School Colors

The fall semester is starting on college campuses and that means college football is just around the corner. The Preemie Project likes to celebrate the kick-off of Hawkeye Football by providing the NICU at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics with hats and booties in UI colors. Here is my black and gold contribution for this year.



Patterns: Hat (worked on 48 sts), Booties (worked on 25 sts)
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft (worsted weight)
Colors: Black 9727 and Lemonade 9606
Needles: US 7 DPNs for hat and US 5 straight for booties
Size: Preemie (3-5 lbs)

Last week John and I helped Matt move his stuff back to the dorm. We turned our trip into a mini-vacation by bringing the travel trailer and camping at Central State Park on Arcadia Lake in Edmond, Oklahoma.



We're on the way home by way of Fort Worth to visit Robyn and James.

Spirals

Designs in knitting are often inspired by designs in nature. I love the spiral of the sundial shells I found on the beach, so it was only natural that I knit a preemie hat that would imitate that design.



I used a pattern I came up with last year, but this time I tried to extend the spiral stitch through the decreases. It didn't work as well as I had hoped. The stitches are muddled together, so I don't think I'll be adding the spiral decreases to the pattern. I like it better as originally designed.

Pattern: Preemie Spiral Hat
Yarn: Cotton Ease (worsted weight)
Needles: US 7 DPNs
Size: 3-5 lbs (worked on 48 stitches)

What I really wanted was for the spiral to clearly and neatly converge together on the top of the hat, like it does in this hat (scroll down for top view of hat), so I gave it a try.



Pattern: Odessa with modifications
Yarn: Cotton-Ease (worsted weight)
Needles: US7 DPNs
Size: 3-5 lbs
Modifications:
CO 50 stitches.
Work pattern as written until hat measures 4" from cast on edge.
Begin decreases as written through line #8 (30 stitches remain).
K2tog around.
Cut yarn and draw through remaining 15 stitches.

This is more like I had in mind.





Here are more spiral designs you might like to try:
Striped Hat
Spiral Preemie Cap
Spiral Rib Hat
Baby Swirls (this one is crocheted)

I'm donating my hats to The Preemie Project. Be sure to click the link to see the newly designed website. It's looks great and is easy to navigate.

Preemie Bonnets

Members of The Preemie Project bereavement committee recently met with representatives of the hospital we donate to in Iowa to find out how we can better meet their needs. They were told that bonnets are preferable over stocking caps for the smallest size bereavement sets because it makes it easier to dress the baby, so I decided to find a pattern and give it a try.





Pattern: Bonnet to Match Knit Burial Gown
Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby Sport D.K.
Needles: US 3 throughout
Size: 1-3 lbs

The size needles I used are a little small for this yarn, but I wanted the bonnet to be tiny. I normally prefer to use size 5 with this yarn.

After it was knitted, I found it difficult to know what size baby this bonnet would fit. It's easy to measure the circumference of a stocking cap and compare it to the measurements guideline, but a bonnet is different. I began to look around the house to find something to test it on. I discovered that a vanity light bulb measures 10 inches in circumference which is the size listed for a 1-3 pound baby. It fit nicely on the light bulb, so I'm hoping it will work as well on a baby.

I like this bonnet, but I began to think of ways to change it up. The design is a simple T-shape. The bottom of the T is folded to meet the top of the T and then sewn together (refer to the illustration on the pattern). It's easy to plug in different stitch patterns to each section to achieve a different look. The possibilities are unlimited.

I knitted up two more bonnets using sport weight Red Heart Soft Baby and size US 3 needles. This is a lighter weight yarn and it worked much better with size 3 needles. The resulting bonnet is slightly smaller, but will still work for 1-3 pounds.



The yellow one turned out to be my favorite, though the detail didn't photograph well. It is stockinette stitch with rows of garter stitch for the front and 1x1 rib for the back.



The lavender one is garter rib stitch on the front and 1x1 rib on the back. I like the ribbing in the back because I think it draws the bonnet in nicely, but any stitch would work.

Next, I experimented with reducing the number of cast on stitches to make a smaller size bonnet for a baby weighing less than one pound. I think this is the size the bonnets were requested for in the first place. You can see the difference in size in the picture below.




The stitch pattern for the tiny one is garter stitch for the front and my favorite 1x1 rib in the back.

I think I'll be making lots of bonnets in the future. The versatility of the pattern makes it fun to knit. For those of you who want to try it out, here is the formula I used based on the original pattern.

Yarn: Sport Weight Baby Yarn
Needles: US 3
Size: less than 1 lb (1-3 lbs)

*CO 31 (41) sts.
Work stitch pattern of your choice for 1.5 (2) inches.
Bind off 9 (12) sts. at the beginning of the next two rows.
Work remaining sts. in stitch pattern of your choice until it aligns with the front.
Bind off and sew together.
(I omitted the single crochet around the edge of the hat.)
Weave ribbon along the bottom edge of bonnet to use for tying under the chin.

* You may need to adjust the number of stitches cast on to work with the stitch pattern you select.

Sewing It Up

I always try to include some sewn blankets with my knitted donations for The Preemie Project. I spent most of the day cutting and sewing ten small (20"x20") blankets for the December babies.

These blankets are simple to make:

Cut two pieces of fabric one inch larger than you want the finished blanket to be. Sew together, right sides facing, leaving an opening large enough to turn the blanket right side out. Finish with some top stitching. I used a decorative scallop satin stitch.

Second Verse, Same As The First

Except this one is blue.



Pattern: Sleeper Sack
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Dreambaby D.K.
Needles: US 3
Size: Less than 1 lb. (chest circumference: 8", length: 11")



This set took about ten hours to make and is my last item for Knit Unto Others. It's been a productive two weeks. Items made for KUO and The Preemie Project include eight preemie sized Santa hats with matching booties and two tiny bereavement sets for a total of forty-four hours of knitting.

Knit Unto Others

Pattern: Sleeper Sack
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Dreambaby D.K.
Needles: US 3
Size: Less than 1 lb. (chest circumference: 8", length: 11")

There's been a whole lot of knitting going on at my house! Participating in KUO has given me the motivation I need to get together a nice donation for The Preemie Project. For me, knitting bereavement clothing it is the most important charity work I do. This gown has become my favorite to knit. It's simple, no frills look makes it perfect for a boy. I only wish you could see it in person, because the picture doesn't do it justice. The Dreambaby yarn is incredibly soft and perfect for this pattern. I still have enough to make another set like this in blue and there are still a few days left of KUO, so why stop now?

That's Enough

I've reached my limit. Eight Santa hats with matching booties for The Preemie Project. I began the first hat last Monday (though I didn't post about it until Friday) and finished the last pair of booties this morning. Each set represents three hours of knitting. I consider this time well spent. Knitting for others gives purpose to my passion.

For the rest of the week, I'll continue Knit Unto Others by working on a bereavement set (also for The Preemie Project). I haven't decided which pattern to use yet, but I have decided on the yarn: Plymouth Dreambaby. I was lucky enough to leave the 300th comment on Megan's blog, Woolly Interlude, and win this great yarn along with some beautiful Lorna's Laces.

Thanks, Megan! You must have handpicked this especially for me. It will be put to good use.

Be Thankful...

and Knit Unto Others. That's what I'll be doing for the next couple of weeks. I'm knitting Santa hats and booties for The Preemie Project until the red yarn runs out or I get sick of it, whichever comes first.



The hat pattern I'm using is my own version. There are other patterns here, here and here, if you would like to join me in knitting for the babies. For the booties, I'm using a variation of this pattern.

Have Yarn, Will Travel

Next week's blog will read more like a travel journal than a knitting blog. John has meetings to attend in New Jersey and I'm tagging along. We'll take a few days at the end to drive through New York and finally on to Vermont to visit family. I'm expecting to see some beautiful scenery and to experience some real fall weather. I'm really looking forward to this trip.

The only knitting I think I'm going to pack is the sock I'm working on. Of course, I'll have my yarn shop guide with me. When John is working during the day, I'll be on my own to explore. There just might be a yarn shop nearby, you never know.

Did pretty well knitting pumpkin hats and booties this week for The Preemie Project. I'll knit a couple of pairs of booties later today and put everything in the mail before we leave.



See you on the road next week.

One Year Old

The Preemie Project is one year old this month. It was September 2005 that this group made it's first donation of hats, booties and blankets to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. We were small in number then and worked hard to make enough items for that first donation.

In a year's time this group has grown by leaps and bounds. It is now a corporation with a board of directors and a large number of volunteers, both local and national. It soon will be receiving a tax exempt status.

What started with a simple request on a knitting blog to join together and knit for the little babies has turned into something much bigger than any of us (except Laura) could have imagined back then. There are now two chapters operating. One in Iowa and one in Michigan.

I've been with The Preemie Project since it's early days and I can say that even though it has grown quickly, it has not lost it's ability to make each volunteer feel a part of something special. Every donation and volunteer is truly appreciated. Join us and use your talents to help others. You'll be glad you did.

Today I spent some time at the sewing machine making blankets for The Preemie Project's upcoming Halloween donation.



Twelve small blankets ready to be mailed as soon as I knit some more pumpkin hats and booties.

Labor Day Weekend

What's the use of having a travel trailer if you don't use it, right? So before we put it back in storage, we took it to Palacios, Texas for the Labor Day weekend. Palacios is known as "The City By The Sea". It's true it's on the water, but calling it a city may be a stretch. It's a quiet little town, even when it's loaded with visitors like it was this weekend.

I did a little exploring on Saturday. Visited the museum exhibit about The La Salle Odyssey. I was hoping to learn more about the history of the town, but the full museum has been closed for years. Apparently the roof was damaged during a hurricane and it's taken a long time to raise money for repairs. It will re-open in two years. However, there are several painted murals on buildings throughout town that depict the history and culture of the area.


The real attraction in Palacios is the bay. There's a great walkway along the bayshore and several public piers for fishing.



John relaxed by fishing to his heart's content. I relaxed by knitting, of course.

This is just the beginning of pumpkin hats and booties for The Preemie Project. Patterns here and here.

In Memory

Knitted to honor the life of sweet baby Isabella (3/31/06 - 8/5/06). Though her journey on earth was short, she was loved dearly and brought joy to her parents and family. She captured my heart and I will think of her every time I knit for the little ones. This gown will be donated to The Preemie Project in her name. It is my prayer that in some small way it bless and comfort the family it is given to.

Pattern Details:

The gown was knitted from the pattern called Spring Purple Burial Gown. I modified the neckline slightly and lined the skirt with a pink silky fabric.

The hat pattern is just one in my head, but the socks are called Easy Socks. I knitted them in the round to avoid having to seam them.

The yarn I used was given to me by Laura and Linda when I was in Iowa this summer. It's called King Cole Smooth DK. It is an extremly soft 100% acylic. Very nice to work with and perfect for baby knits.




Psalm 139: 13-16

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Hats, Hats...and More Hats

This weekend was spent knitting hats. They are so quick to finish, I find it hard to stop once I get started. These black and gold hats are for The Preemie Project's Hawkeye donation. All are sized to fit a baby weighing 6-8 pounds and knitted with Caron Simply Soft worsted weight using US 7 dpns. I'll make booties to match later.

The hat on the left was inspired by a picture of one Mariella made called Violet Seed from Hip Knit Hats: 40 Fabulous Designs. I didn't have that book so I just "winged" it. The proportions didn't turn out the same, but it's still cute. The two hats in the middle are striped versions of this pattern and the pattern for the hat on the right can be found in the book, Knits From The Heart by Kristin Spurkland.

Here's a three color version of the Kristin Spurkland hat.

You can see the ribbed pattern better in this picture. It's different than any I've used before and I really like it. This hat was just barely off the needles before it was wrapped and given as part of a gift at a baby shower on Sunday. Nothing like waiting until the last minute! Yarn used for this one was Lion Brand Cotton-Ease worsted weight. Needles were US 7 dpns. I changed the number of stitches cast on since I used a heavier yarn, but of course since I was in such a rush, I didn't take any notes.

Wonderful Weekend

It was wonderful weekend in Iowa! I finally met Laura, the founder of The Preemie Project.

She is an amazing person. A little over a year ago, after a knee surgery that didn't go as well as planned, Laura found herself needing something to do. With limited mobility and having to cope with a lot of pain, she turned to knitting to keep her sanity. Her mom, Linda, suggested that she knit some booties for the babies at the hospital and from that simple suggestion, The Preemie Project was started. Laura began to ask others through her knitting blog to help her. I believe I'm correct in saying that the project has grown to over 200 volunteers. Some are national volunteers like me, but many are from the Iowa City area. Working together we are able to donate a large number of hats, booties, blankets and bereavement outfits to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Cinics every two months.

All of the volunteers are important to the success of The Preemie Project, but the local volunteers are called upon to help in ways that those of us that live far away cannot. On Saturday and Sunday there were workdays planned to sew blankets for the babies and I was thrilled to be able to join the local volunteers in this effort.

We had an assembly line going. Linda cut out the majority of the blankets. I think this is the hardest part.


Next they were sewn. There were five sewing machines in use on Saturday and six on Sunday. I used a machine that was donated and though old, it sewed beautifully.



Other volunteers turned the blankets, trimmed and pressed the seams to get them ready to be top stitched.


Here's a picture of the group that was there on Sunday.


I had so much fun getting to know everyone. The way things were organized, I got to spend the most time with those in the sewing room. I met Darlene and discovered that she spends time each winter in a little town only 1 1/2 hours from my house. Small world. I learned that Carla can sew us under the table. She worked for hours without ever taking a break. Jane will probably have a new sewing machine by the end of the week. Hers was acting up and besides she needs one with fancy stitches for top stitching. It's for the babies afterall. Laura was sewing too and we spent a lot of time discussing The Preemie Project. She has great ideas and the will to make them happen.

I wish I could have spent more time with everyone working in the other room. Some were friends I know through blogging.

Heather, Me and Megan
(I also met Libby and we took a picture together too, but it's on Laura's camera.)

It was great to meet each volunteer and so much fun to work together. My visit was way too short. I hope I get to go back another day.

At the end of two days of sewing, we had 96 finished blankets! Most of these are the large size. It truly was a wonderful weekend.

Laura, Linda and me

Added later: Must have missed one blanket in the first count. The total blankets sewn this weekend was actually 97.

What's Your Excuse?

Now that we're finally getting some sunshine, all the dust and dirt in my house is clearly visible. I should be cleaning, but instead I cut out and sewed six small blankets for The Preemie Project.



My excuse for not cleaning:
I needed to get warmed up for the sewing weekend that's planned in Iowa on Saturday and Sunday. And besides, I can always clean house...tomorrow.

Sleeper Sack

I've been working on a few more things for The Preemie Project to bring with me on my trip to Iowa later this week. This bereavement bunting was designed by Debbie, one of TPP volunteers. I've been wanting to try it for a while and finally found the time. It turned out so well! I followed this pattern as written for the smaller size except for using a fingering weight yarn (Ornaghi Filati Baby Cotton, 100% mercanized cotton) and knitting a ribbed cuff on the sleeves. This tiny bunting will fit a baby weighing less than one pound. Debbie designed the side with the buttons to be the back, but I like it for the front. I wonder which way the nurses will use it?



In other news, Matt is spending a week at camp, so we're finding out what an empty nest feels like. In less than one month he will leave for college and this will be the norm. It's not the first year he's been to camp, but John and I usually take a vacation at the same time so we're rarely home when he's gone. This week is sort of a trial run. Big changes are ahead, but I think we are prepared.

Also, you may notice some sunshine in the pictures above. This make me happy. Sunny skies have been a rare thing here lately. It rained almost every day in June. And July has started out with more of the same. So unusal for Houston this time of year. It's true we needed the rain, but we are all craving sunshine now. Of course, with sunshine there will be heat. It'll feel like a sauna outside before the day's over. The mosquitos are really bad right now too, so pack some insect repellent if you travel this way. The stores are likely to be sold out.

Black and Gold Beanie

Patterns: Sideways Wedge Hat and Michelle's Booties
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft worsted weight
Needles: US 7 straights

I used only one strand of yarn for the hat and smaller needles for a finished size of 6-8 pounds.

This Hawkeye set will be donated to The Preemie Project. The good news is that I can deliver it in person. Ever since I've joined this group, I have hoped for a chance to travel to Iowa and meet everyone in person. In less than two weeks it will finally happen. I can't wait!

Baby Hats and Booties

Two sets for The Preemie Project for babies 6-8 pounds. Both hat patterns are from the book Natural Knits for Babies and Moms by Louisa Harding. I bought the last copy of this book at my LYS. The owner said it sold out quickly. No wonder. The patterns in it are adorable and simple enough for a beginner. It includes several baby sweaters, a blanket, these hats, booties and even a pattern for a maternity sweater and a nursing sweater. The baby items would all make nice gifts. I want to make each one.

The booties I made for the hats are a variation of my favorite pattern. I use this pattern all the time, because it knits up very fast and is so versatile. I've tried others that I like, but this is still the best.

The yarn I used is another favorite of mine--Little Lehigh by Kramer Yarns (45% cotton, 35% acrylic). It's very lightweight for a cotton yarn and it's machine washable and dryable. Perfect for baby items.

Needles used for both hats were US 5 and US 7 straights. It would be easy to knit the hats in the round if that is your preference.

Watermelon Set

I'm on a roll with preemie hats this week. This cute watermelon hat is from Ann Norling Pattern #30, More Kids Caps. This pattern sheet features instructions for a basic rolled cap and six specific designs including watermelon, sunflower, crayons, lace, sport helmet, and checkerboard with stripes.

I made my watermelon hat smaller by casting on 56 stitches, which gave me a hat that will fit a 6-8 pound baby. The yarn used is Lion Brand Cotton-Ease (worsted weight) and the needles used are US 7 dpns. This hat is simple to make and you could come up with your own version easily without a pattern. I think the hardest part is deciding where to place the "seeds" and then being satisfied with the results. Maybe I should add just one more...

This set will be donated to The Preemie Project.

The pattern used for the booties is a variation of this one, of course.

Black and Gold

Not the usual colors for a baby, unless you are a baby at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. This hospital is supported by The Preemie Project and is located on the UI campus. To kickoff the Hawkeye football season, The Preemie Project will be donating black and gold spirit hats and booties this fall. The hat pattern I used was written by Marcia. I think it's just perfect for this project. If these colors remind you of a bumblebee, then check out Libby's creation. It's really cute!

Striped Hat
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft worsted weight (black and lemonade)
Needles: US 6 dpns
Finished Size: 3-5 lbs

Michelle's Booties
Yarn: Same as hat
Needles: US 5
Finished Size: 3-5 lbs