Stash Bust Update, Mid-December 2015

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Final Count for 2015 Stash Bust Challenge??

Melo hat by ACCROchet

I finished what will likely be my last charitable project for 2015, the Melo Hat by ACCROchet.  It’s a super cute hat.  I had to adjust the pattern a little as my yarn was much thinner than the suggested yarn.  I ended up adding an additional pattern repeat and working a lot of extras rows.  It’s super slouchy with a removable pom-pom.  I hope a young teen will enjoy it.  I’m super happy I was able to complete this during the Gift-A-Long on Ravelry.  There is a slim chance I’ll have time to finish another hat before 2016 starts.  But if not, I’m pleased with the results to date!

The hat weighs over 4.25 ounces.

Total hats made in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 12

Total bears made in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 6

Total blankets made in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 2

Total weight of yarn used in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 5 pounds, 5 ounces!
Spiffy

2015 Stash Bust for Charity, Early November Status

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Still working on busting out some stash…

As mentioned in my last post, things have been busy here.  So busy that I was three months late with that last post.  And, like many of you, late November and December are hectic for my family.  In anticipation of the upcoming overload of activities, I am getting some stash busting done ASAP to see if the goal of crocheting 5 pounds of yarn for charity can be achieved before year-end.

image_mediumAs of June, I had crocheted 3 pounds, 12.5 ounces into hats, a blanket and bears.  My current project should take a chunk out of the 5 pound goal!  In September I started a blanket for donation to a local nursing home.  I decided to use Beth Graham’s Inca Blocks Wrap pattern.  I’m working it with (mostly) Caron Simply Soft and it is turning out pretty cozy.  The pattern is easy to follow-I love the chart!  My goal is to finish the crocheting this week and then work on weaving in ends this weekend.

Once the blanket is done I plan to make some beanies for donation.  I’ll need to stash dive and see what I have that is on Halos of Hope’s updated yarn suggestion guide.  Check it out.   I also found out about another organization that collects hats for kids going through chemo therapy.  The organization is the Jessie Rees Foundation and they send out Joy Jars with a beanie in each.  The story behind the foundation is both heartbreaking and inspiring.  I’ve got something special in mind for Joy Jar beanies, so please look for that in the next week or two.

PatchworkKitty-001

2015 Stash Bust for Charity, June Update

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A Birthday Hat for Halos of Hope

Countryside Slouchy crocheted for Halos of Hope, chemo donationPat with 12 Months = 24 Hats  is so sweet.  My birthday was last month and she surprised me with a gift pattern, The Countryside Slouchy.  This hat has a unique style and is one I had not yet made.  It is always fun to try something new and I enjoyed making this hat.  Thanks Pat!!!!

Click on the hat and it will bring you to my Ravelry project page to see more photos.

This hat weighs 3.25 ounces.

Total hats made in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 10

Total bears made in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 6

Total weight of yarn used in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 3 pounds, 12.5 ounces!

Black Raspberry Shawl Crochet Pattern by Darleen Hopkins

2015 Stash Bust for Charity, Sneaking in One More for April

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One more for April, 2015!

Purple Fuzz chemo hat for donation, Halos of Hope

While gathering up my collection of hats to mail to Halos of Hope I found this hat that was 90% done.  I had started it in February while I worked up the pattern for the orange furry wig.  I didn’t have enough yarn so I had to turn it into a beanie.  At some point I set it aside and completely forgot about it.  It is a whole ‘lotta Purple Fuzz!  The furry wig pattern is still on my to-do list and I have more furry yarn in stash to work with.

This hat weighs 3.25 ounces.

Total hats made in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 10

Total bears made in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 6

Total weight of yarn used in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 2 pounds, 6.25 ounces!

15 hats ready to mail to Halos of Hope

15 hats ready to mail to Halos of Hope

 

Whispers, Crochet by Darleen Hopkins http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/whispers-shawl-shawlette-or-scarf

2015 Stash Bust for Charity, End of April Update

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Three More Hats for Halos of Hope

Halos of Hope chemo hat for donation, crochetPat with 12 Months = 24 Hats challenged me this past month with who could make the most hats during the month.  The winner gets 2 skeins of cotton yarn.  I started out strong and completed 2 hats in the first week.  But the month became busier for me and I was only able to complete 3 more in last couple of weeks.  Overall, 5 hats in one month is pretty great and I’m pleased with my progress.  I’m anxious to see how many Pat completed and if she’ll be sending me yarn or if I’ll be sending some to her! Of course, the real winner is Halos of Hope as all hats will be donated to them.

Halos of Hope chemo hat for donation, Big Kahuna crochet pattern The first hat is a pattern from the April issue of ILikeCrochet.com.  It is the Darling Baby Hat made in the largest size.  I used some organic cotton yarn I have had for a while and love it.  The flower is attached with a safety-pin so it can be moved or removed for washing.

Big Kahuna crochet pattern by Darleen Hopkins. Made for Halos of Hoe chemo hat donationThe next hat is a Big Kahuna made with Bernat Handicrafter CottonTwists.  I LOVE the bright pinks!

Beanie crocheted by Darleen Hopkins for Halos of Hope donation, chemo hatThe last hat is a random striped basic beanie.  I didn’t follow a pattern.  I just grouped together some small balls of leftover cotton/acrylic blend yarn that I thought looked nice together and started crocheting.  I like the way it turned out but it was A LOT of ends to work in.

It was a lot of fun to “compete” with Pat this month.  I can’t wait to see how many she finished!!  Did she beat 5???

These three hats weigh 8.75 ounces.

Total hats made in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 9

Total bears made in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 6

Total weight of yarn used in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 2 pounds, 3 ounces!

Black Raspberry Shawl Crochet Pattern by Darleen Hopkins

Crocheted Wee Bears for Team Lewis

2015 Stash Bust for Charity, Mid April Update

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More Crocheted Bears

Crocheted Wee Bears for Team Lewis

6 Wee Bears for Team Lewis ready to mail!

Wee bear for Team Lewis crochted in cotton/acrylic blendscrocheted bears for Team Lewis, used Sugar 'n Cream ombre and a solid lavendarThree more bears for Team Lewis.  The striped matching bears are made with alternating rows of Sugar ‘n Cream ombre and a solid lavender.  This yarn was given to me by very generous crocheter (Read more!)  The pink striped bear was made as the sibling to the blue striped bear I posted last week.  I used a couple different brands of cotton/acrylic blend yarn for her and she is super soft!

The bears are a lot of fun to make. I’m honored to be able to help out this group and I hope the bears can bring some comfort to those who are going through the worst thing imaginable. The  three bears weigh 5.75 ounces-before stuffing!

Team Lewis is a sweet organization, please check it out.

Total hats made in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 6

Total bears made in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 6

Total weight of yarn used in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 1 pound, 10.25 ounces!

2015 Stash Bust for Charity, Early April Update

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Bears and Hats and Hats and Bears

Cubed Hat, Relaxed Beanie crochet pattern by Darleen Hopkins with adjusted stripingchemo crochet beanie for halos of hope - Cubed Hat, Relaxed Beanie crochet pattern by Darleen Hopkins with adjusted stripingThe Cubed Hat with alternate striping.—–>

This past week my boys been on spring break so we decided to take a quick road trip to Tennessee and Alabama.  The road trip was fun and we saw some great sites.  Raccoon Mountain, Cathedral Caverns, Russell Cave National Monument and Little River Canyon National Preserve.   Whenever we road trip my husband does most of the driving.  This gives me lots of crochet time.  This is good because  as mentioned in my last post, Pat, with 12 months = 24 hats challenged me to hat-off.  We are competing to see who can make more hats for Halos of Hope this month.  In addition to hats, I’m making bears for Team Lewis.  Lots to crochet in April!

Relaxed Beanie Cubed Hat Crochet, crochet pattern by Darleen Hopkins Cubed Hat Relax Beanie Halos of Hope, crochet pattern by Darleen HopkinsI decided to make a Cubed Hat as my first hat for this challenge as my husband wears his Cubed Super Slouchy a lot and I thought it would be nice to make one for donation.  Halos of Hope always seems to need hats for men.  My intent was to make a Cubed Hat, Super Slouchy but apparently I picked up the pattern for the Cubed Hat, Relaxed Beanie!  Whoops!  About 80% into the hat I realized I was making a beanie.  Oh well. The good thing about this error was I had enough green yarn to make a second beanie.   I used the same pattern but adjusted the striping.  My husband really liked the color combination so it looks like I’ll be making him one as well.

teddy-bears-team-lewis crocheted bear for Team LewisThe bears are a lot of fun to make.  Team Lewis is a sweet organization, please check it out.

It’s been a busy month so far!  The two hats and three bears weigh 12.25 ounces.

Total hats made in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 6

Total bears made in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 3

Total weight of yarn used in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 1 pound, 4.5 ounces!

 

Crochet to do list and a hat challenge

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Hats, and Lists and Bears, Oh MY!

Hats for Halos of Hope; bears for a sweet charitable project called Team Lewis I just found out about and has a very special meaning to me; a new design currently in progress; new design ideas I’m dying to get started on; the CGOA Master Crochet Program I’m determined to start and finish in 2015; and EYEBALLS, gotta have more eyeballs in lots of colors.  So much to crochet and so little time.

cotton and cotton blend yarn stash for charity crochet

How many hats and bears will this yarn make?

What do you do when you can’t decide what project to crochet first?  Do you have multiple WIPs going at once, skipping from one project to another or do you just crochet as fast as possible to finish one item and then move onto the next?

Me, I’m a list girl.  Growing up I remember my dad making lists.  They’d be in the corner of his desk blotter with the items crossed out as completed.  I don’t remember or know what the lists were for, “to do” lists of some sort, but I can still visualize them on his desk in the house I grew up in.  I guess that is why I make lists for everything.  I make them at work, I make them at home.  I make lists for my kids of chores to do when school is out and my husband and I have to work.  I make lists for the grocery shopping (sectioned into quadrants: grocery, non-food, cold stuff and produce).  And I make lists of items to pack for when we go on vacation.  Lists for everything!

See UPDATE below! So here’s my list of crochet items I plan to stitch in April.  I tend to get bored making too much of one thing so I have to mix it up a little.  I’m going to try to stick to it and in order…

1) Finish WIP hat for Halos of Hope
2) 2 bears for Team Lewis
3) Cotton hat for Halos of Hope
4) Work a night or two on WIP design
5) 2 more bears for Team Lewis
6) Work a night or two on WIP design
7) Cotton hat for Halos of Hope, ship all hats made to date
8) 2 more bears for Team Lewis, prepare for shipping
9) Finish brown eyeball
10) Start that new design you want to do so badly!!

UPDATE:  After drafting this post but prior to publishing, I received a challenge from Pat.  She bet me 2 skeins of cotton yarn that she could make more hats for Halos of Hope this month than I can.  I say GAME ON!  I may have to tweak the order of my crochet to do list a bit due to this new development and pick up in May what I don’t get to this month.  Halos of Hope is such a great organization so I want to make as many hats as possible.  Also, I want to WIN!   And I do want to make at least 6 bears this month as they need to be in the mail by the end of the month.

Revised list
1) 6 bears then as many hats as physically possible.

Looks like my crochet time will be spent mainly on hats and bears.  And it looks like we may be eating a lot of frozen dinners this month.  Less time cooking = more time crocheting!  So much to crochet, so little time.

Silly hats for silly kids crochet patterns by darleen hopkins

2015 Stash Bust for Charity, Early February update

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Fun Fur Silliness, Phase One

Fun fur crochet hat for donation https://crochetbydarleenhopkins.com/category/2015-chemo-hat-challenge/My last post stated  “I’ve got some funky fun fur that needs to used…” and this is the result of the first fun fur hat in 2015.   It’s pretty stretchy and should fit most about 8 years old and up.  I’m hopeful it will find a home to someone with a unique sense of humor. This hat weights 2.25 ounces.

Total hats made in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 4

Total weight of yarn used in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date:
8.25 ounces

 

Happy Puppy Hat, crochet pattern by Darleen Hopkins

2015 Stash Bust for Charity, Mid-January update

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New Challenge for 2015

It’s a new year and therefore time for a new challenge.  A couple of years ago I decided I was going to work on busting out some of my stash yarn and make hats for chemo donation.  My 2013 Stash Bust Challenge was focused on a box full of Bernat CottonTots yarn.  I ended up crocheting 5 pounds, 15.5 ounces of it into 32 hats for Halos of Hope or other charitable donation.  I had also crocheted other hats for donation in different yarn that I didn’t include in the count.  I was pretty busy with hats that year.  Last year’s challenge didn’t focus on any yarn in particular, just random yarn in my stash.  Last year I made 24 hats out of 5 pounds, 4.25 ounces!  I must have made some pretty heavy hats!

It would seem that most of my stash yarn would be close to gone at this point. Sadly, no.  I still have too many boxes of yarn.  So 2015 will once again be all about working from stash yarn for charitable causes. This year’s goal will be a minimum of 24 hats and 5 pounds of yarn.  I’ve got some funky fun fur that needs to used and a ton of cotton and cotton-blends that will be perfect for chemo hats.  I also hope to make a lapghan or two.

Let’s start this challenge off with the first 3 hats of 2015 completed!

Hat for Halos for Hope, crocheted by Darleen HopkinsThe first is called End’s Swell.  I won this pattern in the Gift-A-Long on Ravelry last month.  It is stitched with slip stitches which was totally new to me.  The final result is adorable.  The pattern is a great way to use up smaller leftovers without having to work in a million ends.  I can see making more of these in random stripes as leftovers come available.

Divine Hat for Halos of Hope, crocheted by Darleen HopkinsNext is another Divine Hat.  This is a great pattern and my third one.  I used Caron Simply Soft for this one.  It looks great but, going forward, I’ll use thinner yarns when making this pattern.  I loved it in Caron Spa.

Happy Puppy Hat, crochet pattern by Darleen HopkinsLast is a Happy Puppy.  Last month I re-worked the pattern in Vanna’s Choice by Lion Brand.  I also re-formatted the pattern and took new pictures.  The pattern was originally written with Bernat  Denim Style-a great cotton/acrylic blend.  Unfortunately this yarn has been discontinued.  I (of course) have a few skeins of it in my stash and found this hat partially finished.  Because Denim Style is super soft and perfect for chemo hats, I finished it and will include it in my next batch of hats to Halos of Hope.

This 2015 challenge is on and off for a good start!

The three hats weigh 7 ounces.

Total hats made in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 3

Total weight of yarn used in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 7 ounces

CrochetForMen