2017 Spring Knit Along Update

Brookside Knitters love a challenge, and this summer we have certainly been challenged in our choices of knit along projects.

Changing Light Wrap

Some of us who have chosen the Changing Light wrap have gotten past the “pinhole” cast on (several times, but we did it), while others have advanced past the center diamond and have now entered the “second sock” stage in completing the two ends. Janet’s Changing Light is now complete.

Changing Light by Jane1

Changing Light by Jane1

I must say, photos don’t do justice to the lovely yarns in these wraps, but you’ll get to enjoy them all in January.

Are you new to Ravelry?

The main page for the Changing Light pattern gives you lots of information.  We like to browse the Projects other knitters have completed deciding on a pattern or before choosing our yarn. Look to the right side of the page. In the About this Pattern box, find the projects link at the bottom.  At the time of this writing, it shows “106 projects, in 630 queues.” Click there. Click on the link above the photo to see notes each knitter made (yarn choice, errata, and so on).

 

Baa-ble Hats and Cowls

A few of us challenged ourselves to two-color Fair Isle knitting. Joy and Janet knit Baa-ble Hats, while Sandi and LuAnn chose the I’ll Pack a Cowl for Rhinebeck spinoff pattern. These are fun projects with tie-ins to matching items (mittens, mug cozies, children’s items).

Baa-ble Hat by Joy

Baa-ble Hat by Joy

Baa-ble Hat by Janet

Baa-ble Hat by Janet

I'll Pack a Cowl for Rhinebeck by LuAnn

I’ll Pack a Cowl for Rhinebeck by LuAnn

I'll Pack a Cowl for Rhinebeck by Sandi

I’ll Pack a Cowl for Rhinebeck by Sandi

 

Spring Knit Along Ideas

We once again invite you to join with Brookside Knits members in a spring 2017 knit-along. We hope you will join us not only in knitting now but also in sharing at next year’s Knit Out.

Our members have made three suggestions for knit-along projects this year. Each will fit the tastes, needs, or skills of some.

Changing Light

by Jennifer Weissman is “a fully reversible scarf or wrap featuring stripes, lace and elegant pointed tips.” It uses three colors of fingering yarn, and has instructions for sizes Small and Large. Check out the Projects link for color ideas and plenty of pictures. There is a small, reasonable charge for the pattern, and, if you like, a kit is available at Craftsy.

Baa-ble Hat

by Donna Smith is “a quick knit and it makes an ideal introduction to Fair Isle colour work knitting.” It is designed for Aran/worsted weight yarns and is knit in the round. Smith also designed the Baa-ble Mittens and Cowl. There is a charge for each pattern. The designer reminds us that the gauge is quite tight so a gauge square is especially important. A clever Ravelry surfer will find an assortment of spinoffs of these patterns.

Pivot Cowl

by Purl Soho is a free pattern available on its website. A Danish term, “hygge,” stresses the cozy and content feeling you get knitting and snuggling up during the winter months: the Pivot Cowl is “hygge.” Simple garter stitch uses short rows that create the “pivot.” Purl Soho suggests their cashmere merino yarn in DK weight, but the many Projects listed on Ravelry offer other soft yarn suggestions.

Happy Knitting!

Wrapping Up the 2017 Knit Out: Charity Knitting

knit-out-headers-2017

Our 13th annual Pottstown Knit Out to benefit the American Cancer Society was held at Brookside Country Club in Pottstown on Saturday, January 21, 2017. It was a lively day of camaraderie and fundraising around our common hobby of knitting and our desire to contribute to the ACS efforts to battle cancer. The day dawned grey and warmer than usual, to the great relief of everyone after winter storm Jonas shut us down last year. Doors to the event opened at 9:30 am, but women were lined up ahead of that time, eager to start the day.

Happy Knitters at the 13th Annual Knit Out

Happy Knitters at the 13th Annual Knit Out

About half of the attendees won a door prize, which were picked up soon after entering the building. Seats at the tables were staked out and the ballroom hummed with activity as women milled about, talking, looking and touching. Long time knitting friends reconnected and new friendships were formed during the course of the day. This year there were 18 basket raffle prizes which all were vying for; it was hard to wait until the end of the day to find out who won! The swap table was overloaded with lots of yarns coming and going.

Alyssa’s massage schedule filled right up. She must have been exhausted by the end of the day! We thank Alyssa for donating her time. We had a couple of new vendors this year, which added to the excitement of the day as we all checked out their hand-dyed local yarns. Most of our vendors have supported us for many years, and we appreciate their contributions to the day, as well as their varied products to choose from.

Donated Chemo Caps 2017

Donated Chemo Caps 2017

We had fewer classes than usual this year, but everyone who wanted a class was able to take one. We are always looking for new teachers, so please spread the word! It is enjoyable to learn a new technique to add to your knitting knowledge. After the classes were finished, we headed back to the ballroom to show and share our knitted creations. How inspiring to see what others have made, hear the stories about the projects and learn what patterns & yarns were used.

Brookside Knits are able to maximize our contribution to the ACS because this event is entirely volunteer run. The teachers donate their time, the country club donates the space, and the vendors donate gift certificates for door prizes. Our only major expense is the food. Thank you to everyone who attended or otherwise supported our event!

2017 Charity Baby Hat

2017 Charity Baby Hat

You were extremely generous in your charity knitting this year. Here is what you knitted or crocheted.

  • 180 newborn baby hats
  • 112 chemo caps
  • 21 toddler-sized hats
  • 4 baby blankets
  • 1 prayer shawl
  • 2 big bags of Knitted Knockers

The baby hats will be washed, dried, and packed up to be contributed (monthly) to the Pottstown Hospital labor and delivery unit along with others knitted by our own Brookside Knitters. The toddler-sized hats and baby blankets will be passed along to the new baby clinic. The chemo caps and Knitted Knockers will be contributed to the cancer center, as will the prayer shawl.

If you knitted pink or red hats they may be in the February bag ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The green hats are filling up the March bag already, and baby pastels will be divided among the bags.

Charity Hats 2017

Charity Hats 2017

Sorting Out the Hats 2017

Sorting Out the Hats 2017

2010 Pottstown Knit Out

2010 Pottstown Knit Out

Baby Hat Donations 2010

Baby Hat Donations 2010

Tips For Future Attendance:

  • To make sure you’re on our mailing list, email info@pottstownknitout.com.
  • Please do NOT contact Brookside Country Club with Knit Out-related questions.
  • Admission is on a first-come, first-serve basis; we have limited space.
  • When you receive the email notice, send your completed form and check immediately.

New Charity Knitting Project for 2017 Knit Out and Beyond:

In addition to our ongoing Baby Hats project, Brookside Knits has added Knitted Breasts “Boobies” to our charity knitting. These light, comfortable, knitted prosthetics are made with soft, washable yarn and are an excellent substitute for their silicon counterparts. Consider donating your work to this worthy cause. We’ll be accepting them at the Knit Out and beyond. Patterns available:

Drachenfels Knit-A-Long

Brookside Knits is having a group knit-a-long. We have chosen to knit the ‘Drachenfels’ shawl by Melanie Berg. We will show our shawls at the 2017 Knit Out. You are invited to join us in our knit-a-long. To do this, purchase the pattern on Ravelry, buy some yarn (or use your stash), and show us your results next year. Here are photos of some of the shawls we have completed. We will post more during the year.

Joy

Joy

Sandi

Sandi

Karen K

Karen King

Karen Kar

Karen Kar

Janet

Janet

Carol

Carol

Sharon's Shawl

Sharon