A Little Nudge

Hats for Preemies

When the semi-final count was done we had knitted and crocheted over 80 hats....  We're so close, I don't see why we can't deliver 100 hats.  Right?  Here I go with that little nudge (or push as some of the group calls it) lol.  Any commitments???  If we push the deadline back a week; will that help?  I will commit to 1 if knitted or 2 if crocheted.

These are such a great group of women.  That's all it took; the emails and phone messages with individual commitments started pouring in.  I'm so excited, I can't wait until the end of the week to see what the final count will be!!!!

Hummm about 65

In my last blog I posted a picture of the motivational wall for this project.  I failed to explain that each of those paper hats represent a hand-made hat waiting to warm a precious little head.  And although the wall appeared to be a bit 'sad' looking, it actually wasn't.  We weren't that far into the project and we already had a dozen or so completed hats!  That doesn't count work in progress.  As the project continued, it got to the point the number of hats on the wall appeared to be changing every 3 to 4 hours.  In the morning when coming into work, on a break, during lunch, the number of hats kept increasing and the designs were becoming more and more intricate.

This project has given me such satisfaction.  Former newbies to knitting, Alona, Jenny, Maxine, and Tiffany are no longer in that beginners category.  Alona, a diehard crocheter, was going to knit just that one beginner's hat.  All others were going to be crocheted.  Well that didn't work out.  She has made at least three knitted hats.  Each one from a more demanding pattern.  Jenny, determined to knit her way (twisted stitches) has gotten really comfortable with the correct way of stitching; and has the hats to prove it.  Maxine was so inspired, she completed a knitting project she started 100 years ago while still contributing to the project.  And Tiffany has started a project where she is knitting in the round.  Talk about being motivated.

Now you must know we do have some, more experienced knitters in the group and each of us has pushed past that apprehension of the unknown; Diane, Jeanette, Mary and myself (Coukkii).  Diane was the first to venture out and tackle the more difficult patterns.  Mary has made a sweater for her grand daughter and knits in the round using double pointed needles now.  Jeanette has worked a pattern, written in the round, on straight needles.  And I have used the double pointed needles, but prefer my extra small 9" circulars; and  I've come up with a quick crochet pattern.  (I need to honor that 2 hat commitment I made.)  We're not limited to those of us at the workplace.  Rita was the first to deliver a knitted hat.  Sheryl has four that are on their way.  Tobye has reported she has three hats to contribute and will commit to making one more.   And Maxine's niece has sent in a hat and told her aunt she has three more!!!    The 'new' newbies; Alberta and Billye.  They both area adding the finishing touches to their first hat and have the second on the needles.  Truely an encouragement to others just starting out.

If all of this wasn't enough to energize the spirit, we have two women who will be starting to learn the basics next week.  Don't think you have to be a 'student' to be a part of this group; all projects (with their crafters in tow) are welcomed.  Lynn has finished her shawl, with its beautiful lace inserts and Wilma has picked up a crochet project she's now determined to complete.  To Ray and the two women who expressed interest in spending their lunch with us...We look forward to your company.      

Until I see you again...

Happy Crafting

Coukkii

Patterns used for the hats shown
Grandma Marilyns Very Easy Knit Hat
Preemie Hats for Charity
Pom Pom Winter Hat
Preemie Hats
Closed Shell Newborn Cap

The Stitcher's Corner

The Stitcher's Corner - the little area where we meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, (and most Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays)....

The Start - an inspirational sample

We began to form just a little over two months ago when we started the Hats for Preemies project.  A  few of my coworkers and I would meet in the cafeteria to knit during our lunch.   There were a few who had contributed to the Warm Up America! project via crochet and were interested in learning how to knit.  Realizing my God given talents were meant to be shared; I agreed to show them basic knitting (everything I know) in return for at least one hat.  Soon others started asking about the Hats for Preemies project or wanting to expand their abilities beyond making dishcloths.  Before long I was sharing my talent, people were involved in a worthwhile cause, and... it was time for a more reliable schedule.  So, there you have it...'Basic Knitting' on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I must say, if one of your 'talents' is teaching, then you understand what it feels like to see someone, you've taught, grasp a concept and run with it.  Moving beyond what they thought was possible.  Totally awesome!  

The group has grown to be quite a little knitting circle (crocheting too).  I still share what I know, we still have hats being made and more importantly, we get to spend time with others who share the same passion or get the same satisfaction in seeing a skein of yarn become so much more.

This week's news (August 20th - August 24th):  Alona, a complete newbie to knitting, and Maxine, learning a new crochet stitch, had both come to a point where... something had gone wrong, somewhere along the way.  But instead of giving up, they came to The Stitcher's Corner with projects in tow.  Instructing Alona in "the art of unraveling" and picking up stitches; and helping Maxine understand how she could possibly gain so many stitches in only the third crochet round, they spend their time analyzing and correcting their own mistakes.  THAT'S IT!!!  That's what it's all about.  If you understand the effect a stitch has on the yarn (what the result will be if you purl instead of knit) you can master any project!

Until I see you again...

HAPPY CRAFTING

Coukkii