Comfort Throw

I've been really obsessed with knitting lately, and only knitting (sorry crochet!). I can't seem to sit still if I don't have my knitting in my hands. I'm also obsessed lately with the Cable Comfort Throw; it has become my new favorite pattern. I've made two so far, and I have plans for two more.

I had originally started the first blanket back in March of 2008 for a class I was teaching at Michael's. Unfortunately, however, all classes got canceled company-wide, so I put the project aside for awhile. When my sister was in the hospital from March to April of this year, I decided to pick it back up again because it is the perfect hospital project (in my opinion, and believe me, I've done lots of hospital knitting/crocheting to know...).

The things that make this project portable are 1) it's worked in five strips that are sewn together later, so it's more like working on five separate scarves rather than one large blanket, 2) it's worked on size 13 needles, so your hands won't get cramped with small needles, and if you get bamboo straights like what I did, it's a fairly quiet project, and 3) it uses chunky yarn, which makes the project go fast, and I don't know about you, but I like a project to go fast if I'm working on it for hours and hours non-stop.
I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in the color "Lemongrass," just like the pattern. I used 10 skeins for the blanket, and 1 skein for 3 rounds of single crochet for the edging (this blanket definitely needs a small edging to prevent rolling and to make it look more finished--I'm a big supporter of edging every blanket). I love this green color, and I knew one of my close friends Christy would love the color too. Luckily I finished it just in time for her birthday, and she was rather surprised when I gave it to her.

Yesterday I just finished making a second Comfort Throw in two colors: Raspberry and Blossom. I'll post pics and details soon, since I made some modifications the second time around. I think I'll cast on for the third one this afternoon, and this time I'll be using three different colors.

Right now giving my hand-knit gifts to people makes me feel so great again, so I'm trying to do it as much as I can. I guess this blanket has the perfect name, because it's comforting for me to knit it, and it's comforting for me to give it away.

Back to knitting!

Gifts

These two Lil Miss Priss Hats went to a sweet young girl who was diagnosed with Leukemia this year. She is only three years old and having to fight an adult fight. I remembered how much Heather loved her Miss Priss hats I made her while she didn't have any hair, so I decided to make some for this young girl. Of course, I couldn't just stop there, so I crocheted a pink and purple ripple blanket for her and knit up a blanket for her younger brother.
When the family came over to my house, and I gave them their gifts, their mom asked if I made the hats in adult size. Luckily, I had a matching purple hat already made up to give to her. Here is a picture from their blog with all of them wearing the hats (the little boy wore the green one with the bow in the back for the picture). So cute!
It makes me happy to see my work help someone else going through a hard time.

Back to knitting!

Miss Priss/Lil Miss Priss For Sale!

Newly listed for sale in The Sheep Shop:

7 Miss Priss Hats (adult) and 2 sets of 2 Lil Miss Priss Hats (infant) for only
$6 each, plus shipping.

Classic and fun colors to suite the style of all fashionistas! Catch one of these hand-crocheted hats in my shop today before they're all sold out!

Custom ordering also available for $7 each, plus shipping.

Coming Soon-ish...

Ok ok, I know, I said I was back and then didn't post anything for two weeks. I truly have been working on projects more. In fact, I will be updating my shop with a bunch of Miss Priss Hats for sale--unfortunately I can only crochet so fast!

In the meantime, take a look at my dad's site to see some really neat pictures chronically different fun moments from Heather's life. He's a great photographer, and also great with picture-editing software, so he's been working on a different photo every couple of days as a way to remember Heather. Check it out!

Back to crocheting!

Back Again

Don't worry...I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. It's just hard to post about yarn stuff when I'm not doing much of it. However, I have finally felt like working on some projects this week. I have felt so listless and unmotivated the last three weeks, and this feeling is only starting to fade a little bit.
The only thing I feel like working on is blankets. There's something therapeutic about making a blanket for someone else--nothing gives me greater joy than to make an afghan for someone, especially when it's totally unexpected. I made some blankets (shown in pics above) for a friend of mine's kids two months ago, and she was so shocked and touched by the gifts. Her joy brought me joy, and I want that feeling back again.

Back to knitting...

Sweet Princess

My beautiful sister Heather Nicole went home to be with her Savior on April 20th, 2009 at 9:46PM. She went peacefully surrounded by her family and a few close friends. She is whole and healed and at peace and worshiping her Savior Jesus Christ in his presence. We will be celebrating Heather's life on Saturday with a final Grand Ball for our sweet Princess.
"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

♥ Sweet Sister, your life may have been but a breath, but you breathed life and joy and love into those who knew you. ♥

Prayer Vigil

My family is having a prayer vigil for my sister Heather on Sunday, April 5th from 2-8:30PM at Banner Baywood Hospital in the ICU waiting room. Even if you can't make it, I'm asking that you take a few moments during this time to pray specifically for Heather and our family. We need to lift our voices in unison to the Great Physician who can heal my sister!

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus...And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4, 6-7, 19)