What Do You Do When You Are Unable To Quilt? Here's My Project
 

I am really looking forward to the time when I can begin quilting again (medical issues) but I was going crazy doing "NOTHING". My orthopedic surgeon knew I loved to quilt and I also enjoyed crocheting. I am the kind of person that loves to give to others and has to be doing something. Doctor Dave told me about a project his Mother headed up and now it has become my passion until I can quilt again. (probably will be doing it forever) I am now
crocheting baby "skull" caps for newborn babies at the hospital. Here is a picture of some of my latest efforts. Please share your favorite "things to do" when you can't quilt. I am also looking for new ideas LOL. Anyone wanting the patterns they supplied to me for these hats, please let me know.

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I'm so glad that you are able to do something while in a "no quilting" medically induced time frame! I work in a maternity unit and the families of the newborn's absolutely LOVE these adorable hats!

Your hats are adorable and in so many colors too! Great job!!!

Very sweet, and they look soft, too!

Do you think some of the colors (different than newborn colors) are too far out? I just thought not everyone would love the soft looking "baby" colors.

All the colors are great. What a wonderful project. I would love to see the pattern if it does not have a copyright.

I think all the colors are great choices. Your hats are precious.

I love your baby hats.An I bet the people who get them love them also.Doing a great job an you are doing something good ,till you can get back to quilting. joyce j

Those are great! I agree not everyone is into pastels for babies, so brights are nice, too. Just shared on another thread that when DH was in a hospital miles from home and I was staying there while he recouperated from heart surgery, I got some felt and necessities from a nearby JoAnn's to make a small penny rug project. I find buttonhole stitch very relaxing. Just made a round base and various size "pennies" while I sat around. Still haven't finished it, but bring the bag when we go for doctor's visits sometimes. Easy project. Hope you are back to normal soon. Have you thought of crocheting various size booties, too? Can make baby ones or slippers for sick children, too.

My mom was recently in a Nursing Home/Rehabilitation center (12 weeks) and I drew and ironed off a lot of hand embroidery for her. Dish towels and some on fabric to later be made into quilts.

Lots of folks shy away from pastel colors and prefer bright colors...you have a really nice variety. Cute hats and my hats off to you for doing something to help someone else! You have a kind and loving heart to do that.

The hats look great!! When I am not in the mood to quilt I enjoy doing counted cross stitch, needlepoint or knitting.

Those are adorable!

When I'm not sewing - When the weather turns cooler, I crochet afghans; it's too hot to have them sitting on my lap, during the warmer months. In previous years, I crocheted scarves for the Special Olympics . . . but they discontinued the program, this year (for 2013). I also do embroidery or counted cross stitch, when I'm in the mood.

I also read, but only if I can sit there and enjoy it, without constant interruptions. Whenever I have idle moments, I'm usually here on the computer or doing puzzles. Recently, my DD introduced me to the game, Flow (app on iPhone/iPad); now I'm addicted to it. :shock:

Your hats are precious. My sister knits caps and she does the Army or Hunter orange yarn. New Daddies love to see their baby sons in those! Wishing you the best with your recovery.

I crochet scarves for the homeless for winter. I have 6 done so far for this cold season. I make them with a simple double crochet and no fringe. They are for warmth not a fashion show...

Diannia

It is so wonderful you found something to do that will be used to bring happiness to so many others. The cap's are darling.

That doesn't look like nothing....looks awesome to me!
Claudia

No, I think they're all adorable! Younger mothers may tend to like the brighter colors (I've noticed moms my kids' age seem to like bright colors for their babies). I'm so glad you found something you like to do so your time will pass more quickly! I wish I knew one end of a needle or hook so I could make some, too!

Thanks to everyone of you for the kind and supportive comments. I love my QB family.

Lovely hats and the parents always appreciate them.

When I can't quilt/sew I pick a subject in the Bible and study it until I know more about it than a pastor would. I really try to give myself a college education on that subject - whatever it is. Buy books, read, read, and read some more. Talk to our pastor, talk to others. When I tire of that I read novels for a break then watch Netflix. Sometimes I paint pictures for gifts if someone requests one.

I love your thoughts about the Bible. I will do this also but continue to make my hats until I can get back to quilting
GOD Bless

I have been making "Nebraska" (red/white with a big red "N") for several years and I am now working towards 2,000 of them. They have been a big hit at our local hospital for the newborns. I donate the work and the hospital pays for the yarn. It gives me something to do while I sit and listen to TV or rest.

They are very cute. I still have the ones my 'babie' wore. My 'babies' are 26 and 23, but they will always be my 'babies'.

This used to be my thing to do along with tiny little booties. Haven't done any for a while. Trying to knit a jacket for myself with chenille wool, make a wall hanging with hand embroidery for my new Quilt place as well as get moved in to said Quilt place. Also paint a cupboard for new room as well as get stash wrapped onto corflute boards. No wonder I'm tired & wanting to sew. Also have to make curtains for Quilt place and also for my bedroom. I've had this fabric for about 12 months. I think I have too many things I want to do. Oh! well it will all work in the end God willing.

I think we all end up with more to do than we seem to have time for. GOD Bless

These are really cute! I love the bright colors. I've also noticed that many new parents prefer the brighter colors. I would love the directions, if you're willing to share. Thanks in advance!

Awe, those are too cute! When I'm not quilting, I cross-stitch, started doing that way before I ever thought about making quilts. I never learned to crochet or knit, but I always wanted to.

I have a dear friend who is no longer able to quilt. She's had several neck/back operations and just cannot do it. This is a permanent thing for her. I just finished piecing her granddaughter's quilt and have shipped it to the longarmer. It will be returned to me for trimming and binding.

Glad your disability is not permanent but am glad you putting your concentration into helping others. Good luck.

so sorry to hear of your medical issues...im dealing with the same...tuesday i go in for tests for future brain surgery...ive been looking for something to do while i cannot quilt...i cannot crochet, but have many skeins...i would luv to send them to you to do your project if you would like...are they a special yarn...i have skeins just from joanns...but they are different...great job...nice to do something so worthwhile....monica in tx...

My mom used to knit those for newborns at our hospital. She just couldn't sit and watch TV, and loved to do this. I'm not a knitter, but when I see these little hats and the good they do, I wish I were!

When I cannot quilt I hand applique.My sewing room is too hot and my joints hurt and and I have a bad case of the lazyees.So far I have made 6 blocks that are17 by 17 so i will have enough for a quilt by Christmas.

I would love the patterns. I also have to have something to do. I am currently doing a counted cross stitch picture of Belle for my granddaughter's new bedroom. Also crocheting a baby blanket for her baby brother or sister due in March, four days before her birthday.

That is great! I have a knitting/crocheting group that does caps for Arkansas Children's Hospital. They are so greatly appreciated. We never know who receives the caps, but we do know that the child and parents are appreciative of our loving thoughts when we create something an unknown child in need!

wow so cute. Have orthopedic issuses and have not been aloud to quilt since last november. just had more surgery so now looks like after new year. bored to teare but won't let me ever crochet. when better would love to make these.

I love your little caps and have never been a pastel-person so appreciate the bright colors.

Here's a web page that has patterns and identifies hospitals that will take donated handmade items for infants.
http://www.carewear.org/

What adorable "hats". Isn't it funny that we always have to he doing something with our hands? I love your choice of "busy" Work. I'm sure it'll be much appreciated.

I make britches and shorts for orphans, and that makes me very happy.

Your talent and generosity will be greatly appreciated. Blessings to YOU!

Nice little hats! The colors are fine too. Iknow that at the hospital I work they often run out of baby caps especially for boys so they will be so happy to get such a variety of colors!