Crochet

Crocheted Poppy Flower-Free Pattern

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

Crocheted Poppy Flower with leaf and attached loop.

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

Supplies needed for crocheting a poppy flower.

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.

Attaching red thread to Row 1 for crocheted poppy flower.

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.

Row 2 completed for crocheted poppy flower.

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.

Crocheted Red Poppy after completing Rows 1, 2, and 3.

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.

Placement of hook to begin Row 4 for crocheted poppy flower.

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

Crocheted Red Poppy Pattern by Sharon Andreani
Crochet

Crochet Pattern Published -Done!

We can have goals, even dreams, and sometimes life gets in the way. So, we pick up the pieces and get back on the path. Despite a steep climb this past year and a fork in the road, I arrived at my destination today. I published my first instructional crochet pattern. It’s beginner friendly and includes written stitch instructions and pictures for the alternating half double crochet stitch and also instruction on how to crochet into the back bump of a beginning chain. The very affordable pattern is available as Pattern Only-Soft Textured Washcloth on Etsy at Sharonscraftcupboard.

Soft, textured crocheted washcloth.

You can also find me on Ravelry at CraftCupboard. Be happy-crochet!

Have a great weekend!

Sharon

Crochet

Miss Sharon’s Tea Cake Recipe

Hello Everyone!

Miss Sharon’s Tea Cake -A Gluten Free Recipe.

We went to bed with thunderstorms last evening and woke to another cool, damp, rainy day. Oh, Spring where are you? I am grateful for the beautiful flowers blooming in our yard and garden, but warmer temperatures sure would be welcomed here! This morning I felt like baking. So, I made a loaf of tea cake. The recipe I used is one I developed from a basic soda bread recipe. I make our bread gluten free, but regular flour can be substituted. My understanding is when nuts, berries, eggs, and sugar are added to a soda bread recipe, it becomes a “tea cake”. I’m okay with that! In fact, I enjoy a slice of my tea cake with my coffee about 4 o’clock in the afternoon. And, so does my husband, Alan! So, this Mother’s Day weekend, consider making a loaf of tea cake for your mom or for yourself. Slice it while it’s still warm, slather it with butter or your favorite spread and enjoy with your tea or coffee!

Miss Sharon’s Tea Cake Recipe

Utensils Needed:

5 quart French or cast-iron oven, well-oiled with cooking oil ( a pre-warmed baking stone with parchment paper can also be used)

Parchment paper

Large mixing bowl

Measuring cups for dry ingredients and wet ingredients

Measuring spoons

Fork or large spoon

Ingredients:

4 cups gluten free flour with xanthan gum already added. I like using King Arthur Gluten Free Flour

1 3/4 Cup buttermilk

1/2 Cup dried cranberries

1/2 Cup chopped walnuts

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

4 Tablespoons sugar

4 Tablespoons oil

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:

Preheat over to 400 degrees.

Measure the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar into a large mixing bowl. Blend together with a fork. Add the dried cranberries and chopped walnuts and stir into the dry ingredients. Make a well in the center of the dried ingredients in the bowl. Measure and pour into the center well the buttermilk, oil, egg, and vanilla. With a fork slowly stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir until the dough comes together. If it appears to be a bit dry, add 1-2 Tablespoons of buttermilk and stir. The dough should come clean from the sides of the bowl and there should not be any dry ingredients left on the bottom. Take a length of parchment paper, enough to cover the bottom and up the sides of a French oven, and lay it flat on the counter. Sprinkle the parchment paper with flour. Turn the dough out onto the floured middle of the parchment paper. Sprinkle the dough with flour. Knead the dough 2-3 times and form it into a slightly flattened ball. Lift the parchment paper with the ball of dough on it into the French oven. Take a sharp knife and cut a cross into the top of the ball of dough. I tend to cut my cross about a third of the way down to ensure the cake bakes all the way through to the center. Place the French oven into the oven with the lid on for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the lid and bake for another 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Remove the tea cake gently from the French oven by lifting the sides of the parchment paper. The tea cake can completely cool on the parchment paper or be moved to a plate. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. Slices of the cake can be warmed up in the microwave or in the toaster.

If you’re like me, just reading a recipe is fun! In the meantime, watch for my new crochet pattern to make soft, textured, all cotton washcloths. This pattern will be beginner friendly and teach you a new stitch pattern and a new skill.

Be happy- crochet!

Crochet

Welcome!

Hi! I’m Sharon and welcome to my craft cupboard! My family and friends know how much I enjoy making things and how much I love to crochet and create with my crochet. Forty years ago I first learned how to crochet from my mother, then my grandmother. Follow my page to see what’s happening in my craft cupboard – from crochet designs, patterns, crochet “how-to’s”, handmade items, fun crafts we do together as a family or with friends, and sometimes a yummy recipe!

Be happy-crochet!

Green crocheted shamrock in an antique fruit dish trimmed in green and rose pink flowers and vines.