Today is my Grandson's second birthday! Time has gone by too fast! Seems like yesturday (well, maybe the day before!) he was born. We (myself and GG...aka: my Mom) went to his other Grandparent's house in WV for his birthday party. It was a lot of fun and full of people and presents! He didn't know what was going on until he saw the cakes. He walked by all his presents several times and didn't know they were for him! It was so cute! But when it was time to open the presents, he had the paper tearing down to an art! It was so precious to see the look on his face when he opened his presents. Wish Daddy (my oldest son) could have been there to see it all too! Chris is out West with a new job and waiting for another trainer. We are having another party for Hayden when Chris comes home so he won't miss another holiday! Hayden really misses his daddy...so do I!!!
Right after the party, I took my Mom to the Emergency Room. She fell yesturday in the living room. Checked her over and she had a Dr's appointment, and he checked her too. It was today that she was having problems walking and alot of pain in her hip. But she was determined she was going to her great-grandson's party! After an x-ray and CAT scan - no broken hip or hair line fracture. She pulled the muscles around the hip joint. So she will be sore for a few days more. Thank God it wasn't worse! So we're home now, relaxing after a busy day!
Ok, I'm comming.......(my yarn is calling me!!!) Angel Hugs to everyone!
...A bed full of mittens! I've been making hats and mittens for the Bridge Project and putting them in a box when I get them finished. (Just have to finish the ends off.) So I decided to get a pic and a count so far and I've got 15 sets and one scarf! WOW! I wanted to send a full box, but didn't know I had that many in the box! Thought I could get them out in the mail today, but realized the Post Office was closed! So maybe I can get another set or two finished before mailing them out tomorrow! I can crochet and watch the snow fall. It's been snowing since mid morning here. Oh, if I only had a fireplace.... :)
After searching and searching the web for quick and easy mittens to make for men, I finally decided to try my hand at designing a pair of mittens for men myself. The final project is above. They have been tested on several "guy" hands and they do stretch a little. The post stitch at the cuffs gives them a nice finish and keeps the cold air out by staying close to the wrist. I call these mittens "BP Mittens" for a charity that touched my heart. That charity is "The Bridge Project" in Ohio. Thank you so much Sandy for testing my pattern! I hope this pattern gets into the hands of many to make mittens for your project to keep hands warm!
Rnd 1:Ch 4, 7 dc in last ch, join to top of ch 3.(8dc)
Rnd 2:Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around.Join with a sl st to top of ch 3.(16 dc)
Rnd 3:Ch 3, dc in same st, *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st; repeat from * around.Join with a sl stto top of ch 3.(24 dc)
Rnd 4:Ch 3, dc in same st, *dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st; repeat from * around.Join with a sl stto top of ch 3.(32 dc)
Rnd 5:Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 15 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 15 sts.Join with a sl st to top of ch 3.(34 dc)
Rnd 6 – 12:Ch 3, dc in each dc around.Ch 3, join with a sl st to top of ch 3.(34 dc)
Rnd 13:(Right Thumb Opening)Ch 3,dc in next 5 sts, ch 5, skip 5 sts, dc in next st and in each st around.Join with a sl st to top of ch 3. (34 sts)
Rnd 13:(Left Thumb Opening)Ch 3, dc in next st, dc in next 21 sts, ch 5, skip 5 sts, dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts.Join with a sl st to top of ch 3.(34 sts)
Rnd 14:Ch 3, dc in next st and in each st and chain st around.Join with a sl st to top of ch 3.(34 dc)
Rnd 15:Ch 3, dc in each st around.Join with a sl st to top of ch 3.(34 dc)
Rnd 16:Ch 3, dc in next 6 sts, dc decrease in next 2 sts, dc in next 16 dc, dc decrease in next 2 sts, dc in next 7 sts.Join with sl st to top of ch 3.(32 sts)
Rnd 17:Ch 3, dc in ease dc around.Join with a sl st to top of ch 3.(32 dc)
Rnd 18:(Cuff rounds)Ch 3, *fps around next dc, bps around next st.Repeat from * around.Join with a sl st to top of ch 3.(32 sts)
Rnds 19 – 21: Repeat Rnd 18. Join with a sl st to top of ch 3.At end of Rnd 21, End off.Work in loose end.(32 sts)
Right Thumb:With joining seam facing you (joining seam will be in the palm of the hand), attach yarn with a sl st in side of DC on Rnd 13.Ch 2, 1 dc in same place.Dc in next 5 sts, place 1 dc in side of DC of Rnd 13, dc in the back loop of the next 5 sts of Rnd 14.Join with a sl st to top of first dc.(12 dc)
Rnd 2:Ch 2, dc in same place, dc in each st around.Join with a sl st to top of first dc (not in ch 2!).(12 dc)
Rnd 3:Ch 2, dc in same place, dc in each st around.Join with a sl st to top of first dc.(12 dc)
Rnd 4:Ch 2, dc in same place, dc in each st around.Join with a slst to top of first dc.(12 dc)
Rnd 5:Ch 2, 1 dc in same place, and in each st around. Join with a sl stto top of first dc.(12 sts)End off, leaving a long end.With tapestry needle, use long end of yarn to gather thumb closed.Tie off and work in loose end.
Left Thumb: With joining seam facing you (joining seam will be in the palm of the hand), attach yarn with a sl st in side of DC on Rnd 13.Ch 2, 1 dc in same place.Dc in the back loop of the next 5 sts of Rnd 14, place 1 dc in side of dc of Rnd 13, dc in next 5 sts.Join with a sl st to the top of first dc.(12 dc)
Rnds 2 – 5:Follow directions for Right Thumb
***When making the above mittens, please consider making and sending a pair to The Bridge Project. These mittens were designed for charity and personal use only. Please do not sell these for profit!***
Below is a picture of just 3 of the mittens I am making for The Bridge Project. The first mitten, dark green, I followed the pattern. It looks HUGE! I tried it on 3 guys hands and it fit, but all said the cuff was too long. So I re-calculated the pattern and came up with the second mitten, lighter green. It fit the hands and they liked the shorter cuff. For men, I added 2 more rows to make the mitten bigger, and and extra row for the thumb. I also cut the cuff down 6 sts on each end. I also crocheted in both loops, except on the sl sts, I used the back st. For the women, I crocheted in the back loop for the entire pattern. I really like the pattern! Just wish I could find a quicker pattern! Here is the web addy:
http://2good2lose.com/crochetmittens.shtml
I found another pattern for crocheted hats that is quick and easy too! On the last round, I put fps, bps, alternating around. She has alot of great patterns!
Here's hoping that everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy Holiday! Also, that you had a very safe and happy New Year!
I've added some new information to my blog as I'm learning how to do this thing! I may be computer challenged, but give me a crochet hook and yarn and I'm in heaven! :)
Please check out the charities listed: The Bridge Project. This charity has touched my heart. I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. When I found this charity to make hats, scarves and gloves for homeless people that live under a bridge, I just had to help. I have found a really quick and easy mitten pattern and having fun making them in different colors. They really need all the help they can get, so if you can crochet or knit - please check out the site.
God's Tiny Angels is another charity that touches my heart too! My crochet friend, Danette, is a wonderful lady that has been helping babies with crochet, knit, sewn items for many years. She amazes me with the number of items she makes for the babies - but she loves it! She's definately an Angel for the babies!
Another blog I found is Molly's. I am AMAZED over the number of items she can make in a year and donates her items to various charities. Her work is beautiful! If you want or need some inspiration, please check out her blog. I've been moved, shall I say, to start a count to see just how many items I will make in 2009 and donate to charity!
I am a follower of Bev's Country Cottage and her Blog. I always love to see how she and her family are doing, inspiration, recipes, and any new patterns she has designed. If you ever need a special pattern, look on her site first!
A friend of mine thru my charity, Chris D., has started a new charity herself. I will post the name once I get it. She is collecting hats, scarves, and mittens for the homeless in Winchester, VA. She has gotten a great start for her charity and I donated several hats last month.
Then last, but not least, my charity "HeartFelt Angels". We will be celebrating our 10th year this summer! It originaly started as Afghans for Angels - VA Chapter. At our 5th year celebration, we decided to change our name for various reasons. Over the years, the hospitals were requesting many different items and we "out grew" our name. So HeartFelt Angels was chosen. We are a group of ladies that crochet, knit, sew and quilt handmade items for babies - preemies to newborns. We make things for parents who may be financialy challenged and may not have a blanket, sweater set, outfit, etc. to take their baby home in. We also make items for babies who pass away due to miscarriage, prematurity, still birth, etc. These items that we make help the parents so much because it is something they were not expecting and these little items comfort them during a difficult time. We also make various items for the babies on holidays too! It sure does bring a smile to the units when babies can't be home with their parents and families.
Wow, I got alittle carried away, but wanted to explain my heartfelt crochet! Till the next time... :)
