Yes, to back luck. No to having to work twice as hard. Actually Laura, that's just not true. People really assume wrongly about that. Someone on here (Houseplants), on seeing pix of a lush hanging plant I've grown & showed, told me he couldn't believe I could grow such beautiful plants in an apartment. It helps to know what you're doing. But the key was to learn WHICH PLANTS to grow in my conditions. Since I have all unobstructed west-facing windows on top floor w/ no AC, I had to learn heat tolerant plants & those which could go w/out water for a bit. EX: Orchids which often need a 20% different in day vs. night temps, is not a condition I can ever reproduce here, so I don't grow them. Which is largely why I grow mostly succulents. Happy to say they mostly do well.

orch, here is the pattern I used for the crocheted preemie blanket, and I used a size F hook.. just worked the colors the way I wanted them.. you can do the same.. and I surely can not remember where I put the hat pattern , but I will find it. I did not put any fringe on the baby blanket..and I just used yarn that I had gotten from Wal-Mart a little while back and this was left over from that project.. you could use any color combination that you wanted.. I think even lite green and yellow would be pretty.. or pink and white. pink and green also.. or just all white and edge with what ever color you wanted. Baby Ripple Afghan Lion Brand® Terryspun GAUGE: Each repeat = 5 inches (13 cm) wide; 4 inches [10 cm] high. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles. STITCH EXPLANATION: Beg dec Pull up a Ip in first 2 sts, yo and draw through all 3 Ips on hook. End dec Pull up a lp in last 2 Sts, yo and draw through all 3 Ips on hook. NOTES: When changing to A, B, or C from MC, first row is worked through both loops. AFGHAN (multiple of 13 sts) With A, ch 77. Row 1 (RS) With A, sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in each of next 4 ch, 3 sc in next ch, 1 sc in each of next 5 ch, *skip 2 ch, 1 sc in each of next 5 ch, 3 sc in next ch, 1 sc in each of next 5 ch; repeat from *. Rows 2-4 Ch 1, tum. Working in back loops only, work beg dec, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, 3 sc in next sc, *1 sc in each of next 5 sc, skip 2 sc, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, 3 sc in next sc; repeat from *, end 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, work end decrease. Rows 5 and 6 With MC, ch 1, tum. Working in both loops, work beg decrease, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, 3 sc in next sc, *1 sc in each of next 5 sc, skip 2 sc, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, 3 sc in next sc; repeat from *, end 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, work end decrease. Row 7 With B, repeat Row 5. Rows 8-10 Work as for Rows 2-4. Rows 11 and 12 With MC, repeat Rows 5 and 6. Rows 13-16 With C repeat Rows 7-10. Repeat Rows 11-16 keeping to MC as established on Rows 11 and 12 and alternating colors on Rows 13-16,2 times more Fasten off.

I'm glad you are there for them, Sue. A new baby can be perplexing to new parents, and you have plenty of experience. I went to stay a week after my daughter had Alex and the best I could do was cook and clean. I made large batches and frozen them in portions. Of course, you live close so that may not be necessary. It gave me something to do since my daughter nursed, too. And I cleaned her house since in her last month she was so big she could hardly bend. (He weighed over 10 pounds but she gained a ton.) Alyssa must be doing really well to be able to come home with Amber. That's great! Enjoy you stay--and I know you will!!

Thanks everybody, Yes, a good effort, we're told this particular charity gives American Girl dolls to girls who have been abused & so they've asked for the doll blankets to give as well or with them. Sweet idea, am happy to help & yes, it's a great use of nice sized scraps. Like the sweet sounding teddy bear idea mentioned above. This group I'm told also gives Teddy Bears, to the Boys who've been abused. I show the backs of quilts 'cause I often do something on their back, experiment or play, if I've got the fabric I sometimes can't resist. To me, it's a blank canvas I guess. I often wish I could see the back of peoples' quilts, it matters to me. But I must admit, I thought about this & I don't recollect any doll blankets at all. I learned to sew as a little girl, making doll clothes, a whole wardrobe full, I still have them too, interesting to look at them 50 yrs. later.