"Crocheter's are a great group of people, alway's willing to take hook in hand; for the betterment of those in need." (C)1999 Stacy R.
You & I can make a difference in someone's life, just by doing our favorite hobby; crocheting. Whether it's making preemie items for a local hospital, afghans for nursing homes or for those undergoing treatment for life threatening diseases; to caps/hats & scarves for those in need of warmth from the cold or from treatment for illness; it's the giving back to the community, that makes all the difference. If each of us would make just 1 item a week or a month, and donate it to a good cause(nursing home, hospital, hospice, orphanage, even a school near you that needs hats & scarves for it's students); we can make a difference. We can make something wonderful happen. We can make miles & miles, of great big smiles. :-) Join in today, won't you?
Call a hospital near you, and ask what kinds of things they may be in need of. Or, a nursing home, orphanage; or homeless shelter. These places can always use warm blankets/afghans(shelters), lapghans(nursing homes, and hospitals), hat & scarves sets(low income schools in cold climates, orphanages, & homeless shelters), and soft comfy hats(cancer centers, hospitals), preemie hats/ blankies/ gowns(hospitals). Together, we can make a difference.
One thing I like to make, is Preemie Baby Hats/Blankets; afghans & hats of all sizes, for donation to local hospitals. These are items in great need, and are easy n' quick to make up. It's just takes a few short minutes, and something wonderful happens; you have made someone very warm & comfortable.
For adult & kids hats, they may be made out of 4ply yarn; soft & comfy. The pattern I use for this, can be found on the Happy Hats Link below. These work up so nicely and quickly. And, are much appreciated by the recipient. I have donated these to schools, & hospitals in the past. They will also be appreciated at local homeless shelters.((For shelters & schools, make a simple scarf to go with the hats. Each is always in great need.)) Cheery colors of yarn are great.
For preemie babies, blankies & hats must be made in sportweight or babyweight yarn, approx: 15X18 in soft baby colors((Use F-Hook for baby weight yarn, and G-Hook for sportweight yarn.))(pastels).
Here are 2 preemie cap patterns:
#1- Rnd 1) Ch. 4,then do 11 dc in 4th ch from hook, ((ch3 counts as first dc from now on)): join Rnd 2) ch 2, 2 hdc in each st around, join Rnd 3) ch 2, (hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st) repeat around, join Rnd4-20: Sc in each st around, continuing on in a spirl-like round. Make sure that you mark where your first sc is, so that you can refer to it when finishing off/joining at end of 20 rounds. When you get through with 20 rounds, sl st into the same st on that row, like that that you had marked on the 4th row. Rnd 21-24: ch1-sc in same st and around; joining with a sl st in the first sc. When finished with all four rounds, fasten off; & sew ends in. Turn inside out, and roll up last 4 rows as cuff. Your're done! :-)
#2- Preemie cap pattern: Ch43, sc across. ch1, turn; sc across. Continue on until you have reached 14 rows. Fasten off & tuck in ends. Place the wrong sides together and slip stitch up the side; fasten off & tuck in ends. Run a double thickness of yarn through the top of hat, gathering it up; then tie yarn into a knot. Tuck in ends. Turn right side out and roll up cuff(about 4 rows). You're done. :-)
I like to make & donate these preemie caps & blankies to:
Tri-City Medical Center
4002 Vista Way
Oceanside, Ca. 92056
Attn: Tri-City Auxillary(Preemie Caps)
You can make a kids warm during these cold Winter months, by crocheting a warm cap and, or; scarf. Just call your local schools to find out what you can do to help a kid in need. Alot of schools these days. have clothing banks; for families in need of clothes. This would be a wonderful gift for those kids in need.
Warm Caps for Kids or Adults
Use H & I for Childrens caps, and J & K for lg. caps.
Rnd 1) Ch. 5 and sl st. in first ch to form ring., ch3 counts as first dc from now on, do 11 more dc in ring; join
Rnd 2) ch 3, 2 dc in each st, join
Rnd 3) ch 3, (dc in next st, 2 dc in next st) repeat around, join
Rnd4 ) ch 3, (dc in 2 st, 2 dc in next) repeat around, join
(NOTE) I make 2 rows of Rnd 4 to make cap a little longer.
Rnd 5 - 12 ) ch 3, dc in each st.around, join
Rnd 13-15) ch 1, sc in each st, join
Rnd 16) ch 3, dc i each st around. oin and finish off.
(NOTE) Turn last 5 rows up for cuff. This pattern can be done in HDC or in Sc. It's up to you. Follow the pattern above, but; if doing HDC or Sc, you will want to increase the number of rows crocheted, for extra length. :-)
Scarf:
H-Hook
Ch45, sc in 2nd ch from hook; and in each ch across. Ch1, turn. Sc in each st across, ch1; turn. Continue like this until you reach desired length. Fasten off. tuck in ends. You can put fringe on each end of scarf, or leave plain. If you leave plain, please do 1 row sc around entire scarf. :-)
Another wonderful charity program that I have found, is one called Happy Hats. Cancer caps for children & adults, as well as lapghans for those in nursing homes & hospitals. Their webpage link is listed below, with my friendly links. Please check out the wonderful charity crochet that they are involved with.
Friendly Links.......
Happy Hats
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