The Happy Hookers started the new year with a more unusual make... in the shape of a coronavirus! The Covid Chronicle exhibition is due to come to the Museum in April and the staff there have asked for some 3D items to fill the display cabinets alongside the Chronicle's colourful textiles. Michelle spotted a Christmas bauble pattern which looked similar to the virus depictions she'd seen, and a spot of light googling later revealed a multitude of coronavirus patterns are available!
She selected the pattern which looks the most realistic (note the pattern is in US notation), and the Hookers have started to make this most unusual commission. They decided to use whatever colours, hook size and wool types they have to hand, which should result in a variety of sizes and depictions to represent the variations which have presented themselves over the past couple of years.
Pauline has the honour of completing the first virus, pictured above. The pattern is mainly standard amigurumi, with a slightly more tricky to make spike protein. It looks like the pattern calls for these to be made directly onto the main body, which was considered to be far too fiddly (and not very secure) so the spikes were made separately, then sown on instead. A little embroidery onto the main body finishes the coronavirus off and didn't need to be french knots as shown in the pattern.
Michelle also found stuffing is easier if it's started earlier than given in the pattern - after a couple of decrease rounds - otherwise the stuffing is done through a fiddly small hole. A further tip: the pattern calls for the spikes to be randomly distributed over the body. We did this directly, though other patterns show the use of sewing pins first - it means you can fiddle around with their distribution first if needed.
Gill has started a purple one and Ann has chosen a light blue cotton for hers. Michelle is making the largest one of all, using some super chunky wool from Aldi in what she calls a snot-green colour! She is currently exploring a potential alteration of the spike protein part of the pattern to make it in more keeping with her super size make.
Future makes were also discussed, and it was agreed some more community minded ones should go on the list for this year. These include a couple of potential joint WI initiatives - an extension of the poppy cascade to include a display of the 5 poppy colours and their meaning, plus a possible 'giving tree' of hats, scarves and gloves. Lap blankets for Morrisons Community Champion (an ex-Belle) are also on the list, now we know the approximate size needed. There is also the potential to add some new techniques and patterns in each of these initiatives.
Watch this space!