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Poppies, poppies, poppies…

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Well hello my lovely ones. How is everyone on this rather drizzly Sunday? We seem to be playing rain cloud dodging this weekend! Got absolutely soaked earlier on a walk and ended up trying to shelter in a tree, which I coan safely didn’t do much good. A warm up by the log burner and a cuppa were very welcome when we got back.

I had rather a nightmare this morning. I went out on a new run, not knowing the way at all and using my husband’s Garmin watch. It’s rather clever as it has a little map feature on it. So you can plot a route and off you go. Well in theory anyway! Apparently I can’t follow a map when I’m running! And when you don’t follow the map, one wrong right turn can mean the difference between a 4km and an 8km run!!! Not good! Bearing in mind, I haven’t been able to run for a few months now with not being well. So was not the run I was intending to do!! The hills! Oh my! They were huge!!! I can safely say that I have deserved my gin & knitting moment this evening!

Bless my husband, when I rang him and he realised what I had done. He said he would come and get me. I tried to run on further and ended up going wrong again and being stung by something! No idea what! Oh dear! What am I like. He found me running up an extremely steep hill, that I definitely shouldn’t be running up! Hoping by Tuesday I can figure out the correct route!!! Ekk!! Hope I don’t go wrong again!! Not good!!

As some of you know I have been dabbling in the world of sock knitting! I firstly tried the wonderful simple sock pattern by Michelle from Loveliest Yarn Company. It’s a great pattern to start with, if anyone wants to have a go. Michelle runs a knit school which you can join and also does a few workshops along the way too.

After chatting to Liz at Yarn Badger though, I thought I would have a go at the fabulous basic sock pattern by the lovely Christine at Winwick Mum. All going well so far, not quite at the heel yet. But getting there. It’s also a great pattern that you could start with and she even has a sockalong that you can join. You will have to let me know, if anyone else is starting out like me. I’m knitting some socks for my Dad for Christmas. Couldn’t resist using the amazing platinum sock yarn from Abby at Orchidean Luxury Yarns. Super soft and beautiful to work with. Hopefully I will get them finished for him. Gonna try my best in the month of #socktober.

So after dodging the rain clouds, whilst walking around today, I saw the first signs of the wonderful Remembrance Poppies returning. It’s that time of year again, when we remember. We remember those who have fought for us. Who have been to war for us and those you have lost their lives for us. One day when we remember them.

There aren’t really any words to describe the sheer sadness of all the lives that have been lost in wars and the brutality of the life that has been taken away from so many families. Even in times like these, when a pandemic surrounds us and lockdowns have become the new normal, we will still remember them…

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them. Not the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them. Lest we forget. 

On Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, we always remember and take the time to thank those who fought and have given their lives for us. It does make me think this year, when my glasses steam up with my mask, it’s hardly a hardship compared to what others have gone through.

We will remember…

So I thought I would share my poppy pattern again. I hope you like it. It’s quite a simple one and very easy to crochet.

Level – Easy

Supplies –

For each poppy, you will need a 4mm crochet hook, a little bit of red, black and green double knit yarn. You will also need some scissors, a safety pin and blunt ended needle. And don’t forget a safety pin so that you can attach it.

PipsTips – If the poppy is for a child, you can always leave a little yarn tail to tie it to a coat. (I did this for my son. I can’t trust him with a safety pin!! Ekk!!)

Stitches –

Slip Stitch (ss) – This is where there is no height to the stitch. It’s usually used to join rounds. So insert the hook into the front of the stitch you are joining to. This is usually the first stitch you made in that round/row. So yarn over hook and pull through that first stitch then also through the loop on your hook.

Chain stitch (ch) – To make a chain, place the yarn over the hook then pull it through the loop on your hook.

Treble (tr) – To make a treble crochet, firstly yarn over your hook, insert through space/stitch, yarn over your hook, pull back through space/stitch. There should now be 3 loops on your hook. Then yarn over hook and pull through the first two loops, yarn over hook and pull through the last two loops.

Magic Ring – Fold over the yarn to make the loop. Insert your hook through the loop and grab the working yarn (long piece) and pull through the loop. Hold the tail and the working yarn and pull so that the knot tightens, but you still have a loop. This has created a magic ring.

Half treble (htr) – A half treble crochet is basically one less movement than a treble. So yarn over hook, insert through space/stitch, yarn over hook, pull back through space/stitch. There should be 3 loops on your hook. Then yarn over hook and pull through all 3 loops.

Double Crochet (dc) – Insert the hook through the stitch, front to back, then yarn over hook and pull back through stitch. You will have two loops on your hook. Then yarn over your hook and pull through both loops.

Ok so here we go…

1 – Start with your black yarn and make a magic ring. Then chain 1 and work 6dc stitches into the ring. Finish by pulling the tail tight to create the ring. (6)

2 – Now work 2dc in each stitch in the round and finish by ss into the first stitch. Fasten off your black yarn. (12)

First Petal –

3 – Now change to your red yarn and attach into any of the dc stitches. Then ch1 and work 1dc in the next 6 stitches and then ss into the last stitch of your 6 stitches. This is the start of your first petal. (6)

4 – Turn your poppy and work *1dc, then 2dc in the next stitch.* Repeat this ** 3 times. Ss into the last stitch. (9)

5 – Turn your poppy and work *2tr, then 2tr in the next stitch.* Repeat this ** 3 times. Ss in the last stitch. (12)

6 – Turn your poppy and work 1dc in each stitch. Ss in last stitch. (12)

Second Petal –

7 – Now you are going to work the other petal. So ss into the first black stitch and work 1dc in the last 6 stitches. Ss in the next stitch, which is the bottom part of the first red stitch you made In the first petal. (6)

8 – Turn your poppy and work *1dc, then 2dc in the next stitch.* Repeat this ** 3 times. Ss into the last stitch. (9)

9 – Turn your poppy and work 1dc in each stitch. Ss in the last stitch. Now ss in the bottom of the first stitch on the other petal, then fasten off your red yarn. (9)

Now sew in your black ends in the centre of your poppy using your needle. Now with the red yarn ends, use these to first sew up the sides of the poppy petals back down to the centre of the petal, this will help to keep the petal shape. You can see in the photo below how I am picking the top stitch of the petal and then in the photo below that, sewing it back to the centre of the poppy.

Now use the two ends to sew on your safety pin to your poppy and then fasten off each end.

Leaf –

Start by chaining 10. Then work 1dc in the 2nd chain from the hook. Then work 1dc, 1htr, 1tr, 2tr in the next stitch, 1tr, 1htr, 1dc and then finally 1dc. That will take you to the end of the foundation chain.

Now you are going to work up the other side of the foundation chain. So in the second chain work 1dc, then 1dc, 1htr, 1tr, 2tr in the next stitch, 1tr, 1htr, 1dc, 1dc then finish by working a ss into the last stitch. Now fasten off leaving a tail to sew your leaf to the poppy. Sew your other little end into your leaf and the longer one you can use to sew your leaf on to your poppy.

And there we have it. Your little poppy. I hope you have enjoyed this pattern. My little lady had me making them for the whole family & all your friends, bless her! She even reminded them to donate their money when they saw a poppy penny box. Bless.

Anyways, happy hooking chaps.

Stay safe.

🌈Xx

(Free pattern designed and brought to you by PipsRainbow. Thank you for not copying or recreating it. ☺️Xx)

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A little something for Half Term…

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Well hello everyone, how are we all today on this chilly & drizzly day? It’s definitely not the kind of weather that I enjoy! Makes you want to snuggle up under a blanket and drink cups of tea all day! I know my two would happily do that with me! They are definitely some serious snuggle monsters.

It’s been a funny week or so in our house. School is still in here, so half term fun will commence next week. I don’t know about it any of you, but we are definitely ready for it. The kids have done so well going back into a rather different school routine. School has been amazing, putting all sorts of crazy routines and procedures in place to ensure that they are well and truly safe. So proud that the kids have just taken it in their stride. They definitely adapt better than we do and have always coped well with change. Bless them. So with that in mind, I reckon it’s time for a little pressie!

With half term coming up, I wondered if anyone fancied a little project. I know there are many little ones who absolutely adore the infamous world of Supertato & Evil Pea like my two! They are firm favourites in our house and both are always happy to sit down and have a listen to their wonderful stories.

So without further a do, here’s the pattern for a little Supertato an Evil Pea. Hope you like this one. Would be great for a present for a little someone to accompany one of the Supertato books or even just a little friend to keep them company over half term.

Level – Moderate. It has few new stitches and is a little fiddly. For this pattern you will work in both rounds and rows.

Supplies –

So I have used a mixture of cotton and wool double knit yarn, but you can choose whatever yarn you would like. Now you are going to need a 3mm crochet hook. (The reason we use a smaller hook size to the yarn, is so that the weave is smaller, thus making sure no toy stuffing comes out.) So for the double knit yarn – you will need about 30g of each colour, but you won’t need it all. So the colours are golden/beige for Supertato, red for the capes and belt, green for Evil Pea and black for the belt, mask, eyes, eyebrows and mouth. And a little yellow for Supertato’s buckle. You will also need an arms length of white for the eyes and some black thin silk thread for the S in Supertato’s buckle. Don’t forget your scissors, toy stuffing and blunt ended tapestry needle and a normal needle for you silk black thread.

Stitches –

Magic Ring – Fold over the yarn to make the loop. Insert your hook through the loop and grab the working yarn (long piece) and pull through the loop. Hold the tail and the working yarn and pull so that the knot tightens, but you still have a loop. This has created a magic ring. Here’s a video clip on how to make a magic ring.

Here’s a video clip on how to crochet into a magic ring.

Slip stitch (ss) – This is where there is no height to the stitch. It’s usually used to join rounds. So insert the hook into the front of the stitch you are joining to. This is usually the first stitch you made in that round/row. So yarn over hook and pull through that first stitch then also through the loop on your hook.

Chain (ch) – To make a chain, place the yarn over the hook then pull it through the loop on your hook.

Double Crochet (dc) – Insert the hook through the stitch, front to back, then yarn over hook and pull back through stitch. You will have two loops on your hook. Then yarn over your hook and pull through both loops.

Double Crochet Decrease (2dctog) – This is where you crochet two stitches together to decrease the amount of stitches in the round. So insert the hook through the front of the first stitch only (the front V) and then insert again through the front of the second stitch (the front V). Now yarn over your hook and pull it back through both stitches, so you will then have 2 loops on your hook. Yarn over your hook again and pull through both loops. And there is your 2dctog. (Basically 2 double crochet stitches crocheted together.)

Half treble (htr) – A half treble crochet is basically one less movement than a treble. So yarn over hook, insert through space/stitch, yarn over hook, pull back through space/stitch. There should be 3 loops on your hook. Then yarn over hook and pull through all 3 loops.

Foundation Chain – A foundation chain is required when you are starting your crocheting project with rows or creating a ring. Now that you have created your slip knot, you can make the chain. Wrap your yarn over your hook and pull back through the loop. This will create the first chain. Now pull the yarn over the hook and pull through again to make the second chain. Repeat this process till you have the amount of chains that you require. Now you are ready to start your crocheted rows.

Here’s a couple of videos that can help you if you are starting out with crocheting.

Ok so off we go…

Evil Pea –

Body – use your green yarn. You are working in the round for the body.

1 – Make a magic ring, chain 1, then dc6 into the ring. Then pull the tail tight to create the first round. (6)

2 – *2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (12)

3 – *1dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (18)

4 – *2dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (24)

5 – *3dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (30)

6 – *4dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (36)

7 – 11 (5 rounds) For each round, work 1dc in each stitch. (36)

12 – *4dc, then 2dctog* Work ** 6 times. (30)

13 – *3dc, then 2dctog. Work ** 6 times. (24)

14 – *2dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 6 times.(18)

15 – *1dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 6 times.(12)

Now it’s time to stuff your body with toy stuffing,

16 – Work *2dctog.* Work this ** 6 times. (6)

Now sew up and fasten off your body using a blunt ended tapestry needle.

Evil Pea’s Cape –

So for the cape, attach your red yarn onto the pea by inserting your hook into the pea’s body. (You are working in rows for the cape.)

Then pull the red yarn through with your hook. Then chain 1 and work 1dc in the first stitch on the pea.

Then work 1dc in each of the 7 stitches on the existing stitches. (8)

*Then turn your work, ch1 and work 1dc. Then work 1dc in the next 7 stitches. (8)* Work this ** 2 times. (2 rows of 8)

Turn, ch1 and work 2dc in the first stitch. Work 6dc stitches. Then work 2dc in the last stitch. (10)

*Turn your work, ch1 then 1dc in each stitch. (10)* Work this ** 2 times. (2 rows of 10)

Turn your work, ch1. Work 2dc in the first stitch. Work 8dc stitches. Then work 2dc in the last stitch. (12)

*Turn your work, ch1 then 1dc in each stitch. (12)* Work this ** 3 times. (3 rows of 12)

Turn, ch1 *Work 1dc in the first stitch, then 2tr in the next and then 1dc in the next stitch.* Work ** 4 times. (16)

Now fasten off and sew both ends into the cape.

Supertato –

Supertato’s Body –

1 – Make a magic ring, chain 1, then dc6 into the ring. Then pull the tail tight to create the first round. (6)

2 – *2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (12)

3 – *1dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (18)

4 – *2dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (24)

5 – *3dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (30)

6 – *4dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (36)

7 – *5dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (42)

8 – 17 (10 rounds)  For each round, 1dc in each stitch. (42)

18 – *5dc, then 2dctog*. Work ** 6 times. (See stitches explanation above if you are unsure of 2dctog.) (36)

19 – *4dc, then 2dctog* Work ** 6 times. (30)

20 – *3dc, then 2dctog. Work ** 6 times. (24)

21 – *2dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 6 times. (18)

22 – *1dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 6 times. (12)

Now it’s time to stuff your body with toy stuffing,

23 – Work *2dctog.* Work this ** 6 times. (6)

Now sew up and fasten off your body using a blunt ended tapestry needle.

Supertato’s Cape –

So for the cape, attach your red yarn by inserting your hook and pulling it through. (You are using the same method as the Evil Pea Cape.) Then chain 1 and work 1dc in the first stitch on the body. Then work 1dc in the next 9 stitches on the existing body stitches. (10)

Then turn your work, ch1 and work 1dc. Then work 1dc in the next 9 stitches. (10)

*Turn your work, ch1, then work 1dc in each stitch. (10)* Work this ** 2 times. (2 rows of 10)

Turn, ch1, Work 2dc in the first stitch. Work 8dc stitches. Then work 2dc in the last stitch. (12)

*Turn your work, ch1, then work 1dc in each stitch. (12)* Work this ** 2 times. (2 rows of 12)

Turn, ch1, Work 2dc in the first stitch. Work 10dc stitches. Then work 2dc in the last stitch. (14)

*Turn your work, ch1, then work 1dc in each stitch. (14)* Work this ** 2 times. (2 rows of 14)

Turn, ch1, Work 2dc in the first stitch. Work 12dc stitches. Then work 2dc in the last stitch. (16)

*Turn your work, ch1, then work 1dc in each stitch. (16)* Work this ** 2 times. (2 rows of 16)

Turn, ch1 *Work 1dc in the first stitch, then 1tr, 1tr, then 1dc in the next stitch.* Work this ** 4 times. (16)

Now fasten off and sew both ends into the cape.

Supertato’s Belt –

Using your black yarn, chain 43 to make a foundation chain. Then turn your foundation chain and work 1dc in the second chain from the hook. Then 1dc in each. (42)

Fasten off leaving a tail to sew the belt on to the potato.

To make the buckle. Using your red yarn, chain 3. Turn and work 1dc in the second chain from the hook, then 1dc in the last stitch. This gives you a little square of red stitches. Now fasten off and leave a tail to sew the buckle onto the belt. Sew your little end into the buckle.

Then with your yellow yarn, attach your yarn into the first red dc stitch, by inserting your hook and pulling the yarn through. Now ch1, then work 1dc in the same stitch. Then 1dc in the next stitch. (2)

Turn a quarter turn and work 1dc down the side of the red square. (This is in the side of your last yellow stitch. Then a quarter turn again and work 1dc in each of the bottom parts of the red chain stitches. Finally a quarter turn again and work 1dc in the last side of the red squares. Now slip stitch into the first yellow dc stitch and fasten off. You should now have a square shaped buckle, with yellow on the outside and red in the middle.

Finish off by using a little of your black silk thread to work a little S letter in the middle of your buckle. I used back stitches to create the letter S.

Sew in all your tails and fasten it into the middle part of your black belt. Now all you need to do is sew your belt onto the body of your Supertato, making sure the buckle is in the middle on the opposite side to the cape.

Mask – Make 2

Using your black yarn and chain 49 to make a foundation chain. Then work 1dc in the second chain from the hook. Then work 1dc in the next 19 stitches. Now work 1htr, followed by *2tr in the next stitch.* Repeat this ** 6 times. Now work 1htr, then finish with 20dc stitches. (54) Fasten off with a long tail which you can use to sew the masks onto the bodies. If you have some black thread left, use it to sew on the smile.

Now all that’s left is to sew some little white eyes across the top of each of the masks and then use a little black yarn for the eyes & eyebrows.

And there you have it!! Two little vegetables to accompany your book. Really hope you like this pattern. Any questions or queries just give me a shout!!

Happy hooking!!
🌈Xx

(Free pattern brought to you by PipsRainbow. Thank you for not copying or recreating it.)

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