charity knitting/crochet update...

I am not personally involved with the Auckland charity organisers, so I'm not able to answer specific questions about the programme. I've been told that this size jumper is being phased out. Also that the program has expanded to meet the needs of children worldwide 0-5 years. Apparently there was also a setback with some African authorities wanting to charge $1 per jumper. I understand that the organiser fundraised to pay the shipping charges and that the garments were distributed through official channels to hospitals, health clinics, orphanages and community groups.

It seems that there are other organisers who are now involved with this programme. I don't have any contact with them. All I can suggest is that you go online and use GOOGLE to locate your local programme organisers. The comments section for this post has been deactivated so I won't be accepting any more comments on this subject which is now closed.

crafty signs

We walked past this wall several times a day. Each time, we'd stop for a minute and have a go at reading the signs with the worst and fakest accents ever. Even funnier was when people walking by stopped and joined in the fun.



found this fine example of guerilla knitting in the Cuba Mall, Wellington. I would love to have added a piece to this. I didn't have any knitting stuff with me and finding the local Knitworld store was a mission. When I finally found it, Miss 2 decided it was time to have a tantrum, so we left straight away. Despite it's hard to find location, Knitworld looked like a really great store, well stocked and full of goodies. Maybe next time?

pixie beanie for baby

to keep my charity knitting enthusiasm going, I like to have a play around with shapes and colours. Here's my version of a pixie beanie. Miss 12 has nicknamed it the 'wannabe' beanie, which means that she's not sure whether it wants to be a beanie or a tea cosy?

vintage doll knitting

today's post brought me a friend's lovely gift of two wonderful vintage doll knitting patterns. I'm really excited to finally have the knitted dresses and cape pattern. Sadly, doll knitting will have to go on the wait list until I've finished my current projects.

I'm adding the finishing touches of hemming and buttons to Miss 2's dress. Then it's on to completing the hems on the curtains.Next is making the cushions and then onto Miss 10's tops.

ps. the a+o pants are still a work in progress.

knitting

well I'm working steadily on making baby beanies for the South Auckland wool programme. Just finished one and have started another. I like to use acrylic/wool mix for charity knitting. Obviously, it's cheaper to buy, easier to knit and look after.

I also found some polar fleece in my stash, to make some baby cuddle rugs for the wool programme babies as well. My plan is to cut my fleece into single square metres, applique a corner of the rug and then crochet an edging right round. I hope that I can make it as easy as it sounds.

sock update

I've completed one sock and am furiously knitting up the other. Miss 12 has tried it on and is now telling me to hurry up and finish the pair off so she can wear them. The heat (it's 30 degrees) makes it hard to concentrate. I'm glad that I'm not working with a complicated pattern as I'm sure I'd have lost the plot by now.

Mr 10 has decided he'd like some bed socks too and has asked for 'teal/peacock blue' wool. I don't think there's anything in my wool stash that's even close, so I'll need to make a trip to Spotlight for him this weekend.

I finally got my Ravelry page up and running. It's my personal motivator to complete all my knitting & crochet projects in a 'timely' fashion. I've been known to have some knitted projects hanging around for 'years' sshhh!!!

socks

Miss 12 has put in a special request for bed socks. She loves the feel of toasty, warm feet even in the summer time. I've always avoided knitting socks, convinced that the shaping was too complicated for my knitting skills. That's all about to change! Today, while tidying up our bookshelf, I found a pattern in a 'Get Creative' magazine for easy knitted tube socks. It's knitted up in 8 ply wool, on 4.5 double pointed knitting needles, which will be a first for me! I've found some blue multi-coloured wool in my stash which will look perfect as socks. I'll post a photo soon when I've made decent enough progress to share.

At last a 2008 project completed

I started knitting this jumper for the African Aids baby charity and then got sidetracked by other knitting and left this sitting in my knitting bag for almost 3 months. Well last night, I got stuck in and finished it... hooray!!! Today I'm packaging it up for posting.

Nana chic crafts from Patons

Have to share with you all this great book of little kitsch projects by Patons. There's over 70 patterns to make, ranging from christmas ornaments to knitted hangers, slippers and even a knitted poodle toilet roll cover. It's a really delightful book for making gifts for all sorts of occassions.

Although the book is created specifically for Patons yarns, I'm sure that alternative yarn can be used if the tension sample matches the equivalent measurements in the patterns.

First 2009 beanie

It's the height of summer here in New Zealand, and today looks to be another scorcher. This morning I finished my first knitted beanie for 2009. As some of you may know, I knit for the South Auckland wool programme where parcels of baby & kiddie woollen items are handed out to needy families.

I had plans to knit several beanies over the 2 week christmas break however my motivation was not very great. Staying in the shade revisiting my favourite authors has been a preferred pastime.

Another baby beanie

Finished another baby beanie for the South Auckland Wool programme.

Over the christmas break, I'm hoping to get a few more beanies finished. I've always knitted them on 2 needles and think that I'm going to start using double pointed needles instead.

Baby beanies

Just finished yet another 2 baby beanies for the South Auckland wool programme. Most of the wool I'm using is from my long neglected wool stash. Mr almost 10 year old thinks that these beanies have to be the 'coolest' beanies that I've knitted so far. He said that the changing colours make it look like army fatigues (even though the colours aren't quite right!)

Another baby beanie

Finished another knitted baby beanie for the wool programme last night. Most of my knitting is done after hours (when the children are asleep). I'm trying to complete as many beanies & booties as I can before the Wool Programme's Volunteer Knitters morning tea next week. The wool programme is part of the work of the South Auckland Health Foundation. They put together parcels of knitted/crochet clothing and blankets for new born babies whose families are struggling financially to provide the essentials.

My flickr album keeps track of my charity knitting/crochet efforts. At the moment, I don't have the paitence for knitting large projects so simple beanies & booties are ideal.

Knitting needle holder

With some left over fabric from lining my craft bag, I made myself a knitting needle holder. Although I like to use the shorter length knitting needles that are about 25-30cm, I've left enough length for the holder to acommodate the longer needles, and there's also space for 4 crochet hooks. Getting the bias binding right was a bit of a challenge at 4am and the ribbon makes a nice touch. Very pleasing result!

More knitting for charity

I've also been knitting baby beanies for the HIV Aids babies in Africa. Here's the pattern for a basic beanie:

Materials Needed
8 ply wool
4mm Needles

Cast on 64 stitches and work 14 rows in rib (K1, P1)
Work 24 rows in stocking stitch or until work measures 11 cm from cast on edge.
Shape crown as follows:
Row 1: *K6, K2 tog, repeat from * to end of row. 56 Stitches
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: *K5, K2 tog, repeat from * to end of row. 48 Stitches
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: *K4, K2 tog, repeat from * to end of row. 40 Stitches
Row 6: Knit
Continue decreasing in this manner until (K1, K2 tog) has been completed and 16 stitches remain.
Knit 1 row
Break yarn and thread through remaining 16 stitches, pull up tightly and fasten off. Sew up seam.

Bright coloured stripes look good and use up small amounts of wool.

Finished beanies & jumpers can be sent to: Wool N' Things, Onekawa Shopping Centre, Maadi Road, Napier, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.

Knit for AIDs babies in Africa

Just finished reading a news story about the AIDs babies in Africa being sent home wrapped up in newspaper for warmth. They were referred to as "fish n chips" babies. It made me think of my own children & how they left hospital all snugly wrapped up for their journey home. I decided to knit at least a couple of jumpers to send on. As I'm a tight knitter, no. 5 needles work well and I've chosen 8 ply red acrylic wool for my first jumper. I'm an average speed knitter but I am making quick progress with the jumper. Hope to have it finished within the next day or so.