BABY CHRISTENING SET COMPLETE

HOOKERS AT WORK!!!

Well, we finished the baby christening set. It is beautiful. See the picture of us hard at work and of the finished product. The set on top is the new one with the original below. The stitches are a perfect match. The yarn has the same silver thread but is a slightly different texture even though it is the same brand—Lion’s Baby Pompadour. We both learned a lot doing the project. We recognized the 5 double crochet shell stitch as the stitch used and found a pattern which had the instructions for the two rows of the shell pattern. It was for a potholder but we adapted it to the number of shells each item required. The afghan was no problem. I learned how to make booties. I must have downloaded at least 100 patterns before I found the one that can be made in one piece and that matched the original ones. The pattern for the booties was from the vintage pattern site and was dated in 1920 era. The cap was made using a pattern from an old baby pattern. The gown turned out to be a real challenge. At first we thought the yoke was separate but then a friend looked at the original one more closely and determined that the yoke is made as part of the back and two fronts with reductions in the last row of the gown back and fronts to make the puckers, marking the beginning of the yoke. The result is a perfect match right down to the elbow space you don’t find in modern patterns. We have since found out that there is a boy and girl so we figure that the older set, which is a creamy color, will be for the boy and the new one, which is bright white, will be for the girl. We washed it and dried it and it came out much softer. Before washing it, I had my poodle, Lexe, model it. We are pleased and hope the mother will be as well. We couldn’t have done the set without collaboration with other crocheters. Another example of why women formed quilting bees—it is much easier to identify stitches and match them when discussing with another. Thanks everyone for your help. We are now ready to rest a bit before tackling anymore items

CATCHING UP

Things with the collaborative are slow right now. Most are busy with their work days and have not had time to meet to crochet BUT we will catch up one of these days. Now that April is here, the tug of warmer weather and the desire to reconnect with old friends will move us to try new yarns and to once again 'collaborate' on new projects. Blocks for charity 'Warm Up America' will be replaced with lighter weight items such as shawls and throws for nursing homes residents. Here's a picture of a shawl that I sent to my aunt who just moved into an assisted living facility and found it to be a bit drafty. I'm sure her neighbors will appreciate a similar shawl. We don't have to wait to be invited to give the gift of crochet.