This made me think

[mtomm[$]]

of some people I know.

This is a letter to the editor from my church magazine:

In the June 2007 Ensign, page 72, there is a picture of a newborn baby with a suggestion that one way to provide community service for those with limited time might be to knit newborn hats. This sweet baby picture brought a rush of tears to my eyes. Last November my first grandchildren were born, a little girl and boy, twins. Because they were born several months premature they each weighed barely one pound. On the day of her birth, I held my tiny granddaughter’s body in my arms for the first and only time, as she died soon thereafter. One week later, I held my grandson, also to say goodbye. Amid my grief, on both occasions I was keenly aware of the little hand-knitted caps that had been tenderly placed on their heads, as well as the beautiful little items of clothing some strangers had prepared. I thanked God for those strangers, and how He teaches us to help each other. “I was a stranger . . . and ye clothed me.” These quiet acts of service and kindness brought a moment of sweetness to my aching heart and provided much needed evidence of God’s care, even in the deepest trials.
Jean Strickland, Nevada

[theworm[$]]

Thank you, Margo

[magenta321]

That made me cry too!

[mtomm[$]]

I found it just wonderful to read about someone who has benefited from the same acts of kindness we see RIGHT HERE.

[magenta321]

Yes, it was, that's why I got choked up

[lynnzop[$]]

Margo, thank you for sharing that.

[Penguinlady[$]]

It's nice to read of that perspective from the other side. I crochet for Caps for Kids, as well as for Mad Hatters, although I haven't yet turned in my hats to the latter group. Both provide caps and hats for babies and needy kids; MH also gives out chemo caps to kids and adults. It's a lot of fun to do, especially on our long trips to LA, and there are no rules, so I get to make up my own designs using my leftover yarns.

So it's nice to read about it from the other side. Thanks for sharing that.

[mtomm[$]]

Mittens! Does anybody do mittens? They must be more difficult... I was visiting with the volunteers at the Humanitarian Center I work next to the other day and they commented that they need mittens for the orphanage boxes but they had enough winter hats to last FIVE years!

When I get my sewing machine fixed I'm going to attempt fleece mittens. That can't be hard, right?

[emeleel]

Shouldn't be. Just find a basic hand pattern, enlarge or reduce as needed (to make varying sizes) and attach elastic or a tie.

Funny - I was thinking about fleece mittens just the other day!

[emeleel]

Elastic would be better. It's hard to tie your own mittens.

[emeleel]

Here's one:

Fleece Mittens -- Technical Notes

This one involves bias tape. I've heard of bias tape, never used it:

Fleece Mittens

You could also make them a little large on bottom and just attach a Velcro closure, where you would basically fold the bottom over on itself and velcro it shut.

[mtomm[$]]

I have the basic pattern and the elastic can't be that hard to do. I wish I could trust my husband to look at my sewing machine. But I don't. I'm going to have to wait until my FIL can look at it and if he can't fix it I'll have to take it to a repair shop. There is one at the church but it is a POS and I don't have the patience for that.

I may go buy some fleece and elastic today so I at least have that done. I'm also trying to get trained to make up little educational folders that they use at the Head Start locations locally but the gal was a no show yesterday. I can do those while I'm working.

[mjfrombuffalo[$]]

My grandmother knitted and crocheted both for years. She would do mittens for babies (two squares lashed together basically) but not for kids or adults - she could never master the thumb!

[mtomm[$]]

emeleel said

Here's one:

Fleece Mittens -- Technical Notes

This one involves bias tape. I've heard of bias tape, never used it:

Fleece Mittens

You could also make them a little large on bottom and just attach a Velcro closure, where you would basically fold the bottom over on itself and velcro it shut.

We posted at the same time. Yes, I want them simple!

[mtomm[$]]

mjfrombuffalo said

My grandmother knitted and crocheted both for years. She would do mittens for babies (two squares lashed together basically) but not for kids or adults - she could never master the thumb!

LOL, I'm thinking that WOULD be the hard part.