Before we get started on Part 6, I’d just like to say that I’m really enjoying seeing all of you’re gorgeous peacocks! Whether you’re using a designated yarn kit or choosing your own colors, your work is just stunning! This design is perfect for the creative color palette, so let your imagination soar and find your own inner peacock!
Over the past 3 weeks, we have discussed the flight wings of the peacock. This week we’ll sum it all up and delve into the Coverts, which work in combination with the Tertiaries, Secondaries, and Primaries.
Bordering and overlaying the edges of the remiges and the rectrices are rows of feathers called coverts. These help streamline the shape of the wings and tail (minimizing drag) while providing the bird with insulation.
The upperwing coverts fall into two groups: those on the inner wing, which overlay the secondary flight feathers, known as the secondary coverts, and those on the outerwing, which overlay the primary flight feathers, the primary coverts. Within each group, the feathers form a number of rows. The feathers of the outermost, largest, row are termed greater (primary-/secondary-) coverts; those in the next row are the median (primary-/secondary-) coverts, and any remaining rows are termed lesser (primary-/secondary-) coverts. The underwing has corresponding sets of coverts (the names upperwing coverts and underwing coverts are used to distinguish the corresponding sets). In addition, the front edge of the wing is covered with a group of feathers called the marginal coverts. Within each group of wing coverts, the rows of feathers overlap each other like roof tiles (the greater coverts are overlain by the median coverts, which in turn are overlain by the outermost row of lesser coverts, and so on).
The *calami of the flight feathers are protected by a layer of non-flight feathers called covert feathers or tectrices (singular tectrix), at least one layer of them both above and beneath the flight feathers of the wings as well as above and below the rectrices of the tail. These feathers may vary widely in size – in fact, the upper tail tectrices of the male peafowl, rather than its rectrices, are what constitute its elaborate and colorful “train.”
Covert feathers are divided into the greater primary and greater secondary. The greater primary covets cover the base of each primary feather while the greater secondary coverts cover the base of each secondary feather. Coverts provide support and create surface area to help produce lift.
The median coverts overlap the greater secondary coverts, while the marginal coverts finish the upper surface of the wing with small flexible feathers.
*The hollow lower part of the shaft of a feather, which lacks barbs; a quill.
Written in US terms.
ABBREVIATIONS
Beg = beginning
Ch/s = chain/s
Dc = double crochet
Hdc = half double crochet
Hk = hook
Lp/s = loop/s
Prev = previous
Sc = single crochet
Sk = skip/skipped
Sl st = slip stitch
Sp/s = space/s
St/s = stitch/es
Tr = treble crochet
Yo = yarn over
HOOK: Crochet hook size H / 5.0mm
OTHER: Tapestry Needle, Scissors, Stitch Markers
FINISHED SIZE: 51” Diameter
INSTRUCTIONS
Tip: If you would like a little more texture in this section of your afghan, you can work Rnd 69 with Bpdc instead of a regular dc. This will provide a textured ridge between color changes, but won’t interfere with the overall design. This option was also noted in Part 5.
Rnd 69: Join A with sl st to any ch-2 sp, Ch 3 (count as dc), dc in same sp, [dc in next 9 dc, sk next 2 dc, dc in next 9 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp] around omitting last (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc), 2 dc in beg ch-2 sp, join with dc to top of beg ch-3. (726 dc, 33 ch-2)
Rnd 70: Ch 3 (count as dc), dc in same sp, [dc in next 10 dc, sk next 2 dc, dc in next 10 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp] around omitting last (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc), 2 dc in beg ch-sp formed by the dc join, join with dc to top of beg ch-3. (792 dc, 33 ch-2)
Rnd 71: Ch 3 (count as dc), dc in same sp, [dc in next 11 dc, sk next 2 dc, dc in next 11 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp] around omitting last (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc), 2 dc in beg ch-sp formed by the dc join, join with dc to top of beg ch-3. Finish off. (858 dc, 33 ch-2)
Note: For the next Rnd, you will sl st loosely on the RS surface, using the open sps created in prev Rnds.
Rnd 72: Join B with sc to any ch-2 sp, sc in same sp, [sc in next 12 dc, sk next dc, sl st into sp bet 2 dc, working from RS, sl st in open sps all the way down to hdc point of Rnd 63 (7 sl sts), turn work and reverse to sl st back up to Rnd 71 placing sts to the left of prev sl sts, once the last sl st is made on Rnd 71, remove hk from lp, insert hk in last sc made, grab lp removed from hk and draw through, sk next dc on Rnd 71, sc in next 12 dc, 3 sc in next ch-2 sp] around omitting last 2 sc, place 1 sc in first ch-2 sp, join with sl st to first sc. Finish off. (891 sc)
End with 33 Points.
PM in the middle (2nd) sc of each 3-sc point.
NEXT INSTALLMENT ON 11/02/2022.
Do you need yarn for this project, or to replenish your stash? Yarn kits are still available, as well as many other fine yarns for all your crochet needs.
- BeWoolen – Champlin, MN – Elysian
- Jimmy Beans Wool – Reno, NV – 220 Superwash®
- Michigan Fine Yarns – Livonia, MI – Anthem DK, 220 Superwash®, Pacific Sport®
- Simply Socks Yarn Company – Fort Wayne, IN – 220 Superwash®
- Webs – Northhampton, MA – 220 Superwash®, Pacific Sport®
- Wood & Knit Be Nice Music Studio – Papillion, NE – Anthem DK
- Wool & Company – South Elgin, IL – 220 Superwash®
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I hope you are enjoying crocheting your Peacock Plumes Afghan. I would love for you to join me and crochet along with like-minded crafty folk. Here are links where you can find me:
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