Alka and Arts

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Crochet Decoration for Thread Ceremony, Astavarg in Matrubhojan Ritual Part 2, Batu

Hello friends,

In this second part we shall see how to make this Batu.

PATTERN: FACE, BODY & LEGS:

R1: With skin color make ch1, sc5 in magic loop, cl.

R2: ch1, (sc2) in each st, cl (10)

R3 to R7: ch1, sc1 in each st, cl. (10) Stuff some fiber inside the face.

R8: ch1, (2sctog) 5 times, cl. (5)

R9: ch1, sc1 in each st, cl (5), R10: ch1, (sc2) ineach st, cl (10)

R11: ch1, [sc1, (sc2) next] 5 times, cl (15)

R12: ch1, [sc1 in 4 sts, (sc2) next] 3 times,cl (18)

R13 to R15: ch1, sc1 in each st, cl (18)

Join orange yarn at any st.

R16 & R17: Repeat R15 by this yarn.

Place marker in 9th st. Here onward we shall work two legs separately. Hence work on these 9 sts only. Now ch3, skip 9 sts, join at opposite end st.

R1: ch1, sc 1 in 9 sts, sc1 on each of the 3 chs, cl. (12)

R2 to R8: ch1, sc 1 in each st, cl (12)

R9: ch1, [sc1 in 2 sts, 2sctog] 3 times, cl (9)

R10 to R12: ch1, sc1 in each st, cl (9)

We don't stuff in these legs since we have to fold them while sitting for lunch. Join pink yarn at first st,

R13: ch1, sc1 in each st, cl (9)

R14: ch1, [sc1, 2sctog] 3 times, cl (6). Lastly close these 6 sts by tapestry needle.

Join orange yarn at first sc-st we made on ch3 to sepaprate two legs.

R1: ch1, sc1 on 2 sc-sts on other side, sc1 in 9 sts around, cl.

Similarly complete other leg also.

UPARANA: with white yarn, make chs 30+1

R1: from second ch, sc1 in each ch. (30)

R2: ch1 turn, sc1 in each st (30)

Now join orange yarn at first st.

Border: ch1, sc1 in each st on both sides along 30 sts.

HANDS: With pink yarn, R1: In magic loop, ch1, sc 5, cl (5)

R2: ch1, (sc2) in first st, sc1 in 2 sts, (sc2) in next, sc1 in last, cl (7)

R3 to R9: ch1, sc1 in each st, cl (7). In video I made till R10 but then hands look longer so here I recomment only 9 rounds. Then fold and sew by scs or by tapestry needle. BO with 6" yarn end to sew.

Similarly make other hand.

Hair Chakri Behind: with black yarn in magic loop make ch1. sc4, cl and sew it in back side of head by tapestry needle.

Also make embroidery of lip and Gandh by red yarn. Sew small black beads as eyes. Janave: It's a holy thread worn by every boy whose Thread Ceremony already happened. So with white yarn make chs sufficient to the height of the Batu and close it, Wear this Janave.

Also wear Uparan to the Batu. Fold legs as to sit on aasan for lunch. If needed sew 1 or 2 sts to fix the position. Then also keep the Banana leaf means lunch in front of him. Then keep Meherap around the banana leaf.

The beautiful Ashtavarg is ready. Make 8 such Batus and all. Your Best ever Munj Decoration is ready.

Very UNIQUE Munj Decoration is ready.

The following video with English subtitles may help you.

ETC: Enjoy the Creativity.

Crochet Decoration for Thread Ceremony, Astavarg in Matrubhojan Ritual Part 1, Banana Leaf & Food Items

Hello friends,

Thread Ceremony is the important Ritual in Hindus. I have already explained about thread ceremony in my post on 7th Jan 2026. One of the important part in that is Matrubhojan, in which 8 small boys are invited whose Thread Ceremony is already done . These boys are called "Ashtavarg" (Ashta means eight) Group of eight. So in this decoration these newly underwent these Sanskar of thread ceremony are shown. Actually this is very emotional event. The boy whose thread ceremony is ongoing called BATU, last times eats in his Mother's plate because now he is going with his Guru for education. Also now he is becoming independent, learning to do every thing without the help of mommy.

These Ashtavarg are usually made by Nuts and Cashew. So I made these Crochet Ashtvarg which is a very unnique idea. The lunch for these Ashtvarg is served on Banana leaves, decorated by beautiful Rangoli around it. All these things are made here by crochet.

Banan Leaf and Food Items on it: First we shall made Banana leaf. Use thin yarn as we want small size and 1.75 mm hook.

Banana Leaf: With Green make chs 14

R1: from second ch make sc 1 in 6 sts, ch1, skip 1 st, (place marker in this ch1) sc1 in next 6 sts, ch1 turn.

R2: 2sctog, sc4, (sc1, ch1, sc1) in ch1-sp at marker, (place marker st new ch1-sp), sc4, 2sctog in last 2 sts, ch1 turn,

R3: sc6, ch1, skip ch1 of previous row, sc6, ch1 turn

R4: same as R2, R5: same as R3

After R6,

Repeat these two rows till R11. BO.

Then make slip stitch border on both sides. Also make sl st line in the middle may be by little darker shade yarn.

Sakharbhat: (Sweet Rice): R1: By orange yarn in a magic loop ch1, sc6, cl.

R2: ch1, [sc1, (sc2) in next] 3 times, cl (9)

R3: ch1, sc1 in back loop of each st, cl. (9) BO.

Puri: R1: In a magic loop with off white yarn make ch1, sc6, cl.

R2: ch1, (sc2) in each st, cl (12) BO.

Potato Sabji: With yellow yarn, ch2

R1: sc1 in second ch from hook.

R2: ch1 turn, sc3 in sc-st of R1. BO. Make 3-4 pieces similarly.

It seems that one more item should be there, so I made Karanji as it is simple that Modak because of very small shape.

Karanji: Make R1 and R2 same as that ot Puri with white yarn, fold and sew to get Karanji shape.

Then cut the green yarn in very small pieces keep it on Sabji as Corriander. Then cut the piece of white and wooden color yarn keep it on sweet rice as Cashew and Manuka.

Water Vessel: With off white yarn R1: in magic loop ch1, sc6, cl

R2: ch1, [sc1, (sc2) in next] 3 times, cl (9)

R3: in back loop of each st make sc1, cl (9)

R4 and R5: ch1, sc1 in each st, cl (9) BO.