Mamas2Hands

Knitting a Hat

December 14, 2012December 14, 2012Crochet, Knitting, Pattern2 Comments

Okay, I know you are surprised to read that title in my blog, being as I am a crochet designer.

But I actually did design a knit hat recently. My younger brother Cy and his girlfriend, K, were here at Casa Graves the weekend before Thanksgiving for an early celebration. We did this early because K owns a retail shop and couldn’t be away during the actual Thanksgiving weekend.

While they were here I was teaching her to crochet and re-teaching Cy to crochet. After awhile though K decided she would rather knit. She has been knitting since she was very young. But she has only knit rectangles. She said she primarily knits scarves.

So I grabbed a ball of yarn for her and she cast-on and began knitting away.

Meanwhile, Cy and I were crocheting hats and I was teaching him some of the more advanced crochet tricks I’ve acquired over the years.

When I finally started paying attention to what K was making I realized she wasn’t going to have enough yarn to make much of a scarf, but she did have enough stitches that she could make a knitted hat. I asked her if she would like to have a hat from what she was knitting.

She was thrilled with the idea. So I told her to keep knitting until she had a long enough length to go around her head. Once she got to that length she was to bind-off and I would show her how to turn the length of fabric she had created into a lovely hat.

K was on a mission from that point onward. They were planning on leaving early Monday morning, so she wanted to finish before they left. By Sunday, after we had dinner, she had finished her knitting and was ready to bind-off. She said it had been awhile since she had knit and she wasn’t sure if she remembered how to bind-off, could I help.

Yikes! Well, with the warning that this could be the blind leading the blind, I was game for it. Amazingly I actually remembered how to bind off. Soon her knitted fabric was ready to be transformed into a hat.

Now, she had been knitting pretty fast and her stitch count on every row wasn’t always the same, but I told her not to worry. This would become a “design element” in the finished hat. We looked at the fabric and decided one edge was a bit straighter than the other, so it would become the “brim” edge of the hat.

I next set her the task to whipstitch the cast-on and bind-off edges to make a tube, lining up the “brim” edge so it matched on the seam line. Since her fabric was all knit stitches, ie…Garter stitch, there wasn’t really a right-side or wrong-side of the fabric to worry about.

Once that was done I had her take a doubled length of yarn (about 10″/25 cm) and sew a running stitch on the “right-side” of the hat an inch down from the lowest point of the top edge. We then pulled the yarn tight and closed the crown of the hat. The resulting gathering of the top edge created a sort of rosette on the crown. I had her knot the yarn then tie a pretty bow and trim up the ends.

Of course, we were having so much fun with all the knitting and crocheting I didn’t even think to take photos of any of it. So this is a picture Cy took for me after they got home.

I got the biggest kick out of how happy she was to have made a hat. I suspect there will be more hats in her future. And that is my story of how I, the crochet designer, designed a knitted hat.

Funny thing is, I have an idea for another simple knitted hat, so I may have to find time to pick up my needles very soon and work it out.

The Last One

December 12, 2012December 12, 2012GeekeryLeave a Comment

It’s been a fun thing watching this new century un-fold. Particularly from a numbers standpoint.

Every year, since 2001, there has been a date that lined up with all the same number. Like 01/01/01.

I don’t attach any special significance to it, but it does entertain me when the dates are interesting numbers. 01/02/03 was a smile too.

Today is the last day of this century that the numbers will all be the same. 12/12/12.

I hope it is a lovely day for you, and that you will find a moment to discover some small joy (like the date) amongst the hustle and bustle of the season.

I will be spending my day, typing up crochet patterns, writing articles and getting some gift stitching finished for packages that have to be mailed out.

The Best Brother Ever!

December 11, 2012August 8, 2021Celebrating, Crochet, Hooks, Product Reviews4 Comments

There is that old saying, “You can choose your friends, but you are stuck with the family you’re born into.” Fortunately I am pretty lucky on that count. I have undoubtably the very best younger brother in the world. We have gotten closer over the years, and it is really funny how similar we are. I love the rest of my siblings too, but Cy has always held a very special place in my heart.

When my parents brought him home from the hospital my 7 year-old self was thrilled to have a real live baby to play with instead of dolls. Of course as he has grown he has gone from being my “baby” brother to being my “little” brother onto being my “younger” brother. Cause let’s face it, when the little brother towers almost a foot over you in height, you really can’t call him “little” anymore.

Cy is a very talented and expert woodworker. He started learning his skills from our father as soon as he was old enough to hold tools in his hands. He’s been making amazing djembe drums and other tribal musical instruments for over 20 years, you can check them out on his website: Djembeanddidge.com. He even made a massive drum for the Kansas City Cheifs Football Team this past Fall.

I’ve been bugging him for years to make crochet hooks. He finally decided to create some as well as other lovely fiber arts tools like knitting needles, nostepines, and spindles. He is even making yarn bowls.

The weekend before Thanksgiving he and his girlfriend came to visit. When they were here he and I talked about hooks a lot. I showed him various hooks in my collection and told him what was good or bad about them.

I helped him refresh his memory of how to crochet, since it had been a long while for him. My siblings and I all learnt to crochet from our mother when we were little. You could say that with making fiber tools he is marrying the 2 talents he inherited from both our parents.

During his visit we talked about hand health and how different shapes for hook handles can help reduce stress that leads to injury. So he has been experimenting with various handle shapes, and we had talked about me testing some out for him.

Last Thursday I got this wonderful surprise in the mail from him. I was only expecting a page with his and his girl friend’s footprints so I can make them some slippers. He had told me there would be a little something extra in there. But I figured at most it would be just one hook, not a lovely set of 5!

Pencil-hold-w-Cys-Hook

I really like the shape he used for these handles. It works great and fits comfortably in my hand, no matter what hold I use: Pencil hold (pictured) , Knife hold, or Modified knife hold.

These hooks are made from Mulberry wood, which is very lightweight as well. Funny thing, when he was about 3 years old I had to rescue him from the mulberry tree at our house. I’m wondering if he remembers that and it guided his choice in the wood? Wouldn’t surprise me if he did as he has an incredible memory. I’ll have to remember to ask him next time we talk.

Either way, I predict that I will be creating lots of wonderful new memories crocheting with these lovely hooks. My hands and heart will be happy as each time I work with them will be a reminder of my dear brother, who my kids call Uncle Cy.

If you would like to have one of his marvelous hooks for your own crocheting joy you can find them at his Etsy Shop: UncleCysWoodworking.

Only 17 days Left!

December 8, 2012December 8, 2012CrochetLeave a Comment

Okay, it’s been way too warm and not at all wintery feeling the last couple weeks. So I’m very slow getting into the Christmas groove.

If you are a bit behind too, here are some quick crochet projects for fun little gifts this holiday.

There is this pattern available here on my blog for a sweet little snowflake.

Little Christmas Wreath - M2H Designs — Little Christmas Wreath – M2H Designs

Or for purchase on Ravelry is my Little Christmas Wreath pattern.

Little Christmas Wreath worked in Fingering Weight yarns

Depending on the size of yarn and hook you choose it can be tiny or about dessert plate sized.

Last year one of my stitching group friends made a wreath from this pattern using super bulky yarn. It was really cute. She decorated it with some fun beads for extra bling. She said she was going to use it as her Wreath for her front door, she could have been teasing though.

So grab a hook, after all you have 17 whole days left to get those gift projects finished up.

The Crash

December 5, 2012Latest NewsLeave a Comment

Sometimes life likes to surprise you. Those surprises can be good, or they can be bad.

A few weeks ago my computer decided to start messing with me. I would sit down to work and suddenly it would turn itself off. I would re-boot and it would come back. But I had a feeling there could be trouble ahead, so I made sure all my files were safely backed up on an external source.

This turned out to have been good planning. About a week later the computer crashed. Turns out the harddrive had pretty much died. I wasn’t too worried initially, but I should have been.

The good news is, I didn’t lose any of my files. The bad news was (and currently is) I lost all my software and all the settings for my browser and such. It has been an interesting process of discovery just how much my computer has become a vital extension of my working and social life.

I’m very convinced that Murphy’s Law is the main physical law of my life. Since this computer adventure really came at a bad time with all my work deadlines and with the upcoming holiday season. On the flip side, it could just be the blessing that allows me to simplify the holidays, and let it all be about spending time with loved ones for the Yuletide and New Year.

I hope to have some fun posts for you this December, but it might be a wee bit quiet as I make Christmas for my family and friends that will be visiting. I may be asking Santa for a new Lap Top this year.

The Last Minute Costume

November 16, 2012August 8, 2021Creativity, Kid Projects, SewingLeave a Comment

Finally getting a chance to post about my oldest, J’s, Halloween costume. J had a pretty clear idea early on what was wanted, so I only needed a few more bits to make it happen on Halloween day.

After I finished the little guy’s Ninjago outfit there was not a lot of time left. So I had to abandon my earlier ideas on how to finish the cape that J wanted.

The base of the costume was a black micro fleece pull-over and pants for the first layer, so my big concern was that with all that dark fabric my kid would be visible in the dark. Granted our small town doesn’t have a lot of traffic, but I consider it betting against the odds to send anyone out at night in dark clothing.

J really liked the sparkly green fabric that looked a bit like reptile scales. I was thrilled because the metallic reflective nature of it would increase visibility.

So I did some quick measurements for length and width, then cut out basically a U shape with the top edge of the U being the selvage on one side. Sat down at my serger and created a blind hem style casing along the selvage edge. Threaded a 14″ length of 1/4″ elastic thru the casing and tied a knot.

Presto, first layer of cape. And a scrap off one of the corners from the remnant as an “eye patch” since the fabric is fairly sheer.

J also wanted an over layer made from the holey fuzzy black fabric I had bought. At this point I’m down to about 35 minutes til they need to leave for the Halloween party.

Grab the fabric, black corded elastic, toggle closure, and the ever handy safety pins.

There are 2 yards of fabric and J is only 4 1/2 feet tall. Okay, fold it nearly in half. Run the elastic thru the holes in the fabric (handy that). Gather up fabric on elastic and slide toggle into place. Knot ends of elastic so the toggle doesn’t fall off.

Place the double layered cape on J over the green sparkly cape.

Pull up top layer and drape about head and neck to create a hood. Use safety pins to secure into place.

With 10 minutes to spare, J is good to go. Mom is a hero again. Yay!

“You are the best Mom ever!” – My payment.

My husband took the kiddos out to the party and then trick-or-treating whilst I stayed home to greet goblins at our door. He said J wore the entire cape for the party, but the top black layer was too heavy (hey that is 2 yards of fabric) once they were outside.

So big win! J was even more visible, because the green cape was on the outermost layer of the costume. That works!

Surprise Package!

November 12, 2012Celebrating, Inspiration, Latest News, YarnLeave a Comment

One of the fun thing about being a designer/blogger is that every once-in-awhile yarn company’s will send a box of yarn and other goodies. This is a great chance to review new products and swatch with new yarns to see if they will fit in with one of my designs. I knew that Red Heart was sending me such a box, but had been so busy with work and family stuff it had slipped my mind.

So I was very pleasantly surprised today when the FedEx truck came and it was a box for me (instead of my beloved, who gets lots of boxes for work stuff).

Inside was this wonderful tote bag full of all kinds of fun stuff.

There are knitting stitch markers, chain for counting off stitches or rows, yarn cutter, knitting needles, crochet hooks, new issue of Crochet Today magazine, Susan Bates and Red Heart product catalogs and…..

Yarn!

More about all this fun stuff once I get caught up on some patterns.

Five Things

November 8, 2012November 8, 2012Health and Self CareLeave a Comment

Often times it seems so complicated when thinking about how to keep healthy, but there are really only 5 things that you need to remember to maintain good health and avoid injury.

Listen to Your Body

Our bodies are always communicating with us if we listen. Discomfort is the body’s first voice. It is only after you ignore Discomfort for far too long that your body resorts to Pain (its version of shouting). Of course Pain hits us at many levels…basicially the sooner you listen to your body and make changes the less Pain you have to suffer thru.

Breathe

Respiration is the one thing you really can’t stop doing. But so many of us breathe shallowly and our lungs never fully inflate. Breathing deeply through your nose sets up a wonderful chemical chain reaction that allows your body to relax and your muscles to recover from their hard work. It also promotes good digestion.

Hydrate

Our bodies are made up of approximately 98% water. I once had a client explain to me this was the reason we don’t need to drink lots of water. Quite the contrary! We lose water when we breathe, thru sweating and thru our gastrointestinal tract. If that water is not replaced frequently we can quickly find ourselves headed toward dehydration. Even mild dehydration can make you more vulnerable to injury. So be sure to drink at least 10-12 eight ounce glasses of water each day, and more if you are sweating heavily or engaged in strenuous physical activity.

Eat Well

We truly are what we eat. Our food provides the building blocks for repairs and for the energy to run all our systems. Eating healthy, nutrient-rich foods gives you the raw materials for recovering from mild injury and preventing further injury.

Sleep

If you’ve ever experienced insomnia or staying up too late and having to function the next day, you know how a lack of sleep can impact your brain. But are you aware of how much it impacts your muscles and overall health? When our energy levels are at the low-end we are more at risk for injury. Most people need a minimum of 8 hours solid sleep to function at their best. Anything less than that is generally not adequate.

So, pay attention to these five things and you’ll have more injury-free time to enjoy crafting and the other pleasures of life.

As we Wait

November 6, 2012August 8, 2021DoggiesLeave a Comment

Well, today is all about Voting, then the long wait to see how the various ballot issues and races turn out. I’m crocheting away on super secret projects between driving folks to the polls, so can’t share pics of those. Instead it is time for some doggie pics, cause I think she is super cute, and we all could use a bit of comic relief right now.

My sweet girl, Kenna taking a nap. Notice how the trim is missing on some of her cushion? That is because she can be Ms. Destructo at times.

Pink paw pads on a white footsie (wow! somebody needs a pedicure).

Early morning belly rubs.

Pretty pink spot on her chin (it’s a doggie beauty mark).

#1 reason it is hard to take her picture….she wants to “get” the camera.

A friend mentioned that I need a “puppy” category. I went with “Doggies” though, since I foster more than puppies and technically Kenna isn’t a puppy anymore (though she will always be my puppy, sort of like how my kids are still my babies).

Happy Election Day dear readers, I hope you’ve had a chance to vote and are now entertaining yourselves until the results come in.

Time to Vote

November 4, 2012November 8, 2012Activism1 Comment

Okay folks, I generally try to stick to crafting and health subjects in this blog. But today, I’m going a bit off-road.

This coming Tuesday, November 6th is Election Day. Over the years many of our country’s men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice to guarantee that our country’s freedoms are safe, one of those being the right to vote.

In 1920 women were finally granted that same franchise with the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution. Personally I was able to vote for the first time in 1981 and voted in my first Presidential election in 1984.

If you live in one of the “Battleground States” or an area that has a hotly contested race for a local, state or federal seat you are very likely utterly sick of political ads. I sympathise, I live in Colorado and have taken to not watching regular TV. Everything is recorded on my DVR so that I can fast forward thru the ads.

But no matter your annoyances with the ads, it is very important to go to your local polling place and cast that ballot. Voting is more than a right, it is a privilege and a responsibility.

It is an important way to make your voice heard in how government works, from your local towns and counties to the national stage. It affects our lives in myriad ways, even ones that might seem small, from the quality of education for our children to the pot-holes in our roads.

Vote in order to be sure that our government is one that is “of the people, for the people” and not just the people with the most money or the corporations that are attempting to buy the legislation they want.

Find out everything you can about the candidates and issues for your area, as well as on the state and federal levels and make the best decision you can. Most polling places have “practice” ballots available, or you can find them online, to see what other issues you may be asked to vote on. If you need help finding your polling place check your State’s website or you can go to this website to look it up.

Colorado has early voting, so my beloved and I voted October 23rd (where the nifty sticker in the picture came from), on Tuesday I will be helping folks get to their polling places.

So if you haven’t voted and you want the right to gripe about how government is handling things, then it is time to Vote.