Saturday sewing show-and-tell
Here's a rundown on my "sewing" projects for this week...
I completed the small babydoll blanket I was working on for Kathrynne. It didn't turn out as evenly as I would like, but since I'm such a beginning knitter, I was satisfied with the end result. The best part was that Kathrynne was thrilled with it and has had fun wrapping up her dollies in it.
I'm really excited about this child's scarf I'm making for Kathrynne (click to enlarge). It's made with Bernat Baby Bubbles yarn. It's extremely fun to work with and I'm thrilled with how it is turning out so far. I'm considering making one for myself, even. It is so soft and cute! This is an extremely easy pattern and I'm hoping to finish this in the next week.
I'm still trying to figure out what to start next - so many patterns, so little time!
What projects have you been working on? I'd love to hear about it! Comment with the link if you posted about it on your blog.
I completed the small babydoll blanket I was working on for Kathrynne. It didn't turn out as evenly as I would like, but since I'm such a beginning knitter, I was satisfied with the end result. The best part was that Kathrynne was thrilled with it and has had fun wrapping up her dollies in it.
I'm really excited about this child's scarf I'm making for Kathrynne (click to enlarge). It's made with Bernat Baby Bubbles yarn. It's extremely fun to work with and I'm thrilled with how it is turning out so far. I'm considering making one for myself, even. It is so soft and cute! This is an extremely easy pattern and I'm hoping to finish this in the next week.
I'm still trying to figure out what to start next - so many patterns, so little time!
What projects have you been working on? I'd love to hear about it! Comment with the link if you posted about it on your blog.
posted by Crystal Paine at 2:28 PM
26 Comments:
Does it have to be knitting? can it be sewing, gardening etc.??
-Lela
Nope, any project you've been working on... crocheting, sewing, tatting, gardening, painting... Tell us what you've been using your hands productively recently! I'd love to hear and be inspired and I'm sure others would as well.
Crystal, I visited your site for the first time last week and have really enjoyed both the articles and the posts. My husband and I are expecting our first in January so as of then, I will be a stay at home momma. Your frugal fridays will really come in handy then! I love the scarf!! I'm not sure how talented I am in that area but would love to make something similar.
Keep up the good work,
Jennifer
Cute Scarf! I love the yarn! I am currently working on knitting my first pair of socks on 2 circular needles. I have only knitted one scarf and decided to jump in head first and try socks. LOL! It has been so much fun so far. I love your blog! I read it daily!
Wendy in Alabama
A dish rag, followed by two small tea pot mats - all knitted. And crochet blankets for my nieces for Christmas.
Thanks for your kind words, Jennifer and Wendy.
Jennifer, that is so wonderful you will be staying home with your baby. It warms my heart so much to hear of mamas who are willing to make the sacrifices to do so. You won't regret it. Oh and the scarf is extremely easy to do, I promise. If I could do it, you could, too. It's the yarn that makes it look harder than it really is. :) It's so fulfilling to create things with my own hands, especially since that is an area I'm not extremely gifted in.
Wendy, I want to get circular needles and try my hand at hats and socks very soon. I've been "drooling" over these socks today:
http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/2006/09/bayerische_sock_part_ii.html
Makes my scarf look pretty pathetic in comparison. However, I know that the only way to ever get better is to continue to practice on easy patterns and try increasingly difficult patterns. Who knows? Maybe I'll even knit a pair of socks like that someday! I'd love to see a picture of your socks and the link to the pattern, if is online.
Joanne, what are tea pot mats? Is there a link to a pattern somewhere? I'd love to check it out!
I'm working on a lap blanket (crochet) and a quilt. Of course, I've been 'working' on that same quilt for about two years now... ;) Oh well. Someday it will be done! Oh, and I *was* knitting a premie sweater, but I lost my place in the pattern, so I think I'll have to start over again.
Crystal, I don't know if you or anyone else on here would be interested, but there are just SO many opportunitites to sew/crochet/knit for charity purposes. And with winter fast approaching, there are tons people out there who could use a blanket, a warm hat, or a pair of mittens. Just google for charity craft, and you'll get a whole host of worthy causes. :)
What a great suggestion, Harmony! I am afraid that with only a few people in our family, I will quickly make many more scarves, hats, blankets than we could use, so I will definitely look into some charity opportunities. What a great idea! I hadn't even thought of that. Does anyone have any specific suggestions of places to donate to?
I'm not a big expert in this area, honestly -- I'm lucky if I get one extra item sewn/knit/crocheted per year... but the places I've donated to are Aids for Orphans and All Crafts 4 Charity (a Yahoo! group). AC4C organizes donations to a whole lot of different charities. They tell you what items are needed and where to mail them. Of course, you can also just hand out the items to people you know who are in need, or to a homeless shelter in your area.
Anyone else have any suggestions? I'm so new to this whole thing myself!
Crystal, I would look locally first. Ask your pastor if your church has a program that could use warm hats and stuff. Most local hospitals and crisis pregancy centers could use items. A church here puts together shoeboxes of warm socks, mittens and hats and then the teachers in the school distribute them quietly to kids who need them.
Crystal,
My midwife gave me a crocheted hatfor our baby that her mother had made. When I delivered my last baby at the hospital I was given a sweater and matching hat for our little boy. I know that hospitals often give things away but midwives many times don't get "freebies" to distribute.
Maybe a new scarf and mittens for any new children that might visit your church? I don't know, maybe that would seem odd. I like to drop by visitor's homes and give homemade cookies. They always love it!
If you wanted it also give the Gospel I'm sure you could figure out a way! I remember when I was delivering one of my babies at the hospital, I recieved a small gift from a church which gave information about their ministry.
Just a couple random thoughts.
You could send them to a children's orphanage in a cold foreign country. I think there are quite a few that would let you (Little Samaritan Mission, Samaritan's Purse, Compassion International, etc.). In AIC last year we had the kids make quilt squares that we quilted (okay, we didn't...we had someone else do it) and sent to missionary kids in colder countries. I could find out where and let you know if you were interested.
Crystal,
Your scarf and doll blanket are so cute! I knit and crochet a little but not very well. I sew a little better. I am sewing a gown for my 4 year old granddaughter's barbie size Ariel doll.
I have a suggestion. My mother keeps company with a group of widows in her church. They have a wonderful ministry making lap afgans for the elderly in a local nursing home. They also make baby blankets. There may also be opportunities for hats and scarves at a local children's home, women's shelter or homeless center.
I wish I had such talent with yarn! I can needlepoint but I have never been able to knit or crochet anything anyone would want. lol oh well. Good for you! Nice job!
Crystal, I "think" the Humane Society(and possibly other animal shelters) accepts items for the comfort of pets in their care. The smaller size would be more manageable to accomplish for a person newer to crocheting, knitting, or sewing. Senior homes(lapghans rather than larger afghans?) or homeless shelters may accept items, also. Here are three ideas of many:
http://www.warmupamerica.org/
http://charityguide.org/volunteer/fewhours/animal-shelters.htm
http://www.constableteddy.20fr.com/
Here is a site of varied needlework newsletters that can be requested(know I've seen ideas in those received in past days):
http://newsletters.drgnetwork.com/
Joyce :-)
When both of our boys were born, they received little hats that were donated by some older ladies in the community. I still have them in their keepsake boxes. That might be a place to start.
Both my mother-in-law and mother knit. I do hairpin lace. It is not something I have done for awhile. I may be motivated to pick it up again.
At our local hospital there is a team of volunteers that knit newborn caps for all babies born. You might find that this limits your creativity and isn’t exactly charity since everyone gets one, but it also might put you in touch with needy families. Of course you could always donate your creations to homeless or battered women's shelters.
Hi! I crochet, but rarely these days. It's so soothing, and I really want to learn to knit too! I've only made scarves and blankets so far. I love watching my littlest carry his blankie everywhere and sucking his thumb with it like Linus when he sleeps. :)
I have crocheted 2 small loveys this year and worked on a scrapbook. That is a huge accomplishment considering how busy motherhood is!! :) I am impressed with your learning to knit!
Right now I'm working on my knitting for christmas gifts. I'm making hats, mittens and scarves.
Eventually I'd like offer these types of items for sale. I wonder if there is a market for them?
Here's my link:
http://practically-pink.blogspot.com/
My husband recently bought a small tea pot. At first we just used pot holders to set it on, but then he asked me to make something a little smaller. I used this pattern...
http://www.jimsyldesign.com/~dishbout/kpatterns/knitting2.html
(Grandmother's Fav. 1)
.... instead of making it full size, I made it smaller. Each row adds or subtracts one stitch, so it was easy to adjust the pattern. Rather than the middle row be 44 stitches, I stopped at 35. Basically, it's just a dish rag, but it's only function is for the tea pot to sit on.
One thing I have tried in regard to the pattern that I think makes it a better square is to stop the 'subtracting 2 & adding 1' stitch when the row is down to six (instead of four like the pattern says). Instead, I 'join' the second and third stitches, and then the fourth and fifth - taking it right from six to four stitches.
Dear Crystal,
I have been reading your blog on a regular basis and really enjoy it . I am currently working on crocheting a shawl for the fall. At the current rate though it might be ready for spring! LOL! I am also going to make some felt slippers for my daughter and my husband for Christmas and hopefully will finish my new dress. My goal is to learn a new skill every year. It helps to keep the old gray matter clicking!
Sincerely,
Teacups95
Hello, First I would like to say that I get such great info from your blog. Thank you so much for being an encouragement. That scarf is too cute! The most recent things I have made were a set of pretty napkins for my middle daughter's birthday tea party. I made them by cutting squares out of a flat sheet with a pretty lace border. (I get most of my fabric from the salvation army) P.S. Sheets make wonderful fabric for little girls summer dresses. Anyway the same sheet also provided enough material to make a doll mattress, two doll pillows, and a doll quilt. (My husband made her a hardwood doll bed, which I am shamefully proud of.) The other gift my little girl got was a miniature real sewing machine. I got it at a flea market for 5 dollars! We live well on a budget. I showed my neighbor the doll quilt that I had made and she commissioned me to costume a teddy bear for her. It turns out that she has a job representing B rated celebrities, and she wants me to make a costume for a teddy bear to mimic a picture of celebrity. Then she will auction it off at some kind of event. I have never made an outfit without a pattern before but I already finished the pants, and they look great. I'm also in the middle of making a quilt for my sister who just got married. Sewing is so much fun, my only problem is finishing one project while the flood of ideas moves me on to something else. I'm busy teaching my girls what I know, I hope they will share my passion someday. Thanks for letting me ramble on. You know I wonder if we women could get together who are skilled in different areas and ...well..trade things. I could use a nice sweater... Rachel
Hi Crystal~
Both the doll blanket and scarf look great! I have found that my children are my best encouragers:-)
Even when the edges are crooked they tell me how beautiful it is.
Right now I am working on a baby blanket for our bun in the oven. I actually got the pattern off of your blog from a comment left by one of your readers. It is so easy and looking pretty. I also have a nightgown that I am sewing, but at the rate I've been going it wont be ready until 2008...I procrastinate too much!
Blessings,
Sommer
Crystal,
Here is an article at LAF that talks about crafting for charity.
http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/artman/publish/article_763.shtml
I have been busy working on many different projects. I will have to post them on my craft blog. You can check out some of my past projects if you like.
www.delightfulhands.blogspot.com
Love, Heather
Wow! Pinkology, I'm impressed! It gave me lots of inspiration seeing your photos. I'm quite sure there is a market for those types of items, though at this point, I'm not at all experienced enough to tell you where. Anyone else have pointers? This is something else I'd like to do at some point in the future - be able to make handcrafts to sell.
Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions on charity carft places. I've been looking into a few options locally for right now.
Joanne, I've been looking for that dishcloth pattern. Thanks so much! I printed it out!
Karen Miller and Rachel, welcome and thanks for your encouragement! What a great idea about sheets, Rachel!
Heather, thanks for the link to your fun blog (what an inspiration!) and the LAF article. Very helpful!
Thank you very much! I consider myself still a beginner but I'm not afraid to try new things out (which I always had been in the past). Isn't knitting fun?
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