Knit a Block Link Up

This is a gallery for all your knitted blocks from the book 200 Knitted Blocks by Jan Eaton.

The link up is in two parts the first part is for your blocks and the second part for any projects you have made or are making with the blocks.







Link your block creations here, any projects that have been made using the pattern stitches from the blocks are also welcome.

Pom Pom Baby Hat

At the beginning of the stash-buster challenge last year I had a huge baby stash some kind person had donated.  I was thrilled of course and concentrated my efforts on busting it. I'm pleased to say that I did manage to use a huge proportion of it and I was feeling just a teeny bit smug. I was ready to move on to pastures new as it were and start concentrating on other projects, maybe even finish my blanket which has now been on the go for two years.  
As most of you know I work in a rehabilitation Day Unit for the elderly, we have a sweet guy called Ron who comes for physiotherapy a couple of times a week.  Ron is a quiet chap who sometimes watches the ladies and myself (if time permits), knit and crochet.  Have you noticed that not only does crafting sooth and calm the person who is doing it, it seems to also have the same effect on those who watch.  Anyway one day Ron asked me in his shy quiet voice if I need any yarn because his daughter in law had lots she had accumulated and wanted rid of.  What a question to ask a stashaholic like myself! do I need any yarn?, " of course I do Ron, please just ask her to bring it in and we will put it to good use"...so she did..............

 Lots of lovely baby yarn

Ah well I do love making baby things :)


Preemie Hats 3

PomPom Baby Hats

These little preemie hats are easy to make and as quick as can be.

These are made with 4ply yarn.

and these are made with Dk

I'm sure you don't really need a pattern for these but I will write it down anyway.

Basic Pattern

4 ply Version

Written in English terms
tr = dc
dc = sc

6 grams 4ply yarn 

3mm hook

Make a Magic ring

Round one - ch3 and 15tr into ring, ss to ch3 at beg of round. (here and throughout ch3 counts as 1tr)

Round two - ch3, *2tr into next tr, 1tr in next tr* rep from * to * around, ss to top of ch3 =24 tr

Round three - ch3, 1tr in next tr, *2tr in next tr, 1tr into next 2tr* around, ss to top of ch3 = 32 tr

Round four - ch3, 1tr in next 2 tr, *2tr in next tr, 1tr in next 3tr* around ss to top of ch3  = 40 tr

Round five - ch3 1 tr in each tr around, ss to top of ch3 repeat this round until 10 rounds have been worked.

Round eleven - loosely reverse dc (crab stitch) in each treble around, finish off, weave in ends.
*make sure that you work the final round loosely so that it's not too tight to fit onto a fragile babies head.

Add a cute pompom if you wish

Double knit version

4mm hook
9 grams Dk yarn

Work as above until round three =  32 tr, then continue on these stitches until 9 rounds have been worked, finish off as above.

 NewBorn Size

Made with Dk yarn
Follow preemie version until round four then
Round five - ch3 then 1tr in next 3tr, *2tr in next tr, 1tr in next 4 tr* around  = 48 tr1st
Round six - 3ch, 1tr in each tr around ss to top of ch3, repeat this round until thirteen rounds have been worked.
Round fourteen - loosely reverse dc (crab stitch) in each treble around, finish off, weave in ends.

Please let me know if you make any of these I would love to know if the pattern works ok for you.

Ten cute little hats

75 grams of yarn busted.

The Monday Smile

Happy New Year to you all and welcome to the first Monday Smile of the year.  I know today is going to be a difficult one for many of us going back to work after a lovely long Christmas break but it's time to move forward and put all those New Years resolutions to the test.  So what better way to start the year than a little philosophy for life. 

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .  

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

Try and read to the end or read half today and the rest tomorrow.

 1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

 3. Life is too short enjoy it.

 4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

 5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

 6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

 8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

 11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the future.

 12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

 13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don't worry, God never blinks.

 16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

 17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

 18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

 19.. It's never too late to be happy. But it's all up to you and no one else.

 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

 22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

 23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

 24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

 25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

 26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

 27. Always choose life.

 28. Forgive

 29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

 30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

 31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

 32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

 33. Believe in miracles.

 34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

 35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

 36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.

 37. Your children get only one childhood.

 38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

 40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

 41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need

 42. The best is yet to come...

 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

 44. Yield.

 45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

 Thank you June for sharing it's definitely one to read often. :)

Have a great week everyone!