For Australians, ANZAC Day has special significance. It’s at Gallipoli that we found our national identity. We wear the poppy on this day each year to honour the sacrifice made by those who have served in our military in times of war.

This cowl is my way of wearing the poppy during the often chilly dawn service. It is relatively quick and easy to make with the start of the poppy and the positioning of the button the only bits that need a bit of patience.  The ‘stamen’ of the poppy forms a ‘button’ that holds the cowl closed.

If you want to learn more about ANZAC Day click HERE.

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The pattern below is written in USA crochet terms. You can purchase an ad-free pdf in either USA or UK terms HERE for a nominal fee. Part of all profits from pattern sales are donated to Dachshund Rescue Australia.

Pattern

Materials

Yarn:          

• Colour A:  1 ball of Caron Simply Soft Party (85g/150m) in black (medium weight yarn)
• Colour B:  Small amount of Fiddlesticks Superb 8 in yellow (DK weight yarn)
• Colour C:  Small amount of Fiddlesticks Superb 8 in red (DK weight yarn)

Hook:          5 mm

Yarn Needle

Gauge:

10cm = 8 rows in pattern (at dc end)

10cm = 15 dc sts

Abbreviations and Tips

blo = back loop only

ch = chain

dc = double crochet

Fsc = foundation single crochet

hdc = half double crochet

slst = slip stitch

pc = popcorn st

sp = space

st = stitch

Popcorn Stitch (pc) – The 5dc-popcorn is made by doing 5 dc in one stitch, then dropping the loop off your hook, inserting your hook into the first dc, picking up the dropped loop, then pulling it through the first dc.  You finish off with a ch 1. 

If you are unfamiliar with the popcorn stitch, there is a Drunk Dog Creative (formerly Long Dog Wool) video tutorial that demonstrates this technique here: https://longdogwool.com/2020/04/04/how-to-do-bobbles-popcorns-and-puff-stitches/

For the poppy, I inserted the hook from back to front to finish the popcorn (the video is the opposite way).  You can do it either way – it changes the texture of the stitch so do whichever way you prefer yourself!  All popcorns can be pushed out to the side opposite the one they naturally form on. For the poppy, you will need to push it out to the other side. I recommend doing this at the end as it will get in your way as you work the next round or two. 

Instructions

EXCEPT FOR FOUNDATION ROW OR CHAIN ROW, WORK ALL STITCHES IN BACK LOOP ONLY

R1:           fsc 25 sts. (Alternative: ch 26, turn, sc in second ch from hook and in each ch to end).

R2:           ch 1 [ch1 turning chains do not count as a stitch here and throughout pattern], sc in next 10 sts, hdc in next 5 sts, dc in next 10 sts, turn.

R3:              ch 3 [ch 3 turning chains DO count as a stitch here and throughout pattern], dc in next 9 sts, hdc in next 5 sts, sc in next 10 sts.  Turn.

R4-69:        Repeat rows 2 and 3.

Poppy

R70:              ch 1 (does not count), slst in the first 8 sts, ch 15, slst to st at base of ch, creating a ring, turn.

You will now be working in the round using the ring only.

R1:            ch 3 (counts as first st), make 15 dc stitches in the ring, slst to top or beginning ch 3, do not turn.

CHANGE TO COLOUR C

R2:              ch 3 (counts as first st), 3 dc into same st as join, *4 dc in next st, repeat from * around, slst to beginning ch3.

R3:              ch 3 (counts as first st), dc in same st as join, *2 dc in next st, repeat from * around, slst to beginning ch 3, fasten off.

Weave in ends.

Button (centrepiece of poppy)

You will be working in the round for this.

Make a magic circle with Colour B but leave a long tail for fasting to cowl.

R1:              10 sc in the circle, slst to first sc. Do not turn.

R2:              2sc in joining st, popcorn st, *2 sc in next st, popcorn st, repeat from * 3 more times, join with slst to first sc. (5 popcorns).

CHANGE TO COLOUR A

 R3:             ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc into joining st, *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, repeat from * to end of round, slst to first dc (30 sts).  Fasten off. Sew in ends except first tail.

Try the cowl on and find where you want the poppy to sit on you. 

1. Mark where the centre of the poppy sits on the cowl underneath (the other end). 
2. Sew the ‘button’ to the marked spot sewing only the middle of the ‘button’. Leave the outside edges free. 
3. Weave in the ends.

When you put the cowl on, you feed the ‘button’ through the centre of the poppy so that it forms the centre of the poppy and holds the cowl in place.

Finished!!!

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If you would like an ad-free pdf of this pattern in either UK or USA crochet terms, you can purchase it for a nominal fee HERE.
Part of all profits from pattern sales are donated to Dachshund Rescue Australia.