It's The Great Pumpkin, Yarns of Hope!

Fall is certainly in the air with the temperatures lowering, daylight ending earlier and decorations adorned inside and out.  Stores have been carrying fall-themed decor for months (and Christmas too but that's a conversation for another day.) I don't know about you, but I'm finally ready to stop ignoring the aisles and walk around in the corn-stalk and orange-leafed harvest wonderland in the craft sections.

One of my favorite reasons for celebrating this time of year (aside from rummaging through my daughter's candy bag for Butterfinger's and Twizzler's) is dressing up in warm and festive attire!  Outfits become longer and layered, pastels make way for darker and earthy tones, and warm accessories becomes a newfound reason to pick up our sticks and make hats and scarves for ourselves, family and others in need.

Why not celebrate the season by making a pumpkin hat!  It can be worn for at least two months out of the year, is a novelty among hat styles and will have people oohing and ahhing once you have told them that you made it yourself!  So pick up your hook, needle and/or pick and let's make a patch worthy for the Great Pumpkin to come and visit.

The below patterns are geared for children but can be easily modified to fit an adult hat by using larger materials, thicker yarn and/or adding more stitches to fit the circumference of the intended wearer.


Crochet pumpkin hat

Knit pumpkin hat

Loom pumpkin hat

Another trip to MCCH and a Special Request

All of you ladies have been so busy that our stash was overflowing with blankets and quilts, so I scheduled a visit to children's oncology unit at Medical Center Children's Hospital today. The Child Life Director was thrilled will all of the blankets, quilts, scarves, hats and toys that I delivered to her. She wants all of you to know that she, her staff, and all of the patients love our generosity and all of the things that we make for them. While we were visiting, she mentioned a need for "rice frogs". Now, I had no idea what a rice frog was but she explained it and sent me these links:  Rice Frog (1) and Rice Frog (2). Basically, they are fabric frogs made out of scraps then stuffed with long grain rice. The frogs can be placed in a microwave to warm then placed on the patient's aches and pains. She said that the kids all just love these frogs and they really help as well.

So, if anyone would like to help out by making some of these frogs, please just bring to one of our meetings or let me know.

God bless,
Gina