Yarnsgiving 2026 Knit - Know Your Plate at the Table

No one wants to be left out of the fun at family meals and parties.  And while place cards might feel too formal for some of these occasions, they can identify your plate if you have to leave it for a few minutes.  It means no one is tossing my plate of half finished yummies because I walked away to get a drink or something.

 Yarn used, red heart super saver in country blue and real teal 

Knitting needles size US 7

These are double knit in 2 colors. 

Cast on 17 stitches holding both colors together throughout the tag.  By carefully holding the colors, your row of stitches should be light, dark, light, dark, light, dark.......

Row 1:  knit double strand 1 stitch, * knit the first color of the double stitch holding both to the back.  Purl the second color holding both colors to the front of that stitch. Repeat * across to the last stitch. Last stitch is a double strand knit stitch. 

Row 2:  knit double strand 1 stitch. * Knit the color that faces you and purl the color that is away from you. Repeat. * across to the last stitch. Knit double strand 1 stitch. 

Repeat row 2.

Follow the chart for the letter you want from the top of the chart.  Repeat row 2 but swap the colors for the letter.  Each letter is 5 sts wide and 7 rows tall.  If you want the letter centered, knit a double strand st, and 4 sts of the double knit for each side, then work the chart starting at the top.  If you want the letter offset, you can do however many stitches before or after the chart.  You are the master of your work.

Repeat row 2 for 4 rows after the letter is done. 

To bind off work with only the side facing you.  Slip the back stitches onto the needle behind the binding off process.  Stop when 1 stitch is left.  Slip all the stitches back to the left hand needle and bind off with it's color to the last stitch.  Knit 1 double stitch.  Fasten off.  Weave ends.  Open the bottom to stand free.  Or use something small to stuff in the open cavity to hold it upright.

Do you have qiviut tastes on acrylic budget?

 Like many, I have expensive tastes.  I like some of the finer things in life.  I like qiviut, cashmere, angora....  Ok I'm stopping now.  I'm getting tempted to go shopping.  However, I think we can agree that purchasing a skein of any of these is expensive, from $$ to $$$ for each skein.  

Reclaiming yarn can be a way to satisfy these tastes.  I buy sweaters and other fun knit and crochet pieces to unravel for the yarn.  I also unravel things I have made that either didn't fit right or went completely sideways.  Possibly I ran out of yarn.  Possibly I lost the pattern or needles or hooks.  One never knows.

But if you have a bit of patience and a span of time, like me you can have beautiful luxury fibers for small money.    This is especially true for those who live on a fixed income.  We know who we are.  I do have one thing going for me that others might not.  I have an adult son who likes to thrift shop.  He has been taught what to look for and therefore I can trust him to purchase cashmere sweaters to disassemble as well as any other animal fiber.  Perhaps you to can train a child or neighbor to look for these gems.

And while I love the luxury fibers I have a fondness in my heart for the roots from which I sprang, Red Heart yarns.  These sturdy work horses have gotten me through a lot of children's sweaters and toys and baby items.  We all know that their clothes and toys live a hard life and require frequent washing.  However, if I do something I think will last a lifetime, I will be using a fancier yarn.

Yarnsgiving 2026 Crochet Pattern Autumn Splendor Table Runner

 My contribution this year is a table runner of leaves.  You choose how many leaves.  You choose the leaves you want.  You choose the colors you want to use. I'm giving you the colors and yarns I used, the natural colors of the leaves in autumn, and the number of leaves needed for one if it's a compound leaf like the walnut.

Autumn Splendor Table Runner

Yarn:  Red Heart Soft in toast, tangerine, wine, daffodil, really red

           Red Heart Classic XL Yarn in golden

Hook:  H or I USE 

Gauge:  Doesn't matter for this project

Make leaves as desired to fit your table and decor.

The leaves are Aspen/Birch in daffodil, Dogwood in wine, Elm in daffodil, Maple in really red, tangerine, daffodil, Japanese Maple in wine, Oak in toast, golden, tangerine, Poplar in toast or daffodil, Sweet Gum in wine or tangerine, and Walnut in golden or toast.

Abbreviation used

Beg begin

Blo back loop only,  

Ch   chain, 

DC double crochet,  

Dtr double triple crochet 

fdc foundation double crochet 

fhdc foundation half double crochet, 

fsc foundation single crochet,  

hdc half double crochet, 

prev previous,  

rd round, 

r row,  

rem remain 

Sc single crochet 

Tr triple 

Aspen/Birch Leaf 

Ch 5, join with a sl st to form a ring.

Rd 1:  ch 3, hdc in rind, ch 3, dc in ring, ch 3, Tr in ring, ch 3, DC in ring, ch 3, hdc in ring, ch 3, sl st in ring.

Rd 2: ch 2, 3 hdc in ch 3 sp, hdc in hdc, 4 dc in next ch 3 sp, DC in DC, 3 DC in next ch 3 sp, (tr, ch 2, sl st in top of tr, tr) in tr, 3 DC in next ch 3 sp, DC in DC, 4 dc in next ch 3 sp, hdc in hdc, 3 hdc in last Christmas 3 sp, sl st in sl st of previous round. 

Stem:  ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and each ch.  Sl st in the sl st of previous round.  Fasten off.

Dogwood Leaf 

You will work on one side of the chain and then the other. 

Ch 18.  

R 1:  Hdc in 3rd ch from the hook and next 3 ch,  DC in next 10 ch, hdc in next 2 ch, ch 1, DC in end ch, ch 1, hdc in same st and next, DC in next 10 sts, hdc in 4 sts, join with sl st in top of beg ch 2.

R 2:  ch 1, SC in 3 sts, hdc in 2 sts, DC in 8 sts, hdc in 4 sts, ( sc, ch 5, sl st in 3rd ch, sc) in DC, hdc in 4 sts, DC in 8 sts, hdc in 2 sts, sc to beg of round. Join with a sl st.

Stem:  ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and each remaining ch. Sl st in top of ch 2 of previous round.  Fasten off.

Elm leaf 

Make 2 or 3 to be joined with the stem. 

You will work on one side of the chain and then the other side.

Ch 12. 

R1. Hdc in 2nd ch from hook, DC in next 8 ch, hdc in next ch, ch 1 sc in last ch, ch 1, hdc in same st as hdc on the other side, DC in same sts as DC on the other side, 2 hdc in the same st as hdc. Join with sl st in top of hdc. 

R2.  Ch 1, sc in each st to the other end, ch 2, sl st in top of last sc, sc in the rest of the sts.  Fasten off. 

Stem:  with toast, ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and each remaining ch to the last.  Hold the round ends of the leaves together with the last chain.  Work the last slst through the leaves and the chain.  Fasten off.

Main stem:  6 fsc, sl st in the end of the leaves. Fasten off.

Walnut 

Make 7 to 17 simple leaves for a compound leaf.  They will be joined with the main stem.

You will work on first one side of the chain and then the other side.

Ch 30.

R 1:  Hdc in 3rd ch from hook, DC in next 24 ch, hdc in next 3 ch, ch 1, hdc in last ch, ch 1, hdc in the same ch as the hdc on the other side of the chain, DC in next 24 ch, 2 hdc in last ch.  Join with sl st in top of ch 2 

R 2:  ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st in top of first sc.

Stem: ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and each rem ch.  Sl st in joining sl st of prev r. Fasten off.

Main stem:  using toast, 5 fhdc, 20 fsc, * place 2 leaves stem to stem,  work through both sides of the chain, ch 4 to 6. Rep * until you have 1 leaf.  Sl st in the stem of the last leaf.  Fasten off.

Oak

You will work on first one side of the chain and then the other side.

Ch 13.

R 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 2 ch, hdc in * (next 3 ch, DC in next 5 ch, 8 TR in last ch, DC in next 5 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, sc in next 3 sts. Join with sl st in top of sc.

R 2:  ch 2, hdc in sc, sk sc, 3 DC in next sc, ch 2, sl st in top of DC, ch 3, sl st in same SC as DC in prev r. 

Sl st in hdc, sc in next hdc, hdc in hdc, DC in hdc, 3 tr in Dc, ch 2, sl st in top of tr, ch 4 sl st in same st as TR in prev r.  

Sl st in next DC, sc in next DC, hdc in next DC, DC in tr, 2 TR in next tr, ch 2, sl st in top of tr, ch 4, sl st in the same tr as the 2 tr, sl st in next tr.

Hdc, DC, tr, dtr, in next tr, dtr, tr, DC hdc, in next tr, hdc in next tr, sl st in next 2 tr.

*( Ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 3 tr in same dc as ch) 2x.  DC in DC, hdc in hdc, sc in hdc, sl st in sc, ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 3 DC in same sc, sl st in beg hdc.

Rep *. Ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 3 DC in same st as sl st, DC in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, join with sl st in top of beg sc.

Stem:  ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in rest in rest of ch sts, sl st in joining sl st of previous r.  Fasten off.

Poplar 

You will work on first one side of the chain and then the other side.

Ch 15.

R1:  sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next 3 sts, DC in next 6 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, ch 2, DC in last ch,  ch 3 sl st in 2nd and 3rd ch from hook, ch 2, hdc in 3 sts, dc in 6 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, sc in last st. Fasten off 

Stem: join brown or not, ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and each remaining ch, sl st in top of sc. 

Japanese Maple 

MR, ch 1, 10 sc in ring. Join with sl st in top of first sc.

R2: lobe 1: ch 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook and each rem ch, sl st in next sc of prev Rd. 

Lobe 2: ch 8, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each remaining ch, sl st in next sc of prev Rd. 

Lobe 3: ch 11, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each remaining ch, sl st in next sc of prev Rd. 

Lobe 4:  ch 14, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each remaining ch, sl st in next sc of prev Rd.

Lobe 5:  ch 17, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each remaining ch, sl st in next sc of prev Rd.

Lobe 6:  ch 14, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each remaining ch, sl st in next sc of prev Rd. 

Lobe 7: ch 11, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each remaining ch, sl st in next sc of prev Rd. 

Lobe 8:  ch 8, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each remaining ch, sl st in next sc of prev Rd.

Lobe 9:  ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each remaining ch, sl st in next 2 sc of prev Rd. 

Rd 3: lobe 1:  sc in first 2 sts, ch 3 sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sc to the end of the lobe, ch 4, sl st in 3rd and 4th ch, sl st blo in 2 sc. 

Lobe 2: 2 sc in first 2 sts, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, 2 sc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sc to tip, ch 4, sl st in 3rd and 4th ch, sl st blo in next 2 sc,  ch 2, sl st blo in next 2 sc, ch 2, sl st blo in next 3 sc. 

Lobe 3: sc in first 3 sts, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch, sc in next 4 ch, ch 4, SL St in 3rd and 4th ch, sl st blo in next 3 sts, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch, * 2 sl st blo, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch. Rep from *, 3 sl st blo. 

Lobe 4:  (3 sc, ch 3, sl st in 3rd) 3x, 2 sc ch 4, sl st in 3rd and 4th ch, 2 sl st blo (ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch, 2 sl st blo) 3x, sl st to next lobe 

Lobe 5: (3 sc, ch 3, sl st in 3rd) 4x, 3 sc, ch 4, sl st in 3rd and 4th ch, 3 sl st blo (ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch, 3 sl st blo) 4x. Sl st to next lobe 

Lobe 6: Rep lobe 4

Lobe 7: Rep lobe 3

Lobe 8:  Rep lobe 2 

Lobe 9:  Rep lobe 1

Stem:  ch 8, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and each remaining ch.

Sweet Gum

Ch 5, join with sl st to form a ring.

R1:  ch 4, (tr in ring, ch 1,DC in ring, ch 1) 4x, tr in ring, ch 4, sl st in first ch of beg ch 4.

R2: ch 2, 2 fhdc, hdc in ch 4 of prev Rd, 3 fhdc, (tr in tr, ch 2, 3 fhdc, sc in DC, ch 2, 3fhdc) 4x, tr in tr, ch 2, 3 fhdc, hdc in ch4 of prev Rd, 2 fhdc. Join with sl st in first ch of beg ch 2.

Rd 3: ch 1, sc in each fhdc, * (hdc DC,tr, ch 3, tr,DC, hdc) in tr, sc in each fhdc, sl st in sc, sc in fhdc. Rep from* around.  End with sc in each fhdc. Join with sl st in sl st of prev Rd.

Finishing 

To finish the table runner I offer 3 options.

Option 1 choose my way of scattering the leaves in whatever arrangement you want.  This gives you the most flexibility.

Option 2. Choose to scatter your leaves until you are satisfied with it.  Using the same yarn as the leaf on top or that matches 1 of a pair, tack the leaves together.  Tack as many times as you feel is needed.

Option 3. Find a piece of material, mesh, etc. Stitch your leaves on this.  Sew all the way around each leaf using the same color as the leaf.  You can also crochet the material for mounting the leaves.

Enjoy your labors.

Yarnsgiving 2026

Yes yarnsgiving is just around the corner again. The year has flown by yet again.  I have to thank Lindsey for reminding me when I missed the original email. 

For those who don't know the Craft Yarn Council of America and Warm Up America promote the making and giving of yarn items during the season leading up to Christmas and the Christmas season.  There are sponsors who are very supportive of this endeavor.  I'll add them here.  They are fantastic, so please patronize their businesses.

BERROCO — https://berroco.com/

CASCADE YARNS — https://www.cascadeyarns.com/

CGOA — www.crochet.org

CLOVER NEEDLECRAFT, INC. — www.clover-usa.com

DMC GROUP — https://www.dmc.com/

GOSADI — https://gosadi.com/

KNITPRO — https://www.knitpro.eu/

LION BRAND YARN COMPANY — www.lionbrand.com

LOCAL CRAFTS — 

PRYM CONSUMER USA, INC — www.prym.com

RED HEART YARNS — www.redheart.com

ROWAN — 

SIRDAR — 

YARNSPIRATIONS — https://www.yarnspirations.com/

The teachers of the Craft Yarn Council were asked to design either a knit or crochet project or both if they can.  I'll be participating again this year.  It's a lot of fun.

Keep your eyes open to see what I am doing.  My patterns go live October 1st the same as everyone else's.  You can find previous years patterns available here. 

It's Been a Long Time

2026

Highlights so far 

Bingo card for the year filled out.  January.  Discarded March.  It had a cape,a coat, 3 dresses, 2 tablecloth repairs, 12 each hat cowl mittens slippers and blankets, 4 sweaters and a lot of other things.  It was totally insane.  Reason for discard...............

I signed up for the first level of the Master hand knitter's program.  I had signed up for this in 2019 before we were in the whole buy a house and move and take care of those who can't for themselves. 

So far I have the preliminary swatch done and 2 of the rib/garter swatch.  I will say the program has changed since I signed up before. The report is not to be an academic paper but more so a book report type.  The references have been streamlined to mainly articles from the national guild's magazine, Cast On. 

I have also swatched for a class for beaded chain necklaces and a class for cup cozies. Both of them were taught at the gallery on market Street in a local town.  I have also swatched for a scarf class coming this fall at the same place. 

I've done a boatload of swatches for display boards for both knitting and crocheting.  They are used for public interest. 

The knit guild, the crochet guild and the lace group Ii belong to participated in the 4th of July celebrations.  And we participated in the community night for the county fair. These generated interest. 

I taught about Dorset buttons (history and the how to of the various types) at the knit guild and the lace group.  Some of the people really ran with the idea.  They created beautiful things.

I'm swatching for and teaching about rug braiding.  The project is a trivet.  I'm suggesting that people use an old sheet.  They are readily available and washable.  My issue like many is tension in the lacing of the braid.

I've learned about Romanian Point Lace.  I have done my cord 3 times, each time improving.  The project was a flower.  I did the center in the wagon wheel pattern we were told to do.  I did the leaves in the leaf pattern we were taught.  Then I did the petals in each pattern in the hand outs.  It is a bit over sized.  It is definitely colorful.

I'm participating in the yarnsgiving event again.  October 1 is the soft launch.  October 11 is the full on launch.  Check back  here for the patterns I give.  Check here for all the offerings.

I'm in an arrangement with the local grange hall to run a craft night.  The local crochet guild secretary and I teach all kinds of things.  We have run with crochet and knitting first.  Now we are teaching macrame.  I haven't done this since middle school.  Each of the people who come bring with them a whole host of talents.  One woman has been showing us a wide variety of old crafts that she learned from her grandmother.  This is fun.  The one that really wow'd us was the long pompom animals.  I'll post a picture with the instructions in the future.

Afghans

 Afghans are desirable for nearly every situation.  Cold?  Here's a blanket.  Need a cushion for comfort?  Sit on a folded blanket.  Need something for an impromptu picnic?  Here's a throw.  Need some shade in the bright light? An afghan, no matter how lacy, if YOU can find a way to prop it up, will offer you some shade.

Now what if you have a child or grandchild who is obsessed with blankets?  Blankets for forts.  Blankets for cuddling.  Blankets for hiding under.   What if you don't have a young person in your life who loves to play with blankets?  They are always a great thing for a gift.  They are a great thing to donate to charities like homeless shelters, animal shelters, NICUs, PICUs, you name it.  A cuddly afghan can keep you warm in the face of many different hardships and losses.

Fleece fabric can be the fastest way to make a blanket.  Crochet or knit are among the slower ways to make a blanket. Let's look at a few stitch patterns that can speed up the knit and crochet.  I won't go into the debate about microplastics vs. ease of cleaning and use and costs.

Crochet. A large granny square can be fairly quick to work up. Lace can be quick but it isn't very warm.  Very tall stitches like double trebles and triple trebles can be even faster to work up but like lace might not be very warm.  A double crochet chevron can be fairly quick. 

Decide what you want to do.  Do you want to learn new stitches while working on the blanket?  Ok.  You can do it in horizontal sections.  Or you can do it in square swatches that later need stitched together.  A wise idea for this type would be to keep the colors limited and repeat them.

Do you want some stitching that you can do without thinking too hard?  Use the same stitch and possibly more colors.  Our mothers and grandmothers might have had the right idea with the chevron afghan on the back of the sofa in 1 main color and 2 to 4 accent colors in the center.  

Most afghans are done with worsted weight yarns but current thoughts are to use the blanket yarn which is a size 7 yarn.  This is soft and squishy but the jury is still out for how long it holds up under regular use and laundering.  If this yarn is like the chenille sweaters from the 90's it won't last long at all.

Happy Yarnsgiving!!

Here's my contribution of a turkey napkin ring.  He's quick to work.  Experienced crocheters should be able to do one in an hour.

Thanksgiving napkin ring.  I used a boye hook size H and Caron simply soft yarn.  It's a fun little thing to crochet.

Thanksgiving napkin ring 

Designer:  Wendy Stumpf 

Boye crochet hook size H

Caron Simply Soft yarn 

            Autumn maize 

            Autumn red

            Pumpkin 

            Chocolate 

            Red

Gauge:  not important 

Stitches:  dc - double crochet 

                  Sc - single crochet 

                  Fsc - foundation single crochet 

                  Fhdc - foundation half double crochet 

                  Ch - chain 

                   Sl st - slip stitch 

                   Sk - skip

                   St(s) - stitch(es)

Body 

     Using chocolate yarn, ch 5.  Join in the first ch to form a ring.

     Ch 3 (counts as a dc now and throughout), 15 dc in the ring. Join with sl st in the top of the ch 3.

     Ch 3, dc in same place, 2 dc in each st around.  Join in the top of the ch 3.  Fasten off.

Tail feathers and head

     Using autumn maize, join in any st.  * Ch 2, sl st in the st to the right.  Fsc 4 sts, fhdc 2 sts.  3 dc and hdc in the fhdc, hdc in the next st, sc in the next 4 sts.  Sl st in the st to the left of the join.  Fasten off.

      Using pumpkin, join in the st to the left.  Repeat from *.  

      Using autumn red, join in the st to the left.  Repeat from *.  

      Using pumpkin, join in the st to the left.  Repeat from *.

      Using autumn maize, join in the 5th st from the pumpkin tail feather.  Repeat from *.

Legs

     Using autumn maize, join in the 8th st from the neck.  * Ch 6, (ch 3, sl st in the 2nd st from the hook and the next st)  repeat 3x, sl st back to the body and in the next st. Repeat from *. Fasten off.

Weave ends.

Use the picture for placement of facial features.  With chocolate, place a French knot on the head.  With red, embroidery the wattle.  With pumpkin, add the bill.

Ring

     With chocolate, ch 20 sts.  In the 4th ch from the hook and in each st, dc.

     Ch 3, turn and dc in each st across and in the top of the ch 3.

Sew the end of the ring to the wrong side of the turkey on the left hand side.  Sew the other end of the ring to the wrong side of the turkey on the right hand side.