Shelia, I really like a number of the hats on this page. I crochet so I made a few different ones but made some adjustments depending on what yarn I used. Made the Carousel Cap using a terry yarn, I like Melinda Gorley's (marked Bonnet & Booties) since I added the ruffle for the girls. Depending on my mood I select different patterns since there are a few with different stitches. Suggestion - no pom-poms on top, I made some of those twirly toppers since they are softer and lay flat. I also used the Coats & Clark Gotcha Covered Hats - they have a pattern for both knitting and crocheting. The thing I like about that pattern is it gives all the instructions from a preemie hat to a man and also from fingering yarn to bulky - a great general pattern that you can adapt to whatever. For example I made one in a toddler size in red and added two white pom-pom eyes and a big orange pom-pom as a nose and it was my version of an Elmo hat. The kids loved it. Here is a link that might be useful: Bevs Country Cottage Patterns for Preemies

Mango, so you don't want to sit by your pool, sipping a margarita while knitting an afghan? :-) I'll include a link to an afghan pattern book. This book has 67 different patterns, all made with yarn from the Plymouth Yarn Company. Naturally, other yarns could be substituted... Just click on any individual photo and you'll get a popup of a larger photo, and it will also show what yarn was used, how many balls/skeins you will need, and what size needles are used. In this book there are some patterns for afghans that are made in strips, others made in squares, and most are made "in one piece." As others have said, it would be great to knit something to give to a shelter or hospital. When I first found this book on that very web page, I wanted to buy it but it was out of stock. So, I checked Amazon and got a brand new book for a lot less than what's shown on that web site. You can find this on eBay, too. There are plenty of web sites where you can download free patterns, such as Knit Picks and lots of other yarn company web sites. Even though you say there are other family members who knit baby things, every hospital and shelter could use little baby booties, caps, etc. And everyone needs at least one cozy knitted scarf, for when they travel to a colder clime. Here is a link that might be useful: 67 Knitted Afghans

My DIL actually taught me to have a little goodbye ritual if I find I'm dithering about parting with something that I never wear. She is my de-cluttering buddy, and I actually look forward to all the fun we have going through my closet. We give little speeches to clothes, telling them "goodbye" and either thanking them for a wonderful relationship, or that we were never compatible, and it's time to move on. Sometimes I find that all that's holding me back is simple old guilt...guilt about cost, mistakes, waste, impulse buys etc, rather than that I don't want to part with the clothes. Sometimes too, it's having to face up to the fact that life is moving on, .... letting go the leggings, the bikini, the pencil skirt, the halter top, the wet-suit, is having to admit that I'm older, I'm a different shape, my ski-ing days are over, time is moving along. I find that what really helps me too, is to just see the clothing as what it really is... simply fabric, sewn together, with a bit of hardware added on. It's not my memories, it's not my life, it's not *me*. I had a real eye opener one time. I'd hung onto an outfit that I bought for my son's wedding, and that I wore quite a bit afterwards. I found it hart to part with, even though I knew it had "had it's day". A few weeks after I had put it in the give-away bag, I saw the same suit in a shop on the "bargain" rack, and realised that if I was shopping for clothes, I wouldn't have given it a second glance. Now I use that as my standard, if I'm in doubt about purging an item from my closet. "Would I buy you today if I saw you in a shop?"

Hi fellow sewers. Thanks for all the suggestions. I did try Craigslist, but maybe I have to post again. Did not hear any responses. Our area is struggling. Heard 800 people applied for a few grocery store openings! Not sure if that has anything to do with donations. Thank you for your words of support. Maybe I'll have to try the salvation army. This was to be my retirement project, but it can't wait! Did find a few yards at the JoAnn Fabrics with their 50% off remnants, so I'm not totally out, but close! Been making about 100 gowns or more a month in free time, so you know that takes a bit of fabric and lace! So, back to pushing up the sleeves and creating a few more! :) Colleen