So I'm back, again. I've spent the last two weeks on a couple different projects for The Preemie Project. We've been lucky enough to have assistance from the Cedar Rapids Iowa Embroidery Guild. They are working on Mother's Tears Hankie's as well as adding the faces to stuffed bears and bunnies. I would like to have at least 35 stuffed animals for our 2/24/2006 bereavement donation. So I've been cutting, sewing, turning, clipping, pinning, pressing, stuffing and sewing up bears and bunnies.
After all of that work I think I ended up with between 50-60 animals ready to send to the embroidery guild. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to take a picture of them before they were picked up. To show what they look like, here is some that were made by Preemie Project volunteer Tracy Batchelder. (Mine are in pastels.)
Next I finally have a picture of my last Finished Object of 2005. Yea! It is a sweater I made for my baby cousin, Emma. I just adore her! She'll be a year old in April. So I made the 12-24 month size. That way she'll be able to wear it next year too. (She is a tiny thing.)
Once I had sewn all of the seams and weaved in the stragglers I was pretty unhappy with the way it turned out. It just wasn't what I had pictured in my head. I decided to block it to see if it would improve. I had NEVER blocked a FO before and had NO idea what I was doing. So my mom helped me. We washed it in the kitchen sink, wrapped it in a towel, squeezed the water out and spread it out on the ironing board. A little light stretching and many pins later, the sweater looked much better. I left it to dry:
Pattern: Debbie Bliss- Special Knits: Ribbed Jacket
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora (3-4 balls)
On the Needles:
Thanksgiving-Christmas
I really enjoyed knitting this sweater. It was a quick easy knit that turned out really cute. I'm trying to decide what to add as a closure. Help me! Do I add a flower, ribbon on each end to tie in a bow or two? Any suggestions?
Now I'm off to prepare for a Preemie Project event on Friday. We've been invited to attend the University of Iowa, Day of Action event and the Iowa Memorial Union. I'm really excited! I hope that we gain a lot of interest and spread the word about premature birth and neonatal death.
Next time I'll have my first FO of 2006 to show as well as everything that is currently on the needles. I have SO much to finish up! Yes, my mom's Clapotis is STILL on the needles! SORRY MOM! It's next on the list.
ON Hold for Now
I'm glad you figured out how to block your sweater- it looks great! I vote a flower closure for it.
I hope everything goes well at the IMU tomorrow!
Posted by: Megan | January 20, 2006 at 10:08 PM
The one face embroidered on the stuffed bear turned out so bad, I decided to leave the rest undone. I would love to see what the guild does.
I think a flower on the sweater would give it just the right feminine touch. I know you will come up with something cute. Great job!
Posted by: wool winder | January 21, 2006 at 08:09 AM
you are anamzing person to work so hard! i hope you get a lot of people inteested and involoved at the university thingy ;) can't wait to see your moms clapotis! and that sweater is darling! i think for a youngster like that a closure would work....
Posted by: catherine | January 21, 2006 at 08:31 PM
That's a lot of stuffed animals to manufacture; you work so hard! Your sweater turned out beautifully too. I look forward to seeing you tonight!
Posted by: Heather | January 24, 2006 at 01:11 PM
I really love that sweater you did for your baby cousin, the color is amazing! I never blocked my FOs before either, but started doing so a while back, and boy, does it make a difference, doesn't it? Once you've done it for the first time, it'll be almost routine to do it, and it sure is worth it!
Posted by: Dipsy D. | February 01, 2006 at 10:36 AM
I'm sure it's clear as day, but is your address posted somewhere so i can mail you a preemie set?
Thanks,
Li
Posted by: Li_B | February 14, 2006 at 09:53 AM
Never mind, I found it! The set will be in the mail today,
Li
Posted by: Li_B | February 14, 2006 at 09:56 AM
Hey girl. It's time you updated us. I bet your up to your nose in preemie outfits and blankets and can't find your pc. :OP
Posted by: Becky | April 05, 2006 at 08:19 PM
I believe the knitted/felted flowers you can find on Knitty would look great on your purple sweater. Possibly in a contrasting color?
http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTpetals.html
Posted by: Jen | June 29, 2006 at 01:19 PM