How to crochet the Arbutus

A forgotten fruit that in autumn colors and brightens up most of the hills together with the Mediterranean scrub. The strawberry tree is a very beautiful and decorative shrub that has the particularity of having both flowers and fruits in the same branch. Because of its colors in the Risorgimento was considered a symbol of the Tricolor.
The strawberry tree is the third plant that is part of the autumn composition.
To make the crochet arbutus, prepare: the flowers, the fruit and the leaves which are of 3 different sizes.
Needed: cotton number 20 - crochet 1.0mm - scissors - needle galvanized iron wire 0.45mm - plasticized wire - wadding - pliers.

Explanation of flowers

To create the small branch where to insert the groups of flowers, cut a piece of galvanized iron wire of about 10 cm. Twist it on itself for about 4 cm. Cover it with white cotton, working the chains around it.
To make the flower, start 4 chains and in the first make 11 high points (total 12).
1st round: 12 single crochet. Close the job.
Separately, make the peduncle of union of the flower.
Start 2 chains and in the first make 2 double crochet closed together, 7 chains (make some with 9 and someone with 11 chains).
Close the job by keeping the cotton a little long.
Insert the needle into the cotton of the peduncle, then insert it inside the flower and make it come out from above with all the chains.
Sew the flowers in groups of 3 or 5 in the small branch.

Explanation of the fruit

Start 4 chains and in the first make 14 double crochet (total 15).
1st and 2nd round: 30 double crochet.
3rd round: 2 double crochet closed together for the whole lap (total 15 double crochet). Cut about 10 cm of galvanized iron wire and wrap a little cotton wool or cotton wool in the middle. Wrap the wire around itself for about 4 cm and insert it into the fruit, adding more wadding, shaping with your hands. Close the third round.
4th round: 2 double crochet closed together for the whole lap.
5th round: with slip stitch close.
With the brown cotton cover the peduncle of the fruit working on the chains around it.

Explanation of the leaves

For the leaves I have resumed the explanation of those of the alchechengi, they differ because they are grouped to 2 by the wire.

Explanation of the large leaf

Start 30 chains.
1st round: 3 single crochet, 3 half double crochet, 3 double crochet, 11 triple crochet, 3 double crochet, 3 half double crochet, 3 single crochet, redo the same side of the chains.
2nd round: same as the first lap except the triple crochet which will be 14 (so make 3 increases).
Cut a piece of galvanized iron wire that makes the complete turn of the leaf 2 times plus 2-3 cm more per side and join it working on the low points around it. Stretch the leaf by shaping it with your hands. Twist the wire on itself 2-3 times and without cutting the cotton make another identical leaf. To get to the wire and go around the low points go down half a leaf with slip stitch.

Explanation of the medium leaf

The procedure is the same as the big leaf, only the chains that are 25 and the triple crochet 6 change (in the second round the triple crochet will be 8).

Explanation of the small leaf

The procedure is the same as the large leaf, only the chains that are 20, the half double crochet 2 and the triple crochet 5 change (in the second round the triple crochet will be 7).

Cut a piece of plasticized iron wire of the appropriate thickness and length and bend the tips at the ends using pliers. Fasten the small flowers and leaves on the top of the stem, the middle leaves and the first fruits, the large leaves with the other fruits. Cover the stem with cotton, working the chains around it and shape it with your hands.

As always, I hope I have explained everything to the best and given you an extra idea.
At the next creation, hello to all.