Macramé Covered Clothes Hanger

Updated 3/2017-- all links removed as many are no longer active and it was easier than checking each one.

Almost two weeks ago my friend Jabulani tweeted a photo of a covered hanger project she was working on. I tweeted a photo of a macramé covered hanger I had made a few years ago. As there was interest in how to do mine and as I could find no instructions online to direct folks to, I decided to try to do a show-and-tell.

The supplies you will need are a wire coat hanger, twine, two rubber bands, tape, and fabric glue. Cut approximately 6-7 yards of twine twice. [I used 10 yds and had just under 5 left on each.] To make them easier to handle and to avoid tangling, coil and secure with a rubber band.

Now that all your supplies are gathered, let’s begin.

Tape the loose ends of each twine coil to the end of the hanger hook. The ends of the twine should point towards the upsweep of the hook and will be covered with the knots. Begin tying your square knots. Note that one twine length always goes behind the wire and one in front.

This photo is meant only to show you how the knots will cover the taped ends.
In these next two photos I hope to show you how the square knot is formed, but you may find the instructions here helpful (link removed 3/2017).

The “pink” cord on the left is brought over the front of the wire. The “green” cord on the right is then brought over the “pink” cord, taken behind the wire and then come up and over the “pink” cord.

The “pink” cord is now on the right.  It is brought over the front of the wire and under the “green” cord.  The “green” cord then wraps behind the wire and up over the “pink” cord.

Those two steps are repeated until the entire wire is covered.  When you first come to the juncture of the hook and hanger body continue along either limb.  You will eventually come back to that juncture which is where you end.

When you have finished covering the entire wire with square knots, cut your twine.  Snug the twine into the juncture and using the fabric glue secure it here.  Cut off the extra twine.

You now have a nicely covered wire hanger.

Lovenox Instructions

 Updated 3/2017-- all links (except to my own posts) removed as many are no longer active and it was easier than checking each one.

I have been using Lovenox more often so I decided to create a patient instruction sheet.  Feel free to use it for your patient (changing the contact information) or give me feedback to make it better for my patients. 

I plan to circle the dose and risk option for each patient and write in the days to be continued.   At the bottom of my page, I added a footer with two emails:  _____@medscape.com  (HIPPA secure, not pushed to iPhone) and ____@gmail.com (non-HIPPA secure, pushed to iPhone)

Lovenox Instructions
40 mg SC once daily / 30 mg SC once daily (try to give the same time each day)
Begin: 2 hours prior to surgery
Continue: __________ (7 to 10 days)

The package that comes with Lovenox should have good instructions on how to administer the subcutaneous (SC) injection, but if you need more information (ie video) you can find it here:
http://www.lovenox.com/hcp/dosing/lovenox-administration.aspx

You are welcome to bring your used sharps (the needles and syringes) to me for disposal.  Or for more  information on Sharps Medical Waste Disposal check out this site: http://www.uscsr.sanofi-aventis.us/Patient/disposal-of-Medical-Waste.aspx

The use of Lovenox is only part of the prevention of deep venous thrombosis.  During surgery you will have intermittent pneumatic compression devices placed on your legs.  After surgery you need to avoid dehydration and do the following:

    *Low Risk (less than 2 %)
      Ambulate three times daily for 5 minutes minimum each time
      Flex and extend ankles often
    *Moderate Risk (10-20%)
      1. Ambulate as above
      2. Flex and extend ankles often
      3. TED stockings
    *High Risk (20-40%)
      1. Same as moderate (1-3)
      2. Lovenox (enoxaparin sodium) SQ for 7-14 days
    *Highest Risk (40-80%)
      1. Same as high risk
      2. Lovenox, Fondaparinux SQ, Heparin or Warfarin (depends on procedure & patient history)

Remember the use of Lovenox increases your risk of bleeding and bruising, but this is easier to deal with and less life threatening than the complications due to deep venous thrombosis. 

You are welcome to email me for non-emergency concerns.  Please allow 24-48 hrs for the email to be answered.  If you need an answer sooner then call the office (******) or have me paged (*******).   

Rani's Baby Quilt

This quilt was made for my cousin Sherry’s daughter.  I made it using a quilt-as-you-go technique that makes hexagon blocks.  I found the technique in an old quilt magazine (sorry I don’t recall the name or date of the magazine).

I used 6.5 in circles to make the hexagons which are approximately 3.5 in.  The quilt measures 32 in X 48 in.  I finished the quilt in February 2001. 

The photos of the quilt were supplied to me by my cousin, so I apologize for not having a “full” photo.

You can see the details of the pink rabbits in the yellow fabric with this photo, as well as the added quilting (wanted to ensure it would hold together with use).  The back of the quilt looks like the front.

Okay, I’m going to try to give instructions on how to make the hexagons.   Begin with a circle at least twice as wide as you want the finished hexagon to be.  I used 6.5 in circles.

I press the circles into halves to find the center.  You will then fold the two points labeled “A” to meet at the center.

I press after each new fold though I’m not sure it is necessary.  Next, the two points labeled “B” get folded into the center.

Next the points labeled “C” get folded into the center.
Thus creating a hexagon!  Before placing a tacking stitch to hold the points together, you want to place a hexagon of scrap batting inside.
The hexagons can then be sewn together by hand or machine.  If by machine, use a faggoting or zigzag stitch.

I hope these instructions are clear enough.

Knitted Miragamo Bag

Updated 3/2017-- all links (except to my own posts) removed as many are no longer active and it was easier than checking each one.

I finished this knitted Miragamo bag.  I found the pattern for the Miragamo Bag by Georgie Kajer on Ravelry.  I went to my local specialty yarn store to find the hemp yarn as suggested, but they didn’t carry it.  I ended up buying and using Louet Euroflax Chunky Wt. in brown. 

The bag measures 14.5 in wide, 12.5 in high, and 4 in deep.  The handles are Grayson E leather handles.

The bag is fully lined with pockets (6 in wide X 5.25 deep).
The pattern directions called for using plastic canvas to make supporting structure for the bag.  I used Pellon Peltex 70 instead.  I covered each Peltex piece with brown fabric so the white wouldn’t be an issue showing through the linen knit pattern.  Here you can see the band strip.
Here is a photo of the fabric-covered Peltex sewn together to form a “box” which then was sewn into the bag.  This “box” lays between the knitted linen and the lining.  It is indeed the skeleton of the bag.

I wanted extra pockets in the bag.  You know we have cell phone, camera, etc that you don’t want to end up lost in the bottom.
This photo shows the three parts – knitted bag, skeleton, and lining.

Rusty approves!