Knitting for Others

Do you know of someone in a wheelchair? Is there a nursing home in your area? Think about knitting some lap robes. They are simple and fast to do and will be greatly appreciated by the recipients.

There are all kinds of patterns from which you can choose, but here's a really simple one for you to try...

You'll need 350 grams of worsted weight yarn (approximately 700 yards) and US size 8 or 9 knitting needles. Cast on 96 stitches. Work in garter stitch (knit every row) for 32 inches (or until yarn is almost gone). Bind off loosely and work any loose ends into the lap robe.

Making lap robes for others is a great group activity, too. Gather some friends (teach them to knit, if they don't know how) and enjoy the camaraderie that results when kindred spirits join together. You may choose to have a pastor bless the lap robes, including a small tag for the recipient that reads as follows: "This shawl was hand made especially for you. May you feel the warm embrace of our Heavenly Father as you wear it."

We knit for others on the first Thursday afternoon of each month here at the shop and I invite you to join us. Our schedule will be a little different for November, though - we'll meet on November 14 (Wednesday afternoon) from 1:00 - 4:00 instead of November 1. I'll be happy to help you choose some yarn and help you get started...just come on down and join the fun!

Until next time, happy stitching!

Bring on the yarn...cooler weather has arrived!

Fall is a wonderful time of year - bright orange pumpkins and colorful gourds artfully arranged on bales of hay at the Farmer's Market, friendly ghosts swaying from crepe myrtle trees in the neighbor's yard, and the first whiff of woodsmoke. All of these things proclaim the season - and they make me want to knit and knit and knit!

I'm not one of those "one-project-at-a-time" knitters. Nope...if I see something that I want to make, it's full speed ahead for me! I jump in with both feet and cast on with gusto, blissfully dismissing all of those other PIPs scattered around the house (and car, and shop...)! I know that I'll get back to them one day, but now - for this moment - my attention is on the delightfully springy and cheerfully colored bright blue yarn I'm using to knit our Mystery Cowl. I'm having a terrific time, so far. The pressure to finish is, somehow, diminished with this project. Perhaps it's because I only have one fourth of the instructions presented to me at a time and I feel that I can surely complete the required knitting before the next set of directions appears in my "in box" on Thursday. Whatever the reason, though, I'm happily knitting along on something that makes me smile every time I see it.

Won't you join me? We'll meet at the shop every Tuesday afternoon (from 1:00 - 2:30) in October to work on our Mystery Cowl. You can participate from home, too, if that's more convenient. There really are no rules - just lots of fiber-y fun. You may call me at the shop (205-758-0108) if you want to join the fun. I'll be happy to help!

Until next time...happy stitching!