Knitting for Peace

A Preemie Hat

2012-01-15T10:30:00.000-08:00

A Plain Pair of Mittens

2012-01-03T12:05:00.000-08:00

I knit these for my mitten blog, but as they are for charity I am posting a photo here as well. The pattern used is this one and I'm using Lamb's Pride Worsted Weight and size 4 double pointed needles. The size is medium.

Two More Preemie Hats

2011-12-29T13:07:00.000-08:00

I finished both of these little hats over the Christmas break.

Red and White Fair Isle Child's Hat

2011-12-12T12:58:00.001-08:00

This hat will fit a child 6-8 years old. The pattern is free from Ravelry and can be found here. It's called Winter's Coming and it's made from wool yarn from my stash.

Three Hats

2011-12-04T14:54:00.000-08:00

These are hats I knitted from stash yarn this weekend. The beige wool was given to me recently by a co-worker. I liked how these turned out and I have a lot more yarn to use up!

Blue Baby Beanie

2011-11-28T08:48:00.000-08:00

I knit this hat in one evening. The pattern is free on Ravelry, here. I used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino in teal and size 4 dpns. A fun knit!

Six Fair Isle Baby Hats

2011-11-12T08:09:00.001-08:00

I'm going to start a blog on knitting mittens in January and some mittens will be fair isle. I've done very little fair isle knitting so I thought I'd start by making some two color baby hats for practice. I used this Ravelry pattern. I had trouble at first and made lots of mistakes which meant I had to rip out sections and re-knit, sometimes more than once. It took me almost 8 hours to knit the first hat, but now I can knit them in half the time. I used partial skeins of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn and I'm thinking of making some hats using a variety of colors using scraps. They will fit babies 3-6 months.

These will be going to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Tiny Pumpkin Hat

2011-09-05T12:21:00.003-07:00

The nickel is there to show the size. I think I have enough yarn to make another one.

Safe Return

2011-09-05T10:07:00.000-07:00

This traditional motif was featured in a children's book, Safe Return by Catherine Dexter. Based on a true incident in 1824 on an island in the Baltic Sea, it was also mentioned in The Mitten Book by Inger and Ingrid Gottfridsson.

A Fair Isle Hat

2011-09-05T10:04:00.001-07:00

This hat will fit a child about 6-8 years old and will be sent to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. It is made of worsted weight wool.

One TinyTomato Hat

2011-09-05T10:01:00.000-07:00

More Preemie Hats

2011-09-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

Calvin's Hats

2011-08-12T16:31:00.000-07:00

Here are twelve hats made for Calvin's Hats. These tiny hats are for babies born much too soon and are intended to carry a small amount of healing, comfort, and peace.

The pattern:

Baby Cashmerino (or any DK yarn)
Size 3 dp needles
Tapestry needle

Cast on 48 stitches and divide evenly on three needles (16 stitches each).
K1 through the back loop, P1 for 10 rounds.
Knit 1 round
Purl 1 round
YO, K2 tog one round
Knit 1 round
Purl 1 round
Knit 12 rounds even
K6, K2tog for one round
K5, K2 tog for one round
K4, K2 tog for one round
K3, K2 tog for one round
K2, K2 tog for one round
K1, K2 tog for one round
K2 tog for one round
Use last three stitches to make an I-cord about 3/4".
Weave in ends.

These hats take about an hour each to make.

Watermelon Preemie Hat

2011-08-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

Knit on size 1 dp needles using hand dyed, self-striping watermelon with seeds sock yarn bought from KnitPurlGirl on Etsy last March. It is 75% Superwash merino wool and 25% nylon.

I cast on 60 stitches, did a k2,p2 rib for 10 rounds, knit 20 rows in stockinette stitch then decreased as follows:
Round 1: k4, k2 tog
Round 2: k
Round 3: k3, k2 tog
Round 4: k
Round 5: k2, k2 tog
Round 6: k
Round 7: k1, k2 tog
Round 8: k
Round 9: k2 tog
Round 10: k2 tog
Make i-cord. Weave in ends.

I realized after I finished the first sock I made with this yarn, that I would have plenty to make this hat so I finished the hat and now I'm starting the second sock.

Two More Preemie Hats

2011-02-07T06:47:00.000-08:00

The first is another just like the one I just finished. The second is an easy-peasy rolled brim hat. I've put them both in the box for the Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital.

Ribbed Lace Preemie Hat

2011-02-02T10:40:00.000-08:00

I knit this little hat for Valentine's Day using red Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn and size 3 dp needles. It took me about 90 minutes to knit.

This is the stitch pattern:
Rnd 1: k1, p1, k2, p1, k1
Rnd 2: k1, p1, yo, ssk, p1, k1
Rnd 3: k1, p1, k2, p1, k1
Rnd 4: k1, p1, k2tog, yo, p1, k1

I cast on 42 stitches and knit 8 rows of k1(tbl), p1, completed the stitch pattern four times and then decreased as follows:
Rnd 1: k4, k2tog
Rnd 2: Knit around
Rnd 2: k3, k2tog
Rnd 4 Knit around
Rnd 5: k2, k2tog
Rnd 6: Knit around
Rnd 7: k1,k2tog
Rnd 8: k2tog
Rnd 9: k2tog 3 times, k1 (4 stitches remain)
Make I-cord with remaining stitches and weave in ends.

Citron Vert (Lime) Toddler Socks

2011-01-09T10:57:00.000-08:00

These are made of leftover yarn (100% superwash merino wool), using size 2 needles. The pattern stitch is a double seed stitch.

I had wanted to make Citron (Lemon) socks, but don't have any yellow. I've put it on the list!

These socks will be going to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Looking for Inspiration

2011-01-04T04:35:00.000-08:00

I've been looking through books, on websites, and in my files for inspiration. I like knitting hats and socks and mittens which are small, portable projects. I've knit burial gowns in the past, but they're difficult emotionally. I've also knit sweaters and one of my favorites is the five-hour sweater even though it takes me longer than five hours to knit one.

I'm cleaning my sewing room and have found many small balls of yarn left over from knitting socks. They're wool which would make them suitable for baby items for afghans for Afghans or for the Pine Ridge Reservation. Hats, mittens, or socks would all work. Maybe that's where I'll start this year. It might be fun, too, to think of a sweater where I could use small, odd-sized balls of wool. Maybe Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise jacket?

Thinking. Thinking.

Knitting Classes

2010-12-29T10:33:00.000-08:00

I am teaching four knitting classes at my local yarn shop in the next few months. I will be able to give the models I'm making for two of them--baby veggie hats and a top-down child's cardigan--to charity once the classes are finished. Here is a photo of the tomato hat sized for a newborn. I'm working on a pumpkin one as well.

Children's Mittens

2010-11-07T14:33:00.000-08:00

I never did start on those preemie hats. Instead, I've been working on mittens made from leftover sock yarns. These are two pairs I finished today. The pattern is free and can be found here.

Preemie Hats

2010-09-25T06:37:00.000-07:00

I just looked at this blog and realized I hadn't posted for almost a year! Whew! I've started knitting preemie hats again and will post photos soon. I like to make all the hats I send to a hospital unique as each little baby is unique. My method is either to make one pattern in different colors or to make numerous patterns of just one color. Right now I'm working on one pattern in different colors.

Preemie Santa Hat

2009-12-17T09:07:00.001-08:00

A little Santa hat.

Elf Preemie Hat

2009-11-30T10:34:00.000-08:00

This hat was fast to make and I hope to make several more before Christmas.

Child's Peppermint Hat

2009-11-10T09:16:00.000-08:00

This hat will be sent to the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Pink Swirl Preemie Hat

2009-10-16T05:40:00.000-07:00

This pattern is knit in red and white and called Candy Cane in Handknit Holidays: Knitting Year-Round for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Winter Solstice by Melanie Falick.

I adapted the pattern as follows to make a preemie hat:
Using size 2 needles and DK yarn cast on 48 stitches.
Knit 6 rounds in stockinette stitch

**NOTE: There is an error in the pattern. Round 1 of the crown shaping should be as follows:
Rnd 1: K1, *skp, k4; repeat from * to last 5 sts, skp, k3.
All of the following rounds are correct.

Tomato Preemie Hat

2009-10-11T09:35:00.000-07:00

The pattern is here.

Beanstalk Preemie Hat

2009-10-09T17:40:00.000-07:00

The pattern can be found here.

One Million a Year

2009-10-04T18:29:00.000-07:00

This article is about a report done by the March of Dimes
More Than One Million Preemies Die in First Month Annually:

In the United States, the rate of preterm births has increased 36 percent in the past 25 years, with births between the 34th and 36th week of gestation accounting for the majority of the increase, the organization found. Much of the hike in preterm births is linked to more pregnancies after the age of 35 and the use of fertility treatments that can lead to multiple births.

"Wherever trend data are available, rates of preterm birth are increasing," the report said.

Infants who survive premature birth face lifelong health risks, including the possible development of cerebral palsy, blindness, hearing loss, learning disabilities and other chronic conditions, according to the March of Dimes.

I can't do much about this, except knit little baby hats. And pray.

Thank You Note

2009-09-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

I received a lovely thank you note from the Cheyenne Indian Reservation Youth Project for the mittens I sent them.

First Pumpkin Hat of the Season!

2009-09-15T08:04:00.001-07:00

I am back to knitting preemie items. Here is my first hat for fall. The quarter is to show just how small this hat is.

Nine Pairs of Mittens!

2009-09-14T08:03:00.000-07:00

I will be mailing these mittens to the Cheyenne Indian Reservation the last week of September.

Mitten Monday (9)

2009-09-14T08:01:00.001-07:00

And here is the last pair of mittens for Mittnz 2009. In pink!

Mitten Monday (8)

2009-09-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

Well, Mitten Monday one day late. I was distracted by the Labor Day holiday. These are a plain brown pair.

Mitten Monday (7)

2009-09-01T09:15:00.001-07:00

I finished these oatmeal mittens late last night.

Mitten Monday (6)

2009-08-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

This week I knit purple mittens.

Mitten Monday (5)

2009-08-17T09:20:00.000-07:00

Another pair, this one in gold.

Mitten Monday (4)

2009-08-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

Here is the photo of my fourth pair of mittens, this pair in orange. I like bright colors.

Mitten Monday (4)

2009-08-10T18:23:00.000-07:00

The mittens are done, but there's not enough sunlight to get a good photo. I'll post one tomorrow.

Mitten Monday (3)

2009-08-03T14:38:00.000-07:00

My third set of mittens. The band says it's khaki, but it looks more like just a light green to me.

Mitten Monday (2)

2009-07-27T13:12:00.000-07:00

My second pair of mittens, this pair classic red. Perhaps the title of this post should be "Mitten Madness" as the temperature is supposed to be almost 100 degrees today.

What's the Point?

2009-07-26T16:29:00.000-07:00

This blog post began with a comment I've heard before:

I just don’t think that knitting is the right response for every problem. For one thing, it’s slow. Do you know how long it takes to knit even a preemie cap? If handknits were really the solution to a problem, there would be a serious imbalance between supply and demand. That’s a bit facetious, but I wonder if all that knitting time wouldn’t be better spent lobbying or protesting for change, and whether knitted donations aren’t more about gratifying the the donor than fulfilling a need.

She continued:
I had these doubts in mind when I approached the Women’s Daytime Drop-in Center and asked if they needed a knitting teacher. I suspected my own motives and wondered whether I was offering something frivolous. But the volunteer coordinator assured me that to teach knitting to homeless and low-income women was to give them something of value –that the center’s clients needed more than just food, clothing, and shelter. I was reminded by this that homeless women and children are whole people; by offering a knitting class I would be honoring their creative impulses.

Yes! It might make more sense from a practical point of view to buy items or just send money, but there is an emotional gift being given as well as an item made of yarn. Little preemie hats keep those tiny baby heads warm, but they're also meant to make the parents see how lovely and special their babies are and to remind them that there are people, strangers, in the world who care about them and their babies. I've received thank you letters from parents and know that is true. And it's the same with hats and mittens made for children. I want them to know that there is someone they don't know who is thinking about them and wants them to be warm and has spent time and money making something beautiful as well as useful. It's that connection that makes the difference. It's that connection that is the point of knitting for others.

Mitten Monday

2009-07-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

I've finished the first pair of mittens for Mittnz 2009. I'd posted about this several months ago, but as I delayed my start I'm now dedicating Mondays to knitting mittens.

In EZ's Knitter's Almanac, she writes:

It is better not to make mittens in a hurry. When snow flies and small frozen hands beg for warmth (sob), the actual knitting tends to be perfunctory and possibly scamped; one economies on the number of stitches; one does not make the cuffs sufficiently long. The main object then is to turn out scads of mittens to appease the demand, and the enjoyment of production is not what it might be. (page 53)

Now, true, she did write this for the month of May and it is now mid-July with a mid-September deadline and yet still I'm certain I can knit nine pairs of mittens in that time and do them well.

The pattern I'm using can be found here. I'm using Lamb's Pride Worsted Weight and size 3 and 7 dpns and I'm not scrimping on the cuffs either.

And Another

2009-06-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

A Pink One

2009-06-18T15:16:00.001-07:00

A Yellow Hat

2009-06-16T14:34:00.000-07:00

Mock Rib and Eyelet

2009-06-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

I wanted to make a hat using this mock rib and eyelet stitch pattern:
Rnds 1 and 2: K3, P2
Rnd 3: S1, K2, psso, P2
Rnd 4: K1, YO, K1, P2

This is how it turned out:

I didn't like it very much.

Then I tried this pattern. and I like this hat much better.

Baby Hat and Sweater Set Patterns

2009-06-13T15:57:00.000-07:00

I love this pattern for a baby sweater. There's a matching hat too. I've added them to my list.

Beanstalk Preemie Hat Pattern

2009-06-09T12:32:00.000-07:00

I thought the pattern for this little hat was really cute and I've added it to my list of preemie hats to make this month.

Blue and White Striped Hat and Booties

2009-05-11T13:25:00.000-07:00

Pink and White Striped Hat and Booties

2009-05-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a blue set now.

Preemie Hat with Simple Fair Isle

2009-04-30T11:29:00.000-07:00

I'm looking at using some very simple fair isle patterns for preemie hats. Here's the first one.

Distracted

2009-04-26T20:36:00.001-07:00

I've been distracted by my determination to catch up with my personal sock-of-the month club and now I am. See Only Socks. I also attended a four day conference, graded information literacy assignments on Blackboard, worked both main and archives ref desk shifts, did a bit of studying for the Certified Archivists Exam which I'll be taking in August, and started writing a rough draft of a book chapter. I'm hoping the weather will get a bit nicer so I can plant my garden. Then next weekend is our church's annual quilt show and I'll be working on that, but I hope to have a few minutes here and there to knit some preemie hats and, hopefully, there will be some photos posted here in the next week or so.

Mittnz 2009

2009-04-14T13:55:00.000-07:00

The goal of Mittnz 2009 is to knit nine pairs of mittens for the Cheyenne River Reservation between April 15, 2009 and September 15, 2009.

Here are the rules:
1) Make nine pairs of mittens
2) Use warm materials, like wool
3) Take photos of the mittens and email them to Ann or send her the link to your photos
4) Mail mittens to the Cheyenne River Reservation (CRYP P.O. Box 410, Eagle Butte, SD 57625) during the last week in September so that the Youth Project (the YP in the address) is blitzed with hand covers the first week in October when the weather starts its evil descent into winter.

This will fit in very well with my summer knitting for the Pine Indian Reservation.

The Tiniest Lives in the DNCC

2009-04-06T16:02:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to a blog post written by a volunteer at Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland. The Tiniest Lives in the DNCC

This blogger has written a number of posts about her experiences as a NICU volunteer so you may wish to bookmark her blog.

Easter Hat

2009-04-06T15:26:00.000-07:00

This is the pattern stitch:
Rnd 1: *P3, K1. Repeat from * around
Rnd 2: *P1, YO, P2tog, K1. Repeat from *
Rnds 3, 4, and 5: Knit around

Celebrating the Arrival of Spring

2009-03-26T13:03:00.000-07:00

I added a simple eyelet to these five little hats. After ribbing for eight rounds, I knit plain for two rounds. I then purled around once. The following round was: K2 tog, yo all around. Then another round of purling followed by 14 rows of stockinette stitch and then the decreases and an I-cord topper.

Five Preemie Hats

2009-03-25T13:37:00.000-07:00

I have almost finished knitting five more preemie hats. These are in soft colors--violet, blue, pink, yellow, and green--in celebration of spring. I hope to post photos of them tomorrow.

A Green and White Preemie Hat

2009-03-02T15:38:00.001-08:00

A white hat with one round in green garter stitch to celebrate the beginning of March.

More Mittens

2009-03-02T15:32:00.001-08:00

These are the last two pairs of mittens. I mailed the box of items for the Pine Ridge Reservation last Friday.

Deadline

2009-02-20T09:12:00.000-08:00

My self-imposed deadline to complete and mail items to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is February 27 (next Friday).

I only have the thumbs left to knit on the Sandy Heather mittens and I will try to knit at least a couple of more pairs in the time left.

We are having almost spring like weather here in Oregon with clear skies and highs in the upper 50's in the valley, but in North Dakota they are still in deep winter.

This is the weather forecast for today at the reserve.

Rest Of Today...Breezy. Areas of blowing snow late in the morning. Mostly cloudy with snow likely. Snow accumulation around 1 inch. Highs in the mid 30s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the north 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight...Mostly cloudy in the evening then clearing. Lows around 11. North winds 10 to 20 mph becoming northwest up to 10 mph after midnight. Wind chill readings 4 below to 6 above zero.

I'm knitting as fast as I can.

Child's Hat with Pompom

2009-02-16T16:37:00.000-08:00

A simple fair-isle hat knit in cream and pistachio (M-184).

Finished Projects

2009-02-16T08:13:00.000-08:00

Brief Update

2009-02-02T08:21:00.000-08:00

I am unhappy with how the mittens are turning out and have frogged them. I think to make fair-isle style mittens, I'll need to use smaller yarn--perhaps DK--and a pattern with more stitches to make this work. For now, I'm going back to making plain one-color mittens using Lamb's Pride.

I've begun working on an Ireland Mists Hat using Lamb's Pride Orchid Thistle (M102).

Next Projects

2009-01-30T17:09:00.000-08:00

I am finishing up the garter stitch afghan square in gold. My next projects are a pair of mittens knitted in black and white yarns using various stitches and patterns which I hope to then translate into another pair in colors. I also want to knit one of these hats. The pattern can be found here. Or I might start with this one here. The photo is from Ravelry.

Child's Hat/Black with Red Stripe

2009-01-30T12:22:00.000-08:00

This hat is made with Lamb's Pride Black (M05) with stripes of Red Hot Passion (M97). I used a very basic hat pattern:

Basic Hat
Size: Child
Materials: worsted yarn, #8 16” circular needle, yarn needle

Cast on 70 stitches on size 7 dpns or a 16 inch circular needle.
Work in k1p1 rib for 2.5 inches.
Work in stockinette st for 4.5 inches. I added two rows of red to brighten it up.

Decreases:
R 1: K2 tog, k8 around.
R 2: Knit.
R 3: K2 tog, k7 around.
R 4: Knit.
Continue decreases in above manner until K2 tog around. Cut yarn, pull remaining stitches.

Gold Child's Hat

2009-01-29T07:42:00.000-08:00

This hat is knit from Lamb's Pride Sunburst Gold (M-14). The pattern I used can be found here. It's sized 3-12 months and I added an I-cord topper. I've also begun adding small labels which include the size and, on the reverse, the fiber content. These labels will also be useful to keep pairs, such as socks and mittens, together.

On the Needles

2009-01-25T11:08:00.000-08:00

I am working on ribbing for both these hats. The black one will have red stripes included in it. The gold one will have a twisted rib pattern.

Pink and White Mittens

2009-01-23T10:18:00.000-08:00

In the next six weeks or so, I hope to knit several more pairs of mittens. I'm developing a formula using a generic mitten pattern. I'll be using Lamb's Pride Worsted for all the mittens, changing the sizes by changing the size of the double point needles I use (size 6 for children 4-6, size 7 for children 7-9 and size 8 for children 10-12).

I would like to make each pair unique, using different colors and pattern stitches.

My generic pattern begins with casting on 28 stitches divided on three dp needles (divided on the three needles thus: 10-8-10).The cuff can be anywhere from 10-14 rounds or more. This is my first opportunity for pattern and color variations.

Then there are four rounds: in the first I increase 2 sts evenly spaced leaving me with 30 sts (10-10-10), followed by 3 knit rounds. Here is another opportunity for a color change.

Now the thumb gusset as follows:
Round 1: K3, place marker, m1, K2, m1, place marker, knit around (4 sts between markers).
Round 2: K around.
Continue until there are 10 sts between markers.
Remove thumb stitches: K3, place 10 sts between markers on a holder, cast on 2, and continue around.
This is my third opportunity for a color change.

Now the fun part! K 16 (19) rounds. Here I can do a variety of color changes and stitch patterns.

And lastly, I shape the end:

*K4, K2 tog* around.
K 1 round.
*K3, K2 tog* around.
K 1 round.
*K2, K2 tog* around.
K 1 round.
*K1, K2 tog* around.
K2 tog all the way around.
Thread yarn through remaining stitches and pull tight.

More opportunities for color changes here in these 8 rounds.

Lastly, I knit the thumbs, my last opportunity for a color change.

Pick up 10 sts from the holder, putting 5 on needle 1 and 5 on needle 2.
Pick up 4 stitches from the thumb opening; the 2 cast on plus one from either side.
Starting with needle 1, K 9 sts, K sts 10 and 11 together, K2, K st 12 together with stitch 1 of next round for a total of 12 thumb stitches.
K around on 12 sts for 10 rounds.
K 2 tog all the way around 6 sts.
Break yarn leaving an 8-inch end.
Draw through 6 remaining stitches and pull tight.

There are also dozens of free mitten patterns online. Here's a good place to start.

Mitten Books

2009-01-21T14:08:00.000-08:00

I checked out two mitten books from the library yesterday. I may use some of the patterns the way they're written, but I'm looking at them primarily for inspiration.

First Preemie Hat for 2009

2009-01-19T10:59:00.001-08:00

I've been working on items for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation as my self-imposed due date for the first batch is the end of February. But I did put aside an hour of knitting time to knit this little hat, the first of what I hope will be many hats going to Doernbecher Hospital in June.

Introducing....Mouton Rouge

2009-01-18T09:07:00.000-08:00

Sarah, my wonderful and very talented daughter-in-law, gave me this delightful little ram she knitted for Christmas. I thought he looked very French and named him Mouton. When I told my husband I was thinking of knitting a jaunty scarf for him (for Mouton, not for my husband), he suggested I knit one in red wool and change Mouton's name to Mouton Rouge.

And that's exactly what I did.

Red Mittens

2009-01-16T16:31:00.001-08:00

These mittens are also for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Hats and Socks

2009-01-12T10:58:00.000-08:00

These items will be sent to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation at the end of February. They were knit in honor of Dewey as part of the Dewey knit-a-long .

I added a few rounds of garter stitch to this plain hat. It would fit someone 6-8 years old. I used Brown Sheep Lamb Pride's Worsted Weight (15% mohair and 85% wool) for the hats. The color for this one is Winter Blue (M51).

This spiral rib hat that would fit someone 6-8. The yarn is Jack's Plum (M59).

This baby hat is for a child 6-12 months old. The color is Oatmeal (M115).

This little hat is made from Manos del Uruguay 100% wool and would fit a baby 12-18 months old.

The toddler socks are from a pattern on Ravelry and are made of Koigu yarn.

(Almost) Finished Items

2009-01-07T11:51:00.000-08:00

I've finished or almost finished a number of projects--four hats (three still need pom-poms), three six-inch squares, an almost done baby sock, the start of a mitten. Once they are done and there is some decent ambient light (it's a rainy, gray day in Oregon), I'll photograph them and write a little about them. Maybe Friday? We'll see.

Recipients and Mailing Dates for 2009

2008-12-29T16:36:00.000-08:00

I will be sending preemie items made for Doernbecher Children's Hospital in June and to the Madigan Army Medical Center in December. I'll be mailing knitted wool hats and mittens (and perhaps socks)to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation at the end of February and again in September. I will be knitting six-inch squares to be made into lap blankets, also for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. I will be knitting these of wool and mailing them in batches of 36, along with a bit of money to help with mailing costs.

Here is the information for making the squares:

The Pine Ridge Reservation is the poorest spot in the USA. The average life expectancy for residents is only 47 for males and early 50s for women. The unemployment rate is 90% and the teen suicide rate is four times the national average. Basics such as running water, heat and food are scarce for many residents let alone jobs and health care. These challenges are particularly difficult to deal with given the geographical isolation of the Rez and the incredibly harsh climate.

We accept blanket squares of all sizes and fibers. No square goes unloved or unused. The squares are sent to Pam, a Lakota woman and seamer-extraordinaire, in Louisiana.
After seaming, she sends the finished afghans to Pine Ridge Reservation social service agencies or individual families who request them.

This group is a “sister” group to Pam’s Yahoo group which she created five years ago. You can visit and/or join that group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/loveafghans4prr/

Please send your squares to:

AS4PRR - Pam Wingard
1756 Starboard Drive
Apt #2
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
70820-8045

New Year

2008-12-28T07:34:00.000-08:00

I've been mulling over whether or not to make any New Year resolutions or goals for my knitting. I have a tendency to be overly-ambitious and then compulsive. I knit to relax and enjoy the process and if I start making deadlines for myself I ruin it all.

My resolution, then, will be not to make a resolution. I won't require myself to knit a certain number of items in a a certain amount of time or spend a minimum amount of time knitting every day. I'll just knit.

Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit, either. When I say properly practiced, I mean executed in a relaxed manner, without anxiety, strain, or tension, but with confidence, inventiveness, pleasure, and ultimate pride. ~ Elizabeth Zimmerman

2009

2008-12-27T11:03:00.000-08:00

I am finishing up as many of the projects I began but didn't finish this past year that I can in the next few days--socks, hats, mittens, baby sweaters--and on December 31st mail all the preemie items to DeWitt Army Community Hospital and all the children and adult ones to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

I want to begin 2009 fresh with new projects, new recipients, and maybe even some goals for the year.

Two More Preemie Hats

2008-12-12T14:20:00.000-08:00

Now that I am finished with library school and things are beginning to quiet down a bit (well, except for the holidays), I hope to begin knitting more of these little hats. I also hope to knit booties and little sweaters as well as mittens and socks.

Pumpkin Hat and Booties Set

2008-10-13T10:40:00.001-07:00

Here is a little set for Sarah's Preemie Knit-a-thon.

Bereavement Set

2008-10-13T10:28:00.000-07:00

This is a very small bereavement set I'd begun a while ago and never finished. I've made several of these sets. They are difficult, emotionally, to make so I don't make many. The pattern for the gown can be found here, the bonnet here, and the booties pattern is here.

New Books

2008-10-12T16:52:00.001-07:00

I have hold requests at my library for these newly published books.

Cute Knits for Baby Feet: Adorable Projects for Newborns to 4 Year Olds by Sue Whiting has 30 really cute patterns. The other book is Baby Beanies: Happy Hats to Knit for Little Heads by Amanda Keeys. While these patterns were written for newborn and older babies, I'm certain there will be some patters I can adapt.

Preemie Knit-A-Thon

2008-10-08T10:55:00.000-07:00

I have again signed up for the Preemie-Knit-Athon this year, but as I was one of the lucky winners last year I have asked not to be entered for prizes. I am hoping this will jump start my knitting again. The contest runs from September 29th to November 30th, so there's plenty of time if you're interested in signing up.

Three More Striped Hats

2008-08-12T07:16:00.000-07:00

Mulit-colored striped hat with curly-cue toppers

2008-08-11T18:35:00.000-07:00

The directions for the curly-cue toppers can be found here.

Three Little Hats

2008-08-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo of three little hats I knit this week-end.

Girly-Girl Pink Baby Socks

2008-06-07T13:45:00.001-07:00

I'm now working on a white pair of baby socks. I've just finished turning the heel on the first one.

Baby Socks

2008-03-21T13:59:00.000-07:00

I've begun a new knitting project--knitting baby socks from various pastel yarns, with each pair a different color and using a different stitch pattern. The template for my basic sock can be found here.

Debbie Bliss, Baby Cashmerino, Color 202, Baby Blue
Size 1 dp needles

I modified the pattern for this pair as follows:
K1b,P1 for 12 rounds of ribbing
Pattern stitch: Baby cable rib/11 cables

I'm thinking of knitting 12 pairs of these little socks, in different colors with different patterns. I've finished one sock in Baby Cashmerino, Color 601, Light Pink using the girly-girl lace pattern.

Hat for Chau's Little One

2008-03-04T18:15:00.000-08:00

I knit this sweet hat in newborn size as a gift for my classmate, Chau, who's having a baby boy in May.

Child's Hat in Wool (WIP)

2008-03-03T07:23:00.000-08:00

Here is a photo of the very plain child's hat I'm knitting in wool. This is for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

New Year and New Goals

2008-02-24T10:01:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know we are well into the new year and I haven't updated my blog in several months. I did mail in all the hats I'd knitted, but then the holidays came followed by the beginning of a very hectic school semester and working part-time and then I came down with that horrible sinus/cough/throat thing that everyone else seems to be suffering with as well. I've only managed to finish two baby hats which will be my start for a donation to DeWitt Army Community Hospital in June.

Now it's time to start over with more realistic goals. I have one sock almost finished and I've begun two children's hats in wool. I'll try to finish one hat --it's a very simple stockinette one--by the end of the month and get a photo up. That sounds like a reasonable goal to me. Well, we'll see.

Three More Hats for the Knit-A-Thon

2007-11-12T09:39:00.000-08:00

Four More Stiped Hats

2007-11-07T07:53:00.000-08:00

These are all for the knit-a-thon.

Baby Cable Hat

2007-11-07T07:46:00.000-08:00

This hat is for the knit-a-thon.

Doernbecher Children's Hospital NICU

2007-10-31T08:52:00.003-07:00

These are the items I've mailed to Doernbecher Children's Hospital NICU. This is where my youngest son, Hugh,stayed when he was a baby. He's all grown up and healthy now.

And this is the card I sent along with it, thanking the NICU nurses for taking such good care of the babies.

Teal Hat with Red Stripe and Matching Booties

2007-10-14T13:29:00.000-07:00

I made this set for the preemie knit-a-thon.

Purple Hat With Olive Green Stripe

2007-10-14T13:26:00.002-07:00

This little hat was made for Doernbecher Hospital.

Two More Hats for the Knit-A-Thon!

2007-10-06T13:25:00.000-07:00

Apple Hat

2007-09-28T14:20:00.000-07:00

By changing the shade of green I made Sarah's tomato hat into an apple hat.

Three Little Striped Hats for Sarah's Preemie Knit-A-Thon Contest

2007-09-28T11:31:00.000-07:00

I'm going to keep the hats I make for Sarah's Preemie Knit-A-Thon Contest, which I'm sending to Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital in Louisiana and the ones I make for Doernbecher separate. I keep track of the items I'm making for different places in the sidebar.

I love this simple and easy pattern and plan to make more of these.

OSU Hat for Doernbecher Hospital

2007-09-28T11:25:00.001-07:00

This little orange hat with the black stripes might be for Halloween, but the colors are also Oregon State University's colors. As there are many fans around the state, I made one for Doernbecher.

Go Beavs!