Field Work

On Thursday I went and talked to Ms. Stephens to see if I would be able to use red, white, and blue yarn that I knew she had. She gave me three balls of the yarn, I have started making a hat out of it and in the meantime made another hat. Ms. Stephens is not the only mentor I plan on having, I have been in contact with a nurse from St. Luke's who provided me with great information about how many hats the tend to get each month (which was a lot more than I was thinking). I also have a friend who got me into crocheting that could also be a mentor. When I went to donate a few of the hats that I had already made I was surprised at how easy it was to give them to the hospital. The nurses at the front desk were able to give me some feedback for the next hats that I donate, they want me to make them a little bit longer and they also asked me to work on Fourth of July themed hats for the babies. I also found out that I might not be able to get pictures of the babies wearing the hats that I made because they are usually always with their parents.

Continuing, Modifying or Changing? 20 time

I do plan on continuing my 20 time project not because it is easy but because if I continue I will be able to donate many hats to multiple hospitals. When I have free time at home, during my release hour or even during rehearsal for the musical I work on crocheting baby hats as much as possible. This week I was able to make two hats, which doesn’t seem like a lot but I have a bag of finished hats sitting in my room, so all together I am only a few hats away from 20, but I think that I am going to make as many as I can before I have to get more yarn. For the video I am thinking about donating the hats that I have done to St. Luke’s and taking photos of the babies in a few of the hats or asking a few of the nurses why they encourage people to make hats for the newborn babies. I might also try to include a short clip of someone or myself crocheting a hat up close in the beginning of the video. I would have to talk to the hospital to make sure I can get pictures of the babies to put in the video.

One Pager

“Isn’t that for old people?”, “I don’t have time to do that.” These are only some of the things that people think when they hear crocheting. Although not everyone, those who don’t think these things might believe that there are some benefits to learning how to crochet. To start off, no one can be sure of when “crocheting” originated or why it started. Most of the time it is older women who crochet, and they do it to keep themselves busy throughout the day. Just because people think that this activity is considered for the elderly, it doesn’t mean that only they can do it.   

Cathy Meyers believes that crocheting is an activity that not only relieves stress but can also inspires those crocheting to be creative. She goes into detail about when archeologists and scientists believe that crocheting really originated, and some of the finding are shocking. Three of the main theories that are roaming about the internet are 1) crocheting began with the Arab trade route, spreading from Arabia to Tibet and Spain, 2) South American tribes used crochet as a part of their tribe's puberty ritual, and 3) early examples of crocheted dolls in China. Although these are great for history, what are the benefits? There are many things that make crocheting beneficial, it keeps not only the fingers moving but also the eyes. It also calms, manages stress, and in the end helps strengthens the body’s immune system.

I agree with many of the benefits that come out of crocheting but there is one fact that I would have to disagree. Meyers said, “Crochet is an inexpensive way to produce clothing…”, I have personally bought yarn to crochet a blanket or hat, each ball costs about three to five dollars, and most of the time if you are working on a large project you will need more than one ball of yarn. Although I only disagree with that one fact, the article provided many theories about the origin of crochet. “Chain four, join, and turn.” (Meyers) These words may not mean much to you, but to crocheters they signify the project that they are putting all their free time into during the day, and as they get closer and closer to the end of the pattern they can see the finished product that they worked on for only a few days or many months. And when it is all done they feel a sense of accomplishment, and realize it is time to move onto the next crocheting project.

Week 3

I have already made seven hats. I have found a few different patterns, some of which include Minnie and Mickey hats for the babies. My mom actually found the patterns for the Disney hats and I plan on finding them and printing them off to try the pattern out, along with making some hats in the colors of the Iowa Universities (Iowa State, Iowa, and Northern Iowa). I but have only made hats with one of the patterns, I like this one the most so far. I still need to get an estimate of how many hats to make, if I don't get an estimate I plan on making around 20 hats, that way there could be some hats for more deliveries that happen after I donate the hats. St. Luke's did contact me back with information about donating to the hospital, they did say that they provide patterns and yarn for people wanting to make hats, but encourage those making hats to be creative with the patterns that they have.

Week 2

I had some trouble finding some re-searchable questions, but that also might be because I have already gotten the materials I need and have already found a pattern to use for the hats. One thing I did want to research is where and why I can donate the hats that I make. I wanted to donate them to St. Luke's but I didn't find anything on their website, but I did send an email to St. Luke's and I am waiting to hear back from them. I also found that I can donate to Mercy Medical Center. I did find a question and website about Preemie clothing tips that covers basically everything that I might need to know when I am making the hats for not only the newborn babies but also for the preemie babies. I have already started making some of the hats over the weekends or when I am not busy and I like the way they have turned out so far.

Checking in

Sam:

Ambitious and a noble cause. Are you in any way connected to the NICU? Do you know anyone who has a connection? Bring your stuff to class Thursday and Friday so you can get work done in class!

Week One 2/2

I have decided that I am going to crochet baby hats and donate them to the NICU unit at St. Luke's. I am not only doing this project to give to families but to also get more experience with crocheting. I have not yet called St. Luke's to make sure I will be able to give the hats that I make to the families, most of the feedback that I got back asked if I would be able to personally give the families the hats that I make. I have already asked my friend Cole, who crochets, where I would find a pattern for the hats, and I know that I can go to him with any questions I have about how to make the hats. I was also asked if I could add a personal note to the hats to make it more special, I was thinking that I could write a note and attach it to the hat because the hospital might not let out personal information. I think that I should set a goal for how many hats to make but I'm not sure what that number would be if I did make a goal. I already started making one hat, but I want to make them all a little different, so one of the patterns I have is for a flower headband for a baby girl, I still need to look for patterns, which shouldn't take too long.