Prayer, Love, Service

Another parcel arrived via post last week. I was having one of those hum-drum type of days. A funk I am all too fimiliar with. On my drive home I prayed that I would find some relief in my latest labor of love; crochet a hat or two.

Arriving home it was the same routine: push the button, garage door open, enter huge SUV in little parking area. Park, adjust park again.  Run to the mail box (thankful for short drive) with out slipping brrrrrrr. Fast, ran back to the garage (Gordy tells me this doesn't count for cardio). Push the button (I have to hold the button ugh) shut garage door...still shutting. Boots off, turn-up heat, decide on dinner (or left-overs)  pull-up a chair open mail..................  then look what we got:

My evening was looking up. Five " perfectly preemie"  hats arrived from a very special lady. I have never met her, but,  I know she is special because I know her daughter. These hats were knitted by a the mother of one of Owens primary nurses, Erin. Much love and thanks to these two amazing women!

This helps to bring the hat count to: 13 Sweet Pea Girly Preemie

                                                        20 Bubby Boy Preemie

                                                        15 Little Lady Newborn + sizes

                                                        25 Dapper lil Dudes Newborn + sizes

With just over a month to go I think we will reach if not exceed our goal. I've decided all hats over my goal will also get hearts added, but I'll omit the letter. This way it can go to any baby in need of a stocking cap. Warm snuggly and made with lots of love and prayers - Oh Hats!

"Prayer in action is love, love in action is service."
— Mother Teresa

Lovely Threads

Take a look-see what I was gifted from my very best friend, Carrie. She is so generous and "caring" - it's in her name. Two rolls of yarn to make more hats with! I've been busy trying to reach my goal of 104 hats and I am very touched by those of you  that have chosen to walk alongside me during this journey. Be it through yarn, stitches, prayers or words of encouragement.

Here are a few hats I crochet with the donated yarn. Yes, they are very teeny. I think that's the question I get asked the most, "How do you know what size to knit/crochet?" Babies come in all sizes and the great thing about knitted hats is they have room to grow and stretch a bit. When I choose a pattern (usually  preemie or newborn pattern)  I always make three and will adjust my hook size for each one, that way I get a good range in size.  

First Heart Hat

     I finally started to add hearts to Owen's Heart Hats. In my craft room the alphabet starts with the letter "O". I am still trying to decide the best way to stitch the hearts on, any suggestions? I hand stiched the "O" then used my sewing machine to apply it to the hat. I'm not very satified with the edging, but I think once it's washed it will fray a bit and curl in;lending a unique hand-made look (fingers-crossed).

This hat was knitted by Owen's Aunt Amy - so adorable!



Practice Makes Perfect

After several failed attempts of making an "easy" crochet baby beanie my sister-in-law came to the rescue while she was up visiting for the holidays. I'm usually pretty patient when learning something new, but I'm a bit embarrassed to admit those stitches got the best of me. I was so frustrated that something that seemed so easy was coming by so difficult. Thank you Leslie for setting me on the right track, for your patient teachings, sharing of knowledge and laughter (Amy too). I crochet about 1 1/2 hats a night now; though they are often unraveled by the next day I'm getting there. I am finding the more I do the less pointy, crooked and laughable they become. I'm even trying some new patterns!