Tag Archives: charity

FO Friday: Knitted Knockers

Posted on by
2

Earlier this week I showed you my cast on for some Knitted Knockers. I literally finished the first set of A-cups in two evenings. They turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. The second one was much improved from the first as I remembered all the tricks to working in the round on double pointed needles.

I used the approved Cascade Ultra Pima in yellow. The a-cup used 25 grams or roughly 55 yards of yarn. And I measured out the stuffing to make them evening filled. The trickiest party is getting those first few rounds done where you don’t have many stitches on the needles and it’s easy to twist.

I was so enamored that I cast on and finished a second pair! This time I made B-cups in royal blue.

These two based on the weight of the un-stuffed items used 25 grams or 55-56 yards of Cascade Ultra Pima in royal blue. The best part is that each knockers counts as a finished object for the KAL. They each earn me 3 points for yardage, 4 points for charity and 4 points for using my team colors. So in just a couple of evenings I scored 22 points!

Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: Knitted Knockers

Posted on by
5

The Down Cellar Studio Pigskin Party KAL is here! And on the first day I wanted to get a quick victory and clear out some old stash. I have two skeins of Cascade Ultra Pima in my stash from 2012 that never found the right project. Well, it is in fact once of the approved yarn for Knitted Knockers so both skeins are destined to become boobs!

To make sure I could wrap my head around the construction and get used to the size 8 DPN needles, I made an A cup size first. The first of the pair flew off my needles in one evening!

Un-stuffed it looks like a weird pyramid, lol. But other than some slight laddering between the needles I’m quite pleased. I remembered halfway through how I need to tighten the stitches after switching needles to discourage laddering. So the second one will be better. 

The charity accepts them in this state (un-stuffed). But I want to see what they look like filled so I think I will stuff this pair just to see. My plan is to sprinkle in some knitted knockers among my other KAL projects to get a fast win here an there but also to do some good for women healing from a mastectomy.

Happy Knitting!!

The 2015 Purge

Posted on by
12

Yesterday I talked about my spendy yarn purchase for Christmas. I’ll freely admit that this has caused a bit of guilt (along with my Knit Picks Cyber Monday spree).

So during one of jellybean’s naps I tore through my stash. It is fairly busting at the seams in my storage drawers. I have more than I could ever need. So I’m paying it forward!

I went drawer by drawer and did a long hard look at what I would use and what I never will. I’ve come up with a large-ish bag of acrylics and cottons that just aren’t my aesthetic or fiber of choice anymore. There are several nursing homes nearby that take craft donations for residents who can’t afford supplies. I also went through my needles and pulled the duplicates and triplicates to donate as well. I made the activities directors day when I walked in. And it made me feel a bit good as well.

I feel a bit more in control of my yarn and storage space. Not to mention this perfectly good yarn will actually be put to good use! I’m not trying to toot my own horn or anything. It’s not like I saved the world. But if I brought some peace to my space and a smile to a lonely heart….that’s a damn good day!

Happy Knitting!

Knitting With Coworkers

Posted on by
9

My endless days of knitting at lunch and wearing my FOs to work has taken a toll finally. I have had several coworkers ask if it would be hard to learn to knit. And not being one to stifle the urge to create and craft I have agreed to teach them.

There is another avid knitter that works with me that’s agreed to help me get them started. I’m envisioning a “Stitch N Bitch” or “Knit Night” style weekly gathering with snack and beverages of your choice. Maybe over a 4 to 5 week period depending on schedules in the fall?

My first dilemma is what to teach them? My first instinct was a ruffle scarf. They are easy, compact, and provide instant gratification.

20130618-150716.jpg

But I have always wanted to do something for Project Linus. A simple blanket is a great way to learn to knit and giving a child the comfort of a homemade blanket is priceless. I thought the One Row Blanket de la Harlot would be great because its a one row pattern of 4 stitches repeated over and over. Not to mention its big yarn on big needles!

20130618-151156.jpg

Not to mention the texture is fantastic on the FO and you look like a nifty knitter!

20130618-151245.jpg

Or maybe do both and start with the scarf?

Has anyone else attempted this before? All comments and suggestions are welcome! I plan on picking a plan and doing up some basic instructions and diagrams along side the pattern so they have good visual aids in between meetings.

Oh boy, what have I gotten into?!

A Cause Worth Supporting

Posted on by
Reply

I got a request the other day to support a local fundraiser. My day job is a huge supporter of Midland Care, a hospice provider in Topeka, KS. The bank holds a silent auction among the employees using handmade items or personal services donated by employees. I think it’s a lot of fun! We get to see the hand crafts of our fellow employees as well as raise money for a worthy cause. I chose to donate:

image_medium2

 

A Cascading Ruffles Scarf in Starbella Flash (deep purple)

photo (3)

 

And a couple of Evening Sparkle Scarves in black and red.

Last year I donated two baby blankets and 4 swiffer cloths and raised $35 for the cause. Let’s see if I can break my record this year! I’ll let you know how it goes!!

Happy Tuesday!

FO Friday: Two-fer

Posted on by
3

TGIF!! I have a two-fer FO!!!

20130331-135640.jpg

My first beanie for Knitters Helping Knitters is done and I used up a partial skein from my stash! Thanks to the hubs for posing. I’m currently working on beanie number two and hoped to be done soon.

20130331-135854.jpg

Finally, completed Stashbustin’ #11 is done!! After great feedback from you guys I decided to scrap the zipper. I picked up and knit the band on both sides. I didn’t knit it as wide as indicated on the pattern because I didn’t want the edges overlapping.

20130331-140122.jpg

I’m very happy with this project. I proved to myself that I can in fact make a sweater!! I very much feel like a big kid knitter looking at my FO, lol. My Ravelry page has all the details if you need.

I may or may not be planning a longer and striped version of this construction in some more of my stashed cotton…

Happy Knitting!!

20130405-090955.jpg

Inspiration!

Posted on by
2

I read A LOT of blog posts every week and I enjoy them all. But I was inspired by pdxknitterati’s post Knitters Helping Knitters this past week. Follow the link to read the full story, it’s a good one!!

Basically a knitting community in Portland is gathering hats for an auction to raise money for a sweet little 9yr old boy with cancer! Cancer is a mean and ugly thing. So what better than to fight it with hand knits full of love!

I pulled some one skein wonders from my stash this and I want to cast on at least two hats this week. I recently lost my grandmother cancer so this project had touched a special place in my heart. And it will get some single skeins out of my stash! The deadline is April 15th and I want to finish at least 3-4 hats to mail off.

If you want to join me here is the mailing info I pulled from FB event, Please send your completed hat by April 15 to:
Cathy Woodcock
c/o Lantern Moon
7911 NE 33rd Drive Suite 140
Portland, OR 97211

Lets kick cancer in the butt!!!!

Stashbustin’ #5

Posted on by
Reply

I found a few skeins at the bottom of my stash that I procured at a garage sale. Mostly some Lion Brand Homespun, a skein of baby yarn, and a skein of sock yarn. It got me thinking of something that happened at my last fair.

I had the pleasure of meeting the director of the Topeka Crochet Guild at my last craft fair. She mentioned that they always take donations of yarn to make projects for local shelters and charities. So in the spirit of charity and needing to unclutter my life, here is what I’m donating!

20130106-164521.jpg

The make hats, scarves, blankets, and much more for those in need! So I went through my bag of hand knits and found some of my first “projects”. Surely they will keep someone warm this winter even with uneven stitches and crazy yarn choices right?

20130106-164925.jpg

I get the double whammy of the feeling of charity and the glow of reducing my yarn load! I think I might even join the guild, they even welcome us knitters! I’m always looking for new fiber friends 🙂

Happy Knitting!