Knitting for Charity: Easy, Fun and Gratifying http://www.knittingforcharity.org/ Find the answers to virtually all of your questions about knitting for charity en Copyright 2009 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.25 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Try Textured Yarn For Projects that Get Noticed Every self-respecting knitter has a stash of yarn. Chances are you are one of these "stashers" if you love knitting. Take a look through your stash. Is it a bunch of the same yarn you've been using over and over? If so, maybe it's time you learn about textured yarn and how you can use it.

]]> http://www.knittingforcharity.org/try_textured_yarn_for_projects_that_get_noticed.html http://www.knittingforcharity.org/try_textured_yarn_for_projects_that_get_noticed.html Yarn Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0500 Get a Professional Look When Picking up Stitches Have you been putting off trying a new knitting pattern because you have to learn picking up stitches? Many knitters do. This is a confusing knitting technique, but it doesn't have to intimidate a savvy knitter like you! Follow these helpful hints for a professional finish.

]]> http://www.knittingforcharity.org/get_a_professional_look_when_picking_up_stitches.html http://www.knittingforcharity.org/get_a_professional_look_when_picking_up_stitches.html How to Knit Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0500 Beaded Knitting - Knitting Stitches that Add Sparkle and Shine Looking for new knitting stitches? I know -- this happens to me all the time. Knitting is fun, but after doing the same projects over and over, it's fun do try something new and different. Here's an idea -- try beaded knitting.

]]> http://www.knittingforcharity.org/beaded_knitting_-_knitting_stitches_that_add_sparkle_and_shi.html http://www.knittingforcharity.org/beaded_knitting_-_knitting_stitches_that_add_sparkle_and_shi.html How to Knit Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:34:23 -0500 Knitting in Multiple Colors -- A New Knitting Technique for You to Try! If you love stripes, try this knitting technique! By knitting in multiple colors you can add a little "zip" to one of your favorite patterns with stripes.

Does knitting in multiple colors intimidate you? No problem! Knitting stripes is an easy knitting technique that you can learn in no time. Jazzing up your old favorites with these fancy stripes will soon be a cinch.

]]> http://www.knittingforcharity.org/knitting_in_multiple_colors_--_a_new_knitting_technique_for.html http://www.knittingforcharity.org/knitting_in_multiple_colors_--_a_new_knitting_technique_for.html Knitting Techniques Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:00:00 -0500 Make Your Baby Knitting Projects Extra Special! Besides knitting for charity, baby knitting projects has to be my second favorite type of project. The yarns, the colors, the size all combine to make some really adorable gifts. But if you would like to take the sweetness factor to the next level and really "wow" a mom-to-be, try doing surface embroidery on your knitting.

]]> http://www.knittingforcharity.org/make_your_baby_knitting_projects_extra_special.html http://www.knittingforcharity.org/make_your_baby_knitting_projects_extra_special.html Misc Knitting Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:08:33 -0500 Knitting Instructions for Sewing up Seams Did you know if you don't use the right knitting instructions for seams you can completely ruin your latest project? Sad but true. Don't let this happen. Follow these techniques to make sure your projects look their best.

When you knit a beautiful garment, it deserves a beautiful finish. If you don't, your projects will have a very amateurish or homemade look. You don't want this. You want people to look at your projects and be amazed that they aren't store-bought. Am I right?

One way to ensure this is with the proper finishing techniques when joining the seams of your garments. Here are the best ways to get that professional look.

]]> http://www.knittingforcharity.org/knitting_instructions_for_sewing_up_seams.html http://www.knittingforcharity.org/knitting_instructions_for_sewing_up_seams.html Knitting Instructions Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:00:00 -0500 The Importance of Learning to Knit a Gauge Square for Correct Size When you are first learning to knit, one of the most important things you need to learn is how to knit a gauge square. Until you do, you will never know what size your finished project will be. So what is a gauge square and how do you knit one?

]]> http://www.knittingforcharity.org/the_importance_of_learning_to_knit_a_gauge_square_for_correc.html http://www.knittingforcharity.org/the_importance_of_learning_to_knit_a_gauge_square_for_correc.html How to Knit Mon, 15 Jun 2009 03:00:00 -0500 Recycled Yarn: Knitting Going Green Looking for some new, "green" knitting ideas, -- recycled yarn is a start! I'm not talking about skeins of yarn bought at garage sales, or about swapping yarn with a fellow knitter, though those are both great eco-friendly ideas. No, these days, people are talking about yarn recycled from cast-off sweaters.

]]> http://www.knittingforcharity.org/recycled_yarn_knitting_going_green.html http://www.knittingforcharity.org/recycled_yarn_knitting_going_green.html Yarn Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:36:16 -0500 Soy Yarn: An Old Idea Whose Time Has Finally Come In this day and age of soy sauce, soy burgers, soy milk--it is no surprise that there's also a soy yarn. What is surprising, however, is that the idea of using soy fiber is not new at all. Henry Ford was actually one of the first soybean pioneers back in the 1930s, touting the many agricultural and industrial uses of soy. In 1938, Ford researcher Robert Allen Boyer produced the world's first plant protein fiber, made out of soy.

]]> http://www.knittingforcharity.org/soy_yarn_an_old_idea_whose_time_has_finally_come.html http://www.knittingforcharity.org/soy_yarn_an_old_idea_whose_time_has_finally_come.html Yarn Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:00:00 -0500 Free Knitting Patterns for Can and Bottle Cozies These free knitting patterns are just what dad ordered! Through my own informal poll of friends and family, and just in time for Father's Day, I present you with these great patterns. The first one is a 12 oz can cozy and the second is for a bottle cozy. These help insulate and keep his beverage cool and also keep Dad's hands from getting wet while he's enjoying his favorite microbrew or summer thirst quencher.

]]> http://www.knittingforcharity.org/free_knitting_patterns_for_can_and_bottle_cozies.html http://www.knittingforcharity.org/free_knitting_patterns_for_can_and_bottle_cozies.html Free Knitting Patterns Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:22:33 -0500 Free Knitting Patterns for Trekkies Young and Old I sought out free knitting patterns for Star Trek projects simply because the latest movie has created an entire new generation of Star Trek fans in my house. Judging from the reviews and the word on the street, "Star Trek" has a legion of new Trekkies, and toy stores are busy stocking shelves for this latest take on some familiar characters.

]]> http://www.knittingforcharity.org/free_knitting_patterns_for_trekkies_young_and_old.html http://www.knittingforcharity.org/free_knitting_patterns_for_trekkies_young_and_old.html Free Knitting Patterns Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:18:48 -0500 Protect Your Phone with These Phone Cozy Knitting Instructions If you ever lose your cell phone at the bottom of your purse, or accidentally left it on the passenger seat in the car, these knitting instructions for cell phone bags are for you! My sister and I admired a stranger's cell phone bag last week, but the woman couldn't remember where she bought it. But it looked easy enough to knit one, so I gathered these four great patterns for cell phone bags and cozies to choose from.

]]> http://www.knittingforcharity.org/protect_your_phone_with_these_phone_cozy_knitting_instructio.html http://www.knittingforcharity.org/protect_your_phone_with_these_phone_cozy_knitting_instructio.html Knitting Instructions Thu, 28 May 2009 11:52:56 -0500 State-Wide Knitting for Charity Effort Comforts Cancer Patients It certainly seems apropos that the state that looks like a mitten would launch a grassroots knitting for charity effort. Knit Michigan was started in 2007 using knitting and other fiber arts to help out cancer organizations through out the state and bring comfort to cancer patients. It also aims to promote a love of the fiber arts to new recruits.

]]> http://www.knittingforcharity.org/state-wide_knitting_for_charity_effort_comforts_cancer_patie.html http://www.knittingforcharity.org/state-wide_knitting_for_charity_effort_comforts_cancer_patie.html Knitting for Charity Tue, 26 May 2009 15:51:21 -0500 Think Big with Big Knitting Needles Among the many pairs of knitting needles I've collected in anticipation of learning how to knit everything under the sun, I bought a pair of size 50, plastic needles. They're fourteen inches long. Those are some big needles!

Have you ever knitted with big knitting needles? Some knitters really love them because projects go much quicker. Think about it - when every stitch gets you an inch of finished project, it's bound to get done faster than knitting that's ten stitches to an inch. Ten times faster, most likely, although it takes some time getting used to the bigger needles.

]]> http://www.knittingforcharity.org/think_big_with_big_knitting_needles.html http://www.knittingforcharity.org/think_big_with_big_knitting_needles.html Knitting Instructions Thu, 21 May 2009 03:00:00 -0500 Knitting Patterns for Housewarming Gifts Too often when we think of knitting for other people, we think of clothing -- hats, gloves, scarves -- or possibly, a blanket. But I was thinking recently how I'm never sure what to bring with me when I visit a friend's house for the first time. Then, the epiphany! Knitted housewarming gifts.

I've picked several wonderful patterns for different housewarming gift ideas. Pick from a bottle holder, place mats, towels, and even bowls. Or knit all of the projects and give them together in a pretty basket or gift bag. Your host or hostess will flush with enjoyment over this thoughtful gift, and most likely appreciate all of your time and skill that went into it.

]]> http://www.knittingforcharity.org/knitting_patterns_for_housewarming_gifts.html http://www.knittingforcharity.org/knitting_patterns_for_housewarming_gifts.html Free Knitting Patterns Mon, 18 May 2009 03:00:00 -0500