Not much crochet time lately

Well, I've not had much crochet time lately, at least not things that require a pattern.  I've made a bunch of newborn baby hats for the hospital, then Thursday got a call from them asking if I had a tiny blanket or cocoon for a baby that was not  going to live.  I didn't.  But I did whip out a little cocoon that afternoon and took it to them. 

A professional photographer comes in when they lose a baby, to take a photograph for the parents to keep.  They try to have the baby in a blanket with a cap, or a cocoon, for the photo, then they give them to the parents along with the photograph as a keepsake.

It breaks my heart to make them, but they asked if I could make some in a variegated baby blue & pink yarn.  So I will.  I had to order yarn, even with all the yarn I have, that kind/color was not in my Stash.   As soon as it comes in, I'll get started on some blankets & hats first then some cocoons.  The blankets need to be only 14 inches square.  That alone broke my heart.  So tiny, with no chance at Life.

It is a sad thing, but from the parents viewpoint, it is a loving thing.  So if you think you can do it for the parents in your area, contact your hospital and ask if they need them and what size is most needed.  I have nothing other than memories and a photograph of my two lost babies graves. So can say from personal experience that your work will be appreciated and loved for many years.

The reason I was crocheting only newborn hats for the past week, is that my husband was in the hospital with blood clots in his legs and lungs.  We are so very lucky that he agreed to go in.  He does not have pain with them, like most people does.  So we have to watch for other symptoms.  For the rest of his life he will be on Coumadin and on the Coumadin diet - very careful of vitamin K intake.  I did not realize that it thickens the blood, causing it clot quicker.  Naturally the foods he likes best have a lot of vitamin K in them.  I'll be giving all of our high-K foods to some friends who can use them, and not buying more.  This is at hubby's request.  He said that if he can't eat the amount he wants of them (huge bowls each serving) he'd rather not eat them at all.

We got him out of the hospital Tuesday afternoon, and he's still weak and needs more rest.  So this weekend we are enjoying some rainy weather, practicing go be professional Couch-Potatoes, and getting Square Eyed from watching movies.  Not a bad weekend, eh?

Wishing you and yours a happy weekend and good health!

My Spidey'ghan is in a free crochet afghan pattern ebook

My Spidey'ghan pattern is in All Free Crochet's new ebook "Crochet for Men"  Get your copy at this link;

all free crochet afghan patterns

Just in time for Father's Day! You've seen plenty of pretty, frilly afghans and throws but what about patterns for guys? Everyone loves curling up with a homemade afghan, especially when the pattern fits their personality.

Create sporty lapghans, squares and so much more with this handy eBook. Download your copy of Crochet For Men: 14 Crochet Afghan Patterns for Men and Boys today — it's completely free!  all free crochet afghan patterns

Technicolor Fish

These are my Technicolor Fish for learning to count and/or for learning colors.  They are for sale in sets of ten, in both my Etsy and YardSellr shops.
They can also be made with magnets inside in case one wants to make a "fishing pond" with them, or used without the magnets for making a crib mobile.

Lil Fishies - Counting Fish

This is a bad photo, tho it was the best of the lot, of the first batch of ten Counting Fish I've made.  They are to help small ones learn to count to ten, while learning how many ten actually is.  I may make a fish crib mobile that can be taken apart as the baby grows, to become Counting Fish for him/her.

This is the same fish, so you can see why I'm not pleased with either the indoor or outdoor photo colors.

The pattern is a free one, you can find it at;

Lil Fishy

It is easy, fast, and accurate.  A very nice pattern!

Diaper Cover & Leg Warmers

Finally!  I managed to get a photo of this darling set of Zebra Diaper Cover and Leg Warmers. 

The pattern can be found at http://shop.snappytots.com and is very easy & quick to make.  She includes changes for older babies/todlers as well.

And just to add to the Cute Factor, I have not gotten the photos of my cocoon like this one, but it is finished.  It and the set above will be given to a  lady for her first grandbaby.  I think she'll love them.

Also a Snappy Tots pattern



I've been thinking of how cute this entire set would be as a  little Honey Bee.  Whatcha think?

Elephants Are Soooo Cute

This pair of Elephants, Morris and Matilda, are too cute for words!  I'm going to be making them just as quickly as I can finish up the current project.  You can find the pattern at The Itsy Bitsy Spider shop on Etsy

But what colors to use . . . . hummm . . . . .

Pink and Blue are great, but as you know, I'm a bit weird, so~

My Swiffer type pad patttern

Hi!  I hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday afternoon.  And if you live in the stormy areas, I hope you come through the storms unscathed.

A while back I wrote a simple crochet pattern for my swiffer.  I hated buying pads for it, and with the economy and jobs as they are now, I decided to share it for free instead of selling the pattern in my Etsy shop or YardSellr shop.

So, here is my pattern for an easily made, washable & reuseable cover for a Swiffer type floor cleaner.

Sugar'n Cream - Duster Cover (crochet) by Gail E and Wendy G - January 2010

This crocheted Duster Cover slips right onto the end of your mop or duster for easy and economical cleaning.

MATERIALS

Lily® Sugar’n Cream Ombres  (56.7 g/2 oz/ 86 m/95 yds) 1 ball

Size 5 mm (U.S. H or 8) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

INSTRUCTIONS

Main Piece

Ch 37.

1st row: (RS). 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch across. Turn. 36 sc.

**2nd row: Ch 1. Working in back loop only of each sc, 1 sc in each sc across. Turn.

Rep last row until work from beg measures 4 ins [10 cm]. Fasten off.**

Sides (make 2).

Ch 12.

1st row: (RS). 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook.  Rep from ** to ** in Main Piece.

Join Sides to Main Piece: Place 1 Side at each end of Main Piece and pin outer edges tog. With RS facing, join yarn with sl st in any corner. Ch 1. Work 1 row of sc around outer edge (through both thicknesses of Side and Main Piece at each end), working 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Note: Slip each end around the dusting tool’s base. When one side is soiled, flip the side pockets inside-out and use the opposite side to keep cleaning! The ridge stitch design helps trap dirt.

AND - at this site, Suzies Yarnie Stuff , you will find a great Broom Handle Duster pattern that works great on the end of your duster handle.  It gets way up to do away with spider webs, dust, etc.  I make them to match my floor duster cover.  They even make a great gift.