Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Hats for Alexandria

Gracie and Luke, my twins, are almost 4.  When I try to think back to a time without them, it is difficult to remember a moment when they were not around.  When I try to think to the future, when they are all grown and gone, I simply cannot fathom it. We are lucky that Gracie and Luke are healthy and happy.

One of my twin mom friends wrote to me a few weeks ago about a little girl, just turned 4, who has been rediagnosed with cancer.  Cancer. How is that possible?  How is it possible that a small child should fight for her life against a disease with no mercy? No child, no person, should ever have cancer.  Ever. 

Alexandria is brave.  Recently, after starting a new round of chemotherapy, her hair started to fall out.  Rather than be depressed that she was losing her hair, she asked her mom if she could cut it off instead.  If only, I could look at something that devastating as simply a means to a change. 

Needless to say, I have been touched by Alexandria's story.  I hug Gracie and Luke tighter and pray for her every night.  Kris asked me if I would be willing to sell her some hats for Alexandria.  I don't sell my hats.  I only give them to people I care about deeply.  I told Kris that.  Then, I asked what Alexandria's favorite color is.

Tomorrow, this box will leave via the mail.

It has 12 hats in it.  Most of them have pink somewhere on them.  Pink is Alexandria's favorite color.  My hope is that they fit her and help her feel pretty every day.  I hope even harder that she will someday outgrow these hats and be able to pass them on to someone else.








Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Personalizing a straw bag

Target has straw bags for $2.50. At that rate, they cost less than a gift bag!  Since I have gifts for Gracie and Luke's teachers, I thought these bags would be a great alternative to paper gift bags. Here's the thing: they really needed to be personalized.

So, out came my crochet hook and a number of flowers later, I had the beginnings of two really cute bags. The flowers were sewn on with a tapestry needle and the same yarn used for the flowers.



Hat for Gracie

Gracie is in love with her hat.  Like, seriously, in love.

This hat was based on one worn in the movie The Professional.  In the movie, the hat was shorter (only a couple of rows of the shell design).  For Miss Gracie, I wanted something that was longer and would emphasize her amazing eyes!

She won't stop wearing it.  It goes with her everywhere!

If you would like to make your own, click here.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

A quick tablet cover

I was trying to follow a pattern to make a cover for my new tablet and it just wasn't working. I think I pulled it apart three times. Finally, I decided to just crochet one of my purse patterns on a smaller scale. This cover was made with v-stitches in the round. What makes me so happy about it is that I crocheted a pull through strap so that my tablet won't fall out.

I think I'm in love!
It's so easy to make! 
Yarn:  Worsted Weight
Hook:  H
Row 1 (in the round) Chain 12 and crochet 5 sc in the second chain from hook.  Crochet 1 sc in each chain and crochet 5 sc in the last chain.  Crocheting around to the other side of the chain, 1 sc in each chain to end.  Slip stitch in the first sc.
Row 2: Chain 2 and hdc in same st.  Skip 1 sc and 2hdc in next st.  Continue pattern (skip 1 sc and 2hdc in next st) to end.  1hdc in the same st at the original chain 2 and slip stitch to the top of the first hdc.  Slip stitch in to space.
Row 3- 18: repeat row 2.
Row 19-21: Chain 1 and 1 sc in each stitch around.  Slip stitch to original sc.
Row 22: Chain 1 and sc in the next 5 stitches.  Chain 20 and skip 6 stitches.  Sc in the 7th stitch and continue sc in the next 10 stitches.  Slip stitch in the next 6 stitches and sc in the remaining stitches to the end.  End with a slip stitch in original sc.
Row 23: Sc in each stitch around (optional: skip first two stitches of the chain and slip stitch into the third chain.  Sc in each of next 15 stitches.  Skip last two chains and slip stitch into first sc after chains - continue 1 sc in each chain around to end. Slip stitch in first sc.)
Row 24: Sc in each stitch around (optional: skip first two stitches of the loop and slip stitch into the third sc.  Sc in each of the next 13 stitches.  Skip the last two sc and slip stitch into the first after handle.  Continue 1 sc in each chain around to end.) Slip stitch in first sc and fasten off.  Weave in ends.

P.S. I took this picture with my new Samsung tablet!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Summer Garden Granny Square Pillow

So, there's this blog. It's written by Lucy. It's called "Attic 24."  I'm in love with it.  The colors.  The crochet.  It is all lovely.

A while ago, Lucy offered a pattern for her Summer Garden Granny Square.  I knew when I saw it that it was something special.  A few days ago, I decided to try it and I fell deeper in love.  I fell so much in love with the granny square that I decided to create a pillow (my current obsession).  The bonus:  It's my coworker, Alison's birthday tomorrow and it would make a great present for her. 

Just look at what I made:

See those Granny Squares?

These are the true colors.

Up close.

The back was a little different.

I'm so excited to see her fact tomorrow.  These pictures do not do this pillow any justice.  It is so lovely!