When I started this group back in 2003 I never thought that some of these ladies would actually become close friends.  When I started this charity to help our homeless teens I did it as a memorial to my own mother and grandmother. My mom passed away at the age of 50. I was then 32 and the oldest of 10 children.

Unable to properly grieve for my own mom, I did so when my maternal grandmother passed. My grief was so overwhelming that I grieved for both, realizing that this is not what either of them would have wanted me to do.  So, I got hopeful and started Keeping Kids Warm.  KKW provides knitted warm clothing items to homeless teens.

With my journey started now I try and get others like myself who enjoyed knitting and wanted to feel useful. We have been able to distribute over 10,000 items and still going to our homeless youth in our community.  Its a wonderful feeling for all of us to know that we have helped so many.

It has now been 8 years and we are going strong.  Keeping it going has been a struggle but with yarn donations and our wonderful volunteers and some small monetary donations, we are still active and always looking for more people to help. We have just recently been given space to store supplies and run a small office. We are so grateful for this.

Keeping Kids Warm is a small not-for-profit charity and we will continue for as long as we are able.

Homeless youth are in dire need of help… One Stitch At A Time
Thank You

In 2012, something will happen that has never happened before. My hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana will host the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl XLVI Host Committee is calling for a grand total of 8000 scarves hand knitted or crocheted for volunteers.

The program launched in January 2010, but at current they only have about 1200 of the scarves needed by February 2012.

The scarves, which will all carry a handwritten note by the creator, will warm the necks and spirits of the many volunteers leading spectators to their destinations and answering questions in the Indianapolis winter weather.

You don’t have to be a Hoosier to help, so let’s get knitty with it and make some Super Scarves!!

Specs:

Pattern doesn’t matter- just so long as it is the specified colors.

The colors that have been approved are:

• Yarn available at Wal-Mart, Michael’s, and other large retail stores:

Red Heart Super Saver E300 – Color 0311 White and Color 0385

• Royal Yarn available at some local knitting stores

Cascade 220 – Color 8505 White and Color 9457 Blue

• Alpaca with a Twist Touchdown Blue and Touchdown White!

Alpaca with a Twist is an Indiana-based yarn company.

The patterns can include football icons, but no team specific logos, please!

You can visit http://www.indianapolissuperbowl.com/super-scarves/ for full instructions, information, and pics of finished scarves!

Knit happy!

~~Gypsy

They may have been as simple as a young child helping his busy mom make Christmas ornaments for everyone.  Or as complex as a favorite aunt making matching hat, scarf, and mitten sets for my sisters and me — while taking care of her own growing family and working full time.    

And in an economic downturn, maybe it’s time to consider — or reconsider —simpler . . .more practical . . .less expensive gifts.    

So what are some projects to knit for Christmas?    

• A lap-ghan or baby blanket  This recommendation comes from Vanna White of Wheel of Fortune.  She’s an avid crocheter, reportedly preferring these gifts.  And yes, they do work also for knitters!What’s a   lap-ghan?  It’s a half-size afghan that an adult uses to warm his or her legs.  This is a favorite of those bothered by chills and drafts.  And yes, it’s not just confined to the northern areas.  Southerners get chilly too!
• Scarves, hats, and mittens  Well these will get more use in northern climates.  Hats and mittens usually require knowledge at least roughly of the size of the recipient’s head and hands.  Scarves on the other hand are small projects.  And even beginning knitters can knit garter stitch scarves.  Actually their biggest challenge may be binding off!Tip:  When you want to make a scarf faster, knit it lengthwise.  Instead of knitting back on forth on only a few stitches, cast on enough for the entire length of the scarf.  This way you only have to knit a relatively few rows.  Although they can get quite long!
  
• Toys  You can knit toys for children, such as a teddy bear or doll clothes.  You can also knit a cover for an I-pod or cell phone to protect an adult’s “toys.”

These ideas can help you get started for knitting your own memorable gifts.    

And when you want to knit a special gift for use every Christmas, consider knitting a Christmas stocking.  You can personalize it with names if you are so inclined . . .or just your own knitting style.  When you’re looking for Christmas stocking kits, be sure to check out the kits Naughty Knitterz offer from patterns I designed.  (Insert link)    

When my friend Erika asked if I could design a Christmas stocking, I thought, “Why not?”  Why let something small—like never having knit one before—stop a knitting project? 

Deciding to start at the beginning with some basic research, I plowed into the project.  After studying Christmas stockings’ construction, I decided it wouldn’t be any harder than knitting socks.  And was pleasantly surprised to find they were easier to knit than I thought.

So just how do you make Christmas stockings?

1. Knitting Christmas stockings is very similar to knitting socks.  Yes, the original Christmas stockings were actually stockings children wore the rest of the year.  So, the overall pattern is roughly the same as a sock pattern.
2. Modern Christmas stockings tend to be larger than socks. Larger in diameter and leg length, although the foot is often knit shorter.
3. To hide the stocking stuffers from little eyes, their stockings are often knit in stockinette stitch rather than a lace pattern.  Stockinette stitch is also a traditional pattern for stockings.  Stockinette stitch even gets its name from knitting stockings.
4. Because most Christmas stockings are knit in the round, stockinette stitch is all knit stitches.  Many knitters prefer the knit stitch to the purl stitch.
5. If this is one of your first projects knit in the round, the yarn and needles are usually heavier than those used to knit socks to be worn.  This makes knitting Christmas stockings easier, especially if you’re not used to knitting with either a set of double-pointed needles or two circular needles.
6. Christmas stockings usually are knit from the top down, although there’s no reason they couldn’t be knit from the bottom up.  You might have to adjust a motif or graph if you’re knitting your sock in more than one color.
7. Because the stocking is for decoration, the heel usually looks squared and is often different than the main stocking color.
8. The toe is often the same contrasting color as the heel.
9. And left-handed knitters will be happy to note that Christmas stockings can be knit left-handed, too.  If the pattern has an asymmetrical motif, you may end up with a mirror image unless you reverse the graph.  The good news is most Christmas motifs are either symmetric or can be just as lovely as a mirror image.

So you can see that knitting Christmas stockings isn’t so complicated after all!  And they’re fun to knit, then display or give away.  There is a picture of the Victorian version of Christmas Stocking to the left on this page.  See all 3 designs on the Stocking Kit page. 

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight — or someone else’s…Ina

When you’re ready to try a Christmas stocking, check out the kits The Naughty Knitterz made from the patterns I designed.   Find all three kits at http://theknittingyarn.com/stockingkits.

Article Source: http://theknittingyarn.com/?p=2506

It’s that time of year again! Yes- summer! Know what that means? Christmas knitting! Yes, I know it seems like a long ways away, but I assure you, it’s closer than it seems.

There are only about 150 days left until Christmas, and that’s only 150 days to knit. If you are like me and panicking about the looming perpetual deadline, here are some tips for you.

1. Santa isn’t the only one that needs a list, and check it more than twice. I suggest making a master list with projects, then separate lists for yarn type, yarn color and needle size;  receiver personal information (age, measurements, favorite colors, fiber allergies), and completion status. Microsoft Excel is amazing for this. (openoffice.org has a free office suite that is compatible with any version of Microsoft Office. )
2. Knit a little every day. I have a bit of PADD, or Project Attention Deficit Disorder, so I have many projects going at once. I try to do at least a few rows every day. Need to fit a little extra time in? Well, a full article is coming soon about that, but here are some tips: I knit on the bus, in waiting rooms, and while watching movies, whether in the theater or at home. I also listen to audio books so I can enjoy my Harry Potter and fiber fun at the same time.
3. Stay calm, organized, and prepared. Now is the best time to stock up- grab some plastic storage tubs to keep FOs in (toss in some lightly scented soap bars to keep them smelling fresh!), and keep the project yarn together and separated from each other for quick and easy access. I mean, let’s face it- nothing kills motivation like having to clean. Store the needed needles with the yarn to be sure they are free for use.  Make photocopies of the patterns (esp. if they are from library books!) and store them with the yarn. Stock up on notions and post its (for tracking a place in a pattern).
4. Winter is the best time for yarn, so have fun with all of the fibers, colors, and textures! Step out of the sock box and test yourself. Learn something new, revive something old, and just have fun with it!

Happy knitting…err I mean Knit Happy!

This is a fun project that is easy to complete and I think is the cutest thing ever!

The pattern is free at Provo Craft’s website.

The pattern calls for using a 12″ new sink plunger inside to give the snowman stability to stand.  I didn’t have this exact pattern when I made mine, but I did use a big zip top plastic bag full of beans to give the bottom round some stability.

I wanted my snowman to look a little fluffier, so I used one thread of white worsted weight yarn, and one thread of Fun Fur.  I held the 2 strands together as I worked the pattern.

I also used little Christmas light buttons I found at the craft store.  He needed a top hat rather than a knitted cap, which I found at the craft store in the doll making section.

Sure it looks a little spooky and doesn’t resemble your pointy sticks at all.  How do you begin?  What will you make?

I found patterns by Googling loom knitting or circle looms.  There are quite a few patterns on Provo Craft’s website as well.

The different color rings are for different size projects.  Using the Lion Brand Knitfy Knitters the blue ring is for baby size heads, the Red ring fits kids, The Green ring for adult heads.  The Yellow ring is for even bigger projects, and I used mine to knit flat projects back-and-forth rather than in the round.

Here’s the basics….you begin by looping the yarn around each peg  going in a counter clockwise pattern wrapping the pegs one at a time.  Once you’ve wrapped each peg with a loop one time, then repeat and put a second loop around each peg.  After this, use the hook that comes with loom and pull the loop on the bottom of each peg up and over and off the peg.  It’s the same principle you learned when you learned how to bind off stitches. 

This will leave one loop on each peg.  Stop and re-loop each peg with a second loop.  Then repeat using the hook and taking the bottom loop up and over and off the peg.  As you do this, you’ll grow your project into a connected tube of knitting.

It’s very easy to create hats, scarves and other fun projects.  Look for part 2 of this article…coming soon!

Many people ask, “Well, where can I start?” or “What is a good project to begin with?”  Fortunately, there is a simple answer.  In fact, it is so simple that it is easy to overlook!  We started our household out with washcloths.  Yep, an hour to make and a whole two dollars spent for two of them.  This is also a great thing to pass along to friends and family – a set of three tied with a pretty ribbon and an organic bar of soap makes a great hostess gift!

Another option which is super popular is the cotton market bags.  I’ve found several patterns for everything from a messenger bag size to totes to littler ones specifically for fruits and vegetables.  The Lion Brand site has a couple really great patterns and Ravelry is always a terrific source.  The thing about these that I really like about these patterns is that they’re customizable for any recipient (or yourself…) and can easily be adjusted in size or in color… just grab a different cotton! 

Hand towels for the kitchen and bath, cute little reusable lunch totes, reusable coffee sleeves for those days when you forget your reusable mug, mug wraps for at home instead of using that paper towel, coasters, placemats, napkins.  These are all fantastic, easy and decorative projects that are readily available.  Look around your home and see what you can find… sometimes the inspiration for your next project may be in the last place you would think – like the top of a bottle of wine!

You’ll notice that a lot of these projects are made with cotton.  There is, naturally (oh, yes, pun was intended), the debate between organic and regular cotton.  In my opinion, yes, organic cotton is the better choice, and if you can find an organic bamboo/cotton mix, then that is stellar.  However, that being said, I don’t like to spend eight or nine dollars on one little thing of yarn that is going to make me one washcloth.  Call me crazy.  I think the first step is to make products that are reusable and get not only yourself, but your friends and family into the habit of reusable goods as well.

One final thought… local farmers markets and fairs usually have farmers that spin their own wool (and if you’re really lucky and live in the southern part of the U.S., they should have cotton too!).  Buy from them!  Support your local growers.  Not only are you helping build a sustainable local economy, you’re also cutting down on pollutants needed for shipping and manufacture of the mass market goods.  Just make sure you are tossing those farmer’s market purchases in the tote that you made!

The second attempt, I made some adjustments: cast on 63 instead of 53, adding two stitches to each section, and used a size 11 needle – going up a size from the recommended 10.5.  For this shrug, I used the Lion Brand Cotton solids and it used nearly the whole ball.  I like how this one came out – it’s a looser knit than pictured on the pattern website, and again, I added a few rows so that it hits mid-torso on an adult (size Small).

This was my first try at raglan shaping and I have to say, I really enjoyed it.  This is a great beginner garment (or, if you just want a quick knit!).  I like that there is no seaming, as you cast off the sleeves, the underarm just works directly into the body.  Be aware though, if you choose to make this in an actual adult size, it will take more than one skein…. You can find the pattern at: http://www.oneskeinwonders.com/patterns/shrug.php  or on Ravelry by searching Shrug This.

You can contact me by email at kusalaknitworks@gmail.com if you have questions.

Jenifer Rank – Kusala Knitworks
www.jeniferrank.etsy.com
www.kusalaknits.blogspot.com
www.flickr.com/photos/kusalaknitworks

Babies – Everyone knows someone who is having a baby, and most new parents love the gift of handmade items. I love to give smaller gifts – hats, sweaters, and booties – that can grow at least a little bit with the babe.

1. My go-to hat pattern: Cabled Hat (http://heyjulie.wordpress.com/2006/08/18/cabled-baby-hats/). This hat looks great made in any color, and stretches unbelievably – I’ve known babes to wear it for their first six months!
2. My go-to sweater pattern: 5 hour baby boy sweater (http://gailbable.tripod.com/id41.html ). It looks good on both boys and girls, and most babes can wear it for up to four months if you make it long enough (the sleeves can be rolled up for the first month or two).
3. My go-to sleep sack pattern: Snug As A Bug sleepsack (my own pattern – http://robyndevine.blogspot.com/2010/05/snug-as-bug-sleepsack-free-pattern.html ). I can whip one of these up in three days flat, and for babes born in colder months, this can be a god-send!

Men – Men can be a bit harder to knit for. They look for utility above all, I’ve learned, which means neutral colors and design, less flourish and pattern drama but more classic lines and design. A good go-to pattern for men has to be something you’d give to your father, your husband, and your son.

1. My go-to gloves pattern: Cigar mitts (http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer05/PATTcigar.html ). I make the pattern either with all fingers fully completed or with all fingers left open, and always in black, grey, navy or brown – and always in Patons wool. They stand up to anything, are great for working outside or on home improvements, and are classic enough for any man to love.
2. My go-to hat pattern: Vancouver (my own pattern – http://robyndevine.blogspot.com/2010/05/vancouver-hat-free-pattern.html). This hat is another fast and classic knit. It’s simplicity hides the fact that any man on your gift list will love it and wear it out – ask my father-in-law!

Women – The women in your life will end up being the hardest to knit for. Every woman I know has a different style, favorite colors, and fabric loves. None the less, I keep a few patterns on-hand for last-minute gifts – I’ve found these classics will make almost any woman happy!

1. My go-to scarf pattern: The Star Scarf pattern (http://crafthope.com/2010/01/project-6-orphan-foundation/ ) from Vickie Howell (made for Craft Hope) became an instant classic for me. Simple enough to memorize quickly, this is a great traveling project, and can be worked into a skinny scarf or a more substantial shawl. Again, the yarn makes the style for this beauty – knit in a neutral the scarf becomes perfect for anyone on your list, but by adding a fun color to the pattern you’ve got an instant favorite for those looking for an up-to-the-moment accessory.
2. My go-to hat patterns: Any hat by Jane Richmond (http://www.janerichmond.etsy.com/ ) is a winner in my book! Every woman I’ve made one of Jane’s hats for, from friends to family members and spanning generations, has loved her hat to death! They can be made slouchier or snug, and are classic enough that by simply changing up the color of your yarn, you end up with a hat that is traditional to funky and fresh!

Kids – If you thought knitting for the women in your life could be difficult, try knitting for the kids you know! From the minute they become mobile, kids start expressing their likes and dislikes, and that definitely includes knit-wear! I’ve found that sticking with simple items, knit with super soft and WASHABLE fabrics increases the chances the kids in your life will love what you knit for them.

1. My go-to hat pattern: Baby Beanie by Ulli Shibuya (free Ravelry download). The pattern calls for fingering weight, so by sizing up to sport weight or even worsted weight, you end up with a hat to fit any kid from a toddler to a teen. Leave off the tab at the top for older kids, and this hat is sure to be worn by girls and boys alike.
2. My go-to sweater pattern: Drive Thru, by Knit and Tonic. You can work this sweater into a cardigan (my preferred method) or a pull-over, and it can be made solid or with any variety of patterns to suit any boy or girl. I’ve made these for my nieces this year, and they fell in love instantly!

And if you’ve got a little extra time on your hands, my go-to blanket pattern is the Project Linus blanket from Knitting For Peace. This blanket works up great in any color, and can be adjusted for smaller or larger blankets. We’ve got a few in our home, even!