Red Dog Babies aka the Dutchicans

Poison Ivy vs. a condo

moohlah@att.net (Pat DeLeeuw) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 02:59:00 +0000

The good news?? The Blond Bombshell(known as Caitlin) has arrived by plane. She actually flew by herself for the first time-and got bumped up to 1st class and a window seat. Being extremely blond gets her just about anything. She had a great time. We picked her up at the Detroit Airport . Her Papa left the next day with Uncle Matt and flew to Las Vegas for a Convention so it has been BB and me alone . I need a nap.
So far we have attended a graduation party, worked at the Yarn Garden while Lindsay(the new owner) went to TNNA , and have played many games of Uno and Sorry. We also hosted the Great Carsoni(grandson Carsen) for a day of play-it poured. His Mom and I both needed naps.
Some knitting has been going on. Her sweater coat(no pattern, I'm winging it--scary huh??!) is almost done. A baby dress from Bamboo (Yarn Garden) is almost done and I am almost out of Malabrigo. Thank God Lindsay ordered lots for the YG. That sweater coat is eating up the Malabrigo chunky. Caitlin is knitting a scarf from Cascade 220. One row at a sitting. Being 7 means being on the go.
The bad news? I am covered in Pois0n Ivy. I weeded one of the front gardens and ,as usual, found myself covered from head to toe in weepy water blisters. I itch. I am grumpy. All I wanted was a small Condo-one pot of geraniums and maybe a fern for the porch. I got 130 acres of which , I swear, 129.9 is covered in Poison Ivy . Sigh. Caitlin keeps telling me to stop scratching-- 7 year olds think they are in charge of everyone. I keep singing"You're Not the Boss of Me" but ,like her mother before her, she knows she is.
I can't wait to start the baby sweater on the Harlot's blog. Rob is making up kits -you can nab one after me. It is so cute and like I said, everyone I know has a grown child having a baby.
Dan comes home in the am so I may actually get to Weds. morning knitting-alone.
Oh, (gawd, this is rambling) I also ordered yarn for the Polkadot circle coat from Berroco. It is on their website-the pattern-but you can't order yarn from them so I looked up all the LYS kn Michigan that carry that particular yarn(Boho Colors) and after 22(yes, I tried locally 1st) I finally scored Boho in Chili Pepper which is what the Blond Bomshell had her heart set on. It is alot like the circle jacket on the cover of Vogue last year. Busy, Busy.
Now I just need to find more hours in the day to knit-and I still need that nap.

Hi Ho,Hi Ho, it's off to the warm south I go!

moohlah@att.net (Pat DeLeeuw) — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 19:46:00 +0000

Well,
It is now official-I have a blog and Sarah Peasley has put my button on her blog!! Maybe more of you will find me now. Dan and I leave in the early am. for Savannah ,Ga. and Lady's Island, S. C.
A business trip combined with seeing our daughter and her family. It will be warm-I hope and sunny! I will get little knitting done-but will play lots of Sorry! and card games and read stories,etc. I also will get to look at lots of new jewelry at the convention and shop in Savannah while my husband takes seminars on how to be a better jeweler.
I love the area down there-not to mention the weather but I will probably only be there once more before they move to Quantico, Virginia. At least they are moving in the right direction-North!!!!! If anyone is moving to Lady's Island or Beaufort,S.C., let me know-I know of a great house for sale!!
Starting the collar on the shawl vest-the steek cutting and the armholes went well. Finishing up a moebeuis shawl and a few other projects that have been marinating forever.
Time to start packing-I am going to Guild tonight no matter what!!
Thanks, Sarah for making me official.

Many Thanks to all of You!

noreply@blogger.com (Red Dog Knits - Kristi and Otis) — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 01:51:00 +0000

As Sarah already mentioned, we did the exhange and WOW! That's a lot of knits!!!! As some of you may know from my blog, we immediately headed to the hospital after dropping off the knits at home to meet up with the ambulance to head to U of M hospital. Austin underwent open heart surgery to patch a Ventriculat Septal Defect in his heart on Friday. He is recovering slow but sure and we hope to all be home together in a couple weeks.

Please Please do not think we have forgotten all these lovely gifts - Noel and I both want everyone to know that we plan to delve into them ASAP and start clicking the photos ;) Our battery recharger will be put in overdrive!

Austin is still very small and swims in the tiniest of preemie caps so no knit will be outgrown. Gerrit is thriving (I'm already worrying about what our grocery bills will be like in a few short years the way this guy sucks his bottles down and I have started to count my fingers to make sure I'm didn't loose any during his mealtimes).

I feel so blessed to have become a part of the knitting community both in person and virtual - all your kindness during the loss of Eli and your continued motivation and well wishes for the boys is something that has really touched me and our family. Please accept a big virtual hug from me and the fam and well wishes to all of you for a happy holiday season. The only thing I have left to ask of each of you is to hold your family tight and dear and never forget how much you love each and every one of them even if they do things that make it hard to love them. We feel so blessed with these boys and for Elija who touched and changed us in ways that words can never explain.

The handoff!

noreply@blogger.com (handknitter) — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 03:31:00 +0000

Kristi and I finally arranged a hand-off of the Dutchican's gifts this morning. Here's proof!

Look at those tubs full of gifts -- those packages are really crammed in there (thank goodness hand knits are squishy!). You guys have been SOOO generous!

Watch for baby Dutchicans appearing in adorable handknits soon!

Arrivals, Names, and great news!

noreply@blogger.com (KnitterBunny) — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 19:35:00 +0000

At approximately 9:30 this morning, two brand spankin' new knitters were added to the Garcia family. (I can call them knitters, right?)

Gerrit Nikolaas* and Austin Noel both weighed 4 pounds even and are breathing room air unassisted.

They will remain in the NICU for approximately 4 weeks and will be home by Christmas!!

Congratulations to Kristi and Noel on the addition of the boys to your family. Thanks for having all of the knitters along for the ride.

*Kristi please forgive me if I spelled their names wrong.

The babies are coming, the babies are coming!!

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 16:40:00 +0000

Today the babies are coming! I just wanted to post to let Kristi and her family know that she and her boys are in my thoughts and prayers. I cannot wait to see their little faces. Peace, love and brightest blessings, my friends. :)

A hat for Elija

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 03:45:00 +0000

Here's the 3rd hat I knit for the Dutchicans. By the time I got to the third hat I was in the zone. It took the least amount of time to finish. Now to make a red and white one for a little one I know. It will be just the cutest hat for Christmas time. All the best to the family on the big day!!

This will be donated to the Pine Ridge Reservation Charity a friend collects hand knit goods for. The remaining leftover yarns, yes I still have about 300+ yards left, will make a vest for some worthy child at the Reservation.

One more thing for the Dutchicans

noreply@blogger.com (Christina) — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 04:58:00 +0000

I noticed there was only one blanket made for the two boys to share. Now every baby should have their own handmade blanket, so I whipped up one. The blanket is just a giant granny square with a single crochet edging. It won't get there before the boys are born Thursday, but it should be waiting for them when they come home from the NICU.

Still here...

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 18:22:00 +0000

As usual, I'm the last one to leave the party. Here's a little sweater that turned out pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself.

Details: "Ribbon-tied Wool Vest" from Simple Knits for Cherished Babies, by Erika Knight. I made it a little longer and changed the neckline. Knit on size 3 needles out of various stash yarns (all baby wools), although of course I ran out of the grey and had to get more. Size is 6-9 months.

Thanks to Sarah for imparting upon me the mad finishing skillz. It helped!

Winners, Winners, Winners

noreply@blogger.com (KnitterBunny) — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 04:06:00 +0000

Sarah and I played phone tag tonight and when we got connected, we picked winners. It was kind of hard with the whole reaching through the phone to grab a name, but we made it work. Ok, what I really did was write names down and have my mom pull them out of a basket. Without further to do, here are the winners.

Gypsy Knits Superwash Sock Yarn to Arleta
Lorna's Laces to Bezzie
Alpaca With a Twist Fino to Julie (sorry for the confusion ladies, it was late, and you both won!)
Alpaca With a Twist Fino to Rae
Knit Picks Dye Your Own Yarn to Ren
"Red Dog Knits" color yarn to Samantha
Socks That Rock Lightweight to Sharon
Mohair Boucle to Kyra
Jaeger Super Kid to Kelly
Koigu to Connie
Knit Picks Shadow to Heidi

I'll be emailing each of you, so if you don't get an email from me, please let me know.

Want to know what all was knit? All right, I'll tell you.
38 Hats, 16 Pairs of Socks, 15 Bibs, 14 Pairs of Booties, 13 Sweaters, 11 Toys, 8 Washclothes, 4 Pairs of Mittens, 3 Vests, 2 Pairs of Slippers, 1 Blankie

That's 125 items all for the babies. You all just warm my heart and I know that there are bloggers still finishing items even though they didn't make the deadline.

Thank you for your time, generosity, love, and caring. I can't let you all know just how much I appreciate you and everything you've done for Kristi. I'm very grateful.

Another lil' sweater

ambymcneil@sbcglobal.net (Amby) — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 03:44:00 +0000

I didn't quite make it in time for the deadline, but the last thing I need is to be angling for more yarn anyway! But I do have another finished sweater...
PATTERN: Seamless Yoked Baby Sweater, designed by Carole Barenys, free pattern here
YARN: Patons Decor
NEEDLES: First Clover bamboo straights, then KnitPicks Options, U.S. #4, sleeves with Crystal Palace Bamboo DPNs
BUTTONS: Ladybugs, from Have You Any Wool?
NOTES: Ok, so I must confess that I was swept away by the cuteness of the buttons and didn't realize until later that I was sewing LADYbugs onto a BOY'S sweater. Much angst and fretting followed until an impatient JP said "Honey, it's for an infant. And they're BUGS! Boys like bugs!" So I guess they're ok for now!
I like the Patons Decor, but DANG it's hard on the hands...not sure how soon I'll use this yarn again. It does knit up to a nice warm tight fabric though...just right for keeping little babies warm in icy windy cold Michigan winters!

It ain't over 'til it's over!

noreply@blogger.com (handknitter) — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 01:18:00 +0000

It's been like Christmas at my house, with packages arriving daily for Kristi's babies. There've been so many that the mail-lady has been carrying them up to the door in plastic tubs! I'm thinking about pretending I know nothing about the Dutchicans and hiding all these gorgeous handknits away for my future grandchildren. Think anyone will notice?

Just kidding!!!

My mother-in-law was visiting me today. She knows nothing about computers, or e-mail, or the Internet, although I've shown her my blog from time to time. I showed her the pile of packages from today's mail and explained to her what they were all about. We opened them together and held the tiny knitted items in our hands. She was overcome with emotion at this tangible evidence of virtual strangers from all over the continent caring so deeply for one another.

Kelli and I want to thank all of you AGAIN for your hard work, for your kindness, and for your generosity. I won't put words into Kristi's mouth (like I just did for Kelli!), but I know you're all aware of what a wonderful thing you're doing for her and for her family.

I also want to remind you that I will continue to accept handknits for Kristi's babies for as long as you continue to send them to me.

Sarah

The last couple things in the box

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 12:37:00 +0000

These are the last couple things in the box I mailed yesterday. 2 fruit hats for when the boys are about 2.
And 8 baby washclothes.

Keepin' Kool

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Knitorious) — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 16:21:00 +0000

Well, my photo won't load... I finished a sweater last night using some warm & washable Kool Wool that I had in stash. It's mostly black, with red & purple stripes and my daughter is taking it to the P.O. for me today. You can see it on my regular blog, here, and I will try to try uploading here again later.

Good vibes and well wishes flooding across the lake from Wisconsin! ; )

finally my contribution...

noreply@blogger.com (laurie) — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 07:07:00 +0000

...to the warming of wee ~~dutchicans~~ sparticans ;-)

these will be passed into sarah's nimble hands tonight (yeah it's after midnight...i'm a night owl lol)

continuing to send positive vibes to the new family :-)

More booties on their way!

noreply@blogger.com (Christina) — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 06:05:00 +0000

I squeezed in a couple Angora Baby Booties from Last Minute Knitted Gifts for the boys. Both are made with the very washable Venice by Passport Yarn Co.

down to the wire!

noreply@blogger.com (CelticCastOn) — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 23:50:00 +0000

I'm cutting it close but i've just finished 2 sweaters for the boys. Hopefully these will keep them warm during the winter months! They will be going postal in the morning!

Gratitude

noreply@blogger.com (Red Dog Knits - Kristi and Otis) — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 14:56:00 +0000

I wish there was some way that I could truly express our appreciation and gratitude to each of you for your knitting, kindness, prayers, and well wishes. We have been on a very long and emotional rollercoaster and now we are just counting down the days that we get to meet these two little guys in person. Nothing could have ever prepared us for the loss of Elija and we will continue to grieve for him. His brothers will always know about their brother and Noel and I have already discussed many ways that we can symbolically pay tribute to Eli so that he will forever be remembered.

Knitting is healing. Sara's post that closed with the quote by Elizabeth Zimmerman - ""Knit on, with confidence and hope, through all crises"" was something that really had an impact on me. With red swollen eyes I would just stare blankly at the the corner where my knitting bag sat and never thought I would ever want to knit again. The night before yesterday's ultrasound and testing, I was so anxious I decided to pick up the sock using the yarn that Susie made for me called "Kristi's Hope" and I knit until I passed out with exhaustion. I wore the same handknit socks to the appt. as the ones when we were told we were pregnant on May 30. Hubby wants me to wear them until November 17 but I told him that could be a health hazard but did decide that I will wear them for the delivery.

Many of you have shared with me your own personal loses and tragedies and how knitting was a way for you to celebrate their lives and remain connected to that person - to grieve. I couldn't agree more. It has been healing for us to watch this site in the past week and see knitters cheering on Eli's brothers or making donations to their local charities in memory of Eli. Besides being the most stylish boys you have ever seen, I can promise you that each item will be cherished and loved. I will be reminded every time they put on a bootie, cap, sweater, bib, or play with a toy, that each stitch made was made from the heart and that you all shared with us in this rollercoaster of both sadness and celebration.

Thank you to everyone. Words just can't capture our appreciation in being the recipients of such thoughtful gifts from such special people.

I look forward to presenting my next two FO's on November 17.

Booties on the Road

noreply@blogger.com (Kyra) — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 14:53:00 +0000

I finished these little jewels over the weekend and sent them off to Sarah first thing Monday morning. Much love to Kristi and Noel and the boys and the fur fam!

More in the mail!

noreply@blogger.com (Betsy) — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 12:44:00 +0000

Sorry I haven't been posting...I came late to the party and I have been knitting furiously! So in the mail today go:
3 bibs - All from the Mason Dixon Knitting pattern; two in 1824 cotton (I cornered the market on this stuff when it was discontinued...I am so glad it's back) and one in Cascade Fixation Bulky (which I would not use again for a bib - too stiff but will probably soften much in washing). I put a sailboat button on the blue one - I live on a lake and am sending a fresh breeze to the Dutchicans! The gold one has a Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle button (I had one left over from some other project-perfect!). The multi-colored one has a plain wooden button...it already had enough pizzaz and when covered with strained peas and carrots ought to look just wild enough!
3 sweaters
Grey one in Rowan Cashsoft DK from EZ Knitter Almanac February -the gull lace one - I thought it might be feminine but my husband absolutely was floored by it and said it was a perfect baby sweater-wants me to knit one exactly the same for our forthcoming grandson that is due in March...
Gold one in Sirdar Snuggly DK from EZ Baby Surprise - this is my "go to" sweater and I usually always have one on the needles (note this pattern makes a perfect Dulaan sweater if knit in bulky weight wool)
Demin one in Sirdar Denim Tweed DK from Placket sweater from Last Minute Gifts - the corrected version at PurlSoho.com-this was a great knit...another one that I will do again!

It's a bad picture ...not quite sure why this came out so fuzzy...too much coffee already perhaps:>)...
Thanks for letting me help Warm the Dutchicans! Virtual Baby Showers are fun!
Betsy

Keeping Tiny Toes Toasty Warm

noreply@blogger.com (Sharon) — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 03:35:00 +0000

I present felted slippers for the boys to grow into.

We're Down to the Wire!

noreply@blogger.com (KnitterBunny) — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:07:00 +0000

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...

noreply@blogger.com (aija) — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 05:25:00 +0000

"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

noreply@blogger.com (Erin) — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 18:48:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Diane) — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 17:36:00 +0000

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.