A question about : Knit Your Square To Give Your Share 2009!
KNIT YOUR SQUARE TO GIVE YOUR SHARE 2009! Newbies - please read this post first!
Hi to everyone on this, the very first day of 2009. Following the success of 2008, this is a brand new thread for this year.
Newbies: We knit and crochet for deserving causes, of which there are many, not just here in the UK but overseas, too. We send our items to various places which then distribute them to those in need, details as follows:
Loving Hands – www.lovinghands.org.uk - is a wonderful site, run by a tireless lady called Lou. The site has an active forum which most of us have joined; they run several different campaigns and challenges during the year and have links to lots of free-to-download patterns for anything from hats for premature babies to lovely teddies for Teddies for Tragedies; these go to children in poorer areas of the world, some of whom have no toys of their own, so it’s a wonderful cause. None of the patterns is difficult; they use easy-to-find needles and wool and, because they are small, they are ideal for using up left-over wool from other projects.
SPECIAL NOTE: Items of baby clothing which are intended for overseas should NOT be knitted or crocheted in white wool. Sadly, for many countries and cultures, white signifies death, so we use bright or pastel colours. White items are always welcome in premature baby units in the UK, though.
PreemiesUk - https://preemiesuk.googlepages.com/ - is another wonderful site run by Shelley (Shezmit on MSE), that collects and distributes knitted items for premature babies. They have some lovely patterns and photos on the site of all the lovely things that have been knitted. They also collect Carte D’Or icecream tubs which are beautifully transformed into little cribs for those premature babies who, sadly, do not survive. They also collect materials such as wool, ribbons and so on, as well as old unwanted mobile phones and used postage stamps. They are a wonderful and worthwhile cause to support.
Bonnie Babies UK – https://www.bonniebabies.co.uk/ is another site that collects knitted and crocheted items for premature babies. They have links to patterns and collections of lovely photos showing the many items that are donated to them.
For something a bit different, www.lcgb.org have a free-to-download pattern for knitted breasts (!) which are used to help teach new mothers how to breastfeed and, also, some mastectomy patients find them more comfortable than the usual prosthetics currently available. The pattern produces a very realistic breast!
Operation Elderly Charity Stitchers (OECS) - https://uk.geocities.com/oecs_central/ - is run by Naomi (Artystitches on MSE). They collect 7” squares (knitted, crocheted, cross-stitched or quilted) which are sewn together by them to make up blankets which are distributed to the elderly. They are not just sent to a nursing or care home; each blanket is given personally to an elderly person. The site has lots of information including addresses throughout the UK for sending squares, and some lovely photos of quilts and blankets that have been made.
It was Naomi of OECS who set up our Yahoo group - https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Wooligan/ (called the Wooligans). People wanting to join this need to apply and be approved and then they will be able to see lots of photos of things we have made so far, as well as upload their own posts and photos. It is not as busy as the MSE thread but worth a look for the photos – we have many talented knitters and crocheters and the Yahoo group provides a wonderful showcase!
Sainsbury’s/Innocent Smoothies The Big Knit Campaign runs every year. Last year our contribution raised Ј224, which is phenomenal. They collect little knitted or crocheted hats (all the details, including patterns, can be found here thebigknit@innocentdrinks.co.uk), which go on top of Innocent Smoothie drinks; each one sold raises 50p for Age Concern. Last year they received over 500,000 hats which raised more than Ј250,000! The hats are very quick and easy to make using scraps of wool, and can be plain or as fancy as you like – just add imagination! The closing date is usually half way through October and the hats go on sale in the first week of November. They are the perfect way to use up tiny oddments of leftover wool and are very satisfying to make.
UPDATE: Miss Angie has found this https://www.knit-a-square.com for knitting squares for sending to the Soweto Comfort Club of South Africa, in aid of babies and children sadly orphaned through HIV and AIDS, another very worthwhile cause.
PLEASE LOOK HERE FOR LINKS TO LOADS OF PATTERNS, TUTORIALS, AND OTHER GREAT FINDS#964
AND HERE FOR LOADS OF PATTERNS FOR DOG-RELATED ITEMS #2422 ?
For those who don't knit but would like to learn, Maytaurus has posted an excellent tutorial on the Knitter's Thread, which she has kindly allowed me to post on here.
MAYTAURUS'S LEARN TO KNIT TUTORIAL:
Cast on40 stitches
Begin by tying a slip knot in the yarn. ... the slip knot will be your first stitch.
Step 1 - Hold the wool out in front of you and twist to form a loop.
Step 2 - Reach through the loop, grasp the dangling right end by the middle, and pull it through the loop, being careful not to let the end come through.
Keep your left hand steady, and a knot will tight around the part you are pulling through.
Step 3 - You can now hook the new loop around things (like your thumb or a needle!),
Pull the main length of the wool to tighten around them.
You make the stitch the same way, but instead of placing the left hand stitch onto the right needle, you slip the right hand stitch right off. That way you'll always have forty stitches (for example, after your first stitch, you'll have thirty nine on the left needle and one on the right). Continue this way until you've completed a row, then turn it around and do the same thing all over again. Keep knitting until you have a square that measures 8 inches all the way around.
Then cast off....
Knit two stitches as you normally would. Then take the first stitch, the one furthest from the end, and lift it over the second stitch, sliding it right off the needle. Knit another stitch and repeat until only one stitch remains. Cut your yarn and pass the tail through your last remaining stitch, pulling it tight.
You've now made an 8 X 8 square!
For anyone struggling with making pom-poms there are lots of instructions here! https://www.needlepointers.com/ShowAr...spx?NavID=1527
I've just found this if anyone wants to make a teddy for a deserving child. https://www.teddiesfortragedies.org.uk/ - you can see in the photos how much happiness the teddies bring.
https://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/kh...byBlanket.html
https://www.knittingpatterncentral.co...y_blankets.php
https://www.knitandtonic.typepad.com/TenderBlankie.pdf Here are some more patterns from this particular site https://www.thepreemieproject.com/volunteer/patterns
https://www.p2designs.com/Links-CharityPatterns.htm
https://www.angels4preemies.com/preemiepatternlinks.html
Lots of free patterns on here: https://www.knittychick.com/baby_patterns.htm
Maytaurus contributes many links to patterns and tutorials for us, and can always find something unusual for us to make. Below are some that she found for us in 2008. Thanks to you, Maytaurus! There are more links which she has posted on the 2008 thread – I shall go through it and post them a bit later.
How To Change To Different Colour Yarn In Crochet
See here;
https://www.videojug.com/search?keywords=crochet
and
Everything you need to know about knitting
https://www.videojug.com/tag/knitting...ent=all&page=1
As the year progresses, we post our personal running totals which are added to a list which is updated regularly. I update on the current page and, also, on the very first page to let newbies know how well we are doing. Each person’s name is on the list with their own totals next to it. Many knitters keep a tally of their totals in their sigs which is useful for them and me! As one of our most prolific knitters (Pippa.S) knows, I sometimes get the totals wrong so please let me know when I make a mistake and I will correct it!
Hats for premature babies 560
Scarves 34
Pairs of mittens 5
Bodywarmers 10
Cardigans 11
Jumpers 9
Hooded wraps 1
Gowns 3
Baby blankets 25
Big blankets 3
Lap rugs 2
Pairs bootees 6
Buntings 49
Angel pockets 1
Sleeping bags 6
Teddies for Tragedies 33 and 10 bags
Small teddies 5 and 3 bags
Boobs 16
Bibs 19
Sailors’ hats 6
Christmas stockings 45
Squares 10
Little hats for Innocent
Smoothie campaign 448
As I pointed out last year, this is something that we fit in with our lives. We all lead busy lives these days, what with work and family commitments, so it doesn’t matter how many or how few items are knitted; each one is valuable and each one goes to a really deserving cause so, if you only knit one hat in the whole year, it’s worthwhile. PLEASE don’t any of you feel under pressure to knit.
We used to set targets for certain items but I learned long ago that targets are there to be exceeded, so there is no limit to the items we make. They all get used.
Any new projects or challenges that come up will be posted on here and, if anyone comes up with something, please post on here.
Well, I hope I have covered everything here! (Here is a link to the start of last year's thread, just in case anyone wants to refer to it): https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/....html?t=800677
All newbies are welcome; we are a lovely bunch of people, I promise! If anyone has any questions, please post them on here – there’s always someone around to answer them!
I look forward to this year being as successful as 2008. Thank you to all who made last year the success it was and to those who join us this year.
KathyXX
FOR UP TO DATE TOTALS, PLEASE SEE THE LATEST PAGE!
EDITED TO ADD THE FOLLOWING CHARITY:
The Doris Banham Sanctuary.
We are a non-profit organisation and rely totally on fundraising and donations to save these animals.
https://www.dogsos.co.uk/#/howtohelp/4524189866
Blankets & bedding for the dogs
Coats new or used for the dogs, knitters welcome
Arts and crafts people....
Please can you put your artistic hobbies to good use and make items for us to sell at Craft stalls?
Cross stitch pictures of dog breeds, decorations, etc etc
UPDATE
If you would like to Knit a dog sweater for your own dog or for charity
there are hundreds of free patterns here;
https://www.jessica-tromp.nl/dogsweat...tternsdogs.htm
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Best answers:
- Looking for someone to do me a massive favour LOL
i am knitting teddies,but i am no good in sewing them up and putting faces on to them, So i am wondering if there is anyone out there will finish them off and return them to me, i will send toyfilling, spare wool, Postage costs etc.
Please let me know asap as i want to send some to the hospitals
thankyou so much
shelley - been busy knitting tonight, so i can post on new thread
1 vent hat - I can't knit for toffee although I do try to dabble now and again but I just wanted to post on here to say
How amazing you all are and what a total!!!
Best wishes for another successful year
D XX - Hi everyone!
Shez - I've pm'd you about your teddies.
D&DD - thank you so much for your kind words and wishes. If you ever feel like joining us, please do!
Shaz - you are the very first on this year's list. I shall update right now!
Update for Friday 2nd January 2009
Shazrobo
1 vent hat
Hope everyone's New Year has got off to a good start!
KathyXX - Hi Kathy, I must say you have been very busy setting us all up again thank you
oooo how lovely a new thread and I have .........
....1 CARDI.....to be added to the brand new figures please.
I have started tidying my knitting bag up, I had no idea there were so many little bits of wool left in the bottom, so I have put them all in a box, and will start to knit them up for the next Innocent Campaign, I have quite a few ready made pom-poms left too, so its all systems go
I cant remember when it started last year but I will have lots done for whenever it does.
Any idea yet what we will be working on this year??
Anne
x - Me again Kathy,
I have just looked at my sig and I think I'll go in and wipe it all off, otherwise I will get confused with how many I have done this year, and the New Year can start with a clean slate then.
Anne
x - Hi Pippa and thanks for the update. I can't remember when the Innocent Smoothie campaign was announced last year but I don't suppose it matters, does it? I shall just knit the hats now and again when I feel like doing something that doesn't need too much concentration!
I've just read somewhere - can't remember where - that someone saves all their ends of wool (the bits that you cut off once you've finished sewing up), knots them together and knits rugs with them. I'm going to do that from now on - I've just been throwing the bits away which seems such a waste now!
Pippa - I haven't really thought about what to work on this year, really. If anyone has any suggestions please do post them!
Anyway, latest update:
Shazrobo
1 vent hat
Pippa.S
1 cardi
Mioliere
1 STC hat
TOTALS SO FAR (Vent and STC hats will be counted together under 'Baby hats' if everyone's happy with that?)
Baby hats: 2, Cardies: 1
Have a great day!
KathyXX - 2 Sleeping bags
1 Bunting
1 teddy - Hi Shez and thanks for your update. You've been really busy! I shall add them now.
KathyXX
LATEST UPDATE:
Shazrobo
1 vent hat
Pippa.S
1 cardi
Mioliere
1 STC hat
Shezmit
2 sleeping bags
1 bunting
1 teddy
TOTALS SO FAR (Vent and STC hats will be counted together under 'Baby hats' if everyone's happy with that?)
Baby hats: 2, Cardies: 1, Sleeping Bags: 2, Buntings: 1, Teddies: 1 - Hello everyone, love the new thread hope you all had a good christmas and holiday!
I'm back to knitting again, made 2 super stretchy hats last week
Have a good weekend
Jo xxx - Hi Jellybeans - good to hear from you. Happy New Year. I shall add your two hats now, thanks!
I'll try and update at the end of every day after today. Thanks to you all - the running total is already looking good!
KathyXX
LATEST UPDATE:
Shazrobo
1 vent hat
Pippa.S
1 cardi
Mioliere
1 STC hat
Shezmit
2 sleeping bags
1 bunting
1 teddy
Jellybeans
2 baby hats
TOTALS SO FAR (Vent, STC and all baby hats will be counted together under 'Baby hats' if everyone's happy with that?)
Baby hats: 4, Cardies: 1, Sleeping Bags: 2, Buntings: 1, Teddies: 1
This is a great start to the new year! - how can anyone put a baby in an ice-cream tub, even if it looks like a crib?
- just wanted to say hi and well done all for the fantastic totals .
im definately in again this year but havent actually done any knitting yet .
i did get a digital camera for christmas and have just printed off a photo of my chris evans item so i will get the card cardi and photo in the post to LH as the baby is due this month.
will get my bits sorted ready to post of this month for the LH winter challenge as well then start afresh. - Hi Mrs Moneypenny - good to hear from you! Have fun with your digital camera - I wouldn't be without mine. It's one of my prized possessions! I have some bits to post off to LH and Preemies so I will get that organised next week. I've made one hat so far this year but will definitely produce more this year. I bet we're all waiting for Chris Evans's baby to put in an appearance!
KathyXX - Another teddy for me please
i am off now to knit some buntings as i am trying to sort my odd ends out - Hello and Happy New Year Everyone!
Have just subscribed to this shiny new thread and looking forward to producing some things. Currently fumbling through a baby blanket -got a bit adventurous trying different stitches and now sizing of squares is haywire - hope to be finished by March!
Love watching everyone's totals grow. Is anyone setting themselves any targets? If I commit to a target, it might make me brave enough to try knitting something other than squares. Hmm.... - K2tog - we used to have targets but they were always exceeded in very little time so we stopped setting them!
It's worth trying the baby things because they are all so tiny and don't take much time. Although you've struggled with your blanket, at least it's good practice!
KathyXX - 1 bunting please
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