THE PANDEMIC PONCHO WEEK1

INTRODUCTION

This is meant to be a flexible project; one that can be adapted as needed for however you want it to be. You could just use the pattern to make cushion covers or a blanket if you don't fancy a poncho. We will  be making 2 large rectangles, joining them together to form a poncho shape then adding a neck and any extras. You could make 2 identical rectangles or 2 different ones...1 patterned and 1 plain for example. instructions for the plain square below. 

The pattern should be adapted according to the yarn used and your own tension. If it starts to look as if there are too many stitches then do less - just space them out evenly and do the same on all sides. If the pattern calls for 3 trebles in  a space but it is just doesn't lie flat for you then only do 2 . Don't panic if you can't follow the pattern EXACTLY  -  just use it as a guide - and don't be afraid to FROG  (pull it out) and do it again...that is how we learn what works and what doesn't! 

More importantly, as I type this is still a work in progress....I will be finishing this poncho over the next week but wanted to share the start as soon as I could. I can't even be certain how many weeks it will run for but I imagine for about 6-8 weeks depending on how fast you make the second rectangle! You should try to make both rectangles at the same time so you will be ready to join as soon as they are finished.  

 MATERIALS USED: 500-800g chunky yarn (I have used colour-changing but plain would work too) with a size 5mm hook (This is a GUESSTIMATE and will vary according to the yarn used and individual tension). This will also mean that you need to be prepared to add or remove stitches where necesssary to keep the shape of the rectangle - have the courage to see what looks right and adapt where needed. I have started off adding photos of each step but once the main square pattern is finished there will simpy be written instructions. 

ABBREVIATIONS :

Ch - chain

Slsttj - slip stitch to join

dc - double crochet

htr - half treble

tr - treble

dbtr - double treble

v-stitch - 1tr 1ch 1tr in indicated stitch/space

fpdc - front post double crochet

fptr - front post treble

bptr - back post treble

5 tr cl  - 5 treble puff - *yo into stitch, pull through a loop, yo pull through 2, repeat from * 4 more times until 6 loops on hook, yo pull through all 6 loops

INSTRUCTIONS

SLIP STITCH TO JOIN AT THE END OF EVERY ROW

Ch7, slsttj

1) ch3, 11 tr in ring ( 12 tr)

2) Ch3, 1 tr at bottom of ch, 2 tr in each of the next tr , slsttj (24 tr)

3) ch1, 1dc at bottom of ch, *ch6, miss next 2 trs, 1 dc in next tr, rep from * 6 times, ch6, slsttj to 1st dc. (8  6-ch sps)

4) Slip stitch in to next ch-sp, (1dc, 2htr, 3tr, 2 htr, 1dc)  in to the same space,

Then do (1dc, 2htr, 3tr, 2 htr, 1dc) in every ch-sp around , slst to back of 1st dc made. (8 petals)

5) Working behind the petals, *ch6, then fpdc (front post double crochet) around the post of the next dc from round 3 (the stitch lying in between the petals), rep from * all the way round to make 8 6-ch sps behind the petals.

Front post dc around the dc from row 3 - put hook from front around the post

then yo

and pull the yarn back through

2 loops on hook

yo pull through 2 loops (1fpdc worked)

8 6-ch sps at back of petals

6) slip stitch in to the next 6-ch sp and do (1dc, 1htr, 2tr, 3 dbtr, 2 tr, 1htr, 1dc) in the space and in each 6-ch sp, slsttojoin

Second row of petals plus chains from Round 6 plus start of round 7

 7) Sl st in the next 4 sts, ch1, 1dc in same place, 1 dc in each of next 2 sts, * ch5, 1 dc in each of next 3 dbtr from row below, ch8, ** 1dc in each of next 3 dbtr from row below, rep from * twice and from * to ** once again, slst to join. (4 x 8-ch-sps and 4 x 5-ch-sps).

8) ch2, now do 1htr in every dc, 5 htr in each 5-ch sp and (5htr 2ch 5htr) in each 8-ch sp around, slsttj

9) Ch2, then 1 htr in every htr around, doing (2htr 1ch 2 htr) in each corner space

10) Ch2, 1 htr in next st, * ch1, miss 1st st, 1 htr in  each of next 2 sts, rep from * along the edges, doing 2htr 1 ch 2 htr in the corners, slsttj. ( I had an extra st at the end but ignore it as it really won't make a difference)

ALTERNATIVE PLAIN CENTRE

If you don't fancy the flower on your poncho here is a plain centre instead. 

Ch5 slstj

1) Ch3, 11 tr in ring = 12 trebles

2)  Ch3, 1 tr in same place, 2 tr in every stitch around (24 trebles)

3) Ch4 (=1 tr =1ch), 1tr 1ch in every stitch around

4) Ch3 (in ch-sp) Begin Puff (yo into same place, yo pull through 2) twice , yo pull through all 3 loops, *Ch1, 3Tr Puff in next ch-sp - (yo, into stitch, pull through a loop, yo pull through 2), 3 times, you pull through all 4 loops - repeat from * to end . 

5) Ch3, in space between next 2 puffs work 3tr 2ch 3tr (1st corner), now work 2 trs in each of next 5 ch-sps between the puffs, work 3tr 2ch 3tr in next ch-sp (2nd corner), continue around finishing with 1 tr next to the ch3 at the start to make the final 2 trs.

6) Ch3, 1 tr in every stitch around, working 2 tr 2ch 2tr in each corner. 

NOW  CONTINUE AS FOR MAIN PATTERN FROM ROUND 9 (on this round you will be working the Htrs in to trebles below not htrs but it will work out the same). 

Hookers on the Final Edge ...The Coronavirus CAL

HOOKERS ON THE FINAL EDGE  

Round 4

Ch3, * work 1 dc in the next 2-ch-sp, chain 2, repeat from * to end , working 1 dc 2ch 1dc in each corner space.  

Round  5

Repeat Round 4

Round 6 

Join yarn in any ch2-sp, ch2, now work 1 htr in every ch-sp and 1 htr in every dc, working 1 htr2ch1htr in every corner space.

 That's it! Time to weave in those last ends,  lay it out and admire your blanket. Take it outside and photograph it in the daylight. Stretch out those wobbly edges...not so wobbly now are they? I am incredibly proud of this blanket. Every single section means something to me, my family or my friends and all that we have been going through in lockdown. I have tried to keep it positive whilst recognising that for many,  many people this has been a time of stress never experienced before in most of our lifetimes. 

I'm sure many of you will have come across this beautiful piece of writing over the last few months. I wanted to finish off this CAL by sharing it again as it really does say everything that I have been feeling while stuck at home. Let's just hope that some of the positive really does happen.

And the people stayed at home

And read books

And listened

And rested

And did exercises

And made art and played

And learned new ways of being

And were still.

Some meditated, some prayed

Some met their shadow

And people began to think differently 

And people healed.

And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, 

Dangerous, meaningless and heartless ways

The Earth began to heal.

And when the danger passed 

and the people joined together again

They grieved their losses

And made new choices

And dreamed new images

And created new ways to live and heal the Earth fully, 

Just as they had been healed.

This has been shared all over the internet as having been written by Kathleen O'Mara in 1869 and re-printed during the Spanish Flu of 1919. However, it is actually a modern poem written by Irish American Kitty O'Meara in March 2020. She turned to writing to in an effort to curb her own anxiety about the Covid19 Pandemic. Nevertheless, its sentiment and message are just as profound as if it had been written over 100 years ago.

But for now, let's enjoy our CORONAVIRUS CALs!

The Coronavirus Lockdown CAL  
 MARCH - MAY 2020

HOOKERS ON THE EDGE Part One - Coronavirus CAL

WE ARE HOOKERS ON THE EDGE

(although I do hope that this project has given you some form of comfort at this strange and stressful time)

I believe that ALL blankets are made better by working a border. They can also hide a multitude of sins (not to mention wobbly edges...) As this is a very busy blanket the border will be fairly simple in design but you can use whatever colours you want whether that is just one or several different ones. Have fun and enjoy it! I suggest you start the first row with as neutral a colour as possible so as not to draw attention to the bumps and wobbles. As you work the edge it might all seem very messy,  but believe me, when it is finished you won't notice it. 🤞

PART ONE

Round 1
With a neutral colour join yarn to the top short edge,  right side facing, about 10 stitches from the left-hand corner. Chain 2.
Work 1 htr in every stitch to the end.  Work 1htr, 2ch, 1 htr in the last stitch to form the corner,

then turn the blanket to work down the long side.
Now work htrs evenly along the whole side, working in between the last 2  stitches of the row, not in the stitch itself and working roughly 2 htrs for every tr length and 1 htr for every htr/dc  -  see the photos below. Even though a treble is a 3-ch-height you would have far too many stitches if you worked 3 htrs along the edge for every tr on the blanket. I hope that makes sense! Use your own instinct and keep checking that it lies flat...if there are any obvious wobbles then you might have put in too many stitches. It is worth getting this right, so don't be scared to pull some out and re-do it.

Work 1 htr 2ch 1 htr at the end to form the next corner then repeat the process along the bottom edge and the second long side. Join with a slip st to the top of the Ch 2.


Round 2

Ch2, now work 1 htr in every htr around and work 1htr1ch2 1htr in the corner spaces.

Round 3

Ch3, * miss 1 st, 1 dc in next st, ch2,  repeat from * to end working 1dc, ch2, 1dc  in the corner spaces.

PART 26 CAL FINAL SECTION SWAN SONG

SWAN SONG 

"He now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled him to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him" Hans Christian Andersen, "The Ugly Ducking"

I thought this was a very apt name for the last section of this CAL as not only is it the final section here but our local swans are sitting on their nest in one of our neighbourhood parks...new life will be starting once again despite the chaos going on around us.

PUFF (SWAN) STITCHES

**Puff St  ...Yo into st, pull up a loop, repeat TWICE MORE so you have 7 loops on the hook, YO pull through all 7 loops, ch1 to secure.**

163)  Ch3, 1 tr in each st across

164) Ch3, 1 tr in each of the next 2 trs, *ch1, miss 1 tr, 1 tr in each of the next 3 trs, repeat from * to end

165) Ch3, 1 t in next tr, *ch1, miss 1 tr, 1 puff st in next ch-1-sp, ch1 miss 1 tr, 1 tr in each of next 2 trs, 1 tr in next ch-sp, 1 tr in each of next 2 trs, repeat from * to end. USE THE CHART TO CHECK YOU PLCE THE PUFFS AND THE TREBLES IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

yo into stitch, pull up a loop - 3 loops on hook

repeat - 5 loops on hook

repeat once more  - 7 loops on hook

chain 1 to secure. Puff stitch worked

ch1, miss 1 tr, 1 tr in each of the next 2 trs, 1 tr in the ch-sp, 1 tr in each of the next 2 trs

166) Ch3, 1 tr in next tr, *ch1, 1 puff st in top of puff st below, ch1, 1tr in each of the next 5 trs, repeat from * to end staying in pattern...refer to the chart. 

I love the way they look like wings here! 

167) Ch3, now work 1 tr in every treble, in every ch-sp and in every puff stitch.

This is the end of the main blanket...congratulations for completing it! I hope you have enjoyed it and I hope that it has given you some focus at this very strange and stressful time of  Lockdown throughout the world. We will start The EDGE  in the next post...

PART 25 CORONAVIRUS CAL

" The flood subsides, and the body, like a worn sea-shell, emerges strange and lovely" DH Lawrence

Shell Stitch

USE THE CHART AS WELL AS THE WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS ...MAKE SURE THAT YOU FOLLOW THE PATTERN SCHEME TO GET THE RIGHT STITCHES IN THE RIGHT PLACE...YOU MIGHT NOT FINISH OR START EXACTLY AS THE CHART IS WRITTEN BUT STAY IN PATTERN AND YOU WILL BE OK!

155) Ch3, 1 tr in every stitch across.

If you want the shells to be on the RIGHT side (if you have a right side that is), make sure that the next row is worked on the RIGHT side. Work another row of trebles if you need to. 

156) RIGHT SIDE.Ch1, 1 dc in same place, *miss 3 sts, work 9 trs in to the next st, miss 3 sts, 1 dc in next st, repeat from * to end

157) Ch3, 1 tr in same place, Ch1, *1dc in each of the 4th 5th and 6th trs of the next 9 tr group, ch1, 1 V-St in next dc , ch1, repeat from * to end. 

158) RIGHT SIDE Ch3, 4 trs in same place, *1dc in middle dc  of the next 3dcs, 9 trs in middle of the next V-st, repeat from * to end. 

159)  Ch1, 1 dc in same place, 1 dc in next tr, *ch1, 1 V-st in next dc, ch1, 1 dc in each of the 4th 5th and 6th trs from 9tr group, repeat from * to end.

160) RIGHT SIDE Ch1, 1 dc in same place, *work 9 trs in middle ch-sp of next V-st, 1dc in 2nd dc of next 3dcs, repeat from * to end. 

161)  Repeat row 157

162) Ch3, now work 1 tr in every tr, 1 tr in every ch-sp, and 1 tr in every dc. 

Have a count up...I only have 209 but DO NOT PANIC if you have the same or more! As long as the blanket is looking vaguely straight then the border will sort it all out. I will make up about 10 stitches over the next (the last) section but it is not vital unless your blanket is curling in. Crochet is incredibly forgiving so it will all be ok! 

PART 24 CORONAVIRUS CAL

"ITS TIMES LIKE THESE, YOU LEARN TO LOVE AGAIN

ITS TIMES LIKE THESE YOU GIVE AND GIVE AGAIN"

Every Sunset Brings the Promise of a New Dawn

149) Ch3, 1 tr in every tr across

150) Ch1, 1 dc in same place, * ch3, miss 2 trs, 1 dc in next st, repeat from * to end finishing with 1 dc in top of last st.

151) Ch2, *1dc in the next 3-ch-sp, ch3, repeat from * to end

152) Ch1, 1 dc in same place, ch2, *1dc in next 3-ch-sp, ch3, repeat from * to end

153) Ch1, 1dc in same place, *ch3, 1dc in next ch-3-sp, repeat from * to end

154) ch3, now work 2 trs in every ch-3-sp and 1 tr in every dc across