Brookside Knits"To Sit and Knit"

Soon after the 2012 Knit-Out ended, Brookside members decided it would be relaxing  to take a break from the hectic days leading up the January event.  So, a knit-along was suggested.  About eight members have joined in.  We’ll follow their progress over the next few months.

The pattern chosen was the Wrap Me Up shawl by Chris de Longpré, as featured on Ravelry (www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wrap-me-up),  with photos online at  www.knittingatknoon.com/FSwrapmeup.html.  The shawl is a sampler that includes a variety of stitches, a bold ruffle, and even a beaded strip.  Our brave knitters tell us it’s not  difficult!

Anna had already finished her shawl, so she brought it along for everyone to see. She chose Noro Silk Garden in a teal-purple-gold-green shade.  Suzanna also chose Noro Silk Garden, but in blues and pinks (having failed to find the red she wanted).  Her contrasting yarn is a maroon.

Karen’s choice was Ella Rae Palermo yarn in pink-purple-orange-blue while Carol chose the same yarn in pink-red. Karen, who is nearly finished, opted out of the contrasting yarn.  Carol’s contrasting yarn is a ribbon yarn that picks up the reds beautifully.

Janet is working in Aya by Noro, while LuAnn is just beginning her shawl in Araucania Chaiten.  Janet has discovered a bead shop in Pottstown and has included these unique beads in her shawl.

Joy chose fingering weight yarn to knit a Wrap Me Up scarf.  She’s working in black, grey, and white yarns.  Joy has also chosen Buttercup Beads from Pottstown. Other members may join in as we go through the spring.

We would like to thank all of you who registered for the 2012 Pottstown Knit Out and Crochet Too!  Despite the inclement weather, we had over 150 people enjoy a great day of knitting, sharing, and fellowship.

Please save the date of Saturday, January 19, 2013 for the next Knit Out.  We will keep you posted on details as the date gets closer.

For the Knit Out in 2012, our basic Countdown Cap pattern was bagged up with a set of size
10 needles and four balls of yarn.  These Table Kits were placed on each table so attendees could knit a hat (or hats) at the event if they wanted to.

 Individual members and attendees also contribute hats they knit—and crochet—at home from many other patterns.

People ask for variations, so over the year, we have developed some simple pattern variations to the knit Countdown Cap.  (You can knit variations to any basic pattern.)  Here are some of our ideas.

 Make a Smaller Hat (by Yarn)

A)  Use Size 7, 8, or 9 needles with medium-weight yarn, or

B)  Use size 6 or 7 with DK yarn, or

C)  Use  even lighter yarn &/or smaller needles.

Make a Smaller/Larger Hat (by Stitches)

A)  The Countdown Cap is based on 40 stitches.  If you CO 30 st and begin decreasing on the second decrease row, you will have a smaller hat.

B)  If you CO 50 stitches and add a first decrease row of *K2tog, K3,* you will have a larger hat.  You will want to add length also. 

Make Special Occasion Hats

A)  Use colors appropriate to a season, such as orange and brown for fall; red and green for Christmas, pastels for spring; and so on.

B)  Choose stripes for school or sports colors, for Easter eggs, for candy canes.

C)  For patriotic holidays, use red-white-blue stripes. Be inspired by http://woolwindings.blogspot.com/. Click on Stars & Stripes Preemie Hat under Freebies.  Follow links to other patriotic hats.

D)  Use a duplicate stitch to add a heart, initial, or snowflake.  

Other ideas

A)  Add an I-cord to the basic pattern. Knot a 3” I-cord or make a 1” pumpkin stem.

B)  Instead of ribbing, knit entirely in stocking stitch to get a roll brim hat.

C)  Use a garter stitch in place of the ribbing or for the entire hat.

D)  Start with ribbing and continue throughout. You can make slight changes in the decreases to maintain the ribbing.

From Monthly Baby Hats

Blue penguins in New Zealand are being helped by knitters’ effort. Here’s another way knitters can make a difference in the world:

A good yarn: Knitters make sweaters for penguins after oil spill

Skeinz Penguin Sweater Pattern

Enjoy!

October 2011 Baby Hats Pumpkin Patch

October 2011 Baby Hats in Fall Colors

It’s Fall and Brookside Knitters have been busy all summer knitting and crocheting newborn hats for delivery to–Where else?–the Labor & Delivery section of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.

Each month we’ve contributed 25 hats suitable for baby boys and 25 for baby girls.  We enjoy adding special hats for patriotic holidays and moving toward fall colors for September & October.

I’ll include photos of the October “Pumpkin Patch” and “Fall Colors” selections and say that we are looking forward to the challenge of “Pilgrim Hats & Bonnets” for Thanksgiving.  All local members contribute, and the Fall hat group includes hats by Joy, Karen, Lenore, LuAnn, and Sandi.

When hats turn out to be too large for newborns we donate them to other charity organizations.  (Newborns  need hats 10-12″ around with no do-dads. They need to be washable, acrylics or cottons rather than wool to be especially kind to tiny heads.)

Baby Hats

Here is the pattern we are using this year (2012) for the Knit-Out baby hat kits.  If you are bringing hats along, you may use any newborn hat pattern.  Pottstown Memorial Medical Center has asked that donated hats have no pompoms, buttons, flowers or other items that may be grabbed by infants. All donated hats will be washed so yarn should be washable (acrylic, cotton, etc., rather than wool). Larger hats, hats with pompoms, or wool hats will be donated to other projects. Thank you for contributing to the project.

CO 40 stitches loosely.
K1, P1 rib for  1 – 1.5 inches

Work in stockinette stitch until piece measures 4 – 4.5 inches from the cast-on edge.

Decrease as follows:
Row 1: *K2tog, K2* across (30)
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: *K2tog, K1* across (20)
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: K2 together across (10)
[Row 6 Optional: Purl]

With cap still on needle, cut yarn about 24 inches long. Using a tapestry needle, thread yarn through the 10 sts on the needle [twice through is more secure]. Pull snuggly. With right sides together, sew up back seam. Weave in ends.