Gardens are spaces that hold a special place in our hearts, offering a
serene sanctuary where nature's beauty can flourish. My friend has created such a wonderful garden oasis in her backyard, and she has an adorable Jizo statue. She decided to get one for her garden because she was watching "Old Enough!" on Netflix, which is a Japanese reality show that follows young children leaving the house to run errands by themselves. I know, sounds crazy to us in America, but it's a very natural tradition in Japan. In one episode, one of the little girls makes an offering to a Jizo statue. So, we thought that a little crochet hat for the Jizo would be a great offeringl.
But, before diving into the crochet project, it's essential to appreciate the
significance of Jizo statues in Japanese culture and Buddhism. Jizo is a
beloved bodhisattva known for his compassionate nature, protecting and
guiding souls, especially those of children. He is also called O-Jizo-san or O-Jizo-sama and is the
guardian deity of children and travelers, playing the primary role of protector. Since the color red
is believed to ward off evil, the Japanese traditionally put red bibs and
hoods on Jizo to protect the statue, but all colors are used these days. You will find Jizo statues in many places: in Buddhist temples, graveyards, at the side of the road in the countryside, and at the corner of some streets in cities. In gardens, Jizo statues
often represent a peaceful, nurturing presence, serving as a reminder of
the interconnectedness of all living beings and the transient nature of
life.
So, we had a lovely afternoon sitting next to her garden, crocheting an offering for the Jizo!
And I thought I'd share the pattern so you could make one for your Jizo too! First, we measured his head above the ears, and it was 13 inches. Following the formula of 3.14x = 13, we figured out that we'd need to crochet a circle that was about 4 inches in diameter.
I used Red Heart Soft yarn (really a beautiful, soft yet durable acrylic yarn available in so many different colors!) and an H hook.
Round 1: ch 2, make 6 scs in second chain from hook, sl st to top of first st (6 sts)
Round 2: ch 1, 2 scs in each st around, sl st to top of first st (12 sts)
Round 3: ch 1, 1 sc in same st, 2 scs in next st, (1 sc in next st, 2 scs in next st) around, sl st to top of first st (18 sts)
Round 4: ch 1, 1 sc in same st and next st, 2 scs in next st, (1 sc in next 2 sts, 2 scs in next st) around, sl st to top of first st (24 sts)
Round 5: ch 1, 1 sc in same st and next 2 sts, 2 scs in next st, (1 sc in next 3 sts, 2 scs in next st) around, sl st to top of first st (30 sts)
Round 6: ch 1, 1 sc in same st and next 3 st, 2 scs in next st, (1 sc in next 4 sts, 2 scs in next st) around, sl st to top of first st (36 sts)
Round 7: ch 1, 1 sc in same st and next 4 st, 2 scs in next st, (1 sc in next 5 sts, 2 scs in next st) around, sl st to top of first st (42 sts)
Round 8: ch 1, 1 sc in same and each st around, sl st to top of first st (42 sts)
Rounds 9-11: repeat Round 8
Round 12: ch 2, 1 dc in same and each st around, sl st to top of first st and fasten off.
Weave in ends and get ready to have one serene and well-protected Jizo statue!
