Sunflowers on the Needles

I started an afghan for Princess A LOOONNNGGG before Lent and it somehow got moved to the back of my crafting list.  I am not big on big projects.  Give me something I can finish in a day or two and I am a happy camper.  However, I really wanted to make the princess her very own blankie.  She got a very open weave crochet blankie when she was born and she likes it, but it really doesn't match her room.  (Guess what her room is done in)  So I stumbled across this Sunflower dishcloth pattern

It's the Sunflower Too by Lisa Millan.  So I bought the pattern and decided to use it to make a quilt block like pattern.  I want the finished afghan to be toddler bed sized so I decided to make it 5 blocks across and 6 or 7 blocks tall.  I am alternating the sunflower "blocks" with empty blocks to create a checkerboard pattern.  To date I have 1 1/2 rows of blocks done.  Hoping I won't run out of yarn but it looks like I will.  Unfortunately the Simply Soft Country Peach colorway isn't available locally so I am gonna have to scour the web to find some that doesn't cost an arm or a leg.  Here is a peak at the afghan:

 

I also complete the Shell Sleep Sack and Cap designed by Suzetta Williams.  This is going to God's Tiny Angels.  

 

I am trying to find a free, cute, preemie sleep sack to donate also.  Any links you could share would be GREATLY appreciated.  In the meantime, my stash is dwindling and my donation box is filling.  What's on your hook or needle?

Until next time,

Lent Week 8

Looking back, 40 hats were a lot more work than I had though they would be, or at least trying to make 40 different hats was.  I think I only made 2 duplicates.  While there are many free patterns out there I tried to only chose patterns that I would make for my own babies to wear.  Some turned out really nice and I absolutely loved them.  Others, well not so much.

One thing this accomplished is it rekindled my desire to create for others again.  I really enjoy having small projects to keep my occupied during the evenings and the satisfaction of completing something (unlike the knit afghan I have been making for princess A for 6 months now because it is such a large, monotonous project!).  I doubt I will continue with the one a day streak, but I will continue to create for the babies.

That being said, here are the last of my Lent hats.  I pray they bless the babies that will wear them.

Hat 1 is the Rib Knit Baby Hat again by Jennifer Sauselein.

Hat 2 is the hat from the Newborn Sweater Set by Debbie Smith

Hat 3 is the Basic Beanie by Busy Mom Designs.

Hat 4 is  Bev's Easy Round Baby Hat created by Beverly A. Qualheim

Hat 5 is Joanne's Preemie Hat by  Joanne Di Lucca Schlub

Hat 6 (the last of the Lent hats in 2012) is Bev's Knit One Save One Hat also by Beverly A. Qualheim. 

I hope you enjoyed seeing the projects I made during this reflective time.  To be honest I wish I had been as diligent with my study as I have been with the hats.

Until next time,

Lent Week 7

I can't believe it is only 1 week until Easter!  34 hats done and 6 to go.  Here are the hats from this past week:

Hat 1 is the Picot and Lace Baby Cloche by Anneliese Shapiro.  She originally worked it in a sports weight wool but I made it with what I had on hand.

Hat 2 is the Stretchy Ribbed Newborn Hat in the Round by Sandy Davis.  I really like this one because it is super stretchy so it will last for quite some time!

Hat 3 is the Berry Sweet Hat by JamieLee.  There is a cocoon that matches this hat as well.  You can find it at the same link.  I omitted rounds 2-5 which were the stem portion.

Hat 4 is the Pretty Little Baby Hat by Kathy North.  This turned out a lot cuter than I expected.  Would love to see it actually on a baby!

Hat 5 is the Twin Stitch Baby Hat by Peggie Becco.  This is part of a set.  I chose not to turn the rounds as the pattern called for.  (The matching sweater has the rounds turned so the hat does too to match).  This pattern really would benefit from row counts as it can be confusing in places, but a quick and pretty hat!

Hat 6 is the Rib Look Baby Hat also by Kathy North.  I really think this one should be taller.  I would probably work a foundation of 31 or even 36 rather than the 26 called for.

One week to go!

Until next time,