Donation, part 2

Over my winter break, I donated my last batch of projects to Safe Harbor. They included three scarfs, four hats, two headbands, and a baby blanket. The donation receipt is shown here.

After three years, I have completed my Service to the World Odyssey project. I've learned so much through this project, including how to shop for yarn without breaking my budget, how to utilize scrap and stash yarn to get the most out of my yarn, which patterns make excellent gifts, and several new crochet techniques.

Most importantly, though, I experienced firsthand the joy of making and donating clothes and blankets to those in need. Whenever I brought items to Safe Harbor to donate, the appreciation and joy on the workers' face was really rewarding. I plan on finding additional charities to donating crocheted items to in the future.

Butterfly Hat

I made this butterfly hat using Valerie Whitten's Olivia's Butterfly pattern, found on Ravelry. I used a J hook and some stash worsted weight yarn. Overall, I didn't really like this pattern. The butterfly motif doesn't look as good as it does on the pattern (though it's much better than the picture shows, once it's on someone's head!). I probably won't be making this pattern again.

Time on this project: 2 hours and 5 minutes
Time total: 100 hours and 40 minutes

This concludes my Odyssey project! I will donate my second batch of projects to Safe Harbor when I'm home in Greenville during my Thanksgiving break.

Accidentally Mobius Cowl

I made this cowl from this Accidental Cowl pattern. However, when I first started the cowl I accidentally started it as a mobius cowl. The pattern turned out to be aptly named! Regardless, I like this pattern. It was simple and really let the gorgeous yarn take center stage. I used bulky Loops & Threads Charisma yarn that I found on sale at AC Moore. I also used an N hook and initially chained 88.

Time on this project: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Time total: 98 hours and 35 minutes

Baby Comfort Blanket

I used Red Heart's Baby Comfort Blanket pattern and a J hook to make this blanket. I used Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn! to make it. I ran out of yarn, so I ended the pattern early, making the border ruffle simpler. I really liked this pattern! The alternating stitches kept the pattern from being boring. My camera doesn't capture color well; the blanket is actually more blue/green.

Time on this project: 9 hours, 10 minutes
Time total: 96 hours, 50 minutes

Alewife Hat

To make this hat, I used the Alewife Hat pattern from Ravelry, Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice yarn, and an H hook. I really like the main stitch used in this pattern - front post double crochet. It adds a lot of texture to the hat. The only modification I made to the original pattern is that I ended it early and it's not a slouch hat.

Time on this project: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Time total: 87 hours, 40 minutes

Winter's Twist headband

I used the Winter's Twist Headband pattern from Beatrice Ryan Designs to make this headband out of leftover Red Heart Super Saver yarn. To compensate for the gauge of the yarn, I used an I hook (though I didn't change the initial number of chains). It was tricky to refrain from twisting the chain while joining the ends - my first attempt failed. Other than that, I loved this pattern! I also thought the dark green and white colors made a nice combination.

Time on this project: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Time total: 86 hours, 35 minutes

Deeply Textured Hat

Here's another potential guy hat. This time I used the Deeply Textured Hat pattern by Amy Depew over at The Laughing Willow. I initially made a purple and white version of this for my mom and she absolutely loved it. So I figured the Safe Harbor folks will too! This one is dark brown (darker than the picture shows) and black. The only changes I made to the original pattern were to start with a magic loop, crochet it in the round, and using an I hook instead of a J hook. I used Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn brand. I love this pattern! It's quick and - most importantly - interesting!

Time on this project: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Time total: 84 hours, 25 minutes