Crocheting for Peace, Final Post

A couple weeks ago, I wrote up the pattern for my crocheted peace patch, promising to do a post with photos. I finally got around to taking the pictures...

(I made six of these things for my photo session, and since many of you don't crochet, I thought some of you might want them. I will send one to each of the first six commenters who want one. Just make sure your profile links to your email or leave your email in the comment and I will contact you.)  

Peace Patch Instructions

Gauge isn't important as a thicker yarn will make a bigger patch and a thinner yarn a smaller one. I used worsted weight yarn and a size I hook, but just match hook size to yarn weight.  

Into a magic loop, chain 3. Then work 11 more double crochets into that loop. Tighten. Slip stitch into first chain 3.

Round 2: Chain 3. Then work 2 dc into each dc of previous round, counting the chain 3 as the first dc. Slip stitch into the first chain 3 and cut yarn. Wind in ends.

Completed disc

Fold disc in half. (I found it easier to use a hook one size smaller--in this case a size H--to do the detail work in the center.) Using a different color yarn, single crochet into a double crochet, then work a row of single crochet along the face of the disc. Two single crochets per double crochet post seemed to work.

Just get the hook in there as best you can

Work to the other side of the disc, making sure to work into the top of the double crochet on the other end.

Go ahead and leave the ends loose. They're easily hidden in the final step.

Start at the center, leaving one double crochet on the disc between where you're starting and where the center line was. Pull up a loop and single crochet from the center to the edge.

You can kind of see what's happening here. Click on any image to make it larger.

There is a gap. We'll take care of that in a moment.

Repeat for the other side--the other "leg" of the peace sign.

All ends are still there. I just tucked them under for the pic.

Using a tapestry needle (I used a smaller crochet hook, but that's just how I roll), take the ends at the center and thread them through the first stitch of the "leg", through the center line, back to the "leg" (through the top of the stitch), and then wind that end through that "leg".

You can kind of see how the ends go through the center line here.

This connects the "legs" to the center line, making it all look like one piece.

And here the center ends are all wound in. It sort of looks like there's a stitch there, but really there's not.

Next, I switched back to the larger (size I) hook. I used the reverse single crochet (or crab stitch), but a round of single crochet would work just as well. Start anywhere, and work a round around the outside, making sure to trap the ends under the reverse single crochet as you work the round.  

It's so much better to catch the ends this way. If I had to wind in all those ends, I would hate this project.

Cut yarn, bind off, and wind that last end through. Finished product...  

And now that I figured out how to make them, I have absolutely no use for them. Ideas?