The Third Happy Mother Bear Box

Another seven Bears are on their way to The Mother Bear Project. From there, they will make their way into the hands of a needy child somewhere in Africa or Haiti. Each bear is handcrafted with love. I've also included some much needed supplies for the organization, specifically, variegated & tan yarn, stuffing, and postage stamps. Bon voyage, little Bears!

Happy Mother Bear Box

Another box of hand-knit & crocheted Bears is on its way to the Mother Bear Project. Yes, I have been a little obsessed with making them. The Bears may be small and simple to stitch, but the happiness that they can bring to an orphaned child is huge.

You may have noticed a donation page added to my blog. I'm not usually one to ask for money for my hobbies. It feels too much like I'm standing on the side of the road hold a sign saying "Yarn addict - please help."

I already have enough yarn to make scores of Bears, so instead, I am asking for donations to send them. Each Bear requires a $3 donation to the organization to cover postal fees to the various foreign countries. A little math shows than this box costs me $35 ($24 for the Bears and $11 for shipping).

I don't want my tight student budget to hinder knitting for charity, so if you'd like to help, any amount donated will be appreciated. I also encourage you to knit and crochet, or whatever you can contribute, to help with charities. It feels great to do something good for someone in need.

Bon Voyage, Bears!

I adore the Mother Bear Project. I can't stop making them! I've sent them off, with a little prayer that each one will bring joy to an orphaned child. I've also included some extras for the organization: yarn, stuffing, needles, and hooks. Check their website for info about the contributions they need, and how they are used. And if you can't knit or crochet, you can always sponsor a bear!

Rock-n-Roll Wristwarmers

This is my last FO of 2008. My DD asked for fingerless gloves. These are essentially a knitted stockingnette tube with a little ribbing at each end, and a slit for the thumb hole. Doesn't get any easier, and it's the one piece of my knitting that she'll actually wear. Now she's asked for a felted black IPod cozy with a white skull on it. That may be more of a challenge, but I'm always up for a good one.

Special Mittens

As I was babysitting one evening, I sat down with my knitting and put in a DVD for my nephew to watch. Naturally, he was more interested in what I was doing.     "You knitting for ME???"     "Sure! What would you like me to knit?"     "I want gloves!"     I cringed at the thought of those tiny fingers. "Wouldn't you like some mittens instead?"     He tilted his head to the side. "What's mittens?"     I had a copy of Ann Budd's Handy Book of Patterns, so I flipped it open to show him.     "Yes, I want mittens!"     I pulled out 2 different balls of Patons Merino. "Do you want blue or gray?"     "I want both!" Double-stranded and tiny, the mittens flew off the needles. Before I left, I nearly had one finished. The next evening, I finished the other. A week later, after the mittens were washed with lots of fabric softener and blocked, I went to visit again, and gave them to him. He promptly pulled one onto his hand, and I giggled as I watched him struggle with the other one, trying to grasp it with his mittened hand. Just as he was about to throw a fit, I finally stepped him to help. "OOOOH! These are special!" he exclaimed as he studied the mittens on his hand for a minute. I think he liked the way the heathered blue & gray wool mottled in a random pattern. He wiggled his thumbs and smiled. He ran around the home, flopping his hands about, while squealing in delight. Then he pulled them off and threw them around the living room, demanding we play a game of fetch with his new mittens.

Crochet Flowers and Sweater Recycling

My Mom recently came to Arkansas for my sister's & my dad's birthdays, and we all had a great time. She's an ex-crochet-junkie, and was delighted that I'm now just as crazy about yarn. Now she's a workaholic, so has no time to make those beautiful huge afghans, but I got her crocheting again for just a few days. In less than 2 hours, she hooked up a cute little hat for Raven, and I applied my flowers to it. What a team! I have a new passion for crocheting flowers. This spring, you'll will see them on everything of mine.


Already comfortable with yarn, my Mom learned how to both knit and purl in about 10 minutes! I guided Raven through the knit stitch a couple weeks ago, and she's got little garter stitch project going, though she only has patience for a row a day. My next challenge is to teach a guy how to knit. So far, I haven't found a willing candidate.


I bought my first big yarn cone. It's 3 pounds of red & burgundy worsted chenille, a bargain for $12. It beckons a nice fall or Christmas sweater, so for now, I'll just let it sit, and let the inspiration come later.


As if I need more yarn, I've gained interest in sweater recycling. I've want to unravel this green cabled tent for a St. Paddy's day project, but I fear time is running out. I also have some huge men's wool sweaters, which may become something felted, like mittens or slippers.


I haven't been to any SnB club meetings recently, due to busy family schedules, and I've yet to meet my knit-buddy Gina in person. It all my fault, because when I finally have free time, the last thing I want to do is get off my ass and do something productive besides knit while watching TV (not always a wise combo), or reading the endless knitting and crochet info on the web, or thumbing through my growing magazine and book collection while fantasizing about that first perfect sweater I'll make for myself....