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| Crocheting Tips - General |
*It may be a good idea to start learning with worsted weight or sport weight yarn and an "H" or "I" hook.
This will help you see your stitches and is much easier to work with when beginning. Starting with
some simple squares (or a very small blanket) with lines of each stitch is a good idea...this will help
you learn your stitches, get used to holding the crochet hook and adjust your tension.
*Wait a while before you try fancy yarns (like boucle). It's very difficult to see your stitches and just
difficult to work with the yarns in general (and not very fun, in my opinion).
*Having a "How To Crochet" booklet (or instructions online) handy is very helpful, especially when trying
to remember different stitches.
*Always weave in ends securely. Try to weave in 3-4 inches.
This will help you see your stitches and is much easier to work with when beginning. Starting with
some simple squares (or a very small blanket) with lines of each stitch is a good idea...this will help
you learn your stitches, get used to holding the crochet hook and adjust your tension.
*Wait a while before you try fancy yarns (like boucle). It's very difficult to see your stitches and just
difficult to work with the yarns in general (and not very fun, in my opinion).
*Having a "How To Crochet" booklet (or instructions online) handy is very helpful, especially when trying
to remember different stitches.
*Always weave in ends securely. Try to weave in 3-4 inches.
*SOFT worsted weight yarn (ie: Red Heart SOFT, Caron Simply Soft) can be used for blankets and
full-term hats & booties. Soft baby yarns and soft sport weight yarns (ie: Red Heart Soft Baby, Bernat
Softee Baby) can be used for blankets and full-term or preemie hats & booties. Fingering or sock weight
yarns and soft sport weight yarns work fine for preemie hats and booties and also for summer-weight
full-term. Try to stay away from regular worsted weight 4-ply yarn (it usually makes items too stiff but may
work fine for some blanket patterns). Try to use the softer and lighter yarns on Preemie items, it makes
the babies seem even smaller with heavier yarns and their skin needs the softest yarns possible. And
most important, make sure your hat is good and stretchy! And most booties (in my opinion) should have
ties (I like the yarn chain ties the best).
*If possible, try not to use solid yellow as the main color on your projects, it makes babies with jaundice
look even more jaundice. Of course, if that's all you have, don't hesitate to use it. . . a warm and
comfortable baby is what's important.
*Don't be afraid to use bright colors! Not everything baby has to be pastel! Try mixing and matching,
making a hat and ties for the booties of one color and the booties and a pom pom for the hat out of
another color.
*Avoid using wool, some babies are allergic. Cotton yarns are best for washclothes, bibs, etc. They
tend to shrink, and be too heavy when used for clothing or blankets but may work just fine for some
bootie patterns. Don't use fuzzy or metallic yarns.
*Use patterns with small holes for preemies especially (so tubes, etc. won't get caught).
*Most prefer no fringes on baby blankets.
full-term hats & booties. Soft baby yarns and soft sport weight yarns (ie: Red Heart Soft Baby, Bernat
Softee Baby) can be used for blankets and full-term or preemie hats & booties. Fingering or sock weight
yarns and soft sport weight yarns work fine for preemie hats and booties and also for summer-weight
full-term. Try to stay away from regular worsted weight 4-ply yarn (it usually makes items too stiff but may
work fine for some blanket patterns). Try to use the softer and lighter yarns on Preemie items, it makes
the babies seem even smaller with heavier yarns and their skin needs the softest yarns possible. And
most important, make sure your hat is good and stretchy! And most booties (in my opinion) should have
ties (I like the yarn chain ties the best).
*If possible, try not to use solid yellow as the main color on your projects, it makes babies with jaundice
look even more jaundice. Of course, if that's all you have, don't hesitate to use it. . . a warm and
comfortable baby is what's important.
*Don't be afraid to use bright colors! Not everything baby has to be pastel! Try mixing and matching,
making a hat and ties for the booties of one color and the booties and a pom pom for the hat out of
another color.
*Avoid using wool, some babies are allergic. Cotton yarns are best for washclothes, bibs, etc. They
tend to shrink, and be too heavy when used for clothing or blankets but may work just fine for some
bootie patterns. Don't use fuzzy or metallic yarns.
*Use patterns with small holes for preemies especially (so tubes, etc. won't get caught).
*Most prefer no fringes on baby blankets.
| Full-term and Preemie Newborn Items |
*Always ask what the charity needs. Maybe offer suggestions on what you're able and willing to do and
see if they have a need for it. Above all, remember to have FUN crocheting! If you only like to crochet hats,
make hats...someone else may only like to do booties. If you like everything, try to make a matching set
of hat and booties. Experiment with new patterns to keep it fun!
*Generally, baby blankets from 15" square on up are needed (but check with your charity first). A 15-20
inch square blanket works great for preemies. You may not think a small blanket is necessary, but when
your little one is so tiny, it's nice to have one blanket that she doesn't get lost in. :-)
*Always wash and dry your items before sending. Use a perfume-free detergent or Dreft and NO fabric
softeners (many babies sensitive skin can't handle it). I hand wash mine in All Free & Clear and hang to
dry or fluff in the dryer. Please make sure your items are COMPLETELY dry before placing in plastic
bags, etc.
*Ask how the charity wants you to package your items. Some would prefer you to tie sets together with
yarn and then put them in a plastic bag with a label. Some would like you to do something else with
them.
*Always include an inventory sheet with your items, your name and address, and dollar value of the
items (if you'd like a receipt for tax purposes). The charity may also request you put down the amount of
hours it took you to complete your items (it helps them to have statistics like this, especially when asking
for donations, etc.). Remember to have fun!
see if they have a need for it. Above all, remember to have FUN crocheting! If you only like to crochet hats,
make hats...someone else may only like to do booties. If you like everything, try to make a matching set
of hat and booties. Experiment with new patterns to keep it fun!
*Generally, baby blankets from 15" square on up are needed (but check with your charity first). A 15-20
inch square blanket works great for preemies. You may not think a small blanket is necessary, but when
your little one is so tiny, it's nice to have one blanket that she doesn't get lost in. :-)
*Always wash and dry your items before sending. Use a perfume-free detergent or Dreft and NO fabric
softeners (many babies sensitive skin can't handle it). I hand wash mine in All Free & Clear and hang to
dry or fluff in the dryer. Please make sure your items are COMPLETELY dry before placing in plastic
bags, etc.
*Ask how the charity wants you to package your items. Some would prefer you to tie sets together with
yarn and then put them in a plastic bag with a label. Some would like you to do something else with
them.
*Always include an inventory sheet with your items, your name and address, and dollar value of the
items (if you'd like a receipt for tax purposes). The charity may also request you put down the amount of
hours it took you to complete your items (it helps them to have statistics like this, especially when asking
for donations, etc.). Remember to have fun!
| Items for Charity |
| Loving Hugs Products to comfort, cheer, and care for you . . . a Christian WAHM (work-at-home-mom) business. |
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