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Loving
Hands Autumn Challenges
Here we are again – time for the new challenges once more – seems like the
summer has flown in – can’t believe it is time to do this all over again
;0)
You have hopefully all noticed the changes I have been making on the forum
over the last week – I now have my ‘Dream Team’ in place and have rearranged
parts of the forum to hopefully make it easier to find things as
well.
My new dream team consists of ;-
Scottish Groups Coordinator - Anne (annegraham74)
English Groups Coordinator – Kate (kateg)
Northern Ireland Groups Coordinator – Rosemary
(rosieknits)
Welsh and Overseas Group Coordinators still to be appointed
;0)
Birthdays Coordinator – Dot (Dorothy)
Events Coordinator – Linda (Lindyf)
Secret Celebrations Coordinator – Dawn (DawnT)
Charities & Organisations Coordinator – Ruth (Ruthd)
Challenges & Ideas Team – Julia (Jaydee) and Alison
(Daisyknit)
Welcome Committee – Pat (ssPat), Anne (loveshare), Diane (Diana Fay), Claire (Catwoman) and Maureen (our mad twinnie)
Stash Coordinator - Helen (Handbell Twinnie)
Lots of helpers to help me keep everything going well and make sure we can
move forward and build on the wonderful work and friendship that is Loving Hands
;0)
I am hoping that we will soon have more groups and with a bit of luck will
find some wonderful members willing to step forward to take up the tasks of
promoting and helping us to form groups in Wales and Overseas as well
;0)
OK – so what have we got in mind for this time ???? Let me see
…………….
1/ First up – I am sure a lot of you have seen some members talking about
(and showing pictures of) little ducks with tags attached – these are from the
Little Yellow Duck Project which is a lovely idea – you make little ducks and
attach a tag to them then leave them in places for people to take home and
‘adopt’ as little acts of kindness – the hope is that people will then go onto
the website (which is to promote blood, bone marrow, organ and tissue donation)
and leave a message to say where they found it ;0) Here is the website address
– you can find the patterns and tags on there to get involved xx http://thelittleyellowduckproject.org/
2/ Stash Busting – Squares – lots of us end up with odd balls of wool
around and want to use them up so why not create squares knit or crochet – 6 or
8 inch squares are most useful – these can then be passed on to the
groups(Shires, Wellingborough and Blackpool spring to mind as they all have
projects involving making blankets for various places ) or The Fistula Project
who will turn them into blankets to go along with the baby cardies etc that they
hand out to the women in Sri Lanka and Sierra Leone – I am sure anyone with a
project that needs squares will soon pop on here and let everyone know they are
needing some ;0) Helen also tells me Shires group like to get triangles that
they use for shawls .
3/ For the care homes up and down the country – Fiddle Mats, Activity
Aprons, Busy Books, Fabric Marble Runs, Lap Rugs, Shoulder Wraps, Slippers etc
- I am sure most of us have homes for the elderly nearby – if you have a chat
with the staff you will doubtless find out what they would like to have in each
one as needs can be different – I have a wee link here for a site that has the
marble runs/busy books etc on it with some great ideas to get you started - http://domesticblissnz.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/my-creative-space-busy-book-pages.html
4/ Innocent Smoothies – Big Knit – to help the elderly in UK – as this
challenge has certainly developed a theme of help the elderly – why not use up
your scraps of yarn to create some hats for The Big Knit - website here - http://thebigknit.co.uk/join-in lots
of patterns etc and details of how to get involved – we have always done our bit
to help this project every year since it started ;0) There is also a facebook
page for people to share patterns and ideas for these wee hats ;0) Have a look
- https://www.facebook.com/JosBigKnit
;0)
5/ Our critter challenge this time is ……. Mice and Meerkats ;0) you could
make some catnip mice to hand into local animal shelters – or why not create
some mouse or meerkat toys to pass on to our children’s charities – use a
pattern with a mouse or meerkat design in it or use fabric with these designs to
make items ;0)
Here is a pattern for a knitted catnip mouse ;0)
CATNIP MOUSE KNITTING PATTERN
MATERIALS:
Please use double knit or similar yarn, anything thinner will be torn apart
too easily and
much thicker will be too stiff. We ask for two different colours, one for
the main body
and a contrasting one for the nose. Please feel free to use whatever
colours you want
and think the cats might like. Size 2.75mm/10 needles (use 3mm/11 needles
if end
result is too small). Standard abbreviations used.
TENSION:
Ideal length approx. 5”/12.5cm, width approx. 5”/12.5cm at widest point.
Stitches
should be fairly tightly worked. Work in stocking stitch
throughout.
BODY: Cast on 9 sts. for tail end of body.
Row 1: Increase in every stitch knitwise. (18)
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: (k1, incr. in next stitch) to end. (27)
Work 3 rows.
Row 7: (k2, incr. in next stitch) to end. (36)
Work 11 rows.
Row 19: (k2, k2tog.) to end. (27)
Work 9 rows.
Row 29: (k1, k2tog.) to end. (18)
Work 7 rows.Row 37: (k2tog.) to end. (9)
Work 3 rows.
Leave approx. 12“ of main colour for sewing
Last row – using contrast colour for nose – knit.
Draw yarn through loosely, leaving approx. 12-15 inches for eye
embroidery.
EARS: (make 2 in either main or contrast colour)
Cast on 18 stitches, work 2 rows.
Last row: (k2tog.) to end (9).
Draw yarn through loosely, leaving approx. 5-6 inches for sewing stuff
with some toy stuffing and you can include a pinch of catnip in the middle of
the stuffing to make them more fun for the cats and kittens x
So there we go – lots to choose from there – hope you are all happy with
what I have chosen – next time I will hopefully have lots of choices as our new
challenges and ideas committee will hopefully have found lots of things for me
to choose from by then
LOVING
HANDS
SUMMER CHALLENGE
27TH/4/2-14 - 26TH/7/2014
I
am not going to add a lot of chat this time – have already done the website
update to send to Pam so that has the chat in it ;0) The last quarter
has ticked along nicely – the Farnborough Show seems to have gone very well
thanks to all the hard work done by Kathy and her team with the help of a few
more wonderful members who made it down there this year to lend support and
willing hands. I don’t know for sure how well they did this year but I
recall seeing that the sales etc from the table were not as good as last year
but I am sure they took in a nice sum to help with postage etc and encouraged
lots and lots of happy show visitors to take up their needles to help charities
(I did get a surge in membership requests and email requests for further information
from people who said they had met my wonderful team at the show – all high praise
of course – well done to all of you !).
The next event will be the one
in Glenrothes on the 17th May – this has become an annual pilgrimage for a lot
of the members who take holidays up here at this time of year to attend the
show and help out with the hands on areas. Sadly it is looking as if this
year there are a lot less people managing to attend than last time but I am
sure that the ones who do come along will have a wonderful time and we will
all have a lovely dinner together in the evening again. If anybody else
is coming along do let me know so I can add you to the list of who is attending
the show and also who is coming out for dinner after with the rest of the motley
crew xxx The idea this year is to keep the stall more simple – we will
have the roadshow items on the main table with a couple of collecting tins and
a pile of information leaflets and patterns for things we think visitors would
like – the wall will hold laminated sheets with details about Loving Hands and
some of the charities we help along with the Maps – the hands on corner will
have tables and chairs and demos of things like making crocheted shopping bags
from old plastic supermarket bags, scrappy scarves and hopefully one or two
other techniques – there will also be a table with items for sale – squidgy
beanbugs (so far only members of the local group here in Kelty have made these
for the show – I do have more eyes and plastic granules for these if any member
would like to make some – they are really easy to do – the pattern is in the
free patterns on the Jean Greenhowe website http://www.jeangreenhowe.com/patterns.html
We will also have knitting needles and envelopes with selections of
knitting patterns in for a lucky dip pattern sale. Possibly a few other
things as well depending on what I add into the mix – we are allowed to sell
materials for making things but not finished items apart from the beanbugs or
HUGS ;0)
I will also be making up a nice gift basket to give to the organisers
as a raffle prize as they request a donation for the raffle from each stallholder.
So
what will we have in the challenge this time ???
For the stitchers among
us – Heidi’s Heart Pillows Project which is based in Bracknell so close to Kathy
and the girls has another branch up here based in Dunfermline as well so contacts
north and south of the border. The lady from the Dunfermline branch is
coming along to the meeting here on Monday to join forces with us and tell us
about the local initiatives – she tells me that they not only get requests for
the heart pillows but for morphine driver bags and drain bags as well. She
says there are patterns for everything available – the local branch is trying
to supply 100 to 150 heart pillows every month so I am sure the one down in
Bracknell must be supplying an awful lot more. They would be delighted
for help to make more so have a look at the page and get your sewing machines
going x https://www.facebook.com/groups/heidisheartpillowproject/
Our
critter challenge this time is to be ………… FROGS ……….. think
that will be a fun thing to do – stitchers, crocheters, knitters can all find
lovely frogs to create or add into patterns ;0) I have found a link for
a page with lots of free frog pattern links on it for you to get you started
;0) http://craftyville.squidoo.com/frogknittingpatterns Froggy
hats, mittens and jumpers and cuddly toys would all be great for Operation Orphan,
Siblings Together and Priateli along with other charities or organisations on
our lists xx
Love UnderDogs is a lovely charity who rescues dogs in Romania
– they are looking for dog coats for the poor dogs they rescue x Love
UnderDogs is one of the main organisations in the UK working to improve the
lives of stray dogs in Romania and rehoming some of the most unwanted animals
here in the UK. It was set up by animal lovers who want to make the world a
better place by helping and supporting some of the most unwanted, abused, neglected
and voiceless dogs. As the name Love UnderDogs suggests they rescue and re-home
dogs that are old or disabled, too big, the wrong colour or just not pretty
enough. Please send knitted dog coats to: F.A.O Pat Short, LoveUnderDogs, 23
Moseley Gate, Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8JJ http://www.loveunderdogs.org/about-us/about-loveunderdogs/who-is-loveunderdogs/
http://www.talkingtails.com/sweater.html
and a nice pattern for doggy coats too x
Please also continue
with the scarves for the Hospice challenge as well – I have already handed in
89 scarves to our local Sainsburys that have either been made by the local group
here or been sent in to HQ – the aim is to link up 7 miles of scarves to stretch
from Gateside in Fife to the Rachel House Hospice in Kinross. They have
till September to reach their target – they want scarves at least 1.5 metres
long no matter the width or how they are made (knitted, crocheted, sewn ). http://www.chas.org.uk/news/1212_can_you_knit_or_crochet_do_your_friends_sew_we_need_you
Hope that is enough to keep you all going and out of mischief
during the next three months ;0)
LOVING
HANDS
SPRING CHALLENGE
19/1/2014 - 13/4/2014
LOVING HANDS CRAFT FOR CHARITIES
SPRING CHARITIES 2014
19TH JAN TO 13TH APRIL 2014
Well
– here we are again folks. The winter challenges seem to have flown by
and I hope you all had lots of fun making lots of items for our worthy
causes – and also lots of fun creating elephant themed items ;0) I have
seen a few of them as we have gone along but with most parcels going
direct to the charities nowadays I am betting there have been loads of
beautiful things sent on to put smiles on faces all over the world –
thank you all so much for taking part!
Don’t forget – if you are
around tomorrow morning between 10 and 12 that we shall be here having
our online coffee morning – I have already set up the thread ready to
start chatting at 10am under the coffee morning part of the forum – we
do not stipulate that you HAVE to pay to take part any more but if
anybody would like to make a donation to the funds then the details of
how to do so are in the coffee morning thread xx
Right – so what have I got in store for you all this time round ???
1/
I have been sent details from the Children’s Hospice Association
(CHAS) of a challenge they are doing between now and September – the
object being to collect enough scarves (knitted, crocheted or sewn) to
reach from Gateside in Fife to the Rachel House Children’s Hospice in
Kinross which is a distance of 7 miles !!! They are not worried about
the weight of yarn or type of fabric you use – they can be knitted,
crocheted or sewn – the width is no worry but they need to be at least
1.5m long. They will be collecting these in from now till September at
which point they are holding a 24 hour stitchathon to sew them all
together and see if they have reached their goal length ;0) After that
the huge scarf will be unpicked again and the scarves sold for the
Hospice Association to help keep these wonderful organisations open and
taking care of terminally ill children and their families. There will
be a gala dinner and special auction of some very hush hush ‘Celebrity’
made scarves as well which could be interesting to see – wonder which
celebrities will have made scarves to donate ???? If you would like to
help out with this one then you can send your scarves in here to me at
HQ as they have to be handed in to Sainsburys at Kinross or Rascal’s
Nursery here in Kelty and both are on my daily commute back and forth to
Kinross High with the kids ;0)
2/ Cyrilyn and Brad at Operation
Orphan have their Keep a Kid Warm Appeal ongoing now and they would be
over the moon if they could beat the number of boxes they filled to take
out for the children last year – to help them out they need donations
of warm clothing to help the children.
This was taken from the Operation Orphan website http://www.operation-orphan.org/initiatives.htm
Much
of Central and Eastern Europe experience temperatures that remains
below freezing throughout the winter months. Due to increasing levels
of poverty, more and more children are at risk of dying from
hypothermia.
Many families on lower income have to make the unthinkable choice “Do I heat my home or do I eat?”
The reality is that children freeze to death, even in their own homes!
With your help, Operation Orphan can respond to this problem by
distributing new and second hand WARM winter clothing directly to the
children each October in time for winter.
Whether you can give
clothes, a financial donation to help with logistics or an in-kind
contribution from your company, we would love to hear from you.
So how can you get involved?
1.
Donations of good condition winter coats. Schools and companies across
the UK are getting involved in Keep a Child Warm by collecting winter
coats. Collections are during April and May, however we can make bulk
collections throughout the year. If you would like to donate a coat or
know a school, nursery or other organisation that would like to be
involved please contact us on [email protected].
Coat guidelines
1. Can be second hand, but need to have plenty of life left in them
2. Only WINTER coats and heavy fleeces
3. If possible donors should wash coats beforehand but this is not a stipulation.
We would also take any of the following items:
Snowsuits
Winter hats
Warm gloves
Scarves
Snow botts
Jogging bottoms
Ski wear
Shoes and boots
Donations
for this appeal can be sent to Operation Orphan at the Big Yellow
storage facility which has very kindly donated space for storing the
items until they are collected, collated and packed into cardboard boxes
for distribution to the children before winter sets in each year.
The address is ;-
Cyrilyn Moore,
Operation Orphan
c/o Big Yellow Self Storage,
20 Lenton Lane,
Nottingham,
NG7 2NR
Kate
Gaunt has been collecting donations down that end of the country for us
too and passing them on to Cyrilyn on our behalf – thanks to Kate and
her lovely hubby David for their wonderful work in this project xx
So
you can clear out the cupboards and wash and press the kids leftover
winter coats, snowsuits, thick fleeces etc. Knit/crochet or sew lovely
cosy clothing and blankets and send them along to Operation Orphan safe
in the knowledge that your contributions will be helping to Keep a Kid
Warm in the midst of the most terrible winters xxx
3/
Lincolnshire Police are asking residents in the county if they are able
to make knitted bears to donate some to them for consoling children.
In
the past, if a child is involved in a road traffic collision, they
would be given a free kitted bear to help keep them calm in a
frightening experience.
This then helps police and other emergency services deal with the accident.
However, the charity which used to knit and provide the bears — known as Angel Bears — is no longer in existence.
This means Lincolnshire Police is running out of bears to give to children for free.
Police
HQ is asking any knitting clubs or individuals in the county that would
be willing to become part of their volunteer base to knit an annual
supply of 500 bears to get in touch.
The force need enough for the
next intake, required around September 2014. Bears need to be stuffed
and knitted to a set pattern.
Get the pattern here →
To send
bears to the force, package them up and deliver to Gill Finn, Community
Safety Officer, Police Headquarters, Nettleham, Lincoln LN2 2LT or drop
into a local police station.
This is the pattern they have in the above link in case it doesn’t work for you ……..
BEAR PATTERN – MULTI COLOURS
The yarn coding refers to the colours I have used so that you can refer to the picture as a helpful
guide.
Yarn A= White
Yarn B= Lilac
Yarn C= Green
Yarn D= Pink
HEAD
Yarn A
C/o 18 sts
Row 1= Knit
Row 2= Purl
Row 3= Knit
Row 4= Purl
Row 5= Knit
Row 6= Purl
Row 7= Knit
Row 8= P3, K3, P6, K3, P3
Row 9= K2, P5, K4, P5, K2
Row10= repeat row 9
Row11= repeat row 9
Row12= repeat row 8
Row13= knit and every odd row until and including row 19
Row14= Purl and every even row until and including row 20
—————–
(Break off yarn if using two colours and begin with Yarn B)
—————–
Yarn B
Row21-24= #*K3, P3 rep twice from *
Row25-28= *P3, K3 rep twice from *
(These 8 rows form your pattern.)
Repeat these rows twice from #
Row36-40= *K3, P3 rep twice from *
c/off
Break off yarn leaving enough to sew up. As you sew leave 1 inch gaps at the fold end of the
sides. This is for sewing in the ears.(refer to picture)
You will want to embroider your facial features at this point.
====================================
EARS (Make 2) Yarn D (pictured as Pink)
Base (back)
c/o 6sts
Row 1-6= Knit
Thread yarn through remaining sts. Bind off tightly.
EARS (Make 2)
Top (front)
This creates the decorative loops for the front of the ears.
Yarn A and Yarn D
Using 2 strands of wool (different colours if possible)
c/o 6 sts
Row 1= Knit
Row 2= Loop stitch
Repeat these 2 rows twice
Thread yarn through remaining sts. Break off yarn leaving enough to sew up.
Place both pieces together so right sides facing out. Oversew edges (leaving a small gap for
stuffing). Stuff the ears and sew gap closed. Sew ears onto head.
====================================
BODY [40 Rows]
Yarn C = Pattern
C/o 18 sts
Row 1=P1, *K1, P2 rep from * once
Row 2=K1, *P1, K2 rep from * once
Row 3=(as row 1)
Row 4=(as row 2)
Row 5=(as row 1
——————
(Break off yarn if using two colours and begin with Yarn D)
——————
Yarn D
Row 6= Purl [18st]
Row 7= Knit
Row 8= Purl
Rpw 9= Knit
Row 10= Purl
——————
(Break off yarn if using two colours and begin with Yarn C)
——————
Yarn C
Row 11-15= repeat pattern (row 1-5)
——————
(Break off yarn if using two colours and begin with Yarn D)
——————
Yarn D
Row 16= Knit and every even row until and including row 24
Row 17= Purl and every odd row until and including row 25)
——————
(Break off yarn if using two colours and begin with Yarn A)
——————
Row 26-40= same as row 1-15 (remember to change yarns also)
cast off
Leave enough yarn to sew up the body.
If embroidering, you will want to complete your design at this point.
Fold in half joining the two short ends together with right sides facing in.
Leaving a small gap for turning out. Stuff with toy filling and close gap.
Sew body and head together.
====================================
ARMS (Make 2)
Yarn A
c/o 18 sts
Row 1-7= Garter St
Row 8= K1, *K2tg, K5 rep once from*, K2tg, K1 [15sts]
Row 9= Purl
Row10= K3, K2tg, K5, K2tg, K3 [13sts]
Row11= Prul
Row12= K2tg, K1, K2tg, K3, K2tg, K1, K2tg
Cut yarn with enough to sew up. Attach a darning needle and thread through stitches on the
knitting needle. Remove from Knitting needle and pull tight. You should have a dome shaped.
Turn inside out and sew up the side of the arm. Thread the yarn in a running stitch through the
‘cast on’ stitches at the base and pull tight enough so that you can still fit your thumb through.
This will give you enough room to stuff your arms and also provides shape. Tie and use left over
yarn that is still attached to sew onto the body of the bear. Repeat this for both arms.
====================================
LEGS (Make 2)
Yarn A
c/o 18 sts
Row 1-8= Garter St
(Break off yarn if using two colours and begin with Yarn C)
[Shoe Pattern]
Row 9= Knit Row
Row10= Purl
Row11= Row 8= K1, *K2tg, K5 rep once from*, K2tg, K1 [15sts]
Row12= Purl
Row13= K3, K2tg, K5, K2tg, K3 [13sts]
Row14= Prul
Row15= K2tg, K1, K2tg, K3, K2tg, K1, K2tg
Cut yarn with enough to sew up. Attach a darning needle and thread through stitches on the
knitting needle. Remove from Knitting needle and pull tight. You should have a dome shaped.
Turn inside out and sew up the side of the leg. Thread the yarn in a running stitch through the
‘cast on’ stitches at the base and pull tight enough so that you can still fit your thumb through.
This will give you enough room to stuff your legs and also provides shape. Tie and use left over
yarn that is still attached to the leg ad sew onto the body of the bear. Repeat this for both legs.
You
could also contact local police forces, fire brigades, ambulance
stations etc and ask if they would like to have a supply of Trauma Toys
to keep handy for children in distress. If you find locations that are
happy to have them do pm me with the details and I will add them to the
list at start of forum xx
4/ Our ‘critter’ challenge this time
will be in honour of Easter as the challenge ends the weekend before
Easter this time ;0) This time we are going to do Bunny or Chick themed
items – make toys, use patterned fabric to create something lovely,
make some of those wee chickens with cream eggs inside (you could even
make a few and sell them to friends or family and donate the money you
make either to HQ for funds or to Julia our Shetland Group leader to
help with sending the parcels to the Syrian Refugees or to your
favourite local charity even ;0), anything fun with an easter critter
theme ;0) We have the pattern for the chicken with the eggs inside in
our pattern area on the forum – here are a couple of patterns I found – I
am sure you will all find loads of inspiration – have fun !!!! With
the Knitting Show coming up in May (17th in Glenrothes – hope to see
lots of you there !!!) you could create a few wee critters for the sales
part of the table too – I will be making more HUGS for this myself ;0)
http://www.jeangreenhowe.com/Images/Eas ... Treats.pdf
http://www.jeangreenhowe.com/Images/Novelty_Eggs.pdf
Catnip Bunnies (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/catnip-bunny )
These are the bunnies I've been knitting for Cats Protection. They're
small, quick to knit, ever-so-simple 2 needle affairs with only the tinsiest
bit of seaming required on the ears. Perfect for using up scrappy bits of
yarn, and spreading kitty happiness 
I thought I'd offer my pattern on
here for anyone who'd also like to give them a whirl. This is the first
pattern I've written up, so apologies for it being so waffly. I've included
lots of photos to help you decipher what I'm talking about!
You will need:
• scraps of dk yarn (thicker yarns/larger needles would also work, but
I wouldn't go any finer for kitty toys or they'll be too tiny)
• one pair of 3.25mm (UK10, US3) needles
• black embroidery thread or black yarn for eyes
• white felt for the tail
• toy stuffing
• catnip
Start by casting on 22 stitches
Work 32 rows as follows - k1,slip 1 repeat to end. Make sure the first
knit stitch of each row is quite tight so you don't end up with a ladder at
each side.
This method creates an inside-out pouch - no seaming, woo!
Break yarn leaving a good 8 inch tail and thread a needle on it ready.
Carefully slip all the stitches off of the knitting needle, pinch each side
and gently open up the end of the pouch. Pass the yarn through the
stitches, but don't draw it up yet. Turn right side out.
Using the black embroidery thread, give bunny some eyes. I wrap a stitch
4 times with the thread for each eye. Next, give bunny a tail. An English
5p is the right size to draw around for the tail, but you can always go
freehand if your circles aren't as wonky as mine using that method.
Blanket stitch to bunny's bottom and set aside while bunny is waiting for
ears.
Ears - cast on 9 stitches.
Work 5 rows of k1,p1 moss stitch.
Row 6 - k1,p1,k1,p3tog,k1,p1,k1
Row 7 - k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1
Row 8 - k1,p1,k3tog,p1,k1
Row 9 - k1,p1,k1,p1,k1
Row 10 - k1,p3tog,k1
Row 11 - k1,p1,k1
Row 12 - k1, k2tog, pass first stitch over
Break yarn and pass it through the remaining stitch on the needle. Weave
this end down through the middle of the ear. Using the cast-on tail, fold
the ear in half and stitch the cast on edge together (picture shows one
unfinished ear, and one finished)
Make second ear as first.
I find it easiest to knot both ears together at this stage
Next, take a small amount of toy filling and add generous amounts of
catnip. I flatten the filling out, heap catnip in the middle and then draw
the edges to the middle so it doesn't escape whilst stuffing it into bunny.
Pop the filling into Bunny, and stuff the ears on top - the knot will help
give something for the body to "choke" around when you pull up the
threads. Draw it up as tight as possible, and add enough stitches to
secure.
Tada! One catnip bunny in plenty of time for Easter to treat your feline
master with. Or make lots for your local cats protection shelter and
spread the kitty happiness further.
The End 
copyright Coffee And Cream 2010
This pattern can be printed for your personal use, but please don't sell or
copy it. Finished pieces may be sold for charity fundraising only.
CoffeeAndCream 2010 x
So
there you go – lots to think about and I hope I have given you all some
inspiration to keep you crafting through - what appears to be – the
worst months of the winter to come ;0) Tuck up nice and cosy and get
your needles out ready to get cracking xxxx
Love and HUGS from The Gaffer
Lou xxx
LOV ING HANDS I will not spend too much time chatting though – will
keep the chat for the website update;0)
I know I have kept you all waiting all day wondering what I have up my
sleeve this time so here goes;0) Without
any further ado – your winter challenges –got to keep you all busy as the
weather men are promising a dreadful winter – so get your yarn and fabric
supplies are in – dust off your patterns and needles and lets get on with
it!!!! 1/ KOFIA are
collecting hats for babies in Tanzania, they point out that over 7000 babies are
born there every year and it is vital to keep the warmth in the wee souls just
after they are born. Such a simple gift
to help save the life of a wee baby.
They have some pattern links on their site but any baby hats are
perfectly fine. They do have collection
points at Guildford Cathedral and Cranleigh Coop or you can post them
to;- Sue
Howland You can check out their website at http://www.kofia.org.uk/ for inspiration and to
see the difference such a simple act can make
xx So knitted or crocheted baby hats for newborns
xxx 2/ Making For Charity are
looking for Syringe Driver Bags (slightly larger bags than the Wiggly Bags we
used to make for children) and also
Personal Effects Bags which the MacMillan nurses have requested to use to put
the effects of patients who pass away in to give them to the families – much
nicer than using plastic hospital bags).
Instructions for both of these can be found at the Making For Charity
website
Syringe driver bags here ;-
http://makingforcharity.co.uk/node/341
Personal Effects bags here ;-
http://makingforcharity.co.uk/node/352
These would be great projects for our stitchers of all abilities –
the syringe driver bags are very simple to do while the Personal Effects bags
would be good for more experienced stitchers.
Here is some more info from their site
– The
bags are made up using different fabrics and are reversible. They are made using
small pattern prints and are made of cotton so they are washable. The response
from the patient has been amazing. The constant feedback we get is it brings a
smile to their face and they are touched that other people are thinking of them.
Practically of course, the bags are of tremendous benefit as it means transfers,
using the bathroom and generally getting about is much easier for patient and
nurses. Each
bag is donated to one person. They are not transferable due to the possibility
of cross infection. Sadly, this means there is a constant demand. Syringe
drivers are used in many hospitals and hospices up and down the
country. If
you wish to get involved it is best to decide where you want to donate your
bags. You will then need to contact them and find out which make of syringe
driver is being used as they can vary a little in size. Generally we find that
each health authority will favour one brand. I make our bags to fit the McKinley
T34 which is the one they use in Liverpool. Thank you.
A great way to use up leftover cotton fabric and maybe recycle
duvet covers the kids no longer use.
Here is a knitting pattern from Ravelry to kick you off xxx It is
DK yarn ;0) Materials Gauge Abbreviations Body (make 2 pieces) Base Hind legs (make 2) Forelegs (make 2) Head Ears Tusks (make 2) Body Base Hind legs Forelegs Head Ears Tusks Embroidering the features Tail Courtesy of Knitted Wild Animals: 15 Adorable Easy-to-Knit Toys,
by Sarah Keen. Watson-Guptill, $19.99, 2010. Available at Amazon.com.
Of
course I am certain there will be loads of other links for Nellie patterns of
all descriptions coming on the forum very quickly – can’t wait to see what you
all make this time xxx
4/ Of course being winter please don’t forget
all the people freezing their socks off out there. You can make hats, gloves, scarves, socks,
blankets, jumpers, cardigans etc for local Homeless Shelters and drop them in to
them – the need is always there and we are told we are going to be having a
really bad winter this year so they will be in dire need of items to keep them
from freezing. Don’t forget our animal
friends too – you all have dog and cat shelters in your local communities who
are desperate to have coats and blankets for their furry residents as
well.
So
there we go – hope I have covered all bases and put in things to make you all
smile and keep you all busy over the winter months – just the weather to snuggle
up in front of the tv with the heating turned up and catch up on some tv while
you knit, crochet or stitch for our good causes – BLISS
xxxxx
WINTER CHALLENGE
20/10/2013
- 18/01/2013
Here we are again!
Can’t believe how quickly the last challenge has come to an end. Seems like just the other day I was sitting
here typing out the challenges for the
autumn;0)It has been a funny old three months – I am still getting used to not
being inundated with parcels for the two weeks leading up to the end of a
challenge – nowadays with most of you donating directly to the charities I can
actually open all the parcels myself as they come in a few at a time now –
thanks to all who donate directly - it
certainly reduces my workload – it is still lovely though to have some parcels
arriving (some members like to make a variety of things so it is easier for them
to send me mixed parcels and works out cheaper in the long run) whatever is
easiest and best for you is the right thing to
do.
KOFIA
Guildford
Cathedral
Office
Stag Hill
Guildford
Surrey
GU2
7UP
The
Story so far…..
It
was a tiny sign in a local fabric shop that caught my eye
–
‘Macmillan
Nurses are looking for people who are interested in sewing to make bags for
patients who use syringe drivers.’
I
rang up and found out exactly what was needed and sent a sample. One year on we
have now made over 100 bags for the patients at The Liverpool Women’s Hospital
and the Royal Liverpool. I make up ‘kits’ from fabric donated by a local curtain
maker and take them to our local primary school. The children are shown how to
sew them together using a sewing machine. We put labels on them ....Handmade by
[child’s first name] then they get sent off to the Macmillan Nurses via the
Volunteer Service Coordinator.
So she seems to be recommending that you contact your local
MacMillan or District nurses and ask what they would like made as apparently
different areas use different sizes of syringe
drivers.
3/ Soooooo - we have had Sheep, Penguins and Owls – what
next I bet you are wondering ????? OK
- make me ELEPHANTS ;0) Knitted, crocheted or sewn – toys, on items
of clothing, on blankets, use patterned fabrics with elephants on – have fun
with it – I have had some lovely examples of the previous critters so here you
go – we have helped elephants in the past with our orphaned baby elephant
blankets so it would be lovely to be surrounded by elephants and elephant themed
items this time round.
Craft
Project: Knitted Toy Elephant
Create
this adorable animal for your favorite little
one
By
Sarah Keen
Measurement
Elephant measures 9 1/2in (24cm) in
height
Any light worsted weight yarn:
350yd (1
3/4oz/100g) gray (A)
70yd (3/4oz/20g) white (B)
Scraps of black for
features
Note: amounts are generous but
approximate
A pair of size 3 U.S. (3.25mm) needles
Polyester
fiberfill
Straight pins
Tweezers for stuffing small parts (optional)
26 sts x 34 rows measure 4in (10cm) square over
Stockinette st using 3.25mm needles before stuffing
Click her for
abbreviations. How to make Elephant
Beg at lower edge using the
thumb method and A, cast on 35 sts.
First and next 4 foll alt
rows: P.
Inc row: K10, m1, k15, m1, k10 (37
sts).
Inc row: K11, m1, k15, m1, k11 (39
sts).
Inc row: K12, m1, k15, m1, k12 (41
sts).
Inc row: K13, m1, k15, m1, k13 (43
sts).
Inc row: K14, m1, k15, m1, k14 (45 sts).
Beg with a
p row, work in St st for 11 rows.
Dec row: K2tog, k to last
2 sts, k2tog tbl.
Next row: P.
Rep
last 2 rows 12 more times (19 sts).
Bind off.
Using the thumb method and A, cast on 20
sts.
First row: P.
Inc row: K1, m1, k to
last st, m1, k1.
Rep first 2 rows 5 more times (32 sts).
Beg with a p row,
work in St st for 5 rows.
Dec row: K2tog, k to last 2 sts,
k2tog tbl.
Next row: P.
Rep last 2
rows 5 more times (20 sts).
Bind off.
Using the thumb method and A, cast
on 32 sts.
Beg with a p row, work in St st for 21 rows.
Dec row:
(K2, k2tog) to end (24 sts).
Next and next foll alt
row: P
Dec row: (K1, k2tog) to end (16
sts).
Dec row: (K2tog) to end (8 sts).
Using the thumb method and A, cast
on 28 sts.
Beg with a p row, work in St st for 15 rows.
Dec row: (k2tog) 3 times, k2, (k2tog) 6 times, k2,
(k2tog) 3 times (16 sts).
P 1 row.
Bind off.
Beg at back using the thumb method and A, cast
on 12 sts.
First and next 8 foll alt rows: P.
Inc
row: (Inc) to end (24 sts).
Inc row: (K3, inc) to
end (30 sts).
Inc row: (K4, inc) to end (36
sts).
Inc row: (K5, inc) to end (42 sts).
Inc
row: (K6, inc) to end (48 sts).
Inc row: (K7, inc)
to end (54 sts).
Inc row: (K8, inc) to end (60
sts).
Inc row: (K9, inc) to end (66 sts).
Inc
row: (K10, inc) to end (72 sts).
Beg with a p row, work in St st for
15 rows.
Dec row: (K7, k2tog) to end (64
sts).
Next row: P50, turn.
Next row:
S1k, k35, turn.
Next row: S1p, p to end.
Dec
row: (K6, k2tog) to end (56 sts).
Next row: P44,
turn.
Next row: S1k, k31, turn.
Next
row: S1p, p to end.
Dec row: (K5, k2tog) to end (48
sts).
Next row: P38, turn.
Next row:
S1k, k27, turn.
Next row: S1p, p to
end.
Dec row: (K4, k2tog) to end (40 sts).
Next
row: P32, turn.
Next row: S1k, k23,
turn.
Next row: S1p, p to end.
Dec row:
(K3, k2tog) to end (32 sts).
Next row:
P.
Next 2 rows: K.
Dec row: K2tog, k to
last 2 sts, k2tog tbl.
Rep last 4 rows 4 more times (22 sts).
Next
row: P.
Next 3 rows: K.
Rep last 4 rows 8 more times.
P 1
row.
Dec row: K2, (k2tog) 4 times, k2,
(k2tog) 4 times, k2 (14 sts).
Cast off p-wise.
Side 1 (make 2
pieces)
Using the thumb method and A, cast on 16
sts.
First and next 10 foll alt rows: P.
Inc
row: K1, m1, k8, m1, k6, m1, k1 (19 sts).
Inc row:
K10, m1, k9 (20 sts).
Inc row: K10, m1, k10 (21
sts).
Inc row: K10, m1, k11 (22 sts.
Inc
row: K10, m1, k12 (23 sts).
Inc row: K10, m1, k13
(24 sts).
Inc row: K10, m1, k14 (25 sts).
Inc
row: K10, m1, k15 (26 sts).
Shape next row: K2tog,
k8, m1, k14, k2tog tbl (25 sts).
Shape next row: K2tog, k7,
m1, k14, k2tog tbl (24 sts).
Shape next row: K2tog, k6, m1,
k14, k2tog tbl (23 sts).
Dec row: P2tog tbl, p to last 2
sts, p2tog (21 sts).
Bind off.
Side 2 (make 2
pieces)
Using the thumb method and A, cast on 16
sts.
First and next 10 foll alt rows: P.
Inc row:
K1, m1, k6, m1, k8, m1 k1 (19 sts).
Inc row: K9,
m1, k10 (20 sts).
Inc row: K10, m1, k10 (21
sts).
Inc row: K11, m1, k10 (22 sts).
Inc row:
K12, m1, k10 (23 sts).
Inc row: K13, m1, k10 (24
sts).
Inc row: K14, m1, k10 (25 sts).
Inc row:
K15, m1, k10 (26 sts).
Shape next row: K2tog, k14,
m1, k8, k2tog tbl (25 sts).
Shape next row: K2tog, k14, m1,
k7, k2tog tbl (24 sts).
Shape next row: K2tog, k14, m1, k6,
k2tog tbl (23 sts).
Dec row: P2tog tbl,
p to last 2 sts, p2tog (21 sts).
Bind off.
Using the thumb method and B, cast on
4 sts.
Inc row: P this row increasing p-wise into first and
last st.
Inc row: K this row increasing
k-wise into first and last st.
Rep last 2 rows once (12 sts).
Beg with a p
row, work in St st for 16 rows decreasing one st at each end of 4th and every
foll 4th row (4 sts).
P 1 row.
Thread yarn through sts, pull tight and
secure. Assembly
Place two halves of body together, matching all
edges and join row-ends. Stuff body, leaving neck and lower edge open.
Pin base to lower edge of body and sew base to
body all the way around, adding more stuffing to base if needed.
Join row-ends of hind legs and stuff.
Stand body on flat surface and position legs wide apart, pin and sew cast-on sts
of legs to body all the way around.
Fold bound-off sts in half and whipstitch.
Join row-ends and stuff. Pin each foreleg to either side of body pinning top of
arm to 6th row below bound-off sts at neck. Sew cast-on sts in place all the way
around.
Gather cast-on sts of head, pull tight and
secure. Join row-ends of trunk and with seam at center back, whipstitch
bound-off sts. Stuff trunk and join row-ends of head leaving a gap. Stuff head
and close gap. Pin head to body, pinning first garter st row of trunk to neck at
center front, adding more stuffing to neck if needed. Sew head to body by taking
a small horizontal st from head and then a small horizontal st from body,
alternating all the way around.
With right sides facing, place a side 1 and
side 2 together matching all edges. Join row-ends and bound-off sts by sewing
back and forth 1 st in from edge. Turn right-side out and catch cast-on sts
together. Repeat for the other ear. Sew ears to head.
Join row-ends of tusks from tips to beg of
increase sts, and stuff, pushing stuffing in with tweezers or tip of scissors.
Sew tusks to either side of head at top of trunk.
To make eyes, tie a knot
in 2 lengths of black yarn, winding the yarn around 6 times to make each knot
(click here for
directions). Check that the knots are the same size. Tie eyes to 15th row above top
of trunk with 8 knitted sts in between. Weave in ends into head.
Take 6 lengths of yarn, each 16in (40cm) long,
in a bundle and tie a knot in the center. Fold in half and divide into 3. Braid
for 1 1/4in (3cm) and tie a knot to secure. Cut ends 5/8in (1.5cm) from the
knot. Sew tail to elephant at back.
AUTUMN
CHALLENGE
21ST
July to 19th October
PHEW!!!! Running late again –
SORRY everyone – the girls had booked themselves in for a two day craft fayre
and family event at the Deer Farm in Cupar so have been over there for the
whole weekend (am typing this up sitting at a bench with my HUGS and some
Loving Hands information next to me – just in case – might as well use this
opportunity to spread the word ;0).
OK – I am very disorganised for this one – LOL – this heatwave has taken
us all by surprise and I though I LOVE to see the sun and the kids have been
having a wonderful time I am pretty useless in this heat;0)
The last time I asked you for socks and penguins so I do hope you all
produced lots of them – I have seen that lots of you produced loads of lovely
brightly coloured items which I am sure will be well received by our charities.
The new way of most of you sending directly to our charities is working really
well ;0) I am not getting a quarter as
many packages in here as I would have previously – so glad it is working and
our charities are now getting a more even spread of donations which is great –
I know from the feedback we are getting that the charities are delighted to be
receiving lovely parcels and boxes from members xxx
OK – this time – what shall I ask you to do today????
1.
Have asked the girls for a new
‘critter challenge idea – you have already done sheep and penguins sooooooo the
consensus of opinion here at the deer farm this morning among the other crafers
is -
OWLS !!!! OK - there are so many lovely patterns etc out
there for owls so you can make owl toys, owl themed clothing etc or use owl
print fabrics to create things ;0) I am
sure we will get loads of these xxx
2.
For our stitchers I am thinking
that you could help out with a couple of projects that have been recommended to
me by members recently – will get the details added to this thread later for
you (links etc) but for now …..
Incubator quilts for UK hospitals – quilted or fabric tops with soft
backings in just the right size to fit on top of hospital incubators;0) The other thing for our stitchers will be the
wee heart shaped pillows made to be used by ladies post mastectomy surgery –
most hospital oncology wards would welcome these so they would be postage free
as you could just contact your local hospitals and hand them in (maternity and
special care baby units for the incubator quilts and oncology wards for the wee
pillows), Maggie’s Centres would also take the wee pillows to give to patients
as well.
3.
Knitters – with winter on the horizon it is time to concentrate your
efforts on keeping the world warm;0)
Sooooo this time will be the time for hats, scarves, gloves and blankets
for our charities. Hats for the
seafarers, all of the above for the homeless shelters, and for Blythswood, Kids
winter wear for Operation Orphan, Priateli, Project Peru etc – lots of winter
warmers needed ;0)
4.
Finally – come on folks – let us try to expand the local groups list –
if you are on the verge of getting together then do it this quarter - let us take a giant jump forward with loads
more groups before the winter comes in;0)
OK – will get onto the links and locating some patterns etc when I get
home tonight – at least I have it all typed up for now so I will just need to
get it posted for you when I get home about 6pm – in between seeing my family –
they are not amused that I am out here and not a captive audience on my
birthday – think hubby and I will go out for tea tonight to celebrate – now
that I am 54 ;0)
Have fun folks and sooooo sorry I wasn’t there this morning to chat to
you all – no internet access for my laptop here or I would have done it from
the sunshine here in Cupar ;0)
;0( No birthday dinner – got home
around 6 had to do the dishes, put on the washing, unload the car and put away
the stuff I took with me, then made hubby his tea, went to the shops for some
things we needed and got the kids tea from the chip shop – got back in and made
a couple of slices of toast and a cup of tea for me!!!! Hasn’t been like a birthday at all today but
we will make up for it next Friday as Mr Lou and I are going off for a couple
of nights in a lovely cottage – roll on Friday ;0)
LOVING HANDS - SUMMER CHALLENGE
Sunday 21 April - Saturday 20th July 2013
Here we are again ;0) The last quarter has flown by and this new challenge date has crept up on me and taken me by surprise ;0)
It would appear that most of you have been sending your donations direct to our charities as suggested and that has certainly made things easier for myself and Roxy here (although I still have floods of fish and chip jumpers coming in but they have all been turned around and sent off very quickly!). Because so many donations are now going direct we are spreading our love even further each quarter which is wonderful.
The last few weeks I have been sending boxes out and keeping the parcel guys very busy - dozens of big boxes have went off to Hospitals all over the UK and lots more to Greenfields, SANDS and a few other charites we support. I have also given huge donations to Blythswood, Care and Scotia Aid as well as the SSPCA.
The last quarter has been filled with sad news from many quarters but as always you have pulled together and made your love for one and other known with so many kind gestures - making comfort blankets, sending cards and letters to give hope and hugs to members who need them - the spirit of this wonderful family has been alive in all of you and you make me so very proud to be your Gafferxxx
As well as that the courage and selflessness of those who are unwell or have lost loved ones shines through - you are all remarkable and we love you so much xxx
Trying to rack my brains to find new challenges for you tonight has been even harder than usual - so I hope that I can inspire and motivate you in some way with the thoughts I have had ;0) So here goes xxx
1/ It would be lovely if more of you could make cribs (moses baskets) - we have a lot of patterns for thetse now and some of the ones made are so pretty - we know from Kym at CUDDLES that these are in demand and I also send some direct to the hospitals and morticians along with angel wear so we certainly never get enough of them ;0) teh ones we make reange from 8 inches long up to around 20 inches and each one looks amazing when done. However, some of the patterns are not complicated so most members would be able to do at least one. Bonnie Jean and Julia have made some recently - Julia wove baskets and Jean made the bedding for them and Kym was delighted with the results ;0)
2/ Again - with CUDDLES and our hospitals in mind - our stitchers could maybe make some pretty angel pockets - these are used for 'slipped' or miscarried infants - a way to do something for the parents and recognise that each tiny angel - no matter how early thay are lost - matters and deserves dignity. We have been advised that knitted or crocheted angel pockets would need to be lined with fabric so that does make it extra work.
3/ Challenge - SOCKS - come on folks - have a go - I know most of you will have had to make some at some point in your lives and as I have rediscovered the joys of making hand knitted socks why not give it a go and make a pair or two. No matter whether they be little ones for kiddies or ful man size - 2, 4 or 5 needles or magic loop on circulars - there will be a pattern to tempt you and I am sure some members have favourite sock patterns they would like to share ;0)
4/ Knit/crochet or sew something BRIGHT - bring a little light into your lives and dig out those funky brightly coloured yarns and fabrics - make some kiddies cardies, slipovers, suntops, dresses, quilts, toys - our charities would love to have them to pass on and it will make you all smile while you work on them.
5/
My bit of fun this time is - PENGUINS - yes I did say penguins
;0) Like the sheep challenge last time - penguin toys, hats
with penguins on, wee jumpers and cardies with motifs of penguins on,
tea cosies, hot water bottle covers - whatever you like - make
something with penguin patterned fabric - I don't mind - just have some
fun ;0) (Check out the toys section on the Loving Hands pattern collection for a whole page of penguin things )
My suggested patterns for this one are below ;0)
CLICK HERE FOR THE KNITTED HAT PATTERN
CLICK HERE FOR PASHA THE PENGUIN
So there we go - hope I have managed to give you all something to think about - don't forget to look at the lists of direct donation destinations at the top of the forum and please, please, please if you find any other charities or organisations you think need our help then do pm or email me and tell me about them so I can check them out and hopefully add them to the list for everyone - the more we find the better to help members to locate places close to home and save postage etc.
LOVING HANDS - SPRING CHALLENGES
20 JANUARY -20 APRIL 2013
LOVING HANDS
WINTER CHALLENGES 21 OCTOBER 2012 TO 19TH JANUARY 2013
Here we are again - another 3
months have flown by and we are back at the start of the Winter challenges yet
again ;0)
I am actually on time this
time - and ready to post these up tonight - and as I have to pick up no 1 son
in the morning from his nightshift I will be up early and ready to sign on by
10am for the online coffee morning;0)
(No sleeping in like last time - ooooops!). The wine evening went so well last time too
that I have decided I will also sign on again at 8pm to do an evening session
as well for those who can't make the morning (or those who want to join in both
times;0). Don't worry - I don't expect
you to pay twice - if you want to join in once or both times it will just be
one contribution of £2.50 for the postage fund - send it in with your next
parcel, put it into the Paypal account [email protected] or pop a cheque in the post made out to L. Jaap
(loving hands) ;0)
Right - so what have I got in
mind for you this time??? Here we go ;0)
1/ I have been having a conversation with the
Hattons who represent Greenfields Africa - the Shires groups have been donating
a lot of aid directly to this amazing charity already and after much
deliberation I have decided to throw the weight of the main group behind the
'Mama Bags' project that they are doing
for Ugandan mums and babies. Here is
what Barbara Hatton had to say in a letter about it ;-
To try to reduce the
mortality rate of babies and mothers in childbirth, the pregnant mothers are
encouraged to attend 3 antenatal classes (where they are also tested for AIDS)
they are then entitled to a Mama bag in their last month of pregnancy.
A Mama bag consists of
a cotton baby vest,
a cotton baby grow,
a woollen hat
a woollen cardigan or jumper
(Fish & Chip vest acts as a jumper)
woollen bootees / socks
a blanket.
Also toilet soap,
Vaseline, cotton wool and surgical
gloves (for the birth. Many babies are born at home in mud huts. Nothing is
provided by the state)
The reason for this letter is
that we now have a great imbalance in our store. we ask knitters/crocheters to
please consider transferring their skills to blankets, hats or bootees (African
women wrap their babies very warmly, in spite of the heat)
If however, you want to
continue knitting cardigans or jumpers, then please also knit for 2/ 3 or 4
year-olds. (Not the fish & Chip vest, though: it does not work well in
larger sizes since the neck becomes very floppy etc)
Use patterns as you would for
babies in the UK.
Blankets need to be about a
yard (1 metre) square. (Squares of 30 stitches sewn or crocheted together and
then edged work well).
We are desperate for cotton
vests and baby grows, 0-6 months, or even 6-12 months. These can often be
bought very cheaply in some charity shops.
A complete Mama bag, excluding toiletries etc.
cost us about £1 to send to Uganda'
My own thoughts on this are
that the pillow case size drawstring bags we were making for the women's
shelters here would be perfect size for these Mama Bags and also that the
blankets for these wee ones could be stitched as well as knitted so things here
for our stitching ladies too ;0)
Now - the logistics of this
one - I am happy to send down boxes from here when I get in items among other
parcels but the Hattons are also happy to have things send directly to their
home during November and December (they cannot take any during January and
February as they will be in Uganda then but I am sure that between us Helen and
I can work something out till they get back.
For now - rather than openly publicise their address etc if anybody has
a box or parcel to send to them then pm or email me and I will let you have it
- this is an experiment for them until Christmas so they can see if they can
cope with having so many deliveries at their home.
2/ Dogs Trust have a project where they help the
dogs of homeless people with free veterinary care etc. They also like to provide Christmas boxes for
these much loved pets and like to include dog coats in these boxes - a lot of
these dogs are large breeds so once again we are hoping to get LARGER size dog
coats. I know our stitchers can produce some really nice fleece lined coats for
bigger dogs;0) There are Dogs Trust
offices in London and Glasgow so needed both ends of the country ;0)
3/ Hats and fingerless gloves for our seafaring
friends again - we didn't do it last year so here we are ready to help them out
again. The last time we did it we had
over 800 hats to hand over to the chaplains from Apostleship of the Sea - let
us see if we can do even better this time !
It is also a great way to use up odd balls of yarn as you can make them
stripey to use up smaller quantities of the same weight!
4/ With so many freezing folks out there and all
of our charities needing warm things to distribute I thought it was a great
chance to use up every last scrap of yarn you have in your odd balls box - let
us all make 'scrappy scarves' these are
a wonderful way of making wearable warmth.
I like to do them on a long curcular needle working back and forward but
they do work on straights as well.
Depending on the thickness of the yarns you are using up choose your
needle size - if using DK I like to cast on about 250 sts or more - obviously
the longer you want your scarf to be the more stitches you will need.
Leave a tail about 6 to 8
inches and then cast on sts - as many as you want. Leave a tail about 6 to 8 inches and cut the
yarn off.
Next row - pick another
colour and once more leave a tail about 6 or 8 inches and knit to the end then
leave a tail again and cut off yarn.
Repeat that row until your
scarf is as wide as you want it (make it wider for a shoulder wrap) then cast
off using the same method.
You end up with a complete
scarf or wrap with fringes at both ends and no sewing needed - the added bonus
is all your odd balls are used up ;0)
So - there you go items for
babies, dogs, seafarers and chilly peeps - lots of chances to use up your odd
balls of yarn and hopefully something for everyone.
Of course if you don't like
any of the challenges there is always the wish list to fall back on - lots to
keep you all busy ;0)
Right - going to go and get
the forum ready to post these up - then I need to cower in a corner and wait to
see if you all approve of my choices xxxx
Loving Hands
AUTUMN
CHALLENGES
22/7 TO
20/10 2012
OMG - Can't believe I
actually FORGOT to go online and put on these challenges on the
21st and even missed the
online coffee morning completely on the 22nd - what a numpty of a Gaffer you all have -
do please forgive me - mind is buzzing trying to get ready for surgery next
Monday and I had hardly slept in over a week so took one of docs crazy 'Horse
Pills' at eight o'clock when we got back in from my birthday night out and slept
through the lot!!!! No excuse for making you all wait so long - and HUGE
APOLOGIES from a very humble Gaffer - having a Wine and Crisps night instead
tonight (22nd July) from 8pm
so hopefully everyone will have checked out these challenges and forgiven me by
then ;0)
So what have I made you
all wait so long for? What has your devious (oops I meant kind) and underhanded
(oops that should read considerate - lol - Gaffer got up her sleeve to ask you
all to do this challenge - which will hopefully cover the Indian Summer we are
being promised by the weathermen as it spans from today (22nd July) to the 20th October with the next online coffee morning
being Sunday 21st October at
10am (provided your dear old Gaffer does not resort to said Horse Pills on the
20th again ;0)
1.
This time I am thinking along the
lines of raising awareness of Loving Hands and what we are all about and also
boosting the coffers a wee bit to help cover the rising costs of postage,
printing, stationery etc. To do this I am thinking we could
have a sort of Loving Hands Roadshow passing from group to group all around the
country spreading the word and raising a few pounds at each venue. A big ask for
others to do but I know some of you will be up for it so we can get organised,
start off and hopefully as we go on and learn from each show we will work our
way right round the country before we know it (and maybe have more members and
more local groups to show for it!). The idea behind this came from the wonderful
gifts you have all donated to me over the last year - first was the amazing
bunting that you made when Gaffers Den was built - then there was the fantastic
blanket made by members when my dear mum passed away in February this year along
with the wonderful collage photo made by Kathy and the other ladies from the
Shetlands craft group and the absolutely dumbfounding Old Lady who lived in a
shoe scene, complete with shoe, old woman, your dear old Gaffer and 47
kiddiewinks instigated by our darling Mad Maureen (aka Sporty Twinnie, Hip Hop
and other terms not suitable to be printed on an open forum ;0). These got me
thinking that if we were to create other things - say a nativity, a farm, a zoo,
Noah's Ark, Teddy Bear's picnic, etc we could create a movable display that
would hopefully draw in people to a coffee morning with a collecting tin on the
table, a tombola, a raffle and maybe a small sales table with some of our recipe
books and nice crafty things like tea cosies, hot water bottle covers, aprons,
peg bags, book marks, head bands, flower brooches, jewellery, stitch markers and
things like that to raise some funds. Everyone could get involved in this -
either by making tea cosies, peg bags etc for the sales table or by taking part
in creating a scene - I suggest that we have one person coordinate the creation
of each scene and then members could get in touch with them to say which items
they will make from that scene and once complete it can be sent in to HQ to add
to the others. We could have the first show here in the autumn to start the ball
rolling and I will coordinate with group leaders (or members wishing to set one
up in their area in the hope of attracting enough new members and having a local
group set up there too!). A lot to get your heads around with this one but I
think it will work really well and can only be a good way to draw more members
into the fold and increase our postage and stationery funds while having some
fun at the same time. If we decided to stop doing it or drastically change the
way we did it in future then these particular scenes could be donated to
orphanages or children's homes in the end.
2. Bags of Love for women's shelters -
this idea was given to me by one of the members who suggested we should help out
with the challenge to make teddies and blankets for Refuge the charity that
takes in and helps abused women and their children. Having looked at the
challenge I saw they were asking for a donation of at least £5 to take part
(this was to be a donation in exchange for downloadable patterns for a teddy and
a blanket which were to be made and sent in to Refuge). Knowing that most of us
do not have a lot of extra money set me thinking - there are organisations like
this close to most of us - Refuge is only one of them but of course they will be
included in this challenge along with any others we find - I thought we could
use the principles of our Bags of Love and make up bags filled with items for a)
Mums b) Babies c) children 1 - 3 , 2 - 4, 5 - 7 and 8 - 10 years along the lines
of shoe boxes - when taken into these homes these women and children have most
likely been through long periods of physical and mental abuse and the final
trauma of having to be torn away from the homes and neighbourhoods they know and
landed in a hostel probably with very little of their own possessions and having
to suddenly share living/bathing/eating space with lots of strangers while
always looking over their shoulders worrying in case the men they are hiding
from might find them again must be so dreadful. If the hostel staff can help by
providing them with these bags containing basics such as toiletries, night wear,
underwear, books, toys, maybe a matching hat, scarf and gloves or mitts - simple
things they might not have with them but that will let them see that others care
and want to give them a virtual hug. I would think these bags should be about
the size of a pillowcase (room here for the creative among you to add
drawstrings to pillowcases so they can be reused this way as well ;0) I am sure
we will get loads of feedback and ideas about this one as too - I do know quite
a few of our ladies have worked in similar settings so will be great to give us
first hand advice as to what items to include etc.
3. Now don't laugh at me folks - my next
is our new animal challenge - after reading in a couple of knitting magazines
about knitted and crocheted nests being used in Virginia and other parts of the
US I was intrigued and had to find out more. I have chatted to a couple of SSPCA
officers here and they too think it is a great idea. You see when the rescue
centres are trying to save tiny baby animals it is best to have them in an
environment that is as similar as possible to nature in order to give them the
best possible chance of survival. They have been used very successfully for not
only tiny baby birds but also for small mammals like squirrels, rabbits, hares
etc. These nests are knitted or crocheted in a very thick and close knit yarn
(from the pattern usually two or three strands of yarn together to create a very
dense nest with no wee holes or gaps that tiny claws, legs or beaks could get
caught in and damaged) the main patterns I have found are from our old china
Bev's Country Cottage so the instructions are US based - I am sure it won't take
long for some of you to create other designs that will work just as well - the
important things apart from the density and lack of holes as mentioned above -
seem to be that they need to be round or oval in construction and thick enough
so they will stand up by themselves forming the 'nest' inside. I have copied the
Bev's Country Cottage patterns below for you - one for knitting, one for crochet
and one for knitting loom - I am sure we will soon have links for others or new
designs made by members available on the forum too ;0)
PATTERNS
CROCHETED Artificial Bird Nest
Several yards of Worsted weight yarn. Hold 2 or 3 strands together for a TIGHT stitch!
Size H hook
Starting ring: Crochet 3 chains using 2 or even 3 strands of yarn held together, and slip stitch last chain to first chain to make a loop or ring.
Round 1: Chain 2 (this counts as your first 'stitch), work between 10 - 15 single crochets into the ring (depending on what thickness yarn you are using). Slip stitch the last single crochet to the top stitch in the chain 2 that started this round.
Round 2: Chain 2. Single crochet into each of the next two stitches, then do 2 single crochet's into the next stitch, single crochet into the next two stitches, then 2 single crochet's in the the next stitch. And on and on around the circle. Slip stitch your last single crochet into the top of the chain 2 that started this round.
Round 3, 4, 5, 6, and on: Repeat Round 2 over and over, until your circle is at least 3'' big. You can make your nest with a bottom as small as 3'' big, up to maybe 6'' big.
Once you have made the bottom of the nest from 3'' to 6'' big, from all rounds thereafter, crochet ONE single crochet into each stitch. You will see your 'sides'' begin to form. Crochet until the sides are about 2 - 3'' high. Bind off and weave in loose ends
**************************************************************************************************
KNITTED Artificial Bird Nest
Directions:
On size 5 dpn's cast on 54 stitches using 2 or 3 strands of yarn so the nests are tightly knit and will stand up in a bowl shape on their own! (divide sts up into 18 sts/needle). Work in knit (stockinet is automatic on dpn's) stitch for approximately 3 inches. Begin decreasing for the crown as follows:
Next row: *K 7, k 2 tog* repeat to end
Next row: *K 6, k 2 tog* repeat to end
Next row: *K 5, k 2 tog* repeat to end
Next row: *K 4, k 2 tog* repeat to end
Next row: *K 3, k 2 tog* repeat to end
Next row: *K 2, k 2 tog* repeat to end
Next row: *K 1, k 2 tog* repeat to end
Clip off yarn leaving a tail of about 6 inches.
Using yarn needle, slide yarn needle under all stitches on needles, and draw tight to close up the end. Knot.
Make sure the nest can stand up in a bowl shape on it's own!
**********************************************************************************
LOOM KNITTED NESTS
These must be very tightly knitted.
Using a newborn sized loom, and 2 - 3 strands of worsted weight or rug yarn held together, wrap the loom 3 times around.
Now lift 1 wrap over 2 (double stitch) around.
Wrap again so there are 3 wraps.
Continue lifting 1 wrap over 2 wraps until nest is about 3 inches from first row.
Remove using gathering method like you would for a hat. Weave in ends of yarn to hide.
Push the top down a little to make it nest like.
*******************************************************************************************
4.
Recycle your bras
!!!! Our own dear Mary (lostmathread) has asked me to include this appeal for
your unwanted bras. Apparently if you donate your bras (no matter how washed out
they are - provided the clips and clasps still work properly ) to the breast
talk appeal they then give them to a recycling firm who sell them on to traders
in a third world country to sort and make available to the ladies over there who
need them. The money raised from this recycling (£1 a kilo) is donated to breast
cancer uk and they have raised well over £8,000 so far doing this. So - although
it is not one of our usual types of challenges - I am sure most of us know women
who have suffered the devastation of breast cancer or who have had it ourselves
so nobody will mind a slight deviation from our usual ways. If anyone has
treated themselves to new bras or even if it is just time to sort out the
underwear drawers and get rid of all the old stuff stuck in the back that is
never worn or that you bought that didn't fit but couldn't be bothered to take
it back - get it out and send it in by the end of this challenge and we will
endeavour to send them a huge box of bras to boost the amount raised for charity
and give these ladies more to choose from at the third world end
;0)
Phew !!!! So there you
go girls - scenes to build, nests to make, bags of love to fill and even a place
for your old 'over shoulder boulder holders' - of course we will continue to
need all of the items on the wish lists, especially baby blankets, burial items
and boobs - and as I fill boxes of scarves and blankets for Cyrilyn and
Operation Orphan over the year they will be sent down so if none of the
challenge items pull your chain then you just carry on and make what you will -
every stitch is needed and will be sent to a worthy and much appreciated
recipient as soon as it lands here ;0)
Now off to post this up
on the forum and then get ready to go out for tea - will have to get the updates
for the web pages ready later to send to Pam to work her magic. In the meantime
- thank you for your patience - normal service has been restored - hopefully
xxx
LOVING
HANDS
SUMMER CHALLENGES
29/4 TO 21/7 2012
Phew
- here we are at last folks - sorry to have kept you all hanging
on tenterhooks but by the time I collected Johnny from work
at 11pm last night I was sooooo tired I just had to get off
to bed so I would have the energy for the coffee morning this
am ;0)
Our last challenges seem to have gone through
so fast - it seems like just yesterday I was sitting here doing
this last time and yet here we are again!
The last three
months have been such a roller coaster of emotions for all of
us with tragic losses and saying goodbye to dear friends - we
have pushed through though and now that the summer is coming
in (well it is here this morning as the sun is beating in the
window onto the back of my neck and reflecting off my screen
as I type!) we will be able to give ourselves a shake and get
on with the important things that we all do so well ;0)
Our
last challenges have been very well supported - Mayflower will
be grinning down from her cloud when she sees how you have smashed
her challenge - we have already had over 2000 items from her
patterns and there are lots of boxes and parcels to come in
yet from the spring challenges!
I have also
been sending in Sands blankets and Boobs to the charities as
I fill boxes - have sent over 100 Sands blankets off in the
last few weeks and also shipped out over 300 boobs in the same
space of time - I know that Linda (Lindyf) has a nice pile of
boobies to send in as she has been very kindly stuffing them
for us - I also have about another 100 here that my youngest
daughter and grandkids are stuffing for me to add to the pile!
Just in time too as we have had another health board make
a specific request for a nice big box full ;0)
Our request
for fidget aprons and mats has resulted in some amazing items
arriving here in HQ - you will be blown away by the inventiveness
of some of the stitchers when you see what they have managed
to create in response to this request. I have had about
10 in so far and am looking forward to seeing how many more
arrive in the next couple of weeks ;0)
Right - so what
have I got in mind for you for the Summer challenge period????
If you have just logged on you will see that I have just
set up the section on the forum for our 5th Birthday present
swap - many thanks to DawnT for volunteering her services again
(hope I didn't break your wrist as I twisted your arm up your
back dear twinnie;0) she will be along herself to give you all
the information you need to take part in the present exchange
- these have proved to be very successful over the last couple
of years with swaps going on for our birthdays in June and also
for Secret Santa at Christmas!
In two weeks' time (Saturday
12thMay) we also have the Knitting Only Show up at Perth which
is to be attended by lots of members again this year - many
of you are travelling up to Scotland from all corners of the
UK (and France!) to attend the show and meet up with other members.
We are going to sneakily take over a corner of the hall
again and have our wee demonstrations - don't know what else
will transpire but I have promised to demonstrate loopy knitting
and knitting in lace techniques myself - I am sure others will
be coerced into crochet lessons and more besides on the day
;0) Evening will find us in Dunfermline for dinner at
6.30 - venue to be arranged as soon as everyone who wishes to
come along has let me know as where we go will depend on numbers.
I think we have about twenty signed up for dinner at the
moment so if any more of you will be attending a) the show and/or
b) the dinner at night - please let me know so I can add your
names to the lists;0)
I am also holidaying in Staffordshire
this year (arriving at the Ramshorn Estates just across the
field from Alton Towers on Friday 29thJune) the plan is to hold
an impromptu Loving Hands meeting with lunch at our holiday
lodge on the Thursday when we are down there (5thJuly meeting
at 1pm) which the Shires group ladies and anyone else close
enough to get there are hopefully going to come along to - again
if you can give me an idea of how many of you are coming along
it would be great - I am really looking forward to combining
my holiday with some fun with lovely friends - there are 14
of us going on the holiday but I will be shipping the family
off to Alton Towers for the day on the Thursday so we can have
fun in peace ;0)
You will also notice that I have launched
the new Scone group onto the forum - many thanks to Penny (Pens
Pins) who is the group leader for that one - the ladies of Scone
Craft Group have been making things for us for a while now and
the items have been delivered to me by Penny - they have now
decided to take the plunge and join us as an official group
- Penny will be along to post the day and times but the group
won't be meeting up again until the autumn as they break for
the summer months.
I would love to add a few more groups
to the forum before the end of this challenge so Southwest/Yonks
and others out there can we get heads together and get these
groups launched - it would be lovely to go into the winter months
with another set of new groups to point people towards!
I
have had reporters from Women and Home and also Yarn Forward
magazines in touch in the last week so we are set for some more
publicity soon which always brings an influx of new members!
Huge
thanks to Kathy Ellsmore and her gang of helpers who took our
work to the craft show at Five in Farnsborough and boosted our
membership with their chat and lively demonstrating of what
we are about. It looks as if we might end up with at least
two more groups in the Hampshire area thanks to what they did
that weekend - it was a learning curve for us all and now we
will be so much better prepared if we are asked to attend another
show - well done girls (and Mike xx).
This challenge
shall run from today (29thApril) to the 21stJuly (which also
happens to be my 53rd birthday so will be a double celebration
next time round - end of challenge and my birthday on the same
day;0). I have had to think long and hard about what to
put in this time - I know I like summer projects to be not too
time consuming and portable - also easy to pick up and put down
as the nice weather and holidays can prevent people from wanting
to tackle big projects.
So here we go!
Part
one of this challenge is
to be baby blankets - as I have been sending in the boxes of
baby items to hospitals over the last few months the
constant cry has been 'please can
we have blankets' - an awful lot of them no longer want baby
cardies/hats but most of them seem to be in need of close knit/firm
crochet/stitched blankets from 16 inches to 24 inches square.
They don't work in lacy patterns or open crochet designs
as tiny fingers can get caught up in the weave and this can
cause horrendous damage. We have lots of lovely blanket
designs in the pattern central section that will work really
well - the receiving blankets are great ones for the stitchers
to make from lovely soft fleece or flannelette materials as
well. I can home as many of these blankets as you can
all make and with them being mostly simple designs they will
be perfect to lift and lay - pack into your holiday suitcases
- work at on the beach etc.
Part
two - I was approached by
a lovely guy called John who had been speaking to Sue (Tinyholt)
about our work. John helps an organisation called Priateli
http://priatelivt.com/
which means 'friends' in Bulgarian. As you will
see from the link above this is a group of people who work tirelessly
to help orphanages and people in need in Bulgaria - John tells
me they have a need for items to add to Christmas boxes and
to distribute to the locals - things like hats/scarves/gloves/mitts/kiddies
jumpers and cardies/toys apparently there is another kind gent
who travels over there from Scotland two or three times a year
with his caravan in tow and he will hopefully collect the items
we make for Priateli and take them with him at the end of the
Summer which would mean no postage to get them there either
- bonus;0)
Part
three - having researched
animal welfare needs I find that the shelters are always in
need of larger sizes in dog coats - from 18 inches upwards -
I get lots of small coats and pet beds in but making bigger
ones takes more time and materials so we don't get many - can
we maybe create some large sizes? Big enough for lurchers/greyhounds/staffies
?? Here is a link to dozens of patterns for these and we also
have lots more in our pattern central on the forum as well -
I know we have lots of animal lovers amongst our ranks who are
always delighted to have a creature feature in our challenges
;0) http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/pets.php
So there we have
it - don't want to overload you all at this time of year;0)
Hopefully there will be items on here to please you all.
Looking forward to the knitting show, birthday gift swap
and meeting everyone in Staffordshire in July! Fingers
crossed that I can be launching new groups as well as we go
along - my dream is to have groups within reach of everyone
who wants to attend one!
Hope I have managed to give
everyone something to work on - remember these are just challenges
for fun and the items on the wish lists are always needed as
well so there is no need for anyone to be bored or lacking in
inspiration xxxxx
The Gaffer ;0)
******************************************************************************************************
Loving Hands Spring Challenges
2012
Sun 29th January - Sat
28th April
OMG - Where has the time gone! I can't believe we are already at the end of
another challenge - although the piles of parcels in my hallway waiting to be
opened should have been a clue ;0)
I am sitting here typing up these
challenges and I feel so unprepared this time - although I have been busy making
phone calls and checking up on needs and wants in preparation for this day
;0)
Right - this last quarter has been a
sad time for all of us so hopefully the spring coming in will herald a time of
new beginnings and happiness for everyone - including our
charities.
My main challenge this time is one
that you will all relate to I hope - simple quick and easy to do but I imagine
with a few tears along the way - right I will get started and tell you what I
have in mind ……….
Challenge number one is in memory of
our dear Mayflower who sadly passed away in December. As those of you who have been members for a
while will know, Angie was a wonderful member and a dear friend to us all - her
legacy to us were the patterns she wrote and gave to us to use for our
work. There is actually a 'Mayflower'
pattern section in our Loving Hands Patterns on the forum (access is only
available if you are registered as a full member and are signed into forum using
your username and password at the time).
I had quite a few of you asking if we could include these in this
challenge so here we go - I would love to collect 1000 of Mayflower's items to
send out to the hospitals we support - I have added the Angel Claire Bodywarmer
pattern and another of Angie's designs to this post and there are lots more to
choose from on the forum pattern section.
I feel sure that you will all be happy with this choice
xxx
Mayflower's Angel Claire
Bodywarmer
Claire asked me for this pattern which is based on the Ray of
Hope Angel Gown. Unfortunately I sent her the wrong instructions first time
round and she ended up with a rather odd shaped garment. So here is the correct
pattern named after her (with apologies to Thomas Hardy).
4PLY WILL GIVE YOU A
TINY PREEMIE GARMENT
DK RESULTS IN A PREEMIE SIZE
CHOOSE YOUR NEEDLE SIZE
RECOMMENDED ON THE BALL OF THE YARN YOU ARE USING
Begin at the neck edge
and cast on 27 stitches loosely.
Rows 1 and 2 : Knit.
Row 3: K2
yfwd K 2tog(for buttonhole) K to end
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: K4, (k2, yfwd) 8
times, k7. (35 sts)
Row 6: K4, purl to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 7: K4, (k3,
yfwd) 8 times, k7. (43 sts)
Row 8: K4, purl to last 4 sts, k4.
Keeping the
4 stitches at each end of each row in garter st, continue in stocking stitch,
increasing as set, until there are 75 stitches. The last increase row will
be:
Row 15: K4, (k7, yfwd) 8 times, k7. (75 sts)
Row 16: Knit.
Row 17:
Knit.
Row 18: Knit
Row 19: K11, cast off 15, k22, cast off 15, k10. (45
sts)
Row 20: K4, purl to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 21: ,K2 yfwd K2 tog(for
buttonhole) m1, by picking up the loop between the last and next stitches and
knitting into the back of it, (K1, m1, K2,m1) to last 5 sts, K1, m1, k4. (71
sts)
Row 22: K4, purl to last 4 sts, k4.
Continue in st st with garter st
borders for a further 16 rows
Work 6 rows rib with a garter stitch
border.
(Make buttonhole in third row)
Cast
off.
MAYFLOWER'S LAZY WEEKEND JACKET AND BOOTEES
NB Choose your needles
according to the thickness of yarn you are using - generally OLD FASHIONED SIZES
10s and 8s, 9s and 7s or 8s and 6s (some DK will take these larger needles and
results in a lighter garment which isn't too restricting).
JACKET
Begin with the Sleeves (work 2!)
With finer needles
cast on 23
Work 6 rows rib
Change to larger needles
Work 12 rows in
stocking stitch (increase each end of 3rd and 7th rows = 27 stitches)
13th
row - Cast off 3, work to last 3 stitches, cast off 3
Leave these 21 stitches
on a spare needle.
Work the Main Part
With larger
needles cast on 73
Work a 6 rows garter stitch
Work 24 rows in pattern
as follows
1st pattern row - K8 *P1,K3 rep from * to last 5 sts K5
2nd
pattern row - K4, purl to last 4 sts, K4
25th Row - Work 18 stitches,
cast off 6, work 25 stitches, cast off 6, work to end
26th Row - Work 18
stitches, work across 21stitches from first sleeve, 25 stitches from back, 21
stitches from second sleeve, 18 stitches from left front (103
stitches)
Work the Yoke
1st Row - Work 51 stitches,
K2tog, work to end
2nd and alternate rows - Knit to end
3rd Row - K2 yfwd
k2tog (for buttonhole), (K2, K2tog) to last 4 stitches, K4
5th Row - Work 38
stitches, K2tog, work to end
7th Row - K4, (K2, K2tog) to last 4 stitches,
K4
9th Row - K4, K2tog, K24, K2tog, work to last 6 stitches K2tog, K
4
11th Row - K4, (K2, K2tog) to last 4 stitches, K4
Change to finer
needles
Work 5 rows for the neckband
Make a button hole at the beginning
of the 2nd neckband row
Cast off
Join sleeve and underarm
seams
BOOTEES
With larger needles cast on
28
Work 10 rows in pattern as follows
1st pattern row - *P1,K3 rep from *
to end
2nd pattern row - purl to end
11th row - K12, K2tog, K2tog, K12
12th row - purl to end
13th row - K11, K2tog, K2tog, K11
14th row -
Purl to end
15th row - K10, K2tog, K2tog, K1
16th row - K1 *yfwd K2tog rep
from * to last stitch K1
Work 5 rows garter stitch
Cast off
Join
seam
Using 5.50 hook and double yarn make 70 chain
Thread chain through
eyelets
Part 2 of this challenge is aimed mainly at our stitchers - I have been
inspired by the wonderful work done by Julia and her mum on Shetland and also by
suggestions made in the past by our lovely Fee and Bonnie Jean. As many of you will know Altzheimer's
patients often harm themselves by picking at their arms etc as they fidget about
they will pick at their clothing causing
damage and often undress themselves - this is mainly caused by boredom - to help
alleviate this problem they can be given 'fidget' or activity aprons (or mats that can go on the table in front of
them)
http://www.activitiestoshare.co.uk/p/13/activity-mat-cream
http://www.activitiestoshare.co.uk/p/10/activity-aprons
These links give some ideas of what these are - I am sure you can all
think of lots of different things to add to these bearing in mind safety at all
times. They would also need to be
washable as well. We can expand on this
theme by making mats or quilts in the same vein to be used by mentally or
sensory impaired individuals - we have a deaf and blind home here in Kelty and
they use items to stimulate senses that their patients do have to keep them
occupied while awake. Julia was making a
sensory quilt for her neice which was what gave me the idea to add quilts and
mats to this part of thechallenge.
Part three of this challenge will be our old favourite - quick and easy
to do but always needed - let me have 1000 knitted or crocheted boobs
please - with so many baby shows coming
up in the next few months I have a feeling Nikki will be needing every single
one of them. No need to stick to boring
flesh tones either - we all know how the midwives snap up the lovely brightly
coloured ones! These can be sent in
unstuffed to save on postage ;0)
Double knitting wool - 1 ball (choose your flesh colour!)
similar but darker colour - 1 ball
Pair of 3 ¼ mm needles/UK size 10
Cast on 6 stitches for base of breast
1st row. Knit
2nd row K1
(m1 k1) to end. 11 st
3rd and every alt row to 15th row Purl
4th row K1
(m1 k1) to end. (21 st)
6th row K1 (m1 k2) to end. (31 st)
8th row k1
(m1 k3) to end. (41 st)
10th row K1 (m1 k4) to end. (51 st)
12th row K1
(m1 K5) to end. (61 st)
14th row K1 (m1 K6) to end (71 st)
15th row Knit
16th row Knit
17th row purl
Work, starting with a knit row, st
st for 20 rows
38th row: K1, *K2 tog, K5, rep from * to end
39th and
alternate rows: Purl
40th row: K1, *K2 tog, K4, rep from * to end
Continue to decrease in this way and after 3rd decrease change to darker
wool to
make the areola.
Continue decreasing until the K1, *K2 tog, from
* to end has been worked.
Nipple: st st 4 rows (see below for amendments).
Break yarn, thread through rem stitches, draw up and fasten off.
With work inside out, sew sides together but leave a gap for stuffing.
Gather round cast on sts and sew seam.
In darker wool on the wrong side
of work, make a draw-string stitch around the
base of the nipple, draw up
and fasten off. If this stitch is drawn tightly it makes a
'Page 3'' nipple.
Drawing up less tightly makes a less prominent nipple.
Experiment to get the
type you want. (Wish it were this easy in real life!) NB It is
good to have
a variety of shapes and sizes, just as women do (very flat, very
small/large, inverted etc), so they can see that all can work!
Turn
right side out and stuff. Close seam.
Different sizes of breast can
be made by amending the
pattern, and different firmness achieved by amount
of stuffing.
NB colours are not important but flesh colour is more
realistic.
Part four will be another recurring one - Sands blankets - we all know
how these are always so desperately needed - made in white or cream they are
used to go into the treasured memory boxes given to parents who have lost their
tiny angels. It would be wonderful to be
able to send in 200 of these this challenge ;0)
This lace border makes the easy blanket, very special. Use
the lace all around for a shawl, or on the top edge only for a crib or pram
blanket. The blanket is our basic pattern. This pattern knits to approx. a 24"
square. It will always come square.
250gm of Double Knit Wool in white or
cream and size 8 (UK) - 4 mm needles
BASIC BLANKET
Cast on 1
stitch
Next row :- Make the one stitch into two stitches.
Next row :- Knit
1, into the next stitch make another,3 stitches on needle.
Continue to knit,
ALWAYS knit the first stitch and into the 2nd stitch make another.
Only
increase this way at the BEGINNING of a row
Continue until you have worked 20
inches if you are putting border all the way round, 22 inches if you are just
putting borders top and bottom or 24 inches if it is to go just on the top edge
or no border at all (this should ensure you can complete the blanket with your
250 grms).
Knit 1 row plain.
Next row:- Knit 1, Knit 2 together, Knit to
end of row. Continue this way, always knit the 1st stitch then decrease into the
next stitch by knitting 2 together until 1 stitch remains. You should now have a
neat square.
LACE EDGING
Using Double Knit and size 8 (UK) needles
Cast on 8 stitches
Row 1 ( Wrong side) Slip 1, Knit 1,(Yarn fwd knit 2
tog)twice, Yarn fwd Knit 2 (9sts)
Rows 2, 4, and 6. Slip 1 Knit to the
end.
Row 3. Slip 1, knit 2 (yarn fwd knit 2 tog) twice. Yarn fwd Knit 2
(10sts)
Row 5. Slip 1, knit 3 (yarn fwd knit 2 tog) twice. Yarn fwd Knit 2
(11sts)
Row 7. Slip 1, knit 4 (yarn fwd knit 2 tog)twice . Yarn fwd Knit 2
(12sts)
Row 8. Slip 1, Knit 11 sts
Row 9. Slip 1 Knit 11 sts Row 10 cast
off 4 Sts Knit to the end ( 8sts) These 10 rows form the pattern. Continue in
pattern until it is long enough to fit one edge, or all around, as you wish. Sew
onto the blanket
WINTER CHALLENGES
23/10/11
TO 29/1/11
I cant believe we are here again already!!!! Where have
the last few months gone to??? Choosing these new challenges has been
very difficult - I have had suggestions from members which have been great and
I have had suggestions that sound good but when we look at them they do not
fit our ethos (we do not provide things to be sold and only give items to charities
and groups that deliver them directly to the people or animals who need them
most).
Having thought long and hard about it I have finally come up with
the following - deep breath here - hope I have chosen wisely ;0)
1. I
have had contact from Alison (the lady who brought us baby cardies for Sri Lanka
and Uniforms for Springs of Life School). Alison has had a request to
help girls in Africa who have suffered the horrendous effects of Fistulas following
childbirth/rape/abuse/genital mutilation. These girls suffer these terrible
afflictions. In the case of obstetric fistulas these are most commonly
where a fistula or hole develops between either the rectum and vagina or the
bladder and the vagina. The result of these is leakage from the rectum
or bladder causing unpleasant smells and leakage. In their villages these
girls are often outcasts - classed as 'unclean' and shunned by those around
them. Because of ignorance and lack of proper education they do not realise
that the problem is fixable., Alison's friend is involved with a charity
that carries out the necessary proceedures to correct these conditions and give
these girls back their diginity and quality of life.
She has told Alison
that they are in desperate need of underwear for these girls - brand new ladies
pants to give out to these girls after their surgery. They also need our
wonderful stitchers to get their heads down over their sewing machines and make
them sets of washables (patterns for these are available in our pattern central
area on the forum) we make sets of washable pads, covers and pretty bags to
store them in so that each girl will have the means of keeping clean and odour
free.
2. Again for Alison - we are trying to help Springs of Life
school to keep going so we are aiming to help them to kit out the kids with
uniforms again - we have been collecting lots of uniform items over the year
as they have been sent in - lots of you have been wonderful sending in packs
of school shirts, socks and pants etc over the year so we do have a head
start there ;0) The uniforms consist of Burgundy V neck jumpers
and beanie hats (knitted or crocheted by our lovely members), or burgundy sweatshirts,
white short sleeved school shirts/blouses, black school trousers (girls and
boys), black gym shoes, black school shoes, black shorts, yellow or red gym
t shirts, white long socks, underpants any colour, burgundy or black gym
bags. All of these for ages 3 to 8 years - there are now 250 pupils in
the school (last year it was just 96) so the need is growing all the time. We
did kit them out completely last year with some to spare so we did them proud.
3.
This year instead of hats for sailors we are going to help the homeless
here at home. Our aim is to provide hats, scarves, gloves, mitts, jumpers,
blankets to The Salvation Army and Crisis here in the UK to be distributed to
those sleeping rough. It is totally beyond my comprehension how awful
it must be to have to sleep out of doors in the winter months. I don't
really see it here but I know from looking online and watching things on tv
that around our cities it is still a very serious issue. With a dreadful winter
forecast this year I felt it was more important than ever that we do what we
can to help.
4. Our animal lovers will really laugh at this one
- I want you to help me create some blankets for orphaned baby elephants
in Kenya ;0) The cold nights are not the only worry - they also need to
be shielded from the sun by day to stop them getting sunstroke. The blankets
they get are very precious to them and they appreciate every one. I am
awaiting confirmation of the normal dimensions of these blankets but I think
if we make 12 inch squares for these we should find it easier to assemble them.
Well
I hope I have done enough to get your attention. Obviously those who do
not want to take part in challenges - as always - keep on going making your
favourites - we always need everything on our wish lists so if you prefer making
baby clothes, boobs, sands blankets etc - keep on going - we need every stitch.
Right
- I will let you get on with it and wait for the comments ;0)
The
Gaffer xxx
***************************************************************************************************************************
LOVING HANDS
Autumn Challenges Sun 24/7 to Sat 22/10
Here we go folks it is that time again ;0) Cant
believe where the time has gone to this challenge - it seems like just yesterday
I was sitting here typing the last one ;)
The parcels are flowing in
thick and fast this week and it looks like we are going to have a wonderful
collection again - our charities will be delighted! I just posted 100
parcel lists and photos in the donations section and have a whole office full
ready and waiting for Kelly and I to unpack them on Tuesday (LOL - I say Kelly
and I - she does the opening, sorting and photographing while I sit here with
my pen and paper and laptop and catalogue everything ;0) THANK YOU darling
daughter for all your hard work - I couldn't keep going without you ;0) And
THANK YOU Roxy too for keeping the kids amused and doing housework etc so we
can concentrate on the parcels ;0)
So - I hope you are all ready for
the coffee morning - I will be signed on at 10am all ready to chat - make sure
all you dieters have weighed in before you sign on so you can report all your
wonderful losses ;0)
Here we go then - what has your Gaffer got planned
for you all this time??????
I am thinking small and portable projects - I
have been hoping we might get an Indian Summer this year to make up for all
the awful weather we have had so far. I thought it would be good if we
had challenges that are easy to take out with you if you are on holiday or having
a day in the park or at the beach so small and easy to carry were what was on
my mind.
Number 1.
We could use a massive BOOB injection so could we maybe get on and make
a pile of these?
Nikki has now taken over from Avril at Tommee Tippee and
is going round the baby shows again and we also get direct requests from hospitals
and health boards to supply them by the hundred so they are always in great
demand. Remember we do not need to stick to realistic 'flesh' tones -
the midwives say the nice colourful ones go down a treat - our Christmas and
Easter ones were a great hit! Remember you can send them in 'flat' and
Kelly will stuff and finish them off here ;0) I am hoping to get 500 of
these ;0)
Number 2.
Our list of requests for prem baby and burial items is growing all
the time. Cuddles, Sands and lots of hospitals and pathology labs and morticians
are in need. It would be great to be able to respond to every request straight
away so if we could have ;- burial gowns and bonnets, hooded wraps, tiny
blankets 10 or 12 inches, sleeping bags, tiny hats, pairs of tiny teddies or
other toys, Sands blankets, prem cardies from 10 inches to 16 inches chest,
prem hats vent bonnets, angel pockets (sewn preferably for these because of
absorbency problems), prem blankets from 16 to 24 inches and cribs. If
we could aim for 100 Sands blankets and as many of the others as we can ;0)
Number
3. For our furry friends we have had enquiries
from a few dog and cat homes (Battersea included) for cat toys - the link to
the page with patterns at Battersea website is here - http://www.battersea.org.uk/about_us/whats_new/cat_knitting.html
Perry likes to make cat toys for us a lot and she uses cat nip to make
them even more appealing to the pussy cats. Apparently they get
a huge influx of cats, having kittens every year and they like to have toys
to keep them amused ;0)
Number
4. Shoe box time again as well - we will collect
the usual items, hats/scarves/gloves/mitts/socks/glove puppets etc, toiletries,
writing pads, pens, colouring books, pencils, toiletries, razors, etc, etc.
No food except sweets and they have to be wrapped in packets with a sell
by date of March 2012 or later. Items for all ages they do boxes for categories
boy/girl 3 to 7, boy/girl 8 to 12, teenage boy/girl, man or woman and elderly
woman.
Number 5.
Portsmouth group have been asked for 500 teddies for tragedy with their
bags for a charity down there. I have offered to ask you all to help out
with this. When you make them send them in here to HQ as Molly and Lynn
do not have storage room to keep them ;0) I will send them direct to the
collection point as we fill boxes ;0) As always if you do not want to
stuff them and put on faces - send them in 'flat' and faceless and Kelly will
work her magic on them. If we can get 250 of these it would go a long way to
help these groups out ;0)
So there you go - no great surprises this time
and mostly very small and portable projects to keep you interested. Hope
you are all happy with my choices - if not don't forget we always have the wish
lists and I have now pinned the post to the top of the Important Read this First
part of the forum so it should always be first on the list ;0) Easier
to find that way ;0)
SPRING CHALLENGES 2011
Sun 29/1 to Sat 30/4
Here we go then - the new Spring Challenges for 2011. I am on the ball this
time (no choice in the matter as we are having our online coffee morning to help
the postage funds this morning too! Wouldn't be a lot of help having a chat to
iron out any questions re the challenges if I hadn't even posted it up
yet!).
I did want to include our troops in this challenge but so far have not found
the necessary details to do so - rest assured I am working on this and should
include them in one of our later challenges once I know if there is a need and
will they accept our items. If any of you have a contact with one of
these agencies and I can be assured they meet our criteria it would be
perfect.
Now - what do I have up my sleeve for you all this time!
Once again there will be two main challenges to this one.
1/ I had a lovely letter from Blythswood thanking us for all the great
donations of knitting etc we have given them this year. The lady went on to say
that they are desperately trying to get more aid off to Romania. Seems the
temperatures there are dropping to minus 30 and there is such great need for all
types of assistance there. She told me of a grandmother with 10 grandkids living
in a shack with a leaky roof and no heating in these sub zero conditions!
So - I would like you to make anything warm for these poor people - you have
loads of scope here - all age groups from babies and toddlers right up to OAPs -
hats, scarves, gloves, mitts, neck warmers, lap rugs, blankets, jumpers,
cardigans - anything you like that will bring some warmth and comfort into the
lives of these people.
2/ Help the animals;- There will be two sections to this one - the first part
is to make dog coats, pet beds and blankets - I know a lot of you love to help
our furry friends - when I dropped of some bags of blankets at the SSPCA centre
on Friday the girls were delighted - apparently they have had desperate requests
from some of the staff at the shelters for more items to keep the rescued dogs
and cats warm in the terrible winter we have been having. Suzanne has been
turning old duvets into pet beds recently using old duvet covers to make covers
for them - I think she said she gets about 6 out of one double duvet and
stitches the covers onto them to make comfy sleeping pads. I am sure there are
lots of great ideas out there in Loving Hands Land for quick and easy ways to
help our animal friends!
The other part of our animal challenge is a special one for our stitchers -
WSPA the animal charity are desperate for fluffy nosebands for equines! Here you
go! http://www.wspa.org.uk/Images/NosebandProtectorsneeded_tcm9-10368.pdf
These bands are needed because poor donkeys and horses in places like
Bethlehem and Palestine are suffering because of the materials used to make
their halters rubbing on their noses and causing cuts and sores. These nosebands
are very easy to make using thick soft fabric (fun fur is best) and sew on
Velcro. It is simply a case of cutting your fabric out in 11 inch by 4 inch
pieces - stitch one bit of the Velcro along the inside edge of the 11 inch side
of the fabric and then stitch the other part of the Velcro along the outside
edge of the other long side of the fabric (stitch it on - do not use glue as
this quickly disintegrates). Roll the fabric into a tube by attaching the two
bits of Velcro together and you have a very simple but effective way of saving
these poor creatures from lots of pain and discomfort!
For anyone looking for extra work this quarter Gemma is in need of another 20
pairs of tiny toys for the memory boxes and - as always we could use more boobs
for Tommee Tippee.
OK - there you go - hopefully there is something there for everyone
again.
This challenge ends two weeks before the knitting only show in Perth so if
any of you are coming to the show you can bring along your donations then to
save postage - I get regular opportunities to put our donations on the
Blythswood lorries so can ship our monthly for this one ;0)
******************************************************************************
LOVING HANDS
AUTUMN CHALLENGES
25TH July to 23rd October 2010
Here we are then girlies - so sorry for the delay - I have been in zombie land all day today because of the new tablets the doctor gave me to help me sleep. She did warn me that they would knock out a horse ……… I am now officially a horse ………….
Right I won't mess about but get on with the new challenges - I will post the results of the last challenges later as I know I am in grave danger from the lynch mob heading for Kelty as I type ;0)
I have decided that this will be a 3 part challenge this time - hopefully you will all approve of what I have found ;0)
This challenge will run from now until the 23rd October with the winter challenges hitting the board on Sunday 24th October ;0)
1. The first part of this challenge will be thanks to our dear Dot. A couple of months back I was reading a great book - one of those true story paperbacks that make you cry all the way through. It was called 'Street Kid' and was by a lady called Judy Westwater. The morning after I finished reading it I got a parcel from Dot and in it was a note with a newspaper cutting from the Inverness paper. It was an article about an Inverness lady knitting jumpers for children in Africa - these items were being taken to Africa and being distributed by …….. Judy Westwater - the author of the book I had just finished reading. This had to be an omen - Judy has set up a trust for street kids in Africa called the Pegasus Trust - I contacted her and here is her reply …….
Hello Lou,
Thank you so much for contacting me and thank you also for reading my book. (Which I assume was 'Street Kid' my first book?) I am hopeful that by the sale of my books they will bring about a far greater worldwide awareness as to the desperate plight all our street children continue to face on a daily basis.
Thank you for offering to help our children with delightful knitted goodies. Our children are always so delighted to receive knitted goodies and to know that they have been made especially for them, new and warm thrills them no end.
We take care of children from birth onward. We have shelters for kiddies from birth to six years, and then from six to eighteen, and then from eighteen to twenty four years old. So a huge range of sizes. For our under six shelter all goodies that you have mentioned would be amazing as they do love soft toys, blankets or any item you are happy to make everything would be totally embraced by them. They have never had anything new and they cannot believe that someone from so far away would care enough about them to make something especially for them.
Our kids from six years to eighteen would be thrilled with school jerseys and cardigans in school colours. For a child in South Africa they cannot attend school unless they have the full uniform and many times during winter they do not have warm clothing. They would love anything to wear that is knitted, crocheted or sewn. South African kids love knitwear. The older kids would be the same, for them socks would be fabulous as well as jerseys.
Hope I have given you an insight. But believe me it would not matter what you sent for this every item would be so very much appreciated.
Thank you for your very kind offer. Should you wish to see our clips from my latest visit to South Africa please type in Judy Westwater S.T.V.News and see the latest Scottish news broadcast.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Till then do take care
Very best wishes
Judy Westwater
I think you will all agree that this is a very worthwhile charity for us to help and as Judy has said these kids will be happy with anything we make for them - the great thing on our side also is that Judy lives in Inverness now so I will have a great excuse to meet up with Dot and Ron when I go up to deliver our end of challenge items to Judy ;0) For this I think we can make clothing for all ages, toys, blankets, school jumpers and cardies etc. If any of you have good quality school skirts, shirts, trousers or shorts we could put those in too - lots to choose from! Our stitchers can make kids clothing , toys, quilts etc as well to add to the mix.
2. The second part of our challenge is all thanks to our friend Tricia who runs the Teddies for Tragedies site. She has been in touch asking for our help to get 1,200 teddies complete with bags to help out her causes. She needs 1000 for street kids in Cambodia and 200 for Orphans in Uganda. Once again the addresses for us to get them to are in the UK so no overseas postage for us. Knitters and Crocheters can make the bears and the stitchers can make the bags - patterns etc are here ;0)
Teddies for Tragedies Knitting Pattern
You will need: double knitting wool
main colour for head and paws
trouser colour
jumper colour
scarf colour
Size 10 (3 1/4) needles
Cast on10 stitches in main colour. Knit 10 rows.
Change to trouser colour and knit 30 rows.
Measure the length of the leg if it's 3 1/2 ' then
you'll knit a perfect teddy if it's more/less adjust
your needle size.
Knit another leg Then knit across all 20 stitches
and work a further 15 rows.
Change to jumper colour and knit 24 rows.
Change to main colour and stocking stitch (one
row knit one row purl) for 5 1/2 ' (14 cm)
Change to jumper colour and continue to knit in
the reverse order.
Stitch down the sides of the head
Make arms: with jumper colour pick up 8
stitches each side of the neck join (16 stitches).
Knit 20 rows then change to main colour and
knit 10 rows for paws, repeat for the other arm.
Scarf: Cast on 75 stitches, knit 4 rows. Cast off
loosely.
Weave in all loose ends and sew up the teddy
leaving an opening in the crotch for stuffing.
Sew across the top corners of the head to make
ears before stuffing. Stuff your teddy with clean,
new polyester stuffing (BS1425 or BS5852).
Run a thread through the knitting to make a neck
and draw it in, knot the ends and weave the in
the excess. Embroider a smiley face. Use small
stitches, (back-stitch and stem-stitch) and ensure
all the ends are firmly finished.
Sew the scarf to the back of the neck of the teddy
so it won't get lost, but only at the back to
increase the possibilities for play.
Make a simple drawstring bag
The bag should be big enough for a teddy (12 - 13'' long and 9 - 10'' wide).
Turn over and stitch a casing at the top leaving a gap at the side, for the drawstring.
Use only one drawstring. Instructions for making twisted yarn drawstrings from oddments of yarn can be
found on the website: www.teddiesfortragedies.org.uk
Check List
1. Teddies should be approximately 10'' tall. To check tension, measure the first leg, if it's 3 1/2''
then teddy will be the right size, if not, adjust your needle size.
2. Please adhere to the pattern, as we do like the teddies to be the same to avoid jealousy, i.e. no
added hat, skirts, bags etc. Stripes are OK particularly when using up duller colours.
3. When drawing in the neck please weave wool though the knitting, starting at the centre back.
Knot the ends together. Do not wind surplus wool round the neck as a child could put their fingers
underneath it and break it and perhaps pull the wool out and chew it.
4. Leave the scarf free at the front so child can tie and untie it. Do not use ribbon round the neck.
5. Please embroider mouth in stem stitch or backstitch so that the child cannot pull it out.
6. Stuff fairly firmly. With the amount of play the teddy gets, if there is not enough stuffing, it could
be shaken down to one end.
7. Don't put teddy in the bag, all teddies have to be checked and this saves time.
CROCHET TEDDY - Updated Pattern 2010
You will need
NEW double knitting yarn and a size 4.00 crochet hook
Main colour yarn for paws and head, one colour for trousers, one for jumper and one for scarf, black
yarn for eyes, nose and mouth.
One completed Teddy (unstuffed) weighs approx 35g.
Non-allergic stuffing to BS1425 / BS5852
Measurements are approximate - your stuffed Teddy will be about 25/26 cm (9.5''/10'') high.
Abbreviations: ch = chain, dc = double crochet.
First Leg (20 rows: 6 for paw, 14 for trousers)
With Paw yarn, make 10 ch
Row 1: 1dc into 2nd ch from hook. Dc to end of row (9dc). 1ch to turn.
Row 2: 1dc into each dc, 1ch, turn.
Work 4 more rows of dc as per row 2 (approx 2.5cm) omitting turning ch at the end of the last row.
Cut paw yarn, hook Trouser yarn through loop on hook. 1ch to turn. (Join all new colours this way)
Work 14 rows of dc (6.5 cm) for trouser leg.
Teddy's leg should be 9cm or 3.5'' long for the perfect finished size.
Fasten off and cut yarn, leaving a long end for sewing up.
Second Leg
Repeat as for first leg but do not fasten off. 1ch to turn.
Trouser Top (8 rows)
Row 1: Work another row of dc across second leg, joining on and crocheting across the first leg to
join both together (18dc). 1ch to turn.
Work 7 more rows of dc (4 cm).
Jumper (14 rows)
Cut trouser yarn (leave a long end for sewing up), hook jumper yarn through loop on hook.
1ch to turn.
Work 14 rows of dc (6.5 cm) for jumper.
(To make 2 stripes on the jumper, work these on rows 7 & 8, and 11 & 12, using trouser or scarf
colour)
Head (28 rows)
Cut jumper yarn, hook head yarn through loop on hook. 1ch to turn.
Work 28 rows of dc (13 cm) for head.
Jumper
Cut head yarn (leave a long end for sewing up), hook jumper yarn through loop on hook.
1 ch to turn.
Work 14 rows of dc for jumper.
Trouser Top
Cut jumper yarn (leave a long end for sewing up), hook trouser yarn through loop on hook.
1ch to turn.
Work 8 rows of dc for trouser top.
First Leg
Row 1: 9dc, 1ch, turn
Work across these 9dc for a total of 14 rows
Cut trouser yarn (leave a long end for sewing up), hook Paw yarn through loop on hook (leave a long
end for sewing up).
1ch to turn.
Work 6 rows of dc for paw and fasten off.
Second Leg
Re-join yarn to middle of last long row and repeat the above to make the second leg.
(leave a long end when you start the paw, for sewing up)
Sew up the Head
Fold Teddy in half and over-sew the sides of the head, starting at the jumper end. Create the ears by
stitching diagonally across about 4 stitches at the top of the head on each corner.
Arms (16 rows: 10 for jumper, 6 for paw)
From where the head joins the jumper, count down 8 holes (about half way down the jumper).
Row 1: With Jumper colour and right side facing, pick up and work 8dc into these holes up to the
head and then 8dc down the other side towards the waist. 1 ch to turn.
Row 2: 1dc into each dc, 1ch, turn
Work 10 rows in total as per row 2, omitting turning ch at end of last row.
Cut jumper yarn (leave a long end for sewing up), hook Paw yarn through loop on hook (leave a long
end for sewing up).
1 ch to turn.
Work 6 rows of dc for paw and fasten off.
Sewing up the Body
Ensure all ends are woven in firmly.
Using appropriate colours of yarn and the long ends you have left, oversew all seams leaving an
opening at the crotch for stuffing.
Stuff Teddy and then sew up the opening.
Finishing Off
Thread a piece of teddy yarn around the neck, pull up to create the neck/head and tie firmly, weaving
in the ends.
Embroider eyes, nose and smiley mouth in black yarn.
Scarf (4 rows)
In a contrasting colour make 70ch
1dc into 2nd chain from hook, dc to end, 1ch to turn.
Work 3 more rows, fasten off.
Weave in ends, tie around Teddy's neck and stitch very firmly across back of neck
Make a bag
When choosing material for bags, remember the brighter the fabric the better. Children always go for the bright colours and thinner fabric is less bulky, so there'll be room for more teddies.
The Bag Make a bag big enough for a teddy - 30 x 22.5cm (12-13" x 8-9").
There are few rules, but bags are important and need to be made to last as long as the teddies.
Use pinking shears, or make up using French (double seams) if the material is likely to fray.
Turn over a casing on the inside and stitch, leaving a small gap to take the drawstring.
Use only one drawstring long enough to allow the bag to fully open, plus a couple of inches. If you'd need to buy cord or ribbon try making them. All you need is some small oddments of wool or crochet cotton.
The instructions on how to make drawstrings are by popular request.
When giving teddies to a collector leave the teddies out of the bags. All teddies and bags are checked and it does save time. Making Drawstrings Measure approximately 3 metres of yarn(3 times nose to outstretched hand).
Knot the ends and hook the loop over e.g. a door handle. Put a pencil through the loop and keeping the cord tight turn the pencil (an empty cotton real threaded onto the cord, makes it much easier to turn the pencil, though care must be taken removing it at the end).
Occasionally release the tension a fraction, if the cord immediately twists back on itself it's ready. Don't be tempted to stop too soon a loose cord will unravel. With cord tight again hang a heavy object (most can-openers are good for this) in the centre and bring the ends together maintaining the tension. Holding the 2 ends, lower the weight and watch it spin! Don't let it start untwisting, just drop the weight to the floor, remove it and knot both ends of the cord.
Check that the length of your first one is correct for your bags, the finished length will depend on the yarn you use and the length of your arms!
Remember - if you can knit the teddies with their scarves but don't want to be sewing up and finishing them off then do keep making them and send them in unfinished and Kelly will do the honours here for you ;0)
3. Part three of the challenge will be for our shoeboxes for Blythswood Care - the usual items and fillings for these. I have been keeping all of the shoeboxes that come in here this year so the attic is stuffed with them ready to be wrapped and filled again for this winter. The age groups and suggested contents are as follows ;-
Shoe Box Appeal 2010
In 2009 Blythswood gathered 128,000 filled shoeboxes that were sent too many countries in eastern Europe as well as to India and Pakistan.
Girl 3-7 d
Girl 8-12 d
Teenage Girl d
Woman d
Elderly Woman d
Boy 3-7 s
Boy 8-12 s
Teenage Boy s
Man s
PLEASE CIRCLE WHO THE BOX IS FOR
CHECKLIST 2010
Please tick items included and firmly secure
this list on your shoebox lid.
Suggested items (all items must be new):
Please do add the essential items listed in red
Find a shoebox. Decide who to fill it for;
a child, a teenager, a man or a woman 1
Secure the lid with rubber bands.
Custom regulations require Blythswood Care
to check the contents of your box.
Deliver your box to your local collection point.L
3 Gather the items and pack them into the box.
Remember that any goods disallowed by
customs will be removed. No foods are
permitted apart from sweets (but no loose
sweets or lollies are allowed or individually
purchased sweets made up into little bags).
* 'Best Before' date no earlier than March 2011
4
On the Checklist, tick the items you have put
in your shoebox and note any that are not on
the list.
5
Secure the ticked checklist to the outside of
the shoebox lid using sticky tape.
Detach the donation envelope as instructed and
place with your donation inside your shoebox.
6
For Christmas delivery your shoebox should be
9 at your collection point by FRIDAY 5 NOVEMBER.
INSTRUCTIONS Tear along the perforation to detach this panel and secure to the outside of your shoebox
Wrap your box and lid separately so that the
lid can be removed without tearing the paper
(see diagram).
2 Toiletries (NO TALCUM POWDER)
Soap/Shampoo
(max 250ml) ...................
Face cloth/ Moist
wipes ................................
Deodorant........................
Moisturising Cream.........
Comb/Brush....................
Sanitary Products............
Shaving foam/Razors......
Toothbrush and
Toothpaste...................
Clothes
Underwear
Socks/Tights....................
Hat/Scarf....................
Gloves........................
Miscellaneous
New Make-up.................
Sewing Equipment ........
Household Candles........
Screwdrivers/Pliers.........
Kitchen Utensils..............
Stationery
Pens/Pencils/
Sharpener.......................
Notepads/
Colouring books...............
Rulers/Rubbers...............
Small Toy.........................
Sweets (No chocolate or any
other food)
?Best Before' date
March 2011 ....................
No loose sweets, lollies or
undated bags of sweets.
Other Items
(T-Shirts/Pyjamas/
Jumpers/Shirts) etc
...................................................
Christian care for body and soul
Please specify
the age of child
you have filled
this box for
..............................
Hopefully I have included something for everyone again and I will not have a lynch mob outside my door in the morning.
Of course if anyone is unhappy with the above then please feel free to join in with my alternative challenge - 1 or 2ply heirloom shawls for babies - I am half way through mine at the moment ;0) (only kidding!)
Happy crafting!!!!!!
Lou
Your Gaffer Twinnie xxxxxx
LOVING HANDS
Summer challenges
25/4 to 24/7 2010
Here we go again then girls. I didn't want to be too cruel and keep you
waiting all day this time (although the Pooter Gremlins have been making it hard
to get onto the forum this morning so I can imagine you are all sitting
screaming at the screens by now ;0)
I have been racking my brains trying hard to think of some different things to give you this time so hopefully I have managed to cover the bases and found you some challenges to both keep you busy and make you smile! ;0)
1. You will all remember the Funsani Blanket project from Winter 2008. We made blankets for Kathy and Brian Henry to take over to Zambia for the Funsani Orphanage and managed to present them with 200 lovely bright blankets to help keep the children warm. Kathy and Brian are heading over there again this year so I asked her to find out if there was anything we could do to help out this time. Here is her reply -
'have spoken with Apakombwele about your offer. She thanks you for the offer and says that although what we could take out would be limited, she has plans for other things to go out and that knitted teddies / toys or jumpers for ages up to 15 boy or girl would be most welcome.'
With this request in mind I would like you to make Apakombwele lots of teddies, toys and children's jumpers (up to 15 yrs) . Our stitchers might also like to try making pillowcase dresses for these kiddies - lots of links on the internet and instruction videos etc showing how to make these.
2. SANDS - I know some of you will be groaning at the very mention of SANDS blankets but I have had the following email from Sue and I knew you would all want to help out again:-
'Dear Lou,
I hope that things are well with you. Thank you ever so much for the support from Loving Hands for our 'Always Loved, Never Forgotten' memory boxes. The blankets you have sent through have been really beautifully knitted.
I know that Catherine, who works with me, contacted you a while ago to say that we had sufficient blankets for the time being, but we have had an overwhelming number of hospitals contacting us recently for boxes and out stocks of blankets are running low.
Would it be at possible for you to support us again?
With very grateful thanks
Sue Hale
Group Services Manager
Sands'
A lot of you do enjoy making these blankets and they really do make such a difference to the parents who are given the boxes so if some of you can make SANDS memory blankets white or cream DK using the pattern attached that would be great!
200gm of Double Knit Wool and size 8 (UK) needles
BASIC
BLANKET
Cast on 1 stitch
Next row :- Make the one stitch into two
stitches.
Next row :- Knit 1, into the next stitch make another,3 stitches on
needle.
Continue to knit, ALWAYS knit the first stitch and into the 2nd
stitch make another.
Only increase this way at the BEGINNING of a
row
Continue until you have almost come to the end of the 100gm ball. Knit 1
row plain.
Next row:- Knit 1, Knit 2 together, Knit to end of row. Continue
this way, always knit the 1st stitch then decrease into the next stitch by
knitting 2 together until 1 stitch remains. You should now have a neat
square.
LACE EDGING
Using Double Knit and size 8 (UK) needles Cast on 8
stitches
Row 1 ( Wrong side) Slip 1, Knit 1,(Yarn fwd knit 2 tog)twice, Yarn
fwd Knit 2 (9sts)
Rows 2, 4, and 6. Slip 1 Knit to the end.
Row 3. Slip 1,
knit 2 (yarn fwd knit 2 tog) twice. Yarn fwd Knit 2 (10sts)
Row 5. Slip 1,
knit 3 (yarn fwd knit 2 tog) twice. Yarn fwd Knit 2 (11sts)
Row 7. Slip 1,
knit 4 (yarn fwd knit 2 tog)twice . Yarn fwd Knit 2 (12sts)
Row 8. Slip 1,
Knit 11 sts
Row 9. Slip 1 Knit 11 sts Row 10 cast off 4 Sts Knit to the end
( 8sts) These 10 rows form the pattern. Continue in pattern until it is long
enough to fit one edge, or all around, as you wish. Sew onto the blanket
Remember you can make them plain with no edgings (basic blanket would measure 24 inches), with just one edging along top (basic blanket would be 22 inches) or with border all the way round (basic blanket would be 20 inches) so they are suitable for knitters of all skill levels. Some of our crocheters even adapted the pattern for crochet - I believe the pattern is in our patterns section on the forum ;0)
3. Help the elderly and wheelchair bound - Following on from recent discussions on the forum about the lovely wheelchair wraps made by Barbara and the amazing zimmer bags made by out Portsmouth group I thought it would be nice to help the elderly and disabled this time. I thought we could have a combined challenge in this category. We could make;-
Wheelchair wraps
Shoulder Capes
Bags for Zimmers or Wheelchairs
Lap Rugs
Slippers
Hot Water Bottle Covers
These could be used both here in the UK and for our overseas charities.
4. This one will make you all smile ;0) I wanted to help our animal friends again and after some of the recent comments by our members this again will be a combined challenge ;0)
Coats for Chooks ;0) There is a demand for both sewn and knitted jackets for rescued battery hens - I have attached patterns for both versions here for you ;0)
http://littlehenrescue.co.uk/jumpers.aspx
Knitted Donkeys - I know a lot of you love donkeys so we will make some of the knitted donkeys to help the donkey sanctuary. I have asked for the patterns for both large and small donkeys to be given to us for this project and will post them as soon as I get them (or if any of you already have them you could put them on the patterns page for the others if you like ).
Knitted/crocheted or sewn toys for the SSPCA / Cats Protection - it would also be nice if you have patterns for other animals to make some of those too and they can be donated to the other animal charities to help with fundraising. Cows, Sheep, Pigs, Horses, Hamsters - I am sure we all have a pattern or two for a cute animal we would like to make!
We also always need dog / kitten coats and pet beds so if you don't like making toys then there is still something you can do for our animal friends ;0)
Phew - I am always ever so nervous when I do this - I never know if I have made the right choices and always worry I will upset or offend someone. Hopefully there is something there for everyone to have a go at and don't forget that the red, white and blue challenge for our Heroes will be continuing on till June when the tour begins - Em and Ally will need loads of red, white and blue items, poppies and cupcakes to take with them on this tour ;0)
Off you go and get to work now - I have parcels to open !
Lou xx
****************************************************************************************************************************
LOVING HANDS SPRING CHALLENGES
31ST JAN 2010 - 24TH APRIL 2010
We will need bags - either kids swim bag or gym bag picked up when out
shopping or our stitchers can hand make them and put drawstrings in the top
(like a larger version of the teddy or ST bags you already make).
Items for :- New babies
Toddlers (boys or girls)
3-5 yrs (boys or girls)
6-8 yrs (boys or girls)
9-12 yrs (boys or girls)
Teen (boys or girls)
Lady
Man
OAP (male or female)
Obviously we can also label the bags for hot or cold climates and fill
accordingly as well (the needs in the likes of Kosovo or Albania will differ to
those in Haiti or Kenya for example).
We can add toys, toiletries, writing materials, tools, nappies etc into
these as well as all the hand made with love items we produce. A practical way
to get aid in a ready to use form to those who need it :0)
Your smaller - side - challenges are as follows :0)
1. We have been approached by one of our former clients to give her
another load of prem baby and burial items. Sadly she has run out of what we
gave her before. As well as this I know our Portsmouth group have found a few
SCBU's who are in need of extra things. The lady who contacted me said she
needed prem baby cardies and hats, burial gowns and angel pockets. Pretty,
special blankets. Also small toys that could either be buried with baby or kept
by mum as a keepsake. We also like to have a few lovely shawls and christening
or baptism gowns ready for when we get special requests - not all parents are in
the position to be able to rush out and buy these when faced with tragedy and it
is really nice to be able to provide them with really pretty items for that
final journey.
2. As you know - and a lot of you are already acting on - Avril has run
out of Boobs again! With the baby shows starting up in March she will be in
need of a 'boob injection' in time for the season starting up. All colours and
sizes - you can send them in stuffed or not (Kelly will finish them off for you
here!), They are now giving them out to midwives in exchange for donations to
BLISS (a charity which helps parents who have lost babies to miscarriage or
stillbirth) so we will also be helping to raise funds for a very worthwhile
cause at the same time.
OK - I think that is enough for you all to be getting on with - RWB,
Wigglybags, Bags of Love, Prem and Burial items and Boobs - hope I haven't
disappointed anyone and that you all approve of my choices. (It is always a
nervous time for me waiting to see if you are pleased with what I have chosen)
:0)
AUTUMN CHALLENGES 2009
19TH JULY TO 17TH OCTOBER, 2009
So here we are - time to launch our new challenges to run from today
(19th July) through to Saturday 17th October. I have had
some lovely feedback from the last challenges and requests for our next ones so
it has been hard to choose again what we will ask you to do but here goes - hope
you all approve of my choices :0)
This challenge will once again be in four parts - feel free to do any or all
of them or even just continue with items from our wish lists - there is no
pressure to do the challenge items if you don't like challenges :0)
Part 1. We felt that the gents miss out a lot when we are making things -
there are not as many patterns for mens garments and we tend to make ladies tops
etc so I thought it would be nice to make the men folk our priority for
Blythswood this challenge. You could make anything from hats, gloves and socks
to jumpers, waistcoats and cardigans. There are lots of nice slipover patterns
and I am sure a lot of you are dedicated sock knitters and would love a chance
to show us what you can do. I got the idea for this one from our own dear Granny
Do who has made some lovely waistcoats which are lined in beautiful silky lining
fabric - they are ever so good Do and I know you are going to share your pattern
with Suzanne so she can make some too. Stitchers could make waistcoats like Do
or maybe fleece fabric could be turned into warm scarves or hats. As you have
done so well in this challenge I think you can easily manage 500 items for men
in this challenge :0)
Part 2. An old chestnut again but we are sending them out as fast as we get
them in these days - we need more boobs girls! As well as keeping Tommee Tippee
going for the baby shows and raising lots of money for cancer research we get
lots of requests from individual midwives and hospitals as well so this is an
ideal chance for the new members to get involved in a 'boob job' - you may have
seen the amazing fair isle ones done by the St Mary's Church group the other day
so you will see as far as colours are concerned - anything goes. You can still
send them in ready to be stuffed and Kelly will happily finish them off at this
end. I would love to have 500 of these as well - they are quick and easy to do
and with so many new members I am sure we will reach this target no problem
:0)
Part 3. Blythswood's Shoe Boxes. The reason we do the shoe boxes for
Blythswood is because they make them for all ages from babies to old folk so
nobody misses out. I am not expecting anyone to fill an entire shoebox
themselves but if you are sending in other items you could maybe pop in an item
or two to be included in the boxes. The ages range from babies, children, teens,
men, young woman, older woman. Scotia Aid tell me that Blythswood kindly
transport their items to Serbia in exchange for the Scotia Aid team checking
their shoe boxes every year. Last year Frances tells me she checked over 2000
boxes and that the age group that were very low in numbers were teenage boys.
Hopefully we will manage to fill quite a few for teenage boys this year to help
with those targets. The check list of suggested items is below:-
Toiletries (no talcum powder)
Soap
Shampoo
Face cloths
Wipes
Deodorant
Moisturising Cream
Comb/brush
Sanitary Products
Shaving Foam/razors
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Clothes
Underwear/socks/tights
Hat/scarf
Gloves/mitts
T shirts/jumpers/pyjamas/shirts etc
Miscellaneous
New Make Up
Sewing Equipment
Household Candles
Screwdrivers/Pliers
Kitchen Utensils
Stationery
Pens/pencils/sharpeners
Notepads/colouring books
Rulers/rubbers
Small toys
Sweets (no chocolate or any other food - no loose sweets, lollies or undated
bags of sweets). Best before date no earlier than March 2010.
Age range. Baby boy/girl
3-7 ' '
8-12 ' '
Teen ' '
Woman
Elderly Woman
Man
We will be collecting boxes here and wrapping them in Christmas paper ready
to have a packing day closer to the time for collection.
Part 4. Emma at Algerian Action tells me that a lot of children over there
have to spend months at a time in hospital and away from their families. Most
childrens wards have very little in the way of toys so Emma would like to give
them boxes of toys for each ward. She has asked if members could maybe knit,
crochet or sew toys for the children to play with. I had a thought that as a
team effort we could also make some of the Noahs Ark or Farmyard sets that are
available. I know I have the Alan Dart Noahs Ark pattern here and have just
ordered the Knitted Farmyard book - we could each make one or two bits from each
of these and get a few ready that way. Other ideas could be topsy turvy dolls,
juggling balls, skittles, dolls with clothes you can change etc. Of course there
is nothing wrong with a good old fashioned rag doll or teddy bear either. :0)
Again I won't put a number on these - just let us try to give Emma a good
selection of toys for the children to play with while they are away from their
families.
We also have a wee extra challenge - Pat our Silver Surfer has asked us to
make wee christmas hats for the babies in her loical hospital - they need a
mixture of prem and newborn sizes done in red/green/white - newborn to be
fiished as normal , prem ones to be either tea cosy style or super stretchy with
a gap about 2 inches long left in the side seam for access with equipment. I am
sure we will get lots more rhan 50 so any extra ones we will pass on to other
hospitals as well.
So there you are girls and guys - your new challenges. I hope none of you are
disappointed and that I have given you plenty of choice here. Looking forward to
hearing what you all think of these choices.
Get those needles clicking and lets make this challenge as good as the last
:0)
Lou
Loving Hands Charity
Knitting Group
**************************************************************************************************************************
Update on the Spring Challenge 2009
Now we have the launch of the Summer
2009 Challenges
OK - It is that time again - I know you have all
been waiting for the announcement of the Summer challenges for 2009. These will
run from 12th April right through to 18th July and we will then announce the
Autumn challenges on the 19th July. :0)
This time we are looking for four sections again with items to suit all of your talents whether you knit, crochet or sew for us I am sure you will all find something to get you working like fury - if not then by all means feel free to continue with your favourite items from our wish lists - as you all know already we can always find places for everything we receive at HQ :0)
First off we would like you to help our furry friends - we are looking for Dog Coats, Pet beds and Animal Blankets - these can be knitted, crocheted or stitched - we need all sizes from pussy cats and puppies right up to Great Danes - we would love to get 200 of these if possible xx
We have been approached by SANDS the UK charity that supports bereaved parents - they have launched an appeal for blankets for their precious memory boxes - these blankets need to be made in white (they will also accept cream) DK yarn and 4mm (size 8) pins. Here is the pattern to use:-
200gm of Double
Knit Wool and size 8 (UK) needles
BASIC BLANKET
Cast on 1
stitch
Next row :- Make the one stitch into two stitches.
Next row :- Knit
1, into the next stitch make another,3 stitches on needle.
Continue to knit,
ALWAYS knit the first stitch and into the 2nd stitch make another.
Only
increase this way at the BEGINNING of a row
Continue until you have almost
come to the end of the 100gm ball. Knit 1 row plain.
Next row:- Knit 1, Knit
2 together, Knit to end of row. Continue this way, always knit the 1st stitch
then decrease into the next stitch by knitting 2 together until 1 stitch
remains. You should now have a neat square.
LACE
EDGING
Using Double Knit
and size 8 (UK) needles Cast on 8 stitches
Row 1 ( Wrong side) Slip 1, Knit
1,(Yarn fwd knit 2 tog)twice, Yarn fwd Knit 2 (9sts)
Rows 2, 4, and 6. Slip 1
Knit to the end.
Row 3. Slip 1, knit 2 (yarn fwd knit 2 tog) twice. Yarn fwd
Knit 2 (10sts)
Row 5. Slip 1, knit 3 (yarn fwd knit 2 tog) twice. Yarn fwd
Knit 2 (11sts)
Row 7. Slip 1, knit 4 (yarn fwd knit 2 tog)twice . Yarn fwd
Knit 2 (12sts)
Row 8. Slip 1, Knit 11 sts
Row 9. Slip 1 Knit 11 sts Row
10 cast off 4 Sts Knit to the end ( 8sts) These 10 rows form the pattern.
Continue in pattern until it is long enough to fit one edge, or all around, as
you wish. Sew onto the blanket
We are hoping to be abe to give them 200 to help out
with such a very worthwhile cause which I know is very close to a lot of our
members hearts :0)
Part 3 of our challenge is for summer items for
children - for our knitters this could be cardigans, tank tops, summer tops,
dresses etc. Our stitchers could make pretty dresses, shirts, shorts, trousers
etc. These items will be divided equally between our two childrens charities -
Linda MacDonald and Algerian Action so we would love to be able to send them 200
items each - that means we need 400 childrens summer items
xx
and finally Part 4 - this one is the pet project of
our lovely Suzanne and she has already had a trial run which is off to the
charity for approval so she can then help any of our stitchers who want to take
part - Algerian Action is looking for sanitary towels for girls in their
catchement area who are desperately needing them. You can read all about it in
the 'washables' section on the Algerian Action website. Apparently some of
these poor girls have been reduced to using plastic bags as they do not have the
money to buy towels - in this day and age this is appalling and easily remedied
by providing each girl with a set of washable towels in a handy drawstring bag -
there are instructions on Algerian Action for the wayh Lynne has been making
them or Suzanne has devised a way to make alternatives. We will not put a set
target on these but would like to help as many girls as we possibly can to have
a bit of dignity and comfort back in their lives.
So there you have it folks - another challenge
launched - I hope none of you are disappointed and that we have managed to give
you something for everyone to get involved in again.
Good Luck (although I am sure you won't need it -
you will hammer these targets as always xx)
Hopefully everyone will be happy with these :0) I am shattered after all
the counting, packing etc but ecstatic with the totals - aren't they all
wonderful - I am so proud of you all xxx
Don't work too hard!
Thank you!
Lou
Loving Hands Charity Knitting Group
**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
OK girls - I have kept you all waiting long enough - can we have a drum roll
please
The Winter Challenge totals as of today 14th January,
2009!!!
Teddies 140 (19 of them are sitting here beside me waiting
to be stuffed and finished off before I pop them into their box to post off to
Alice tomorrow).
Teddy Bags 80
Blankets 158 - these have been
Vacuum packed ready to be handed over to Kathy Henry and her hubby tomorrow afternoon -
Kathy's church group will be taking the blankets over to Zambia for Aids Orphans
there. 
Sailor's Hats 302 - all boxed
and ready to take to the post office tomorrow morning before I go to meet Kathy
at the other side of the Forth Road Bridge, 
It is a rather large box - glad
I have Kelly here to help me move it and get it into the post office
Pyjamas and Nightdresses - sadly this was a bit of a non
starter as we still haven't found a source of materials yet. We have had 14
pairs of pyjamas and 8 nightdresses made so far - hopefully we will be lcky and
find a supplier willing to donate some material for these later and can revisit
this challenge then - we have increased our pile of items for Linda McDonald
over this quarter - she is sooooo delighted with all you do for her and has
mentioned us in her newest newsletter
There are still more to be added to the above totals so I will wait
about a week and then add the late items on - well done everyone - I will post
up the new Spring Challenges in the morning so watch this space........
_________________
|
|
|
|
| |
|
OK my merry little band of helpers - here we go - the Spring
Challenges for 2009 - these will run from today Thursday 15th January to
Saturday 11th April (Summer challenges can then be announced on Easter Sunday -
very fitting I thought :0).
| |
Update
on the Autumn Challenges 2008
Here you go girls the totals you have all been waiting for!!!
In the
Autumn Challenge I set you back before I had my accident I asked you for 200
boobs for Tommee Tippeee - our total to date is 120 - a bit short of the target
but Barbie, Kate and I will continue making them to make sure Avril doens't go
short.
I asked you for 300 scarves for Blythswood and we have made it -
309 to date - well done!
I also asked for 500 items for Linda McDonald
and we now have - wait for it - drum
roll please!!!! 736 items - all bagged and waiting for Lida to send over the
lovely Barry with his landrover to collect them! Fantastic effort girls :0)
Stella has helped me also to count and bag up hats for Paul O Gradies
Save the Children challenge and we had 1,600 hats which we bagged up in 8
parcels each containing 200 hats! Didn't we do well :0)
You should all
be ever so pleased with yourselves.
Update
on Summer Challenge 2008
Hello Everyone!
Here we are again with the latest update from Loving Hands Headquarters! You
all did amazingly well with the last round of challenges - we asked you to make
us 200 of each of the challenge items and (as always) you did us proud and have
smashed all the totals!
Final figures were:-
Baby Hats 1103
Baby Cardigans 367
Blankets 280
Jumpers and Cardis for children 273
Fantastic! I am so proud of you all - what a great job!
Hope you are all
ready for the next round now! This one will run from now to the 28th
September - keep you all out of mischief for a while!
The competition will end on the 14th
September and entry forms will be sent out
to all who wish to take part!
We thought this was enough to be going
on with as we are still making Teddies for Tragedy and Bags for them for the
next three weeks anyway. (For those of you who have been out of the loop through
not having internet access - we have been churning out Teddies for Tragedy and
the stitched bags to put them in for the Singing Children of Africa to take back
with them at the end of their tour here (end of July they leave us). Obviously
these teddies are great for Linda MacDonald and Blythswood as well so they will
be great for ongoing projects too.
Hope you all like these challenges and
we smash these targets as well as we did the last ones!
Remember if you need anything at all give me a shout!
Keep up the great work - you are all stars! (By the way we now have 251
members - woo hoo - we are growing!).
