Sunday in Stitches: I gave her a hug

My grandmother was recently treated for a stroke. While in recovery, I made her a prayer shawl. I told her that whenever she wore it, think of it as me giving her a big, long hug. This is a wonderful gift idea for anyone, especially elderly in the hospital or nursing home.

Now she's typically a really classy lady, always wearing the nicest clothes and great conversationalist. I wanted to give her something that looked just as classy, as if it were bought from a store. The yarn I used was Lion Brand Homespun in Painted Dessert which I would think would go with anything. Isn't it beautiful!? For flair, I added a pin on fabric flower that matched very well. I've heard she loved to show it off to visitors, and hopefully it's giving her plenty of hugs!


This took me two sittings in the evening to make. I used a pattern of a "shoulder cape" I found online which uses double crochet (dc) stitches, then I added half-double crochets (hdc) around the edge to finish. Don't forget to pray for that person as you make it, hence the "Prayer" shawl name. Of course, when you're not busy counting the stitches and tending to the kids then recounting the stitches. No worries, by 10pm and row 10 I was able to stop counting and start praying.

From Bev's Country Cottage: "Elder Care 'Warm Shoulders' Capelet" © 2009
Small/Medium (as shown) has 15 rows of dc about an inch each.
Ch 50
Row 1: 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 5 ch *, repeat from * across ( as many times as possible), 1 dc in each of remaining ch, ch3, turn (Count turning chain as first dc)
Row 2: 1 dc in each of next 2dc, 2 dc in next st,*1dc in each of next 6 dc*, *, repeat from * across ( as many times as possible), 1 dc in each of remaining ch, ch 3, turn (Count turning chain as first dc)
Row 3: Repeat row 2, using *1dc in each of next 7 dc*
Row 4 : Repeat row 2, using *1dc in each of next 8 dc*
Row 5 : Repeat row 2, using *1dc in each of next 9 dc*
Row 6 : Repeat row 2, using *1dc in each of next 10 dc*
Row 7 : Repeat row 2, using *1dc in each of next 11 dc*
Row 8 Repeat row 2, using *1dc in each of next 12 dc*
Row 9: Repeat row 2, using *1dc in each of next 13 dc*
Row 10: 1 dc in each dc; ch3, turn
Row 11-15: repeat Row10
At end of row 15, 2 sc in 1st st up front of capelet; sc up front. At top corner, ch 5, sl st in 1st ch (to form button hole), ch 1 in each st across neck; at corner,3 sc in last st, sc down other edge side. Finish off, or do fancy stitch across bottom edge.
Sew Button on top edge opposite button loop

Lg-Xlg

Ch 55
Row 1: 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 5 ch *, repeat from * across ( as many times as possible), 1 dc in each of remaining ch, ch3, turn (Count turning chain as first dc)
Row 2: 1 dc in each of next 2dc, 2 dc in next st,*1dc in each of next 6 dc*, *, repeat from * across ( as many times as possible), 1 dc in each of remaining ch, ch 3, turn (Count turning chain as first dc)
Row 3: Repeat row 2, using *1dc in each of next 7 dc*
Row 4 : Repeat row 2, using *1dc in each of next 8 dc*
Row 5 : Repeat row 2, using *1dc in each of next 9 dc*
Row 6 : Repeat row 2, using *1dc in each of next 10 dc*
Row 7 : Repeat row 2, using *1dc in each of next 11 dc*
Row 8 Repeat row 2, using *1dc in each of next 12 dc*
Row 9: Repeat row 2, using *1dc in each of next 13 dc*
Row10: Repeat row 2, using *1 dc in each of next 14 dc*
Row 11: 1 dc in each dc; ch3, turn
Row 12-16: repeat Row11
At end of row 16, 2 sc in 1st st up front of capelet; sc up front. At top corner, ch 5, sl st in 1st ch (to form button hole), ch 1 in each st across neck; at corner,3 sc in last st, sc down other edge side. Finish off, or do fancy stitch across bottom edge.
Sew Button on top edge opposite button loop



More Patterns for "shoulder capes" "capelets" "shrug" or "prayer shawls"
*CHECK OUT FREEPATERNS.COM here


This one is so pretty…
http://www.karensvariety.com/CopyPatterns/Stoles/Cape426.htm

I'll add on if I find any more. Any suggestions??

Keywords: Elderly, Seniors, Shawl, Cape, Capelet, Shrug, Prayer Shawl, Shoulder Cape, Recovery, Nursing Home, Crocheted Gifts for Hospital

Crafting for Baby

Bringing home a baby from the hospital in the winter brings on new challenges for me, as our other four were all born in the summer. So I've gladly been making some additions to my baby collection…

The Car Seat Canopy
  - You may remember or have the traditional, elastic cover with the peek-a-boo window that was always in baby's face. Then recently, someone upped that with a liner that also went behind the baby for extra warmth. Snowsuits are no longer safe for car seat travel, so warmth and wind cover is essential.
OLD:


NEW:

-Now this is more like it! Warmth, room for a blanket, and nothing on baby's face. No bulky snowsuits. Also easy access to baby without zippers, elastic, etc. Plus, lots of style options!

Pattern by FLEECE FUN: Baby Car Seat Canopy / Tent / Cover

- I can make one for you too! Until my Etsy Shop opens, you can contact me by email: 4modestmommies@gmail.com

Cozy Nursing Covers
  - What started me on this blog was the excitement I had for making nursing covers. Throwing a blanket or long shirt over baby is not easy when you need your hands available for other wiggly kids. I researched, tried and created my own version of a nursing cover which includes a overall hook/button, adjustable strap, and fleece lining.
  - My newest cover includes a wide, fleece lined neck strap, logo strap for rolling up securely for the diaper bag, and fabric and lace I've been holding onto for a long time for a special project.

  - My original wrapped up "Dairy Go" design:


  - I can make one for you too! Until my Etsy Shop opens, you can contact me by email: 4modestmommies@gmail.com or Read more at my blog HERE.

Crocheting for Baby
  - There are so many free patterns online for crochet projects to make for babies. These are a few I've recently made, including a Cuddly Bear Hat and Cocoon, a Teddy for Eddie, and more hats.


I didn't want to pay $40 plus for the hat/cocoon set from an online store, since I figured it wouldn't be too hard to learn crochet and make one myself. [That's the way I think!] So I learned by watching youtube.com crochet lessons, read up similar patterns, and got to work. Cost me about $5 and a few nights work. So worth it!


Lion Brand's Bear in a Jif wasn't as quick as it sounds, but it turned out cute enough.


This is a single crochet stitch hat with tassels and pompom top. It is just adorable on him, and fits snug but comfortably so. I am not sure what pattern I used to get it this size, but there are many free ones online.

Baby Blankets


Using 6x6 fabric squares picked out by our family and friends, we created a scrap quilt for Eddie to claim his space on our family room floor. Since many of the fabric pieces had not been prewashed, I decided to stitch the seams to the prewashed back piece, hoping that when it gets washed, they won't lose their shape.



Blankets I made for our other babies:
 
A Bassinet Quilt and Playpen Comforter with Pillow Case.

I had a Crocheting Christmas

A sampling of my new hobby… the personal, hand-made gifts were a hit!




Granny Square hat with chained swag edge and contrasting flower. We were thrilled with this cheapo yarn (Red Heart Super Saver) that turned out this beautiful pattern of color!




Honey-Buns Girls Hat (my own creation)
I started with a chain of 20, ch1, turn, 20 sc, ch3, dc to end of row. Then I began a pattern of 3 dc in one, ch2, skip 2, 3 dc in one…. increasing each row. I then somehow went around the edge of the project with dc in every sc. Connected the top with 6 rows of dc's. Added the braided neck ties and pom poms at the top points. Maybe someday I'll count it out accurately for you all!


BOYS QUICK CAP (my own creation)
Cowl made into a hat with pompom top.
Ch 45. Taking care not to twist the ch; join with sl st in first ch to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around; join with sl st in first sc - 45 sts at the end of this rnd.
Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), turn, dc in each sc around; join with sl st in top of turning ch.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each dc around; join with sl st in first sc.
Repeat Rnds 2 and 3 until piece measures about 4 rows of double crochets.
Next: Ch 1, turn, dc in every other sc; join with sl st. Ch 3, dc in every other sc. Finally stitch closed, leaving 4" tail of yarn.
FINISHING
Make a pom pom with a 4" yarn tail to tie to hat.
Take hat and pompom tail through top of hat to inside of hat. Tie tails together until secure. Clip off excess.
(Similar "Easy Beanie" pattern here.)




This is my 7 hour mistake turned favorite. It was my first project. It seems to be a Beret Cap with brim similar to the one in this tutorial. Lion Brand has a pattern for a newsboy cap that would look similar.



Beret hat I made with matching mittens. Rose ring on left glove.
Family of Mittens Pattern by Lion Brand Yarn




Double Crocheted Scarf with chained swag/lacy edges and contrasting flowers.


My favorite free crochet patterns website:
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/