Loving hands

Two great big boxes full of donations were delivered yesterday-they came from the lovely ladies at Loving hands.

Like everything that they have sent before each and every item has been beautifully made. The parcels included hats, blankets,bootees, toys,dresses,cardigans, lots and lots of jumpers to fit older children which is just fantastic and a huge mountain of sanitary towel sets which I know will be appreciated so much.

The pictures speak for themselves……….   

Wonderful stuff!

Thank you so much for supporting the project with such dedication.

Otley knitters

More gorgeous knits from the ladies at Otley knitting group. I just love the idea of diamond patterned patchworks and I think I am going to attempt to make one with some of the wonderful squares that have been donated recently.

Thank you so much for your wonderful donations!

And a few more…….

Two parcels came from Francis- the first had a beautiful crochet blanket and four lovely baby cardigans and the second was full of Tesco bargains, a great selection of children’s hats, socks and underwear all of which is so so useful.  Four colourful hats came from a ‘new kniter’ although they are so beautiful made.

Lots of  baby girls clothes were donated by a friend of my Mum, they are so pretty and almost everything is pink. Lastly a parcel full of the prettiest hats and cardigans and a beautiful dress came from Angie and Lyn’s Mum.

Thank you so much ladies, everything is fab!

Buttoned up

A little while ago I wrote a post about a knitting pattern for a baby bonnet that had a ribbon tie.  A lady contacted me about her concerns that the ribbon was a choking hazard.  So here is a slightly adapted version that I believe is more baby friendly.  It has a button closure that can still fit various sizes

Pattern 

The only part which has been changed is the neck band. Follow the bonnet pattern ‘as is’.

For the neckband- using the same size knitting needles cast on 50 stitches.

rows 1,2 and 3 -knit

row 4- k2, yo, k2tog, k until end

rows 5,6 and 7 -knit

cast off. Sew seams  of bonnet and neckband together.

sew on button 

Extension cord- cast on 15 stitches

row 1-knit

cast off

attach one end off the cord to the reverse of the neckband (behind the button) and sew a button onto the other end.    

Baby bonnet

As the next batch of baby and children’s clothes is to be sent to Algeria in the Winter I have been searching for hat patterns that knit up quickly but also look nice.

I think this pattern for a baby bonnet is great, it uses size 4mm needles and is made to fit a newborn baby although, personally I think it would fit a baby up to about 3 months old.

The pattern is free and is available here

**UPDATE** A visitor to the site has kindly pointed out to me that the ribbon tie of the baby bonnet could pose a choking hazzard. The pattern is not one of my designs but I am going to ammend the pattern to use the safer option of a button closure. Details and picture to follow shortly.

Thank-you!

Well, September has been and gone, Some really lovely things were sent to me the past month and a total of 84 items were received. A big thank you to everyone who contributed.

Let’s try and make October even more successful.

Algeria does get a winter and it would be wonderful to send some extra hats,gloves and blankets for these colder months so that the kiddies can be kept nice and warm.

Thanks so much for your support, Emma x

Just beautiful

Today I received a lovely parcel of donations from a lady in Bridgend. She had made the most beautiful baby cardigan, a great blue jumper and a beige jumper for an older child plus two snugly scarves. Clearly she is a very talented knitter!

Personally, I’m not very good at doing long knitting projects so usually stick to baby and toddler sizes But, for any one who has more staying power than me clothing for older children is also much needed and appreciated. As always all colours and types of yarn may be used.   

And here it is

Taking inspiration from the five hour sweater I wrote about before, here is my pattern for a matching hat. It is quite easy to make, only uses a little yarn and knits up very quickly. This pattern is to fit a baby  3-6 months old. The pattern to fit a newborn baby can be found here .

PATTERN 

Use 4.5mm / US 7 knitting needles and 4ply yarn

Gauge -20 stitches and 24 rows =4″ over stockinette stitch 

Abreviations

K-KNIT

P-PURL

K2TOG- KNIT TWO STITCHES TOGETHER

P2TOG- PURL TWO STITCHES TOGETHER

 

Cast on 73 stitches

R1- k

R2- KNIT

R3-K2TOG, YO,  UNTIL 3 STITCHES REMAIN,   K2TOG, K1  (72 STITCHES)

R4-P

R5-K

R6- P

R7-K2TOG (36 STITCHES)

R8-k1, INSERT NEEDLE INTO THE DIAGONAL (71 STITCHES)

R9-K

R10-P

R11-K2TOG UNTIL LAST STITCH, K1

R12-K1, INSERT NEEDLE INTO DIAGONAL (71 STITCHES)

R13-K

R14-P

R15-K

R16-P

R17-K

R18-P

R19-K

R20-P

R21-K

R22-P

R23-K

R24-P

R25-K

R26-P

R27-K

R28-P

R29-K10,K2TOG (REPEAT UNTIL LAST STITCH) K1

R30-P2TOG,P9 REPEAT UNTIL END

R31-K8,K2TOG REPEAT

R32-P2TOG,P7 REPEAT

R33-K6,K2TOG REPEAT

R34-P2TOG, P5 REPEAT

R35-K4,K2TOG REPEAT

R36-P2TOG,P3 REPEAT

R37-K2,K2TOG REPEAT

R38-P2TOG,P1 REPEAT

R39-K2TOG REPEAT

R40-P2TOG  REPEAT    ( STITCHES)

Cut yarn and thread through remaining stitches.

Turn inside out and sew up the seam, weave in any loose ends.

Thread a ribbon through the eyelets if desired ( note that both ribbon ends should come out of the same eyelet to make a bow)

If you spot any mistakes please leave a comment and I will make corrections.

footnotes

* *Insert needle into the diagonal means to insert the needle under the horizontal loop of the row below and then knit this -so making a new  stitch

All patterns can be used for whatever purpose you wish but the pattern is copyright to me, Emma Waller.

A hat in the making

Here is the beginning of a baby hat.  I really enjoyed making the five hour sweater and wanted to make a hat using a similar stitch pattern. I should finish it soon and will post the pattern for it here.  

Also, just thought I’d mention that knitted / crocheted baby clothes can be any colour- no need to stick to pastels, unless you want to of course!

All donations are welcome.