What I've Been Up To

I've been crocheting regularly for a few years now but realized I haven't really made my daughter anything other than a hat or headband and that's when I was just learning.

So this past Valentines Day, I surprised her with an afghan she can use in her new apartment.


Her bedroom colors are white and gray so I made her a white throw she can use on her bed or curl up with while watching TV. Something small enough to tote around from room to room and easily fit into her washing machine and dryer.

I made this Afghan using my favorite stitch called the "Slanted Shell" Stitch. I started with a chain in multiples of two. To do the slanted shell stitch, you just make a single stitch and a double stitch in one stitch, skip next stitch, and single and double in the next. At the end of each row, chain two and turn. You will work the shell stitch into the shell stitch from the last row (shown) or if you wish, you can do the shell stitch in the skipped stitch. Do this through out the whole blanket. If you do not crochet, you have no idea what I'm talking about and I probably just lost you at "stitch".


As part of her Valentine gifts we also got her a pair of Converse shoes she wanted for summer. I remember wearing these kind of shoes when I was in middle school over 30 years ago.. but any way, It brought back memories when I put mine on so I could take one of those silly shoe pictures with her.


Then of course there was candy and the traditional heart shaped pancakes I make her every year.


What ever happened to teddy bears and roses?

Now that all my crochet orders are caught up and I have lots of scrap yarn left over, I am now working on tiny little hats for the local hospital. I've always wanted to do this but never knew where to start. I saw a post on Facebook from a lady that works in a hospital that mentioned needing hats crocheted but she never returned my messages of interest.

Then I remembered I have a friend that works in the NICU in my own home town and when I asked her about such need, she said they could use any size baby hats because they like to give them to every baby.


With the first shipment, I've chose to make about fifty or so, tiny hats to fit preemie babies or babies that are miscarried or still born. They call them angel babies. These tiny hats are placed on the babies to help the parents during this tender difficult time. They will often use them in burials if needed. Its a sad subject but angels come in many forms. The reason I chose this size is because often parents of premature births are not prepared and this could be all there is at the moment. I just felt led to make this size.

I have a wonderful friend that plans donate to the cause as well. She makes beautiful crochet items and I can't wait to see what she creates.

I will be working in these for the next couple weeks then plan to continue adding inventory to my shop, Start exercising or maybe start my spring cleaning. I am always up to something. If I get still, I sleep.

13 comments

  1. My Valentine's gift to my daughter was meals for a week that she can re-heat as needed and three kinds of bread. With the long hours she works, she appreciated that far more than flowers and/or candy.

    I envy your mad crocheting skills!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a great idea! My daughter would absolutely go crazy over this.

      Delete
  2. My nephew was stillborn a bit over a month ago, it was a difficult time

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Adam. This breaks my heart. I cant even imagine the pain.

      Delete
  3. How sweet is that, baby hats? Nice.
    I know the daughter was thrilled, now she can snugle with mama when she wants. I say that because Mary Ann made one for us and son Mark. He enjoys curling up with Mary Ann (His name for his Afgan!
    Anyway that was sweet, and I remember the Converse, Son Mark's favorite shoe was the Converse!Love from over in Belmont. Glad you turned up the heat, nice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've seen how beautiful Mary Ann's work is. He's lucky to have one of her pieces. Thanks for always sending sweet comments.

      Delete
  4. How sweet those baby hats are!
    And very funny about the Converse shoes. They used to be around when I was a kid (a few decades ago) and I find it entertaining how popular they are now. But they are so pricey; that's not as entertaining!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I got a great deal on them. Otherwise, now way. ;)

      Delete
  5. Enjoyed this (who wouldn't) thank you for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  6. What absolutely perfect gifts. Thank you for your visit to my blog, and your lovely comment.

    ReplyDelete
  7. My sister crochets and does a thing called tatting. Like you, she does beautiful work.
    I love the Converse shoes. I have a pair that I wear when we perform.
    R

    ReplyDelete
  8. How wonderful that you linked to my party and shared the throw you made your daughter. Bless you for all those sweet little Baby hats. I am so glad you shared.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love your beautiful afghan. I have been wanting to crochet a baby blanket. I've knitted many, but never crocheted one. So, I pinned your afghan and I am going to make one.

    Thanks for sharing at SYC.

    ReplyDelete