Tuesday, May 11, 2010

What? It’s May already?

Daffodil Hanger from Quick Tricks in Crochet, 1950

Unfortunately, I missed Daffodil Month. However, it’s still Spring in the Great White North, and that means daffodils are blooming cheerily everywhere.

Except in your closet.

That’s right, I looked inside your closet. And do you know what I found? Not a single solitary daffodil. And no, your jaunty jonquil sweater doesn’t count. So, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to cruelly celebrate the return of sunshine by dancing among the daffodils, while your hardworking closet languishes in wintery darkness?

Of course not! Because you’re going to get out your crochet hook and start making daffodil hanger covers. Sure, the daffies will make hanging your blouses difficult, but that’s a small price to pay to ensure your closet is a springtime sanctuary.

Besides, it’s easier than overhauling your entire wardrobe.


For the complete pattern (and more snark):

Daffodil Hanger FV-397

MATERIALS:

Clark’s “Anchor” Pearl Cotton, Size 5: 2 balls of No. 406 Nile Green, or
Clark’s “Anchor” Cronita, 1 ball of No. 26 Nile Green, and J. & P. Coats Best Six Cord Mercer-Crochet, Small Ball (Blue Label), Size 30: 1 ball of No. 513 Dk. Yellow.
Milward’s “Ship” Brand Steel Crochet Hook Nos. 7 and 10.
½ yard of green satin ribbon 1 inch wide. A wooden dress hanger.
A.K.A. coat hanger, clothes hanger, or just plain hanger!

However, “dress hanger” sounds more feminine, which is appropriate, considering most men would balk at having beribboned daffodils dangling from their hangers.

Well, most men.
COVER . . . Starting at narrow edge with Nile Green and No. 7 hook, ch 12. 1st row: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, * ch 2, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch. Repeat from * across. Ch 3, turn. 2nd row: Dc in first sc, * sc in next sp, 3 dc in next sc (shell made). Repeat from * across, ending with sc in last sp. Ch 3, turn. 3rd row: * Sc in center of next shell, ch 3. Repeat from * across, ending with sc in top of turning chain. Ch 3, turn. Repeat 2nd and 3rd rows until piece is length of hanger. Break off. Slip center over hook of hanger and sew securely in place. Wind thread tightly around hook and sew ends securely in place.
To be fair, the daffodil man above is raising money for the Irish Cancer Society, so we mustn’t mock him.

Because cancer is no laughing matter. Except when it’s the best defense!
DAFFODIL (Make 2) . . . Starting at base of Daffodil, with Dk. Yellow and No. 10 hook, ch 5. Join with sl st to form ring. 1st rnd: Ch 4, 11 tr in ring. Sl st in top of ch-4. 2nd rnd: Ch 4, tr in same place as sl st, * tr in next 2 tr, 2 tr in next tr (1 tr increased). Repeat from * around. Join. 3rd rnd: Sc in same place as sl st, sc in each tr around. 4th rnd: Sc in each sc around. 5th to 15th rnds incl: Sc in each sc around, increasing 2 sc evenly in each rnd, being careful that increases do not fall over each other. 16th rnd: Ch 4, tr in each sc around. Join. 17th and 18th rnds: Ch 4, tr in each st around, increasing 3 tr evenly around. Join. 19th rnd: Sc in same place as sl st, * ch 5, sc in next tr. Repeat from * around. Sl st in first sc. Break off.

PETAL (Make 6) . . . Starting at base of petal, ch 8. Join with sl st to form ring.
And according to one young survivor, cancer can sometimes be awesome (except for the acne!).
FIRST PETAL . . . 1st row: Ch 4, 4 tr in ring. Ch 4, turn. 2nd row: Tr in first tr, tr in next 3 tr, 2 tr in top of turning chain. Ch 4, turn. 3rd and 4th rows: Tr in first tr, tr in each tr across, 2 tr in top of turning ch. Ch 4, turn. 5th row: Skip first tr, tr in each tr and in top of turning chain. Ch 4, turn. 6th row: Skip first tr, holding back on hook the last loop of each tr make tr in next 2 tr, thread over and draw through all loops on hook (a joint tr made), tr in next 4 tr; holding back on hook the last loop of each tr make tr in next tr and tr in top of turning chain and complete joint tr as before. Ch 4, turn. 7th row: Skip first tr, holding back on hook the last loop of each tr make tr in next tr and in each following tr, tr in top of turning chain, thread over and draw through all loops on hook. Break off.

SECOND PETAL . . . Attach thread to ring, ch 4, 4 tr in ring, ch 4, turn and complete as for First Petal. Make 4 more petals in this manner.
Crocheting daffodil hanger covers is definitely one of the more tasteful things you can do to show your support for cancer research.

Although, if subtle isn’t your strong suit, this very special pattern is available for purchase here. Feel free to take your new pillow along to yard sales, marathon runs, and while door-to-door canvassing.
Attach thread at base of petal, 2 sc in sp, 3 sc in next sp, in next sp make 2 sc and 3 half dc; 5 dc in next sp, 7 dc in next sp, in next sp make 3 half dc and 2 sc, 4 dc in top sp. Work along side to correspond. Continue in this manner all around outer edges of all petals.

STAMENS . . . Starting at base with Dk. Yellow, ch 9, * thread over, insert hook in 3rd ch from hook and draw loop through, (thread over, insert hook in same place and draw loop through) twice; thread over and draw through all loops on hook, ch 5, sl st in first ch made, ch 8. Repeat from * once more, thread over, insert hook in 3rd ch from hook and draw loop through, (thread over, insert hook in same place and draw loop through) twice; thread over and draw through all loops on hook, ch 5, sl st in first ch made. Break off.

Insert Flower through ring of petals and sew in place. Sew stamens in place. Starch flowers lightly and press. Tie ribbon into bow around hook of hanger. Sew Daffodils to ends of ribbon.
And now your closet is ready for spring, and you’re ready to donate your time and money to the fight against cancer.

No one will mind if you’re one month late... or five months early!


Click here for the printable pattern.

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