Here’s a fun and productive craft project. A crocheted baby blanket.
No, we don’t have any surprising news. This just seemed like a manageable project to do aboard the boat. I selected a fairly simple shell pattern so I wouldn’t have to think too much or remember where I was in the pattern when I picked it up again. The author of the pattern titled it her five day blankee – well – not me. I picked it up from time to time, so I’m not sure how long it really took me, but it wasn’t any five days. I started over twice. The second time I got the rhythm of the pattern.
I have crocheted basic projects from time to time. It had been awhile since I had picked up Mom’s crochet hooks. She always had a crocheting project “underway” – from ornaments to sweaters to dresses (ask my sister) to afghans. She carried her projects with her to work on at PTA meetings and other places. I have cousins and friends who still talk about receiving one of Mom’s afghans. The afghans were usually hairpin lace made using a handheld loom. I still have the one she taught me to make when I was a teenager. My sister-in-law crochets and now my niece crochets. Both of them do lovely work. Me – I just do simple work.
Back to the small blanket. I was looking for a way to make a small contribution during our transient boat travels. Volunteering works when you are settled for a bit but is a challenge to connect with volunteer projects when traveling through and may have limited transportation. I found Project Linus online. There are other similar organizations to Project Linus. This is just the one I chose. It’s a national group that accepts homemade blankets for children who need a comfort item when undergoing treatments. While they accept cash donations, they encourage homemade donations and offer suggestions for patterns. Well, I can do that. I noted locations along our east coast route that accepted the blankets and turn them over to hospitals. This blanket was taken to Angelwing Needle Arts in Southport, NC. It is downtown and walking distance from marinas and the small Southport anchorage. A lovely woman runs this interesting needlework and quilting store.
The pattern I used can be found here. I used about 18 ozs of Loops and Threads Snuggly Wuggly 100% acrylic light weight yarn. I didn’t do the stitches around the border as I liked the way the ends and sides looked as is. It turned out ok and I hope the next one will be even better. Maybe you’ll consider making a blanket for a child in need or making a donation to a similar cause.