Knitting A Community Together

Knitting is a pastime that provides hours and hours of relaxing solitude and yet just as easily can be a fun way to socialize, share stories and laughter in a group setting. Wherever knitters congregate, in pubs, libraries, coffee shops, book stores, or a LYS, it builds a new community and gives a sense of belonging. Some of us knit in groups to reduce stress in our everyday lives, while others enjoy the routine of sitting in a social setting, knitting for a few hours each week. On our Fall Knitters Tour, we knit squares for our first Community Blanket, a special project to be given to someone in need of comfort, recovering from an illness, or going through a traumatic event. The only criteria for the squares, was to knit each one to a specific size, eight by ten inches, in a worsted weight yarn. What a great way to use up leftover yarns! This is the finished result, a lovely warm blanket full of memories from our trip and made with love by a generous group of knitters that believe in the gift of sharing and caring.

I want to wish everyone a warm and cosy holiday season. Enjoy your time visiting with family and friends.

Happy Holidays,
Michele

Let It Snow....Let It Snow

This is what I woke up to on Saturday morning, a wall of white snow, over 70 cm of it, fresh from above in just one day. The Blizzard of 2009. My deck is somewhere under this enormous mass. Its all a bit overwhelming, as winter does not officially start until next week. Where to put all the snow is the question on everyone's mind today, the shock is over, now we have to get those shovels out and deal with the reality of it.

Some of us have been snowed in for three days already, with constant power interuptions. Cabin Fever starts to set in quickly. What can be worse than a knitter stranded at home without a project to work on? One of my customers confessed trekking to the store on snowshoes just to see if it was open. It wasn't. She was desperate for a pair of circular knitting needles to finish off a Christmas gift. Another customer travels in her car with a spare knitting project just for those days when she may be stuck in a snowstorm at the side of the road. Think of it as part of your emergency road kit, along with flares, a blanket, and a flashlight.

Knitters are highly creative people and can make the best of difficult circumstances as long as the right tools are within arm's reach. In a pinch, changing your needles one size up or down for a ribbing or border will not make a noticeable difference. If your yarn is running out while knitting the neckline, simply shorten the number of rows in the pattern and cast off a bit earlier or add a contrast colour in the same weight of yarn to make a stripe of edging. Sometimes this is a better option, than trying to blend in a new ball of yarn in a different dye lot. Sock knitters often start a new pair of socks with leftover yarn from a past project, unaware that their LYS may not have the same colour in stock, or it may have been discontinued. Finishing the socks usually requires a contrast colour added for the toe or heel section. If you plan ahead, add the contrast colour in the top ribbing as well to give it a look of intention not an oops...I thought I had enough to finish......

The snow has been piling up outside since Sunday afternoon, and it looks just as pretty as a Hallmark Christmas Card, especially in the evening as I drive home and see the colourful lights twinkling under a white veil. Its difficult not to be mesmerized by the natural beauty of the season.

Just over two more weeks to go before the gifts are all unwrapped and the turkey is turning a golden brown in the oven. It has been a flurry of activity in the store with knitters dashing in for last minute project ideas. More and more of us are exchanging only handmade gifts at Christmas, giving from the heart not from the wallet.

This week the current It project seems to be these Chunky Wrist Warmers, (our free pattern is previously posted in Unpacking Autumn Inspiration). They can be knit in one evening, and come in a choice of bright solids or earthy neutrals in a warm and cosy pure wool.

Floppy Berets and Slouchy Hats are still really popular, we have different styles on display and kits to choose from. Some of the shorter neck scarves are selling very well, just imagine knitting one up in half the time it takes to knit the length of a regular one. Knitted Slippers are another gift item in demand lately, they make a great stocking stuffer and patterns are available for the whole family. Handknit Socks are an old standby, they do take a little longer to knit on such small needles, but once a pair of feet has been spoiled with such a luxury, expect them to be on next year's wish list.

For the knitter on your list, we have a fabulous new gadget, a Knit Kit which comes with 7 essential tools, much like a swiss army knife. It is a great way to stay organized and fits in a project bag or purse. Perfect for travelling, a customer bought one today for her flight to Australia, think of those many hours of pure knitting time above the clouds.

Gift certificates are another option for knitters, after the holidays we enjoy the quieter times, and like to have a special project to work on for ourselves.

Learn To Knit A Hat

This week was our first real snowfall of the season. There is a layer of white icing on front lawns and tree branches putting us in the mood for Christmas shopping and decorating the tree. For those of us who are brand new knitters there is still time to pick up a pair of needles and try a simple project to wrap up and give as a gift.

Scarves are the easiest projects to make, cast on, knit each row and cast off whenever the length is just right. But after a few of those, things get a little boring. This hat pattern is straight out knit every row, no decreasing or increasing, and quick to finish. Top it off with a funky pompom and that special someone on your list will truly be impressed with your efforts.

Knit one for a child or adult, it takes only two balls of chunky weight yarn. This sample is knit in Futura by Katia, a playfully textured yarn available in lime green, red, charcoal, purple, and turquoise.

Futura Hat

Size: Child (Adult)

Yarn: 2 balls Futura by Katia

Needles: 6.00 mm

Cast on 27 (34) sts. Knit each row until work measures 17 (19) in. Cast off.

Sew cast on and cast off edges together reversing seam approx. 3 in from bottom to make a smooth turn back edge. Thread a piece of yarn through top edge, catching only the bumps , draw in tightly, and secure.

Pompom:

Wind yarn around four fingers loosely, approx 36 times. Slide this bundle off carefully and lay on table. Tie a separate piece of yarn around centre of bundle, tighten and secure. Cut ends of loop and trim if necessary. Attach pompom to top of hat.