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.  

I give many thanks to Julia Organtini for her help with pattern testing and revision suggestions.  Thank you!

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.

  

     

Swatching: The HOW

 There are two schools of thought about how to swatch.

School 1  Chain or cast on 4 inches of stitches.  Crochet or knit using the stitch pattern in the gauge of the pattern.  Work four inches of length.  Bind off or Fasten off.  Do you get the same number of stitches and rows as the pattern says you should?  No?  Change the size of the tool.  Too many stitches for the four inches? Increase the size of the tool.  Too few stitches for the four inches?  Decrease the size of the tool.

School 2 Chain or cast on at least 6 inches of stitches.  Using the stitch pattern listed in the gauge section of the pattern, work 6 inches or more of length.  Bind off or fasten off.  Now measure the center 4 inches in both directions.  Use pins to show where the center 4 inches are.  Too many? Too few?  Increase or decrease the size of the tool and try again.

Wash and block your swatch and remeasure the gauge.  Has the gauge changed?  Re swatch. 

OR

Make multiple swatches and on the first row make a different stitch for the number of the tool size.  So if you are using a 4 mm hook, do four stitches different on r 1.  If you are using a US 7 needle purl 7 stitches.  Or write on the swatch with a sharpie or embroider with a different color.

Now the analysis.

School 1 works very much to the skills of the experienced.  Edge stitches are notorious for being oversized in the beginner stitching.  Or for being missing altogether.  This form of swatch is looking for very even sttiches to form very even rows so that you get an accurate gauge.

School 2 works for every one but is a good friend to the beginner stitcher.  In this form of swatching, you measure the center four inches in each direction.  This is where the most even stitching is located. The edges can be wonky.  The chain edge or the  bind off edge can be tight and it won't affect gauge.  That is not to say you can keep it for the project you are swatching for, but it won't affect the stitch count.

So which way should you swatch?  Depends.  The larger swatch will work for everyone one of every skill level.  But before you hold your swatch to being accurate after stitching, wash and block the swatches.  Washing might not be completely necessary but saturation is.  Spraying and steaming will be helpful for blocking once the object is done but that isn't how you are going to clean it.  How will full saturation affect the yarn?  Does the ball band say it's machine washable?  How does full saturation and agitation affect the yarn?  Is it hang dry?  Lay fliat and dry?  Machine dry?  How do these affect the yarn and the swatch?  Be careful that you don't toss your non superwash wool into the washer and dryer.  They will felt and shrink.  

Swatching: the why

A few years ago, I shared trunkfuls of ideas for what you can use swatches for, or granny squares/motif squares.  Sweaters, blankets, and pillows, oh my.  Some projects look great with a broad spectrum of colors.  Others will be better with the components being all the same color or range of colors or the same pattern.

But let's examine why we might want to swatch.  I'll go over how to swatch later.

We would want to swatch if fit mattered.  It would be nice if something you are making for a gift would fit the recipient, wouldn't it? So, swatching to be sure your stitching is the same as the pattern is important.  You might need to work many swatches with different sizes and different types of material of hook or needle to get the gauge.

We would want to swatch to see how our yarn choice reacts to the blocking process.  Blocking is part of the cleaning process.  Soak the swatch in a rinse-free wool wash.  Drain and start by patting it into shape. OR better still, treat the swatch the way you will be treating the finished garment or item.   Has it grown? Which way did it grow?  Did it shrink?  Which way?  Now you have to go back to trying a different size tool or a different material.  Will it work with all patterns?  

Personally, and I advise this to many, I think a very patterned yarn hides the beautiful stitchwork I have done.  Is the yarn highly textured?  Is it really fuzzy?  This can hide my beautiful stitchwork also.

New and Exciting Things Are Happening

 Next year, I will be participating in more historical events for knit history and crochet history.  Most of these events require period costuming so I will be working on that. 

Next year, I will be a project leader for the local 4-H.  I will teach knitting to the children and teens who want to learn.  More information is needed for me.  But for now, I think I have completed all the training, clearances, and forms.

Next year, the knitting guild and the crochet guild I belong to will be teaching knitting and crocheting to the Kimmerlings Grange.  We will be worked into their schedule of events.

But the newest news is that we have a wedding coming up in our family.  My younger son is getting married next month.  And then to our surprise, a grand nephew has gotten engaged.

My Bingo Update

Well, I have had to be flexible and make some changes.   I am disappointed, but it is not the end of the world as I know it. 

Change 1.  The wreaths have to be postponed.   I have misplaced the frames for them. So I will carry on with the things that go on, but I won't be able to complete the wreaths. 

Change 2.  The kitchen Roman shades and other window coverings are permanently removed.   We are putting up shutters on each window.  That is hubby's job. 

Change 3.  The jar scarf is coming to an early finish.   The scarves are coming close to 6 feet in length, and it's only August. 

Change 4.  My queen-size Afghan will not make it to that size.   I failed to order enough yarn. It will be as large as possible. 

Other squares on the card are still in play or have been finished. 

I have a wedding to help with as one of my sons is getting married soon.  I went shopping for my dress and hit pay dirt on the first store, first dress I picked up.  That doesn't happen every day.  I will take the win.

My reversible sari silk skirt that I'm sewing doilies to is still up to be done.  

I have gotten 9 of the 12 hats done or found.  I have lost the address for the slippers for charity.  I will instead do a dozen hats for premature babies in Nigeria.  

I have to amend my plan for the blankets.  I am unable to use the rotary cutting disk to punch holes along the edges to then crochet into them to crochet the swatches together.  That was my original plan from January.  The rotary cutting blade to make a dashed line of holes doesn't cut consistently through the upholstery swatches.  I will be sewing them together.  This will go quicker anyway.

Have you decided to play the home game with your own bingo card?  Maybe next year you can.  Mine for next year will not be quite so full of large projects.

Happy Yarnsgiving!!

 Have you heard about this? It's all about making with yarn and giving that thing at Thanksgiving.  This is the second year for yarnsgiving.  It was started by the Craft Yarn Council of America.  Designers get together and create new and beautiful things for knitters and crocheters to make to give away.  Now, if you think it's just something like creating yarn dolls, think again.  Last year's submissions were creative and fabulous.  Check out the website here 

Yarnsgiving runs from I Love Yarn Day, October 12, to Giving Tuesday, December 2.  In the spirit of donating, the inspiration is to create things for donation to Warm Up America.  Warm Up America offers blankets and warm winter accessories for people who struggle with homelessness, being below the poverty level for basic necessities.  

I'm planning to offer both a knit design and a crochet design.  My knit design submission will be a cowl.  I am thinking of a striped cowl with leaves in lace.  My crochet design submission will be a napkin ring featuring a turkey.

In my mind, they look fabulous.  Now to get the patterns written, the prototype done, the pictures taken, and everything submitted.  Come craft along with us.

Yarnsgiving has a list of sponsors we will support.  The perennial favorite Red Heart is listed.  This has been a workhorse in my area for close to 60 years.  Also in the yarn department will be yarnspirations that support the Caron brand and Bernat brand.  

This year's colors come from Pantone's line of paints.  They are beautiful colors.  I want to go to the paint department and pick up swatches of the colors for shopping for yarn,  I will link the colors in a new post when I get them.

Charity Begins at Home

How else can I apply my knitting and crocheting to charity?

The basics are easy.   Figure out what you want to do.   Find a charity that will accept the thing you want to make.   Get the finished thing to them. 

Now that I have put on my captain obvious hat, I will take it off and give some not so obvious points. 

No perfumes or smoking.  Many people are allergic to or highly sensitive to smells.   These two can cause nausea or vomiting or worse can close off the airway of the very person you are trying to help.   How can you prevent harm?  

First, wash your hands.   Seems obvious but it isn't. You want to start with least amount of smell as you can. 

Second, if you are a smoker in the house don't store your yarn in the house.   It will absorb the odor.  This will also mean you have to work on the thing outside the house and store the partially made thing where the yarn is kept. 

Third, don't store the yarn in the attic or cellar and definitely don't put dryer sheets in with the yarn.   Attics and cellars can have their own unique smells and worse can be a haven for mold or mildew or rodents or bugs.  These things can cause a lot of harm to people who are in physical illness or are homeless. 

Check your chosen charity's website for particulars.  You are going to want to know if you have a restriction on fiber type,  if you have to use new yarn or can recycle yarn,  if there's a specific pattern to use,  specific sizes allowed. All these parameters are for a reason.  

Most charities will not accept wool.  So many people have discovered sensitivity or outright allergies to wool.   It also is not usually a toss in the washer and dryer fiber. Some, like the knitted knockers,  require specific brands of yarn and fiber because the area of use is extremely sensitive. The yarns they specify are the least irritating and most comfortable while giving women what they need. 

Some of us are in financial hardship but still want to help.   So unraveling sweaters and afghans give a way to get a lot of yarn for not a lot of money. However, no one except the donor,  knows what the blanket or sweater was exposed to before we bought it. These are recycled yarns and not usually acceptable.   Check your chosen charity for guidance. 

Many charities have requirements for finished sizes and won't accept any other.   Many times this is for ease of joining.   Having every thing the exact size means someone else can zip through the joining.  For those who say it's good enough,  your contribution may well be tossed in the garbage.  For those who say the charity can send your unusable contribution to someone else that will be able to use it,  no they won't.   They don't have a running list of what charity accepts what.   Even the internet can't do that.   One organization has made a small dent in this, career.  Even they recognize that changes occur and they can't keep up. 

Specific patterns might be requested because that is what they need.  Baby blankets may need to be solid rather than have holes because little fingers and hands can get caught up in the holes and,  if not caught quickly, can cause loss of circulation or the need for amputation. 

Some charities request each donation be presented in a zippered plastic bag.  This helps keep the donation clean and contaminate free.

So follow the rules for your chosen charity or find a charity that aligns with your way of doing things.   They are grateful for the items donated that follow the rules they have. 

Resources for the charities mentioned 

knitted knockers

carewear

warm up America

Charity Knitting - Clothes

 I've been housecleaning my UFOs and WIPs.  I've also been housecleaning other's UFOs and WIPs.  You would be amazed how many of these things can be repurposed into things for various charities.

From all the things I made as samples for my time teaching at a big box craft store, I have a chest full of things I can donate as is.  Hats, fingerless mitts, and scarves are ready to go with little to no modifications.  If anything, I need to add length to scarves.  This is an easy finish.

A slightly more difficult thing to accomplish is putting together colors.  I definitely don't have the colors of the samples from a decade or more ago.  Trying to match colors is difficult.  Finding complementary colors is easier.  

One thing I have that is causing me some head-scratching is the short novelty yarn scarves.  I definitely don't have any matching yarn.  They definitely don't have a use in today's cold weather wear nor today's fashion wear.  I hate to throw them away.  It's part of the waste not want not thought process I was raised with.  But I've hit a block wall for ideas.

One of the things I do think is great to create, the Guidepost T sweater.  These are sent to many 3rd world countries.  They go quick because of all the garter stich and very simple shaping.

One of the other patterns that is a great thing is the pillowcase dress.  I first saw this on the Sewing with Nancy show on PBS years ago.  Here is the little dress.  These are for the girls obviously so they can go to school.  School for girls was not something that happened.  It is slowly becoming more common.  

You will have to choose what calls to you.  Who do you want to help?  How close to home do you want to have your donations?  Read this last question as how much do you want to spend on shipping or postage.  

The one thing I can't stress enough is to go to the website for your chosen charity and print off the requirements for their donations.  Don't send shetland wool to the knitted knockers.  Your donations will be tossed.  The distribution center people don't have time to send it on to another place where it can be used.  The needs have been carefully thought out.

More Cozy Knitwear in the Sunny Summertime

I'm currently working on a project for the knitting guild to which I belong.  I'm partnering with some of the other members to catalog the various techniques and patterns that have been done over the last 20 years.  Oh boy are there a lot!!

We seem to have an affinity for shawls and hats.  Those are the most prevalent.  Some of the ones I have not done before, I will be doing for the Lace Lovers Guild for the yarn bombing in November.

Some of the patterns include the Leni hat, the 21 color slouch, brioche starter hat, quick ombre hat, prism hat, anthology hat, owls hat, baable hat and so many more.  I also have seen koigu feather and fan cowl, zickzack scarf, grey gardens headband, thanks, it has pockets cowl, whistlewood hat, simply harika, da Vinci cowl.  Every one of these is available on Ravelry.

All I have to do is pair up yarn, needles and pattern.  Sounds so easy, yet it really isn't.

Cozy Winter Wear in Summer

It's summer.  It's hot.  It might be a dry heat.  Or if you live where I do, it's humid.  But as we all know, winter is coming.  I'll be doing a workshop of simple and easy winter accessories.  What fiber to use?  Weight of the yarn used? What patterns to use?  We'll take a look at this and more.

Fibers not to use:  cotton, linen, hemp.  Fibers to use:  wool, alpaca, llama, acrylic, silk.  Why?  Plant fibers keep you warm, but not for long.  They absorb liquid and hold it to your skin making you colder.  Some animal fibers keep you warm, even when wet, others not so much.  It also comes down to affordability.  what can you afford to buy?  Especially if you are giving away the fruits of your labors, cost will play a big part.

What weight do you use??  This depends on a variety of things.  How cold does it get where you live?  How hot do you run?  How much stitching do you want to do?

If you live in the arctic, you probably don't want to knit a lace weight single layer hat.  Conversely if you live in somewhere like Brazil on the equator, you probably don't want to crochet a super jumbo yarn hat.  Are there exceptions?  You bet.  Older people who tend to do a lot of sitting get cold faster.  Younger people who are more active or people who experience hot flashes won't appreciate that very heavy head gear.

So I offer one source where you can choose the weight of yarn and an approximate age/size of the recipient.  It's Red Heart's Gotcha Covered #1 and Red Heart's Gotcha Covered #2 from purple kitty.   Knit Hat and the Crochet Hat  These are very basic beanies or toques  They work up quickly if you choose a small head or larger yarn.

Next thing up would be to keep your hands warm.  Mittens work up quickly but they have to be the same size.  If you have trouble with this, try working them at the same time  I tend to like the basic mitten pattern from Bev's Country Cottage.  The pattern can be found here.  There's also a glove pattern that I find to be interesting.  I'm not sure where I first saw it but I suspect it was from one of the books I learned to knit.  It's a garter stitch pattern.  Here is a similar garter stitch pattern from Elizabeth Zimmerman on Ravelry.  Again if you have second glove syndrome or trouble with making things the same size, do two at a time on either long straights or circular needles.  

Yarns to use for gloves and mittens should be on the thinner side.  Why?  You need dexterity.  What yarns should you use?  Animal fibers, possibly synthetics in worsted weight or thinner.  

Have You Ever Played Bingo for Yourself?

 My knitting guild is doing a bingo game for this year.  I may have mentioned it.  You receive your card and fill it out with your own choices.  You then decide if you want to try for 25 in '25 or go in a row, column, or diagonally.  Or throw caution to the wind and just keep working on your WIPs as you want.  This is a year long endeavor.  

I have had to modify this a bit because I can't find the wreath frames and the Roman shades are being replaced by shutters, the purple socks have had to be changed to a different color.  It turns out I can't make out the stitches in that color purple.  On the other side of things though I have finished the crochet dress, 4 blankets for charity, 6 hats for charity, 100+ squares for the granny afghan queen size of the 342 needed, 4 square granny sweater, so far I have kept up with the jar scarf and I finished on time the cup cozy to teach steeking.  I can also cross out 4 mittens for charity.  Oh, my center is to put away all the books and printed patterns I have.  I succeeded in doing this with my knit and crochet patterns and books.  The sewing ones I have not found yet so I'm not counting them.

This might sound like gloating but I can assure you it isn't.  The blankets for charity, hats and mittens were in part found items in my home.  Others in those were ones I made.  Sometimes things just find their way into my house and I know I can find a home for them.  Then everything went topsy turvy in the move 5 ish years ago and only now am I getting things organized.  It's been long and interesting.  I'm discovering things I had forgotten.  I'm getting to greet things I knew I had but could not find like old friends.  And for my granddaughter who is interested in learning the crafty ways, I'm setting up a place for her to keep her supplies.

Here is the dress.  This was just a quick try on.  I wear it with a tank dress underneath to help preserve modesty and to help it keep its shape.  It's an alpaca yarn and has shown a tendency to grow.

I can't find a picture of the four squared granny sweater nor the coffee cup cozy.  The granny squares won't be enough.  I didn't order enough yarn when I started it.  And no I can't order more.  The colors are changed or discontinued.  Oh well, it won't be queen sized.  Updates will keep coming.

What Do I Listen To

When you knit and crochet or do almost any other handcraft, do you listen to something?  Watch something? 

I listen to audiobooks.  I listen to podcasts.  I listen to old movies on replay for things I need to pay attention to.  I listen to and watch new to me movies and tv shows for the things I don't need to pay attention to.

Audio books or book series I like include Mrs. Polifax, Harry Potter, The Cat Who, The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings and the Little House series.  Are there more?  You bet.  But these are the ones in my current rotation.

I like the old black and white holiday movies because they have been watched so often

that I don't have to pay that much attention to them.

Mystery Projects

 Let's suppose you want to do a mystery project on your own time.  Sometimes this can work with the ones you see online.  Sometimes it doesn't.  How can you set up your own?

1.  Choose if you want to knit or crochet the project.

2.  Choose what you want your finished object to be.  Blanket?  Shawl?  Scarf?  Sweater?  Something else?

3.  Pick the website, book, or a Pinterest search that has a variety of different stitch patterns for you to choose from.

    A.  write out twice as many stitch pattern names as you will need for the finished object on slips of paper

    B.  Find a receptacle to put them in with the source nearby.

    C.  Determine how long the stitch patterns will be done.

4.  Determine how often you will be doing the mystery project, once a week, once a month, something else?

5.  Gather your yarn and tools to be placed with the stitch patterns.

Now it's time to start.  Pick a slip.  Look up the stitch on the slip and create your first stitch pattern. 

This can be fun.  If your stitch counts change from one to another stitch pattern, consider having a section of resting stitches where you increase or decrease from one count to the next.  It also puts a visual break from one type of stitch pattern to the next.

You can add to the mystery of the finished item by having a variety of fibers and colors and grab  a new one each time you work on this project.

Broomstick Lace

Lace Lovers is another local guild to which I belong.  They are dedicated to teaching traditional handicrafts and embellishments that beautify, add warmth and are generally amazing for the simple way things are formed.

I'll be teaching broomstick lace.  

Have you tried this technique before?  It's really fabulous for blankets, shawls, and purses.

Why is it called broomstick lace?  Back in the 18th century when it was invented, the handle of the broom was used to hold the stitches until they were worked off.  

How do you do it?  Chain the number of stitches for your project or just a swatch.  Do it in a multiple of 5 for your practice swatch. Put the loop on the "broomstick" or in today's crafting, a very fat knitting needle, size 19 to 50.  Use a crochet hook that you usually use for the size yarn you have.  So for worsted weight, use a US G to I hook.  Insert the hook into the second chain from the end and pull up a loop.  Put it on the needle.  Do not twist.  Insert the hook into the next chain from the end and pull up a loop.  Put it on the needle. Keep doing this until you have no more chain stitches.  Use your hook and go into the first 5 stitches.  Draw up a loop.  Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull through.  This is your chain 1.  Now insert the hook back into the 5 loops and work 5 single crochet.  Drop the loops off the needle.  Insert the hook into the next 5 loops and work 5 single crochet in the loops.  Drop the loops off the needle.  Continue this until you have no more loops to work single crochets into.

Without turning (because broomstick lace is worked from the front in each direction), put the loop on the hook onto the needle.  Working in the back loop only, pick up a loop from the second and each single crochet across, one at a time, and put them on the needle.  Now follow the chain and single crochet directions from above.  Keep going in this manner.

IS it easier to see how to do it?  Yes it probably is.  Can some people follow just written directions?  yes.