Monday, March 29, 2010

My inspiration

My next hats were made under much sadder circumstances.

A good friend of mine was diagnosed with leukemia the week after Christmas. 
Knowing that she would be going through chemo I wanted to send her something that would bring her comfort and warmth, and most importantly.... let her know that she was loved.

I wanted something soft and close-fitting, so I used Lion-Brand Homespun yarn and the Amelia pattern from YarnCat, and I made them in my friend's favorite colors...purple and blue.


I have discovered that this (easy) pattern is one of my all-time favorites.  It takes less than one skein of yarn, I can make one up in a few hours. I can dress it up or leave it plain, and it is pretty and cozy. 

Here are some more 'Amelias'  - (some I made with two colors worked together.)

Sadly.... my friend never had a chance to wear her Amelia hats.
She passed away just 3 short weeks after her diagnosis.  :-(

Now, I have been pondering starting a charity of sorts in her honor, and in honor of my own mother, (who also lost her battle with cancer many years ago.)


So...if and when I find the resources, (time and $ for supplies,) I hope to begin a ministry to donate these hats to those going through chemo and radiation.   
Right now it's only in the 'prayerful consideration' stage,
but I know that if the Lord wills it...it's bound to happen.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Putting my 'learning hat' on....

I have discovered that one of my very favorite things to make are hats.

When I started making hats earlier this year my first few attempts didn't quite turn out as planned.

My very first 'hat' was actually a basic 'bun cover
(The pattern came form the book Get Your Crochet On - Hip Hats and Cool Caps.
This was a FUN book, although I learned the hard way that it was mostly geared for 'ethnic' hair, 
(not thin/fine hair like mine.)   The bun cover turned out HUGE!


I wasn't quite sure what to do with it.... until my daughter offered a very creative solution.


One of my dear friends fell in love with the 'cloche' style of hats and asked if I could make her one.

I tried.


I failed

My next try = success!
(sort of ... it was still a bit too big for her)...

 

But at least it turned out the way it was supposed to, which gave me the confidence to try again.

A long time ago, in a galaxay far, far away....

For all of you Star Wars fans ...how cute are these?!!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43345204

I don't usually pay so much for patterns - but this one might be too hard to resist!

Friday, March 12, 2010

By far, the next little amigurami has been one of my favorite projects of all.

Not wanting to be left-out, my son wanted me to make something for him - but he said it couldn't be too 'girly.'  
I found this book - and the patterns seemed to fit the bill.

 So this little guy was a birthday present for my son.

Two button eyes


 One grey visor

and one knight in shining armor

He's a brave little soldier  :-)

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Little loveys

My children loved stuffed animals. 
Despite my frequent rummage sales and Goodwill donations, we still have we have literally hundreds of them.

So why on earth would I make more?
Because they are so cute, of course! 


These little critters, as well as Ollie the Octopus,  came from the book 
Tiny Yarn Animals: Amigurumi Friends to Make and Enjoy 

I thought that the patterns in this book were easy to follow, and for a beginner like myself - that was a huge positive! 


These stuffed loveys have now found a home in the beds of my youngest daughters...along with a million other dolls and bears.  Yet my girls tell me that these ones are special because "Mommy made them."

And so I'll keep adding to the pile.