Major Knitter

Changes

Today I had my friends over from my Assumption Parish charity knitting group.  We had some adagio tea, sandwiches and sweets and gathered in my Knit Nook for a bit of knitting and chatting.  Our prayer shawl ministry doesn't meet officially over the summer, so I thought it would be nice to try to get together from time to time when our vacation schedules allow.  We had a lovely time and vowed to get together again very soon.

It seems we all take some getting used to the change in schedules. 

Wilma had some changes of her own.  Last night I threw out the 2 suede bean bags in the house that she had usurped as her own.  There was simply no way to clean them and they smelled horribly of eau de chien.  So I threw the old doggy beds out and purchased two new ones (one for the Nook and one for the Knit Nook).  Here's what Wilma thinks of this change

I do believe she's rolling her eyes at me.  She does look quite forlorn, don't you think.  Poor baby. 

Prayer Shawl Wrap Up

Tuesday afternoons are my Prayer Shawl Ministry day at my church.  I went to Assumption Parish and brought a long forgotten UFO. 

It's my seed stitch prayer lap blanket made in leftover Filatura di Crosa Zara in various colors of blue, turquoise and even a green.  It's a very slow knit but I really like the colors.  So I slowly knit a stripe or so every week.  Maybe I'll finish it by next year.  If you'd like to make this blanket - please use this pattern here.  Download seed_stitch_striped_lap_blanket.doc

Unfortunately, our prayer shawl group takes the summer off.  I'll miss getting together with my knitting buddies.  They're a fantastic group of ladies.  Last year I envisioned offering to host knitting at my house during the summer, but in the end, I was rarely here myself.  So maybe we'll knit here and there.

Do you have a group that breaks up during the summer months?  What do you do? 

Mad Hatter's Tea Party

This is apparently national charity week.  Or at least it is for me.  Today I went to the amazing Mad Hatter's Tea Party that my friends put on to raise funds for the Bethel Recovery Center.  The concept is that you wear your spring attire and a proper hat for this tea (complete with finger sandwiches).

Here I am with my friend Joanne (co-chairperson for this event) in our fashionable hats.  This was the first time I've been able to attend the Mad Hatter's Tea.  I made a donation for the silent auction - knit to order baby booties from Zoe Mellor's 50 Baby Bootees.  I picked the adorable Animal Bootees.  Here's the picture from the book.

I already knit up a sample teddy bear bootee.  Here's how mine turned out.

I used Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino and a US Size 1 needle.  It's really a fun knit and adorable. 

Do you donate knit items to silent auctions?  What have you found to be the best item?  I'm trying to find the perfect item to donate to bring in the best donations.  I've often donated baskets complete with knitting lessons - but I know they never go for much money and I end up making a heavy capital commitment with the knitting supplies when I think I could have written a check and raised more money for the charity.  Anyway, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Women at Risk

Today was some of the easiest charity work I've ever done.  I went to the Women At Risk Annual Luncheon at the Waldorf=Astoria in Manhattan and enjoyed good friends, good food all while helping a good cause.  My friend Carole is on the Board of WAR and invited me to join her.  I'm so glad I did.  WAR is the Breast Cancer Program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, whose mission is to enhance the lives of women who are at high risk for and with breast cancer through research, education and support.

If you want to find out more about how to support WAR (either by donating time or money or services) click HERE.

And just so you know that this is a knitting-related post, I did manage to finish my first simple sock for Secundogeniture while riding the train into Manhattan today.

This is an interesting choice of colors as my boys are half Brazilian and these are the colors of the Brazilian flag (minus the gray).

• Sockotta Yarn
• US Size 2 Turbo Addis
• CO 56 sts
• K2, P2 ribbing
• Plain stockinette sock with simple heel flap

Cute Chemo Cap

I finally finished the red chemo cap my sister asked me to make for her friend.

I used 2 skeins of Jo Sharp wool and US Size 5 needles.

CO 90 sts and knit in K3, P2 ribbing until cuff measures 2 inches.  Switch to stockinette stitch and knit until piece measures 6 inches from cast on edge. 

Decrease

• *(K7, K2tog) repeat from * around
• Knit around
• *(K6, K2tog) repeat from * around
• Knit around
• *(K5, K2tog) repeat from * around
• Knit around
• *(K4, K2tog) repeat from * around
• Knit around
• *(K3, K2tog) repeat from * around
• Knit around
• *(K2, K2tog) repeat from * around
• Knit around
• *(K1, K2tog) repeat from * around
• Knit around
• *( K2tog) repeat from * around
• *( K2tog) repeat from * around
• Knit around until little I-cord piece measures approx 3 inches.  Cut yarn leaving a 6 inch tail.  Weave through remaining sts and pull tight.  Tie the I-cord into a knot.
• Weave in loose ends.

Here's a shot of Secundogeniture modeling the red cap.  It goes well with chocolate milk.

People Who Live in Knit Houses...

Should not throw scissors.  Check out this great link that my friend Adam sent. 

And I thought my knitting took over my house.  Boy was I wrong.

A Hug from Marienne

I'm so excited to be setting up a charity project at the Jackson Recovery Center.  I'm going to teach a knitting class there and also assembling some blankets from the numerous Warm Up America Squares I still have in my stash.  I'm calling this endeavor the "Hug from Marienne" project in honor of my mother who was the best hugger ever!  I packaged a lot of yarn, the knitting and crochet books mentioned the other day, and several knitting needles.  Unfortunately, I didn't have any crochet needles.  I went to the local Needlework Shoppe in Westport and picked some up

I also picked up the thimble for me and the 2 skeins of Jo Sharp wool in red for my sister's friend who is need of a chemo cap.  I love the Jo Sharp wool.  I can hardly wait to have this project take off!  Please wish me luck.

   

Camaraderie in Stitches

Tuesday afternoons from 1-3 p.m. I meet with a wonderful group of knitters at Assumption Parish for our charity knitting group called Mary's Mantle.  We've been knitting prayer shawls and also hats, mittens or baby blankets.  I've really enjoyed meeting other ladies of all ages and experiences who come together through knitting to share.

Today we had some good laughs as we made progress on our blue prayer shawls and baby blankets. 

If you'd like to join our group, please drop me a line and I'll give you the information.  Otherwise, check out the Church's website HERE.

Comfort Cap Progress

I'm working on the chemo cap for my sister's friend.  I found this soft chenille in my stash and some US Size 6 needles.  I'm making a very basic cap as I don't know anything about this friend's tastes.  So, it's 72 sts in a K2, P2 rib for just 2 inches and then stockinette until the entire piece measure 6 inches from cast on edge.  Then I'll start the decreases.  I hope it turns out nicely.

The Chemo Cap is resting gently on top of one of my favorite knitting bags.  It was a gift from my Secret Pal (5?) - Stacey of Sheep in the City.  She mixed fall foliage with camouflage and knitting lingo (on the inside pocket) plus some beads that spell out M-A-J-O-R  K-N-I-T-T-E-R.  It's such a wonderful bag and it was a great way to meet Stacey.  Do you have a favorite item from a Secret Pal?

Knitting On Demand

By now you probably know that I hate knitting on demand.  It makes it very difficult for me to complete a project when I HAVE to knit.  I like to knit wily-nily whatever comes to mind.  I often switch mid-project to move on to the next lovely fibre.  But today I'm going to be knitting on demand.  Why?  Because my sister asked me.  One of her dear friends is going through chemo and has lost her hair.  So Ellen asked if I wouldn't mind (even though she knows I don't Knit-on-Demand) making one or two chemo caps for her friend.  Since she asked me, I will.  I need to knit something in either black or red.  Let me go see what I can find in the stash.

Green Machine

First of all, let me say a huge Thank You to everyone who sent me links or references to their favorite mitten patterns.  What a resource you all are!  I am going to try several of your suggestions and discover which is my personal favorite.  In the meantime, let me show you the finished green children's mittens

I already cast on for my second pair of mittens.  This time I'm using some gorgeous variegated purple Misti Alpaca from String of Purls.  I purchased this in the summer when I was in Omaha.  I found a great pattern that I'll be sharing with you.  It pairs one skein of variegated with one solid color of worsted weight yarn to get a great color design.  It's sort of a mix between a honeycomb and a fair isle technique.  It's lovely.  Here are my color choices.  I bought the two skeins of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran at Knitting Central yesterday to coordinate with my lovely variegated yarn.  I think they'll make lovely mittens.  I can hardly wait to finish them!

Green Glove

Today I went to the Assumption Parish Prayer Shawl Ministry.  I haven't been since the first session in September of this school year.  At that meeting we had talked about knitting hats, mittens and gloves for those in need.  Here's my green glove.  OK.  I know it's a mitten, but green glove just sounds better.  I found this in the Easy Knitting magazine which I took with me to knit up the ear flap hat.  Instead, I made this.  I found the pattern to be hard to follow.  It tried to be all things to all knitters.  I ended up with the feeling, you can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the knitters all of the time. 

Here's the finished child's mitten.  The thumb is a little funny looking.

Secundogeniture modeled the mitten, despite the fact that he already wears an adult size glove.  He liked it, though, and requestd some hand-made mittens by Mom.  That's a request this Mom can't refuse.  First I have to find a better pattern.  I have an old favorite from way back when in my files.  I also bought a mitten book earlier this fall.  I'll give it a try.  In the meantime, I need to go cast on for the second mitten now so it doesn't get forgotten.

Do you have a favorite link to a free mitten pattern?

Charisma and the Purply Scarf

As I mentioned, I flew home to Sioux City, Iowa this week to visit my family.  I packed my Knitting Central Sock Club socks from last month (the second pair of Danni's Cables, Cables Everywhere).  I also took some yarn and was knitting on the plane, in the car and even in the beauty salon.

Remember how I mentioned that I am trying to knit things and donate things to the Jackson Recovery Center?  I especially want to donate to the Women and Children's Center, Marienne Manor and the Adolescent Center.  When I was home I visited the first two facilities and was impressed by how amazingly well they're run and what a superb and touching job everyone does at helping people get back on their feet.  Of course, I then ask myself, I'm impressed, but not surprised.  I knew the JRC team was top notch.  As many of you already know, my mother was Marienne Jackson and purple was her favorite color.  Somehow I want to tie knitting, Jackson Recovery Center and some good charity knitting together.

James knew about my desire to launch a knitting project and charity fundraiser for Jackson Recovery Center.  He brought me a lovely skein of worsted weight New Zealand wool from Manukau Yarns called Charisma.  It's a lovely shade of everything purply all rolled into one gorgeous ball.  He thought it would make a great scarf in honor of my Mother.  He was right. I decided to knit a fun and easy mistake rib scarf and it's turning out beautifully.  I will probably gift it to someone at Marienne Manor.

• Charisma Yarn by Manukau Yarns of New Zealand
• 1 skein = 200 grams and approximately 400 meters
• US size 8 needles
• Cast on 33 sts
• *(K2, P2) - repeat from * until last st.  K1
• Repeat for every row until scarf reaches desired length (or you run out of yarn)
• I haven't finished yet, so I can't give you the exact dimensions
• Unblocked - my scarf is approximately 6 inches wide
• I don't think I'll add fringe to this scarf. 

Charity Auction

I put together a small gift basket of yarn for a fundraiser auction to benefit the Jackson Recovery Center

I'm trying to find some patterns for the pink baby yarn, the Knit Picks sock yarn and the 8 skeins of wool to add to the mix.  I might just put everything in a knitting bag to really make it productive. 

What would you suggest to make this a huge hit?

Final Results from Farley's Pine Street Inn Knit-a-thon

I got an email from Farley with all sorts of great news about the success of the knit-a-thon.  Rather than recap what she said, I'll just give you her note:

I am very pleased to announce that the FIRST ANNUAL PINE STREET INN KNIT-A-THON AND PLEDGE DRIVE was an amazing success!  Whether you knitted, made a yarn donation, gave a financial contribution or helped assemble at the event your participation made the day a great one and we thank you!

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED TO KNOW:

• 63 people attended the event.
• Between 75-100 people knitted squares.
• Sixteen blankets were assembled and we have enough squares to make many more.
• We raised $16,000 to support

  Pine Street

  ’s supportive housing program.

Thank you all for your support, creativity and very generous spirit!

Very best regards,

Farley

P.S. if you would like to see pictures of the day please see below....  CLICK HERE

All Packed and Ready to Go!

I have been busy knitting my 9x9 swatches for Farley's big Knit-a-Thon which is being held in Boston tomorrow - Sunday, November 4th.  I managed to finish 20 squares.  I wanted to knit 35 for an entire blanket - but I'm happy to have accomplished at least that much.  Next time, maybe I'll start sooner.

Please consider supporting Farley's knitting efforts on Sunday, November 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Women's Inn at Pine Street. Farley has reached 80% of her goal!  Could you make a donation to The Pine Street Inn at:

• Pine Street Inn
• 444 Harrison Avenue
• Boston, MA 02118
• (617) 892-9100
• www.firstgiving.com/farleysullivan 

I packed my donation bag with lots of Halloween candy on the bottom (to give those wonderful volunteers energy to knit, sew and crochet!), packaged my swatches, packed the extra yarn and two skeins for sewing or crocheting all the squares together.

Every time I send a knitting gift, I like to draw a little skein of yarn on the envelope to personalize the package.  Here's a close-up.

Feel free to use this idea and spread it around on all your knitting notes, too.

Knitting My Part

I'm doing my part to help knit enough 9x9 squares to make a blanket for the homeless at the Pine Street Inn in Boston.  I found all sorts of green yarns in Wool Ease Chunky and am using the homemade wooden knitting needles that James' father made for me.  I figure I'm adding the good will spirit to my knitting.  So far I've knit over a dozen squares.  I need a total of 35 squares for one blanket.  I think I can get that many done before Saturday morning.

Farley has reached 72% of her financial goal.  Won't you please learn more about this big knit-a-thon project and offer to help?

Please consider supporting Farley's knitting efforts by making a donation to The Pine Street Inn at:

• Pine Street Inn
• 444 Harrison Avenue
• Boston, MA 02118
• (617) 892-9100
• www.firstgiving.com/farleysullivan

Knit-a-Thon in Boston!

Remember the donations I mentioned about six weeks ago?  Well there are only 10 more days to get your 9x9 swatches knit up and sent to Farley for the Pine Street Inn Knit-a-thon so they can be joined together to make a blanket to help those in need.  Farley sent out a final reminder to ask for more donations and support.  If you're in the Boston area next weekend, won't you consider joining her and knitting for a great cause?  If you're not in the area, you can still help by knitting some 9x9 swatches or even making a monetary donation.  Please read below to find out more about how you can help or click here.

This is NOT some sort of weird club sandwich.

This is A LOT of 9x9 inch hand knit squares.  This pile of squares is one of the many that will be assembled into blankets.  Those blankets will be presented to the tenants at the Pine Street Inn Residence in Boston.  You can help!

This event will happen on Sunday, November 4th which is only TEN days away!!!

 

Please consider supporting Farley's knitting efforts by making a donation to The Pine Street Inn at:

• Pine Street Inn
• 444 Harrison Avenue
• Boston, MA 02118
• (617) 892-9100
• www.firstgiving.com/farleysullivan

Your donation will assist Pine Street Inn's supportive housing program for formerly homeless individuals.  For more information, please visit www.pinestreetinn.org.

Pine Street Inn - Knitting Together a Community

My bookclub friend Randi often sends me updates about cool knitting events happening in our tri-state area.  This time she made me aware of a great project that her SIL Farley is spearheading in Boston.  It's a great idea and I hope you'll join by knitting a 9x9 square to help Boston's homeless.  Check out Farley's Website here to find out more about her project.

If you want to read more about PSI click on Pine Street Inn directly.  I think this is a great opportunity for the knitting community to join forces to make a real impact.  I know we can all take a moment and knit up a 9x9 swatch. 

If you choose to participate and send squares to Farley - just send me an email with your mailing address and I'll send you a Knit Note as a small way of saying Thank You for helping out.

Here's a PDF flier for you to print and distribute to all your knitting friends.  Download pine_street_inn.pdf

Please spread the word!

Knit Note Yarn Donation

Jodi R of Ypsilanti donated her leftover sock yarn for my Knit Notes project.  Isn't it a lovely color?  It's from Black Bunny Fibers purchased on Etsy.  Fabulous stuff! 

I have been slow to get my Knit Notes for sale online.  I'm a bit challeged that way.  I've contacted a fellow blogger who also happens to do a bit of IT consulting.  My goal is to have her help me get the Major Knitter PX up and running so I can do some full-fledged e-commerce. 

In the meantime, I have been giving away my Knit Notes and making donations to my favorite charities.  It's a give-give situation.  Not exactly what I had in mind, but it's a start. 

Six, Sei, Seis, Sita

This cap was knit in some Jo Sharp wool donated by Jane when she visited last October.  It's quite warm and I like the steel blue color of the yarn.  This child's cap will keep some elementary school child warm while en route to school in January.

Four, quatro, quatre, quattro, Nne

Here's the 4th hat.  It's made with some fun blue yarn that was donated for charity knitting.  It's extremely soft and comfy.  I know this will be a favorite this winter for some lucky child.

Three, Tres, Trois, Tre, Tatu

Here's a third cap.  This is knit in a chunky wool - but there was no label so I'm not sure what kind of yarn it was.  Just the same it will warm someone's skull this winter.

Two, Dois, Due, Deux, Dos, Mbili

Here's the second hat.  This time it's an adult watch cap in Rowan Plaid crushed shell.  It's very nice and soft.

One, Uno, Une, Um, Moja

Here's hat number one with the renegade yarn from the stash.  I think this might be a Rowan Plaid "Hearty" although it wasn't labeled.

Renegade Skeins

I was sitting in the Knit Nook in the wee hours this morning (because Wilma woke me up to go out at 3:00 a.m. and I never got back to sleep).  I looked around at many of the beautiful and unusual skeins of yarn that are sitting solo on the shelves.  Many of these renegade skeins are unlabeled.  They don't really match anything else in the stash, so I decided to pick them up and knit up some more charity caps.  I hope to knit a cap a day over the next few days.  I hope I don't bore you to tears.

How about you?  What do you do with your renegade skeins?

Ah, This Is the Life!

What was I thinking?  This place is gorgeous.  Our room overlooks the Pacific Ocean.  The weather is perfect.  I am so relaxed.  BF and I are having a wonderful time. 

We've both been extremely busy so I think this little respite is perfect for both of us.  I woke up early and finished my Magic 28 socks (which really have 38 sts).  I forgot to pack my plastic darning needle, so they'll have to wait until they're home to have their toes sewn shut.  But here's a shot of them basking on the balcony with their early morning view of the ocean.

How Long is P.O.T.C III?

I took the boys to see a movie of their choice and they picked Pirates of the Caribbean III - At World's End - which, consequently, is long enough to cast on 40 sts on US size 5 Turbo Addis and knit in the dark until you have nearly completed the legs for both socks.

 

I did pretty well for knitting in the dark.  I dropped a few stitches in the theatre, but was able to pick them up simply by touch.  I thought my socks would be riddled with errors.  When I got home and inspected them closely in the light, I was surprised to see how smart they looked.  I might go see POTC again, just so I can finish them.

Do you knit at the movies?  I figured I was doing my part for National Knit In Public Day.  Where did you KIP today?

Have You Helped Claudia Yet?

I just made my donation to MS to help out Claudia as she rides across Massachussets on the MS Ride.  Have you?  Click HERE to find out more about why she's riding and how generous our global knitting community is.  Maybe you can help out, too.

I just have one question.  Do you think she'll knit while she's riding?

The Blessing of the Prayer Shawls

Today at 10:30 a.m. Mass at Assumption Parish, Father Tom blessed our Prayer Shawls. 

It's not the best shot, but you can see all our prayer shawls on the 2 tables and the hand painted gift bags below - made by the 8th Grade Confirmation class.  It was a really touching way to bring about awareness for our program.  These prayer shawls have been so much fun to make.  As I look at them, I think we need some brighter colors to help cheer people up.  I'll go look at my stash and see what I can do. 

After church, Secundogeniture went to a birthday party, BF was golfing, Primogeniture had 2 friends over, Mimi was visiting and we went swimming and then we went to the Weston Memorial Day Fair.  I think I've had my quota of caramel apples, cotton candy, lemonade, kettle corn and ice cones.  All in all, it was a great way to celebrate the weekend.

Striped Prayer Shawl ** FREE PATTERN **

I finished the striped prayer shawl with the leftover yarn.  Here it is.

It's a very easy pattern

• US Size 15 circular needle
• With Color A (double stranded worsted weight BLACK), cast on 58 sts
• Knit Garter Stitch border (knit every row) for 10 rows (5 ridges)
• Switch to Color B (Homespun in charcoal gray) and knit in stockinette st for 8-10 rows
• Switch to Color C (double stranded worsted weight gray mixtures) and knit in stockinette st for 8-10 rows
• Continue in this pattern until shawl is approximately 5 feet from cast on edge.
• Switch to Color A and knit Garter Stitch border (knit every row) for 10 rows (5 ridges).  Bind off loosely.
• Along side, pick up approximately 178 sts and knit Garter Stitch border (knit every row) for 10 rows (5 ridges).  Bind off loosely.
• Repeat side Garter Stitch border for other side.
• Weave in all loose ends.
• Add fringe.  Trim.

This is a great way to use up extra yarn.  I had three different colors of gray mixes.  I alternated between them to keep the pattern sequence even.  I think this will be a welcome prayer shawl - for either a man or a woman.  I'm so glad to be finished with it because in the morning, all our prayer shawls are going to be blessed at the 10:30 a.m. Mass at Assumption Parish. 

Knitting Through The Stash

I'm trying to knit a lot of projects for The Dulaan Project so this weekend I made several hats from the stash

The three with the rolled brims are from the knitting loom.  The light green is handknit with Misti Alpaca Chunky that was leftover and it's so soft and warm.  I had some leftover Misti so I decided to try my hand at knitting a striped hat with the odds and ends of yarn

Here's my copy of Knitting for Peace.  I was surprised to see how many of the projects I've already participated in - Warm Up America, Mother Bear, and so many more. 

Prayer Shawl Progress

Today was Mary's Mantle Ministry at Assumption Parish and we had a wonderful time knitting, chatting, learning, laughing and just gathering to do good.  One of our newest members told how she took a pink prayer shawl to her dear friend to help her in her final days battling cancer.  Her friend was thrilled to pieces with the love and warmth of the prayer shawl.  That inspired us all on to greatness.  Here's a small sampling of the prayer shawls that have been finished so far.

If you're in Westport, CT and would like to join this ministry, just drop me a line and I'd be happy to give you more information. 

Here are some links to free shawl patterns:

• Knitting Pattern Central directory of Shawls
• Lion Brand Shawl Patterns
• Major Knitter's  Simple Horizontal Stockinette Prayer Shawl
• Major Knitter's Prayer Shawl with Garter Stitch Stripes

What Should I Do?

Everyone in the Mary's Mantle knitting group at Assumption Parish likes how soft the Lion Brand Homespun yarn knits up into prayer shawls.  I have lots and lots of Homespun yarn in my stash, so I've been trying to knit all of it up into prayer shawls to be given away.  Now I'm down to the bits and pieces and don't really have enough yarn to make an entire prayer shawl.  But I did put these colors of leftover yarn together and let my mind start to race

I decided to make a striped prayer shawl - to add some visual interest.  I also like the different textures, although it's hard to see the texture in this photograph.

The Homespun yarn is a chunky yarn - so to compensate, I doubled up the worsted weight odds and ends of yarn from my stash and knit the black and grey with two strands at the same time on my US Size 13 circular needles. 

You could knit this on straight needles, too, but I find it more comfortable to have the weight of the knitting rest in my lap rather than on my arms.  When I'm done knitting the 5-6 feet of stripes, I'll pick up stitches along the edge and finish it off with a garter stitch edge.  I liked this idea so much, that I ran to the Knit Nook to start grouping together other odds and ends of Homespun with my other yarns.  This is what I found.

Easy Horizontal Stockinette Prayer Shawl

Here's my progress on the adult size Simple Horizontal Stockinette Prayer Shawl.  I'm using the Lion Brand Homespun and US Size 13 circular needles in 40" length.

I like the way this one is turning out.  When it's finished (and I know it's not another creative disaster!) I'll post the pattern so you can knit this one, too.

It's a Wrap!

I knit up the adult size of this Simple Horizontal Prayer Shawl.  Unfortunately, I was overzealous and a bit anxious to get started, and didn't make a very good swatch.  I estimated that I would need 220 stitches on a US size 13 circular needle with the Homespun Yarn.  As it turns out, 120 sts would have been plenty.  I didn't want to show you the fact that my entire prayer shawl knitting group could be wrapped up in my "Roll Out The Red Carpet" prayer shawl - so instead I took a picture of it hidden amongst the other lovely contributions from the Mary's Mantle group at Assumption Parish. 

Unfortunately, when I tried to download the pictures just now - I got a huge "Memory Card Error" message and lost all my pictures - including Secundogeniture's big school production today.  Boohoo! 

There's not much I can do to recover the pictures, but I can do something about the curiously long prayer shawl.  I'm off to find some more Homespun in the stash and begin a new Simple Horizontal Prayer Shawl - but this time with only 120 stitches.

On a positive note, I've already walked 80 miles for the 100 miles on Rachael's Run-a-go-go.  Yeah!.  It's definitely much easier now that the weather is warming up.  I'm getting out nearly every day for a walk.

Prayer Shawl Progress

On Tuesday, I spent the afternoon with the lovely ladies of Assumption Parish knitting prayer shawls.  I made some progress on my colorful seed stitch prayer shawl

And then I noticed that many of the new knitters were in need of a very simple pattern.  I decided to make a stockinette prayer shawl with a garter stitch border.  I'm knitting it horizontally this time.  I'll also make it vertically (which is probably easier for a brand new knitter).  I'm using the Homespun yarn.  It's very soft and easy to wash, but it's a bit hard to knit for a novice, so I'll also knit this pattern up in a generic worsted weigh acrylic.  I sure do like this color.  Did you know that Curious George knit?

The PSM Group is Growing

I went to my second Prayer Shawl Ministry meeting today at Assumption Parish.  There were about twice as many people as last time.  Everyone is excited about knitting and crocheting prayer shawls to help others.  Talk quickly turned to what other projects we could make - hats, scarves, blankets, preemie caps, etc.  It looks like this will be a wonderful group.

The Coat of Many Colors

There's a bible story about Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors - and that's what inspired me to make this second pattern for a prayer shawl in many shades of blues/greens.  It's simply a seed stitch striped rectangle where the colors switch every few rows - 1/2, 3/4, 1 or 2 inch wide stripes.  You've already heard about our March Madness snowstorm in the Northeast - so I'll share a picture of both the shawl and the snow with you in a Twofer Shot:

In the bible story, Jacob favored his youngest son Joseph and gave him a coat of many colors, causing great hatred and jealousy among his many brothers.  I thought this prayer shawl would be a good symbol of strength when it seems like the world is against you.  Maybe it will be bring great strength to the recipient.  Here's a close-up

Separately, I think I might like to make another one... but instead of a prayer shawl, maybe I'll just keep knitting and knitting until it's an entire blanket.  Yikes.  201 sts in SEED STITCH.  Maybe I should rethink that idea.

Finished Prayer Shawl

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you know that I love a good charity project.  I can hardly remember the number of projects I've participated in during the 3 years that I've had this blog - Warm Up America, Project Compassion, The Red Scarf Project, numerous fundraisers (I've lost track of them), Knit Notes, the Preemie Project, Save the Children and now the Prayer Shawl Ministry.  I finished my first prayer shawl.  Here's Curious George giving it a try.

I made it with 3 skeins of Lion Brand Homespun.  You can use either size 11 or 13 needles.  I happened to make it extra special by knitting it on the handmade knitting needles that James' father made for me.

I received so many wonderful suggestions, referrals, and clippings about how to start a prayer shawl ministry.  Thank you to everyone who helped.  At the first session, I helped Eileen get started with her shawl.  She brought this yarn - but to be quite honest, I find that Homespun or other similar yarns, including boucle, are a bit too difficult for beginner knitters.  The original Prayer Shawl pattern calls for a K3, P3 pattern, which I think is too difficult on this yarn.  It doesn't pop.  If you're a beginner knitter, that's too hard to track.  So I made up this very quick and easy stockinette shawl with a garter stitch edge and a series of garter stitch stripes throughout.  Simple, soft, and filled with positive thoughts.  Check here for the full pattern.  Download prayer_shawl_with_garter_stitch_stripes.doc

Here I am saying a prayer that Wilma will be a good doggy and learn to always go OUTSIDE!  Hey - this is really comfy.  I might have to make one for myself so I can wear it around the house.