Simple Woman's Daybook - 11/25/08

It is a day late . . . and next week, it will either be done on Wednesday or not at all . . .


FOR TODAY
Outside my Window... it is raining. But it was supposed to be snowing. I prefer rain over snow.
I am thinking... that I need to make my appointment for physical therapy.
I am thankful for... my health, in spite of the physical therapy stuff . . . there are so many that are not healthy
From the kitchen... made city chicken on Sunday with mashed cauliflower and sweet potatoe fries (baked, actually, not fried), and bread
I am creating... Janet's Lucy Bag. I am onto the straps
I am going... to my sister's for Thanksgiving
I am wearing... black slacks, red sweater, black and gray checked jacket
I am reading... nothing, I have become a slug
I am hoping... to become unslug like when I return
I am hearing... cars slushing through the rain and, oh yeah, my heater clicked on!
Around the house... it is a sty . . . seriously, nothing is getting done.
One of my favorite things... chili, so explain to me why I ate veggies for lunch. sigh.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... taking off from work tomorrow, making cheesecake and an angel food thingee, Jane and Joe are coming over tomorrow evening, going to Peg's house for Thanksgiving, leaving for Dallas on Friday at 6:50 a.m., going to Janet's birthday party (well, going is not really the right word since I am staying at her house and the party is there), she has plans for us all weekend.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... my future son-in-law's daughter got Flat Stanley from school and I took it to Washington with me.

Friday Fill Ins - Friday, November 21

1. The last band I saw live was Elton John at Blossom Music Center.
2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is spending time with my family and laughing.
3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is almost done, I hope.
4. Thoughts of decorating fill my head.
5. I wish I could wear high heels without my feet hurting or limping.
6. Bagpipes remind me of marching into St. Colman's on St. Patrick's Day with the pipes playing and drums whirling. It brings tears to my eyes.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to nothing, tomorrow my plans include go out to my daughter's future in-law's farm for the day and dinner and Sunday, I want to relax and maybe make some cards!

Contest by Kalurah

Contest, there is a contest that I want to tell you about.

Actually, it is a super cool contest so don't miss it (although if you enter and win . . . . then I don't . . . hmmmmmm).

Anyway, go for it friends. You won't be sorry. And Kalurah's items in her shop are fantastic and her photography is well worth a visit to her blog.

ELF Hats - DONE!!

Well, I finally finished Mary's ELF Hat. Seriously, I needed to add the pompom at the top.
The hat is actually much longer than the picture looks (23 inches without counting the pompom). Also, the colors actually look better in "real life" than they do in this pic. I also made one for Zachariah.



Both hats: one for Zachariah and one for Mary. The one with the blues is for Zachariah and, to be honest, I like it better. The colors go better together and even the red looks, I don't know, redder?

The label is from Dave Daniel's in honor of his Aunt Linda. She had provided him with the memory as a boy. The goal is to knit the hat and on Christmas morning leave it outside for your child (grandchild, nephew, niece) to find. Hopefully, the goal is that they find it and believe that they found a hat that an ELF lost the night before.

Here is a pic of the label that I received from Dave.

Simple Woman's Daybook - 11/17/08

FOR TODAY ~

Conscience is what makes a boy tell his mother before his sister does.
-- Evan Esar

Outside my Window... it is cold and snowy, depending on where you live. Where I live (about 20 miles west of downtown Cleveland), we have a dusting of snow. If you go 20 miles east of downtown Cleveland, they have about 8" of snow. I glad I live west.
I am thinking... seriously glad that I live west of Cleveland. It all has to do with the edge and shape of Lake Erie.
I am thankful for... have I mentioned the snow and how happy I am that I live West of the city?
From the kitchen... it was a very busy weekend. We had steak and baked potatoes and broccoli for dinner on Saturday night. Yesterday, Dave spent the day at school moving desks and fixing computers, etc., so we stopped at White Castle (I have never had White Castle) and picked up burgers and fries. Not bad. The cool thing is that they have sweet potatoe fries (yummy).
I am creating... a Lucy bag (shhh)
I am going... to go get my breakfast as soon as I am done with this (LOL)
I am wearing... brown slacks, green shirt, floral sweater
I am reading... Mobility (very boring)
I am hoping... to get my Christmas shopping done soon.
I am hearing... not much of anything, it is very quiet (snow does that)
Around the house... Dave and I cleaned the garage (after dinner Saturday night) and in time to get our vehicles parked in it. It was a blessing this morning to be able to just walk out and get in the van without dealing with snow and/or ice.
One of my favorite things... hot tea with good cookies or biscotti.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... I have a presentation on Friday. I need to get a handle on the budgeting issues. Lindsey has swimming early a.m. Tuesday through Friday.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... exciting isn't it. It is my bike. It has been put away until Spring. I miss it already.

and if you are looking for Simple Woman blog, please go here.

Friday Fill In - 11/14/2008

1. Please feel free to share my blog.
2. When I bake bread I can't help sniffing it occasionally.
3. My favorite thing to cook is lasagna.
4. Laughter is something I can't get enough of.
5. That's the thing I love most about my husband.
6. People at meetings that always ask questions that have already been answered at least once or more always makes me think to myself, what the heck?
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing nothing, tomorrow my plans include coordinating a Reconciliation Retreat for the second graders at our church, 4:30 mass and Sunday, I want to put my feet up!

A day late . . .

During World War II, my Dad was in the Army, stationed in the Philippines. Six months before the war ended, he (and many of his comrades) came down with yellow jaundice and spent a little more than a year in the hospital. At one point and while he was still in the hospital (actually, on 9/24/45), one of his friends did this pencil sketch of my Dad. My Dad, in turn, sent it to his Mom who had it hanging on her wall in her dining room. After Grandma died, my Dad got the sketch back. Against my Dad's better judgment, my Mom hung it her sewing room. And now I have it. And yes, he was this good looking.

I miss you Daddy. Thank you for everything. For the sacrifices for your family and your country. For the pain you suffered for years. For your love. For your patience (five daughters/one bathroom . . . the man was a saint). And for your kindness and gentleness.

May we never forget the sacrifices made by so many in order to keep us safe and secure.

Orchid - first bloom

While I was travelling during the last week of October, I was really concerned about my orchid. The plant was ready to bloom before I left and I kept thinking that the silly thing would bloom while I was gone. However, when I got back to work, the biggest bud had yet to open. When I came into my office last Friday, this is what I saw . . .

and here it is up close and personal.

Isn't this just loverly. I bought the orchid plant a year ago at Smith & Hawken's store in Crocker Park. It was discounted as they wanted to get rid of plants in order to put up the Christmas stuff.

Orchid plants, per se, are not pretty. But the blooms! Well worth the wait.



The plant now has many other blooms.

Seriously, I have people that walk past my office and come back to ask, first, "are they real" and then "wow, how did you get that to do that?"

To be honest, I just did what the packaging and instructions said. Trimmed it back and watered it.

Pretty cool stuff!

And so you might ask me why I keep this at the office . . . because I am here more than I am at home. Of course, it also doesn't help that it is now swim season and Lindsey has to be in the water in the early morning (5:15 on Wednesday and Fridays and 5:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays) which puts me in the office by 5:45 every morning, and, as you can see from the window behind the orchids, it is pitch black outside. The only light is those being shed by the Browns stadium. So for now, when I get here so early, I have a lovely thing to look at.

Simple Woman - 11-10-08

FOR TODAY ~

We learn something every day, and lots of times it's that what we learned the day before was wrong.
-- Bill Vaughan

Outside my Window... I am home today (the washer repair guy is coming sometime between 10:00 and 3:00) Many of the trees have lost their leaves but there are still some that are lush with bright reds and yellows. Since the temp dropped quite a bit over the weekend and this morning it was icy, we have red and yellow that look crystalized.
I am thinking... I would like to work four days a week. I could work from home. I wish my company wasn't so ensconced in a traditional work day pattern.
I am thankful for... gas prices that are under $2.00
From the kitchen... last evening we had baked chicken (crusted with corn flakes -- mix mayo with italian seasoning and some garlic salt, rub chicken breasts in it and then press into crushed corn flakes), cabbage and noodles (too many noodles to the cabbage), brocolli (steamed) and garlic bread. Tonight we are having pseudo stuffed cabbage (or lazy woman's stuffed cabbage . . . you don't make cabbage rolls, you just mix the ground meat, rice, cabbage, onions, seasonings, diced tomatoes, top with a can of tomato soup and bake).
I am creating... Lucy Bag for Janet; socks for Zachariah; gauntlets for Lindsey
I am going... to finish my cleaning the upstairs
I am wearing... jeans (it is Monday and I am at home), a black sweatshirt, slippers
I am reading... not much of anything. I am supposed to be reading Smila's Sense of Snow but have not even started it. I also have to do a presenation a week from Friday and need to prep for that so I really don't have time to read anything except some professional journals.
I am hoping... that last week wasn't our Indian summer and that we will have at least one more week of warm weather
I am hearing... the wind blowing through the trees
Around the house... the washer died after one load on Friday evening. A repairman was coming on Saturday but never showed up. I called another guy yesterday and he is supposed to be coming today. Yesterday, Lindsey, Zachariah and I schlepped the laundry to a laundromat. If it weren't so expensive, it would be a great way to do it. We had everything washed, dried and folded within 75 minutes.
One of my favorite things... spending time with my family (even when they are annoying).
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... meetings, flu vaccine, more meetings, swim team practice every morning (except Mondays), first reconciliation retreat on Saturday
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... one of the pics I am considering for our Christmas card enclosures.

SP 13 Questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
wool; I despise acrylics and fingerlash yarns

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
some containers

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
40 years or so ago . . . my grandmother taught me, cables and mohair. My level would be advanced . . . although I really prefer straight knitting

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
you betcha, see my blog lists

5. What's your favorite scent?
NONE

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Heath's bar, of course I have a sweet tooth.


7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
stamping and scrapbooking

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
soft rock

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
green . . . I can't stand yellow

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married. three kids. cat -- outside

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
yes.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
anything felted

13. What are you knitting right now?
felted bag and socks.


14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
yes

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
circulars


16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
yes


17. How old is your oldest UFO?
huge secret

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
Christmas and Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?
no


20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
anything Vogue

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
not right now

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I am just starting knitting socks but don't know my foot measurements

23. When is your birthday?
10/09

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Yes, mlj1954

a project

On November 28, I am going to Dallas to spend the weekend with a friend. Her sons are having a 70th birthday part for her. As it turns out, I was invited to attend a meeting on Monday, December 1, so I will be going down the Friday before, spending time with Janet, attending my meeting on Monday and returning to Cleveland on Tuesday.

Janet had commented on how much she like my Lucy Bag. So, I am going to make her one. This morning (really early), I wound the yarn, have the needles . . . now all I have to do is find the pattern.

Friday Fill In - 11/7/2008

1. My blueprint for success includes making lists.
2. Butterfinger was the last candy I ate.
3. The best facial moisturizer I've ever used is Neutrogena Healthy Defense SPF 30 Daily Moisturizer.
4. Knitting can be good therapy.
5. I'd like to tell you about my job, but then . . . . .
6. Sense of humor is my strongest characteristic.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having Lindsey's friend spend the night, tomorrow my plans include swimming in the a.m. and going to a reverse raffle* in the evening and Sunday, I want to go to mass in the morning, making dinner and enjoying time with my family!

________________

* A reverse raffle is when instead of the first ticket being drawn is the winner, the last ticket being drawn is the winner. Usually, the grand prize is about $2,000 and the last four people will split the pot . . . and then sometimes, one of them will want to hold out for the entire pot.

Simple Woman's Daybook - 11/03/08

Pay no attention to what the critics say... Remember, a statue has never been set up in honor of a critic!
-- Jean Sibelius, quoted in Bengt de Torne "Sibelius: A Close-Up" 1937

FOR TODAY ~
Outside my Window... the sun is shining and it is going to be a beautiful day.
I am thinking... I need to open the stack of mail waiting for me and turn in my time
I am thankful for... having a job
From the kitchen... lasagna, yummy. I made enough for two nights.
I am creating... socks (how about that, my new passion)
I am going... to work as a poll worker tomorrow
I am wearing... brown slacks, burnt orange shirt and brown sweater with fall leaves (very seasonal)
I am reading... Third Degree by Greg Iles (good read)
I am hoping... to finish socks tomorrow
I am hearing... files being moved around . . . we are shifting space
Around the house... bikes are being put away, cars will be parked in the garage
One of my favorite things... reading
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... working the election tomorrow; taking Wednesday off; going to Book and Bean for knit group on Wednesday evening while Lindsey is at violin; going to reverse raffle at Z's school.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... while in DC last week we were invited to a private tour and dinner (Wolfgang Puck runs the catering) at the Newseum. The Newseum opened in April. It is fascinating and a must see if you are ever in DC. Here is the link to it.

PA300105
Originally uploaded by mlj1954ohio

This is a piece of the North Tower that is now at the Newseum which opened in April 2008. On the wall behind it, are front pages of newspapers from around the world. I will post other photos that I took in DC. Mostly at the Newseum. We were allowed to have dinner up on the top floor which has an outside patio overlooking the Smithsonian and the Art Museum. To the left was the Capitol and the Supreme Court; to the right was the Washington Memorial.

Simple Woman's Daybook - 10/27/08

FOR TODAY ~

It is well to remember that the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others.
-- John Andrew Holmes

Outside my Window... it is dark . . . it may snow today . . . not the sticking kind of snow . . . the kind that is rain turned to snow turned to rain turned to snow . . .
I am thinking... I need to dig out my gloves (isn't that a riot!)
I am thankful for... my family, even when they irritate me.
From the kitchen... pulled pork, sliced and baked potatoes (with onions), green beans with bacon
I am creating... socks for Zachariah . . . I figured that maybe if I start with the kid with the smallest feet, I might even finish a pair!
I am going... to New Jersey and Washington
I am wearing... brown slacks and orange shirt and green sweater . . . with trees and leaves on it . . . I look like Fall.
I am reading... Mobility (its for work . . . very boring, well not always).
I am praying ... that my sister's surgery for her nerve decompression on both feet and legs (she is diabetic and has diabetic neuropathy) goes well. She will have one surgery on Thursday, October 30 and the second on December 4.
I am hearing... not much. It seems to be very quiet around here.
Around the house... I am packed and ready to go. Zachariah and I played all day yesterday. No vacuuming, no sweeping, no dusting . . . I did look at the tree in the family room and though it needed a bath but I should have done that when it was warmer outside.
One of my favorite things... Fall . . . I love the changes in the air and the trees.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week.... I leave for NJ tomorrow morning (early . . . like 5:00 a.m.), meeting in Somerset, train from Trenton to DC, meetings in DC all week, return to Cleveland on Friday in time for Halloween. On Saturday, Lindsey, Wendy (my neighbor), Sue (Wendy's sister) and I are attending the Speaking of Women's Health Program, sponsored by the Cleveland Clinic. We have gone about 5 times. It is well worth the money and the time.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

late September 2007 036
Originally uploaded by mlj1954ohio

This is what fall looks like off my back porch . . . The pool is closed for the season. The trees are changing colors (it seems a little bit slower and more sporadic this year . . . usually, the trees all start changing colors at the same time so . . . this year the changing has been spread out more). The darkening sky. Because we sit right on Lake Erie, we get what is called "Lake-effect clouds." Of course, with Lake-effect clouds, we often get "Lake-effect snow." Lake-effect snow is caused when the air temperature over the land is very cold and the Lake water is still warm. The moisture from the Lake when blowing over the land can cause Lake-effect snow. Fortunately, it is not cold enough yet. My husband likes to call it the Lake Erie Cloud Machine. The clouds can be totally awesome and a great show . . . better than anything on tv.

Whoduknit - Trick or Treat Swap Package

These pics really don't do this package justice. My package came from Barbara. It is fabulous. It included two books, Kay Hooper's If there be Dragons and Greg Iles' Third Degree.

Two skeins of Patons' Kroy Sock stripes in great browns, oranges (more burnished oranges than orange orange) and black, along with a patter for the Old Shale Smoke Ring.

It also included a bat washcloth (and your knitting is incredibly neat and precise), a knitted bookmark, two packets of M&M limited editions (razzberry and wild cherry), a package of limited edition Margarita Jello, along with a handful of dumdum suckers. The package also included halloween socks that make noise (gee should I wear them on the plane coming back from DC on Halloween?).

And, this is great, a loaf of bread. A wonderfully beautiful loaf of bread. We are going to be having it with dinner tonight. We would have had it last evening but by the time I got home, my hubby had already made dinner (hash, eggs and toast).

Thanks so much Barbara. This was an incredible package.

Friday Fill In - 10/24/2008

I think that one possible definition of our modern culture is that it is one in which nine-tenths of our intellectuals can't read any poetry.
-- Randall Jarrell

1. Right now, I'm feeling satisfied . . . I just ate eggs, rye toast, coffee. Yummy.
2. Home in bed with a good book and my knitting is where I want to be.
3. How does one convince their boss that working from home would be a good thing? Well, maybe he knows that I want to be home and in bed.
4. My calendar and to-do lists keep me on track.
5. Please don't play with my yarn.
6. My family fills me with joy.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing nothing, tomorrow my plans include weigh in at 8:00, take Zachariah to swimming at 9:00 and the Library afterward, take Lindsey to Sarah's house in the afternoon, Mass at 4:30 and Sunday, I want to sleep in, pack for my roadtrip, share dinner with my family!

pishhhhh

What this country needs is more free speech worth listening to.
-- Hansell B. Duckett

So yesterday I took off from work. Since I have eight vacation days that I have to use before year end, it was a good day to sleep in, have lunch with a friend and go to the doctor

`

It was a relatively successful day . . . in the grand scheme of things.

`

I slept until 7:30 (I think it was the garbage trucks trucking on down the street that woke me), took a shower and then decided that since it was quiet, it would be a good time to attach Zachariah's sweater arms to the sweater body. BUT, I cannot find the sweater body. What the heck.

`

Hmmmm, it should be next to the chair in the family room. Nope. Pulled the chair out, reorganized my knitting needles, again. Found some self-striping sock yarn.

`

Oh, maybe its in the closet. I took everything out of the closet, put summer clothes away, bagged up stuff that needs to be given away, found more yarn (I really should go on a yarn diet. Seriously . . . I could open a shop).

`

I know, its by the sewing machine, found more yarn (Oh, dear Lord). Spread all the yarn I found on the bed and sorted it by weight or type (I have some handspun stuff). And, seriously, I could do a multitude of projects without buying any yarn. No, really. I AM GOING ON A YARN DIET.

`

I cannot find it. It is in a bag. Somewhere. But, I was running out of time and now have resorted and restored the yarn, cleaned the closet and under the chair.

`

I met my friend for lunch. We were semi-successful in watching what we ate. We each had a cup of chicken soup and split a sandwich. Okay, the sandwich was a Reuben but it was really good. We also discussed the reconciliation retreat that I am organizing for our 2nd graders for their First Reconciliation. My friend is the Director of Religious Education at my church. It is November 15. We pounded out the details. I plan the thing, talk through the details with her, she makes suggestions and communicate the details to the parents. We decided that our theme would be As Light as a Feather, with the idea being that after reconciliation, your heart is light as a feather. Lots of fun with feathers. Now I just need to sell the thing to Fr. Neil.

`

I dropped Sandy off at church, went home, read the newspaper and went off to the doctor. My doctor is not a happy camper. When she came into the exam room, she was thrilled to see me knitting (too many people do too techno stuff and it makes her crazed . . . this being said while she boots up my records on her computer . . . LOL). My blood pressure is good as is my cholesterol. On the other hand, I am pre-diabetic, overweight, my hips, knees and back hurt, etc. etc. etc. So, she wants me to do water aerobics (easier on the hips, knees and back), get up from my desk at least five minutes every hour and walk around, go for physical therapy and lose an entire person. Seriously. She suggested surgery (according to her I am a good candidate, relatively young, healthy and grossly obese . . . what a horrible term). I would have surgery in a minute. My insurance company does not currently cover that option. So, it will be physical therapy, continue with WW, and water aerobics. How fun.

`

And to the success of my day off, I only checked emails once and voice mails once. How cool is that!

Presidential Election Contest with Abigail and Augustus

Are you as tired of the Presidential campaign as I am? I have to admit that I am now keeping a CD in my van because we have commercials every other minute on the radio. On Sunday, I flipped channels and couldn't come up with any music . . . all political commercials. Bah humbug!

Given that, however, I thought you might enjoy abigail and augustus presidential race poll. You should go here and check out this contest on Bea's Blog! Also, if you let her know where you came from, I get another point. Now, how cool is that!!

And good luck!

Simple Woman's Daybook - 10/20/08

FOR TODAY ~
Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.
— Gloria Steinem

Outside my Window... it is Fall. The leaves are changing and beginning to fall.

`

I am thinking... I am bored. I need to find a good project (at work) to keep my mind off the projects I would rather be doing at home.
`

I am thankful for... my daughter finding love. He is kind and good, sweet and gentle, hardworking and honest. She is blessed
`

From the kitchen... Chicken Parmesan, Tortillini, corn, garlic bread . . . it was a delicious if not monochromatic dinner
`

I am creating... baby hats for Save the Children . . . click here for information.
`

I am going... to NO meetings this week. How cool is THAT!!!
`

I am wearing... brown slacks, beige shell, an oriental themed brown/gold/green jacket
`

I am reading... magazines . . . catching up on my magazine reading
`

I am hoping... for a quiet week, full of laughter (is that being quiet though? hmmm?)
`

I am hearing... traffic, radio, people arriving at work
`

Around the house... cleaning out clutter. moving summer clothes to storage and winter clothes to closet.
`

One of my favorite things... eating dinner with my family (whether it is just Dave and I and the kids; or when my sisters and brothers and their families are all together).
`

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... physical on Wednesday (I have decided to take the day off); cleaning clutter from office; start working on next year's budget (for work).
`

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

. . . . a pic that I took in late summer, one of the ones being considered for our Christmas cards . . . .

P9210019
Originally uploaded by mlj1954ohio

Save the Children - Pass this information on!

Charity Feature - as posted on Lion Brand's website:

Four million babies die each year within the first month of life in poor countries. Save the Children and the Warm Up America! Foundation have joined forces to encourage people who knit and crochet to make hats for newborns. This simple solution, which provides warmth to newborn babies can help improve the survival rate.

"We are thrilled to partner with Save the Children on this initiative," said Mary Colucci, executive director of Warm Up America! Foundation. "We are encouraging knitters and crocheters of all ages to host gatherings with friends and families, local community groups, or classmates, and to help us spread the word through their social networking sites."

The caps will be distributed to pregnant women and new mothers and their babies in Save the Children's global programs. Early next year, Save the Children will also take the notes to the President-elect in Washington, D.C.

Celebrities, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Debra Messing (of Will and Grace and The Starter Wife) and Lisa Edelstein (of House) have picked up needles and hooks to participate.

Knitters and crocheters can make hats using any pattern they wish, but keep in mind that because the babies that Save the Children serves are often low birth-weight, the caps should be on the smaller side. A circumference of 9 to 11 inches is ideal. Any smooth, washable yarn can be used.

You can go to Save the Children website by clicking here.

For information and patterns from Lion's brand, you can go here.