The Mega-Puff aka: “Croc Mod” or “Gladys' Crochet Lesson”

The story behind me working on this stitch is a little bitter-sweet. In June (2011), I sat down to see a little old lady called Gladys. I was there with a good friend as a temporary shift filler. She suffers with Alzheimer's, and has very few moments of clarity. I had taken my crochet work with me. She then began explaining this stitch she loved. I took very messy notes. I lost the notes somewhere in the panic of coming home from Uni, and now I remembered them (around a year later!). So after a little testing and some scribbles, I typed up the stitch pattern.

I've heard recently that Gladys is getting worse; she's barely remembering how to eat. It's heartbreaking for her daughters, and for Gladys - her daughters are right next to her, but she keeps calling for her daughters.

So, I've typed this up in the hopes that it can be used to raise some money for Alzheimer's Research UK. I've set up a JustGiving page here: http://www.justgiving.com/Gladys-Alzheimers I'd like to think that the research they do will lead to a cure, and that less people will have to suffer with this in the future.

Hopefully this inspires you to donate... if not, then just enjoy the stitch! Feel free to use the stitch how you like. Just don't sell off this guide as your own (that's a little mean).

This pattern is intended for intermediate crocheters; it may take a little thinking to do it, and a lot of practice. It helps if you know how to do the crocodile stitch; since the construction is similar.

I'll try to help if you have any problems, but (as the pattern may well tell you, haha) my explaining skills need a wee bit more polishing. If I don't respond here, then you can PM me either here or on Ravelry (also HaKurama). =)