Something to do on Superbowl Sunday...

Warm Up America / Knit-In info

Super Knit Sunday, Feb. 4, 5 pm - 11 pm ET.

It's Super Knit Sunday! On February 4, DIY Network is staging a "Knit In" to encourage needle arts enthusiasts to knit or crochet a square for charity. We're showcasing a marathon of DIY's Knitty Gritty to kick-off our year-long initiative with Warm Up America!, a charitable organization dedicated to the creation of handmade shawls and blankets to help those in need.
We're challenging all knitsters to create small squares that will eventually be sewn together into blankets to be distributed to women’s shelters, nursing homes, and daycare centers. So leave football fans to watch that "big game," and pick up your sticks and a bit of yarn, and knit a square! Also join Knitty Gritty host Vickie Howell for a live blog on DIYnetwork.com during our Knit In from 5-11 p.m. ET. Ask her questions...share ideas...and have fun! In 2008, DIY’s Super Knit Sunday gets bigger and better with a one-hour special documenting our efforts to help keep needy Americans warm.

Go to Vickie's Blog!

Instructions

Tip:To crochet or knit "perfect" Warm Up America! sections, cut a 7" by 9" cardboard template. Use the template as a guide; it's easier to handle than a measuring tape and great for kids.

Basic Crochet Section Patterns
Materials: Worsted-weight acrylic yarnsGauge: 9 stitches = 2 inches Finished size: 7" by 9" .Hook: Size G crochet hook or size necessary to obtain gauge

Basic Single Crochet: Chain 30 for the foundation chain.Row 1: Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook, and in every chain in the foundation row. Chain 1 and turn your work. Row 2: Working under the 2 top loops of each stitch in the previous row, single crochet across the row. Chain 1 and turn. Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 9". Fasten off.

Basic Double Crochet: Chain 27 for the foundation chain. Row 1: Double crochet in 3rd chain from hook and in each chain of the foundation row. Chain 2 and turn your work. Row 2: Double crochet in each stitch across the row. Chain 2 and turn. Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 9".Fasten off.

Basic Knit Section Patterns
Materials: Worsted-weight acrylic yarns Gauge: 5 stitches = 1 inch Finished size: 7" by 9" Needle size: 7 needles or size necessary to obtain gauge

Garter Stitch: Cast on 35 stitches. Knit every row until piece measures 9". Bind off.

Stockinette Stitch: Cast on 35 stitches. Row 1: Knit all stitches.Row 2: Purl all stitches.Repeat these 2 rows until piece measures 9". Bind off.

More Advanced Patterns and Stitches

For more information on Warm Up America! visit their website.
Click here to read the entire press release from DIY Network.

Shipping Address (for knit and crochet squares):
Warm Up America! Foundation
Department DIY Network
2500 Lowell Rd.
Ranlo, NC 28054

New Projects

Hi, it's Kathi...



I've got 2 knitting projects currently in the works. One is a blanket. Sarah (my daughter) gave me the pattern, a starter amount of yarn, and circular needles for Christmas. I bought more yarn on sale and have been working on it since. Each row takes quite some time to complete, but it's working up really beautifully. The yarn is a gray variegated with a number of different colors, one at a time, so it produces a striped effect. The pattern is a twisted lacy sort of thing. Here is the picture of it in progress:

I'm also working on a scarf. It's from the same pattern as the turquoise scarf Jenn made, which is pictured below, but I'm making it from a heavier, fluffier acrylic yarn that is variegated yellow and cream. So far, it's working up pretty!

If They Can So Can We!

Check out this inspiring article that I found on Interweave Press. Apparently many correctional facilities across the country are now requiring their inmates to knit and crochet as part of their rehabilitation program. All their finished projects are then donated to various local charities.

Read the article and if you're interested follow this link (click here) to a list of correctional facilities that would like donations of yarn and needles. If you got a huge stash that you can't possibly use in your life time think about giving it to some people that will use it to help out the needy!

The Shop is Open!

I just opened up shop on Etsy.com. The site is used by artists and crafters around the world to showcase their work and sell it. Please take a look: My Etsy Shop. Let me know if you see something you like but would prefer it in a different color or texture. I would be happy to accommodate.

Enjoy!

The Scarf That Was Cloned

Here's the scarf that inspired my mom.

If found this pattern in Knitting to Go. The patterns all come on handy cards that can easily be thrown in your purse when you're headed out to the local yarn store. It's called the Openwork Scarf. There are a ton of great patterns in the box. Here's a link to buy it on Amazon:


It is by far my favorite scarf to grab when it's a bit chilly outside and it knitted up super fast. I finished the whole thing in about 4-5 hours!

My Personal Clone Scarf

Hi... Kathi here! A new poster on Jenn's Knit Wits! Here is what I call my clone scarf because I liked one that Jenn made so much, I just had to have one for myself. It was super fun to make and it went together quickly. Jenn said she made hers in about 5 hours, but it took me a lot longer... several days.

I can't find the pattern for this right now, so maybe Jenn can add it later. I made it from 2 colors of yellow and a plum in a super soft acrylic fuzzy yarn. Each color was knitted for about 21 inches. It's soft and warm and I love it!

Kathi

A Classic Ribbed Scarf

Here is a very simple ribbed scarf that works well with any thicker yarn. I used size 9 needles to cast on my Lion Brand Jiffy Camel and Rose yarn. I worked the rib pattern until I got the desired length.

You can find this pattern and many other great, simple patterns in this book found on Amazon: Chick Knits (Step by StepTechnique Guidebook)

Lacy Diamond Scarf

This project would probably be about medium difficulty as far as scarves go.

What you need:

Size 8 or 9 needles
Yarn (I used Yarn Bee Cameo - Turquiose)


Directions:

Cast on 16 stitches.

1st row: k5, yo, s/1, k1, psso, k2, yo, s/1, k1, psso, k5

2nd row and every alternating row: purl

3rd row: k3, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, s/1, k1, psso, k2, yo, s/1, k1, psso, k4

5th row: k2, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, s/1, k1, psso, k2, yo, s/1, k1, psso, k3

7th row: k1, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, s/1, k1, psso, k2, yo, s/1, k1, psso, k2

9th row: k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, s/1, k1, psso, k2, yo, s/1, k1, psso, k1

11th row: k2, yo, s/1, ki, psso, k2, yo, s/1, k1, psso, yo, k2tog, yo, k2 k2tog, yo, k2tog

13th row: k3, yo, s/1, k1, psso, k2, yo, s/1, k2tog, psso, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k2

15th row: k4, yo, s/1, k1, psso, k2, yo, s/1, k1, psso, k1, k2tog, yo, k3

16th row: purl


Just keep repeating these 16 row until you have the desired length. Bind off and sew in ends. Add fringe (optional).

Brown and Blue Lacy Scarf

Here's an extremely easy scarf to knit that knits up very very fast.


What you need:

Size 17 needles
Yarn (I used Bernat Soft Boucle Teal Twist)

Directions:

All you do is knit to the appropriate length. Because you're using such large needles it gives the scarf a lacy look. Sew in ends after you bind off.

Knit Tip: Needle Cases

Here's an idea for a quick needle case. This is just for individual sets of needles but is worth it if you want to keep pairs together and want to protect the tips.

What you need:

Ribbon
Thread
Sewing needle or machine

Find a piece of ribbon that is wide enough to fit both needles plus some extra room. Many craft stores have ribbon in clearance racks so I'm sure you could find some real cheap. Cut the ribbon so that it is twice the length of the needles.

Fold the ribbon in half and sew three seams: one on each side and then one up the middle. That's it. Just slip your needles in and you're all done!

A Golden Opportunity

Are you a veteran in the knitting world and want to show everyone what you've got? This may just be the contest for you. Knitting-Pattern-A-Day is hosting a contest for knitters around the world. They are offering prizes to people who want to contribute their original knitting patterns to the 2008 calendar. Follow the link below to learn more about the contest:

http://www.knittingpatternaday.com/knittingcrochetcontestrules.htm

Good luck!

Knit Tip: Homemade Needles

I read on the web that it's really easy to make your own knitting needles. This is especially useful when first starting out because it can save you a lot of money.

What you need:

Wooden dowels (found at most craft and hardware stores)
Rubberbands or some type of stopper
Pencil sharpener

All you need to do is cut the dowel to the desired length. Make sure you've chosen a dowel that's the appropriate thickness too. Sharpen one end using a standard pencil sharpener. One the other end place a rubberband or glue some type of stopper to prevent the stitches from falling off the needle.

Wooden needles are suggested for beginners because the roughness of the wood makes it less likely for stitches to slip off. If you've made some of your own needles please let us know how and post pics too!