Knitting

I have taken the step to buy a learn to knit kit. I have been working with it for a few days. I have gotten the hang of it, and have started my first project. I have discovered I need to invest more money in it, which I will do soon. The kit came with 2 sets of needles, size 6 & 8, the patterns with the kit requires size 10. That's not real helpful.
I have used the internet to help with my learning. I have a box of old workbasket books. You can't find these anymore. I found a few patterns that are coming back in style, and want to try to make a few things. Some of the patterns in the books are wrote different than what I have learned so far. Not only am I learning something new, but I'm also haveing to read between the lines as well.
When I get my first pattern completed, I'll post how it went with a picture. I'm still working on my Easter dress. I'm going back to it as soon as I figure out knitting. I'm excited about both. I'm trying to make items for christmas, and maybe start making things to put at the flea market. I have several doll patterns that would probably sell well at a flea market. They don't take long to make either.
If I am able to do this I'll post how that goes. For now I'm going back to knitting.

Items completed

Dedication Outfit Prayer Shawl

I know it's been awhile since I posted anything. I've been busy looking for work, and crocheting. I completed a prayer shawl for a baby in Mississippi, you can read about her on the blog boobs,injuries, and dr pepper. Above is a picture of the shawl.

I also finished the dedication outfit for the couple at church. It turned out better than I expected. There is also a picture of it above. I bought this pattern and struggled with it a little. First it was not written in the style I'm use to, then when I finished it, the sweater the neck was too small, and the pants were wide enough to fit a 2 year old. I modified it, and had great results. For the sweater I used a larger hook, which worked out. For the pants I completed changed the pattern. I made the waist and seat according to the direction, then I made the legs individually and sewed them to the seat.

Since finishing these 2 things I have made 5 chemo hats, and 4 pairs of slippers. I am trying to use up the yarn I have before buying more. I am also crocheting my own Easter dress. I have already had to modify it. I will have to buy more yarn for the dress. I hope it turns out as nice as the dedication outfit.

I am also making christmas gifts for this next year. I'm starting now. I decided with the economy the way it is, this would be the best way to go. Plus I can crochet things just as nice as store bought. I am thinking about trying to learn to knit as well. I really like some of the knitting patterns I'm finding online. I thought about buying a teach yourself to knit kit. I know the basics already, I just need to figure out the different stitches and how to follow a pattern.

Chemo Hats

Well, I finished the dedication outfit. My next post I will have the pictures. I have moved on to the chemo hats. I have one started and will finish it tonight. I want to make about 10 then send them to the cancer center. I have a good start, I have one completed and another in the process.
Anyway, Let me tell you why cancer is one of my chosen charities. I have loss several family members to cancer. The one that really hit home, was my husband grandmother. She was a very active woman. She camped every spring, and fished the whole time. In the fall and winter she bowled.
In the spring of 1993, she started having fluid build up on her lung. She was unable to camp or fish. She was constantly sick and having to have the fluid removed. They finally started test. When the test results came back she had lung cancer. Now, she had smoked many years before that. She had also been diagnosed with alcoholic liver in the late 70's, at that time she quit drinking and smoking.
She told me the Dr's never asked her about her smoking history, but did ask if she ever worked around asbestos. She told them she was sure she had as she worked all her life in factories. Her cancer was inoperable. She did take chemo therapy. This was very hard on her. Each treatment caused her sugar to go up. At one point it went up to 600. At that point she had to go on insulin.
She said the worse part was losing her hair. She was 73 years old and still had coal black hair with no grey. I believe she had some black foot indian in her family.
I feel I can give back to the community by providing cancer patients with hats. As a nurse I have cared for may cancer patients. Usually they were in good shape as I never worked for hospice. I am trying to fnd a trach scarf pattern as well. When I find 1 or 2 I will make several and post pictures. If anyone reading this knows of a pattern please pass it along. It will only be used for charity.

Dedication outfit

Well I've been working on the dedication outfit. I got the pants done and don't like them. I have created my own pattern. I will have that done today. I'm also going to try to remake the sweater. I'm not happy with it either. The neck is too small. Not sure what went wrong, I think I crochet tighter than the pattern owner. This outfit is a gift and not for charity. I will post pictures when it's finished.
I'm also working on chemo hats. I'm going to use the yarn in the pants and sweater that didn't turn out right. I try to not make the same hat more than twice, in each shipment. I want to give a variety to choose from. I also try to add a couple for kids. I'm also looking for scarf patterns, particularly what is called neck warmers, or trach scarves. People who have a trach has to be very careful when out in cold weather, and dusty dirty areas. When you have a trach you no longer have the same response to remove such things. You actually have a direct route to the lungs. When you breath normally, the cold air is warmed as it passes through your nose, with a trach the air isn't warmed. You know how things fog up when warm and cold air mixes, it does the same thing in your lungs.
This wasn't to be a lesson on trach care that's another blog. I just hope you get an idea why these things are needed.