S is for Socks and Sweater

Wow, it's been more than a month since I posted last and I am really getting a pile of finished items ready to donate. Most of the items are going to Heavenly Angels In Need (HAIN) and a couple are going to Mittens For Akkol (M4A). This is the first time I have knit anything for M4A and all the ladies on the yahoo group seem very nice and willing to help!

So onto "S" is for socks and sweater. First up a pair of socks for me ... yes I do actually finish some things for myself and my family! Not often though.

These are Jaywalkers, a free knitting pattern that used to be on Magknits (which is no longer online). If you are part of Ravelry you can download the pattern from their pattern library. Knit with 2.25mm needles and Pagewood Farm Denali Hand Dyed Sock Yarn. Very nice and machine washable too.

Next, a pair of large socks for M4A. These are from the pattern Sandal Sox by Sharon Philbrick. Knit with leftover worsted weight yarn, they knit up really quick on 3.5mm needles. They have ties around the top of the sock that you can tighten so they stay up since there is no ribbing up there. I think I made them bigger than the pattern by casting on 48sts and making the foot length 10.5" long.

M4A is having a sock challenge for most of the year. They are trying to knit socks for 2 orphanages in Kazakhstan. Check out their website if you want to help.

Finally, a sweater also destined for M4A. Pretty wild looking in the picture, but it looks much calmer (and prettier) in real life. Knit with Ella Rae's 100% wool yarn on size 4.5mm needles. I used Margaret Hubert's top down knitting pattern for women's size small. It is about 33" around ... too small for me but should fit a teenager just fine.

Next time I post it will be "B" is for Blankets. Hopefully less than a month in between posts!

A More Upbeat Post

I apologize if my last post was too depressing for you. This cause is really dear to my heart since I have been where these families are today --- grieving the loss of a child. Though it has been 12 years since the loss of our daughter Brianna, my heart still wonders where and what our family would be like today if she had lived. Something to look forward to -- "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4

Onto more fun things. I haven't posted about my quilting activities lately so here are a couple of projects. The first I am calling Scrappy 9 Patches. The pattern is "Treasure Trove" by Nancy Mahoney from the Clothworks website (though I don't it listed there anymore). A good reason why I try to print out both knitting and quilting patterns I find on the web that I think I will make one day. They seem to disappear if I don't print them out! Clothworks has about 82 other free quilt patterns on the above link. Check it out!

This is all scrappy with fabric that was donated to our quilting group. The quilt is about 50" x 66" and will be donated to Encompass in September.

This next quilt is still a WIP (work in progress). It is pinned and ready to be quilted which will start on Friday evening at our quilt group. I am still not sure how I will quilt it ...

The pattern is from the TreadleOn website and is really simple and goes together quickly --- making it a great charity quilt.

Speaking of TreadleOn --- did you know that I own a White treadle sewing machine? I have even used it to make a bunch of quilt squares that I exchanged with other "treadlers". Though they still sit in a nice little pile!

As for knitting, madly cast on and finished a child's size 10/12 sweater for Afghans for Afghans. They had a "quick turnaround" campaign for sweaters, mitts, and socks. Done in about 8 days, whew!!

The pattern is from Margaret Hubert's book One Piece Knits that Fit. The yarn is Patons Classic Wool in wedgewood and size 4.5mm needles. Not a stunning sweater by any means, but should keep a child warm.

And Roam is coming along veerrrrryyyyy ssslllooooowwllly ... just like a snail. It will get done eventually, it just seems like knitting for me gets put to the side to fill other needs. That's not a bad thing, just means that my stuff takes a long time to finish!

All the pieces are finished and sewn together, and now I am onto the hood. The end is near!

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17

NILMDTS

I wanted to post about a really great organization that is helping families through their grief of losing a baby. It is called Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS), which is a group of professional photographers who donate their time to take pictures of babies and families after a baby has gone to sleep. The gowns and outfits I have been making have been going to some of these wonderful individuals to give to families who do not have any clothing items small enough for their infants.

If you have a wedding gown or light coloured bridesmaid dress consider donating it to Heavenly Angels In Need (HAIN). They will send it on to a seamstress (like me) who makes gowns, blankets, bonnets, and outfits for these precious angels.

Here is a video of what NILMDTS is all about. Have a tissue handy ....



I managed to get 6 preemie gowns/outfits out of the bridesmaid dress that I was working on. Now onto the wedding dress. Here is one gown that I have finished. The pattern is on the Newborns In Need website. They have many wonderful sewing patterns there. The gown will fit a 2 to 3lb preemie and has a bonnet and bracelet that I made to go with the gown.

After this gown if finished I will be receiving another gown from a young lady who is pregnant with twins. One of her twins has passed away and she has asked for something to be made from her gown as a keepsake to remember her precious little girl. This is so heart breaking and I know there are many, many families who have gone through similar situations.

This post has been a bit (ok, maybe a lot) depressing and maybe even makes you very distraught. This is the reality of life and I only hope that what I do will bring a tiny amount of healing and comfort to these families.

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Romans 12:15

Preemie Dresses

Since I last posted I made up two gowns with the idea I had. Knitting the top of the gown and then using fabric to make the skirt. This works up much faster than knitting a whole gown and looks pretty good. I did one boys dress and one girls dress.

I used Libby Wilson's Dress pattern to knit the top of the gown using Patons Beehive yarn and size 3.25mm needles. Once the top was knit I measured the width of the top, added 1" for finishing off the back seam and about 4" to add some gathering. I machine sewed the skirt to the top, added trim and was finished.

The angel that goes with the boys gown is from LucyBug. She has a pretty angel wrap on her website too.

I am very excited to have received a wedding gown and a bridesmaid dress from a donor who wants the dresses made into baby gowns and internment items. I have been working on the bridesmaid dress which is a pretty light blue with a small amount of beading on the front. There is also a white satin insert in the front. It has been fun and challenging to come up with ideas on how best to use the fabric.

The boys vested outfit (size 2-3lbs) is from Newborns In Need patterns set#3. I highly recommend this pattern set as there are some very beautiful patterns in there.

The gown (size 2-3lb) is a free pattern from CareWear website. They have some wonderful free patterns on there for preemies and newborns.

There are two other gowns that have been sewn up and one more newborn size that is cut out. As well as 4 buntings from the Carewear bunting pattern.

Most of the bridesmaid dress has been used up. With the rest I plan to cut out 3.5" squares and mix and match them with the wedding dress fabric to make some small quilts.

Brilliant Idea

Sorry I have been gone for so long. I can't promise a timeframe for the next post, but know that I am still crafting away. I found that blogging seemed like a brag fest for me. I didn't want to come across as "see how much I accomplish", so I took a break and probably won't be posting weekly like I was before.

Anyway, on to the brilliant idea. Though it is not my idea it did dawn on me yesterday that I should use it.

A little background .... I was looking through all the many needs that Heavenly Angels In Need have at the moment and it is overwhelming. Where do you start? Most of the items are bereavement gowns, blankets, hats, etc. I really like to make these as I know that they are such a blessing to a family who has lost a little angel. But I do understand that this is not for everyone and can be hard to think about! I have both sewn and knit these gowns and find that I don't like knitting the skirt of the dress because it seems to take for eeevvvvveeerrrrrr! And I don't like sewing the top of the dress because of all the little fiddly pieces needed for preemie patterns. Here's the idea --- why not knit the top and attach a fabric skirt to it. I searched on ravelry and there are a couple of dress patterns that have done this. No pictures yet, but I will be starting the knit top after I complete a few things on the needles.

So, what have I been up to this last month and a half?

This 32" x 42" blanket made with Ram Wools Selkirk 100% wool for Afghans for Afghans. They have a baby drive going on until the end of February. If you have time consider knitting a 100% wool baby hat or socks. Check out the guidlines on their website.

A newborn size christening dress from Judy Knits. Absolutely gorgeous dresses and a little tuxedo sweater for the boys.

And the last thing I will share is a pair of socks I knit for my Dad for Christmas (belated Christmas gift I might add). They are from Interweave Knits Favorite Socks book and are called Eeste Hiking Socks. I used Cascade 220 Superwash in navy blue and cream. Very cushy and should keep his feet warm!

Still Here

I am still here and have been knitting and sewing. With Christmas just around the corner I needed to take a break from blogging so I could have one less thing to stress over! I will post more about my knitting and crafting creations in January.

Til then, I wish each and every one of you a Very Merry Christmas and may you keep Christ at the center of you celebrations.

Check out this video --- Christmas With a Capital C ---

Knitting Projects

Last week I told you about the quilting I had been doing. The Treasure Trove quilt has it's blocks sewn into rows and that is where it sits for now. I attend a crafting for charity group on Friday evening so maybe I will take it and try to get the top finished.

As far as knitting goes I have finished a couple of projects. This pastel baby sweater was started way back in November 2006. It has sat on my counter for almost a year with nothing but the sleeves to knit. It is definitely a sad state of affairs when it takes me a whole year to decide to finish a baby project. It is based on the Seamless Yoked Baby Sweater by Carole Barenys. I changed the pattern on the yoke and added the pattern near the bottom of the sweater. I also used ribbing on the sleeves rather than garter stitch.

Pattern: Seamless Yoked Baby Sweater by Carole Barenys
Yarn: LionBrand Babysoft
Needles: 3.5mm

Next is the baby shrug that I started a month or so ago. It is also finished though I am not that pleased with the pattern. I made size 3-6 month and the ribbing doesn't match up when you sew the sleeve seams. Not so good since the seam is very visible when the baby wears the shrug.

Pattern: Ribbed Shrug from the Fall 2007 Knit Simple Magazine.
Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby
Needles: 3.25mm

I am still plugging along on Roam. This is the sweater from Knitty Fall 2007 online magazine. Both sleeves are completed and I have started working the body in one piece. I am really enjoying using the garter slip stitch rather than seed stitch and love how the yarn is working.

Pattern: Roam from Knitty
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Denim
Neeldles: 4mm

And last but not least, I started and finished one more preemie sweater for my friend who is having quadruplets. She had them early Sunday morning and they are doing ok. 3 of them are on ventilators and one little girl is pretty tiny at only 1lb 15oz. I needed to make one more sweater since I had made 2 boys and 2 girls sweaters and she actually had 3 girls and 1 boy. If you are inclined to pray would you please say a pray for these little ones. Thanks!!!

Pattern: Patons Early Arrivals Raglan Cardi
Yarn: Sirdar Snuggly 4 ply (fingering)
Needles: 2.75mm and 3.25mm

Quilting

Yes, that's right ---- I've been quilting. Finished 2 quilts, one that will go to Heavenly Angels In Need (children's division) and the other will go to Encompass.

The blocks for the pink and blue star quilt were made by Kirsten and I have three quilts total made out of her blocks. The other can be seen here and the third still needs to be quilted but looks exactly like this one. Thanks Kirst!!!!It is 36" x 36".

The second quilt that is finished is this square in square quilt. I had meant to make sawtooth star blocks but when I made the flying geese portions I reversed the peach and green fabrics so this is how it turned out. I think it looks good this way too! The fabric has cute pigs in the barnyard that was donated -- in fact all the fabric in this quilt came out of my "donated bins". It is 48" x 60".

And finally, I am starting this quilt called "Treasure Trove" by Nancy Mahoney from the Clothworks website (though I don't see it there anymore). There are quite a few really cute quilts on there that are all free in PDF format. This quilt is also made mostly out of donated fabric, though I did need to add a little of my own. It should finish about 57" x 73".

I will update you on my knitting stuff next time!

Breast Cancer Awareness MonthSince October is Breast Cancer Awareness month would you go to the Breast Cancer Site and "click" to help donate free mammograms to women in need. If they reach their goal their sponsor will donate an additional 150 mammograms. Thanks!!!

More Yarn and Projects

The Fana Mittens are done -- yeah!!! I am not sure why it took me so long to finish. Maybe because I had other projects going that were more interesting ?!? Now that the mitts are finished, my package is being sent to Afghans for Afghans on Monday. One pair of socks, one pair of mitts and a sweater.


I received a bag of yarn from a wonderful lady (thanks Paula) at Encompass. This is the organization that Caring for Communities (the charity group I organize at our church) donates their kid sized quilts to. We just dropped off 23 quilts the middle of September. Paula is such a sweet gal that she picked up all this yarn for our group to use for charity.


Of course I couldn't just let it sit around and wait --- so I cast on for a blanket. There are 8 skeins of the beige (called bisque on the label) which should be plenty for a crib sized blanket.
I found this really cute sweater pattern on the Lion Brand website called Standout Stripes and am using it for the blanket. It will go to HAIN's Childrens Division when it's done.

The Roam sweater is coming along. I am almost finished the sleeves. And I really like how the garter stitch V pattern is turning out. Lots of texture!

And I have turned the heal on the first of my daughters socks. So knitting is happening :-)

More New Projects

I did actually finish one more project before I started a couple of new ones. The Embossed Leaves socks from Favorite Socks by Interweave Knits are now finished. Yeah!!! They seemed to take quite a while to finish but that is probably because I had so many other projects going on at the same time.

Yarn: Fleece Artist Merino in colour Lily Pond
Needles: 2.25mm for ribbing and 2.75mm for pattern
Pattern: Embossed Leaves from Favorite Socks

This yarn is so soft though not machine washable so I will need to be careful not to felt them!!

I did not finish the Fana mittens. I don't know why I can't just buckle down and finish them ... only have the thumb of one mitt left and then weaving in the ends of the same mitten. I need to get my package off to Afghans for Afghans soon so finished pictures will probably be posted next time.

Onto the projects I started.

Last post I said I was going to start Roam and I did. This sweater is knit in seed stitch which I was not going to do. I am a "thrower" when I knit and the thought of all those p1, k1 stitches just did me in!! I went through a stitch dictionary I have (The Harmony Guide To Knitting Stitches) and chose a pattern called Garter Slip Stitch Version 5. This pattern has 2 rows of plain knitting, 1 row of k1, sl1 and then one row of k1, yf, sl1, yb on the wrong side. Much faster to work for this knitter and it is a 2+1 stitch pattern which is the same as the seed stitch. Currently working the sleeves (both at once).
Yarn: Berrocco Ultra Alpaca in colour Denim
Needles: 4.0mm
Pattern: Roam from Knitty.com

Since I finished the embossed leaves socks I cast on another pair that my youngest daughter wanted me to make for her. She picked out the yarn and the pattern. It is from More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. I started out casting on 60sts and did a few pattern repeats and had my daughter (8) try it on. Too small. She could barely get it over her heal. So rip and cast on 72 sts. This actually fits me so will definitely be big enough for her.
Yarn: Regia 4ply in bright pink, yellow, orange
Needles: 2.25mm for ribbing, 2.75mm for the rest.
Pattern: Heart from More Sensational Knitted Socks

We are currently having a thunder and lightening storm so I think I will get off the computer and knit for a while!

Feeling Better

I have finished two projects that I was working on and feel like my crafting life is a bit more under control.

My wonderful husband took me to a yarn shop in Seattle for our anniversary (12 years) and then out for Japanese food. We went to Weaving Works. This store has such a variety of yarns, fleece, spinning and weaving stuff, I could spend hours searching through everything.

What did I buy?!? 9 skeins of Berrocco's Ultra Alpaca to make Roam from Knitty.com . Roam is a hoodie sweater that has a zippered front. Pattern calls for DK yarn but since I knit tightly I thought I could get away with a worsted weight yarn. I haven't cast on yet because I want to finish my Fana Mittens first.

What have I finished. First the pink baby blanket that I have been working on (or not) since March. I am really happy with how it turned out and very happy that it is finished and checked off my "to do" list! Now to wrap it up and gift it away :-)

Yarn: Cotton Fleece from Brown Sheep Company
Colours: Pink-a-boo and Tea Rose
Needles: 3.75mm
Finished Size: 33" x 34"

Second is the felted bag that I had started in August for a secret pal exchange. I am thrilled with how it turned out since I don't have much felting experience.

Yarn: Elann's Peruvian Highland Worsted and Knit One Purl Two eyelash type yarn.
Colour: Dark Burgundy Heather (743) and Pink, Purple and Gold eyelash yarn.
Needles: 6.00mm and 3.75mm for I-Cord
Finished Size: 12" x 12"

Off to finish up my mittens for Afghans for Afghans and then cast on something for me! Happy Knitting!!

Too Many Projects --- Acckkk!

I am getting overwhelmed ... with too many projects ! I know at least 6 women at our church that will be having babies over the next few months as well as Afghans for Afghans that have a deadline of October 12th, a very dear friend who has adopted a new baby, and Heavenly Angels In Need that continually has needs (which I haven't supplied in a long while). What is someone to do? ... Cast on another project of course!!! Which is what I have been doing and therefore have a ton of unfinished objects all lined up on my counter.

I am sure my husband thinks I have lost my mind since every time he sees me I am knitting away on yet a different project. They will all get completed, right?!?!

First up is a felted bag I am making for a shoe box exchange that needs to be mailed by September 24th. No problem --- I am almost finished the knitting then it's on to the felting. The bag is Elann's Highland Wool Fancy Felted Bags. I am using Highland wool in a dark wine colour and Knit One Purl One yarn for the accent near the top.

Next is a baby hat that I completed last week for HAIN's Childrens Division. I was feeling overwhelmed with all these large projects so started something small so I could get a sense of accomplishment! Anyone else do that?

I made up the pattern by casting on 74 sts and then using the Fibonacci system to work stripes. I really like how it turned out knit in Paton's Astra yarn and I want to design a pair of booties to go with it (after some other more pressing projects are finished or I need another quick fix of a completed item).

Remember this baby blanket that I started months ago? I started working on it again and think I need to finish 5 more pattern repeats to have it square. I am thinking of giving it to my friend who has adopted a baby girl at the beginning of the month!

And there's the mitts for Afghans for Afghans children's project. Still working on those.

And the Embossed Leaves socks which I am turning the heal on the second sock. Knit a couple of rows on that each day. No new picture!

And (I'm almost done) a very cute baby shrug that is in the Fall '07 Knit Simple Magazine that may also be for my friend with the new adopted baby or one of the 6 others mentioned above. It is soooo cute!
I am using Softee Baby in a pink and white marl, 3.25mm needles and making size 3 months. To go with, I want to make Saartje's Booties.

Enough projects? Sure hope I can complete a couple before having the dreaded "new project bug" bite me again!!

School Starts Today

For us, today is the first full day of classes. My girls were excited about going and getting the year started with new teachers and old friends. Summer was fun, but I am definitely ready for some routine in my days!

I finally finished this sweater for Afghans for Afghans. I started it many months ago and can finally count it "off the needles".

Yarn: Jojoland Melody 2 strands together
Elann Peruvian Highland Wool
Needles: 4.5mm and 3.5mm
Pattern: From Margaret Hubert's Book One Piece Knits That Fit
Size: child 5/6


A very easy knit in one piece sweater!




One mitten complete. I really like how this turned out. I wasn't sure that my stranding would be "ok" but it looks fine to me. It was a bit tight when I changed from one needle to another, but I will need to concentrate on that for the next mitt. It is started and the check pattern is completed.
Yarn: Cascade 220 dark green and yellow
Needles: 3.5mm - 2 circulars
Pattern: Fana from Folk Mittens by Marcia Lewandowski

Ravelry Account

I received my ravelry account last night -- yippee!! It is pretty neat though I can see how one could get wrapped up in searching and adding stuff and not actually knitting/crafting. I have added a few projects on there under "craftyknitter".

It has been a while since I last posted. We went camping for 3 days and then went to Penticton, BC Canada to visit my mom and dad and my sister and her family. We rode an historical train in Summerland one day, visited my grandma another and went to the beach. It was a great time!!

I have been knitting. First up is my embossed leaves socks -- the first sock is finished and I have started the second. These are knit with Fleece Artist's machine washable 100% fingering weight yarn in colour Lily Pond. I used size 2.25 needles for the ribbing and size 2.75mm for the rest of the sock. It fits perfectly.

Second, is a pair of socks for Afghans for Afghans. They fit me so will probably fit a teenager. They are knit using Cascade 220 wool yarn that was donated to me on 3.5mm needles. The pattern is specifically for Briggs and Little yarn so I needed to adjust the pattern a bit. I cast on 45 stitches and knit the ribbing in k3, p2 first round and then k1, sl1, k1, p2 for the second round. They are really stretchy and comfortable. As you can see, I ran out of the blue so had to improvise with the stripes on the second sock. I am sure they will be appreciated even if they don't match ....

Third up is a pair of mittens for Afghans for Afghans. I received the Folk Mittens book by Marcia Lewandowski. I absolutely love this book!! There are so many beautiful mitten patterns in hear from different countries and a little history about each mitten/country. This pattern is called Fana Mittens and originates from Norway. I am using Cascade 220 wool yarn and 3.5mm needles. They fit me so again will fit a teenager quite nicely!

Vacation

Just a quick note to let you all know that I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I am on vacation and will be back blogging the beginning of September. Enjoy the last bits of summer!

Check out this story about why she is selling Pokemon Cards on Ebay -- it's a good laugh!

Preemie Sweaters and Socks

The shower is over and the sweaters are finished. I do need to make one more tiny sweater as Lacey is having 3 girls and 1 boy. Yeah for her!! She looks so great and received some wonderful gifts. Here is the fourth sweater that I knit. I used Bernat Softee Baby for the white and Patons Astra yarn for the pink squares. The pattern is from P2Designs. I will need to go buy another set of buttons -- didn't think of making more sweaters when I purchased the first four sets!

What am I working on now?? Afghans for Afghans is requesting baby hats, socks, and blankets by September 21st as well as kids items sizes 8 - 18 (socks, hats, sweaters, vests, mitts) due by the same date. You can check out all the details on their website.
Finished is a pair of baby socks --- they really work up quickly with worsted weight yarn. The pattern is from North Country.

On the needles currently is a pair of kids socks using Cascade 220 100% wool. This yarn came from a freecycler -- thank you Amy!! She gave me 11 balls of Cascade220 in different colours as well as a sweaters worth of fishermans wool! I am set for a while!!

My sewing machine is feeling very sad lately since I haven't used it much. I have 3 quilts that need to be quilted so I may work on those. Two are baby size for HAIN and one is for a local low income preschool group.

The embossed leaves socks are coming along slowly. I have turned the heal on the first sock so am now on the last straight stretch to the end!

Embossed Leaves

Since the Notre Dame De Grace pullover is finished I decided to cast on something new. I borrowed the Favorite Socks book from our local library and absolutely love all the sock patterns. I ordered it from Amazon yesterday since I know I will use many of the patterns in the book. The embossed leaves sock is the first one to be cast on in Fleece Artist's basic merino sock yarn colour Lily Pond. I have almost two repeats of the pattern completed.

One more teeny tiny baby sweater finished. Only 5 more days to get the last one started and complete. I am sure I can do it --- nothing like pressure of a deadline to spur me on LOL! This preemie sweater is knit with white Bernat Softee Baby and blue Patons Astra. The pattern is from P2 Designs Checked Mates Cardigan. Patti has so many wonderful free newborn and preemie patterns on her website both knit and crochet.

And Mary from Heavenly Angels In Need (HAIN) has created this wonderful YouTube video about infant loss. Thanks Mary!!

One More Sweater Down, Two More to Finish

I finished the second preemie sweater for a gal in our church who will be having quadruplets in November (probably earlier is my guess). Her baby shower is next weekend and I decided last week to knit 4 preemie sweaters in 2 weeks --- crazy --- probably!! Anyway, two are finished and the third is on its way to completion. I kind of used the pattern for a garter stitch sweater in Paton's Early Arrivals leaflet but changed the number of stitches and number of rows used. Since I wasn't using garter stitch but mostly stockinette these number needed to be changed. Anyway, it turned out pretty cute with the lacy bottom edge (Arbor lace from the book Knitting on the Edge by Nicky Epstein) and raglan sleeves, but I like the cabled little boys sweater better.

And I finished my Notre Dame De Grace pullover from Interweave Knits summer 2007 magazine. It is so comfy -- now just need some cooler weather so I can use it (doesn't look like that is happening anytime soon). I will get my daughter to take pictures with it on me later today.
Yarn: Elann's Peruvian Highland Chunky in colour spiced wine
Needles: 5mm circular needle
Pattern: Interweave Knits Summer 2007 - Notre Dame De Grace by Veronik Avery
I followed the pattern except knit the body (front and back) in one piece up to the arms.