YOP Sunday

 I've been knitting quite a bit (for me) this week.  I have other work and projects going but when I take a "break" I pick up my knitting.  I'm on Lesson 3 in my "giraffe class" on Craftsy by Susan B. Anderson.  I  have about 1 more inch to knit before going back to the lessons.  This is the bottom of the giraffe...very similar to knitting a hat from the top down, I imagine, although I have never done it.

 I have no idea why the colors are so different in these 2 pictures taken minutes apart?  The top picture is more accurate although I really like the color of the one below...lol!  I think I'll look for that color next.

  Hopefully this is what it will look like when I get it done.  I have a navy blue yarn for the the dark areas.

I finally bound off this scarf I've had sitting in a bag for way too long!  I need to wash it and block it.  I have some Eucalan Woolwash that I bought years ago when I stopped at a Canadian Sheep farm on my way back from a fishing trip.  I think someone has been guiding me to fibers and wool (and maybe even sheep) for a long time now!  I don't have blocking boards and can't afford them right now but I have a guest bed that I will try and use.  After all, I used to hand wash and block all my wool sweaters when I was in high school....how hard can it be?  And what did people use before "blocking boards"?  Yes, I am "The Frugal Knitter".  Any tried and true advice is appreciated though.
This is going to my daughter who is an art teacher and will love all the colors and so will her students.  Plus, she needs it more than I do....she lives in Iowa....brrrrr!   I made it with Noro Kureyon if I remember correctly.

 Still working on my son, Ben's hat but I only have an inch to go before starting the decreases.  These hats are great to pick up in the evening while watching some television and when I'm too tired to concentrate on anything remotely challenging.  

 Also, I picked my charity to start knitting, crocheting, and/or sewing for.   I was searching through the Ravelry "charity" groups and came upon this one.  It just so happens that my namesake grandson, Sam was a beneficiary of the NICU in Iowa when he was born so choosing this charity was really a "no-brainer".  Even though I no longer live in Iowa, my children and grandchildren do.  Iowa has a great healthcare system and top notch medical personnel.  I am excited and honored to help out in any way I can.  I plan on making crib sheets too as they have a need for those.  I don't have the material right now though so I will have to order some "supplies".  Anything knit or crocheted requires really soft yarn as you can imagine so I will need to order some of that too.  I can't wait to begin and thank you once again to Melody for the inspiration.
The other reason I love this particular charity is that they have everything laid out for you; patterns, items needed, requirements.....ie; they make it very easy to join in and get giving.

Hats, booties, and blankets for premature and critically ill babies

group details

The Preemie Project seeks to provide comfort and support to critically ill infants and their families in Newborn Intensive Care Units in Iowa. We achieve our mission through the support of a devoted group of local and national volunteers.

  So.....that's all for this week folks!  I'm off to enjoy this beautiful day and the gorgeous snow that is falling here!!!!  Snow and Superbowl on the same day?  How lucky can a gal get? Yippee!  Yahoo!
Happy Trails....until we meet again.