Sunday, December 30, 2007

Easy-Peasy Picot Pattern (Edging)




I made this little Babysaurus Blanket and hat for Valdryk who's mommy is expecting him to make his grand entry into this world any day now. I fell in love with this fleece and just needed to add a simple edging to make a finished blanket.

This is the pattern I made-up:

Easy-Peasy Picot Edging



I hear many crocheters say that the picot is their least-favorite stitch. This pattern makes a pseudo-picot. It may be considered cheating, but it’s an easy way to add a tiny bit of texture around the edge.



This is a simple edging pattern for a fleece blanket, but it could easily be used to edge a crocheted or knitted item as well.



For a fleece blanket, start by piercing evenly spaced holes along the edge of your fabric. I used my Edgerydoo to trim the fabric and piece the holes.



Use any baby weight yarn of your choice and a C hook. I used Bernat Baby Coordinates.




Round 1) starting with any hole, sc in the hole, chain 2. Continue this pattern around and join.




Round 2) Chain 3 (counts as first DC), DC all the way around. Join to top of first chain-3.




Round 3) Chain 3 (counts as first DC), DC in next stitch, chain 2, skip next 2 DC, **DC in each of next 2 stitches, chain 2, skip next 2 DC** continue this pattern around and join.




Round 4) chain one, **sc in first 2 DC, then (in chain 2 space) sc, chain 2, sc**. Continue with ** pattern all the way around and join to finish.

Note: round 4 pattern puts a sc in each DC from round 3 and sc-chain2-sc in each chain2 space of round 3. This will form a small “mini-picot” over the spaces.



Weave in your yarn tail and you’re done.




Please feel free to use this pattern for any personal or charity projects. You may link to this post, but please do not pot the pattern elsewhere without permission. If you like this pattern and choose to use it, please do donate a finished piece to Marine Corps Kids. Thank you!

Saturday, December 22, 2007

A Very Merry Family Christmas


It's been some time since I first posted about our Army Family, and we received many beautiful donations to send to all the kids.

The box has been packed and ready to go, but we have been waiting for Dad to write to us with the address. As I mentioned, dad is on active duty with the Army in Afghanistan, and we haven't heard from him in a few weeks. I was starting to get nervous. Well we just received a message from Dad and he is at home in Germany with his new family for some well deserved R&R!

According to Dad, "the kids are doing great and adjusting well. I told them I'd take take them sledding, but unfortunately I got sick when I got [to Germany] so we had to cancel the trip to Garmisch. We went to Nurnberg Zoo the other day, which was great except for the cold. We got to watch a dolphin show."

How wonderful that they will get to spend their first Christmas as a family together!!!

I'm printing an address label now, and our package will be shipping on Monday. It won't arrive in time for Christmas, but it will be there to help this family ring in 2008 together.

Thanks again to everyone who sent donations for this family, and for all our Marine Corps Kids Families! This month we sent a record number of packages!

I wish a very happy holiday to all our military families and to all our generous donors who continue to support the efforts of Operation Marine Corps Kids. And to this special family in Germany - Best Wishes for a Wonderful Holiday and for a lifetime of happiness together!!

Monday, December 10, 2007

Thank you, Gailya!







Today I received a package from Gailya in North Carolina! I was very excited to open it because I know that in addition to other fiber crafts, Gailya is a quilter. I dream about someday learning to quilt, and I just love quilted projects so I couldn't wait to see what she had sent. I was overwhelmed!

Gailya sent some beautiful crocheted and knitted hats, booties and bibs. She also included 2 quilts and a quilted diaper bag. One quilt is two sided with cute duck fabric on one side and dogs on the other. The other quilt and diaper bag were make with our Marine Corps Kids Logo! You can see how amazing they are in the photos, and the photos don't really do justice to the pieces.

Thank you Gailya! All of your donations are beautiful and I know that the mom's will be delighted to receive these items!

This week I have five boxes of donations that are going out for our Marine Corps families including items sent by Gailya, Cindy, Karen, Kathy, Judy, Laura, Melanie, all the great ladies involved with Hugs4Hope and more. Thank you all for your continued generosity and Happy Holidays to all!!

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Bookmarks




I made these crocheted bookmarks as gifts for the mom's for our Holiday Gift Drive.

There is still time to send donations if anyone else would like to participate.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Thank you, Karen!!






Today I received a large box from Karen in WI.

The box was filled with very soft and warm fleece blankets and scarves! There are blankets sized for babies and for larger kids, and great warm scarves for older kids and teens. They are all so soft and cuddly, and I know that the kids will just love snuggling up in them this winter!

Thank you, Karen! I'm putting together a very large shipment to ship to the families this week, and these wonderful gifts will be included!