Posts tagged ‘homeless’

As I bid farewell to 2009, I reflect on the events that have affected my life. Some of them were unanticipated surprises, some were not. No matter what, regretting anything is not on my agenda, nor will it be!

To celebrate, I offer this simple pattern that I created to be used with the cotton/wool blend yarn that the Lands End folks had given me. The Cross Skull Cap requires around 65 grams of worsted weight yarn at the largest size. I was able to use 50 grams for the medium one. To queue it in Ravelry, click the bolded title of the pattern. Enjoy! =:8

Cross Skull Cap
Sizes: Small (Medium, Large) to fit Child (Teen, Adult)

Notions and Yarn:
tapestry needle
4 stitch markers (ideally 1 is different than the other 3)
65 grams of worsted weight yarn
**Note** I have tested this pattern with 2 balls of Berroco Pure Merino, 2 skeins of Naturally Merino/Soie, 50 grams of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted, 60 grams of Lands End cotton/wool (similar to Cascade Sierra), and 1 skein of Manos Worsted

Needles:
Size US6 (4.0mm) 16-inch circular needles
Size US8 (5.0mm) 16-inch circular needles
Size US8 (5.0mm) > 32-inch circular needles or
Size US8 (5.0mm) double-pointed needles

Gauge (in stockinette):
4-1/2 stitches per inch, 19 stitches over 10cm
6 rounds per inch of height
**Note** I adjusted my needle-size according to each yarn that I swatched and the desired fabric result. For the Naturally Merino/Soie, I used 4.0mm and 4.5mm; for the Lorna’s Laces SW, I used 4.0mm and 5.0mm; for the Berroco Pure Merino, I used 3.75mm and 4.5mm instead. Use whatever needles that will give you gauge.

Stitches used:
Knit (K)
Purl (P)
Knit 2 together (K2T)
Slip slip knit (SSK)
Yarnover (YO)
Pass marker (PM)

Directions:
Using the larger circular needle, cast on 64 (72, 84) stitches, place marker to show beginning, and join in the round without twisting.

Using the smaller 16-inch circular needle, do K2P2 ribbing for 1-1/2 (2, 2) inches (Depending on gauge, can vary in number of rounds. I varied from 10-12 rounds due to the different yarns for the adult size.)

Change to the larger 16-inch circular needle. Knit all stitches in the round for 3.5 (4, 4) inches to total from cast on at 5 (6, 6) inches – roughly a total of 30 (36, 36) rounds. On the last round before reaching the stated length, place 1 of the 3 remaining markers every 16 (18, 21) stitches.

Decrease Row 01: Knit until last 4 stitches before marker, K2T, YO, SSK, PM. Repeat 3 more times to complete the round.
Decrease Row 02: K2T, YO, SSK, knit to marker, PM. Repeat 3 more times to complete the round.

Repeat Decrease Rows 01 and 02 until 6 (8, 8 ) stitches are left in each of the 4 sections – 24 (32, 32) stitches total overall.

K2T around for 2 rounds – 6 (8, 8 ) left overall
Break yarn (if necessary) and thread it through remaining stitches to secure.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED – These copyrighted patterns are for personal use only, and may not be used for profit without pattern owner’s consent. Please contact Kimberly Nicdao Reynolds for more information or questions regarding these patterns.

Gratitude and appreciation are often overlooked and taken for granted. Gina Bonomo Dugas of the Mosaic Yarn Shop in Blacksburg, VA was determined to remind everyone how luckily blessed we are. She conceived an idea to host an event that benefited not one, nor two, but three local charities: libraries, the local food bank, and the homeless. Her idea came to fruition on December 5th during a snowstorm that kept folks further in distance away, but for the folks who did attend, the event was a hit!

Here are the details of this charity event:
The $10 admission included a buffet lunch, exclusive buying at the featured vendors, chances to win door prizes, and a goody bag full of various items from all over the fibery and local businesses. Each table had a literal pile of yarn that might be mistaken for a centerpiece, but was in fact a selection for the knitters and crocheters to make hats. At each seating was a pattern varying from a newborn to an adult male. The crafter would first decide which table (I sat at the purple yarn table though the orange yarn table tempted the Hokie in me) and then sit in the chair of whatever pattern interested her/him.

With so many colors to select, it was difficult to choose, but since I brought in the purple yarn from the Land’s End event, I decided to make as many hats as possible with it. To make the day more fun, I taught two women how to knit. Both had learned a little, but needed more coaching. By the time all three of us were finishing up the day, I had not only enabled them, but also made two more friends.

There are many folks in the fibery world to thank for their donations. I am listing them here because their generosity should be noted:

• Twist Collective – for the postcards, buttons, and gift certificates
• Juniper Moon Farm – for the advertising postcards and sheepy tattoos
• Bijou Basin Ranch – for the cool stickers and postcards
• David Simpson’s Fiber Studio – for the yummy fibery goodness
• Lawre’s Laine – for the very cool notions bag
• Classic Elite Yarns – for the heavenly scarf kit
• Berroco Yarns – for the 3 bags of yarn to be used in the hats

Huge thankful bunny hugs go out to every one of these companies for participating!! The best news of this event? We will be doing it next year and will have at least twice as many folks than the 71 crafters that signed up. How do I know? When the Pawtucket Red Sox had their first Stitch and Pitch game, the numbers were exactly the same. (I am rubbing my paws together in glee!) *beaming bunny* Until then, these 42 photos will have to do as proof! =:8