Preemie Hat CHALLENGE

THE CHALLENGE IS ON!
I would have had this post up days ago, but we were without internet and just had the technician out to fix it yesterday.

It's MARCH! On Facebook, I created an event last month to recruit people to take this challenge with me. We are making as many preemie hats as we can during the month of March. Specifically, my challenge to you is one hat every other day, totaling either 15 or 16 hats at the end of the month. I'm going to try to make 30+ but one person working with me is trying to make ::are you sitting down?:: 500! She started in February with a goal of 10 hats per day. 

Now, I challenge YOU! Make as many preemie hats as you can by the end of March. If that only ends up being two hats, that is fabulous... If you can make or surpass the 15-16 hat goal, even better!

At the end of the month, you can send the hats to me to be delivered to the Seattle Children's Hospital, or you can mail or take your hats to a local NICU where you live.

Details:
NO WOOL. NO RED HEART SUPER SAVER.

AVOID YELLOWS.

Sizes needed range from small enough to fit a lemon or an orange, all the way up to a regular size newborn hat.

Contact your local NICU if you would like more precise information. Some say to avoid pale blues and purples. All say to use soft yarn.

Useful Links/Patterns:

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/
http://www.thepreemieproject.com/volunteer/yarn_list

http://thismamamakesstuff.com/crochet-baby-turban-pattern-tutorial/
http://teenytinytreasures.blogspot.com/2008/06/10-minute-crochet-preemie-hat.html
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/preemies.php

http://www.crochetspot.com/free-crochet-pattern-basic-preemie-hat/

Some quick instructions I typed up using bulky weight yarn (I used Softee Chunky):
I am doing them a few different ways with a K hook.
Round 1: I am starting this round two different ways to achieve various sizes. Chain 3, join. Ch 1, hdc 10 (or 12) in the ring, join.
Round 2: Ch 1, 2hdc in each st around, join.
Round 3: For the smallest size, just ch1 and work 1 hdc in each st around for rounds 3-6.
To make a bigger size, ch 1, *hdc, hdc, 2hdc* around.
Round 4: You can ch 1, work 1 hdc in each st around for rounds 4-6/7.
Or, to keep going bigger, you can ch 1, *hdc, hdc, hdc, 2hdc* around.
Then for rounds 5-7/8, ch 1, hdc in each st around. That is the biggest I'd go.

Here's a link to the event on Facebook if you'd like to join there!: Preemie Hat Challenge

Thank you!!

Braided Scarf {FREE PATTERN}

I am currently trying to do some stash busting. I have seen some braided scarves on Pinterest and thought I would make one! I have several skeins of the old Softee Chunky, which are not compatible with the new ones. I don't want to start anything too big, and not be able to finish, so I'm finding little things here and there. Here's the scarf I made:

 

I was worried about how the colors would look braided together, but I think it turned out great! I didn't take pictures or write anything up as I was working on it, because I didn't expect people to ask. :) Here's what I did...

You need:

Bulky yarn

K hook

Needle

** There are really a few different ways you can do this. You can use worsted and a J hook, and just chain more (width will probably be fine, but maybe not length), or you can hold two strands together.

You can use three different colors like I did, or you can use all one color. I saw all one color on Pinterest and it looked awesome!**

Make three (either one in each color, or all in the same color):

Chain 82

R1: Dc in third chain from hook and in each chain across (80)

R2: Chain 2 (does not count as st), turn. Dc in each st across (80)

R3: Repeat R2. With the first two pieces ONLY, fasten off.

When you finish R3 of the third piece, chain 1. DO NOT TURN. 

R1 (perpendicular direction): We are going to crochet down the side (like you're starting a border). Sc across, about 2 sc per dc works well for me (6 total for the first piece). You are going to join the other two strands by sc down their sides as well. See pic:

 

Sorry for my weaving there... My third strand was the light blue. I sc down the side of the light blue, and then the cream, and then the dark blue. With 2sc per dc row, I ended this new row with 18sc.

 
R2: Chain 1, turn. Sc across (18)

R3: Chain 2 (does not count as st), turn. Dc across (18)

*This row can be used for the button holes.*

R4: Chain 1, turn. Sc across (18)

R5: Repeat. Fasten off. 

I don't have a picture for the braiding, and I apologize for that. If I happen to make another one of these, I'll edit this and include pics. I did take a picture of my scarf laid out that I will include. All I did was set that perpendicular row underneath a heavy book. With my strands laying flat, I braided them loosely and gently, careful not to flip any of them. I actually set each piece down as I braided, to keep it loose and flat. This is what it looks like finished:

 

When I finished braiding, I left the pieces laying flat, and worked the "perpendicular row" at the end the same way. I started with the far right side of the far right piece, joined my yarn, and sc across. I still worked 2sc per dc row and joined the other two strands by sc them the same way. I repeated the same directions from above:

R2: Chain 1, turn. Sc across (18)

R3: Chain 2 (does not count as st), turn. Dc across (18)

*This row can be used for the button holes.*

R4: Chain 1, turn. Sc across (18)

R5: Repeat. Fasten off. 

This is how that end looks (a little prettier without my weaved ends):

 You can kind of see the gaps after the first two and last two dc on each end, where I had it buttoned. I sewed on two buttons, about 3/4" each, on the other end (seen in the very first picture). I like the length, but I suppose it is adjustable if you want to wear it tighter and button it in a dc row of the strands.

Hope this pattern was easy to follow! Pin it if you like it, comment if you love it, just let me know somehow! :) Thank you. :) 

The New Year

It has been so long since I last posted! And even longer since I posted any kind of update that didn't have to do with sales or patterns. ;) December and January were busy months. In December we visited both sides of the family and had a wonderful Christmas. In January I managed to squeeze in some time to make things for friends' babies and my own little one. I had a couple of orders, but they were opportunities to create styles I had not done yet, so it was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed all of the "new" that came in January!

 

January was also fun because we found out the sex of #3! I made a hat to reveal the gender to my Facebook fans. It's a:

 

 

My son, 5, is doing great. I just can't believe how fast he's growing up. He has at least 3 loose teeth, and we just started tracking his chores/adding on more charts and paying him allowance. He has always been interested in money and is excited when he has his own money to spend. Now that he is earning allowance, he is starting to understand working and "getting paid" and spending wisely. We're doing a word of the week each day, which he writes, spells and uses in a sentence, and he is always writing the month and day each day to learn how to spell them. He catches on to everything so quickly!

 

My daughter, almost 2, is just as quick. She is already talking like a 3 year old (or older). All of our family who just got to see her for the first time in 6 months, 12 months, and 20+ months were very impressed. Everyone said she was like a miniature adult. She is tiny for her age, so it is even more impressive when she starts talking to you in full sentences. Her vocabulary is extraordinary and she learns absolutely everything we teach her. For several months now, she has been counting to ten and singing her ABCs. She also likes to sing country songs from the radio, and songs we sing at home like "Pat-a-cake." I am amazed every single day with what comes out of her mouth!

 

I am almost 22 weeks with #3. Due to the location of my placenta, I have just recently started feeling her movements regularly. I never posted it, but prior to this pregnancy we suffered a miscarriage. It made this pregnancy pretty difficult emotionally, so these movements are such a blessing. It has taken me a long time to really accept that we are having another baby and that everything's going to be okay. It was pretty hard up until I started getting those welcome little punches and kicks. I was also very ill for the first 14 weeks. I lost a good bit of weight because I couldn't eat much, but we are through that part, and hopefully it is smooth sailing for the next 18 weeks.

 

We have lots to look forward to in the coming months. I'm excited for February, because my son gets to take Valentine's to school for the first time. We have done them for family and friends for a couple of years, but it's exciting to start taking them to school. If my newly found energy and productivity keeps up, February will be awesome. I have many, many ideas of things I want to create, and I hope to really roll through some baby stuff. I have a lot of organizing to do to be able to fit my girls in the same room (mainly their clothes in the same closet!) so I have been diligently working on that while trying to save time for my projects. I have much that I want to crochet and sew for the new baby, and especially matching things for my girls. My son's requested a couple of hats that I need to get to as well. I think I'm already nesting, because my latest hobby (and I say that because I'm doing it "for fun) has been cleaning. I have been cleaning so much every day, and really enjoying it somehow. I still hate laundry. But for some reason, I feel this need for the house to be immaculate at all times. I'm getting used to it too, so I don't know if I can ever cut back now! The biggest thing I am looking forward to is my parents and little sister coming out here at the end of March. We'll be able to celebrate my daughter's second birthday and Easter together. It's little things like that that excite you immensely when you live far away from everyone you love dearly.

 

Well, I hope your new year is off to a fabulous start... I hope good things are happening for you and that you continue to be blessed each and every day! I will have another post very soon about a group that is dear to my heart and other charities that are calling my involvement.

 

<3

Merry Christmas! Here's a TREAT!

I hope everyone is enjoying preparing for the holidays! I know we are! I found a few minutes to whip this hat up and I would like to give it away!!

 

It is size 6-24 months.

 

To win, you MUST be a fan of my Facebook page.



You MUST also leave a comment here and be sure to include your email address!

 

I will choose a winner Friday night so that I can mail it on Saturday. :)

 

Good luck, and happy holidays!!!

Long-tail Santa Hat & new patterns!

Now until Christmas, my unique Santa hat PATTERN is only $2.99! That's $1 of the regular price. After Christmas, you can use this pattern to make adorable elf-style hats for your kids, or you can stripe them with adorable colors for the cutest photo prop ever (see Etsy link for example).

 

Enjoy... & MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

Big thanks to Jennifer Magee Photography for the photo!







I also just added this pattern to my Etsy.:

On Ravelry:

 

 

& this pattern.:

On Ravelry:

 

& this pattern.:

On Ravelry:

 

 

You can also contact me to purchase (3) camera buddy patterns for $7.

Coming Soon...

 

due June 2013 :)

Octopus Camera Buddy *FREE PATTERN*

Octopus Camera Buddy Pattern

by: Kristin Hankins

 

**YOU MAY SELL YOUR FINISHED PRODUCT BUT YOU MUST GIVE ME CREDIT FOR THE PATTERN BY LINKING BACK HERE OR TO MY FACEBOOK PAGE. DO NOT CLAIM THE PATTERN TO BE YOUR OWN.**

Because this is a FREE pattern, I do not have any pictures, but I have made it easy to follow by separating the directions for the legs.

You will need:
a hair tie
WW yarn, in (2) colors of your choice
G hook
needle

In main color:

Make slipknot on hook. Join to hair tie with sc. 

Sc 34 more times around hair tie. Join with slst to first sc. Chain 1, *hdc, hdc, hdc, 2hdc* around, ending with hdc, hdc, hdc. Join with slst for first hdc. Chain 1, sc half way around. Now we’ll work the arms.

Chain 15, sc in 2nd ch. 3sc in next chain. Sc down the rest of the arm. Sc in next st.

Chain 15, sc in 2^nd and 3^rd chains. Sc3tog. Sc next 2 chs. 3sc. Sc to the end of the arm. Sc in next st.

Chain 15, sc in 2^nd chain. 2sc, sc in next 4 chs, sc2tog, sc to the end of the arm. Sc in next st.

Chain 18, sc2tog (2^nd and 3^rd chs), sc next 5, 2sc, sc to end of arm. Sc in next st.

Chain 18, sc in 2^nd ch, sc next 3 chs, 2sc, sc next 3, sc2tog, sc to end of arm. Sc in next st.

Chain 15, sc in 2^nd and 3^rd chs, 3sc, sc in next 2 chs, sc2tog, sc to end of arm. Sc in next st.

Chain 15, sc in 2^nd and 3^rd chs from hook. Sc2tog, sc next 3 sts, 2sc, sc to end of arm. Sc next st. 

Chain 15, sc in 2^nd chain, sc3tog, sc to end of the arm. Sc in next st.

Sc around to the 1^st sc of the round, join with slst to 1^st sc. Fasten off.

Embroider eyes with the second color and weave in ends.

Enjoy!