Lapghans for Recovering Soldiers

If you should find yourself with spare time and extra yarn, you might consider making up a lapghan or two for wounded soldiers recovering in veterans' hospitals. I recently sent in three and was given an address in Indianapolis. We're talking about local boys here.

The lapghans should be in the neighborhood of 3'x4', in bright or patriotic colors. You can use any pattern you like, but please remember that the recipient is likely to be masculine. Maybe nothing lacy or flowery.

To get more information see http://www.soldiersangels.org/. In the left-hand column, click on "Teams & Projects", then on "Sewing Team". Choose "Blankets of Gratitude" for your handcrafted masterpieces.

When I contacted the main website for a hospital that could use the lapghans, they asked my location so they could give me a hospital close to my home. Very nice people to work with and the soldiers will appreciate it when they see how much care you put into a gift you made for them.

Happy crafting,

Kathi

You can quickly learn to make simple prayer shawls or scarves in the Knit and Crochet groups, by learning to use simple stitches. Knit Night meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 in the Seymour Library. The Crochet Klatch meets at 6 on the third Thursday of each month in the same place. Just bring medium weight yarn and size 7 or 8 knitting needles, or a size J or K crochet hook . These are friendly groups of people who love to help newcomers learn these crafts.

By the way, in case you want to learn to bead those items or make jewelry, remember the monthly BEAD! time at the Seymour Library on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 pm.

Try knitting leaves!

This is a really colorful leaf to make for autumn. Try it!

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/10318/how-to-knit-everlasting-autumn-leaves-no-raking-required

Back to School Towels to Knit Quickly

This is a cute idea...
Linda H.

http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall06/PATTbacktoschool.html

Purling

I have been nothing but a knitter - as in all garter stitch. In spite of my mother's instructions, several books, a video or two, and watching tutorials on youtube, I've never quite gotten it. Honestly, my mother was so proficient, it put me off. I've never mastered the "correct" way to hold the yarn.

Well, I spent a few minutes with Georgiann's Knit Night group last time they were in session. While I walked the tables and admired their handiwork, I watch a younger lady doing with her yarn the exact same thing that I do with mine - no perfect style, just a simple wrapping of the yarn around the needle any which way it works. Wow! Someone like me and she still had a beautiful baby blanket flowing off of her knitting needles!

The itch to try, freestyle and all, grew and grew. So last evening, I sat down with a pattern that I felt fairly sure I could manage, and there it was - the beginning of an actual textured knit! I was so excited!!

Georgiann and all your ladies, thank you for the encouragement of your group and the freedom to try it as best we can. You're great!

Kathi

Knitted Linen Stitch

If you look a few blogs back on July 10th, 2010, you will find a scrappy lengthwise scarf. The pattern has re-emerged on another blog: http://cyberseams.com/article/105132/all_things_knitting/the_linen_knit_stitch.html

This one suggests that your scrap yarn can make any sized project and gives very clear directions for knitting the linen stitch or changing one thing in the pattern and making a basketweave stitch.

This is so well explained that even I, the crocheter, could knit this piece.

Happy crafting,

Kathi

Here's a beautiful freebie! -Linda H.

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEff10/PATTcoquille.php