Hats, Squares, and a Scarf…Oh my!

I’ve been keeping busy these past few days working on several projects. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you can probably already know just which projects I’ve been working on…

 

There’s the hats for Romania, the scarf for a friend of mine, the friendship afghan squares, and also that jumper dress that just doesn’t seem to be going anywhere! Haha!

 

 

And as if that wasn’t enough to keep me busy, I just recently bought more fabric for a skirt. It’s a lovely solid navy blue and it’s heavier than the summer fabrics I normally buy. While I have enough spring/summer skirts, I need to add a few more warm skirts to my wardrobe for the cooler months. :) So I’ll probably start my next skirt tomorrow and will be sure to share photos with you later this week!

I’d also like to let you all know about Emily’s apron swap. I participated in an apron swap just a few months ago and it was lots of fun. Basically, you sign up and will be matched with a “partner”. You will sew {or buy!} an apron for your partner and then place it in the mail. Your partner will also mail an apron to you. It’s quite easy and a great way to get to know other girls! So please had over to Emily’s blog to sign up!

Yep, I’m participating in the apron swap as well…I guess you can add that to my list of current projects!

What are you working on? Anything fun? Share your what’s on your “current projects list” below!

Have a blessed week, friends!
 

Easy Craft Patterns

My dear Mom and I learned how to knit together when I was 9 years old. We found a “learn-to-knit” kit one day while browsing through a craft shop. Mom had been wanting to learn how to knit for quite a while herself so we had a lot of fun learning how to knit together. But it was also challenging at times, and Mom had to persuade me more than once to keep working at it. Once I learned though, I couldn’t stop! Since then, I’ve always had a knitting project or two in progress. :-)

A few years after learning how to knit, I picked up a learn-to-crochet book with special instructions for lefties! (Yes, I’m left-handed!). Learning to crochet proved a bit more difficult for me. Several times I put the book away, and then picked up again once I was ready to try once more. But eventually I got the hang of it, and have been “hooked” ever since. :-)

I’m glad that I’ve had the opportunity to learn how to do both crafts. And recently I noticed that many of my Blogger friends have just begun to learn how to knit or crochet. As a beginner I remember searching for easy patterns –small projects that I could start and finish without having to look at the how-to book! So for all my beginner friends out there, I’ve done a bit of searching for you. I must admit first that I’m a bit biased when it comes to pattern websites. In my humble opinion, Lion Brand is the best website for free knitting and crocheting patterns. And here is just a sample of the many great patterns I think beginners would enjoy:

Crochet: Einstein Hat

Skill Level: Easy+

What’ll You Need: 1 ball of Homespun Yarn and a size N13 crochet hook

This hat is great for a beginning crocheter. You don’t need to do any increases or decreases. Just crochet a rectangle and sew it up!

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Knit: Simple Garter Hat

Skill Level: Beginner

What You’ll Need: 1 ball of Fisherman’s Wool Yarn and size 9 (5.5mm) needles

Similar to the crochet pattern above, you only need to know the knit stitch to make this adorable hat. Simply follow the directions to knit a rectangle and sew up the sides!

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Crochet: Block Scarf

Skill Level: Beginner

What You’ll Need: 2 balls of Vanna’s Choice Yarn and a size J-10 crochet hook

Surely you could make this one! Just crochet 6 squares on one color and 5 of the second color. Then sew each square together! Voila –a new scarf!

 

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Knit: Smokey Ridge Scarf

Skill Level:  Beginner

What You’ll Need: 4 balls of Vanna’s Choice yarn and size 9 (13mm) needles

This knitted scarf pattern is also great for beginners! And it works up quickly because you use 2 strands of yarn instead of 1! Just follow the directions to cast on and knit until it reaches your desired length!

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Next week, I’ll feature a few easy patterns you might find handy of you want to make baby throws and kitchen items!

Have questions about the patterns shared here? Just drop me a line here and I’ll try to lend you a helping hand. :-)

Have fun and happy crafting!

 

**In my next post, I’ll be introducing you to Bermuda –the island where I live.**

Knit and Crochet-Along for Romania

Lately, God has been putting it on my heart to use the talents that He's blessed me with for the benefit of others. A few weeks ago I was reading through Scripture and came across this verse:

 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good until all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. ~Galatians 6:10

Last month while in the craft shop with my Dad picking up some yarn, he had a thought. Why don't we purchase some extra yarn to knit and crochet hats for the orphans in Botosani, Romania? Our family has known the Hand of Help orphanage for several years and have been amazed at the work that God has been doing through their ministry. Hand of Help is a nondenominational, Christian organization that is dedicated to " providing spiritual and physical aid to the forsaken of society throughout Eastern Europe". Their orphanage, located in northeast Romania, cares for nearly 100 children and each of them receive the individual care and attention that every child needs. Several years ago when my sister and I were practicing our knitting skills, we made several hat and scarf sets for the orphanage. They appreciated the clothing so much and it made my sister and I feel happy that we had an opportunity to use our God-given talents to be a blessing to others.

So now that I have improved my knitting skills and have learned to crochet, I quickly agreed with Dad and thought this would be the perfect project for my blog's next knit & crochet along project!

Since the friendship afghans project is still ongoing, I didn't plan to start this month. But after discussing my plans with Hand of Help, I learned that their winter container leaves the US in October and I realized that we need to start soon if the hats are to arrive at the orphanage in time for the winter. This knit & crochet along is great for both beginners and pros because you can choose what you would like to make (a hat or scarf), and use any yarn you like. Here are the guidelines, please read them carefully:

{1}  There are almost 100 children in the orphanage and the goal is to make a warm winter hat for each child in the orphanage.You can make hat and scarf sets or just hats.

{2} The children's ages range from 0-18 so the hats and scarfs can be any size and any color. Please remember that it gets quite cold during Romania's winter so the hats shouldn't be lacy or thin. You can use any needle or crochet hook you prefer and all yarns are accepted.

{3} If you finish the hats and scarfs on or before October 15, please mail them to this address:

Hand of Help - Shipping

1012 South 3rd. St.

Watertown, Wisconsin 53094

U.S.A.

Hats and scarves received before the end of October will be placed in the ministry's container and shipped from there to Romania. If you miss the container deadline, you'll have to send the hats and scarves directly to the Romanian orphanage or wait for another container to leave the ministry early next year. You can find the address for the orphanage here.

{4} And if you've read through this looooong post, you can enter my giveaway! Yes, you read correctly. I'm hosting my second giveaway! (You never know where you'll find a giveaway, do you!?!) It's important to spread the word about this knit and crochet-along so we can meet our goal of 100 hats for the orphans of Romania. To encourage you to tell all you friends about it, there will be a free apron (hand-made by me) for the person who refers the most participants! To enter the giveaway, let your friends know about the knit & crochet-along, ask them to join and let me know who referred them. You can write a blog post, mention it on Facebook, and even tweet about it. And to make it even easier for you to refer your friends here, I've made a blog button! 

To grab this code for your blog, copy
the code in my right sidebar!

At the end of this month, I'll announce the winner of the giveaway who will receive a free, custom-made apron! So get started and spread the word! 

If you want join us, please leave a comment below and let me know you'd like to be counted as a participant. All participants will be listed in my sidebar. Once you've finished your hats and scarves, let me know how many you made so I can know when the goal has been reached!

Happy knitting and crocheting!

Summer With A Purpose: Week Five and Surgery Update

This week I purchased fabric for the apron swap and also got some more yarn for the friendship afghan project. It's always fun to work with new fabric and yarn and I've been enjoying these two projects. So far, I've made almost 3 afghan squares and I'm about halfway finished the apron. Mom also purchased some additional fabric for me so I can make another skirt! Thanks Mom!!! :-D I'm trying a new pattern for each afghan square, and it's been fun to figure out different stitches and discover the new textures they produce.

Ah, the joys of sewing!

The needle at work :-)

The two finished afghan squares... I love the shades
of blue!

Thank you to everyone who left comments on my last post about the appointment with my oral surgeon. Truth be told, my appointment didn't go as I anticipated. When I went in to his office, we were planning to discuss a minor surgery which involves placing a small orthodontic screw in my mouth so my orthodontist can finish her work with the braces. However, when he took an x-ray he discovered that all of my four wisdom teeth need to be removed because two of them are coming in at an unnatural angle and the other two don't have enough space. In order to pull out all four teeth and place the screw in my mouth, he will be performing the surgery while I'm under a general anesthetic at our local hospital. I'm am very nervous about the whole procedure as I've never been under general anesthesia before. Actually, I've never been admitted to the hospital for any surgery or other procedures! Again, I'm praying that I get an early appointment as the hospital operating rooms are usually booked weeks in advance. It's difficult to think about waiting a long time for an appointment while being very nervous but I'm praying that God gives me peace about the whole situation and that He will give me the courage I need to go through with it. Please pray for me that I won't be anxious about all of this. 

Hope everyone had a blessed week! 

Did you have to get your wisdom teeth pulled? Have you had to go under general

anesthesia before? Share your experiences and stories below!

Crocheting, Cooking, and Sewing

Between crocheting, sewing, and having fun in the kitchen I've been quite busy lately. Yesterday, I put the finishing touches on the 9-Patch Baby Throw that I had started for the knit/crochet along that I hosted in February. But soon I had to put the project on hold because I broke my arm. Anyway, I'm really glad it's finally done.

I love the pink and cream together!

Lovely squares!

I added a thin edge in alternating colors!

While I do pretty well with crocheting and cooking, I haven't quite mastered the art of sewing. :-) Actually, I'm just beginning to learn how to sew. Sure, I've made a couple of skirts and an apron but nothing particularly complicated. :-) The next project I'd like to sew is a jumper dress. I haven't decided on a pattern...maybe I won't use one at all, but before I start I thought to ask you all for some tips. If you are good at sewing, please leave a tip or two in the comments section that you think I'd find helpful when sewing my jumper dress. General sewing pointers would be appreciated too! :-) I already have lots of fabric for the project and have an idea on how I'd like it to look but not sure how to make it all come together. :-)

How are you all doing with your friendship afghans? One of our participants, Melody at Vivdry, had to pull out because she has other projects she needs to finish before she starts college later this year. In order for us to continue, we need a new participant to take her place. If we can't find anyone else who's interested we won't have enough squares to trade and will have to make and assemble our own squares. :( So if you think you might like to join us, please click here for the guidelines and other information. Then leave a comment so I can put your name on the list of participants.

Hope you all are having a blessed day!