Superbowl Scarves

Now that Superbowl XLV is behind us, there is a team getting ready for the next one which will be held in Indianapolis. Besides the professionals who are putting the event together, there will be 8,000 volunteers who will greet guests and help visitors find their way around town.

What does this have to do with knitting or crocheting, you may ask. The host committee would like to give each volunteer a handmade scarf as part of their "uniform". So far, 2604 have been sent in. (Two of them are mine.)

If you want to contribute, the colors must be royal blue and white. The dimensions should be between 6-8 inches wide and 76-100 inches long. The color number for various brands of yarn is given on the website as well as pictures of some of the designs already turned in.

Here's the official website: www.indianapolissuperbowl.com/super-scarves It's exciting to know your work is included in such a huge event and that it is greatly appreciated.

Happy crafting.

Kathi

Yo-Yo Crochet

I was curious about yo-yo crochet after I ran across it on the internet. The library purchased a book on the subject called Learn to Do Yo-Yo Crochet by Wendy Harbaugh.

The process is a bit different than plain crochet. Let's say you want to make an afghan. Each row of yo-yos starts with a chain. Then you work half-circles along one side of the chain, turn and work the half-circles along the other side of the chain. As you work the second side, you attach the middle of each yo-yo to a matching yo-yo on the rest of the afghan that you've already completed. Since this is a join-as-you-go stitch, there is no sewing motifs together at the end of the project.

For pattern ideas, clearer instructions, and photos to go with them, please check out the book. For the time being, it's in the New Books section.

Happy crafting,

Kathi

Here's one you haven't tried

I just found a website called http://www.tipnut.com/. Wow, it has some great ideas! My two favorite sections are crafts and gardening, but there's lots more.

Here's a link to three patterns for crocheting vintage APRONS: www.tipnut.com/crochet-apron-patterns/

Happy crafting,

Kathi

End of the Season

'Tis the time of year when MY thoughts run to gardening. My seeds are ordered and yarn is beginning to take a lower priority.
But there are a couple of projects still in the works.

I'm working on a couple of spool knitting projects to show at the program we're giving this summer. If all goes according to plan, it will be given on June 25th. So far, I've spool knit and braided a scarf and a small baby doll. Next will be a pair of slippers and a shawl. I'm going to experiment with different stitches to see how they come out.

Loom knitting is a good break for your hands and arms if you have carpal tunnel or your joints are giving you fits from the weight of the yarn on your knitting needles or the motion of crocheting.

In the meantime, if spool or loom knitting appeals to you, you might check out:
Loom Knitting Pattern Book by Isela Phelps
Loom Knitting Primer by Isela Phelps
Learn to Knit Cables on Looms by Isela Phelps
Learn to Knit on Long Looms by Anne Bipes
Corking by Judy Ann Sadler

You might also try going to http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/ and put "loom knitting" in the search box.

Happy crafting

Kathi Linz