Citron Vert (Lime) Toddler Socks

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

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

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

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

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

A little Santa hat.

Elf Preemie Hat

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

Child's Peppermint Hat

This hat will be sent to the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Pink Swirl Preemie Hat

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

The pattern is here.

Beanstalk Preemie Hat

The pattern can be found here.

One Million a Year

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

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!

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!

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

Mitten Monday (9)

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

Mitten Monday (8)

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

Mitten Monday (7)

I finished these oatmeal mittens late last night.

Mitten Monday (6)

This week I knit purple mittens.

Mitten Monday (5)

Another pair, this one in gold.