As promised in a previous post, I finished the pattern for a shield-shaped pill! This is the shape of Lamictal (generic name: lamotrigine), a medication used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder.
I didn’t quite finish in time for Mental Health Awareness Month, but mental health isn’t something that stops being important after May.
My first draft was bright pink, though it looks like the pills actually come in pastel shades of blue, orange, yellow, and white. I also wrote a pattern for a mini pill! You can use different yarn and hook sizes to make different sizes too. I think a pillow in this shield shape would be very cute.
The larger version is about 5.5 inches tall, and the smaller version is about 3 inches tall.
In my previous post, I talked about making 4 halves and sewing them together. Luckily I came up with a better idea, which is to make a half shield, then attach the yarn at the starting point and make the other half by working into the original foundation chain. It’s important to work row 2 into the back of the chain, so that it will be easy to start the second half!
Shield Pill Crochet Pattern (for Epilepsy and Bipolar Medication)
Supplies:
H hook
Red heart super saver yarn – I used white and shocking pink
Black embroidery thread or yarn (for faces)
Large version:
Make 2:
R1: ch 21, turn
R2: sk st, sc 20 into back of foundation chain, turn, ch 1 (20)
R3: hdc2tog, hdc 5, sc 11, sc2tog, turn, ch 1 (18)
R4: sc2tog, sc 5, hdc 11, turn, ch 1 (17)
R5: hdc 5, sc 10, sc2tog, turn, ch 1 (16)
R6: sc2tog, sc 4, hdc 10, turn, ch 1 (15)
R7: hdc2tog, hdc 3, sc 8, sc2tog, turn, ch 1 (13)
R8: sc2tog, sc 3, hdc 8, turn, ch 1 (12)
R9: hdc 3, sc 7, sc2tog (11)
Fasten off
Attach yarn at the original starting stitch (green arrow), ch 1
Note: work first stitch of R10 into the stitch where you attached the yarn
R10: in first stitch, hdc2tog, hdc 5, sc 11, sc2tog, turn, ch 1 (18)
R11: sc2tog, sc 5, hdc 11, turn, ch 1 (17)
R12: hdc 5, sc 10, sc2tog, turn, ch 1 (16)
R13: sc2tog, sc 4, hdc 10, turn, ch 1 (15)
R14: hdc2tog, hdc 3, sc 8, sc2tog, turn, ch 1 (13)
R15: sc2tog, sc 3, hdc 8, turn, ch 1 (12)
R16: hdc 3, sc 7, sc2tog (11)
Fasten off
Small version:
R1: ch 11, turn
R2: sk st, sc 10, turn, ch 1 (10)
R3: hdc2tog, hdc 2, sc 4, sc2tog, turn, ch 1 (8)
R4: sc2tog, sc 2, hdc 4, turn, ch 1 (7)
R5: hdc 2, sc 3, sc2tog (6)
Fasten off
Attach yarn at the original starting stitch (see image with green arrow above), ch 1
Note: work first stitch of R6 into the stitch where you attached the yarn
R6: in first stitch: hdc2tog, hdc 2, sc 4, sc2tog, turn, ch 1 (8)
R7: sc2tog, sc 2, hdc 4, turn, ch 1 (7)
R8: hdc 2, sc 3, sc2tog (6)
Fasten off
Both sizes:
Sew a face onto each shield (if desired)
Line up the two shields back to back
Attach yarn at 3rd stitch down from the left corner, ch 1
Sc the two sides together, and (sc, ch 1, sc) into each corner
Start stuffing when you get about halfway around
When you get to the starting point, join and fasten off
I’ve heard the term “selfish crafting,” but I prefer to call it “self-care crafting” because it’s not selfish to do kind things for yourself. Happy crafting!
