Traveling Yarn

Gary Cunningham, Sweden

My last post was as I started back to work full time. As expected, that has kept me busy and I haven't posted since I haven't worked on much. I did finish off the edging on a few more blankets for the Linus Project. However, this school year has had a really rough start and so I've had even less time and motivation to work on caps than I normally do to start a school year. I have started one cap but although it's very unusual, I haven't finished it yet. However, I received a new donation on Sunday and it's extra special, as it came from Iceland. Eriq's uncle Gary, who lives in Sweden, came through Iceland and New York on his way to Texas, and he picked up some yarn for me during his stop in Iceland.

End of summer

As my summer officially wraps up, I have been working to get ready for going back to work. I always try to get my house in order, all the laundry and dishes done, food prepared, etc. even though I realize it will go back to "normal" shortly. However, mentally, it helps me to be prepared to go back to work when I do these things. I also plan some fun outings to celebrate the free time :)  I have been doing all these things and that has not left much time for new projects but I am also currently limited in my ability to run or bike due to a minor knee issue so that did leave me a little time to make one quick cap that I thought I'd go ahead and share here. Happy back to school everyone!

Hello Kitty

I mentioned in my last post that I was working on caps for a girl that likes Hello Kitty. I finished that cap and along with a few others in her favorite colors, pink and purple. I was able to get them mailed out to her on August 1, but I forgot to post the pictures here. I left the next morning for a bike ride in Lubbock. This year was the second year of Cycle for Hope, a ride benefiting the UMC Cancer Center and I was on a team with my father in law, brother in law, sister in law and nephew. My mother in law worked the event and we all had a great time. While I was in town, we went shopping and got some fabric and yarn and worked on blankets for the Linus Project (http://www.projectlinus.org/) It was nice to do something a little different with crochet but still for a great cause. We finished several blankets and bought supplies for several more that I brought home with me to finish.

Colorado donation

Kristyn Rose, Grand Junction, Colorado

I received a package today that had not only yarn but additional monetary donations as well. A friend had done a couple of things for Q's Caps. First, she put a flyer up and collected yarn at a Relay for Life fundraiser, and then the board of ADEIL decided to donate the money raised from a silent auction at a conference to the cause as well. As I've mentioned time and again, it's always an extra encouragement to get a package, a note, anything to remind me how people appreciate my work.  It was great to know that someone is out there working for this as well and people are still interested in helping and donating and This past week, I worked on a cap while I was waiting for an oil change, I usually have a nice conversation with someone about crochet when I work on it in public and it's good to share with people. I also started a special request cap yesterday as well and those are nice for a little challenge and knowing a little about the person I'm making it for. Look for a Hello Kitty cap coming soon...

In flight caps

After arriving home from my trip to Kansas, I spent just a couple of days at home before I took off again on another trip. This time, I was headed to Michigan, which involved both airport and flight time, which is perfect for crocheting! I have just returned home from that trip, it was a wonderful time away but I am glad to report that I was able to finish 4 caps total while I was on the plane both going and returning. So these are extra special caps, since they were made on a S80 airplane somewhere over Arkansas, Oklahoma, Michigan, Missouri and Illinois.

Kansas caps

Melissa Isaacson, Salina, KS

As I mentioned in my last post, I've been traveling this summer, including a trip to a few cities in Kansas. For this trip, I was driving so I didn't get any made during the actual travel time. Once I arrived, I spent most of the time enjoying my family and running around Kansas, but there was a little down time that I took advantage of and completed one cap. My cousin also brought along some yarn which she donated and I have added to my yarn stash, so there will be more caps from this visit as well.

Donation stop

I'm late posting this, but as summer started, I've been traveling a bit and my first trip was to visit family in the Kansas City and then Salina areas of Kansas. As you know, I make donations to the Cancer Center in Salina and this trip was no exception. I think I had taken pictures of these caps as I made them, however I went ahead and got a picture with my "co-delivery" helper :) That's my cousin Shelly and she works at the center and takes care of getting the caps to the people at the clinic in Salina.

One year anniversary

One year ago today was the day that Eriq lost his battle with cancer and that means that it's been a while year without him here with me. Knowing today, the anniversary, was coming has been a challenge mentally. However, I made a plan and that helped me get through it. I went to the cemetery and placed a new flower arrangement I made this week and then I put on one movie after another and crocheted nearly the whole time. I tried to find a balance between fairly easy patterns to be able to finish as many as possible without taxing my brain but also a little bit of something different and interesting for each one. I wanted to make sure it was interesting to me while I was crocheting all day and also in making each one of the finished products unique. That being said, I stuck with some yarn types I've used often, rather than some of my fun newer yarn, simply for speed and to keep the focus on my part at a lower level. I knew if I had to think too much about it, I could get easily frustrated today and so I did come up with 7 different caps but there are only slight variations to each one from the others.

From top to bottom, left to right: Green cap is done in front/back post double crochet (Red Heart super saver), Multicolor with purple stripe is done in all double crochet (Caron Simply Soft), Multicolor with ribbon is all double crochet except for ribbon row (Joann Sensations), Blue/Yellow variegated is double crochet with single crochet edge (Red Heart Classic), Purple/multicolor is double crochet followed by half double crochet (Caron Simply Soft), Yellow is all double crochet except for chain ribbons (Red Heart super saver), and the Multicolor with green is double crochet and half double crochet on the brim (Red Heart - new multicolor)

Yarn package

Gary Cunningham, Finland

As promised in yesterday's post, I finished up the cap I was working on and have a picture of it here. It is a basic cap pattern and then I alternated front post double crochet with back post double crochet to give the appearance of rows. One of my favorite (easy) things to do to fancy something up a bit. But, better yet, I just went out to get the mail and I had a package from Finland, and it has yarn. That in itself is exciting, but better yet, it's an awesome variegated dyed yarn. It's called "Sweet William" and if you want to see more of their yarns, you can check out the website (http://www.easyknits.co.uk). Special thanks for this beautiful yarn Gary! I'm invigorated to get going again and I had hit a lull in my creativity, making the shown cap here to try and get myself rolling agin. Now I have some additional motivation :)

New donation

The last month has been very busy with several events, including the the end of school, which is an extremely overwhelming time every year. From time to time this month I have been able to do some crochet but I've been working on some personal projects. It seems to be the season for birthdays and baby showers, so those have been my main focus of late. However, about a week ago, I received a donation in the mail from a recipient of one of the caps and as I finished up school a couple of days ago, I was able to go pick up some things. I found a great deal on some yarn and a knit and weave loom kit that will give me some more options on making a variety of caps. I haven't pulled out the patterns for the kit yet but I hope to get to do that at some point this week. I have started another cap with some of my pink and purple variegated Sensations yarn that I will post when it's finished.

Scraps

Often when I finish a cap, there's just enough yarn left for something...but what? Not another cap, but maybe the finishing edge, perhaps a bow or flower or other decoration, there are options. When I have a bit leftover, I roll it into a small ball and add it to a box of leftovers. I sometimes look through and make a few decorative items or see if one of them match some yarn I have to use as a single row. They give me a little motivation to start something. What I hadn't ever done is use them together and that seemed like a fun idea, so I started with one of the scrap colors and just tied on a new one as each one ended and came up with this scrap cap. It's a fun, festive cap I hope someone will fall in love with.
On a side notes, my cats always enjoy helping me make caps. Sometimes they will bat at the yarn, sometimes they bring yarn downstairs for me to use and sometimes...

Cat help

This past week was extremely busy, getting ready for Relay for Life on May 3-4 and then I was trying to catch up on sleep afterwards! However, I have made a few caps I just haven't gotten anything posted. The fun "Blacklight" yarn I picked up and mentioned in my last post had a pattern on the label that I tried out using that yarn. Then, I used the idea from the pattern and edited it to make another similar cap.

Most recently, I used the yarn my cats brought downstairs to make a fuzzy cap. My cats, quite regularly feel the need to pick my yarn for me by going through the stash upstairs and dragging one downstairs and leaving it at my door. I can't always keep up with them but I thought it was a good idea to use one they brought me, so they got their wish today.

I just can't help it...

I took a much needed night off this week. I must always remember to do that for myself, especially when the weeks are as they have been. Of course, for me, a night off means I wanted to work on crochet. I pulled out some more of my "matching" yarns and started to work on a new cap. I started with a base in a variegated yarn and then picked some of the solid colors to end the cap. It was good to take the down time and also get some crochet done. Also, I did a little bit of sorting of the yarn, so I know exactly how much I have, which is still plenty.

Despite that, when I was out running errands today, I picked up some yarn! I made it through all the yarn aisles without any but then I found a really fun variegated yarn that I hadn't seen before. It will whip up into a fun vibrant cap, so I had to get it, because I just can't help myself sometimes. At least I only bought one skein, that's good, right?

In memory of Abby

Today, another young life was lost to cancer. After a 28 month fight with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Abby passed away this afternoon. She was a softball player at TWU, in the prime of her life when she was diagnosed and started her treatment immediately. She lost her hair due to chemo and she was one of the people that wore a lot of caps in place of her hair. Seeing pictures of her in a variety of caps, reminds me of why I make caps. I don't really see them in use that often or hear from the recipients but I know from experience that they are something that can be useful and gives people a chance to show their style despite having lost their hair. I haven't been making many lately, but I have a renewed desire to get some made in remembrance of Abby.

With my last donation, I picked several complimentary colors to put together and I did make one cap with those a couple weeks ago that I never posted, it is in a variety of  hues of my favorite color, purple!

To wrap up, I want to share information about my upcoming Relay for Life, in support of the American Cancer Society. If you are interested in joining my team, donating or just knowing more about what I'm doing, feel free to check out my personal page here:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=32821795&pg=personal&fr_id=52645

Night off

I haven't worked on any caps in awhile and tonight was the perfect opportunity. I needed a little down time, so I decided to take the night "off" and sit down, relax and crochet. I ordered some pizza, thanks to the Rangers 7 runs yesterday I got a deal! Then, I sat down with my animal babies, turned on some recorded TV and pulled out the yarn. It was a much needed time, as crocheting, is a great stress reliever for me and I have a product to share when I'm finished. I worked with two very different types of yarn, but both ones with their own color variations to create a look with yarn only, not with different patterns. The variegated is a very soft, slick yarn that is a nice light spring weight (for when our spring actually comes and stays!) and the purple and white is thicker and fuzzier with flecks of reds blended into the purple and white wrap.  Another example of how the same basic pattern can create different looks, and I am happy to have 2 more to add to my next donation.

Donation $ = yarn

Ric Jones - Dallas, TX

I got a package in the mail yesterday from Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts. It wasn't a surprise to receive it but nonetheless it's always nice! This package was all yarn I was able to purchase last week thanks to a donation I received over spring break. Since I was out of town then, I didn't get to order but the timing worked out so that as I got back into town and settled, there was a sale on yarn with free shipping that I was able to take advantage of in using the donation. I picked Caron Simply Soft in a variety of (mostly) light spring looking colors that can be used separately or together for multicolor caps.  Once again, as always, I can't wait to get started on a new cap or two with the new arrivals!

Special Order

This morning, a friend asked if I could make a special cap for a little boy. He loves superheroes and has a spiderman doll so I gathered some red, blue and white and decided to look for a pattern for a Super-Man cap before trying to make up my own. I found one that looked good and got started, hopeful that I could finish today and figure out how to get the cap delivered. There were a few things I did to slightly personalize the cap but otherwise I followed the pattern and was able to finish it by early afternoon. By then, a request had come out on the Caring Bridge site requesting blue caps, so after talking to the friend who had requested the cap and he had volunteered to come pick it up from me, I started making some more basic caps in his favorite color, blue. I was able to finish a couple more in different yarns and then sent them with my friend for delivery. I haven't really done much in special orders but I really enjoyed being able to do something with a specific person in mind. If you want to read more about this little boy, check out his site:
www.caringbridge.com/micahahern

Tammy Walker Cancer Center

This past week, I traveled to Kansas to visit family and deliver some caps to the cancer center in Salina. I arrived Thursday afternoon and got a tour of the facility and talked with a couple of the employees. I got to hear about one patient that had taken a previous cap and how much she loved wearing it, although it's no necessary, it's really nice to get some feedback like that. We got all of the caps set out in the radiation waiting room, though it looked like I might have brought too many at one time! :) They are now available for patients to choose their own to take home. I heard that the next day, Friday, the caps got talked about around the office and hopefully more will be taken to their new homes soon and I will have to restock. (For those of you that want to know more about the shirt, check out http://lovetothemax.org)

Kansas bound

All these caps are tagged and bagged and ready for delivery to the Tammy Walker Cancer Center in Salina, Kansas. I didn't count how many I put in the bag, but there are approximately 3-4 dozen, looking for new heads to call home. I'm excited to get to deliver these caps in person. I've donated to this cancer center twice before but I haven't personally delivered them. My helper (cousin :) has taken them previously but tomorrow I'm meeting her there to drop them off, so it will be my first visit to the center. It's an 8 hour drive to get there, will I be glad to get there!

SALE!

When I see a great yarn sale, I find it so hard to pass it by, even with all the wonderful donations I've had. Today there is a sale that I have to share with you all, in case anyone is interested in picking up yarn for anything, there are lots of options. It's from Joann stores, most are in store and online, if you are shopping online, there's also a free shipping coupon code for orders of $50 or more, YUEA068. All the yarn is on sale, they are up to 40% off on some varieties. Some of the best deals and my faves are the following (you can tell I've been window shopping):
*-online only
Bold-favorites

NON-ACRYLIC OR MIXED

Bernat Alpaca Chunky (alpaca and acrylic) for $2.69 (reg $4.49)

Bernat Cottontots (cotton, great for kids) for $2.99 (reg $4.99)

Bernat Bamboo Chunky (86% bamboo, soft and thick) for $2.69 (reg $4.49)

Jo-Ann Sensations Bamboo & Ewe (Wool, nylon and rayon mix) for $3.59 (reg $5.99)

Lion Brand Baby Wool (warm wool, pastels) for $3.35 (reg $4.79)

Nature's Choice Organic Cotton (favorite, soft, great for chemo caps) for $4.49 (reg $7.49)

*Naturally Caron.com Spa (bamboo/microdenier acrylic) for $2.99 (reg $4.99)

Patons Lace (acrylic with mohair and wool, fuzzy, great color changes) for $3.89 (reg $6.49)

Patons Classic Wool (100% wool roving) for $4.19 (reg $6.99)

STANDARD YARN
Bernat Softee Baby Yarn (thin and soft) for $2.79 (reg $4.99)
Bernat Baby Big Ball Sport Yarn (thin and soft) for $5.99 (reg $9.99)
Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn (thicker than most baby yarns, fuzzy and soft) for $5.99 (reg $9.99)
Caron Simply Soft (favorite, lots of color options) for $2.79 (reg $4.49)
Lion Brand Homespun (works up fast, soft and wavy) for $4.79 (reg $6.49)
Lion Brand Homespun Thick & Quick (thick, soft and wavy) for $4.79 (reg $8.99)
Mary Maxim Sugar Baby (favorite color schemes, soft) for $2.99 (reg $4.99)
Red Heart Soft (great colors, soft acrylic) for $2.79 (reg $4.49)
Red Heart Classic (best variety of colors) for $1.60 (reg $2. 29)
Red Heart Super Saver (favorite for larger projects) for $5.99 (reg $9.99)

FANCY/DECORATIVE YARN
Bernat Boa (eyelash fringe) for $2.99 (reg $4.99)
Bernat Tizzy (polyester, fringe) for $2.99 (reg $4.99)
Jo-Ann Sensations Beautiful (acrylic/nylon, fuzzy) for $3.59 (reg $5.99)
Jo-Ann Sesnsation Cello (polyester, great for fake hair caps) for $2.79 (reg $4.99)
*Lash Lux (long eyelash) for $2.44 (reg $3.49)
*Lily Sugar'n Cream Scents (cotton scented yarn, great for bath & kitchen) for $1.31 (reg $2.19)
Lion Brand Fancy Fur (perfect for decorative scarves) for $3.59 (reg $5.99)
Lion Brand Moonlight Mohair (great colors and fibers, not super soft) for $5.39 (reg $8.99)
Patons Kroy Sock Yarn (wool/nylon sock yarn) for $3.89 (reg $6.49)
Premier Starbella (ribbon yarn) for $4.89 (reg $6.99)
Red Heart Team Spirit (2 color self striping in 15 combinations) for $3.15 (reg $4.49)
*Simply Soft Party (soft with a little sparkle) for $2.57 (reg $4.29)

Package on the doorstep

O'Quinn family, Spring, TX

Even more now than in the past, a package on the doorstep is always a nice surprise. Especially when you don't expect it, at least that's my take on packages. So, when I came home last week and found a box of yarn on my doorstep, I was very pleased. I've said it before but I'll say it again. I have plenty of yarn still, but every new donation gives me a little pick me up and motivation to get going again. I have been working on a project that I won't tell you about because it is a gift I hope to get finished and sent soon but due to that and my life going at such a pace, I haven't been working on caps much. I was so excited though to get this yarn, from one of my most frequent "donators" (I think there should be a much better name, that one just doesn't do it justice) perked me right up and I started a cap with one of the newly arrived yarns right away. Here's a picture what came in this package and I hope to have some more finished to share sooner than later.

Yarn makes me happy

Molly Sego

Due to a variety of things, this was a rough week at work, but there was a nice bright spot coming out of the week. On Wednesday afternoon, a coworker sent out an email saying she had brought yarn from home to give away to whomever might be interested. Of course, I jumped on the opportunity and she sent the yarn to my room shortly and I brought it home that night. I haven't had a chance to make anything with this new donation yet but I wanted to share it here. I've been trying to work on details for another couple of donation stops as well, so I hope to post more about that soon.

Kuhl Cap

Kuhl Cap

This post is about a week late, but better late than never! As I've done once before already, I'd like to make a special recognition of someone else who has left us too early and donate caps in his name. So, this is the first cap of many I will make in memory of the father of my friend Leah Kuhl. His favorite color was purple, like mine, so I have made this first cap in purple and some of the fluorescent yellow that was one of Eriq's favorites. Best of both, in one cap.

Fluorescent

Before I go into my crochet talk, I have to share what crazy weather we're having here. I know, it's Texas, and we are used to this as much as you can get used to this but still...Within the past 2 weeks it has gone from 73 to 28 in one day, followed by snow 3 days later, which was gone by the next day and 4 days later it feels like spring, sunny and 65. The bluebonnets are coming up, the trees are starting to show buds and yet we typically get snow, if we are getting any, in February. No wonder everyone is sick around here!

Enough about weather the weather, I have been busy working on other projects these past couple of weeks due to a variety of things but I did get some new cards to tag the hats and had particular fun not just making this cap but in having my dog pose with it. Now I have to get the dog hair off, but it was worth it just to see her face! The yarn was from my last delivery as well as some of my grandmother's yarn I inherited. The color was so perfectly Eriq, fluorescent yellow, he would have loved it and even had a shirt that matched that he bought up in Kansas about a year ago Thanksgiving. I'm not even going to try and put a shirt on the dog, you'll have to enjoy the picture of the dog posing with the cap.

Crochet lessons and new yarn

McMains family, San Marcos, TX

I haven't posted in awhile, all year in fact! It's 2013, I had hoped for a better start but the challenges have continued, including losing another 2 students from our high school. These 2 were not mine but their deaths affected the other students. However, there have been some good crochet times, including times with former students. I mentioned in my last post that I had 2 days in a row of crocheting sessions. I ended up with 4 sessions over 6 days, all one on one sessions and in fact I have another one scheduled for tomorrow. Those sessions are good and I really enjoy teaching people to crochet and even reteaching as the case may be. Yesterday, I received a package from a college friend, he and his kids picked out some yarn and it had been delivered when I got home. They did a great job choosing colors Eriq would have loved, neon and purple among others. As always, despite having plenty of yarn, a new batch always motivates me a little bit more. I was glad to get that extra bit of motivation.