tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60638503409146123482024-03-27T16:53:19.253-07:00With Hook In HandLJ Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697572554853668731noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063850340914612348.post-81996202483104001442023-09-02T12:19:00.000-07:002023-09-02T12:19:10.678-07:00For Kathy<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36a5wybG84gjcXtcV0Aw27F-QT6tr_rjhhblU0y2HFv2hZagMHgYdUXEi0VhLVouq0b0v3W6vesB9-3DJH-jmi9xWpRafMS4kngDR6PC785HifJhcTGj7Mdc6jhTAmxEj5ofpAG5YUMcuUjytWoMl3FgYR8d8YVNvtfRa_BLLLZ1MydxdU-lnjrpbDkI/s764/for%20Kathy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="764" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36a5wybG84gjcXtcV0Aw27F-QT6tr_rjhhblU0y2HFv2hZagMHgYdUXEi0VhLVouq0b0v3W6vesB9-3DJH-jmi9xWpRafMS4kngDR6PC785HifJhcTGj7Mdc6jhTAmxEj5ofpAG5YUMcuUjytWoMl3FgYR8d8YVNvtfRa_BLLLZ1MydxdU-lnjrpbDkI/w320-h246/for%20Kathy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes life dictates your next project.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">A close friend and I talk often via Messenger video. Once, when I mentioned I was working on a blanket for Project Linus, her response was "You could make one for me." Replying that I'd be happy to and asking what colors she'd like, she gave the least favored answer of "You choose." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'd thought about it off-and-on over the next year or so but kept working on other project until...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">She called to inform me the police had shown up at her door. Her beloved son had been shot and killed. There is no way to describe her pain. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Others, who live close to her, were able to attend the wake and funeral, send flowers, and drop off food. With her living on the East Coast, and me on the West Coast, none of those were good options. Plus I've always hated flowers at funerals as their dying only makes things worse. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Now!" the Universe said. "Now is the time to make a blanket in which she can wrap herself in warmth and love. It took some time to choose the colors, but I based them on the chair in which she usually sits when we talk, and the colour of the walls behind her. To make it extra special, I added the heart and attached it over where her heart would be when covered. Then, on Etsy, I found a woman who made personalized tags for quilts. Normally, she only finished the top side of them, but when I explained the situation, she graciously agreed to finish all three sides of the label. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, here it is: "With Love for Kathy."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pattern: <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shell-stitch-baby-blanket-3" style="background-color: white;">Shell Stitch Baby Blanket</a><span style="background-color: white;"> by Amy Ramnarine<br />Finished size: </span><span style="background-color: white;">45" x 72"<br />Colors:<br />Caron One Pound: Cape Cod Blue<br />Red Heart Super Saver: Country Blue, Light Grey, Grey Heather<br />Begun on July 2nd Finished on August 13th, 2023<br /><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/bksrmgc/shell-stitch-baby-blanket-10" target="_blank">Complete details can be found here: </a></span></span></p>LJ Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697572554853668731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063850340914612348.post-37517895391264780182013-09-30T21:38:00.000-07:002013-09-30T21:39:58.116-07:00Meet Karen Baisley<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I "met" Karen Blaisley through Share a Square, the group that formed the foundation of SASsy Stitchers. I always love seeing her work, particularly the fabulous squares she makes. Even though it's still not in person, it's lovely getting to know her better. So, please,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>MEET KAREN BAISLEY</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I’m so glad to have been asked by L.J. to be a guest on her blog. I want to thank her for her patience, since I’m late with my article for her. L.J. is one of the truly lovely people I have met through the craft of crochet, and I’m thankful for her friendship across the miles.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAtGL34CLj9QjAePNLhxsBLdrvtSCgrpjqvhvXQY0b2liw-UViJxdUvmXZGy8hcDS55Mb6EZye_gtOWp11jieLrR3Pgl21dtkwI2wxApHumGZhBvLI3fuM-E8_a6Vs4f25YlA2lU_kPw/s1600/Grandma_s+doilies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAtGL34CLj9QjAePNLhxsBLdrvtSCgrpjqvhvXQY0b2liw-UViJxdUvmXZGy8hcDS55Mb6EZye_gtOWp11jieLrR3Pgl21dtkwI2wxApHumGZhBvLI3fuM-E8_a6Vs4f25YlA2lU_kPw/s200/Grandma_s+doilies.jpg" width="170" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Growing up in the Midwest there was always somebody making something. I had aunts who baked all their own bread, sewed clothes, and canned anything that could be canned. I had a great uncle who would drive around on trash day looking for lawn chairs set out for pick up. He would clean them up and macramé new backs and seats for them. One grandmother taught me how to darn socks. The other crocheted me hats and mittens, but her real gift was doilies. She made such beautiful pieces. My mother decorated cakes. She took a class in the early 70s, and from then on made cakes for every celebration for everyone in the family. She even made my wedding cake! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shortly after moving into our home in 1994 Mom and
Grandma Bentley made the drive to Virginia to visit. I didn't have
curtains for all the windows, and things were still in boxes. I felt
quite frazzled and unprepared to have "guests". Little did I know Mom
and Grandma had other plans. Mom brought fabric, and Grandma set to
work. She hand sewed these cafe curtains and a small valance that were
promptly hung and fluffed in my dining room. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="null">When my grandmother was sewing them she gave me something
of permanence from her heart that allow me to connect with her love
every time I see or touch them.</span> </span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now, over 20 years later,
the curtains hang in my bathroom. Not only do I still get compliments on
them, but the memories attached to them are priceless. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My sister, Laura, taught me early on how to crochet and cross stitch. Well, she tried to teach me. It didn’t stick. She also tried to teach me how to quilt. That didn’t stick, either. It seemed the crafty gene had skipped me.<br /><br />Then, I hurt my back volunteering at a dog kennel for service dogs. Activities like grocery shopping caused me to walk like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. My children were in their teens, so they didn’t need constant care. My husband was stationed clear across the country. Gardening and walking my dogs used to be my favorite activities, but I couldn’t do either one of those, anymore. Frustrated and depressed, I spent a lot of time on the computer.<br /> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9aHVhP8Lv0yfPykoz18DTs0SKRzY0xpaQ5ZTG5B8TcqvNTWz4aKO-HQLC_Q2wbbAXcQr1Vwa_aqOpPHPgg7JBT2zq11-UYNOTCFGi2bn3YLczEU6ByXtoaLi4ri_uKz9HJ24s_4n1qQ/s1600/Logan+and+Holly%27s+shawl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9aHVhP8Lv0yfPykoz18DTs0SKRzY0xpaQ5ZTG5B8TcqvNTWz4aKO-HQLC_Q2wbbAXcQr1Vwa_aqOpPHPgg7JBT2zq11-UYNOTCFGi2bn3YLczEU6ByXtoaLi4ri_uKz9HJ24s_4n1qQ/s200/Logan+and+Holly%27s+shawl.jpg" width="126" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That’s when I learned about The Snuggle Project. It was founded by Rae French to provide handmade, pet mats for shelter pets. Here was something I could do right from the couch! I quickly learned that sewing was not going to be fun for me, though. Grandma crocheted. Mom crocheted. Sis crocheted. I knew I could do it, but who would teach me?<br /><br />Sandra Petit taught me! Through her website, crochetcabana.com, I found her Youtube videos. She was so patient. She didn’t mind at all if I stopped her and hit the rewind to see something again. Finally, I got past a chain! Snuggles were the perfect project to practice with. Dogs and cats don’t care if their bed is square or lopsided or uneven. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With physical therapy my back is much better, but crocheting continues to enrich my life. It doesn’t matter what is going on in my life, once I have that hook in hand I relax. I meet the most amazing people through my craft. I’ve met crafty folks from all over the country through Ravelry and Facebook. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of my great mental necessities is getting together with friends in my area for Sit and Stitch sessions. We’ll bring our hooks and yarn and meet at a local burger joint or coffee shop to stitch and share and chat. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love the emotion that is attached to everything I made. Hand crafting something gives that item so much more meaning than if you simply bought it at the store.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the first things I made after gaining confidence through Snuggle crafting was a comfort shawl for my mother. It’s big and made from soft Homespun yarn. She says when she wraps up in it she feels like I’m giving her a hug. I live four states away, but my mom can feel a loving hug from me anytime she needs one. That’s magic!</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have donated items to groups that help babies, the homeless, the aged, pets, veterans, bereaved parents, and abused women. It means so much to me that a hat or a scarf or a blanket square I made can provide hope and comfort to someone I have never even met. When it’s appropriate I attach a note saying, “We have never met, but I thought about you with every stitch. Know that you are not forgotten.” Isn’t that what we all want? Someone to remember us? Someone to care?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEpJjcQx9RlwIHyZQd3KSPYCrPVKo7gUBS3rJqAGaCaAa13tvxy_K8MHbr9ckhyrxRr7PMSGQ7AkF86n6CcK1NlJ9oxDlHtuHF9xTJ2hAODK0j7mJQIxfHFSGCsgA5PXcQ4Uge-Z-_Xo/s1600/Magnet+from+Laura.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEpJjcQx9RlwIHyZQd3KSPYCrPVKo7gUBS3rJqAGaCaAa13tvxy_K8MHbr9ckhyrxRr7PMSGQ7AkF86n6CcK1NlJ9oxDlHtuHF9xTJ2hAODK0j7mJQIxfHFSGCsgA5PXcQ4Uge-Z-_Xo/s200/Magnet+from+Laura.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I cherish the things the women in my family have crafted for me. More so now that Grandma has passed, Mom has a hard time seeing, and my sister has Multiple Sclerosis. She isn’t able to do all the things she once did, so the love and effort she put into this small magnet last year make it one of my most treasured items. I hope that the items I crochet for my family will carry my love to them long after I’m gone. </span><br />
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<br />LJ Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697572554853668731noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063850340914612348.post-16360117988114848192013-08-19T12:16:00.000-07:002013-08-19T12:17:18.102-07:00Maureen Kane: My Stitching Influence<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I would stroll through the main page on Facebook, I would often see wonderful photos posted by Maureen Kane. Then I realized they were taken in the part of Ireland from which my ancestors came, and we started communicating. Then she mentioned stitching. I invited Maureen to join SASsy Stitchers. Trustingly, she joined and now she's one of us. I love all the things she makes and her photos of Portrush, Ireland.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>My Stitching Influence - Maureen Kane</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A blue pleated dress and a white crocheted collar made especially for it by my mum is one of my earliest memories, especially as I fell in a stream while wearing this outfit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Throughout our childhood we watched as mum sat every evening crocheting covers for chair armrests, cushion covers, chair backs, tray clothes, table clothes--mostly to give as presents. As a teenager, she made me an amazing dress which I wore to go to dances. I even had a Irish Crochet blouse to wear to work and, oh how I loved it--even if it was not the best fit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Scarf Crochet for me around 1970</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ft-wv7GUI_0n8xuIlkjN3AaIrJzgmQt7x7kkJN9kkdaOzVqIQdWUe6VNEd1xC4yDu1cmYeWW85CALAzE1yR4AE6Umzq3df-6c9ITt8hRsUB4g8EjCAt38fAwDJ3XxxtGDkNORB9_XF0/s1600/colored+irish+crochet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ft-wv7GUI_0n8xuIlkjN3AaIrJzgmQt7x7kkJN9kkdaOzVqIQdWUe6VNEd1xC4yDu1cmYeWW85CALAzE1yR4AE6Umzq3df-6c9ITt8hRsUB4g8EjCAt38fAwDJ3XxxtGDkNORB9_XF0/s1600/colored+irish+crochet.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9U_0uMFy79-PAecvYoShxujeA7dhCOEsM-tLuojlMicz4CpPg6gWSyy7yZipNN5D7NfI-AY_MBN7v1HUptJwbXAfgVEHhtNzalsIt1q_zDwc4E2dyIDwenC_xJzu9BQizejSFLJu5wyg/s1600/irish+crochet+blouce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9U_0uMFy79-PAecvYoShxujeA7dhCOEsM-tLuojlMicz4CpPg6gWSyy7yZipNN5D7NfI-AY_MBN7v1HUptJwbXAfgVEHhtNzalsIt1q_zDwc4E2dyIDwenC_xJzu9BQizejSFLJu5wyg/s1600/irish+crochet+blouce.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A Colored Irish The Irish Crochet Blouse</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Crochet Blouse which I loved.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWNBfRM01U8B4LfhnvOJX3GQO-CFi_nxXkogjH893ZrMi44av4lk5sPg6LW8qkk4Iq_eGLiolOS28KwQDtRQrLV9wOue5oPLBLGnGiJgvOgI9qav6-A-bLUfJUBDFn5lLRmjPPFutt7E/s1600/made+it+herself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWNBfRM01U8B4LfhnvOJX3GQO-CFi_nxXkogjH893ZrMi44av4lk5sPg6LW8qkk4Iq_eGLiolOS28KwQDtRQrLV9wOue5oPLBLGnGiJgvOgI9qav6-A-bLUfJUBDFn5lLRmjPPFutt7E/s200/made+it+herself.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"I will teach you to crochet" was more an order than a suggestion but, with perseverance, I learnt but did not really appreciate the skill. Eventually, I joined a small group of people who were learning to crochet. I made my own Irish Crochet blouse, but it did not have the same appeal to me as the first one.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYCTy2O6n2zZIBg4Hf2lKrOQYvUeHG7NlfNOaA7AIv7JNUo9xylV9umNs9iFUFlacUij3Sm-z2Dz0THiiGkuOX5IT23tew-DCmr8EiDXgd7HqaGTcbI3VXouw02czCnkA0XiPxQJnVwk/s1600/cross+stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYCTy2O6n2zZIBg4Hf2lKrOQYvUeHG7NlfNOaA7AIv7JNUo9xylV9umNs9iFUFlacUij3Sm-z2Dz0THiiGkuOX5IT23tew-DCmr8EiDXgd7HqaGTcbI3VXouw02czCnkA0XiPxQJnVwk/s1600/cross+stitch.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Around 1995, I developed a great passion for cross stitch, which was good therapy during many happy/sad times. Working with the bright colours helped to divert my attention from many a challenging day. Two years ago, I cross stitched wee pin cushions, called Biscornus, and <u>The World of Cross Stitching</u> published pictures which I had sent to them. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcIu156XEmsZ58n54-NBXlMq8VfPJb30tZmyrpPVNDzRAdp3IjB066X4e7naLpuBrROpDHr413sa8VWQHBoO4MXhaIzc3IPkwozVB1jKt8SARdE-t3kfj-JHNrnpqzbLaRM2u7p8Zhfo/s1600/crochet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcIu156XEmsZ58n54-NBXlMq8VfPJb30tZmyrpPVNDzRAdp3IjB066X4e7naLpuBrROpDHr413sa8VWQHBoO4MXhaIzc3IPkwozVB1jKt8SARdE-t3kfj-JHNrnpqzbLaRM2u7p8Zhfo/s1600/crochet.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have also knitted a few Aran jumpers, but knitting used to make me cross (do not know why). On the occasion of my twin nephew's birth, one wee jacket had one arm longer than the other, so I just gave up the knitting until about 2 years ago when I joined a small group called "The Causeway Castoffs" who meet weekly in our local library. Now I have devleoped patience and have produced lots of wee baby clothes, some of which I give to a group called "Sleeping Angels. Some garments I made have gone abroad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today, with the computer, it is great to see the work of everyone. I enjoy the friendship and especially appreciate all the work LJ Roberts puts into the SASsy Stitchers group. My greatest needlework influence on my life was my mother. I certainly loved her work but, in reality, did not appreciate her great knowledge of all things crochet/needlework.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love on the North Coast of Ireland in a town called Portrush. We have long, sandy beaches on either side of the town. We are famous for golfers Fred Daly, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell, each of whom has won Open Golf Championships. The North Coastline is beautiful with many people visiting each year. Rather than describe Portrush, I have included a few photographs.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSW74vczn7aGDThyjg7QBvFsYioFcKzzXARnODLP4ZG7oLO1REm5rXVt9MLYFbrAQ3-S0V3Jecw-OJjg_B7YR-Phn2SGn6jXcohylkhCTsFB82eXmUktTnyJFTTnV_bkhhJZcZAy5Yjg/s1600/portrush+harbor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSW74vczn7aGDThyjg7QBvFsYioFcKzzXARnODLP4ZG7oLO1REm5rXVt9MLYFbrAQ3-S0V3Jecw-OJjg_B7YR-Phn2SGn6jXcohylkhCTsFB82eXmUktTnyJFTTnV_bkhhJZcZAy5Yjg/s400/portrush+harbor.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Portrush Harbour</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0SsDS-ueN1I4IfIAjVJE7wA8f0sIvxHV5VawZGYICuvn9qr2JdwrEI_aTbZRkiP-3HZ9bntxPhzC1WaiBtE9L2zCkhNH220W-PW1SCUjsuT-as9DCTx1-FC44MBLWIYy5EvqMhmOl5Y/s1600/West+Strand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0SsDS-ueN1I4IfIAjVJE7wA8f0sIvxHV5VawZGYICuvn9qr2JdwrEI_aTbZRkiP-3HZ9bntxPhzC1WaiBtE9L2zCkhNH220W-PW1SCUjsuT-as9DCTx1-FC44MBLWIYy5EvqMhmOl5Y/s400/West+Strand.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>West Strand</b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08HYALGGDrc71zrSBke5wkHV2sa2OqfkXGsELlhxUIwuLMRuktSWBtdoGQTWQslgHHqTp0wW-rLiUhyphenhyphensYjoITMu7qL2On6rj3QdYb9785WU6MQxW7UuFfFh7f59YZVeQpAbl-nyVhO1M/s1600/dunluce.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08HYALGGDrc71zrSBke5wkHV2sa2OqfkXGsELlhxUIwuLMRuktSWBtdoGQTWQslgHHqTp0wW-rLiUhyphenhyphensYjoITMu7qL2On6rj3QdYb9785WU6MQxW7UuFfFh7f59YZVeQpAbl-nyVhO1M/s400/dunluce.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dunluce Castle Approx. 5 miles away<span id="goog_317583959"></span><span id="goog_317583960"></span><br /><span id="goog_317583968"></span><span id="goog_317583969"></span><span id="goog_317583971"></span><span id="goog_317583972"></span></span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PSKIupC5I9y0uUWYCh1DdMpmczsaGOoahatk6w-6DQWtKbzpi7aVJZGsyXg20HuZtNvGa-cB2V_laXpepFBdds-hESJCCXMeZ1oSetIhr1MD-UvlokrK6KNBMsar7MeWfyR8VxbAfxY/s1600/east+strand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PSKIupC5I9y0uUWYCh1DdMpmczsaGOoahatk6w-6DQWtKbzpi7aVJZGsyXg20HuZtNvGa-cB2V_laXpepFBdds-hESJCCXMeZ1oSetIhr1MD-UvlokrK6KNBMsar7MeWfyR8VxbAfxY/s1600/east+strand.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>East Strand Portrush with Royal Portrush Golf Course</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRpQ8B0TpCJaemCtxtAZRl8jS9Af4yfT4HIhwf8Rdr29easSuVx_15LYuUI3gH3tEbvRprXHgslKu8lzY6Qhuzdv_c9unZHtTs80PLl5_8B60M4A3JuRvtdm1q1-3sNScQ1elACBCaAk/s1600/white+park+bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRpQ8B0TpCJaemCtxtAZRl8jS9Af4yfT4HIhwf8Rdr29easSuVx_15LYuUI3gH3tEbvRprXHgslKu8lzY6Qhuzdv_c9unZHtTs80PLl5_8B60M4A3JuRvtdm1q1-3sNScQ1elACBCaAk/s640/white+park+bay.jpg" width="580" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whitepark Bay</span></b></td></tr>
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<br />LJ Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697572554853668731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063850340914612348.post-44918687026840181672013-07-15T07:21:00.000-07:002013-07-15T07:25:47.877-07:00Carol George: Crocheter and Birthday Girl! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuAsEhaEmlOQ-7uBWh9DNPL5HB6wfjkBXiULntNk_xmbGBxaJmxYXLfVbdYuXC5tMjgmY8kutcgYL45TP-l7xn6lTzfU8cK7MzJNtCpN-6Ou5PmDqjy9B8_ofTRm-VvOmkW1vKIWimo8/s1600/Carol+and+parrot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuAsEhaEmlOQ-7uBWh9DNPL5HB6wfjkBXiULntNk_xmbGBxaJmxYXLfVbdYuXC5tMjgmY8kutcgYL45TP-l7xn6lTzfU8cK7MzJNtCpN-6Ou5PmDqjy9B8_ofTRm-VvOmkW1vKIWimo8/s200/Carol+and+parrot.jpg" width="82" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I "met" Carol George through Share-A-Square, a charity for which we both crocheted. When the founder, Shelly Tucker, decided to move on to other ventures, many of us decided to make her an afghan in order to thank her for many years of hard work. I had not assembled an afghan in over 30 years. Carol was one of the people who encouraged me and reminded me to "Breathe in. Breathe out." One day, we will me<span style="font-family: arial;">t in person. It doesn't matter. </span>I <span style="font-family: arial;">definitely </span>count her as one of my friends. Her story is an interesting one. Please join me in thanking her for sharing it with us<span style="font-family: arial;">, and in wishing her a very Happy Birthday!!!!!</span>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxn0_5Tjy6e0HYCe9Z4cYsDkzdObKPOFwBG8OaS6JrcrlRe6p7fPN-kHKx4xwLN57s7t8N7XIrSvaG5rCtEhfV0-2PelKCUj-RtFP3KWjDzDtCks_mHV1fKVLFFVFJl_kQe21EaHMBlEM/s238/Carol+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxn0_5Tjy6e0HYCe9Z4cYsDkzdObKPOFwBG8OaS6JrcrlRe6p7fPN-kHKx4xwLN57s7t8N7XIrSvaG5rCtEhfV0-2PelKCUj-RtFP3KWjDzDtCks_mHV1fKVLFFVFJl_kQe21EaHMBlEM/s200/Carol+1.jpg" width="116" /></a></span></span></div>
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My name is Carol, I am also known as Mimi, and I am a (HOOKOPOTAMUS). July 15, 2013 is a milestone for me. I turn 65 years old.<br />
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I have had an interesting life. At eleven months old, I was adopted by the only people I ever knew as Mom and Dad. I was very fortunate. Mom was my crafting mentor. I remember being sick and, to keep me occupied, she would hand me her button box and a shoe lace and tell me to make a necklace or count all the white ones – a great pastime for young child. (To this day, I have a button box.) Then I graduated to the potholder loom. Sewing was next then knitting. I also attended school during a time when we were able to take home economics – sewing, cooking, graphic arts.<br />
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My craft interest also expanded into needle point and a lot of cross stitch. My eyes don’t allow me to continue with that any long. Every Thanksgiving one of Mom’s sisters provided a craft project for us to do. I remember one year we made clothes pin “dolls” for the Twelve Days Christmas.<br />
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Mom and I spent many hours crocheting. We made many prayer shawls, especially after my dad passed away. Mom also made a lot of crochet and knit blankets for charities through the church. She taught me well. My dad’s older sister was an avid crochet whiz; I loved her work. There were a lot of granny squares in her work. She made all her nieces and nephews afghans and sweaters. So, I guess even without the genetic connection, I was surrounded by people who help instill my love of crafting.<br />
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The most important part of my craft which these days is basically crochet (perhaps some knitting and beading thrown in), is that it has opened my new life in California.<br />
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I have told that I was married and have three sons (now grown) from that relationship. To make a long story short (1982), we divorced and he passed away in 2000. I spent years not knowing anything but raising kids and being a dollar short. That is when Mom and I started our crochet revival.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOlTI9gNhqU37bWuOGAo10jhc8ltL7S9jzjpV0-0f_rGLF71lqsRnUP806jLlARG2FotvpBomzM4buNDU_1lKjDjBvXEcWGNOulFuW_pq81Cl5fed_rPB5oiLmedaGC3KpERoLBP3JLw/s140/Carol+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOlTI9gNhqU37bWuOGAo10jhc8ltL7S9jzjpV0-0f_rGLF71lqsRnUP806jLlARG2FotvpBomzM4buNDU_1lKjDjBvXEcWGNOulFuW_pq81Cl5fed_rPB5oiLmedaGC3KpERoLBP3JLw/s200/Carol+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
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Around Valentine’s 2004, I met this guy online playing bingo. We started chatting and in May he flew from Sacramento to Massachusetts to meet me and my family. At that time he bought me a plane ticket to come to Sacramento in July, to meet his family. Ironically, I had lived in Sacramento from September 2001 until April 2003, but returned to Massachusetts to take care of my mom. In September 2004, we rented a U-Haul and moved me and my “stuff”, back out to Sacramento… stopping in Reno to get married. We had a wonderful three years, working, taking cruises, enjoying our new life, including visiting a parrot habitat in Puerta Villarta, MX (think cruise).<br />
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In July 2007, Rich was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma – a cancer of the bone marrow. From July 2007 until March 2008, we spent 3 days a week preparing his system for a stem cell transplant. Most of my family got sweaters (knitted) for Christmas that year. In April 2008, we spent every day going to the infusion center to ready him for the harvesting of his stem cells [I am now knitting and crocheting]. On May 8, 2008, he was admitted to the hospital for the final steps: two heavy doses of chemo and finally the stem cell transplant. He was there for 21 days while he built up his immune system.<br />
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All the while, I was making squares for an afghan. Then it was chemo hats… baby blankets… and crochet took hold of my heart. Small projects and they were completed so much faster than my knitting projects. After 21 days, Rich came home, but could not do too much. I am delighted to say that, although it's still a day-to-day thing, Rich has now been in remission for 5 years. Still, I felt I had to hold on the homestead to make sure everything was okay.<br />
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I participated in many online charity projects. Share-a-Square got me really involved in making six inch squares for charity. Then I joined Handmade Especially for You which provides comfort scarves and baby blankets to several California women’s shelters.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6479p8GtgMv-vbrfSHLqdKpXBnAh0lV-OSxvqLbw54MCkgHwpQPeNdNr3QsYR3FB56R-_Qtqcy7hATtqrvq1T-1gAhF4sXZ5Y0_T7BsFA8bZIfk19TvpCfOoyEv71S3OEtVqpxeBbPZA/s219/Carol+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6479p8GtgMv-vbrfSHLqdKpXBnAh0lV-OSxvqLbw54MCkgHwpQPeNdNr3QsYR3FB56R-_Qtqcy7hATtqrvq1T-1gAhF4sXZ5Y0_T7BsFA8bZIfk19TvpCfOoyEv71S3OEtVqpxeBbPZA/s200/Carol+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bZJoe7diyb2oEvtyJoVs-6jiy6elCxEX_e_MWBmSM0uodL17eE-Q8jfTDQdLdVsYirvY0bvFWXWTHBoK1P2148xokrLuwxN539Zwi2n5ixUh9w2uQXsRSn0zvJvdbyHrWdYZKPHuyFk/s164/Carol+4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bZJoe7diyb2oEvtyJoVs-6jiy6elCxEX_e_MWBmSM0uodL17eE-Q8jfTDQdLdVsYirvY0bvFWXWTHBoK1P2148xokrLuwxN539Zwi2n5ixUh9w2uQXsRSn0zvJvdbyHrWdYZKPHuyFk/s164/Carol+4.jpg" /></a></span></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Next was Charity Crochet Exchange – making six and twelve inch squares for charity projects (a new one every month).<br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dBpjHsujCu3bEwzX_ICrJs9TEmjnLdecUKo1TaQ-uhbk-NGdOjUdwwqnzl8WEozkbKMNqCxbFP-buj-5s-Z8CV-r__Lm1-2dQ0Bv2Mve8Imld3rH3GJAoNReq5BR7V0v4Qb3XUMevLQ/s139/Carol+5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dBpjHsujCu3bEwzX_ICrJs9TEmjnLdecUKo1TaQ-uhbk-NGdOjUdwwqnzl8WEozkbKMNqCxbFP-buj-5s-Z8CV-r__Lm1-2dQ0Bv2Mve8Imld3rH3GJAoNReq5BR7V0v4Qb3XUMevLQ/s139/Carol+5.jpg" /></a> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrHXob_f01nmNStHX1dAYUEw7mC92LDBDZ-FyPaf_AUxDE57mjRFuljxsZPu_F6_d0_kR44iA1M6jMr0CI2VW8e18tc6dYOPzErd-8HGQqjON0v3JHkYuTqvM58pu1VbOg-YPQVa39r0/s168/Carol+6.jpg" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrHXob_f01nmNStHX1dAYUEw7mC92LDBDZ-FyPaf_AUxDE57mjRFuljxsZPu_F6_d0_kR44iA1M6jMr0CI2VW8e18tc6dYOPzErd-8HGQqjON0v3JHkYuTqvM58pu1VbOg-YPQVa39r0/s168/Carol+6.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgov_-IBri3I38aDqL0o1Os1xYwLu6HkVpcchOlpQA_3Lw3tOIJuTEFGSUxBg-ZnjqK8ZbUbOulG5HnpQ8dycI4Dkmdv_tzhkcCTsl79TjXbA0tqhxUdCWFXWMUZ7d26reJ37x-44s4iUI/s150/Carol+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, I participate in Project Linus. I had been crocheting so many small and medium blankets I just didn’t know what to do with them.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwW23skTZX94WfKzP_Vm4DKltKak0XC9wHTbkHnyiuM6CeZ8is1zy_OtSMx4KEZkjDqpcaJndcM6GhU9X5t2784Cp0uMjZZrS8-JhCyyvlAW9vIkcrJJbf6g54kfU-slO3OChLrH9m-kA/s194/Carol+7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwW23skTZX94WfKzP_Vm4DKltKak0XC9wHTbkHnyiuM6CeZ8is1zy_OtSMx4KEZkjDqpcaJndcM6GhU9X5t2784Cp0uMjZZrS8-JhCyyvlAW9vIkcrJJbf6g54kfU-slO3OChLrH9m-kA/s194/Carol+7.jpg" /></a> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgov_-IBri3I38aDqL0o1Os1xYwLu6HkVpcchOlpQA_3Lw3tOIJuTEFGSUxBg-ZnjqK8ZbUbOulG5HnpQ8dycI4Dkmdv_tzhkcCTsl79TjXbA0tqhxUdCWFXWMUZ7d26reJ37x-44s4iUI/s150/Carol+8.jpg" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgov_-IBri3I38aDqL0o1Os1xYwLu6HkVpcchOlpQA_3Lw3tOIJuTEFGSUxBg-ZnjqK8ZbUbOulG5HnpQ8dycI4Dkmdv_tzhkcCTsl79TjXbA0tqhxUdCWFXWMUZ7d26reJ37x-44s4iUI/s150/Carol+8.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This charity thing is all very good and I have made a some wonderful “online” friends in the process. But until recently I have still felt tied to the homestead. My break-out moment began with a phone call I made to a gal I had known through the YMCA water arthritis therapy. We were chatting and I asked what she was doing for adventure these days. She mentioned a group of knitters and crocheters who meet at the neighborhood library Friday mornings at 10. I asked if I could join and that was that. I love this group.<br />
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Not only am I learning more, I am making friends in the process. I now am the group photographer and write weekly notes on Ravelry for the group. We also do projects for charity. The most recent is making comfort dolls for children in Africa. The dolls are shipped with their medications and are so appreciated! <br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq68NdOr-TjhTlM6IlKyPlIAPKpO9LGj57NqTaeeJ-AFBNeeACVa9JFgrD1G4JAO-Fd18sSuz5wGPV69mvMpnT9nB7DZ2vwvnRUVnXLkBLkiRtJ2-b80a9Nq1dkbf1QFwy2uJVAo8IoCc/s126/Carol+9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq68NdOr-TjhTlM6IlKyPlIAPKpO9LGj57NqTaeeJ-AFBNeeACVa9JFgrD1G4JAO-Fd18sSuz5wGPV69mvMpnT9nB7DZ2vwvnRUVnXLkBLkiRtJ2-b80a9Nq1dkbf1QFwy2uJVAo8IoCc/s200/Carol+9.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Through this group I have also found a church group to help lift me spiritually. And I have joined the Sacramento Crochet Guild which meets once a month. There is a program for learning and sharing for learning and ideas. Slowly I am regaining my people skills and realizing more blessing will come to my life the more I get out there and look for them. Finally, when I crochet or knit, my hand isn’t in the cookie jar. I am in my own little world thinking about what I am going to make next… and then after that I will make…<br />
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These are some of my favorite creations: <br />
</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0zGhpLcZVHNeojUBMTwhcns-46W8_L6t7dmpMCa-IsjPN0h4SRwtiwPCB3_llyAgSrplUDIAlcHC1f61tFKtxkuPwoviJQ8RfLms3tcrlPjdXuV8QyAmB1o6b3yrpGmMZmwBoJth71s/s206/Carol+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0zGhpLcZVHNeojUBMTwhcns-46W8_L6t7dmpMCa-IsjPN0h4SRwtiwPCB3_llyAgSrplUDIAlcHC1f61tFKtxkuPwoviJQ8RfLms3tcrlPjdXuV8QyAmB1o6b3yrpGmMZmwBoJth71s/s200/Carol+12.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NirQSgJOGYQgPatwPFRE0Fhsaz1VgxJydz3kHxeK_nsuyBo2vDb_BcQdCRjjugSrQAaWXJRIkZUVeKYX2ApmzqA-3JVAEJKtuF_eGC19N-Xkr_cgzhUIwD9fnV4hu5WO7f-DoiT3wMw/s173/Carol+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NirQSgJOGYQgPatwPFRE0Fhsaz1VgxJydz3kHxeK_nsuyBo2vDb_BcQdCRjjugSrQAaWXJRIkZUVeKYX2ApmzqA-3JVAEJKtuF_eGC19N-Xkr_cgzhUIwD9fnV4hu5WO7f-DoiT3wMw/s200/Carol+10.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq_ZtCkhxSB08h99MAnfxb6iVSayQ2dVo7QKksb6Jp3n2EHa01Wi_1Pn0MrTD67SJRwGOjQyHidbXKRODPlVQIm95H0CWWqvP_AazXBYqX76MigWY-aPSSSX6Pd8hPhSzH5yWEHwIJKA/s165/Carol+11.jpg" style="-left: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq_ZtCkhxSB08h99MAnfxb6iVSayQ2dVo7QKksb6Jp3n2EHa01Wi_1Pn0MrTD67SJRwGOjQyHidbXKRODPlVQIm95H0CWWqvP_AazXBYqX76MigWY-aPSSSX6Pd8hPhSzH5yWEHwIJKA/s165/Carol+11.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
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LJ Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697572554853668731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063850340914612348.post-36444787855534059082013-06-17T07:01:00.000-07:002013-06-17T07:01:35.902-07:00Welcome knitter/crocheter Karina AguirreIt delights me that SASsy Stitchers is truly an international community. Although she no longer lives in the US, we are delighted to have South American born Karina Aguirre as a member of our group and willing to share her story with us. I have to admit, the very last line really touched my heart and rather says it all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-BKHHRsGpNDS3w_oSbylKboP3Rs598AoJKHTZMsurH8tTeN-M1Ok73a1VdZZ1PwEiuwaclXScPsAY6mkFiaw0cKGFpfPTNvcXj2Ljzuh1qiCfYVAKd-oo0Gjp-dKw7ZlapZzwsK9Nsk/s1600/Karina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-BKHHRsGpNDS3w_oSbylKboP3Rs598AoJKHTZMsurH8tTeN-M1Ok73a1VdZZ1PwEiuwaclXScPsAY6mkFiaw0cKGFpfPTNvcXj2Ljzuh1qiCfYVAKd-oo0Gjp-dKw7ZlapZzwsK9Nsk/s200/Karina.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: normal; line-height: 115%;">My name is Karina. I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and now
I live in Denton, Texas. I’m married and I have two sons. I love to knit and in
the last years I learned how to crochet. Of course I love to buy needles, yarn,
bags and everything yarn related! I also believe, like any other knitter, that
I never have enough yarn!</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: normal; line-height: 115%;">The reason I learned how to knit is because of my
brother. I was almost 10 years old when my mom surprised me with the news! I
was having a baby brother and he needed a blanket, booties and so on.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: normal; line-height: 115%;">One day, my aunt put my first set of needles in my hand
and some yarn. My first stitches were
purl and I felt IN LOVE!!</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: normal; line-height: 115%;">I have never stopped knitting. My therapy, my yoga, my
free time is always trying to find a new yarn store, a teacher, a place to
knit, a group with fellow knitters. I rather spend money on yarn or magazines
than on anything else.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: normal; line-height: 115%;">I love handmade things. They are great gift to show how
much you care for another person. I love when my friends or family buy me
magazines or yarn or anything for my craft. I love my knitting group, the one
who meets at B&N every Wednesday and the one I have on Facebook. I love
that this year I went to a Fiber Fest.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpwD7oUqIIEyhQ0ldGQv8ARgfQWN0NRslicnDXlsK9s5EVnjhsbfnA_QfmabK_sSi_sYKqlXcgbM61JwgCbvXFYfv3Kfgiww9sjOJZ6arXN6HO2_DROJ_OnNjZY6-wKqSoxjHpvylpgA/s1600/learned+at+fiber+fest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpwD7oUqIIEyhQ0ldGQv8ARgfQWN0NRslicnDXlsK9s5EVnjhsbfnA_QfmabK_sSi_sYKqlXcgbM61JwgCbvXFYfv3Kfgiww9sjOJZ6arXN6HO2_DROJ_OnNjZY6-wKqSoxjHpvylpgA/s200/learned+at+fiber+fest.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learned at Fiber Fest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: normal; line-height: 115%;">Another thing that I love is that my mom uses the blue
vest I knitted for her and wants another one. Somehow, it is like having her near me.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnXbXKnEDYaGO4O1VorBm_gWkB0lpGyBu_4lnHKJgzdk5vcE6AuGfjfZpiMERQa_mtsnNfqJMBEY6cPD-bN0YvLFVDZzonen2pBdSEr9rsu366iwBDWtm6cgYqS_fZWHIWSA5B1smNYM/s1600/Yarn+store.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnXbXKnEDYaGO4O1VorBm_gWkB0lpGyBu_4lnHKJgzdk5vcE6AuGfjfZpiMERQa_mtsnNfqJMBEY6cPD-bN0YvLFVDZzonen2pBdSEr9rsu366iwBDWtm6cgYqS_fZWHIWSA5B1smNYM/s200/Yarn+store.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: normal; line-height: 115%;">When I travel with my family, my husband knows he needs
to stop in at least one yarn store in the new city we are visiting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: normal; line-height: 115%;">Now , that I don’t live in my home country, two of my favorites activities when I’m going to visit
my family are going to classes, or visiting
my teachers.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: normal; line-height: 115%;">My mom told me that only I can spend money on this
because, let me tell you, my mom hates all related to knitting or cooking or
anything craft involved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: normal; line-height: 115%;">Within the years I knitted the most important projects of
my live; the first things for my sons.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzRc1ayNrBa9WX5wa-PuakfB3v-ovLhMpOVMQu5xpPrgkf2oGVlSVpLA6qwMafrxtTF1sWTW2tX7W1SIYURgD9eL17lAIlPqWVFXgL543Ai6Ks28WberbXRyd9VimfujtCIdSpiTpfTI/s1600/Sons+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzRc1ayNrBa9WX5wa-PuakfB3v-ovLhMpOVMQu5xpPrgkf2oGVlSVpLA6qwMafrxtTF1sWTW2tX7W1SIYURgD9eL17lAIlPqWVFXgL543Ai6Ks28WberbXRyd9VimfujtCIdSpiTpfTI/s640/Sons+Collage.jpg" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For my oldest son For my youngest son</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">I knit or crochet for everybody--the person who helps the
kids to cross the street, the teacher who is waiting outside when it is so cold
in winter, for friends, for the
teachers, for my mom, my husband and my
kids. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMV6pZosVwnNHfgz8t7qg_RoWO_Jl23MPFqL3-rIT5vI22Xn5UjrqAVcIK53lusa3_48vc2XeZHkfSSMBLzX4NQSsj7en7I-k2Ac2u8wMUeKGZmjANWEorr8zYks2edgmmnZIFh6QcLQ/s1600/For+others+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMV6pZosVwnNHfgz8t7qg_RoWO_Jl23MPFqL3-rIT5vI22Xn5UjrqAVcIK53lusa3_48vc2XeZHkfSSMBLzX4NQSsj7en7I-k2Ac2u8wMUeKGZmjANWEorr8zYks2edgmmnZIFh6QcLQ/s640/For+others+Collage.jpg" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For the crossing guard scarf for the preschool teacher panda hat for son's teacher<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">I really think that I knit or crochet because I think
that it is my way to hug people with love.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkH8F19MyEjJ3_JADjmN300JJk8gdzzTnHl3AhdnT8nzm4CkU8lWNY24_f0vU3rQew4qYU70CAO1b9jsW32L9Zm1B3jxp-wSoaK6JDj7xu8TSn9CzCax9v_kuBHkc7_c9wzqb1k6WqqQ/s1600/made+for+a+friend.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkH8F19MyEjJ3_JADjmN300JJk8gdzzTnHl3AhdnT8nzm4CkU8lWNY24_f0vU3rQew4qYU70CAO1b9jsW32L9Zm1B3jxp-wSoaK6JDj7xu8TSn9CzCax9v_kuBHkc7_c9wzqb1k6WqqQ/s200/made+for+a+friend.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A scarf for a friend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span>
</div>
LJ Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697572554853668731noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063850340914612348.post-759059613254635052013-06-14T09:07:00.002-07:002013-06-14T09:44:08.958-07:00Overcoming our own limitations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi47UB5-Sh3x2tZOj-jOnNEKVk5joSH-oH7qB1Ty7tZUc9fVzE8Kqq72H-FyeQ2isI4Z0bhDM4AIcrX8HZEJzXheP3tF2U3JWIaBcG8vAFYx6EYB8LyQvyHHQTiCwCZ5xil4IvGBU2_m0/s1600/Jun+14+Texture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi47UB5-Sh3x2tZOj-jOnNEKVk5joSH-oH7qB1Ty7tZUc9fVzE8Kqq72H-FyeQ2isI4Z0bhDM4AIcrX8HZEJzXheP3tF2U3JWIaBcG8vAFYx6EYB8LyQvyHHQTiCwCZ5xil4IvGBU2_m0/s400/Jun+14+Texture.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Do you find you're often intimidated by something that appears to be difficult?
I had seen pictures of this stitch and loved the texture of it but
couldn't figure out how it was done. Finally, I downloaded a pattern.
Wouldn't you know? It's really very simple.</div>
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It's sad how many times in our lives, we think "I can't to that." We believe we're not talented enough, or smart enough, or capable enough. Sometimes it takes someone else believing in us but, now that I'm alone with neither partner nor job, I find I really need to believe in myself.</div>
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I can find the information. I can find the resource. I can find someone to help me. I can do it! And many times, I find that which I thought would be so hard, turns out to be very simple. All I had to do was take the time and try.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWpm2l8bDWt_GpIjCsB99-fBn5baDxrZriUsGSK4pagmikahPq9hS7bZ8BshXogcQPKI8xt8ebn6VOom5vgvYXhqksJ6XavcZG3Mf0KuO7HjW7nI5UZo5M0JkYZ0Q9gWRH7WX8VD3l8Y/s1600/Bereavement+3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWpm2l8bDWt_GpIjCsB99-fBn5baDxrZriUsGSK4pagmikahPq9hS7bZ8BshXogcQPKI8xt8ebn6VOom5vgvYXhqksJ6XavcZG3Mf0KuO7HjW7nI5UZo5M0JkYZ0Q9gWRH7WX8VD3l8Y/s320/Bereavement+3a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Whether it's a new crochet stitch or pattern, or whether it's a much more life-altering change, believe in yourself. Sometimes you may need someone to help you, but that's okay. You can do it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: normal;">Note: For those interested, you'll find the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wua-textured-square" target="_blank">pattern on Ravelry.</a></span><br />
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LJ Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697572554853668731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063850340914612348.post-3123284518763501892013-06-04T08:17:00.000-07:002013-06-04T08:18:12.666-07:00Meet Greg Cohoon; Husband, Father, KnitterWhen SASsy Stitchers started, I wanted to ensure it was an inclusive group of crocheters, knitters, quilters, weavers, sewers; people who loved all forms of fiber arts. And that is who we are. However, I am even more delighted that we are also gender inclusive and have men in our group. <br />
<br />
One of our newer members is Greg Cohoon. Greg Cohoon is a husband, father, knitter, worship leader,
amateur theologian, musician, IT professional, amateur radio (ham)
operator, geocacher, baseball fan, marathoner, novelist, and poet. He's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/drmellow">drmellow</a> on Ravelry and loves making new knitting friends.<br />
<br />
I am so pleased Greg agreed to share his heartwarming story with us. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKznSnw9pT0_9JBWxSeNHVDaJTL1QfSfv1nYGbH9SWRiIkIkF6nNXBnVIspSdrimlgOqtivriAd6N_3Pq9BYdzvZjTJhzbmYXihtX8om6XLut_oBwgyRzwEsfmxzV6i4ee_ki_ShPrUw/s1600/Greg+Cohoon.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKznSnw9pT0_9JBWxSeNHVDaJTL1QfSfv1nYGbH9SWRiIkIkF6nNXBnVIspSdrimlgOqtivriAd6N_3Pq9BYdzvZjTJhzbmYXihtX8om6XLut_oBwgyRzwEsfmxzV6i4ee_ki_ShPrUw/s1600/Greg+Cohoon.png" /></a></div>
I learned how to knit almost a year ago, in June of 2012, a few weeks
after my daughter was born. Rorie was born at 30 weeks, two-and-a-half
months early. She was a tiny baby -- two-and-a-half pounds -- and as a
result of her premature birth, she spent five weeks in the NICU before
she was able to come home.<br />
<br />
Life in the NICU is often described as a roller coaster, in that it
is full of ups and downs. Compared to the experiences many people have
in the NICU, we were blessed with a relatively easy stay, but we did
experience our share of setbacks, disappointment, anxiety, and all of
the difficult emotions one encounters in a situation like this. We also
experienced our share of milestones met, accomplishments, joy, pride,
relief, and happy surprises.<br />
<br />
One of the highlights that will always stick with me was one of the
NICU happy surprises. One night while we were sitting by Rorie's
isolette watching her sleep, one of the nurses came by with a handful of
tiny hand-knitted hats. They were made and donated to the hospital by
volunteers who do such things. The nurse gave us a few of the hats and
went along the hall, distributing hats to the other families who were in
the NICU. Those hats were such a welcome gift to us. Not only were they
practical -- they helped Rorie regulate her own temperature when we
were holding her outside of her isolette -- but they were also whimsical
and fun. They were full of color and really did a lot to brighten the
atmosphere whenever Rorie was wearing one of them.<br />
<br />
As I looked at those hats, turning them over in my hand, I thought to
myself that knitting hats like that was probably something I could
learn how to do. I could almost see how the stitches were constructed,
and I was sure that if I could get someone to show me how to knit, I
would be able to make my own hats for Rorie. That was something I really
wanted to do, because a lot of my time while she was in the NICU was
spent feeling helpless and watching her sleep. I thought that if I could
give her some hats, that would be something I could do to help.<br />
<div style="float: right;">
<img height="480px" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/394610_10150916952627194_562810097_n.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 5px;" width="360px" /></div>
<br />
I found a simple hat pattern online -- the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/preemie-stocking-cap-knit" target="_blank">Preemie Stocking Cap</a> pattern from Lion Brand Yarn -- and convinced my mother-in-law to teach
me the basic stitches I needed to know to knit it. My wife had knitted
scarves in the past, so we had some yarn around the house, and I found a
skein that would work for a hat. After a little tutorial from my
mother-in-law, I was off to the races. Knit two, purl two, knit two,
purl two.... Get all the way to the end, turn it around, and do it
again. After a few rows, I had a respectable band of ribbing on my
needles and switched to the main portion of the hat. Knit one, purl one,
knit one, purl one.... Turn it around. Knit one, purl one, knit one,
purl one.... Turn it around. Repeat. And so on. Soon enough, it was tall
enough. What is this "knit two together" that the pattern talks about? A
quick demonstration from my mother-in-law, and I was decreasing. Soon
enough, I'm done, with a triangle-ish looking thing hanging from a few
stitches on one needle, curling over on the sides. How do I sew it
together? Once again, another quick demonstration from my mother-in-law,
and I'm sewing the seam together then weaving in my ends.<br />
<br />
Imagine my joy when I was holding in my hand <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/drmellow/preemie-stocking-cap-knit">a complete, finished, tiny hat</a>, hand-made by me, just for my daughter.<br />
<br />
It was a day or two before we got a chance to put the hat on her
head. And when we did, it barely fit (that's a good thing -- she was
growing quickly!), so she didn't get to wear it often before she
completely outgrew it. But it really did make me very happy to look down
at her in her isolette, wearing that hat. She seemed to like it, too. <br />
<br />
<div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px;">
</div>
<div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px;">
</div>
<div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drmellow/8668783051/in/photostream/"><img height="500px" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8381/8668783051_25a31745e4.jpg" width="375px" /></a></div>
After finishing that hat, I was definitely addicted. Knitting is a
perfect NICU activity. As a parent, I spent a lot of time in the NICU,
pretty much actively doing nothing. Knitting helped pass that time. And
what fun it is when a completed project comes off the needles. I kept up
my knitting when Rorie came home and expanded to things other than
hats. I knitted <a href="http://ravel.me/drmellow/bb">booties</a> (that she only got to wear once before growing out of them). I knitted her <a href="http://ravel.me/drmellow/tb">a small teddy bear</a>. I <a href="http://ravel.me/drmellow/psck2">knitted</a> <a href="http://ravel.me/drmellow/pb">more</a> <a href="http://ravel.me/drmellow/gt">hats</a>. I knitted the <a href="http://ravel.me/drmellow/r1">cutest frog toy</a> -- the body is stuffed with a tennis ball for added bounce and fun! I expanded my knitting audience to include hats for my <a href="http://ravel.me/drmellow/psck3">wife</a> and <a href="http://ravel.me/drmellow/bth">friends</a>. I knitted <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/drmellow/i-heart-heart-doctor-who-dishcloth">geeky</a> <a href="http://ravel.me/drmellow/dwtd">dishcloths</a> for myself. I learned how to do simple lace work with a <a href="http://ravel.me/drmellow/s1">triangle shawl</a>. I learned what blocking was, and how it magically makes something ugly look good. I dove into Elizabeth Zimmerman's <a href="http://ravel.me/drmellow/bsj">Baby Surprise Jacket</a> -- and <b>loved</b> it. Recently, one of my friends had a premature baby, so I immediately knew to go to my needles and whip them up a <a href="http://ravel.me/drmellow/pb2">whimsical hat</a>. I'm currently working on a <a href="http://ravel.me/drmellow/poh">cardigan</a>
for Rorie, and my wife has already put in orders for sweaters for
herself. She has a good time going into my Ravelry account and adding
projects she wants me to do to my queue.<br />
<div style="bottom: 5px; float: right; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/49503193615@N01/8537829337"><img height="240px" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8524/8537829337_4e94a742d8_m.jpg" width="180px" /></a></div>
<br />
I've heard it said that knitting is good therapy. For me, it certainly is. I'm a software developer, and <a href="http://www.codecademy.com/blog/70-how-knitters-are-human-computers">knitters are human computers</a>.
After a long day at the office, I love coming home, settling in my
favorite chair, pulling out my needles and yarn, and getting a few more
rows on whatever project I'm working on done. I can't knit fast enough
-- there are so many projects I want to do, and just not enough time to
do them. So I just keep adding them to my queue. Whenever I finish a
project, I love going though my queue and picking out the next thing
that is going to go on my needles.<br />
<br />
So from one NICU Dad, on behalf of NICU parents everywhere, to anyone
who has ever knit and donated an item to the hospital for preemies --
thank you. Thank you so very much. I know you probably never get to see
the recipient of your gift, that you never get to know just how
meaningful a gift it is. I want you to know what a great joy it was to
our family when we received those hats. I'll never know who knitted
them, so I can't thank them personally. And in addition to bringing us
some joy during our NICU stay, receiving those hats turned me into a
knitter.<br />
<br />
We just celebrated Rorie's 1-year birthday and she's doing great. I
pulled out the first hat I knitted for her almost a year ago and put it
on her head to get a gauge of how far she's come.<br />
<div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drmellow/8886564426/in/photostream/"><img height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/8886564426_371b083090.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="213" /></a></div>
It's really hard to believe that her head used to fit in that.<br />
<br />
<i><br /></i>LJ Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697572554853668731noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063850340914612348.post-18658070931321263802013-05-20T07:49:00.002-07:002013-05-20T07:49:43.667-07:00Knitting -- My First Garment by Wendy Laharnar Wendy Lahamar is a fourth generation Australian. She is also an author, traveler, fan of Formula One racing and a knitter. Please join me in welcoming Wendy to "With Hook in Hand" and learn about:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_Jv1k0cgvt5K_R2TDWssQKd4NOBLSmRhFtv4rG5C6THMlu2AeeN5UtiG1K8j27-HIH91Tp0Ip6c5O1e9isMZ3YoP6qmGkOpkhdtjoyh3UyAxpQXH19ZoasUX9ZHAr4JgPQixpcEgLRs/s1600/Wendy+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_Jv1k0cgvt5K_R2TDWssQKd4NOBLSmRhFtv4rG5C6THMlu2AeeN5UtiG1K8j27-HIH91Tp0Ip6c5O1e9isMZ3YoP6qmGkOpkhdtjoyh3UyAxpQXH19ZoasUX9ZHAr4JgPQixpcEgLRs/s200/Wendy+.jpg" width="162" /></a></div>
<b>Knitting -- My First Garment by Wendy Laharnar</b> <br />
<br />
My mother was a beautiful knitter. From early childhood, I loved to watch the way she held the needles and wound the wool around her little finger. She made jumpers and cardigans for her mum and sisters, herself and me. When I was ten, I asked for needles and wool. Amazingly, it was my dad who taught me to knit…left handed. All three of us were left handed, but Mum and I learned to write with our right hand.<br />
<br />
Mum realized I was keen, so with her guidance I swapped to my right hand, and she taught me to read patterns. I knitted small scarves and ‘blankets’ for my dolls, and wrapped them in Christmas paper to be opened on Christmas morning. At eleven, I began a jumper for myself but didn’t finish it.<br />
<br />
When I was twelve, I taught Gwenny, my best friend, what I knew about knitting, and together we started knitting ourselves a beanie. The pattern had a long tail and a pompom on the end. The finished beanies came close to the pattern but not exactly. <br />
<br />
You see, it was a Friday night during school holidays, Gwenny was staying at my place and we planned to go to the Saturday matinee at the Coronet Theatre. I wanted us to wear our new beanies but they weren’t finished. Gwenny agreed to stay up late, but Mum finally drew the line and made us go to bed. It seemed as if our special achievement would not happen. As novices we couldn’t knit as fast as Mum, who would have delighted in leaving the finished beanies at the foot of our bed. There was no way I would let her help us. “This is Gwenny’s and my project,” I insisted. “We’ll succeed or fail together.”<br />
<br />
The next morning we woke early and Gwenny took out her knitting. “We still have time,” she said. The pictures would start at 2:00 pm and we needed to leave the house on our pushbikes at 1:30.<br />
<br />
We went without breakfast and, clickety-clack, the tails on our beanies grew, slowly. By midday it was clear we would not reach the recommended length. I decided we should stop knitting and make the poms-poms and then see how much time we had left. With the pom-poms in hand, we looked at attaching them, but the tails weren’t tapered. I said, “We have to start decreasing now.” Gwenny agreed, and we jumped to the end of the pattern. At 1:15 pm we were sewing on the pom-poms. Then with only a quick wash, we dressed and scoffed down a sandwich, because Mum wouldn’t let us go without it.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw2YXN3wJtGCfmlyy2J5lXJyiGNig_A-415ND8SQzNscIQmo5m-cvB_sVzW0otilUjwETZnlt9dRuSAjMJ4MyeFj_2XkA010MZR8mVDqdU3_J07OqGk7rwLMEdOM4Kdq4DKBN4A4oYto/s1600/Wendy+%2526+Gwenny+1955+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw2YXN3wJtGCfmlyy2J5lXJyiGNig_A-415ND8SQzNscIQmo5m-cvB_sVzW0otilUjwETZnlt9dRuSAjMJ4MyeFj_2XkA010MZR8mVDqdU3_J07OqGk7rwLMEdOM4Kdq4DKBN4A4oYto/s200/Wendy+%2526+Gwenny+1955+edited.jpg" width="121" />
</a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivksyT-0LiO1qYl8RNQov71wq4NWPwd7bv6PQTmPbggB-BekrETDyrxXRMQantP5pI5q8JBsbZueQ0y43xNP4hMm8ohYR6-hHxDacP_7XDxnW_Gnrlc48uTzGWYjbwGg65js6-0TgCtUA/s1600/Wendy+&+Gwenny+closeup,+long+tailed+beanies+1955+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivksyT-0LiO1qYl8RNQov71wq4NWPwd7bv6PQTmPbggB-BekrETDyrxXRMQantP5pI5q8JBsbZueQ0y43xNP4hMm8ohYR6-hHxDacP_7XDxnW_Gnrlc48uTzGWYjbwGg65js6-0TgCtUA/s320/Wendy+&+Gwenny+closeup,+long+tailed+beanies+1955+.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Mum grabbed the camera saying this was an important moment. So, proudly we stood at the back door, Gwenny, (in tartan) and me, wearing our short, long tailed beanies; our achievement recorded for posterity. <br />
<br />
I don’t remember the name of the pictures we watched that day, but I’ll never forget Gwenny and the time we shared knitting our first garments together.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-XsnjJNLZEWN_DodIe3CA3yhIAKbz-wI7Z9_VqDnyO0Ia_-VSpgwXIPCZqc7vUeuGlGv8Rs0iSk6dA8VCUaGDxnq_OCxlTesgwAhaoIPHucEmwCL5ByRj15M9y1yl1zh9-x5RPs8Mo0/s1600/Spitzli+&+Wendy+knitting+Ed+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-XsnjJNLZEWN_DodIe3CA3yhIAKbz-wI7Z9_VqDnyO0Ia_-VSpgwXIPCZqc7vUeuGlGv8Rs0iSk6dA8VCUaGDxnq_OCxlTesgwAhaoIPHucEmwCL5ByRj15M9y1yl1zh9-x5RPs8Mo0/s200/Spitzli+&+Wendy+knitting+Ed+2.jpg" width="200" /></a>To this day, I am still knitting; now with the help of Spitzli.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Thank you, Wendy, for sharing your story and photos with us. You may learn more about Wendy at:<br />
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LJ Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697572554853668731noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063850340914612348.post-49807090962812140242013-05-06T09:41:00.000-07:002013-05-07T07:55:36.662-07:00Rhonda Moore--Crocheting for Charity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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From Rhonda Moore<br />
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My mother taught me how to knit when I was 11 years old. I had always been a crafty little girl. I used to make clothes for my dolls and stuffed animals out of old socks. All growing up I did different crafts, art projects. <br />
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After high school I went to cosmetology school and worked as a hairdresser until complications during pregnancy put me on bed rest. I was a stay at home mom for a while after that. After leaving my abusive husband, I had to go back to work. <br />
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What better place can a crafty girl get a job than at Michael's! It opened up a whole new world of crafts and art! I went through many different mediums. I tried needlepoint, silk ribbon embroidery, painting, pastels, quilting, you name it! I was decent at most of them. Then I decided to quit my job and go back to school! I got my degree in Graphic Design and worked as a Graphic Designer/Studio Manager for a photography studio and taught private Photoshop classes to photographers on the side. <br />
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In 2003 my son was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome (a form of Autism). Being a single mom, working full time and dealing with a special needs child, I lost a lot of my energy to do crafts in my spare time. Other than being creative at work and the occasional karaoke night, I had no creative outlet. In 2005 I began to get really bad headaches and I thought it was just from looking at a computer screen all day long. Then I began to get wide spread pain in my whole body. In October 2006 I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. In August of 2007 the pain had gotten so bad that I had to quit working all together. <br />
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I am not one to sit around, so I got into quilting, but sitting at a sewing machine was not working with the pain either. Instead, I decided to get back into my knitting, which I could do while laying in bed. I wanted to learn some more complex patterns so I went on YouTube! In my search I stumbled upon some crochet videos and thought, “Hey, I wanna try that!”<br />
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In 2010 I picked up my first hook! After making some square patches (back and forth to practice) I decided to go all out and make an afghan! It came out beautifully!<br />
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I was hooked--pun intended! I made some flowers for some of my beanies that I had knitted. During this time, while playing Farmville, I made a friend who lived all the way across the country, and who also crocheted. We got to talking and thought, we should do some projects for charity! <br />
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We knew we would probably need some help so in July, 2011 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/CharityProjects/">Charity Crochet Exchange</a> was born! I started a group on Facebook and posted the link on all kinds of different crochet pages and we grew fast! We did our first project in August, 2011.<br />
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We both had friends and family in the military so our first project was for our troops. Our members made their squares, sent them to me and I did the assembly. We made 2 red, white and blue afghans for injured vets in long stay hospital care. There were 10 members who worked on that project.<br />
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Shortly after, my co-founder had some personal issues and had to leave the group. With the growing number of members and projects, I needed some help. Two of our members went above and beyond and had as much time on their hands as I did, so I made them my admins!<br />
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Finally, I had HELP!! With their help with all of the administrative aspects of the group, finding charities and such, it freed me up so I could concentrate on the assembly. I do all of the assembly, unless we have a HUGE project that I cannot do alone. Our second project was for ASPCA. We tried to do projects that meant something to our members, and still do. <br />
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Now going on 2 years, we have over 100 members, and we have done 24 afghans for various charities, plus hats and scarves and our latest project we did more than 60 lapghans for a nursing home local to one of our members. Our event calendar is booked every month till the beginning of 2014. We are now getting requests from charities who wish to have one of our afghans for an auction or raffle. <br />
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It is amazing to me how watching one YouTube video can lead to this! Crochet, for me, has been a life saver! Not only does it keep me busy when I can't get out of bed, but it has brought a purpose to my life. When you are unable to work, you start to become depressed. You feel worthless, lazy, like a completely unproductive member of society. I no longer feel that way. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/CharityProjects/">Charity Crochet Exchange</a> makes me proud of what I do. It makes me feel know, even though I can't work, I can do something to help people (or animals) who may be worse off than I am.<br />
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LJ Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697572554853668731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063850340914612348.post-82398850677728886762013-04-28T10:18:00.002-07:002013-04-28T10:18:23.522-07:00Avoiding the gap...I often see people complain about the gap which can exist in their crochet squares. Here's the solution I found:<br /><br />First of all, after the first round, rather than do the standard ch3, only do ch2. <br />
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Rather than go into the top of the ch_ of the previous row, <br />
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you go into the front two loops of the stitch to the left of it. <br />
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Then ch2 and go back into the same space.<br />
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Once your square is finished, this is the way it will look. The arrows indicate that your join ch and first stitch of each row are in the top of the same stitch from the row before.<br />
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Et voila; no gap. <br />
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<br />LJ Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697572554853668731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063850340914612348.post-28209023905851492632013-04-24T11:35:00.001-07:002013-04-24T11:35:45.572-07:00With a little help from my friend...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am a visual learner; one of those people who has to be shown how something is done, to fully understand how to do something new. This can be a challenge when trying a new crochet pattern.<br />
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In the midst of making blankets for <a href="http://www.stitchesfromtheheart.org/">Stitches from the Heart</a> (SFTH), a wonderful charity where we make baby items and donate them to over 1,400 NICU centers and hospitals around the country, I looking for a new pattern. I saw one from my friend Carol, stitched in diagonal rows, who said it was very easy and she was nice enough to send it to me.<br />
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I started the blanket and immediately ran into trouble. Carol sent me another version of the pattern which she'd broken down into simple steps and even a diagram. Nope, didn't help, so I picked up the phone. "Carol, I don't get it." After about five minutes, my cry for help became "That's so simple!".<br />
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Then I came to the middle where you start decreasing. Once again, a phone call of "Carol, I don't get it." changed to "That's so simple!" with a bit of coaching.<br />
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Once it was done, I looked at it, picked up the phone and, cried, "Carol, what about the border?". Another five minutes again resulted in "Carol, that would be so simple!". <br />
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My thanks to Carol, for her pattern and her patience. Blanket #9 for <a href="http://www.stitchesfromtheheart.org/">SFTH</a> is done. <br />
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This was a good reminder that we all learn in different ways. Part
of life is discovering the way in which we each learn best; part of
teaching is taking time to realize how each student learn. <br />
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Now that I know how to do it, another diagonal-striped blanket is underway. This will be Blanket #10. <br />
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My goal is to have one dozen done and ready for pick up on May 25th. We'll see how I do. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbZemPLuYiw_OxdD2KA5ivSrR0jLyVr3Gcgfy9HpOGgANk7pTzR1jjsWvGQ0nU8xUvBFsd7ljYUSlzJBVv3X8O-hJT40kDWBRoHLC2_ZIgIZOEdUaw2vAjJRLC5hjgLNzZl989IYBNDU/s1600/Apr+blanket+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbZemPLuYiw_OxdD2KA5ivSrR0jLyVr3Gcgfy9HpOGgANk7pTzR1jjsWvGQ0nU8xUvBFsd7ljYUSlzJBVv3X8O-hJT40kDWBRoHLC2_ZIgIZOEdUaw2vAjJRLC5hjgLNzZl989IYBNDU/s320/Apr+blanket+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />LJ Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697572554853668731noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063850340914612348.post-14594086949314283202013-04-22T07:07:00.000-07:002013-04-22T07:10:12.584-07:00From Jmarie Gray<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9eBIRUBDwJzQlXmHcSggPgXgf5cWfOGsrzkp5eolrj1lctPnmOheTHL3ikJ7mvT5HXtxJbgrJE2ArDA7Coo449x0q5Q0OlFJqAe7PqUvbMyoYL2CLaftQV6rB6uKZXQGcNWupIUfeQY/s1600/Jmarie+and+granddaughter+tooter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9eBIRUBDwJzQlXmHcSggPgXgf5cWfOGsrzkp5eolrj1lctPnmOheTHL3ikJ7mvT5HXtxJbgrJE2ArDA7Coo449x0q5Q0OlFJqAe7PqUvbMyoYL2CLaftQV6rB6uKZXQGcNWupIUfeQY/s200/Jmarie+and+granddaughter+tooter.jpg" width="129" /></a>Jmarie Gray (with her granddaughter Tooter)<br />
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I started crocheting 52 years ago. My grandmother taught me her stitches and patterns. My grandmother was Choctaw Indian and my mother raised me as white child. None of her patterns have ever made it to publish or internet...... yet, they are still stuck in my brain.<br />
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I crochet squares for my friend Pam who takes the squares and makes them into afghans for the Elders/Children on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation through her group. My first year with Pine Ridge Reservation, I was with a group who did Challenges. My Challenge was Crocheted Hats. I made 200 for kids and 300 for Elders in 10 months. I did a Challenge once with Pam's group. For every 50 squares she got from other members, I would send 100 squares--the square was my choice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8t5gHhnCCQX_r9tgcrLgxgRj_HLj6FADXi_9buuTYb9XZQzRoWFla901OVO7FEmhAQYEE7kqwSTzRLeROH6W9fJihVzkWysLjeSGA27hsM09-nva6ZP1izFIs2eoySJVmwPSBC8TJ8I/s1600/Jmarie+4.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8t5gHhnCCQX_r9tgcrLgxgRj_HLj6FADXi_9buuTYb9XZQzRoWFla901OVO7FEmhAQYEE7kqwSTzRLeROH6W9fJihVzkWysLjeSGA27hsM09-nva6ZP1izFIs2eoySJVmwPSBC8TJ8I/s200/Jmarie+4.jpg" width="200" /></a>After that I joined a group in New Orleans to help with the Katrina victims by making squares. I made 1,500 squares for that group. When this group closed after 2 years, I was referred to the Yahoo group <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/loveafghans4prr/">Loveafghans4prr</a> and been there ever since.<br />
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I enjoy making afghans and squares for the Reservation. I do not use any colors with white (variegated) or white as most of the Indians don't have any washing machines. They wash in the creeks. I sponsored a lady up there who lived in a Tipi. That was so cool, I learned a lot. It's hard to get the Indian people to trust the whites (as they call us) as they say all whites "LIE". I know there are other Reservations who could use help, but it's hard just getting your foot past the door.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8t5gHhnCCQX_r9tgcrLgxgRj_HLj6FADXi_9buuTYb9XZQzRoWFla901OVO7FEmhAQYEE7kqwSTzRLeROH6W9fJihVzkWysLjeSGA27hsM09-nva6ZP1izFIs2eoySJVmwPSBC8TJ8I/s1600/Jmarie+4.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuCJbMZVqGRRiFriD7lMKMfN-ZGmZL0cijFblyskxElrY9FRsWAOwCe6KF2w636tk4UrMd9CXBlMh7QKPXZ7EG4ekX9aht6fCnhixKXoSaALOwffQ7tlSkv5438Bigk7DTTZNxDiLQIg/s200/Jmarie+1.jpg" width="200" /></a>In 3 years I have almost completed 22,750 squares (still lack 484 to finish). It seems that last little bit takes the longest to do. Somehow, and I didn't think it was possible, I have grown a little tired of squares. So I've gone back to working on my afghans. I have 1 that I work on from time to time for a lady up north (non-reservation) who has a type of blood cancer.<br />
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Why do I make the squares? 'Cause I want to! and I feel that I am giving something back. I've been told that Crochet is a dying art. I missed out on my grandmother's culture being raised in a different race group and I have always felt that the Indians have gotten the short end of the stick especially from our government. If you think you can trust our government, ask an Native American Indian (and they were here first).<br />
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I get a bit of Acrylic yarn donations from women who find yarn in bargain stores, Goodwill etc. etc. or they come to me in small balls. I don't turn down donations, but there is lots of yarn that I have bought or a friend will buy for me. I'll bet you there are quite of bit of people that have yarn balls stuck somewhere they don't know what to do with........... send them to me.<br />
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How do I pick where to stop? I don't really pick any number where to stop. Some balls are small. However many squares I get out of that ball is ok with me. It might be 2 or it might be 20. I try to make at least squares 20 of every color I have. And when I get tired of that color, I move on to a different one. I had a gallon ziploc bag of circles in red, there was 102 in that bag. So I evened it out to 105. I just stop where I want to stop, there is no certain amount. But after 15,750 I figured that would be a good number to stop at.<br />
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I also make tacked lap quilts and lap afghans for a local Kidney Dialysis Clinic here in my town. There are 2 clinics. Some people prefer the quilts and some prefer the afghans. They stay at the clinics. I have made quilts for the elders. I go to my Hotels here in town & get free sheets that they can no longer use. Bring them home and get ready to set up in the yard to dye the sheets. The sheets will be the back of the quilts. I use old blankets/bedspreads/fleece whatever I can find to use for the middle of quilts (needs to be warm). So I've made the top, got the blanket in the middle & a dyed sheet for the bottom. I put my quilts together on the patio and tack/tie them out on a frame.<br />
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I also enjoy gutting and tearing down old wooden houses, barns and sometimes sheds. I use the wood for Repurposing Furniture. And if that's not enough, I care for my grandkids after school, on holidays and school breaks. I get paid a little for this. It helps to get yarn or mail a box out to Pam.</div>
LJ Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697572554853668731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063850340914612348.post-4413401006052053242013-04-21T22:08:00.001-07:002013-04-21T23:11:04.218-07:00With a little help from my friends....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Crocheting for charity introduced me to the wonderful group Share-A-Square created by Shelly Tucker for making afghans donated to children with pediatric cancer. When Shelly decided to move on to other pursuits, she asked whether I would take over the group's Facebook page.</div>
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Thus, I began SASsy Stitchers, both <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/339999169414188/">on Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/sassy-stitchers">on Ravelry</a>. Doing so has introduced me to talented, generous, funny and kind fiber artists from around the US and outside of it.<br />
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With the creation of "With Hook in Hand," I knew I didn't want it to be all about me. Instead, I decided to invite--okay, beg--my creative friends to share their stories as well.<br />
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The first, which will appear tomorrow is from the remarkable Jmarie Gray. Thank you, Jmarie!LJ Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697572554853668731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6063850340914612348.post-73590515137140177622013-04-18T16:13:00.001-07:002013-04-18T16:13:32.028-07:00WELCOME!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">Welcome to "With Hook in Hand". This is where I'll be talking about all things crochet; projects I've completed, patterns I've developed, and charities for which I stitch. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Although I did crochet for several years, I moved to needlepoint in my early 30s and only returned to my hook in 2010. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">How embarrassing to admit I could remember how to do Tunisian crochet but had forgotten how to get the yarn on the hook or to change colors. So I went back to basics and made potholders. I made them for me and every friend I could find.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Happily, time has moved on. I hope I've improved. Nonetheless, I do find it relaxing and gratifying. So pick up your hooks; feel free to join me. Knitters are always welcome, too.</span>LJ Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697572554853668731noreply@blogger.com8