summer doldrums

Oh, I have been crocheting a bit, but not a lot. I finished a scarf for "Survivors Offer Support" , it's more for "show", it's a Lion Brand pattern, I think it's called "Potato Chip Scarf".

http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/50370.html?noImages=

I've also been making preemie hats, but that's my usual thing.
A classical pops station on Sirius Radio did a "Christmas in July" special on July 25.

http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/CachedPage&c=Page&cid=1018209032790

I was thinking "Christmas! You got to be kidding!" But for crocheters (and other crafters) you do have to think about it early. Okay, so I thought about it;) I have no hints or tips to help anybody figure out what to make for Christmas (or any other holiday, for that matter), so if you got any thoughts, just send them on in. Here's a site that offers some free Christmas crochet patterns:
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/christmas.php


Payton update:
He is coming along well. The 98 Rock trip raised a nice amount of money for him and there is a motorcycle ride for his benefit tomorrow. Unfortunately, we did receive some unsettling news - the teens that committed the crime are now going to be charged as juveniles.
http://wjz.com/local/local_story_206121240.html

preemie hat pattern

I keep my 2007 "Crochet Pattern a Day" calendar at my desk. I sort of forgot that July 12 was the date my pattern would appear. So I thought I'd post it here, for anyone and everyone. Please do not claim this pattern as yours, I hold the copyright. If you want to make the hats and donate them, that's fine by me. Please do not repost this pattern to your website, just send any inquiries you might have to this website. I thank you in advance for your co-operation and I hope many of you will be making preemie hats to donate.

##########################################################
Here's the pattern:

Skill level: C3 - intermediate
Fiber: Red Heart - Baby Sport Pompadour (I also use Lion Brand "Jamie", but this happened to be done in the Red Heart Baby Sport)
Color #1046 Carousel Print
Gauge: 5 stitches x 2 rows = 1 inch/2.5cm in dc
Hook size: steel E US/3.5mm
Notions: Yarn Needle
Stitches used: chain, slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet

Round 1: Chain 6, join with a slip stitch, chain 2. Double crochet 11 double crochets into the ring, counting the chain 2 as a double crochet, equals 12 stitches. Join at top of chain 2 with a slip stitch.
Round 2: Chain 2, double crochet in round 1's chain 2 stitch, 2 double crochets in each stitch around, counting the starting chain 2 stitch as a double crochet equals 24 double crochets. Join with a slip stitch to top of the chain 2 stitch.
Round 3: Chain 2, double crochet in round 2's chain 2 stitch, *1 double crochet in next stitch, 2 double crochets in next stitch all the way around, counting the starting chain 2 stitch as a double crochet equals 36 stitches. Join with a slip stitch to top of the chain 2 stitch.
Round 4: Chain 2, double crochet in round3's chain 2 stitch, *1 double crochet in next 2 stitches, 2 double crochets in next stitch, all the way around, counting the starting chain 2 stitch as a double crochet equals 48 stitches. Join with a slip stitch to top of the chain 2 stitch.
Round 5-9: Chain 2, double crochet in each double crochet around. Join with a slip stitch to top of the chain 2 stitch.
Round 10: Chain 5, double crochet in second double crochet from hook from joining chain, *chain 1, skip 1 double crochet, double crochet in the next double crochet all the way around. Join with a slip stitch to top of the chain 2 stitch.
Round 11: Chain 4, single crochet in second chain from hook, single crochet in next 2 chains, attach to round 10 by slip stitching to chain 1 space *working in back loops only, single crochet in each of the 3 single crochets, chain 1, turn, single crochet in each of the 3 single crochets, attach to round 10 by slip stitching to chain 1 space all the way around, total 48 rows. Slip stitch the ribbing together by working thru the back loop of row 48 and the bottom of the chain for the first row of single crochets.

Break off and weave in ends.

Chain stitch 90, fasten off, weave in ends. Thread the chain 90 thru round 10. Make a small bow.

################################################################

I was very fortunate never to have a premature baby. But my mom did in the early 1950's. There wasn't a lot that could be done at that time and the baby died (many complications). This baby boy was spoken about very rarely - it was the way it was done at that time. My sister-in-law is a nurse at the NICU and I give her the hats to distribute. She does tell people she made them;) but that's okay - as long as they get to the right place.

Think Pink

If you live in the Ellicott City part of Maryland or you are close, you may want to visit the Celtic Knot Yarn Shop this Saturday. They are having a special fundraising event on Saturday, July 14, 2007 from 2pm-6pm that benefits the group "Survivors Offering Support", a volunteer group made up of breast cancer survivors that help newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. One of the things they give the newly diagnosed breast cancer patients is a hand made pink scarf. (Yes, they can be crocheted, I checked.)
The Celtic Knot Yarn Shop is offering kits to make these scarves. The kits are free _as_long_ as the supplies last. You sign out the kit, create the scarf and bring it back to the yarn shop so they can distribute it. You can also buy the yarn to make the scarf and even sign up for their " Sleeping In For the Cure". My bad knees _love_ the idea of "Sleeping In for the Cure".
I really like the idea of making the scarf because it's, excuse the obvious, very "hands on". It is something seems very personal and comforting about it. Sort of similiar to a prayer shawl, I guess.

So if you're in the area, check out the Celtic Knot Yarn shop - here's the address:
The Celtic Knot Yarn Shop
8480 Baltimore National Pike
Suite 428
Ellicott City, MD 21043
phone #: 410-203-0133
http://www.thecelticknotyarnshop.com/