The project I'm currently working on are a bunch of toy alphabet blocks (like those old-fashioned wooden blocks). It's a pattern I'm writing as I go. So hopefully it all turns out how I imagine it in my head. I'm really happy with how the squares felted and how the letters look after they've been needle felted on. Now I just have to hope I don't get burnt-out before I finish needle-felting all the letters (60 of them!), because after that I'll still need to assemble each of the blocks.

Rochelle asked if I could make a hat for her aunt who's fighting cancer. I was more than happy to oblige. After she taught her Friday morning yoga class, we met up and walked over to The Needleworks Barn. We found some GREAT baby alpaca yarn that will be really soft on the skin. I'm happy with the pattern. I just worry I made it a bit too big. But -- I can always make another one.

• the materials:
  • one ball Plymouth Yarn's Baby Alpaca Brush Yarn, color 100
  • two size 8 circular needles
  • cable needle
  • stitch marker
• the abbreviations:
  
  • cn: cable needle
  • Cr3L: sl 2 sts onto cn and hold to front, p1 from left needle, k2 from cn
  • Cr3R: sl 1 st onto cn and hold to back, k2 from left needle, p1 from cn
  • C4B: sl 2 sts onto cn and hold to back, k2 from left needle, k2 from cn
  • C4F: sl 2 sts onto cn and hold to front, k2 from left needle, k2 from cn
• the pattern: (see cable chart below)
  I searched the web for a cool cable pattern, and found these arm warmers and really liked the braided cable pattern on them. So -- I used that pattern to make the hat. I'm happy with how it came out.
  • cast on 78 stitches
  • round 1: place marker begin knitting in the round, (careful to not twist) *k2, p2, k4, p5, repeat from *.
  • round 2 and 3: repeat round 1
  • round 4: (Begin cable pattern) *Cr3L, Cr3R, 3r3L, p4, repeat from *
  • round 5: *p1, k4, p2, k2, p4, repeat from *
  • round 6: *p1, C4B, p2, k2, p4, repeat from *
  • round 7: repeat round 5
  • round 8: *Cr3R, Cr3L, Cr3R, p4, repeat from *
  • round 9: repeat round 1
  • round 10: *k2, p2, C4F, p25, repeat from *
  • round 11: repeat round 1
  • repeat cable pattern 2 1/2 more times or until piece measures about 5 inches
  • begin decreasing hat to a point. You want to go from 78 stitches down to about 10 stitches over the next 12 rows or so. I really don't have an exact pattern for how I did the decrease -- I just k2tog of p2tog at the same part of the repeated pattern. I tried to maintain the braided cable while I did this. Your other option is to straighten out the braids into a ribbed pattern (like the first 3 rows), and decrease evenly across the ribbed stitches.
  • once you decrease down to about 10 stitches, break the yarn leaving a long tail. Thread yarn through remaining stitches and and secure yarn. Weave in ends.

For the first time on my little site, I get to show off some needle-craft that I didn't make. Patricia made me the most gorgeous embroidered wool blanket. I don't think the pictures do it justice, its really spectacular. She's very talented, I'm so excited that I get to show off her work in my house. The basket is my favorite part of the blanket. I didn't realize how three-dimensional the blanket was when I first saw the pictures of the blanket. I'd like to ask her how she did it, but, I think I'll just let it be a mystery. The full kit to make the blanket is available here as well as the Inspirations Magazine where the blanket was featured. Of course.... this being the fancy kind of three-dimensional, beaded and beautiful blanket that it is, this is the look-and-admire kind of blanket and not the wrap-up-and-snuggle kind of blanket. So, today I'll go out and buy a snazzy way to hang it on the wall so I can show it off... maybe a neat towel rack? We shall see.

I'm not a very politically involved person. I vote every year (lucky for me, my polling location is a 5 minute walk down the street). I listen to debates. But other than one time in elementary school, I've never written to an elected official. This was the time to change that.

I got an email from Sam with a "call to action" so I did.

Take Action! Visit this page: http://capwiz.com/ovarian/issues/alert/?alertid=10539256&queueid=1552344766

The federal appropriations bill that has funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been vetoed by the President. The bill proposed a 3.1% increase for NIH funding, $6.75 million for Johanna's Law, and $5.5 million for the Ovarian Cancer Control Initiative. Congress can override the President's veto, and make ovarian cancer a priority!

So I clicked the link, and wrote my own version of the pre-written letter:

Subject: Please vote for the Labor-HHS appropriations bill in support of Ovarian Cancer

A very very dear friend of mine was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer at the age of 30. Samantha is an absolutely amazing woman and is one of the small percentage of women who have actually been able to beat the disease. Although Sam is not out of the woods (she's been in remission for 2 years), there's only a 25% chance that she'll stay in remission for 5 years.

My friends and I have gotten together and raised over $40,000 for Ovarian Cancer Research and Awareness with the HERA Women's Cancer Foundation, however, there's so much more that can be done.

I've been informed that President Bush recently vetoed the Labor-HHS appropriations bill that provides critical funding for ovarian cancer research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as well as funding for Johanna’s Law: The Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act which seeks to help women with gynecologic cancer get diagnosed in early stages, where chances of survival are greatest.

Please vote to override this veto. Its important for Women's health. Thank you for all of your work on this important matter.

Sincerely,
Jessica Sant

I hate this statistic: "When diagnosed after the disease has spread [outside the ovaries] the chance of five-year survival drops to less than 25%." I know it scares Sam to hear it and to read it, and for that I'm sorry that I included it in my letter -- but also -- hopefully it adds enough fear and realism to the letter to make people take notice.

So please, take a minute and write your congress person, ask them to override the veto so that Ovarian Cancer can receive some much-needed funding.