40 - 44: (5 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 45: Sc, hdc4, sc, slip2
Rounds 46 - 47: (2 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 48: Sc3, sc2tog, sc3 (7sc)
Rounds 49 - 60: (12 rounds) Sc in each sct
Insert pipecleaners
Round 61: Sc2tog 3 times
Fasten off
For the 3rd rib:
With a 2.5mm hook ch4
With a 2.5mm hook ch4
Round 1: sc in the 2nd chain st and the next chain st. make 3sc in the first chain st you made, then sc in the back loop of the previous chain st. Make 2sc in the first chain st you crocheted into (8sc)
Rounds 2 - 10: (9 rounds) sc in each st
Round 11: Hdc, Sc2, slip2, sc2, hdc
Rounds 12 - 23: (12 rounds) sc in each st
Round 24: Sc, hdc2, sc2, slip2, sc
Rounds 25 - 32: (8 rounds) sc in each st
Rounds 33: Slip2, sc2, hdc2, sc2
Rounds 34 - 38: (5 rounds) sc in each st
Round 39: Sc, slip2, sc2, hdc2, sc
Round 40: Sc2tog, slip2, sc2, hdc2
Round 41: sc, slip2, sc2tog, sc2 (7sc)
Rounds 42 - 52: (11 rounds) sc in each st
Round 53: Slip2, sc, hdc2, sc
Rounds 54 - 58: (5 rounds) sc in each st
Round 59: Hdc2, sc, slip2, sc
Rounds 60 - 61: (2 rounds) sc in each st
Round 62: Sc, make 2hdc in each of the next 2sts, sc3 (8sc)
Round 63: Sc, hdc2tog twice, sc3 (6sc)
Rounds 64 - 70: (7 rounds) sc in each st
Rounds 2 - 10: (9 rounds) sc in each st
Round 11: Hdc, Sc2, slip2, sc2, hdc
Rounds 12 - 23: (12 rounds) sc in each st
Round 24: Sc, hdc2, sc2, slip2, sc
Rounds 25 - 32: (8 rounds) sc in each st
Rounds 33: Slip2, sc2, hdc2, sc2
Rounds 34 - 38: (5 rounds) sc in each st
Round 39: Sc, slip2, sc2, hdc2, sc
Round 40: Sc2tog, slip2, sc2, hdc2
Round 41: sc, slip2, sc2tog, sc2 (7sc)
Rounds 42 - 52: (11 rounds) sc in each st
Round 53: Slip2, sc, hdc2, sc
Rounds 54 - 58: (5 rounds) sc in each st
Round 59: Hdc2, sc, slip2, sc
Rounds 60 - 61: (2 rounds) sc in each st
Round 62: Sc, make 2hdc in each of the next 2sts, sc3 (8sc)
Round 63: Sc, hdc2tog twice, sc3 (6sc)
Rounds 64 - 70: (7 rounds) sc in each st
Insert pipecleaners
Round 71: Sc, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog (4sc)
Fasten off
For the 4th rib:
Round 56: Slip1, sc, hdc2, sc, slip1
Rounds 57 - 62: (6 rounds) sc in each st
Round 63: Sc, slip2, sc, hdc2
Round 64 - 68: (5 rounds) sc in each st
Round 69: make 2hdc in each of the first 2sts, sc4 (8sc)
Round 70: Hdc2tog, hdc, sc3 (7sc)
Rounds 71 - 77: (7 rounds) sc in each st
Round 71: Sc, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog (4sc)
Fasten off
For the 4th rib:
With a 2.5mm hook ch4
Round 1: sc in the 2nd chain st and the next chain st. make 3sc in the first chain st you made, then sc in the back loop of the previous chain st. Make 2sc in the first chain st you crocheted into (8sc)
Rounds 2 - 10: (9 rounds) sc in each st
Round 11: Hdc, Sc2, slip2, sc2, hdc
Rounds 12 - 23: (12 rounds) sc in each st
Round 24: Sc, hdc2, sc2, slip2, sc
Rounds 25 - 32: (8 rounds) sc in each st
Rounds 33: Slip2, sc2, hdc2, sc2
Rounds 34 - 38: (5 rounds) sc in each st
Round 39: Sc, slip2, sc2, hdc2, sc
Round 40: Sc2tog, slip2, sc2, hdc2 (7sc)
Round 41: sc, slip2, sc2tog, sc2 (6sc)
Rounds 42 - 52: (11 rounds) sc in each st
Rounds 2 - 10: (9 rounds) sc in each st
Round 11: Hdc, Sc2, slip2, sc2, hdc
Rounds 12 - 23: (12 rounds) sc in each st
Round 24: Sc, hdc2, sc2, slip2, sc
Rounds 25 - 32: (8 rounds) sc in each st
Rounds 33: Slip2, sc2, hdc2, sc2
Rounds 34 - 38: (5 rounds) sc in each st
Round 39: Sc, slip2, sc2, hdc2, sc
Round 40: Sc2tog, slip2, sc2, hdc2 (7sc)
Round 41: sc, slip2, sc2tog, sc2 (6sc)
Rounds 42 - 52: (11 rounds) sc in each st
Rounds 57 - 62: (6 rounds) sc in each st
Round 63: Sc, slip2, sc, hdc2
Round 64 - 68: (5 rounds) sc in each st
Round 69: make 2hdc in each of the first 2sts, sc4 (8sc)
Round 70: Hdc2tog, hdc, sc3 (7sc)
Rounds 71 - 77: (7 rounds) sc in each st
Insert pipecleaners
Round 78: Sc2tog (6sc)
Fasten off
Round 78: Sc2tog (6sc)
Fasten off
For the 5th rib:
Rounds 43 - 47: (5 rounds) sc in each st
Round 48: Slip2, sc, hdc2, sc
Rounds 49 - 55: (7 rounds) sc in each st
Round 56: Hdc, make 2hdc in the next st, sc, slip2, sc (7sc)
Rounds 57 - 65: (9 rounds) sc in each st
Round 66: Sc3, make 3hdc in the next st, sc3 (9sc)
Round 67: make 2sc in the first st, Sc3, hdc3tog, sc2 (10sc)
Rounds 68 - 76: (9 rounds) Sc in each st
With a 2.5mm hook ch3
Round 1: sc in the 2nd chain st from hook, then make 3sc in the next chain st. make 2sc in the back of the first chain st you crocheted into (6sc)
Rounds 2 - 9: (8 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 10: Sc, hdc2, sc, slip2
Rounds 11 - 15: (5 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 16: Slip1, sc, hdc2, sc, slip1
Rounds 17 - 24: (8 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 25: Hdc2, sc, slip2, sc
Rounds 26 - 41: (16 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 42: Hdc2, sc, slip2, scRounds 2 - 9: (8 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 10: Sc, hdc2, sc, slip2
Rounds 11 - 15: (5 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 16: Slip1, sc, hdc2, sc, slip1
Rounds 17 - 24: (8 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 25: Hdc2, sc, slip2, sc
Rounds 26 - 41: (16 rounds) Sc in each st
Rounds 43 - 47: (5 rounds) sc in each st
Round 48: Slip2, sc, hdc2, sc
Rounds 49 - 55: (7 rounds) sc in each st
Round 56: Hdc, make 2hdc in the next st, sc, slip2, sc (7sc)
Rounds 57 - 65: (9 rounds) sc in each st
Round 66: Sc3, make 3hdc in the next st, sc3 (9sc)
Round 67: make 2sc in the first st, Sc3, hdc3tog, sc2 (10sc)
Rounds 68 - 76: (9 rounds) Sc in each st
Insert pipecleaners
Round 74: Sc2, sc3tog, sc2, sc3tog (6sc)
Fasten off
Round 74: Sc2, sc3tog, sc2, sc3tog (6sc)
Fasten off
For the 6th rib:
Rounds 43 - 47: (5 rounds) sc in each st
Round 48: Slip2, sc, hdc2, sc
Rounds 49 - 55: (7 rounds) sc in each st
Round 56: Hdc, make 2hdc in the next st, sc, slip2, sc (7sc)
Rounds 57 - 65: (9 rounds) sc in each st
Round 66: Sc3, make 3hdc in the next st, sc3 (9sc)
Round 67: make 2sc in the first st, Sc3, hdc3tog, sc2 (10sc)
Rounds 68 - 73: (6 rounds) Sc in each st
With a 2.5mm hook ch3
Round 1: sc in the 2nd chain st from hook, then make 3sc in the next chain st. make 2sc in the back of the first chain st you crocheted into (6sc)
Rounds 2 - 9: (8 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 10: Sc, hdc2, sc, slip2
Rounds 11 - 15: (5 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 16: Slip1, sc, hdc2, sc, slip1
Rounds 17 - 24: (8 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 25: Hdc2, sc, slip2, sc
Rounds 26 - 41: (16 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 42: Hdc2, sc, slip2, scRounds 2 - 9: (8 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 10: Sc, hdc2, sc, slip2
Rounds 11 - 15: (5 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 16: Slip1, sc, hdc2, sc, slip1
Rounds 17 - 24: (8 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 25: Hdc2, sc, slip2, sc
Rounds 26 - 41: (16 rounds) Sc in each st
Rounds 43 - 47: (5 rounds) sc in each st
Round 48: Slip2, sc, hdc2, sc
Rounds 49 - 55: (7 rounds) sc in each st
Round 56: Hdc, make 2hdc in the next st, sc, slip2, sc (7sc)
Rounds 57 - 65: (9 rounds) sc in each st
Round 66: Sc3, make 3hdc in the next st, sc3 (9sc)
Round 67: make 2sc in the first st, Sc3, hdc3tog, sc2 (10sc)
Rounds 68 - 73: (6 rounds) Sc in each st
Insert pipecleaners
Round 74: Sc2, sc3tog, sc2, sc3tog (6sc)
Fasten off
Round 74: Sc2, sc3tog, sc2, sc3tog (6sc)
Fasten off
For the 7th rib:
Rounds 43 - 47: (5 rounds) sc in each st
Round 48: Slip2, sc, hdc2, sc
Rounds 49 - 55: (7 rounds) sc in each st
Round 56: Hdc, make 2hdc in the next st, sc, slip2, sc (7sc)
Rounds 57 - 68: (12 rounds) sc in each st
Round 69: Sc, make 2sc in the next st, sc5 (8sc)
Rounds 70 - 72: (3 rounds) sc in each st
With a 2.5mm hook ch3
Round 1: sc in the 2nd chain st from hook, then make 3sc in the next chain st. make 2sc in the back of the first chain st you crocheted into (6sc)
Rounds 2 - 9: (8 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 10: Sc, hdc2, sc, slip2
Rounds 11 - 15: (5 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 16: Slip1, sc, hdc2, sc, slip1
Rounds 17 - 24: (8 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 25: Hdc2, sc, slip2, sc
Rounds 26 - 41: (16 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 42: Hdc2, sc, slip2, scRounds 2 - 9: (8 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 10: Sc, hdc2, sc, slip2
Rounds 11 - 15: (5 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 16: Slip1, sc, hdc2, sc, slip1
Rounds 17 - 24: (8 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 25: Hdc2, sc, slip2, sc
Rounds 26 - 41: (16 rounds) Sc in each st
Rounds 43 - 47: (5 rounds) sc in each st
Round 48: Slip2, sc, hdc2, sc
Rounds 49 - 55: (7 rounds) sc in each st
Round 56: Hdc, make 2hdc in the next st, sc, slip2, sc (7sc)
Rounds 57 - 68: (12 rounds) sc in each st
Round 69: Sc, make 2sc in the next st, sc5 (8sc)
Rounds 70 - 72: (3 rounds) sc in each st
Insert pipecleaners
Round 73: Sc3tog, sc, sc2tog (5sc)
Fasten off
Round 73: Sc3tog, sc, sc2tog (5sc)
Fasten off
With a 2.5mm hook ch3
Round 1: sc in the 2nd chain st from hook, then make 3sc in the next chain st. make 2sc in the back of the first chain st you crocheted into (6sc)
Rounds 2 - 9: (8 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 10: Sc, hdc2, sc, slip2
Rounds 11 - 15: (5 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 16: Slip1, sc, hdc2, sc, slip1
Rounds 17 - 24: (8 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 25: Hdc2, sc, slip2, sc
Rounds 26 - 41: (16 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 42: Hdc2, sc, slip2, sc
Rounds 43 - 56: (14 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 57: Hdc, sc, slip2, sc, make 2hdc in the next st (7sc)
Rounds 58 - 69: (12 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 70: Hdc2, sc, slip3, sc
Round 71: Sc, make 2sc in the next st, sc5 (8sc)
Rounds 72 - 73: (2 rounds) Sc in each st
Rounds 2 - 9: (8 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 10: Sc, hdc2, sc, slip2
Rounds 11 - 15: (5 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 16: Slip1, sc, hdc2, sc, slip1
Rounds 17 - 24: (8 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 25: Hdc2, sc, slip2, sc
Rounds 26 - 41: (16 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 42: Hdc2, sc, slip2, sc
Rounds 43 - 56: (14 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 57: Hdc, sc, slip2, sc, make 2hdc in the next st (7sc)
Rounds 58 - 69: (12 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 70: Hdc2, sc, slip3, sc
Round 71: Sc, make 2sc in the next st, sc5 (8sc)
Rounds 72 - 73: (2 rounds) Sc in each st
Insert pipecleaners
Round 74: Sc, sc3tog, sc, sc2tog
Fasten off
For the 10th rib:
With a 2mm hook make a magic loop with 6sc
Rounds 1 - 7: (7 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 8: Slip2, sc, hdc2, sc
Rounds 9 - 12: (4 rounds) sc in each st
Round 13: Sc, slip2, sc, hdc2
Rounds 14 - 19: (6 rounds) sc in each st
Rounds 20: Hdc, sc, slip2, sc, hdc
Rounds 21 - 26: (6 rounds) sc in each st
Rounds 27: Slip1, sc, hdc2, sc, slip1
Rounds 28 - 34: (6 rounds) sc in each st
Round 35: make 2sc in the first st, slip2, make 2sc in the next st, hdc2 (8sc)
Rounds 36 - 45: (10 rounds) sc in each st
Round 46: Sc, hdc, make 2hdc in the next st, hdc, sc2, slip2, sc (9sc)
Rounds 47 - 56: (10 rounds) sc in each st
Round 74: Sc, sc3tog, sc, sc2tog
Fasten off
For the 10th rib:
With a 2mm hook make a magic loop with 6sc
Rounds 1 - 7: (7 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 8: Slip2, sc, hdc2, sc
Rounds 9 - 12: (4 rounds) sc in each st
Round 13: Sc, slip2, sc, hdc2
Rounds 14 - 19: (6 rounds) sc in each st
Rounds 20: Hdc, sc, slip2, sc, hdc
Rounds 21 - 26: (6 rounds) sc in each st
Rounds 27: Slip1, sc, hdc2, sc, slip1
Rounds 28 - 34: (6 rounds) sc in each st
Round 35: make 2sc in the first st, slip2, make 2sc in the next st, hdc2 (8sc)
Rounds 36 - 45: (10 rounds) sc in each st
Round 46: Sc, hdc, make 2hdc in the next st, hdc, sc2, slip2, sc (9sc)
Rounds 47 - 56: (10 rounds) sc in each st
Insert pipecleaners
Round 57: Sc3tog, sc, sc3tog (5sc)
Fasten off
For the 11th rib:
With a 2mm hook make a magic loop with 4sc
Rounds 1 - 11: (11 rounds) sc in each st
Round 12: make 2sc in the first st, hdc, make 2sc in the next st, slip1 (6sc)
Rounds 13 - 15: (3 rounds) sc in each st
Round 16: sc, hdc2, sc, slip2
Rounds 17 - 21: (5 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 22: Slip2, sc, make 2hdc in the next st, hdc, sc (7sc)
Rounds 23 - 38: (16 rounds) sc in each st
Round 39: Hdc3, sc, slip2, sc
Rounds 40 - 41: (2 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 57: Sc3tog, sc, sc3tog (5sc)
Fasten off
For the 11th rib:
With a 2mm hook make a magic loop with 4sc
Rounds 1 - 11: (11 rounds) sc in each st
Round 12: make 2sc in the first st, hdc, make 2sc in the next st, slip1 (6sc)
Rounds 13 - 15: (3 rounds) sc in each st
Round 16: sc, hdc2, sc, slip2
Rounds 17 - 21: (5 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 22: Slip2, sc, make 2hdc in the next st, hdc, sc (7sc)
Rounds 23 - 38: (16 rounds) sc in each st
Round 39: Hdc3, sc, slip2, sc
Rounds 40 - 41: (2 rounds) Sc in each st
Insert pipecleaners
Round 42: Sc2tog, sc, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog (4sc)
Fasten off
For the 12th rib:
With a 2mm hook make a magic loop with 4sc
Rounds 1 - 3: (3 rounds) sc in each st
Round 4: make 2sc in the first st, sc3 (5sc)
Rounds 5 - 10: (6 rounds) sc in each st
Round 11: make 2sc in the first st, sc4 (6sc)
Round 12: Sc3, make 2sc in the next st, sc2 (7sc)
Rounds 13 - 16: (4 rounds) Sc in each st
Round 42: Sc2tog, sc, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog (4sc)
Fasten off
For the 12th rib:
With a 2mm hook make a magic loop with 4sc
Rounds 1 - 3: (3 rounds) sc in each st
Round 4: make 2sc in the first st, sc3 (5sc)
Rounds 5 - 10: (6 rounds) sc in each st
Round 11: make 2sc in the first st, sc4 (6sc)
Round 12: Sc3, make 2sc in the next st, sc2 (7sc)
Rounds 13 - 16: (4 rounds) Sc in each st
Insert pipecleaners
Round 17: Sc2tog, sc, sc2tog twice (4sc)
Fasten off
Round 17: Sc2tog, sc, sc2tog twice (4sc)
Fasten off
That's all from this pattern, I hope you have enjoyed it! If you have any questions please leave them below, or email me at lhodginscrochet@gmail.com. You can also follow me on Instagram to keep up to date with what I'm posting, and I've recently started posting on my Facebook page, so you can also follow that to stay informed.
