Our 13^th 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

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

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

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

Sorting Out the Hats 2017

2010 Pottstown Knit Out

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:

• Tit Bits at Knitty
• Make a Knocker! at Knitted Knockers