Crochet Poppy

Yesterday I went with my son and daughter to see the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red poppy installation at the Tower of London.

This wonderful work by artist Paul Cummins is to remember the sacrifice made by British and Commonwealth soldiers in the First World War. It was a very poignant yet remarkable sight and I feel very lucky to have been able to see it.
Today whilst contemplating our visit yesterday I decided to have a go at making a crochet poppy. I have donated as usual to the British Legion Poppy Appeal but the little paper poppies don't tend to look good for long. I have looked at many poppy patterns over the years but never found one completely to my liking so  thought I would try and make my own!

To make this pattern you will need a knowledge of the following stitches:

Double crochet
Half Treble crochet
Treble crochet
Double Treble crochet

You will need a small amount of red and green yarn (I used Stylecraft lipstick and willow), 4mm crochet hook, scissors, a tapestry needle, black button and a brooch back.

First make a magic circle and do 10 dc, ss to join.
1ch 1dc into same space then 2dc into each stitch (20dc) ss to join

3ch 1dtc into same space, 1dtc, 2 dtc repeat x 4, 3 ch, ss into next stitch and ch 3.

That's your first petal shape and you continue the pattern for the second petal. So starting with the last chain 3 you will do a dtc in the same space then 1dtc, 2 dtc repeat x 4 and ch3.
Each petal has a ch3, 13 dtc, ch3,
Hope you can follow this as I am not a pattern writer!
Leave a good length of yarn for sewing up later.

Make a second one of these to form your poppy.
Now for the leaf.
Ch 10, 1dc into 1st stitch from hook then 1htc, 1tc, 3dtc, 1tc, 1htc, 1dc, 1ch then continue up the opposite side repeating this pattern and finish with a ss into first dc.

Sew on the button first then add one flower petal onto the other at different angles.

Sew on the leaf. Now traditionally the leaf should be in the 11 o clock position so you may want to keep this in mind when placing your leaf.

Add the brooch back


And there you have it!

Different buttons alter the look...

Don't forget to still donate to the British Legion while wearing your super handmade poppy!

xxx Eirawen