Homeless

There is a particular soft spot in my heart for babies.  I, also, like the idea of making smaller items because they get done quicker.  But, there are others in desperate need, too.  A co-worker of mine is very dedicated to her church.  The church after Sunday services make up approximately 100 lunches which consist of a sandwich, fruit, dessert and water.  They go into center city Trenton and hand them out to the homeless.  I have always admired Darleen for this and even giving monetary donations to her for food supplies.  A couple of weeks ago she asked a few close associates of hers at work for coats for the homeless.  Since my immediate commitment to Cooper is done for a little bit, I promised Darleen that I would start making hats and mittens for the homeless.  It is getting very cold outside and you would be surprised at the number of homeless.  Isn't there someone you could make something for?  I am sure there is.......  I remember when my children were in school and the school use to have a drive for hats and mittens for the needy children who went to the school.

Is There A Sewing Machine Heaven

I think my old reliable Kenmore bit the dust.  Last week, I was having a problem with it and took it all apart, cleaned it and oiled it.  During Saturday's sewing class, it was fine.  Yesterday afternoon I was finishing up some burp cloths and it froze up in the middle of a stitch and I can't free it up.  It's clean and all lubed up.  So now I am wondering if it is time for a new machine.  I love that machine.

The Christmas Delivery is Done

It always makes me feel good when we make the delivery to Cooper Hospital.

Our next official delivery to Cooper will be for Easter for Spring.  I will send a box in for Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day.  It is cute to have holiday hats, bibs, burb cloths and isolette blankets.  If the group wants to send items in, I will make a trip over.

Now, I am making hats, scarfs and mittens for the homeless.  Christmas is less than a week left and I should be wrapping gifts but there is always tomorrow.  LOL LOL

Cooper Delivery on Friday

This week is turning into such a busy week.  It has gotten cold, cold and colder  Burrrrrr!!!!  This Friday I will be making the "Caring For Cooper" Christmas Delivery to Cooper Hospital's NICU unit.  This is by far the largest delivery of the year. In this delivery, we donate 36 stockings for babies born on Christmas.  There will be gifts for all the nurses which is about 80 and all the winter items we have for the preemies and newborns.  This time I even some hug pillows for the "C" section patients (more on this later).  Last weekend and through this week, I am getting packages, packing, marking and finishing up last minute things.  Last night I finished up 3 burb cloths and 5 bibs with Christmas patterns.  This morning before I left for work at 6am I was installing snaps onto the bibs.  But, at least, they are all done. 

When I was working on the bibs last night, my machine was hesitating or stopping while doing the fancy borders.  This made me nervous because my machine just goes on forever.  My sewing teacher keeps telling me to clean and oil my machine.  I do a lot of flannel so my machine is caked on with lint and hasn't been oiled for about two years.  My teacher tells me that I should be doing TLC every couple of weeks.  In fact, she felt so bad for my machine that one Saturday she got the vacuum and tried to get as much lint off as possible.  LOL LOL LOL  Now I feel bad.  My machine has been so good to me.  So the moral of the story is that tonight I am going to give my machine a lot of TLC.   I am going to take my machine apart and clean every nook and cranny and give it a lot of oil.  I hope this machine doesn't seize up because of all the cleaning. LOL LOL LOL  That would be my luck.

Leg Warmers

Again, I have decided to make something outside of my charity knitting.  LOL  My granddaughter wanted leg warmers like her little friend.  So, Grammy had to make leg warmers for Maddy.  While I was at it, I made a pair for my potential Step Granddaughter.  Here is the pattern for Maddy's:  http://umajoy.blogspot.com/2008/03/legwarmers-pattern.html

And Autumn's:  this pattern is on Bernat's website (http://www.bernat.com/)  Pattern #263.  I would post the pattern but if you are not signed up on their website, you will not be able to access it.  Bernat is a no charge membership.

Five Hour Sweater #3

I am off from work today and it will be a catch up day.  The Christmas delivery to Cooper Hospital is our biggest delivery.  On top of the normal delivery of baby items, this delivery includes 36 Christmas stockings filled with goodies (clothes, hats, burb cloths, blanket, etc.) and nurses gifts (scarfs, gloves, etc.).  In this posting is the final version of the Five Hour Sweater.  There is a santa hat with this sweater.

 This sweater is knitted like the version two with the tighter yoke but has buttons.  On this particular sweater instead of buttons, I sewed on jingle bells.

 This sweater set will be for a baby at  Cooper born on Christmas. The link for the sweater is http://www.innerchildcrochet.com/patterns/concentric_stripes_cardigan.php and the hat is

 http://www.carewear.org/patterns/knit/knit.cfm?pid=_p13_seamless_santa.cfm

Please take note that these patterns are copyrighted and only shared for charity purposes.  Do the right thing.

Sew Baby

It has been a few days since I posted but with the holidays and visitors things have been busy.  I made a pair of legwarmers for my granddaughter and am currently working on a twin pair for my son's girlfriend's daughter. 

I am posting a link that is offering a baby bunting pattern that would be perfect for a baby that would be otherwise cold this winter.  I order a lot of fabric from Sew Baby and, in particular, like their bolt ends.  Here is the link and good luck:  http://sewbabynews.blogspot.com/2010/12/zippy-bunting-sample-and-pattern.html

Baby Afghan is Done

I kept at it and finished the blanket last night.  This blanket is very easy.  I used size D crochet hook and sport yarn (3).  I will make this blanket again but would use a larger hook and DK yarn.  Now I can start a new project.  I am off from work today.   In between cleaning and cooking, I am looking at patterns and yarn.  Here is the pattern I just finished.

BABY AFGHAN (REVERSIBLE) - Crochet

D or E Hook and Baby (Sport) Yarn

Chain 182 - sc in 2nd chain from hook, skip 2, 5 dc in 3rd, skip 2, sc in next, continue across chain ending with sc in last ch.  Ch3, turn.

Row 2...  2 dc in back loop of last sc, then sc in 3rd dc under both loops.  5 dc in next sc in back loop only.  Continue across row (always put the 5 dc in the next sc, ch 1, turn.

Row 3... Make a sc in top of first dc, then 5 dc in next sc and continue in pattern, (end with sc in top of ch 3) until it looks square or longer.

Make 3 rows of sc around, increasing in corners.

Then make dc, ch 2, skip 1 sc, dc in next to make beading for ribbon insert.

Then, make two rows of sc.

Then, make two rows of pattern.

Weave a length of ribbon through spaces.

Can't Start Another Project

I love doing baby afghans because they are quick and easy but I get half way through the project and I am ready to start another project.  I found a really easy crochet pattern and decided to make one for a friend's daughter who is having a boy in February.  I started off gangbusters.  The last skein has been started and it is beginning to be like torture to finish it.  It is only going to take about three more nights to complete.  I came across a bunch of patterns for easy booties.  All I can think about is pulling out scraps of yarn and starting them.  Focus - I need to focus to finish the afghan.  If I start something else, I won't finish the baby afghan.  LOL LOL LOL  The next 5 Hour Sweater needs to be started too.  LOL LOL LOL  I crack myself up with worry about what I should start next.  If this was the only thing I had to worry about, it would be a true blessing.  LOL LOL LOL

Charities

With the holidays and winter coming upon us very quickly, the needs of others become more public.  But the needs are always there.  Winter does bring more of a need for gloves, hats and coats.   If you have extra yarn, knit/crochet a pair of slippers for someone in a nursing home.  Check your closets for coats that you know won't be worn this year.  If you have a coupon for a turkey but aren't using it, donate it to a local family who can feed their family with it.  My heartstrings are always pulled for the babies but during this time of year, I always want to do more than I can even afford.  Hats and mittens for children take very little yarn and are very easy to create. As I mentioned before, I started a lunch group at work.  I will teach you how to knit or crochet and supply the materials but you have to donate that item back to me.  The group has expanded and everyone is teaching each other their favorite method of creating.  I find it funny but, at least, four woman have bought looming kits with their 60% coupons off for Michaels and AC Moore this week.  Here is last week's creations.  I brought in one skein and one crochet hook and now everyone is using their own supplies and tools.  The creating for charity is addictive and I am proud to be involved in giving others the fever.   I love it.

5 Hour Sweater #2

I can't believe that a week has gone by already.  This week I worked a convention for work so there wasn't much time on the computer.  But there was time to craft and I worked on a baby blanket.  I finished the second five hour baby sweater.

  This sweater has a tighter yoke which is perfect for a boy's style sweater. 

For this sweater, I knitted a standard style hat and booties.  The website for this pattern is http://yarntootin.typepad.com/     I used the same yarn and needles as in pattern one.  The sweater knitted larger and with the hat and booties 2 skeins of Red Heart Soft Baby Steps was needed.  Pattern one only needed one skein of yarn.  This pattern was also for the tie closure.

It's Monday and Back to Work

Today will be a full day at work and then I am on the road to cover a convention.  I will be there for two days.  I am taking a afghan in progress that is being crochet to work on while I am idle.  The second in a series of 5 Hour Sweaters is done.  Upon my return at the end of the week, I will have pics and details.

Another New Toy - Loom

                      

I have known about the looms and some of the members from my group loom hats but I have never even held one.  Carolyn from work has joined our luncheon group and she brought along her loom.  Lo and behold with a 50% off coupon from Michaels, I am an officially owner of a loom set. 

Carolyn showed me how it works and away I went.  The smallest loom is blue and generates the perfect size hats.  You do e-wraps around the pegs twice and pull the bottom loop over the top loop. 

The hat comes out a little thicker than knitting but it is very stretchy.  The recommended yarn is a bulky yarn or double strand thin yarn.  I don't think this is my main choice of making hats but it is convenient and quick.

Connor's Birthday

My Grandson's birthday is 11-11.  My DH and I are going to Mahwah which is about 2 hours away to celebrate.  While DH was driving, I took the opportunity to crochet a baby santa hat.  If it doesn't make you nauseous, riding in the car is the perfect time to needlework.  I completed the entire hat in this timeframe and had enough time to add two more rows to a baby blanket.

Toys

Men think they have a world of toys but there is no one with more toys than a crafter.  I have totes of fabric, yarn, notions and anything you can think of.  If I have an interest in doing something, I have to have everything that goes along with it.  Now that I am making sleepers I decided to invest in a nice snapper pliers.  Sewing on snaps just doesn't give the garment a professional look.  Check my new toy out.  Now I have to figure out how to use it.  LOL  I bought this on-line from Kam Snap.

Crafting At Work

With the weather getting colder, a couple of my co-workers have asked me to help them back into crocheting and knitting.   I love the idea.  So, we are starting today.  My suggestion was and accepted is that I will bring in all the supplies needed but they had to make something for charity and donate it back to one of my groups.  This way they do not have to make any investment to decide whether they want to get back into needlework. 

Loretta wants to crochet so I found a simple pattern for a baby santa hat.  Last night, I crochet one up.  I didn't want to take the chance that she would have a question that I couldn't answer. LOL LOL It was so simple.  Everyone at work loved it and I am hoping that more will join our little group.  Hopefully, I will have pics and a pattern for you tomorrow.

In the meantime, I am working on my 5-Hour Sweater 2.  I have devoted about 3 hours so far and the yoke is done.

5 Hour Sweater

This is my favorite pattern to use when making sweater sets.  I have made many of them and it still takes me about 8 hours to complete.  There is also many variations of this pattern.  This will be the first of a series.  I will try to make as many variations of this basic pattern and post them to you.  This pattern has a lacy yoke with making stitches by pulling a loop in-between stitches and has ties to close the sweater.

I used Bernat Softee Baby with size 10 needles.  The chest size on this sweater is 16".  Besides the set, there was enough yarn left to do a hat and a couple of squares for a blanket.  This pattern is from Bev's County Cottage.  Bev's site is a wonderful site for the person that wants to craft for charity.  And as always, this pattern should be used for charity purposes:  http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/kp3.html

Here is tip that I use when using the same pattern over and over again.  I write each row on an index card and all I have to do is flip the card to the back when completed.  This enables me to always keep track where I am and it is portable.  I keep the cards together with a large clip style paperclip.

Rainy Day But We Have Eye Candy

Today in New Jersey it is dark and rainy.  Perfect day to stay in and knit, crochet or sew.  As I told you before, I am the collector of donations for Cooper Hospital.  I really get excited when I get a package because the contents are always beautiful and soooo soft.  I want to share with you the last package I got.  It is from Gail in New Jersey and she knitted this beautiful cocoon with matching hat and a sweater set.

I love this cocoon because it has a button closure.  I have made a snuggle.  It doesn't have the buttons and I always thought that it would be hard to get the baby in and out.  Isn't the sweater set precious.

Ribbon/Tulle Tutu

I broke down and made a non charity item.  I will do this occasionally especially for my granddaughter.  She had ballet class on Oct 29th and I found this really easy, cute pattern for making a ribbon tutu.  All of the ribbons came from my stash and went together quickly.

You figure out the elastic length and just start tying the ribbons on.  The pattern can be found here:  http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=278841.0  Here is another site that uses tulle.  http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/tutu-sewing-pattern.html  These were so much fun to make.  I do have a tidbit for you.  When I determined the elastic I needed, I tied the ribbons on as stated in the directions.  When my granddaughter wore it, the elastic stretched and there were spaces in between the knots.  Next time, I am going to stretch the elastic out a little and then tie the ribbons on.  I am sure there is a little girl in your world that would love this skirt even as a play dress up skirt.  And, here is the little one modeling.  She loved twirling around in the skirt.

Election Day

Since I work for the State of New Jersey, I have today off from work.  What shall I do?  After voting, I started working on burb cloths.  Cleaning can wait until another day.  The burb cloths I am working on today are the hourglass type.  I, also, make diaper burb cloths but those will be for another day.  Here is one that I just finished.

We include a burb cloth for the Christmas stockings which totals 35 on top of the regular delivery.  So a lot are needed for the next delivery.  These are perfect for larger scraps of fabric.  The pattern can be found at http://www.newconceptions.com/patpdf/BabyBurpCloth.pdf  I put at least one side with flannel for the baby's face and the other side will either be cotton with a novelty print or flannel.

I Love My Kenmore

Today was sewing class and we worked on burp cloths.  When I got back to sewing about a year ago, I wanted to trash my Kenmore sewing machine that I bought in 1973. 

I wanted something brand spanking new.  I wanted to sew fancy topstitching.  But the machines I looked at were all plastic and my Kenmore is pure metal and bears the weight to prove it.  When I started fooling around with it, I couldn't believe the stitches I can create from it.

I am sorry that they are a little or a lot blurry but I am sure you get the idea.  These two are only a small sampling of the topstitching that I am capable of creating.  I have fallen in love with my Kenmore again.  Shame on me for even thinking about getting rid of it.

The Yarn Has Arrived

Today has been an exciting day.  First thing this morning, I took the the Halloween Delivery to Cooper Hospital.  I wanted to take pics but I arrived at 7:50am which is when the shift changes.  Nurses were getting ready to leave as other nurses were coming to start.  In the middle of the rush, I delivered the boxes and left. 

My yarn arrived today.  I am back to finishing my scarf.

 Isn't this pattern pretty and doesn't it look hard.  It is one of the easiest scarfs that I have ever made.

Sarah Burton from Verdigris Knits has graciously granted permission for me to post her scarf.  You can get the pattern from her blog at http://verdigrisknits.blogspot.com/  As I mentioned before, this is being made for a nurse at Cooper Hospital.  Our group will be making about 80 scarfs for the NICU nurses for the Christmas delivery 

Gotta go!!  Working on a talk I have to give to township clerks tonight.  There's that work getting in the way again.  But I will eventually get home and start up on the scarf.

Tomorrow is Saturday which is sewing class.

What shall I do?????

My yarn hasn't arrived yet and I have no other projects.  I made a promise to myself a couple of years ago that I would not start a project until the current project was done.  At one point, I had a whole closet filled with incomplete projects and tossed every single one.  Oh, oh, how will I get through tonight?  Rules are made to be broken.  I think I will sew something.  More tomorrow.

Shortage of Stash

As you know, we will never, ever run out of stash but there is one thing that, at least for me, happens quite often.  I started my "Hash Marks" scarf.  I loved the pattern and grabbed two colors from my stash.  It never, ever occurs to me to be sure to check the yardage.  So, LOL LOL, I ran out of a color.  Sometimes I think it is my subconscious way of ordering more yarn.  In the meantime, I dug out some ribbon and am working on a tutu skirt for the Fall season for my 3 year old Granddaughter, Maddy for ballet class.

Sewing Class

Every Saturday from 9:30 until 11:30, I take a sewing class.  I know just enough about sewing to make me dangerous but can't set in sleeves, do buttonholes or sew in zippers.  I pay for sewing class because I want to sew and can't find the time at home or don't want to drag everything out.  During this sewing class, my instructor, Phyllis, and I sew isolette blankets, burb cloths, bibs and flannel pants.  We have quite a stash going on and I think within the next couple of weeks we will start on baby clothes.  My pants need shirts or onesies.  I am getting excited thinking about it.  I never ventured with sewing clothes before.

Just Another Day

During the work week at my hour lunch, I usually spend 1/2 hour walking.  Today for the first time I realized how nice the trees are turning.  They seem to be at their peak and with the sun shining through they were absolutely gorgeous.  Somone once told me when I really see something beautiful take the color combination and use them when creating.  Today I was thinking about a scarf in brown, orange and yellow.  Doesn't it even sound pretty?

The designer from Verdigris Knits gave me permission to post her pattern.  I am really excited about this because when I saw the pattern I thought how hard it was and it is very, very easy.  And I really wanted to share it with you.  I will post this on Sunday.  I am going to try to figure out how to post pics because I want to show you the progress on my scarf.

Why Do We Have To Work

I love my job but it takes up a lot of time during the day when I would rather sew, knit or crochet.  LOL LOL  That's life and it pays the bills.  My favorite time to craft is in front of the TV.  I LOVE.... TV but by nature I am an antsy person so I always have something on the needles or hoop.  Every year my yahoo group for Cooper's NICU unit does holiday gifts for the nurses.  These usual consist of scarfs, mittens, socks, etc.  Whatever the individual enjoys creating.  DH and I organize the donations and make the deliveries.   We make enough for 80 nurses.  I use this opportunity to experiment with patterns to make scarfs.  I love the one I am working on now.  It is coprighted (if that is a word) but I am going to request from the designer to share this pattern with you for charity purposes.

Starting My Blog Today

My daughter has two blogs and has been talking to me about starting a blog about my favorite topic - doing charity sewing, knitting and crocheting, in particular, for babies.  When an organization has a certain need, I will go on the internet and search and search and search and a lot of times I can't find a nice simple pattern to do.  There are tons of great sites but usually I look for something nice and simple to do.  I have two favorite charities:  Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ and Afghans for Afghans.  Cooper Hospital is a local hospital that has a large NICU unit.  For this unit we make hats, blankets, isolette covers and blankets,etc.  For the newborn unit, we make sweater sets, blankets, bibs, isolette blankets, burb cloths, etc.  There are times that the donation is the only clothing that the baby has to go home.  Right now there is a drive going on for the A4A group for children from the ages of 7 - 14 for sweaters, hats, mittens, socks and blankets.  There are areas in Afghanistan that really get cold.  I like these two groups because the hospital only accepts acrylic yarn and the Afghan group only accepts wool yarn.  In between these two groups, I always find a nursing home or cancer center that can use lap blanket or chemo caps.  No matter what I am in the mood to make, there is a person who can truly use it.

I finally decided to write this blog for two reasons:  share and inspire.........   I want to share with you what I am working on as well as fnding out what others are doing for charities.  I want to inspire you to create something  for someone else and knowing that it will be enjoyed and used.