Memorial Day weekend brings a flood of memories back to me from over the years. Visiting cemeteries to plant relatives’ graves, Memorial Day parades, going to the lake to swim, and cook-outs with family were some of our traditions when I was growing up in the 60’s and 70’s. Also wearing a red poppy from the VFW was our way of remembering those who had fallen in battle for our country. The Veterans of Foreign Wars still continue the Buddy Poppy program today and the donations help support veterans and their families. If you see someone collecting for the VFW Buddy Poppy program, please donate and wear your red poppy in remembrance. You can also donate to the Buddy Poppy program online @https://www.vfw.org/community/community-initiatives/buddy-poppy.
If you would like to make a few extras poppies to decorate a wreath or your home, I’ve written a free crochet pattern with pictures below.
Crochet Pattern for Red Poppy Flower
by Sharon Andreani
Supplies needed: 100% Cotton thread in Size 10 in colors black, red, and green. I had the red thread size 10 in my stash. The black and green were thinner threads, 20 and 30 respectively. I doubled those threads to crochet the center, a leaf, and a loop using the same size hook.
C (2.75mm) hook
Scissors
Darning needle
Stitches used: Chain, slip stitch, half double crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet.
Abbreviations Used: (American Terms)
Ch Chain
Sc Single crochet
Hdc Half double crochet
Dc Double crochet
Tc Treble crochet
Sl st Slip stitch
Instructions:
Round 1. With the black thread, chain three (counts as first stitch). Half double crochet into the third chain from the hook. Hdc eight more times into the same chain. Slip stitch to the top of the first chain. Total 9 stitches. Finish off and weave ends in.
Round 2. Attach red thread into top of one of the Hdc in Row 1 with a slip stitch. Chain 2 (this counts as first stitch). In the same stitch, crochet 4 Dc for a total of 5 stitches. In the next stitch crochet 5 Dc stitches. Continue around repeating the 5 Dc stitches in each stitch until there are 45 Dc stitches. Slip stitch into the top of the first stitch.
Round 3. Chain 2 (counts as first stitch). Dc in next two stitches. Tc in next three stitches. Continue pattern of 2Dc and 3 TC around. Sl st into top of chain 2 stitch. Finish off and weave in ends.
Round 4. Place hook behind and to other side of Dc stitch in the second row. Attach red thread around the Dc stitch using a sl st. Chain 2 (counts as first stitch). Dc around each of the next 4 Dc in Row 2. Tc around each of the next 5 Dc. Repeat 5 Dc and 5 Tc around and sl st into top of the Ch 2. Finish off and weave in ends. Flower should be about 2.5 inches wide when completed; 3.5 inches wide with leaf attached.
Optional: attach a free form leaf in green thread to the back of the flower and chain a loop of 20 and attach. The flower can be worn over a button or attached to a small decorative wreath.
Have a safe Memorial Day weekend, enjoy those family traditions, and remember, freedom is not free.
Be happy – crochet! – Sharon
Very pretty!