Cabled Bootie Pattern

These booties are knit flat with the sole and heel sewn up afterwards.

Small Newborn SizeSize Bernat Softee Baby Yarn
Size 3.5mm (4) needles

Large Newborn Size
DK Weight Yarn
Size 3.75mm (5) needles

Cable Needle
Tapestry Needle

k2tog = knit two stitches together
yo = yarn over

Cable Pattern For Booties
C1: P1, K4, P1
C2: K1, P4, K1
C3: P1, put 2 sts on cable needle and hold at the back of the work, knit 2 sts from left needle, knit 2 sts from cable needle, P1
C4: K1, P4, K1

Cabled Bootie Pattern
(Based on bootie pattern submitted by Carol on the BBC Website)
Cast on 34 sts leaving a tail that is about 12" long.

Ribbing:
Row 1: *k1, p2, k1, C1; repeat from * until 4 sts left. End k1, p2, k1
Row 2: *p1, k2, p1, C2; repeat from * until 4 sts left. End p1, k2, p1
Row 3: *k1, p2, k1, C3; repeat from * until 4 sts left. End k1, p2, k1
Row 4: *p1, k2, p1, C4; repeat from * until 4 sts left. End p1, k2, p1
Repeat above 4 rows 2 more times. 12 rows completed.

Row 13: Repeat row 1 increasing 1 stitch after 11 sts worked and another after 22 sts worked.
36 sts total.
Row 14: Purl across
Row 15: k1, *yo, k2tog; repeat from * across ending k1
Row 16: Purl across

Instep:
Row 17: knit across 24 sts, turn
Row 18: purl across 12 sts, turn.
Work these middle 12 sts in stockinette stitch (k right side, p wrong side) for 16 rows. Cut yarn.

Sides:
With right side of bootie facing you, attach yarn to the 12th stitch from the right. Pick up 8 sts on the right side of the instep, k12 sts, pick up 8 sts on the left side of the instep, k12. 52 sts total.
Work 11 rows of stockinette stitch (k right side, p wrong side) across all 52 sts.

Heel and Toe:
Row 1: k2, k2tog, k19, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k until 4 sts left, k2tog, k2
Row 2: knit
Row 3: k2, k2tog, k17, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k until 4 sts left, k2tog, k2
Row 4: knit
Row 5: k2, k2tog, k15, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k until 4 sts left, k2tog, k2
Row 6: knit
Row 7: k2, k2tog, k13, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k until 4 sts left, k2tog, k2
Row 8: knit
Cast off loosely.

Using the cast on tail, sew back, heel and sole seam. Weave in ends. Thread ribbon through eyelet holes.

Cabled Hat Pattern

This hat is knit in the round on either 11" circular or 4 double point needles.

Small Newborn Size
Bernat Softee Baby Yarn (Sport Weight)
Size 3.75mm (5) double point needles or 11" circular

Large Newborn Size
DK Weight Yarn
Size 4.0mm (6) double point needles or 11" circular


Cable Needle
Tapestry Needle

p2ss0 = pass the two slipped stitches over the last knit stitch
m1 = make 1 stitch (increase 1)

Cable Pattern For Hat
C1: P2, K4, P2
C2: P2, K4, P2
C3: P2, put 2 sts on cable needle and hold at the back of the work, knit 2 sts from left needle, knit 2 sts from cable needle, P2
C4: P2, K4, P2


Cabled Hat Pattern
Cast on 7o sts and join in the round being careful not to twist. Place marker at beginning of the round.

Ribbing:
Row 1: *K2, P2, K2, C1; repeat from * around
Row 2: *K2, P2, K2, C2; repeat from * around
Row 3: *K2, P2, K2, C3; repeat from * around
Row 4: *K2, P2, K2, C4; repeat from * around
Continue in above 4 rows 2 more times (3 cables completed) ending on row 3.
On the last row for ribbing (row 4) increase as follows:
*K2, P1, M1, P1, K2, C4; repeat from * around (75 sts total).

Hat:
Row 1: *K7, C1; repeat from * around
Row 2: *K7, C2; repeat from * around
Row 3: *K7, C3; repeat from * around
Row 4: *K7, C4; repeat from * around
Continue above 4 rows until hat measures about 4" ending on row 4. For large newborn work 4.5" ending on row 4.

Decreases:
Row 1: *sl2, k1, p2sso, k4, C1; repeat from * around
Row 2: *sl2, k1, p2sso, k2, C2; repeat from * around
Row 3: *sl2, k1, p2sso, C3; repeat from * around
Row 4: *sl2, k1, p2sso, k4, p2; repeat from * around
Row 5: *sl2, k1, p2sso, k2, p2; repeat from * around
Row 6: *sl2, k1, p2sso, p2; repeat from * around
Row 7: *sl2, k1, p2sso; repeat from * around

Cut yarn and thread onto tapestry needle. Thread through remaining stitches and pull tight.
Weave in ends.

I'm Back

It has been an eventful 2 weeks and I managed to get quite a few knit items completed. First we lost power for 5 days. It really made me appreciate my microwave and drier. We have a generator so we did have most conveniences ... heat, hot water, lights, stove and even our espresso maker worked. And since the TV didn't work and we couldn't do much shopping I spent much time knitting as well as playing games with my kids.

I promised to post a picture of the fingerless gloves that I made my niece. Well, I forgot to take a picture before I mailed them to her but I decided to make a pair for me. The pattern is from the Giving Flower website. I knit mine using Peruvian Highland Wool from Elann and the cuff has a strand of Knit One Purl Two Sublime knit along with the wool. When the power was out I used them in the morning to knit since the house was cold and they worked great!

Next I worked on the dishcloth KAL pattern that was posted for mid December. The power was still out and our internet wouldn't work so I used my cell phone to download the instructions each morning (what would we do without all the technology). It is a very pretty lace pattern. If you sign up with the monthly dishcloth KAL on yahoo you can find the pattern (and many more).



And finally I finished this hat and bootie set also while we had no power. I made up the pattern for the hat and the bootie pattern came from the Ray of Hope website. Thanks Carol for a very easy to follow and easy to knit pattern. I used Bernat Softee Baby yarn.

I have more completed projects and will post those in a few days as well as a new pattern for a newborn cabled hat and bootie set. We had a wonderful time visiting my mom and dad in British Columbia. They had snow so we went sledding with my sister and her family. Lots of fun was had by all!

Knitting In The Round

Good Afternoon!! Again, it's been more than a week since I posted ... must be all the Christmas rush making time fly by. I am now done all the knitting projects I wanted to get done for Christmas gifts. I knit two pairs of bug mitts and a pair of fingerless gloves for my niece and nephews. I am not going to post pictures in case my sister happens to visit here! I absolutely love how the fingerless gloves turned out and am thinking I will make myself a pair over the holidays.

I have always disliked knitting in the round with 3 or 4 needles. I could never seem to get the joins to look good. They were either too tight or too loose. I had been hearing lately of using two circular knitting needles and found these directions. She has wonderful pictures and the instructions were easy to follow (at least for me LOL!). I have been designing a child's size sweater knit in one piece and when I came to the sleeves decided to give this technique a try. It works very well and I love how the joins look ... I can't even tell where they are!

The yarn for this sweater I bought off eBay from the JOJOLAND store. She has a wonderful selection of DK 100% wool and sock weight 100% wool. This sweater is in colour M10 and uses the yarn doubled. The baby booties that I felted (see previous post) use this yarn as well but in a different colour.

Another Week

Wow, another week has flown by and we are getting much closer to Christmas. I have done a little shopping for gifts but still have more to do. Hope to get most of it done this week and some packages mailed for family. We put up some of our decorations ... Nativity scene, advent calendars for the kids, lights outside and that is about it. I love Christmas but don't like the decorating and undecorating part of it!

I am almost finished the spiral hat that I started last week. The knitting has been done for a few days and I just need to make a pom pom for the top. I don't have a template so will try the cardboard method. The hat should fit a 8 to 12 year old and will be sent along to the Dulaan project when I have a few more items completed. The pattern came from the Knitting for Peace book.

Finally the binding is sewn on this quilt. I made the top at a retreat I attended in Leavenworth, WA in July. The pinwheels are three dimensional. I had always wanted to try out this technique and I really like how it turned out. The hard part was all the layers of fabric that come together at the center of the pinwheel. Each triangle has 4 layers plus the 4 squares so 16 layers of fabric make it really hard to get the seams to line up. A preschooler will not be picky and will love the bright, fun fabrics!

Once my five items are made for the Dulaan project I plan to make some wool items for women and children in Afghanistan. Bev from Bev's Country Cottage has a new contact person in Afghanistan who will be delivering warm items there. I have finished reading a book called Meena about a women in Afghanistan who started the group RAWA. The book talks a lot about the plight of women and children there. I can not imagine what they must go through and my heart breaks for them!

Snow and Cold

It is still snowing this morning where I live. Now I know that all of you who usually get snow in the winter will be laughing at us in the Northwest, but we just aren't used to it! I think I have about 1.5" in the yard and it is cold (28F) so all the schools are closed. My kids will be excited when they wake up that they can play all day. This weather has been crazy .... first flooding now freezing ice and snow!

On to more warm stuff! I finished a pair of booties that I felted (sized for a 1 year old). This is the first time I have ever felted anything on purpose (the "not on purpose" has happened a few times). They didn't seem to felt up quite as much as I would have liked, but I am happy how they turned out. This pattern seemed a little different as the booties were knit on quite small needles so the resulting fabric was quite tight before felting. All the other felted patterns I have seen have used larger needles which resulted in a looser fabric before felting. This may have had something to do with how the booties felted. I want to try out this felted slipper pattern next. This pattern uses larger needles so maybe it will felt better.

Finished is a pair of socks that I started in 1992 (yup ... been a while). They turned out ok, but the pattern was horrible to follow, especially for my first pair of socks. I guess that is why it took so long to finish them, I couldn't understand the directions! They have a cabled pattern for the ankle and top of the foot which I really like. The pattern came from the Fall 1992 copy of Vogue knitting.

The Knitting for Peace book arrived at our library so I picked it up the other day. It is such a great book with wonderful stories and great patterns. I think I would make each pattern in there ... they are simple, easy to knit and the results look great! I have added it to my Amazon wish list so maybe it will show up under our tree at Christmas! I have cast on for the swirled ski cap.

Thanksgiving

H A P P Y * T H A N K S G I V I N G * D A Y !
Have safe travels if you are travelling and enjoy all the yummy treats. We are not traveling and are having only our immediate family (4 of us) for dinner. I will be enjoying the quiet (as quiet as it can be with 2 young kids) and enjoying some delicious food :) I am so thankful for all of you who spend some of your time making items for others. It sure is food for the soul!

I finished a baby quilt which turned out to be 32" x 32" square. I really like using the warm wishes pattern, it is quick and easy. It is also easy to adjust the block size to accommodate different types of focus fabrics. The Quiltmaker website has quite a few fun and easy quilts to make.

As I said in the last post I am working on a sweater for the Dulaan Project. I was going to design my own, but decided it would be quicker to make one from a pattern. I used Irina Makarow's pattern called the Steppe Sweater and am using extra chunky yarn. Wendy Pampas is the dark purple (about 5 sts per 4" on 9mm needles) and Austermann Bombolo yarn is the peach colour. It is working up really quickly with this bulky yarn and I only need to add one more sleeve and then weave in the ends. A much larger eyed tapestry needle will need to be found for that as I only have one that does up to worsted weight yarn.

Enjoy your turkey feast!!

Back Into Quilting

I had taken a break from quilting for a while. I think I was just overwhelmed with all the quilt tops I had made and the daunting task of quilting them all. There was also this quilt that I just didn't like and had it half quilted ... well it's finally done and I feel a huge relief knowing I can get on to stuff I like better. I really like the cowboy print that I had but I think there needed to be more contrast between the window pane fabric and the red window sill fabric. I used the attic windows pattern.

I also finished this sweater and hat set that I had started last week. I will include it in the box for Heavenly Angels In Need. Now I want to design a sweater and hat set for the Dulaan project. I have been looking through Knitting Over The Edge and also a knitting stitches book to come up with some ideas for a "no sew" pullover sweater. I realize how much I really dislike sewing up all those seams after knitting since the mitered square blanket is still sitting on my floor, layed out and in pieces!

Rain, Rain Go Away

Probably most of you have heard of all the flooding and rain we received here in Western Washington a few days ago. Fortunately we live high enough above the rivers that we were not affected, but my heart and prayers go out to all of the families that have flood damage. The schools have been closed yesterday and today because quite a few of the school buildings in our district were flooded. The kids are enjoying their time off and we went out to Snoqualmie Falls today to see all the water pouring over. The mist was so heavy that we were completely soaked in about 1 minute of standing near the falls.

Crafting wise I am working on knitting a seamless baby sweater using some Softee Baby yarn that I have on hand. I am trying a new technique of adding the buttons onto a knit stitch on the same row as the button hole. This way I don't have to sew buttons on when I am done with the knitting ... so it really is a "no sew" sweater.

More Mitts and Dishcloth

I finished the other buggy mitten for my older daughter and then made a pair for my younger daughter. She picked out the yarn and the pattern. These are so cute and they work up fast. I had forgotten how fast mittens work up. I think I will make a pair for each of my niece and nephews for Christmas.

I also made this dishcloth last week. I wanted to try making a round cloth and found the Diamond Edge Circular dishcloth pattern. It is easy, but I am not sure I like how it turned out. There is another pattern with a bit more of a lacey edge on it that I think I will try next and the ones I have seen have been in solid colours so I may try that as well. I was hoping to make these for a couple of girlfriends for Christmas and include a bar of soap, some lotion and other girly stuff.

Shawl, Mittens, Cards ... Oh My

I can't believe it has been a week since I last posted. I really need time to slow down, but it sure isn't listening to me. When I once had 24 hours in a day it now seems like I have about 18!

Mittens - This awesome mitten pattern was posted on one of the email lists I belong to. They are called buggy mitts and are the most adorable mittens I have ever seen. Soooo, everything I was working on got put aside so I could make one up using all the wool I have in my stash from Elann.com. The pattern is knit in the round using double point needles. Now, I have nothing against double points but if there is a way to not use them I will choose that way. So I went to my favorite mitten pattern which is knit flat and then the seam is sewn up and used the ideas from the buggy mitten pattern.

Shawl - I have been working on this prayer shawl for months. It is the basic prayer shawl pattern of K3, P3 across and then K the P stitches and P the K stitches on the way back. It will be donated to Seattle's Childrens Hospital when it is done. I have a friend whose daughter has been battling cancer there and she came up with the idea to make shawls for the kids (thanks Dene and Judy). I have about 5 more inches to go and then it is done ... though I may add a fringe to it, but I am still undecided. Yarn used is Red Heart Symphony in ice blue. Very soft.

Cards - A couple of weeks ago I attended an event at our church where we made cards for breast cancer baskets that are donated to a local hospital for women newly diagnosed. I had so much fun and decided that I wanted to make my own Christmas cards this year. Here is what I have come up with so far. I have made a couple of each design and am having a blast making them. I may even make some "Thank You", "Birthday", and blank cards to send out as gifts. It's nice to have a break from sewing and knitting ... but is one more thing that makes a mess in my crafting room :-)

Hat for Preemie Boy Outfit

Here is the pattern for a hat that will go with the outfit in the previous post. It is knit flat and then the seam is sewn. If you leave the ends of the ribbon long, the nursing staff can trim when they use the hat. Enjoy!

Preemie Hat

Materials
3.5mm and 3.75mm needles
small amount of Sport Weight yarn (I used Bernat Softee Baby)
yarn needle
ribbon

Abbreviations
MC = main colour
CO = cast on
sts = stitches
K = knit
P = purl
Inc = increase by knitting in the front and back of the stitch
K2Tog = knit two sts together
ssk = slip two sts purlwise, knit the two slipped sts together
yf = yarn forward
yb = yarn back
yo = yarn over
sl2 = slip 2 sts purlwise

Double Woven Stitch
Row 1: K3, *yf, sl2, yb, k2; repeat from * to last st, k1
Row 2: purl
Row 3: K1, *yf, sl2, yb, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, yf, sl2, yb, k1
Row 4: purl

Hat
CO 40 sts in MC using 3.5mm needles
Row 1: k1, p1 across
Row 2-6: repeat row 1
Change to 3.75mm needles
Row 7: (k9, inc1) across
Row 8: purl
Row 9 - 12: start Double Woven Stitch
Row 13: K1, *yo, k2tog; repeat from * to last st, k1
Row 14: purl
Row 15: row 1 of Double Woven Stitch
Continue in Double Woven Stitch until hat measures 2.5", ending with row 4 of Double Woven Stitch

Decreases
Row 1: k1, *k4, ssk; repeat from * to last st, k1
Row 2 and all even rows: purl
Row 3: k1, *k3, ssk; repeat from * to last st, k1
Row 5: k1, *k2, ssk; repeat from * to last st, k1
Row 7: k1, *k1, ssk; repeat from * to last st, k1
Row 9: k1, k2tog across row to last st, k1 (9 sts)
Cut yarn with a long tail. Thread yarn through sts and drop sts off needle.
Pull tight and sew seam.

Finishing
Weave in ends
Weave ribbon through yo's and tie in a bow
If you need help tying a nice bow, check out this website.

Preemie Boys Knit Outfit

I have been working on another version of the knit preemie boys outfit. This one fits about a 1 to 1 1/2lb preemie. I made the bottom of it textured using the double woven stitch. It is really easy, just slip two stitches with the yarn in front, move the yarn to the back and knit two stitches. I also added a white tie to the outfit. Here's the pattern:


Preemie Boys One Piece Outfit

Materials:
2 oz Sport weight yarn (I used Bernat Softee Baby) and a small amount of contrast colour
3.5mm and 3.75mm needles
ribbon
stitch holders
yarn needle for sewing seams and weaving in ends

Abbreviations
MC = Main Colour
CC = Contrast Colour
CO = Cast On
sts = Stitches
K = Knit
P = Purl
Inc = Increase by knitting in the front and back of the stitch
K2Tog = Knit 2 stitches together
YO = Yarn Over
SSK = Slip one st knitwise, slip another st knitwise, knit the two slipped stitches together
YF = Yarn Forward
YB = Yarn Back
Sl2 = slip 2 stitches purlwise
PM = place marker

Double Woven Stitch
Row 1: K3, *yf, sl2, yb, k2; repeat from * to last st, K1
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: K1, *yf, sl2, yb, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, yf, sl2, yb, k1
Row 4: Purl

Sleeves
With MC cast on 18 sts using 3.5mm needles
Row 1: K1, P1 across
Repeat this row 3 more times. 4 rows worked.
Change to 3.75mm needles
Row 5: Inc 1, K across to last stitch, Inc 1
Row 6: Purl
Row 7: Knit
Row 8 - 16: continue in stockinette stitch (knit right side and purl wrong side)
Place these 20 stitches on a stitch holder

Repeat for the second sleeve.

Legs
With MC cast on 18 sts using 3.5 mm needles
Row 1: K1, P1 across
Repeat this row 5 more times (6 rows worked)
Row 7: inc 1 st in each knit st across the row (36 sts total)
Row 8: Inc 1, P8, Inc 1, P8, Inc 1, P8, Inc 1, P8 (40 sts total)
Row 9: Change to 3.75mm needles and start Double Woven Stitch pattern
Continue in Double Woven Stitch pattern until the leg measures 3.5" from beginning. Last row knit should be row 4 of the Double Woven Stitch pattern.
Place these 40 stitches on a stitch holder.

Repeat for second leg.

Body
Place both legs on 3.75mm needle with right side facing. Join MC yarn.
Row 1: K2, work row 1 of Double Woven Stitch pattern to last 2 sts, K2
Row 2: K2, purl, K2
Row 3: K2, work row 3 of Double Woven Stitch pattern to last 2 sts, K2
Row 4: K2, purl, K2
Continue working these 4 rows until 6.5" have been worked from the bottom of the leg. Ending with a wrong side row (ready to knit the right side)
Decreases: K2, *K1, K2Tog; Repeat from * to last 3 sts, K3 (55 sts)
Next Row: K2, Purl, K2
Ribbon Band: K2Tog, YO across all sts

Necktie
Row 1: K2, purl, K2
Row 2: Knit across
Row 3: K2, purl, K2
Row 4: K27, K1 in CC, K27
Row 5: K2, P24, P3 in CC, P24, K2
Row 6: K26, K3 in CC, K26
Row 7: K2, P23, P5 in CC, P23, K2
Row 8: K25, K5 in CC, K25
Continue working rows 7 and 8 until outfit measures 8" from beginning (bottom of leg) ending ready to knit the right side.

Attaching Sleeves
Keeping the CC worked on the same 5 sts, do the following to attach the sleeves.
Row 1: K12, transfer sleeve sts with right side facing to left needle, knit across 20 sleeve sts, PM, K31, PM, transfer other sleeve sts with right side facing to left needle, knit across 20 sleeve sts, K12.
Row 2: K2, purl across, K2 (do this for every wrong side row)
Row 3: K to marker, K2Tog, K to 2 stitches before marker, SSK, K to end
Repeat row 2 and 3 - 4 more times
Do row 3 again.

Break MC and attach CC.
K2, Purl, K2
K2Tog, YO across
BO all sts.

Finishing
Sew sleeve and leg seams
Weave in ends
Thread ribbon through YO at waist and neck

Scrappy Stars Quilt

I have been making "quilt kits" for the quilting group I organize. Anyone who attends the quilt group can take a kit which contains donated fabric cut up and a pattern, make the quilt and donate it to charity. My only problem is that I want to make up all the quilt tops!

The most recent kits I have made have been from the Road to Oklahoma block. The directions are below. You are free to use this pattern to make your own quilt and use up some of your scraps!


Scrappy Stars Quilt
Quilt Size: 54" x 66"
Block Size: 12 1/2" x 12 1/2"

Fabric Requirements:
Dark Colours 120 - 3 1/2" squares (approx. 1 1/4 yards)
40 - 4" squares (approx. 1/2 yd)
Light Colours 120 - 3 1/2" squares (approx 1 1/4 yards)
40 - 4" squares (approx. 1/2 yd)
Border 3/4 yard. Cut into 6 - 3 1/2" strips
Backing 4 yards
Binding 1/2 yard

Directions:
1. Make 80 half square triangle blocks using the 4" light and dark squares. Once sewn, trim the half square triangle blocks to 3 1/2".

2. Sew the light and dark squares together for rows 1 to 4 (see below).


Row 1




Row 2




Row 3



Row 4

3. Sew the rows into a 12 1/2" block.

4. Sew 4 blocks together then sew the rows of blocks together to make the quilt top. Using the picture of the quilt above for guidance.

5. Add the border.

6. Layer, quilt and bind your quilt.

Remembering Pregnancy and Infant Loss

Sunday, October 15th is a day to remember all the babies that have died before they should have. Everyone is asked to light a candle at 7pm to remember the little ones who have passed on and to support their grieving families.

I am one of the mom's who has lost an infant before her time. Our first daughter Brianna Elizabeth passed away when she was 5 1/2 months old. It is so unnatural for parents to outlive their children, but there are many, many families in this situation. I believe that knitting, sewing, and quilting items for families in need is my way of healing my broken heart. Please consider using your talents to help a grieving family by making any item for a charity. Heavenly Angels In Need and Newborns In Need are two charities that donate burial items to hospitals.

Vest Complete

I don't know about you, but time seems to be speeding up around our house! I can't believe it has been a week since I last posted and I have only finished the vest for Afghans for Afghans. I started it last week and have been working on it exclusively so I can mail it before the deadline of November 3rd. I really liked the vest pattern that I used from Warm Woolies. It worked up fast and the directions were very clear.

Now I really need to make a baby bunting out of fleece and send it off with directions to Kathy. She had asked for a sample and that seems to be what is holding me up. So off to create one and mail it off. Kathy, thanks for being so patient!

On the quilting front I am working on quilting a top that was given to me for charity. The lady who made it doesn't like to quilt so she gives me her tops. I figure since it is for charity I will quilt them ... it is not my most favorite part of making a quilt as my DH can attest to. He always gives me a bad time about all the quilt tops I have around unfinished! Oh to be perfect and only start and finish one item at a time!

So Happy

I am soooo happy that I have my sewing machine back and in working order! I had cut out fabric for two more onsies and a burial dress a couple of months ago and have finally sewed them together. I think I am getting quite a few things to fill a box to send to HAIN. Keep an eye out Janina.

It only took a few days ... In my last post I vowed I wouldn't start anything new. Well, I did. I kept getting emails (probably two which shows how easy I am) from Afghans for Afghans pleading with us to make more sweaters and vests to send to school children in Afghanistan. I just couldn't help myself and started a vest. I found the Warm Woolies website with some wonderful vest, hat and mitten patterns using two strands of worsted weight yarn held together. The items work up very fast and I am almost finished with the body of the vest in size 8 (though it looks like it will be larger than that). They have vest-of-the-month patterns with some really neat ideas to jazz up a simple vest.

I think most of my sewing projects that I had started are complete, except for the pile of quilt tops I have sitting here staring at me. I am going to start on those next! I really am ...

I'm On A Roll

Another finished object ... yippee!! I finished up the toddler sweater today and am so happy that it is done. I think I will send it to the Dulaan Project when I have a few more things made for them. I would like to make a hat to go with the sweater, but first I need to finish off some other projects.

And I get my sewing machine back today. Apparently I did something to the hook so it needed to be replaced to the tune of $100 - ouch! And I had it serviced so that was a few more $$ spent on that. I probably won't be buying any more crafting stuff for a while since I had to spend so much on the sewing machine. Though if you saw my sewing room you would wonder what on earth I would need to buy since I pretty much have at least one of everything (that is what DH would say but we all know the truth - ha, ha).

I am going to work on that Psychedelic Square Afghan that I started months ago in baby colours. All the squares need to be sewn together, ends woven in, and then some kind of border added. I am thinking a simple garter stitch border so that I can call it done. I will not start anything new, I will not start anything new, I will not start anything new!!!!

The Dulaan Project

There seems to be a lot of chatter about The Dulaan Project on blogs. I love this charity and thought I would summarize what it is about here. You can click on the link to the left if you want to read more or go to Mossy Cottage Knits to read her blog about the project.

Basically, you can send any warm knit item for children ages 2 to 10 (they do take adult and teen size items as well) in any type of yarn (wool, acrylic, blends). I really like this because it leaves it wide open for anyone to make items out of any yarn, in any size, and in any pattern. These items will be collected until July 1st, 2007 and then shipped to Mongolia for use during the winter (which can get down to -40F ... yikes). They also really like double sided fleece blankets. You know the ones that you cut the fringe on the edges of two pieces of fleece and tie the fringe together.

In Mongolia, children are not allowed to go to school during the winter unless they are dressed warmly and for most this is impossible on their own. Knitting a hat, scarf, mitts, sweater, or vest will help them greatly!

There is a wonderful page with many different types of patterns that would be acceptable to make for this project. Or you can go to Knitting Pattern Central and find tons and tons of patterns sorted by type.

I made this Tutti Frutti Hat for Afghans for Afghans project and hope to make a few more for the Dulaan project. It is so easy with no decreasing, just knit a rectangle, fold in half and sew up the sides. You could use any type of knitting design/colours you wanted. I also love this pattern for Mock Earflap Hat in sizes for baby, toddler, child and adult.

I hope you will join me in making even one item for a child in Mongolia. That would be one child that would be warmed by your love and generosity!

Preschooler Sweater

I thought I would post a picture of the wool sweater I am working on. I started this way back in March and have just now started to continue working on it. I am using a P2 Design pattern called Lonestar. It is supposed to be a 6 month size sweater but I am using worsted weight yarn and size 4.5mm needles so it is working up into around a size 4. I bought the yarn from Elann. They have such an awesome selection of yarns at very good prices. And they always ship really fast!

I am off to a crafting for charity group tonight. This is the first time we are meeting since the spring so I am looking forward to be getting together with other like minded women. I always come home jazzed and ready to do more charity work! Have a great weekend everyone.

I finished the baby dress yesterday. I am really happy with how it turned out and will be making a bonnet to go with it. Then, I am sending it to HAIN Western Region to be donated to a hospital. I pray that it will be a blessing to a family in need.

First before I start the bonnet I need to finish the wool sweater that I started months and months ago. I need to pick up stitches around the second sleeve and do the finishing work around the neckline. I will post a picture later of what it looks like.

Quilts Donated

A BIG thanks to all the women who helped make 12 quilts to be donated to a local ECEAP preschool program. Let's all keep up the great work and make even more for next year!

Working On Projects

We are back from a beautiful weekend at the beach! I am energized for another week and hopefully will get more charity crafting done. The kids are settling into their routine and I am getting back into it as well.

I decided to clean off some of my counter in my sewing room. It was getting sooo crowded with "stuff" that I couldn't find enough room to cut fabric for quilting kits that I am making. We start our first quilty get together on Friday evening so I needed to make up some more kits. While cleaning up I found some knitting projects that I hadn't worked on in a long time (and some quilty ones too).

This hat I started last fall and just never got around to finishing it. I finished it up in a day and now I have a new hat to wear while waiting for kids to get on and off the bus. I used Sirdar's WOW yarn which is thick and chenille like. Worked up fast in seed stitch.

Then I found this white infant dress that I was making. I had run out of yarn but couldn't seem to get back into it after I received more to finish it off. I am using Sirdar's Snuggly 4 Ply for this and plan to make a bonnet to go with.

There were a few other projects hiding in there that are almost complete. What's up with that? I have such a hard time finishing anything. Seems like I get down to the last sleeve of a sweater, or the last finishing of a dress and I can't work on it .... I am bound and determined to finish up some of this stuff! And I'm not going to even go into all the quilty projects I found (maybe another day).

It's Been A While

Sorry for not posting in the last week. It has been crazy (as most of you with kids can probably attest to). I haven't done hardly any crafting projects so there's not much to write about.

I did finish another dishcloth and gave it to my Mom to try out. She hasn't used a knitted dishcloth before so she is in for a treat! The pattern came from a Yahoo group called MonthlyDishclothes She has two KALs (knit a longs) per month where she posts 6 to 8 rows each day over about 7 days. And the fun part is you don't know what it will look like until you are done. You can see the latest one on the website. It is a maple leaf though you can't really see the pattern from the picture I took.

We are going camping again this weekend so I will have some time to work on a project or two. Hopefully it will be an uneventful weekend (I will make sure the water pump is turned off).

What an Adventure ...

No one said that having a trailer would become such an adventure! But first, charity stuff. While we were away I managed to knit two hats. A preemie heart hat and a lacey newborn hat.

I am not very happy with the way the heart hat turned out. My choice of yarn colour wasn't very good ... needed more contrast. And the pattern is written different than the sample shows. Changing both the colour and the pattern would have made it turn out much better.

I love the lacey hat. This is the second time I have made it and it turns out so girlie!

Camping Adventure ... It started off on Friday. We had picked up the trailer on Thursday afternoon and Friday evening my DH comes inside the house and tells me that one of the tires on the trailer is flat. Yuck!! He found the jack and got it off. Thankfully it happened while we were at home and not on the road in the middle of nowhere. Saturday morning he took it to the tire store and had it fixed. Turns out I had run over a shiny new screw (I drove the trailer home from the RV store).

And we're off ... sort of! About 45 minutes after we left the house I looked out the side mirror at the trailer and I see water pouring out of the corner of it ... yup ... water. Not just a little trickle but quite a bit of water. Tell DH and he pulls off on the next exit. Get out and water is pouring out of the bottom of the trailer! What in the world happened ... turns out we left the water pump on (RV store forgot to mention that we should turn it off) and a hose that connected the water tank to the water filter came disconnected so the pump was continuously pumping water onto the floor of the trailer. Probably 15 to 20 gallons of water. Thankfully (again God is good) the entire long weekend was hot and it is still hot here so I am sure it will be completely dried out. What a mess! And what an adventure. We had fun once we got to the campground and I managed to get some knitting done too.

Any Cheese for My Whine

Waaaaahhhh!! My sewing machine is not sounding so good. It was working perfectly fine the other day and what did I do ... I decided I should clean out all the lint inside. Now it makes a clunking sound when I sew. Off to the doctor and hopefully it just needs to be professionally cleaned ...

I did get all the squares finished up for the psychedelic Baby Blanket I am slowly working on. And I finished another dishcloth. I like the colours of this one. Cut out the pieces to work on the beehive block for Amy's Sampler so lots of projects to work on and/or finish. Just wish my sewing machine worked ... don't know how long I can go without it before I start getting major withdrawals!!

Applique and Knitting

Yesterday was a right off in the crafting department. We spent the entire day looking at travel trailers and after we bought one, shopping for some of the stuff to go in it. I was pooped by the end of the day! We will probably pick it up sometime this week and plan to try it out over the long weekend in Wenatchee, WA. The weather is supposed to be nice ... yipppeee!!!

I did finish another block for Amy's Sampler quilt. I am really loving the colours I have chosen and the blocks are simple enough that I am not getting too bored or overwhelmed yet. Onto the wreath block ... though I may do the beehive block or a bee block (9 patch with wings) instead.

Almost finished with all the knit squares for the Psychedelic Squares baby blanket I am knitting. Three more to go and then the big job of sewing them all together and weaving in the ends. I want to add an edging to the blanket, but I am not sure what yet. I really like the edging from the Queen Of Hearts baby blanket so I may use that.

Diaper Shirts

I received an email from Newborns in Need a few days ago (probably a week now ... how time flies) asking for diaper shirts and receiving blankets. They don't get many donations throughout the summer so their shelves are bare. I whipped up some 3 to 5 lb preemie diaper shirts yesterday and will mail them off today.

The pattern comes from the Newborns In Need website. Pattern set #3 has lots of really cute sewing, knitting and crocheting patterns. You have to purchase it for $6.50 but I think it is really worth it and the money goes to a worthy cause.

Camping

We went camping with our church family this past weekend near Yelm, WA. What a beautiful spot and view of Mt. Rainier. Swimming, water sliding and the blob were highlights of the trip as well as the food and company.

We only have a tent so now my husband thinks (and I would like one too) that we need to get a trailer so that we can do more camping with a bit more convenience ... like not having to sleep on the ground ... ohhh my aching back. Or wash dishes in a tub. Or use the yucky public bathrooms. Or cook on a campstove (love my microwave) ...



On the way home from camping we stopped at Wal-Mart and I checked out their yarn section. Found a few balls of Peaches'n Creme cotton yarn to make some more dishcloths. Came home and started on one. Finished it up last night. Used the pattern that is in the Mason-Dixon Knitting book but found it free on the internet ... it's called Textured Slip Stitch Dishcloth and is on the Dishcloth Boutique website. I also ordered a few balls of Sugar'n Cream cotton yarn from Herrschners and will get that on Thursday. Time to start Christmas gifts!

Dishcloths

I finally received my copy of Mason-Dixon Knitting from the library the other day and have been reading through it. It is a really great book with some knitting patterns but more fun is all the stories and interviews that Kay and Ann share.

I am intrigued with the dishcloth concept. I have never made one so I went digging in my stash and found one lonely ball of Sugar 'n Cream cotton in a mauve color. Not my first choice in color since it doesn't go with my kitchen at all, but for testing purposes it will work! I then went searching for patterns. I like the one in the Mason-Dixon Knitting book but I only have one plain color so I will wait and try it another time.

Searching I found The Dishcloth boutique. She has lots of dishcloth patterns that have been submitted to her by others and the one from the Mason-Dixon book is there too. It is called Textured Slip Stitch Dishcloth. The really cool thing about this website is if you hold your cursor over the name of the dishcloth pattern a little picture will pop up in the square in the center of the page. Pretty cool .... ok I am easily entertained!

I also found this article Putting Cotton Through the Paces by Jo Anne Tracy. She compares 5 different brands of cotton, Lion Cotton, Sugar'n Cream, Peaches'n Creme, Sand and Cottontots for shrinkage, stain release, absorbency, and softness. You will have to go to the article to find out which brand she rates the best.

I chose the pattern Bamboo Cloth Variation 1 from the Dishcloth boutique website and am about half way done. Can't wait to try it out and see how it works as well as how it washes.

Amy's Sampler

I started the blocks for Amy's Sampler and have three done so far. This is supposed to be a block of the month quilt that takes 6 months. So far I have two months done in a week. Hope I can keep it up and not get bored before the top is done. I haven't started anything else in hopes of finishing this top and then quilting it.



I sent a box of 5 hats, 2 booties, 3 burial outfits and a baby size quilt to the WA station of HAIN. I know it will go to good use in the hospitals here. A few more babies who will be warmed and parents comforted by handmade items. One day I would like to take items to a hospital in this area ... I am sure it would be a very touching delivery.

If you would like to donate baby items to HAIN you can find the information on there website.