We're Down to the Wire!
Ok folks! If you haven't sent your things in yet, the final day for submissions is Nov. 2 to be included in the drawing. So if you want in on the fun your package needs to be postmarked by
Nov. 2 in order to make it in the drawing.
We'll line up the prizes, get the names in order, and draw for the yarny goodness on Nov. 7. (May as well have something good to look forward to on election day right?) By my calculations (and what's been posted on the blog) we have
100 items that have been knit for Kristi's babies.
Now Sarah has informed that as of tonight (due to her handy dandy fancy spreadsheet) that we have only 1/4 of those in her hands. So, if you knit up some snuggly things for the Dutchicans make sure you get it in the mail tomorrow or Thursday if you want a chance at the prizes. :)
Some things to remember!1. If for some reason I missed putting you up on the side bar let me know.
2. Try to post to the blog or leave a comment when you mail your package.
3. If you need Sarah's address email me (there's a button in the sidebar if you prefer) at krisdutch AT aol DOT com.
4. Don't forget to include your name, address, email, blog, and what you knit either with your items or in an email to me.
I want to express my thanks once again for all of the time and love that you have put into these gifts for Kristi. You have all enriched my life in the last few months and I look forward to the day when I can meet each one of you.
Kelli~ Knitter Bunny
A simple sweater in the mail...
"
Daisy" sweater from
Knitty Summer 2003,
Interlacements Toasty Toes in "turkish carpet." Sent off with the pony express today along with much love for the entire Dutchican family.
Thanks for letting me be a part of this baby shower, its meant quite a bit more than I'll ever be able to express.
Pile O'Hats
This is my first Blogger post so my apologies if it's messed up.
Here is a pile o'preemie hats. I read that preemies have to wear a hat whenever they're outside of the incubator, so they don't lose heat and waste energy. The plain blue are super-preemie (under 4 lbs), and the gray one is regular preemie (over 4 lbs.). I was going to make more, but then I saw the number of preemie hats that someone else made, and I thought...no, thanks. I think we have plenty, so I started on something more fun instead.
These look rather deformed in the picture, but they're quite cute and actually head-shaped when the ribbing is stretched out. They're all washable wool (Baby Ull).
Hopefully the super-preemie ones won't be needed if the babies stay put long enough. These could possibly be donated to the hospital for future preemies if they're not needed, or when the boys are done with them.
Now I just need an address to send them to and I'll be all set!
All finish and need the mailing address
Blogger isn't cooperating this morning with pictures but I finished 8 washclothes over the weekend and have everything boxed and ready to go. I'll post pics later when blogger feels like letting me.
Hats Off
Here are the Candy Cane hats I finished last night. I loved knitting this pattern, a very easy pattern, well, once you get past the lack of pattern reading skills I have acquired lately. I started the 1st hat 3 times, the 2nd hat 2 times, and I went ahead and cast on the 3rd hat in 1 try. The last hat will be donated to the Pine Ridge Reservation Charity.
I used Shelridge Farms Superwash yarns on a size 5US needle. The pattern is from Handknit Holidays, a favorite book of mine. I hope these hats will warm the little guys and show the family how much we care.
All the best to the Dutchicans.
Elija (Eli) Domingo Garcia
We are overwhelmed with everyone’s kindness and well wishes and cannot express our appreciation to all of you as we grieve the loss of our baby boy. Today we made the decision to share with others his name - Elija (Eli) Domingo. We have and continue to cry so many tears but know that your kind words are comforting to us. We realized since sharing our loss how much Eli meant to so many people - we cried with our doctor today but left with a feeling of hope for Eli’s two brothers. One of us will attempt to share updates as they become available.
I know that many knitters have either made or are making items for all three babies. You are welcome to make a personal decision as to how you want to celebrate Eli and share these gifts - charities in memory of Eli or otherwise.
We came home from our appointment today to find this left outside our front door by Noel’s co-workers and we both feel it sums up what we are feeling.
To All Parents by Edgar A. Guest
“I’ll lend you for a little time a child of mine..” the universe said,
“For you to love the while he lives and mourn for when he’s dead,”
It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three,
But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?”
He’ll bring his charms to gladden you and shall his stay be brief.
You’ll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.”
“I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return
But there are lessons taught there, I want my child to learn
I’ve looked the wide world over in my search for teachers true
And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,
Not hate me when I come to call to take him home again?”
I fancied that I heard them say, “Thy will be done”
For all the joy a child shall bring, the risk of grief we’ll run.
We’ll shelter him with tenderness, we’ll love him while we may
And for the happiness we’ve known forever grateful stay;
But shall the angels call for him much sooner than we’ve planned.
We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.”
Our love to you now and forever Baby Elija,
Mom and Dad
Three Bubby Bears With Scarves
Three Bears
Pattern:
Bubby published in KnittyYarn: Elann Peruvian Highland Wool, plus some scrap yarn for the scarves
Needles: US Size 3 recommended in the pattern and for the light blue scarf, US 2 for the two striped scarves
Modifications: None for the first bear, a shorter neck and shorter arms for bears two and three, and shorter legs for bear three because I ran out of yarn and had to scrounge through my scraps to finish him
First little sweater done...
I got the news about Baby B just as I was sewing on the buttons for this little sweater. Keep on posting those finished objects so that Kristi and her husband know that we're still knitting for and thinking about them and their family!
Stats:
Pattern: Easy Cuff-to-Cuff Infant Sweater, pattern
hereYarn: Body is stash-Cascade 220 Superwash (a bit deeper red than the picture shows), crochet edge is stash-Wool-Ease.
Needles: Boye metal straights, size 8
Buttons: Footballs, from
Have You Any Wool?Notes: Sized down the pattern's needles and gave the sweater a gentle tumble through the dryer to snug it up a little bit.
Grief
Baby B is gone, so suddenly and so unfairly. I can't even begin to fathom what Kristi and her husband are going through right now. I don’t know them well enough to interrupt their grieving process to ask what the knitters can do to help, but it just dawned on me what the knitters CAN do. We can keep knitting for the other two boys. There are two more babies in there who we can’t forget about. I think the condolences that are being left in comments are heartfelt and touching and fitting and wonderful, and when Kristi and Noel are ready they can take comfort in them – maybe they already have. But I think the knitters can also keep knitting. It’s what we do best.
I'll continue to accept your knitted gifts for Kristi's boys for as long as you continue to send them in.
"Knit on, with confidence and hope, through all crises" – Elizabeth Zimmerman
Please Take A Moment
Please go visit Kristi's blog if you are visiting us today.
Thank you,
Kelli "Knitter Bunny"
At Last
Well, finally I have started my planned gifts for the Dutchicans. Every time I thought I was going to be able to get started, there was something else that needed to get done! I was able to make 2 out of 3 pairs of socks over the weekend. The plan tonight is to get going on the 3rd pair. I'm hoping to get them done and in the mail by Friday.
Green Pair:
Yarn: Cascade Fixation
Blue Pair:
Wick
bunnies!
i've got two out of three of my bunnies done. the other one will be on the needles soon!
i also have a hat and a pair of booties. they may be sort of large, but the hat is probably more for spring, anyway, and the booties can be tightened. i don't have any babies around to test things out on, so i don't have a very good grasp on what proper sizes are.
We're On A Roll Now
Here's where we stand with knits so far:
Hats 23
Bibs 13
Booties 10
Socks 9
Sweaters 4 (+3 in the works)
Toys 4
Vests 3
Blankies 2 (+2 in the works)
Bonnets 1
Woo Hoo! Knitters are so cool. :) Only 2 more toys and the delivery of the WIPs and we will have surpassed my mark. That's a skein in a color of two winners choices in
Alpaca With a Twist Fino that will go into the pot for prizes. (mmmm, alpaca lace weight) There are more colors available now than what is on the color card too. A coral and a buttery yellow are what I can remember at the moment.
Knit on, friends. :)
I am headed to the post office tomorrow to send away these lovlies. I noticed that there were a lot of hats and booties/socks being put together so I searched for something a little different and came up with this
pattern. The details are a little hard to see - I took the pictures with flash, at night. It’s a great little pattern, knit flat with snaps to accommodate tubes etc but will be very nice for any baby as we all know how hard it is to get those little arms into armholes! The designer says that acrylic is nice and easy to care for but I found some really soft washable wool in my stash, MANLY colors - the red and blue are made from Shepherd Colour 4 me 8 ply, the black is Cleckheaton Country 8 ply natural. I used 1 1/2 skeins for each, about 120 yards. At first my dh couldn’t figure out why I was making these for a complete stranger - then I reminded him that Kristi posted the Empanada recipe - enough said. He just shakes his head regarding triplets - we can’t image any of our kids in triplicate!!
Enjoy!
Getting Started
I feel like I am sooooo behind the rest of the knitters. I have been battling an upper respiratory infection for the last three weeks. It knocked me back once and I was flat on my back for four days and then just when I thought I was getting over it...WHAM...it hit me again. Today is actually my first day up and out of bed. I have however, managed to get started with these cute lil' socks, sort of my own pattern. I don't think they'll fit a preemie but maybe about a six month old. I am pretty lousy at baby sizes. It's been a long time since my nieces and nephews were little. It's a very soft acrylic DK weight, Sirdar Snuggly. My plan is to make six pair and three preemie hats. A little ambitious for me at the moment given all the wip's I have going but these knit up pretty fast so I think I can pull it off close to the arrival of the tres amigos.
Everyone needs a teddy with a scarf right?
This little guy is knit from the "Bubby" pattern from Knitty. Plus I gave him a little scarf. (Dollar bill included for scale. )
I used Elann Peruvian Highland Wool for this little bear and stuffed him with scraps
of yarn leftover from other projects, no fiber fill in this little bear. So even should he accidentally get wet or felted, hopefully he will keep his shape.
Sadly, he has no face. My skills are not very good when it comes to putting the face on little toys. I won't show the first bear that I tried to add a face too. We don't want to scare the children.
Sweater Number Three for Me
Same specs as the one before, just a different color of Plymouth Encore. I started this on Thursday night and finished it this morning.
All of the little knits are so cute. I can't wait to see Kristi's face when she gets all of these handknits. :)
And Here's Another One
I put the ends in after this picture was taken.
Stats:
Pattern: Jimmy Beans Sweater Set (Modified from a cardigan and knit in the round)
Yarn: Plymouth Encore
Needles: Size 6 & 8 DPNs and Circulars
I love making these baby sweaters in the round. I want to get one more finished to send. I have a lovely green to use.
If you are wondering how I modified it to knit in the round, I used the basic schematics of the Jimmy Beans pattern and then cast on to have 12 stitches in the front and alternated the knit in front and back rows with plain knit rows while knitting in the round. Other than that I followed the pattern provided. :)
my third toy!
would you be scared if you saw this little guy slithering towards you...?
you really shouldn't be... he's a sweetie!
another toy!
my second toy! this one is a pastel green (faceless) kitty with a big pink heart on his chest. he's a full foot tall (which i was hardly expecting when i started!). he's pretty firmly stuffed, but still pretty huggable. i almost want to keep him for myself, but i won't, haha!
A Little Reminder :)
Once you have sent off your package, please send me an email with your full name, email address, blog (if you have one), snail mail address (in case you win a prize) and the item(s) you knit. If you could include a picture, that would be great.
My email address is available on my blog and in the sidebar here under "Email me!" Sarah and I are cooking up some creative "presentation" ideas and want to make sure everyone is included
Hugs and props to the Dutchican Knitters, you make my day better every time I visit the blog(s). Yes, I have been reading up on ya'll. ;)
16 Days Left!
Here's where we stand on Baby Gifts. :)
12 Bibs! 18 Socks/Booties! 1 Bonnet! 2 Blankies (and 2 in the works)! 21 Hats! 1 Pair of Mittens! 3 Vests! 2 Sweaters! and 1 Toy!
That's
51 handknit items finished.
51. I can't believe how much each of you have given and I just want to thank you all for your kindness and the time you took to make each handknit.
I know the three little Dutchicans will be surrounded by knitterly love and it just warms my heart something fierce. (No really, anyone have a fire extinguisher? I think I might combust!)
As it stands we are 4 sweaters and 5 toys away from two extra prizes and I'll give you a little hint, I'm making a sweater. So really that leaves
3 sweaters and 5 toys.
16 Days,
3 Sweaters , and 5 Toys, will the Dutchican Knitters make it? Will there be some butt whooping because I tried to measure Kristi's belly? Will my heart combust setting my cubicle on fire? You tell me. :)
***Did I say we still needed 3 sweaters? Naw, we don't need three more sweaters to meet the quota, Amby is already knitting them!!! :) Amby rocks.
Tune in next time for more of the exciting adventures of
The Dutchican Knitters!PS anyone think of a good game to play?
PPS If I missed putting anyone in the sidebar, please let me know. I want to make sure that I give everyone credit for the items they made.
a ducky!
hi everyone! i finally have a baby item to post here! i knit up a ducky...
(there are a few more details about it at
my blog...)
Booties and things
Love making things for babies. 6 pr of booties.
3 pr of socks for when they get a little older. Just have to finish the ends.
And a few hats.
3 Newborn Vests
Well! I finished the newborn vests I made - I need to block them though first so will post pictures in a couple of days!
Jack and Jill Went Up the Hill
But there are a lot of great nursery rhymes out there. Which one was/is your favorite nursery rhyme?
Mine is :
Georgie Porgie, puddin' pie
who kissed the girls and made them cry
when all the boys came out to play
Georgie Porgie ran away
Why is it my favorite? Well, my brother named one of our kittens George a few years ago and we found out that George was actually a Georgette. :) So it makes me laugh when I sing it to her. (Yes, I do sing it to the cat. So. You probably talk to your computer.) ;)
If its a common rhyme the first line is fine, but if it isn't well known feel free to leave the whole rhyme. :)
Bibbikers and Noggin warmers!
I have 7 premie hats and a bib so far. I figure those little guys are gonna need to be all toasty in the hospital too but feel free to let me know if you don't think the premie hats would be of use to you. Now I'm off to find my pattern book and start something else.
Finished Cardigan
I finished a cardigan for the triplets. It was a great and easy knit. I hope they like it as much as I liked knitting it. :)
Pattern: Easy Baby Cardi by Knitting Pure & Simple. (This cardi is a top-down pattern).
Yarn: Sirdar Snuggley Baby DK
Three booties for thee.....
finished and ready to post....
Bibs!
Oh, and now that I've got the hang of this picture thing, here are the bibs I made for Kristi's boys, arranged in stacks of three. 3 x 4 = 12, so these should get Kristi and hubbo through about half a day before they need to go in the wash!!!
All worsted weight, unmercerized cottons.
Baby Genius Burp Cloths, from Maxon-Dixon Knitting (page 133).
Prizes!
I never posted photos of the prizes I put in the pot, did I?
First, a hank of mohair boucle hand dyed by LynnH of
ColorJoy. 150 yards, wool/mohair/nylon. Pink with a little purple mixed in.
Second, two balls of Jaeger Super Kid. Each ball is 25 gm, 112 m, 72% mohair, 28% polyamid. Multi-colored.
Third, two hanks of Koigu KPPPM. Each hank is 50 gms, 175 yds/ 160 m, 100% merino wool. Pinks and purples.
Pink, fuzzy and pink -- definitely NOT boy yarn!
A hat for Zoolander
This little hat is made with Cascade fixation (cotton/elastic blend), and the pic doesn't really do it justice because it is truly the color of a tennis ball. I actually knit this hat a few months ago for the bun I am cooking.. but it came out smaller than newborn size..(plus I just found out it is the wrong color for my little pink bundle) since Zoolander is one of the bigger babes this will be a perfect fit, not to mention it is stretchy due to the elastic so you may get some mileage out of it...I just love bright colors on little ones, and I hope you do to since this hat will likely glow in the dark...
Name Game Time!!
Game Time for everyone participating. We're going to play the baby boy name game. Each person posts a name that starts with the letter following the last one posted.
I'm going to start the game off with the letter "A." My guess for one of Kristi's baby boy names is:
Aleron I'm tagging the next person who reads this! Just do a quick post with the next letter. We'll stop when we get to the last participant or "Z" whichever comes first!
Tally Time!
Ok folks, here's what we have so far:
Bibs-12
Hats-8
Socks/Booties- 8
Blankies-2
Bonnets-1
Mittens-1
Sweaters-1
How many items do we need to meet the extra prize quota? Not very many!
Socks/Booties- 1
Hats-1
****Update! Erin knit three hats!
Sweaters-5
Toys-6
Blankies-1
**** Update! Kathy is nearly done with blankie number 3! And remember, if we blow by this goal I'll add on another prize. We have 23 days left to knit for the Dutchicans! Anyone know any good party games that we can blog-play? Don't make me come up with one because it won't be pretty. lol
Finito!
Three mini-mite hats for the Red Dog Trips!
And I couldn't help but snap a picture of them in my hand when I scooped them up after the photo shoot!
Too freakin' cute! But not as cute as they'll be when they're atop the Triplets' noggins!
The pattern is a variation of my own Black Widow Baby hat. I made it smaller to fit more newborny sized heads.
Kristi, I would like to thank you for only have three kids at a time. If these had been quadruplets and I had to sew on another eight legs to a hat--I would have gone mad! Hee hee!
Now, um, who/where do I send them?
I'm a bootie factory
Somehow this pair came out matching and I made absolutely no effort to that end....I'm having so much fun making these. You guys may have opened up a big can of worms....
Wee Booties
Although Kristi and I don't know eachother I know that if we did we would be friends. I stumbled across her blog some time ago and have been reading ever since. My husband and I have a rescued red dog, found living in a culvert in a national forest. He looks just like Otis, perhaps they are long lost cousins....
When I saw this virtual baby shower, I knew instantly what I would do with my surplus sock yarn bits. Better get busy, as I have two more pair to do.....
gifts for the Dutchicans
One adorable baby blanket, three bitty hats, two eensy pair of socks, one pair teeny booties, and one pair of baby mittens. I knitted the hats, and socks, and booties. My friend Cindy with no blog gave me the blanket and mittens. The blanket is such a gorgeous pattern, bobbles, and seed stitch, just adorable. Someone put a lot of work, and love into this little blankie. It is hand made out of acrylic, I think. It's almost hard to send this blanket, it's so cute. I think I might have to copy it for another pregnant friend. I'm putting another picture of the hats and socks on
my blog. I can't wait for Kristi to get these. They are so cute!
A wee hat for chili...
A baby with the nickname chili needs a chili red hat! I knit this little hat up with some red speckled woolease, I made it bigger than a preemie hat but smaller than a newborn so it should be just right.
Heidi
Unblocked, Bunny Hair and All
Ok, marry the first picture to the second picture and you might have the true color of this little sweater. I modified the cardigan pattern that I used for Jason and Theresa's baby to make this bitty sweater. Sorry about the extra bunny hair in this one, I was knitting it at the rabbit show yesterday. :)
At just over two skeins of Mission Falls 1824 this was a great little knit. I have yarn left over to make a hat to go with this sweater AND it is sturdy and warm. No cold babies at this shower! Uh, uh.
One sweater and one hat down. One sweater and at least one hat still on the list. We'll see where my knit adventures take me next. Homework? I'm not ignoring homework to play with baby knits. Nope, not me. ;)
Prize Patrol
Just wanted to add a little sweetness to the pot by donating a skein of some STR lightweight in Seastone to the prize booty. We are just amazed at the beautiful knitting that is happening for the boys - I spoke with my mom last night who was also a little wheepy when I told her what was going on. As many of you know, she had carpal tunnel surgery a few months back and feels terrible that she can't knit as much or as fast as she would like to for her first (and last!) grandkids- so she send her gratitude as well.
