Charity Mitten Pattern Announced!

The first charity to get a fund raising mitten is the American Red Cross! Proceeds from sales of this pattern go to the American Red Cross.  The American Red Cross has a rich tradition of teaching Americans to knit, and a tradition of helping those in harm's way through education and donations.

This mitten was inspired by the families of servicemen and volunteers deployed around the world.  It's a quiet way to remember an organization supporting Americans in harm's way at home and around the world.  Let's make this first project a blow out!

Learn more about the American Red Cross here.

Here is the sample as knit by the intrepid Colleen.  It's feeling a little proud of itself.

Thanks in advance for supporting this great cause!

Busy, Busy, Busy

I have finished the design for the mittens to be knit on US 2 or 3 needles.  I haven't made a sample, but the design is drawn to the scale that I knit to with some Cascade Cash Vero DK on little needles.  It's surprisingly fun to design at that scale!  Colorwork in small stitch sizes allows for shapes that just won't work up on larger stitches.  Be patient!  When I've knit good chunk of sample, I'll let you know.

I'm also working on the charity project.  Thanks for all of you who have sent emails, posted on Ravelry, or sent PMs.  I'm in the process of selecting the second charity we will donate to.  The first charity mitten pattern sample is coming along nicely, but I'm making a few adjustments along the way to make it as easy as possible to make.  This pattern will contain a bonus pattern, too.  I'm doing a retro-styled tribute to the organization in a simple mitten pattern.  The bonus should be finished tonight or tomorrow.

My calendar is starting to fill in with teaching events and knitting conferences and festivals. Thanks for the updates and invitations.  I love being invited to teach or speak, and always look forward to meeting more knitters.  There are always such creative people with such wonderful ideas at these things!  We knitters are a pretty cool bunch, I must say.

Thank you again for all the support and ideas and updates.  You guys rock!

Knitting to Raise Funds - Suggest Charities



(This is not me or Colleen. In case you wondered.)



As I read through various knitting blogs, I see a lot of charity knitting going on, and I love that.  Knitting beautiful things for folks in need is important.  I've knit dozens of hats and mittens for winter clothing drives, and chemo caps for the local cancer hospital.  I've even knit clothes for Teddy Bears for children being fostered from domestic abuse!

But what if we looked at it differently?  What if the buying the pattern was the donation?  My dear girlfriend and intrepid sample knitter Colleen pointed this out. The charity would get a boost right away, and wouldn't need to wait for knitted goods to be finished.  It also opens charity knitting up to organizations who don't much need knitted goods.  (SPCA, Autism Speaks, etc.)  It's good Colleen is the brains in this friendship, 'cause I never would have thought of this, and I LOVE IT!

How would it work?  She patiently explained that a pattern could be posted on Ravelry for sale, with proceeds to go to a worthy cause.  The knitter would get a cool pattern at a normal price, and instead of the money going to the designer, it would go to a charity.  The knitter could then make the pattern (or give it away, or store it for later) at their leisure. 

This is cool.  It also led me to think of other fundraising possibilities.  A knit-a-thon for a cause?  An auction of knitwear for a particular charity? 

We have chosen our first charity, and are just working the kinks out of the pattern.  I'm hoping to post a photo and have the pattern for sale by the end of the week!  Please submit your ideas to us.  It will help us to design projects relevant to all of us.

Criteria:
1) National or international charities only, please.  This will create a broad base of appeal and possible donations.

2) Organizations only - no fundraising for individuals.

3) Send the exact name ("Susan G. Komen for the Cure" instead of "Breast Cancer") of the organization, with any other contact info you may have.

4) Indicate what the organization does, and why the organization is meaningful to you. Do you have friends or family helped by this organization?  Is it a cause you've worked for and believe in?  Did you found the organization?  

5) If someone has already posted your idea, post it anyway!  It helps us recognize the level of interest in a particular organization.

You are welcome to submit as many ideas as you have.  Please forward this post to your family and friends.  We would like to create projects that will appeal to as many knitters and families as possible, and we need your help.  Thank you in advance for all of your consideraton.

Great and Cozy Quick Sock Pattern

The pattern for these beautiful socks can be found here.  It's amazing how such a simple (really, really simple) pattern can make such fabulous socks. 

Made in a DK weight (3), these knit up quickly and are a great addition to your gift knitting repetoire.  Somebody needs these as a holiday gift, care package, "because I love you", or charity project.  I've got mine.  I can't wait to see yours!