No Loose Ends

In 2011 my sister Kirsten and I went to Mexico to attend Abraham's sister's wedding. Abraham was in the middle of getting his Canadian residency, so he sadly couldn't come. I crocheted a green frog for his nephew. Four years later it is holding up really well, although it is a bit matted, but that just means that it is well loved :)

My mom taught me that it is important to sew in the loose ends of projects. I have found this to be true. Don't be tempted to just tie a really tight knot and trim off the ends. It is worth it to take the extra time to get out your darning needle, and finish your project properly. This way it will withstand all the love your loved ones will give it.

Pneumonia Vests

Pneumonia vests keep children in hot climates warm at night when the temperature drops, reducing their risk of illness.

They are usually knitted, but I wanted to do a service project with the Young Women in my ward, using the new skill I taught them, crochet. I eventually found a crochet pattern online. This is a prototype. I think that I will use a larger sized crochet hook next time so that it won't be so tight. It is super easy, and only uses single crochet stitch. Perfect project for beginners.

The lady who owns "The Knitting Room" (the yarn store I frequent), has a basket for people who want to donate pneumonia vests, and she mails them off to the organization that distributes them to where they need to go. 

This was the first time I made something for someone I didn't know. It was interesting, because I usually picture the person I am making the project for while I am making it. I ended up picturing a little girl (because my vest is pink) sleeping all snug and warm. It was a fun service project.

This is the pattern I used:
4.50 mm hook / worsted weight yarn.
I also used 72 SC's for the body; 36 SC's for each the front and back pieces and 12 SC's for each shoulder as well as for the neck opening. This is just a guide and actual numbers of stitches required may change depending on the yarn and hook you choose to use. This pattern is for a small vest and the finished size is: Length: 10 1/2 inches and Width: 9 inches.

Ribbing:

• Chain 10, SC in 2nd chain from hook, SC across rest of chain. (8 SC)
• Working in FRONT LOOPS ONLY SC across, chain 1, turn (8 SC)
• Repeat last row till piece measures 18 inches long.
• Fold in half and place edges together, slip stitch together.

DO NOT BREAK YARN…

Body:(worked in rounds till arm openings and the seam will be on the side)

• Turn, chain 1 and then working along side edge make an even number of SC's, join with slip stitch in the chain 1 stitch at beginning of row. Chain 1.
• SC around, chain 1, join with slip stitch in chain 1 of previous round.
• Repeat previous row till piece measures 6 inches (including RIBBING). The rest of the vest is worked in rows from this point to shape the arm and neck openings.

Front:

• SC to the midpoint, chain 1 and turn, leaving the other half unworked.
• SC back to beginning, chain 1 , turn.
• SC to end of row, chain 1, turn.
• Repeat last row till FRONT piece measures 9 inches (including RIBBING).

Shoulders:

• Divide stitches into thirds for the two shoulders and for the neck opening. Place markers if desired.
• Working only in the first third of the last row, SC across, chain 1 turn.
• SC across, chain 1, turn.
• Repeat last row till shoulder piece measures 1 1/2 inches, end on the neck side. 
• DO NOT BREAK YARN. 
• (vest measures 10 1/2 inches including RIBBING)
• Slip stitch loosely down neck side of shoulder piece and along the neck edge to the beginning of the second shoulder side, chain 1 and SC across, chain 1, turn. Continue making the second shoulder piece to match the first. End on the arm opening side. BREAK YARN.

Back:

• Return to last round of the BODY and join yarn in first stitch of the unworked half. SC across, chain 1, turn. Work as for FRONT. 
• Sew shoulder seams.