September 2014 Meeting of Rachel's Blanket Ministry

Broach, Marge, Debbie, Shelia, Sandy at the September 2014 meeting

This month Broach made quilted Angel Blankets for the WellStar project.    Shelia was new to the group but already jumping in to get the military cap pattern to make skull caps for the Military project.   This month we saw a great need for prayer shawls in our congregation after the deaths of several members.   The team was able to meet this need for the Stephen's Ministry project.   Jimmie Lou continues to be the star in making baby blankets each month.   Marge, Bev, Debbie, Janet and Sandy all had items to contribute to projects this month.   Thanks to Bev for making the baby blanket for Maggie's shower.

Rachel's Blankets Ministry Update

RACHEL’S BLANKET MINISTRY

 

Rachel’s Blanket ministry is about more than blankets.    There is a team of women who are faithfully using their talents to bless people in our community and around the world.   Whether you crochet, knit, quilt, etc. there is a place for your talent.    Here is a sample of what Rachel’s Blanket Ministry has been doing this year.

·         Baby Blankets for the Pregnancy Resource Center

·         Angel Blankets for Well Star Hospital

·         Baby Blankets for new babies in our church family

·         Prayer shawls and lap blankets for Stephen’s Ministry

·         Scarves & Caps for Burnett Elementary School

·         Military Skull Caps and Goodie Boxes for military family and friends serving abroad

·         Scarves sold and money donated to support two missionaries in Africa

This ministry has touched hundreds of people.   Each item is prayerfully made.   We are please to not only have DFUMC women as members but many of our church family have mothers and grandmothers who make items.   

How can you help?

·         Pray for the ministry members and the people who receive each item that is made.

·         Donate to Rachel’s Blanket Ministry your left over yarn.

·         Donate money to Rachel’s Blankets Ministry for postage and purchase of goodies to mail with military skull caps.

·         Join the group and make a scarf, cap, blanket, shawl, etc.

Contact Janet Deal jdeal@bellsouth.net  for more information or follow us on www.rachelsblankets.blogspot.com

 

Packing Day for the Goodie Boxies to Military

Beverly packs the caps!

Margaret filling up the goodies box.

Marge & Lee learn a new stitch.

Sandy has a goodies box ready to be mailed.

On November 14, 2012 Rachel's Blanket Ministry packed Military Goodies Boxes for 5 soldiers.    The group made military skull caps to include in the box.   Thanks to Phyllis and Debbie for their help.    Members brought caps and goodies to pack.   We had very generous donations from Gary and also from Neil's mom.    Thanks to all!!!

Military Skull Cap Dedication - November 11, 2012

Douglasville First United Methodist Church - November 11, 2012 Veterans participate in the pray of dedication for the Military Skull Caps

Afghan and Military Skull Caps


Instructions for making Military Skull Caps

HATS FOR TROOPS - CROCHET

 

The following pattern will make a hat that some people refer to as a skull cap and can be worn under helmets, if desired.  Blocked hats should be approximately 8” in length.  Not sure about size?  Try it on!  Your hats should fit snugly and cover most, if not all, of your ear.  Hats that fall just above the bottom of your ear lobe will be just fine.  Happy Crocheting!

 

1 Skein 100% wool worsted weight yarn in a dark color

Crochet Hook Size K/10.5*

 

Chain 4.  Join to form ring.

 

Round 1:  6 SC into ring.

Round 2:  2 SC into each SC. (12 st)

Round 3:  *1 SC in next SC, 2 SC in next SC, rep from *. (18 st)

Round 4:  *1 SC in next 2 SC, 2 SC in next SC, rep from *. (24 st)

Round 5:  *1 SC in next 3 SC, 2 SC in next SC, rep from *. (30 st)

Round 6:  *1 SC in next 4 SC, 2 SC in next SC, rep from *. (36 st)

Round 7:  *1 SC in next 5 SC, 2 SC in next SC, rep from *. (42 st)

Round 8:  *1 SC in next 6 SC, 2 SC in next SC, rep from *. (48 st)

Round 9:  *1 SC in next 7 SC, 2 SC in next SC, rep from *. (54 st)

Round 10: *1 SC in next 8 SC, 2 SC in next SC, rep from *. (60 st)

Round 11: 1 SC in each SC.

 

Repeat Round 11 until hat is approximately 6” long.

 

Ribbing:  *SC around post from front, SC around next post from back*, repeat * to * for 2 or 3 rounds.

 

Finish off.  Weave in yarn ends and wet block.  Lay flat to dry.

 

 

HATS FOR TROOPS – KNIT ON STRAIGHT NEEDLES

 The following pattern will make a hat that some people refer to as a skull cap.  The ribbing is knit to a length that will lay flat instead of being folded up.  This allows the hats to be worn under helmets, if desired.  Blocked hats should be approximately 8” in length.  Not sure about size?  Try it on!  Your hats should fit snugly and cover most, if not all, of your ear.  Hats that fall just above the bottom of your ear lobe will be just fine.  Happy Knitting!

 

1 Skein 100% wool worsted weight yarn in a dark color

Size 8 or 9 Straight needles

 

Cast on 80 stitches.

 

Knit ribbing, (K2, P2), for 1” to 1 ½”.

 

Change to stockinette stitch and knit until piece measures approximately 5 ½” from cast on edge.

 

Decrease for top as follows:

 

Row 1:  *K6, K2tog* repeating between stars across row.

Row 2 and all even rows:   Purl

Row 3:  *K5, K2tog* repeating between stars across row.

Row 5:  *K4, K2tog* repeating between stars across row.

Row 7:  *K3, K2tog* repeating between stars across row.

Row 9:  *K2, K2tog* repeating between stars across row.

Row 11: *K1, K2tog* repeating between stars across row.

Row 13: *K2tog* to end of row.  10 Stitches remain.

 

Break yarn leaving a 20” tail.  Using a blunt needle, run the tail through the 10 remaining stitches.  Sew seam, weave in yarn ends and wet block.  Lay flat to dry.

 

Update on Happeining with Rachel's Blankets

Here's what's happening with Rachel's Blanket Ministry Team -

• October 14 - 18 Baby Blankets Dedicated in DFUMC services -   Team members and children of the church participated in a Blessing of Rachel's Blankets during morning worship.
• October 17 - 150 Trunk or Treat Bags Made - Team made bead bracelet and twisted yarn bracelet kits packed with directions, supplies, candy, stickers and inform about Rachel's Blankets and Fine Arts Academy.
• October 25 - Booth at Trunk or Treat - Team works Ministry Booth with FAA and Rachel's Blankets.   Gave away Treat Bags and did Face Painting.
• October 31 -  Twisted Bracelet Kits and Treat Bags remaining from Trunk or Treat to be sent to Murphy-Harpst Children.     The remaining Treat Bags will be repackaged and sent to children.
• Nov 11 - Military Skull Caps Dedicated - A dedication is schedule for DFUMC services on November 11, 2012 to dedicated military skull caps.   The caps will be sent to deployed military.    A "goodies box" will be prepared and sent with the caps.   

Rachel's Blanket Ministry Team Visits Ewe Knit&Crochet

 

October 10, 2012

L-R Bottom (Beverly, Makayla, Lee   L-R Top (Janet, Marge, Margaret)

Team Members visited Ewe Knit & Crochet in Carrollton, GA.   Lunch at The Lazy Donkey was great.   Always good to spend time with these dedicated and talented people.    Currently projects a) baby blankets for Pregnancy Resource Center in Douglasville (see the current blankets below), b)  Dedication of the Rachel's Blankets is scheduled for Sunday, October 14, 2012 at Douglasville First United Methodist Church, c) military skull caps and treat boxes to soldiers is scheduled for November, d) in 2013 the team begins making baby blankets for DFUMC member new babies and will have an ongoing prayer ministry for the babies, families and soldiers that receive the caps or blankets. 





This quarter 18 blankets will be donated to the Douglasville Pregnancy Resource Center.