Monday, February 16, 2009

FYI: Crochet and Knitting Instructions for Newborn Hats

In the upcoming Stake Relief Society Enrichment Meeting, we will be making hats for newborns down at the Medical Center. If you would like to get a head start, here are the instructions:

Crochet Hats for Newborns

Materials: Soft, 3-ply baby yarn in color of your choice
(sparkly thread tends to be scratchy)
Size G crochet hook
Darning needle

Directions are given for small. Changes for medium and large are in parentheses.

Row 1: Chain 35 stitches

Row 2: Single crochet in second chain from hook and each remaining chain across until end of row. Chain 1 and turn.

Rows 3-42 (med—44 rows; large—46 rows):

Working in back loops throughout, single crochet in each single crochet to end of row, chain 1 and turn, repeat. At this point, the piece should measure 7½ inches from the first to the last stitch, and 8 inches (8½ inches for med; 9 inches for large) from the first row to row 42 (med—44; large 46).

Rotate: Turn the whole piece 90° so that what once were sides are now top and bottom, and what once were top and bottom are now sides. A ribbed effect should be evident.

Working along the top of hat, single crochet in first ending row stitch, skip next row*, single crochet in next ending row stitch, repeat from * across, ending with single crochet in last single crochet.

Optional Tassel

Chain 12, turn, slip stitch in next single crochet, chain 12, slip stitch in next single crochet, repeat from # across.

Finishing: Fasten off leaving 20- to 25-inch tail. Using a darning needle, weave tail through top of final row. Pull to draw closed. With wrong sides together, secure closure with a whip stitch. Using a whip stitch, sew back seam with remaining tail. Fasten off and weave end through whip stitch.


Knitted Hats for Newborns

1. Cast on 60 stitches
2. Knit 2, pearl 2 for 6"
3. Knit 2 together, pearl 2 together
4. Pearl one row
5. Knit 2 together
6. Pearl one row
7. Knit 2 together until you have 8 to 10 stitches
8. Pull yarn through remaining stitches and sew together
A little pom pom on the top is up to you

A more legible pdf version can be found here.

Sisters in Zion: A Special Thanks

I wanted to take a moment to thank all the sisters in the ward who provided service to the Johnson family in this difficult time for them. As we prepared for the luncheon, there were so many sisters wanting to help, it was difficult coming up with things for them to do.

I can't tell you what a relief it was to me to know everything was 'under control' because of the fabulous sisters of the Olde Oaks Ward. Every one of you came through for me. So, whether you brought in dinners to the Johnson home, helped with the luncheon, participated in the memorial service, provided childcare for others so they could attend, or provided some thoughtful service known only to a few, thank you. Your kindness is deeply felt.

Eve Lechaminant keeps the wee bits entertained.


These are probably the best disciplined children I've ever seen. I never knew five children could be so still.


They also serve who sit and wait: (l-r) Marjorie Ricker, Lorraine Ricker, and Verlayn Keller wait for the guests to arrive.


At the last minute, I looked at the bleak gym and said, 'Can you make that look—better?" The ladies were up to the challenge. Using spare wicker baskets and residual flowers, they whipped the place into shape in nothing flat.



April bullied us into standing still for a picture. She wanted something more than the empty gym and table settings. Go figure.

My peeps (at least, those who couldn't escape April's camera): (l-r)Jeanette Schadler, Donna Corbin, Penny Freeman, Rosalyn Davies, Lucy Stern.


The lady behind the camera, April Lewis. She really is as charming as she looks. (Yep, April. I grabbed this from your FB album.)

Blog of the Week: Let Us Prepare

From an email my sister sent me, I found "Let Us Prepare", which is a blog focusing on many different aspects of emergency preparedness. this blog to this handout, "Let There Be Light". which is very nicely done. Debbie Kent has done a fantastic job cataloging and evaluating various heat/power source options for when electricity is lost. This has obviously been compiled for a colder climate and would require a bit of re-prioritizing (less firewood, more propane/gasoline for generators, etc), but it's a fantastic reference. For future reference, should the above link cease to be available, I have uploaded this handout onto our download site, and you can find it here.

The blog itself offers information and videos on a smattering of various subjects, but her best features are her "challenges", such as, "this week, prepare to be stranded in your car overnight in a snowstorm." She then gives a list of the articles a family would need to store in their vehicle to survive such an eventuality. Again, climate differences have to be factored in, but for folks with preparedness priority paralysis, this blog provides a much needed nudge into your baby steps.