Happy Things

Hats!

 
 
My first knit hats are done.  Finally.  They took FOR.EV.ER.  But the good news is that I am now quite proficient at rib stitch!  I was inspired to learn to make hats for a local Knitzvah (cute, eh?) project.  Last year it was scarves (notice no purling.)  This year it was hats - for distribution to homeless people during the December holidays. 

I searched the internet for the easiest hat pattern I could - one that used just regular straight needles since that was all I had.  This one is what I used.  The pattern said it was one-size-fits-all and it is true it really does stretch but it doesn't seem like it would fit really large heads.  You cast on for 88 stitches and then do a rib stitch (knit2,purl2) for 11.5 inches (or a little less in my case cause I was running out of yarn!)  Then you decrease for a few rows, slide everything off on to a big needle, pull the top tight and whip stitch the side closed.  I decreased for a few rows past what the pattern said because I didn't want to add a pompom to the top and I was afraid the hole at the top would be too big.  It didn't end up making it too cone-head-y thankfully. 

It was a really easy pattern once I got better at rib stitch.  Easy if you don't count the fact that it took HOURS and HOURS and HOURS!  And HOURS!

Umm

Well, now I know.  100 stitches is too big. 

I made Bea a "100 Stitches" hat to celebrate her 100th day of Kindergarten coming up on Tuesday.  The good news is that I got it done in time.  The bad news is self-evident. 

It is even huge on me.  Well then - it will be another hat to donate to the Knitzvah for someone with a very large head and I will go back to the drawing board.  Can I finish in time for Tuesday?

Not that anyone really needs another ornament...

...but, this turned out really cute.  Bea and I bought a pack of these clear glass bulb ornaments at the craft store with the idea of gluing tissue paper on them but after a couple of those we discovered we liked to fill them up with stuff much better.  We did a bunch of different things (pom poms, scraps of wadded tissue paper, sequins, beads) but this one, with little scraps of yarn, was my favorite.  It turns out it is very difficult to photograph - but trust me, it looks really cool and a tree full would look really fab. 

Anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and happy crafting to everyone that reads Happythings!

I've just created a new category: YARN

Yes, it's true - so I guess this yarn thing is here to stay for a while.  I was even prompted by a friend's post today to join Ravelry.  I didn't mean to become a knitting convert but here we are.  It is the only thing I seem to be able to get done, craft-wise, these days.   

My mother-in-law taught me how to make this lacy scarf and I started it last February.  I finished it in front of the fire last night.  No, it isn't hard.  I just had a short attention span and slow fingers (and brain.)  But my fingers have improved and voila. 

It is the first thing I have knitted for myself and I am thrilled to say I actually love it.

A little bit of home

I made this travel blanket for David to take with him on his travels, oh, 3 years ago.. at least.   I pieced the front (and part of the flannel back) as usual and just sewed them up pillowcase style and then added a zizag stitch around the outside.  He's been using it since but I never finished it until today.  All I had left to do was add some ties to secure it.  The ties help keep the fabric from shifting when used and washed.  (Which they have been doing for 3 years so the whole thing is kinda wonky now...) It is big enough to throw over yourself on a chilly airplane or hotel room but thin enough to tuck into the suitcase.  Anyway, it's done and ready for the travels ahead.   

Picture of the full blanket and back here.

Some blankets for the kiddos

These blankets were made for my favorite charity... The Linus Connection.  Let me tell you about some of them.
1.  This awesome knit blanket was my idea and I made the bottom pink strip (I think) but other than that all I did was twist arms to get it done.  A lady at my church sewing bee loves to garter stitch while watching "The Daily Show" but doesn't like big, complicated projects.  She had been knitting small squares but found they were a pain to sew together to make a blanket so I suggested these 40 inch strips.  I figured they could be turned into scarves if we never got around to sewing them together.  And sewn vertically they would make a baby blanket - horizontally - this larger blanket...  She made most of the strips and then my MIL made one and somehow I convinced her to sew them all together (something she LOATHES.)  AND she crocheted the awesome border.  I absolutely LOVE how it turned out and so does Bea.  We both think we need one.  It could take YEARS for me to accomplish this - but just look at it!
2. In which I finally use up that old Amy Butler fabric that I bought and then quickly decided I didn't much like.  Looks cute here though even though I didn't have a plan when I started cutting out pieces and sewing them together.  Backed with fleece so the edges are wonky, as usual.
3.  This is just a tiny baby quilt.  But A) It is an acutal! real! quilt!  With blindstiched binding! (with help from that same lady at my church sewing bee).  And I totally dig the wavy quilting.  I've done it before but it solves my dilemma about quilting with bigger pieces of fabric.  I never knew what to do about the machine quilting before.  Well - this is my answer.
4-5.  Nothing too remarkable about these other than the fact that they are done.  Both blankets backed with flannel.

If you are interested, there are bigger, individual pictures in my QUILTS photo gallery (link at top left.)