I’d lost my crochet mojo for a while.  Well, only for a few months, but considering I used to carry yarn and hook in my purse everywhere I went, it was a lost feeling.  Then with my cousin’s suggestion to join Ride for Heart Cancer charity ride, most of my family will be participating in honour of my mom.  It truly is a bitter sweet feeling.  I’m so happy that my dad said he was willing to do it and several of us are going to ride too.  A great family event.  But, knowing that it is in honour of my mom has that ache in my heart pulse alive a little stronger because my mom is not here with us.

Part of the charity ride is to raise a minimum $100/rider.  Well, between my dad, husband, 2 kids and myself, we have a bit of raising to do.  I have never done anything like this before and I am not comfortable asking people to donate money.  I’ve decided to crochet a few items and hope to sell to raise the money rather than asking for donations.  This was enough to spark the inspiration and fire to crochet again.

I get to combine my love for my mom and crochet in one!  This makes my heart swoon.  Enjoy the pattern below and consider donating to my Cancer ride

I found a fantastic by PD Designs that I used to make my first poncho.  It was great!  When I posted on FB crochet groups,  of course many asked for the pattern.  Unfortunately, the blog was removed.  I’m writing below based on what I remember.

TODDLER PONCHO (Size 12-24 months)

• Head opening : 18-19 inches
• Hook: I hook (because I crochet tightly, but an H hook should work well)
• Yarn: 1 Ball of worsted weight yarn (I used Red Heart brand)

With H hook & 1 ball of Worsted Weight Yarn Chain 53. Join with a sl st to form a ring (ensure it does not twist before close the ring!).

1. Ch 3. Work 1 dc in the next stitch and in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the top of ch 3. (53 dc made)
2. Work (2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in the same stitch. Skip the next 2 stitches. *Work 3 dc in the next stitch. Skip the next 2 stitches.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Work (3 dc, ch 1 3 dc) in the next stitch. Skip the next 2 stitches. *Work 3 dc in the next stitch. Skip the next 2 stitches.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
3. Sl st in each stitch until you reach the ch 1 space. Slip stitch into the ch 1 space. Ch 3. Work (2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in the ch 1 space. Work 3 dc in between each 3dc grouping until you reach the next ch 1 space. Work (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in the ch 1 space. Work 3 dc in between each 3dc grouping. Join with a sl st to the beginning ch 3.

4-16.    Repeat Row 3

17. Sl st in each stitch until you reach the ch 1 space. Slip stitch into the ch 1 space. Ch 3. Work (2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in the ch 1 space. *Work 5 dc in the space before the next 3dc grouping. Sl St in the 2nd stitch of the 3 dc grouping. * repeat from * to * to the next ch 1 space. Work (3dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in the ch 1 space. *Work 5 dc in the space before the next 3dc grouping. Sl St in the 2nd stitch of the 3 dc grouping. * repeat from * to * to the end. Join with a sl st to the beginning ch 3. Fasten off.
18. Join yarn to the back of the neck and work 1 sc in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off.

Embellishment suggestions:

• Add a flower if desired
• make a long chain and add pom poms – weave through neck line
• add along fringe at bottom or at points in front and back