I am a military brat.
My bio-father was involved in the postwar cleanup activities of Europe during the WW2 era - specifically in Germany (that's how my oldest sister came into being), heavily involved in the Korean War (he suffered a bullet wound to his upper thigh in the groin crease & an execution shot behind his ear that did not kill him - but left him with life-long brain damage as the bullet was lodged in his brain and could not safely be extracted), he was in every branch of the military & also involved in special ops operations (he had training in advanced martial arts & his hands were documented lethal weapons) wherever American soldiers had a foothold in Europe, up to the Vietnam War - he left the military, then. My stepfather was a Vietnam POW. My blood runs Red-White-& Blue, and my attitude is "FAFO"
I love America 😊🗽🦅 - I love what our Flag stands for ☝️ ✝️✡️⚓️❤️
I cry with national pride when the Military Colors Parade, winds it's way through our local town streets.
Sometimes I hum 🎵 the Marines Hymn, while cleaning house (well, sometimes housecleaning can feel like an uphill battle, that can leave one feeling sweaty and like you just won a skirmish) 🤭
Marines' Hymn - 'The Halls of Montezuma' /w lyrics: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwS6OkgUXKE&t=1s)
I don't know exactly what Holland & I will be doing this 4th of July … but I KNOW we're fully embracing the Freedom 250 vibe 🗽🦅❤️; and shame on those who hold themselves too politically lofty to celebrate our Great Nation with our chosen President, honestly and enthusiastically voted into Office to work for the American People: they side with hate-filled freeloaders who want the milk & honey, without the sacrifice, or the "please" & "thank you" courtesies that go with the full meal deal.
In this country, we honor Old Glory.
In this home, our Patriotic fervor runs high - no shame felt or allowed to be forced on us, and no apologies given for our stance.
We are Americans.
We are Patriots.
We do not silence or hide our pride.
And with this mindset, I designed this textured pot cover 🌱🧶🧵✂️ - it's a Crochet Pattern stitch from a reel 🎞️ that popped up on my FB newsfeed 💻 a few weeks ago; and I think it fits my design, very well.
I think you'll like it, too.
It sounds complicated, but it's really very simple to do & once your establish your rhythm - the pot cover makes up quickly.
Materials: Worsted weight yarn in Red, White, & Blue; a Dollar Store plastic oblong catch-all container, 10-1/4" L x 3" W x 2-1/2" T; size #I hook; scissors; tapestry needle; medium Star resin button.
Terms:
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
hdc = half double crochet
sc = single crochet
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
EA = each
x = times (repeat)
jn = join
rpt = repeat
EO = end off
Bottom: With red, make a chain of 29 sts, & dc in 3rd ch from hook.
(1) Make 2 dc in same ch - then work 1 dc in EA of the next 23 ch, 3 dc in end ch, 1 dc in EA of the next 24 ch; jn with a sl st.
(2) Ch 3 & make 2 dc in same sp - then work 1 dc, 3 dc in next st, dc x 25, 3 dc in next st, 1 dc, 3 dc in next st, dc x24; jn with a sl st.
(3) Ch 3 & make 2 dc in same st - then work 1 sc in next 4 sts, 1 hdc next st, 1 sc in next st, sl st x 20, 1 sc, 1hdc, 3 dc in next st, sc x4, 1 hdc, 1 sc, sl st x 21, 1 sc, 1 hdc; jn with a sl st. DO NOT CUT YARN.
Lower Stripe Pattern: (4) Continuing with red, ch 1, pull up a loop in same space & in next st, then yarn over hook and draw yarn through both loops: repeat this process around bottom piece. Jn with a sl st.
(5) Ch 1 & turn work; pull up a loop in same space & in next st, then yarn over hook and draw yarn through both loops: repeat this process around bottom piece. Jn with a sl st. (2 rows red)
(6) Drop red & attach white; then ch 1 & turn work; pull up a loop in same space & in next st, then yarn over hook and draw yarn through both loops: repeat this process around bottom piece. Jn with a sl st.
(7) Ch 1 & turn work; pull up a loop in same space & in next st, then yarn over hook and draw yarn through both loops: repeat this process around bottom piece. Jn with a sl st. (2 rows white)
(8) Blue Patch & Upper Stripes: Drop white & attach red; work established pattern over the next 26 sts - attach blue, and carrying red behind work, work pattern in blue across 10 sts, drop blue and pick up red to finish the last 39 sts of row. Jn with a sl st.
(9) Ch 1 & turn work; work established pattern over 39 sts, drop red and pick up blue to work across 10 sts - then drop blue and pick up red to finish the last 26 sts of row. Jn with a sl st. (2 rows red)
(10) Drop red & attach white; work established pattern over the next 26 sts - attach blue, and carrying white behind work, work pattern in blue across 10 sts, drop blue and pick up white to finish the last 39 sts of row. Jn with a sl st.
(11) Ch 1 & turn work; work established pattern over 39 sts, drop white and pick up blue to work across 10 sts - then drop blue and pick up white to finish the last 26 sts of row. Jn with a sl st. (2 rows white)
Repeat rows 8 thru 11 once more; the repeat rows 8 & 9: EO
*With the blue patch, there should be 3 red stripes & 2 white stripes. Weave in loose ends. With tapestry needle & a length of white yarn, sew the white star button in the center of the blue patch.
Slip your plant into your patriotic pot cover & smile. We are celebrating the 250th birth of the greatest nation on earth - and that's something to smile about!
