Tuesday, March 2, 2021

VAX

 


First photo of the new year. Our combo tree - apricot (white) and nectarine (pink), blossoms responding to the sunny/rainy days we've been having.  Other plants are still dormant like a lot of us have been since the pandemic has kept us in doors limiting our outside activities.  Nature, however, doesn't stop doing what comes naturally blooming when the weather warms.  These blossoms are a symbol of renewal and hope for our futures.  I titled this post VAX for vaccine - which is also a symbol of hope and good health for our futures. I received my second Moderna last week through Butte County and Enloe Hospital.  I commend them highly for their organization, for the volunteers, and the medical staff who created a safe and welcoming atmosphere for a lot of anxious people. Relief - we got our VAX.  As I was waiting my 15 minutes observation time, the room was quiet, we were the last group of the day, when I was taken by a feeling of sadness considering why we were there, especially thinking about my friend, Char Thompson, who had died. Like the combo tree -  thankfulness and sorrow at the same time.  Time was up, I was greeted by a gentleman at the exit, who wished me a good day, a good afternoon, a good weekend, and finally a good life.  I thanked him, wished him the same and walked out into a warm, sunny afternoon. My thoughts and memories kept me company on the drive home. It was a good day.

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

STAYING HOME in COVIDVILLE-WEST.

What to do? Stay home, stay safe and not go stir crazy.  For me, it's been fairly easy - knitting helps keeps me focused on something I can do to help during this unusual time.  I dived head first into my yarn stash to dig out tried and true acrylic yarn to make blankets/rug for the animal shelters.                                                                                                               


  
Talk about tried and true.  Those of you who knit will recognize "Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth" pattern, knit corner to corner to make a square.  
Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth
  • Row 1: knit 4.
  • Row 2: knit 2, yarn over, knit to the end of the row. Repeat row 2 until you've got 44 stitches on your needle.
  • Row 3: knit 1, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to the end of the row. Repeat row 3 until you have only 4 stitches left on your needle.
      I made one change to the pattern in Row 2.  Instead of "yarn over", I increased with a "make one", that way eliminating the hole made by "yarn over."  Worried about little toe nails getting caught in the hole. I used three or four strands of yarn at a time on size US 13 or 15 needles. The number of stitches on your needles will determine the size of the rug.  I made them a variety of sizes keeping in mind some will be used in animal crates or cages.  I made a crochet border on some, but added a red heart to all of them.  Just a little comment on human love of animals that hopefully will find forever homes. 
     There are many good heart knitting patterns, but this one is my favorite. 
     The pattern, Garter Stitch Heart by natajia can be found here:  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/garter-stitch-heart

     I also used this pattern to make some of the blankets rectangular in shape: Cage Cozy by Vicki Mikulak   https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cage-cozy  

      However, with time on my hands, my mind wandered to some sweet people I know but cannot go visit, who have beautiful long hair - the perfect place for a scrunchie or bow on a ponytail or bun.       

                                           
  Again, I found a variety of yarn in my stash and brushed off my crochet skills. The scrunchies are crochet and the bows are knitted.  There are many patterns both crochet and knit on the Internet. 

Flower Hair Tie by Dorothee Grall: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flower-hair-tie 

Crochet Scrunchie by Kinjinlu Khumba:


These are so easy and fun to make and use such a small amount of yarn, it's easy to make a bunch adding a little creative touch to each.  I finally put my little bundle of "hair accessories" in the mail and will soon receive photos of my scrunchies being worn by two lovely girls who were so excited they couldn't choose which one to wear first. (Grandma said.)

Finally, here are my bears for the Mother Bear Project. 


Mother Bear Project | AllFreeKnitting.com


Whether you knit or crochet, if you want to make bears for this project, there are patterns for both and plenty of guidance for sewing them together plus patterns for making clothing.  I used basic acrylic worsted yarn from my stash.  Get creative - give each bear a personality.  There's a child waiting to give it some TLC.



minipurl was never bothered by the toilet paper shortage.

Stay safe everyone.  Knit on. 




Friday, December 13, 2019

NON QUID PRO QUO



     "Non-Quid Pro Quo" - Giving and not expecting something in return.  

     Here are two organizations for knitters and crocheters to share their talents: Red Scarf Project and Knit Your Bit. Their web pages provide information and patterns, too. See if you can help. This might be the time to learn to knit or crochet.  Creating a scarf is a good place to start.  I try to donate to these two organizations every year. 
     The Red Scarf Project does have a window of time when they accept scarves: Between September 1 and December 15 annually. My red scarves went in the mail a few days ago just in the nick of time.  


Foster Care to Success: America's College Fund for Foster Youth


https://www.fc2success.org/programsmentoring-and-support/red-scarf-project/


         Knit Your Bit accepts scarves year round and distributes them to veteran's homes and hospitals nationwide.  There will never be a shortage of veterans that could use a warm scarf as a way of saying "Thank you for your service." 


                http://www.nationalww2museum.org/learn/knit-your-bit/
            

     Many more charitable organizations accept knitted and crochet items, from blankets to hats to prayer shawls and scarves and more. Martha Stewart and Lion Brand have a list of charities for knitters where you might find a place for your talents. 

8 Ways to Knit or Crochet for Charity

10 Charities for Knitters and Crocheters

Or you could knit or crochet for special people in your life. 

      Kingston-Axel's journey through life on Facebook 
KBG Foundation 


minipurl
     


Saturday, October 5, 2019

KINGSTON-AXEL SUPER HERO


     This blog is dedicated to my favorite knitwear model, Kingston-Axel.  It's gratifying to knit for someone as special as he is.  I've written about him in an earlier blog telling about KBG syndrome which is a rare genetic disorder that affects children in a variety of ways. When he was born, not much was known about KBG syndrome.  But in the past two years more families have shared information about KBG and their children which has helped everyone to learn more about this rare condition. For more information, the KBG Foundation can be found here: http://www.kbgfoundation.com/

    Kingston-Axel's grandmother recently wrote: He will soon be two has 15 doctors now isn’t talking yet has some upcoming surgery he finally got his special walker called a gait trainer he loves it and is now mobile he is is eating thicker baby foods however they still want to evaluate him for a feeding tube hoping he doesn’t have to go that route and is successful eating on his own

   Kingston just turned two, and I'm happy to share that he is beginning to successfully eat on his own and is mobile with his gait trainer.  He regularly has physical therapy and many doctor's visits in Sacramento. He also has his own Facebook page: Kingston-Axel's Journey Through Life.  He is a superhero.  Last year I sewed a weighted blanket (4 pounds) with the Captain America - super hero theme.  Look for the buttons on the vest.  Some people, children and adults, sleep more comfortably with the extra weight of a weighted blanket. This blanket helped Kingston to sleep securely yet he was strong enough to kick it off. 



     So here's the knitting - a French Toddler Body Warmer fitting Kingston-Axel perfectly. He's looking so handsome.  Pattern and yarn info below.  



    Notice the Super-Hero buttons found at Joanne's.




Simple French Style Toddler Body Warmer 
by bebeknits
Purchased at bebeknits Etsy.


     I had enough yarn left over to make a sweater for Sophia.  I mistakenly thought her name was Zeena, consequently a giant Z is embroidered on the sweater. She'll always be Zeena, Queen of the Jungle to me even though she's smaller than my cat, minipurl. 




Here's where you can find the pattern for Sophia Zeena's sweater:
Pink is the New Puppy Sweater!


     I used Lion Brand Yarn - Acrylic & Wool Yarn for Knitting & Crocheting.  

Soft Yarn Bulky #5.  This yarn is warm and machine washable and dryable. Perfect for kid's wear. 


Lion Brand Yarn (3 Pack) Acrylic & Wool Chunky Yarn for Knitting Crocheting Soft Yarn Bulky #5


 

     Looking good, little music man.  Kingston-Axel, you can model my knitting any time. 


Cap and booties knit by me for Kingston.  



minipurl