The Final Countdown

Cue Europe's only hit song...Now! 



We're in the final stretch for the school year... Seniors are done in a week, and the rest are done in two, with a field day for the last day of school on the 24th.  Whew!

I have also finished my work on this quarter's 20 Time project.  Although... I don't think I'm all that finished, actually.  More on that later.

I spread out all of my hats on my desk this morning for a final photo.  You are looking at 78 hats for preemies in various shapes, sizes, and patterns.  I'm in love with the little aviator hats, and the newsboy caps, as well.  Last night, after Ella went to bed, I sewed on decorations--buttons, flowers, pom-poms.  I had to make the pom-poms first, of course.  I have some very small pom-pom makers I bought many years ago, and struggled with making them work.  But I figured it out this time, and LOVE those tiny little balls of yarn!  So I put them on a bunch of hats. 

I had originally set myself a goal of 50 hats, and the last time I had counted them, I was pretty close.  But then I found some new patterns that I just HAD to try... and I started cranking out hats lickety-split, completing 12 or so a weekend.  I had memorized the patterns, and went to town, so to speak.  I learned to do colorwork--little striped hats--without having to weave in a gazillion tails.  And I experimented with sizes.  I found a pattern for a little newsboy cap, but I felt it was missing something--that little band that goes across the front.  So I did some trial and error on making the band, and came up with a reasonable and easy solution. 

I'm pleased with my results, and have enjoyed making these little gems.  They are a form of instant gratification for me.  In the past, I've always been able to make things for my mother, who loved being the recipient of my skills.  But since she passed, I've lost that... my daughter isn't as interested in things I can make her, and it's hard to find things to make for my husband.  So this filled a void in my life, and made me happy. 

I am not really going to stop making hats (well, I will temporarily).  I have plans for holiday hats for fall and winter, and I know that hospitals can use them.  I've pinned all kinds of cute hats on Pinterest for me to make.  Oh, the possibilities!  I want to do other preemie items, as well.  So, I can see this as an ongoing project for me. 

Here are the close-ups: 

I will deliver these to Tacoma General tomorrow.  I hope they like them!  

Busy Hands!

Hi there, and Happy Friday!!!  Woot!



It's been another busy, crazy kind of week, but I have actually been productive.  For a few evenings this week, my fingers were flying!  Proof:

Earlier this month, I stopped in at The Black Sheep in west Olympia and picked up some "Bamboo Pop!" and a few other skeins/balls of yarn.  Bamboo Pop is 50/50 Cotton and Bamboo (which is super soft), and works up into a very soft, flexible hat.  The two white hats, the bright pink, and the denim blue hat were made with it.  The multicolored hat on the left may also use that yarn--I can't remember, because the balls for Bamboo Pop and Cotton Fair look exactly the same (and feel very similar).  The blue hat used some yarn I picked up at the Black Sheep, as well.  I think it is a Cascade Yarn acrylic, but can't remember the label.  The light pink one in the upper right is made with a fine cotton chenille I found at either Hobby Lobby or Michael's.  

Patterns-- 

• The three solid-color larger hats use the Robby beanie pattern from Mamma That Makes.  She has several patterns I've tried and liked.  This one took me a bit to figure out on row 5 (I think), but once I figured it out, it was easy.  I liked the interesting pattern, which reminds me of filet crochet.  And it's unisex, so... easy to do in many colors.
• The two hats on the far right use the "Valerie" pattern from Marianna's Lazy Daisy Days. I really like the pattern, but I have only made one of the smallest ones.  It is perfect for a doll with a 5-6" head, but I have a hard time thinking of a baby with a head that tiny.  I will make micro hats soon, however.  I don't want to leave anybody out!  
• The multicolored hat on the lower left corner was made using the Preemie Gaige Hat by Allison Booker.  I found the pattern on Ravelry.  I don't think it turned out well in this color, but it's a cute hat.  I don't think I'll make more of them, as I'm concerned about the open loops on it.  I've read that hospitals prefer hats that don't have a lot of open holes, so that babies don't get their fingers caught in them.  If you've ever watched and infant stretch and curl their hands and feet, it makes sense.
• At center top of the photo is a speckled white knitted hat.  This one is the Jack and Jill hat, also from Marianna's Lazy Daisy days.  I like her patterns.  This is nice and stretchy, so the hat may look like it belongs on a Conehead, it is actually much roomier than it looks!  This pattern is also multi-sized.  Marianna makes all kinds of patterns for babies and preemies--you can find them all on Ravelry.com.  I like that she makes her patterns for two needles, as I struggle with DPNs.  

For more patterns, both Mamma That Makes and Marianna's Lazy Daisy Days have multiple patterns for babies, and thus far, have been pretty easy to do.  I like a pattern that's easy to memorize--it makes the work go faster/easier.

It's my daughter's 12th birthday today--how time flies!  It seems just a minute ago that she was my tiny preemie... she seems so big to me now, but compared to her peers, she's pretty small.  She's been sick lately, and that's putting a damper on birthday plans, but I think she's on the mend.

Have a restful weekend!!

Guidelines regarding charity donations

As promised, this post is about the technical details regarding making hats, booties, and possibly blankets and gowns for preemies, my 20 Time project this spring.

Some questions that I need to explore:

1. Where to donate?  Ella was born at Tacoma General/Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, as were several of my colleagues' children.  My sister's kids were all born early at St. Peter's Hospital in Lacey/Olympia.  I have already contacted TG, and they have given me the information for how to donate (and were thrilled that I was doing this).  I have not contacted St. Pete's yet.
2. How to donate?  For TG, I can bring the completed garments to the main desk on the MLK Jr. Drive entrance (patient services desk).
3. Requirements for donations?  Preemies have delicate skin, so only the softest fibers can be used, and the garments have to be washable.  So, wool is out.  Acrylics are best, although I've found a brand of cotton that's blended with acrylic, so it has give and isn't as hard or lumpy as all-cotton would be (Cotton Fair by Premiere Yarns--I've found it at JoAnn's), and SO soft.  Items must also come from a smoke-free home.  
4. Sizes?  3-5lbs most popular, most needed, 1-3lbs, 6-8lbs, 9-11lbs, Newborn.  Chart below:
5. Resources?  Ravelry is my go-to source for patterns.  I'm only using free patterns, as this is for charity, and nobody should be benefiting from charity patterns other than the recipient of the garment made from said patterns.

I have found most of my information online (of course).  Some of those websites are linked below:

Preemies of the Carolinas provided the sizing chart above, as well as some of the guidelines I have listed above.  They also have patterns linked to their website.

The Preemie Project is another good resource.  They list the best yarns for making garments, as well as further guidelines regarding fibers, etc.  They have many patterns linked on their patterns page!

Bev's size charts gives you some useful information with regards to making hats, and gauging sizes. 

Newborns in Need is a good resource for patterns, etc.

Salty Pearl Crochet has many hat patterns, some of which are really cute.

I have made a few more this week, as well as made booties for them to match.  I'm in the middle of knitting a set right now, in fact.  The hat is done, and now I'm doing booties (because they are adorable, and because all footwear for babies tends to be HUGE for tiny feet... Ella's feet were barely the size of my thumb, and I have a picture of her on the 4th of July her first year with a pair of red fabric sandals that were ridiculously ginormous on her.  But then...she has Cinderella feet: small and somewhat narrow, just like my maternal grandmother, whose nose she has also inherited). 

Here is what I'm currently working on:

The pattern for the hat above is called Babbity Baby Hats (and Booties) for preemies.  Here is a link to the pattern:  Marianna's Lazy Daisy Days.  The yarn is Cherub DK by Cascade yarns.  I also brought the other skein, thinking I'd maybe finish early, but I've had barely any time to work on it today!  The other skein is pretty, and I'm looking forward to working it up.  It's Baby Bee's "Sweet Delight" in feminine pastels (lavender, pale green, white), found at Hobby lobby.  I have only found Cherub DK in two stores:  Craft Warehouse in Boise, ID, and The Black Sheep in west Olympia.  I love it--55% nylon, 45% acrylic.  Soft as buttah. 

Hmm... I believe it has been a while since I visited the Black Sheep... I believe I may make an excursion there this afternoon!  I have to go to JoAnn's, and it's in the same area.  Shopping!!! 

Well, folks, that's it for today.  I will find that picture of Ella and post it this weekend.  Till then, have a great day!