Leaf Pattern

I have had a lot of people ask me about the pattern for the leaves in my header and signature. I never wrote it down when I made them, but felt now was a better time than any to get the pattern down and share it with everyone. It is quick and simple! Those are the best kind of patterns, right?  I don't remember how I made the original pattern exactly, but I think this comes pretty close to the same outcome.

Use whatever size hook and yarn you like.  I used an H hook and worsted weight yarn.  My leaf ended up being about 3.25" when finished.

Chain 11:
1 sc in second chain from hook and next two.
1 hdc in next two chains
1 dc in next four chains
5 dc in last chain

Working in opposite side of chain now:
1 dc in next four chains
1 hdc in next two
1 sc in next three
Join to first single crochet on opposite side.  Finish off.


 

2000 Fans

I have reached 2000 Facebook fans! Thank you for all the support! I love every one of my fans! I couldn't be The Dainty Daisy without you (well, I could, but it would be lonely!) 

Head to Ravelry now and enter the code 2000FANS for $2.00 off a pattern of your choice!

 

Olivia

Meet Olivia.

Beautiful, huh? Olivia was born 8 weeks early. She came into this world at 3lbs 7oz and is one little fighter. She has been doing so well! Her mom posted these pictures of Olivia with her cozie on, and wrote this:

"Please consider donating if you can. The only thing preemies with tubes/lines/IV's are allowed to wear are hats. These hats have a lot more color and character than a standard knit hat. I loved seeing Olivia in an adorable hat and it brought a smile to my face. I know other parents of preemies would appreciate it!"

Don't think that even donating one hat isn't helpful or appreciated.  Sweet Olivia sure loves hers :-)

(BTW, for those of you who have received hats through Rosie's Cozies, 

I would love to hear your story and/or share pictures of your bundle)

Floored.

Hats for Rosie's Cozies made by Irina Hubbard.  You can find a pattern to the heart applique on her blog at: http://gabeandsissy.blogspot.com/   

This past week Lion Brand Yarn Company featured Rosie's Cozies in their newsletter the "Weekly Stitch." Big deal? HUGE HUGE HUGE deal! You can read the article here.

First and foremost, I must thank Justin De Graaf. Justin is a friend of Megan and Ryan (Rosie's parents) and put the bug in a former colleague's ear at Lion Brand about Rosie's Cozies. Needless to say, that "bug" doubled the Rosie's Cozies Facebook page from 200 to 400 fans (and still climbing)! It has also kept me very busy answering emails and responses from LOADS of amazing people who want to help out. Being busy with this kind of work is a huge blessing!

Second, thank you to all of you who have responded to the newsletter, as well as my pleading for restocking of hats at Helen Devos Children's Hospital. Others have chosen to give to their own local NICUs, which is just as important and appreciated. Rosie's Cozies could not exist without your selfless hands that so lovingly create hats for those sweet babes.

Many of you have shared your own personal stories of babies born to soon--some of them are thriving and healthy, and others have sadly lost the battle for their lives. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for reaching out to other tiny babies and their families. Thank you for YOUR story and YOUR piece to this project. May God bless each of you and your families in amazing ways.

I have been thinking about the huge outpouring and large response from people wanting to get involved in this project. The only word that comes to mind is "floored." Well, probably "blessed" too, but that is a given :-) Never in my life have I felt more proud of a project I have headed. In complete honesty, I truly believe that God had me pick up my first crochet hook for the sole purpose of Rosie's Cozies. I feel that the entire reason I know how to crochet was all for this project. Sure, I enjoy creating patterns and filling orders, but nothing I have ever done through crochet has ever compared to Rosie's Cozies. I am beyond humbled and am so gracious for each person who has made Rosie's Cozies successful. We are honoring Rose and her family's life and legacy, as well as each baby who wears our hats.

On an exciting side note--Megan and Ryan have recently welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Ilah Rose! Megan has said that she feels Ilah was Rose's gift to them. Had Rose's story been different, Ilah would not have been here. Congratulations to them and their new little blessing!

(Also, check out Sew Hooked Crochet Designs by Erin Barbarito.  For every purchase in her Etsy shop this weekend, she is donating a preemie hat in your name to Rosie's Cozies! THANK YOU ERIN!)

 

Rosie's Cozies in Africa

Jill and Baby K (ignore the date on the photo--their camera is dated wrong)

My sister and her husband just returned from a trip they took to Ethiopia to meet their son for the first time.  Jill and Jason started the adoption process in late 2009, and they are waiting on one last trip to Ethiopia to bring Baby "K" home!  Awhile ago I hosted an online auction to raise money for their son's adoption and we raised almost $2000!!  You are all so amazing!!

Since returning home, Jill mentioned that they could really use hats at Hannah's Hope (Baby K's orphanage) for the babies.  Jill said that she thinks the special mothers who care for the children at Hannah's Hope would be thrilled with a donation of adorable hats for the children they care for.  I figured that this is a great opportunity for Rosie's Cozies to help out in another area of the world.  So many of you have been so amazing at making hats and donating them to Rose's NICU at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI or to your own local NICU.  Don't get me wrong---we still need hats for those NICUs.  However, I am asking if any of you feel moved to make hats for the babies at Hannah's Hope in Africa, my sister will bring them with her on her next trip to pick up their son.

This means that hats would most likely need to be for babies less than a year old, but not preemie size.  My thought is that the ideal sizes would be newborn, 3 months, and 6 months.   

Currently, I don't have a list of free hat patterns, but I know many of you already have patterns for babies this age.  Please post the links, and I will get searching.  There are loads of free patterns on Ravelry  and Crochet Pattern Central, which is a great place to start.

Please help us send some Rosie's Cozies to Africa!  If you would like to donate SPECIFICALLY to Hannah's Hope in Ethiopia, please send the hats in the next 3-4 weeks as Jill and Jason will be returning to Ethiopia again soon.  Also, please indicate that you would like these hats to go to Africa instead of Helen DeVos by writing Africa on the packaging.  You may send the hats to:

Rosie's Cozies-AFRICA

6026 Kalamazoo Ave SE #119

Kentwood, MI 49508

Thank you to each and every one of you.

Time to Restock!

Rosie's Cozies is in need of some restocking!  I just found out that someone I went to elementary school with (actually, we also rode the bus together) just had her baby.  Her little girl was born 8 weeks early.  I told her to ask for a Rosie's Cozie and they were all gone!  I'm really not surprised because all of the hats everyone donated were so stinking adorable!  I am sure they went like hot cakes!

I have a few hats here to drop-off, but would like to bring a bigger stash than what I have.  Clearly, these hats are going quickly!

I understand that many of you are making hats for your local NICU, but for those who feel called to donate to Rose's NICU at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital you can send hats to:

Rosie's Cozies

6026 Kalamazoo AVE SE #119

Kentwood, MI 49508

Who knows?  Maybe one of your hats will make it to my friend.  They anticipate her little peanut being in the NICU for 4 weeks. 

Also, don't forget to make hats for those little boys!  Add a cute applique like a football, bear, or maybe even a skull and cross bones for a rocker look :-)

Oh, and be on the lookout for exciting news coming up for Rosie's Cozies!  It should be happening in the next week and I cannot wait to share! 

 

Pattern Testing

I always work hard to try to test patterns for others, but for some reason good ol' random.org is not my friend.  I was so excited when I got the chance to test this pattern by Amanda from Pardon My Chaos!  I literally whipped it up in a couple days and couldn't wait to put it on Belle.  Unfortunately, I don't have the best pictures (don't I say this every time I post pics????), but you get the idea of how cute this pattern is.  She is hoping to post it in Ravelry soon! I love it!