World Wide Knit In Public Day: June 17, 2012

Actually, it's a weeklong event, June 9 to 17, for knitters to knit publicly. Click HERE for more info.

Finding the time to stockpile

I'm currently inspired to stockpile my charity knitting projects, now that I have a chance to send them abroad to the intended recipients later this year. I'm making time for these projects, mostly squares and hats, some in wool, some in acrylic :-)

Moonlit musings

There's a possibility of someone coming in from the US for a visit, and I can ask her to bring knitted stuff when she goes back to the US! So I'm now focusing on my charity projects. I have enough charity squares, but still no hats or even one whole baby blanket.

After I finally wrap up my two current log cabin projects--a bathroom rug and a placemat--I'll then finish one acrylic baby blanket and at least one hat, both of which are already on the needles.

Then I'll do some more squares, and maybe a few woolen hats. I still have about three to five weeks, I think, before I send them off.

Trying out log cabin knitting

Well, I gave in... and delved into the world of log cabin knitting. So far, it's been interesting enough that I set aside my other projects and start at least two log cabin projects: an acrylic placemat and a cotton bathroom rug. I have yet to finish either of them though :-)

But I have my charity squares on needles, since they're so easy to bring along with me in transit, and i have figured out that one ball of 15-gram worsted acrylic produces a six-by-six square, but I get stumped when I encounter a knot, which is getting a bit too frequent for comfort. I tend to cut out the knot and restart the yarn, meaning I'll most likely not reach the six-inch size I want... more likely, I'd get a square of five or even four inches only.

I also have a few blanket squares done, in cotton... not enough to sew together though.

New moon notes

I read somewhere that the moon in a fire sign is helpful for creative pursuits... and we've got the new moon in Aries til Sunday! Loving the energy so far :-)

1. I started to delve into modular knitting... knitting 6 x 6 squares of my variegated yarns. Next step is to join them together, unless I decide to just send them abroad by snail mail to charities collecting knitted squares for blankets.

2. I decided to focus more on knitting baby blankets rather than charity hats. Calling them angel wraps, to be worn by babies gone too soon...

3. Still finishing two hand towels, then want to try my hand on another bathroom rug. PLus another trivet.

Updates

1. Added to my wish list 2012: recycled/upcycled yarns from frogged sweaters, like those sold at Forgotten Fleece (a Ravelry advertiser).

2. Started spreading the knitting virus by giving tutorials mostly to my friends from UP. Need to make more beginner's kits.

3. Stockpiling on  bereavement blankets for preemies/stillborn babies. Minimum aim is a dozen, in various sizes, from 12-inch squares to 28-inch ones.

4. Doing some hats too, just to get back into using DPNs. Trying out bottom-up patterns, since I was previously into top-downs.

My charity knitting tasks

WHAT TO KNIT

1. Squares--any fiber
    a. 8x8 inches for KAS (South Africa) and Love Squared (MI, US)--kids
    b. 8-10 inches for EEROP (Europe via GA)--kids
    c. 6 and 12 inches for Afghans for PRR (South Dakota, via Lousiana, US)--various ages

2. Hats (beanies, mostly)

    a. Any material OK—EEROP, kids

    b. Wool/animal only--at least 30% for Hearts for Warmth (Lesotho via CT), and blends OK for Afghans for Afghans (Afghanistan via SF, US)--various ages
    c. Chemo caps (Philippines)--cotton or tencel, and maybe berets or funky styles (Hearts of Love)--various ages

3. Blankets for preemies--acrylic only, Stitches from the Heart (LA, US)

HAT SIZES  from knitpicks.com

• You'll need approximately 2 inches of negative ease for your hat's circumference.
• Obviously, not everyone is average, these charts were just designed to give you a rough idea for project planning purposes.
• These yardages are rough estimates, yarn usage changes depending on stitch pattern.
• These yardages were estimated using a gauge of 5sts/inch and a stockinette stitch.

Age	Head Circumference	Hat Height	Yardage
Preemie (1-2 lbs)	9"	3.5"	50-110
Preemie (3-4 lbs)	11"	4"	50-110
Preemie (4-5 lbs)	12"	4.5"	50-110
Preemie (5.5-6 lbs)	13"	5"	50-110
Newborn	14"	6"	100-150
Baby - 3 to 6 months	17"	7"	100-150
Baby 6 to 12 months	18"	7.5"	100-150
Toddler - preschooler (12 months - 3 years)	19"	8"	100-150
Child (3 - 10 years)	20"	8.5"	100-180
Pre-teens and Teens	21"	10"	100-180
Adult Woman	22.5"	11"	120-200
Adult Man	22.5"-24"	11.5"	200-255

BABY BLANKETS--for Stitches from the Heart

Bereavement blankets, in pastels, solids or multis

Preemie Extra Small 10 by 10 inches to 12 by 12 inches
Preemie Small 14 by 14 inches to 18 by 18 inches
Preemie Medium 20 by 20 inches to 22 by 22 inches
Preemie Large 22 by 22 inches to 24 by 24 inches
Full-Term 26 by 26 inches to 28 by 28 inches