Humanitarian Knitting

Hats find Homes!

2011-01-04T21:22:00.007-06:00

Arc Maternal & Infant Program on Monona Drive received:

14 Baby Hats
1 Baby Sweater
1 Tiny Undershirt

Emerson Elementary School received:

15 Hats
2 Scarves

2011 Meeting Dates

2011-01-02T16:55:00.003-06:00

Thought I had but I didn't procure the 2011 meeting dates until this last week. Well, it was a right pickle until June, trying to wedge us into the library's busy schedule. Please always check the dates! While I tried to maintain an every other week schedule, it isn't always so.

What to Bring?

2009-10-05T14:31:00.002-05:00

Your favorite pair of needles appropriate for acrylic worsted weight yarn.

Knitting for the first time?
Knitting needles come in sizes - the best would be a 8 or 9 or 10. The larger the number the bigger around is the needle. Beginners have a tendency to knit tight or strangle the yarn . The type of needle can either be straight (2 sticks) in the shorter length or a circular needle (two points with a plastic connector). Metal is slippery and helps the stitches move easily, wood or bamboo is less slippery but may provide more control of stitches. Plastic is a good mix of both types.

Needles are available at the meeting but require a $5.00 deposit.

Where are they now, the needles and yarn?

2009-08-15T14:12:00.003-05:00

If you have come to one of our meetings and left with needles and yarn which you are no longer using, PLEASE! PLEASE! RETURN THEM. No questions asked - just leave them at the Pinney Library reference desk.

That being said....We are having to change our policy of free needles and yarn to all beginning knitters/members. There will be a $5.00 deposit on all needles given out from the Pinney Humanitarian Knitting Group. The name and phone number of the needle recipient will also be recorded in our new journal. We have a lot of partial skeins/balls of yarn suitable for beginners. The full skeins of yarn will be reserved for blanket squares - ensuring we have an adequate number of blocks in the same color.

Please help us to maintain our self-sufficiency by not making our members contribute funds besides our time to create these hand-made blankets and hats for those in need within our community!

Thanks.

An Event with a Goal!

2009-07-09T16:40:00.002-05:00

Once again, the group will have the curio cabinet display for the month of October. This is a good to time to entice new members (especially since I haven't been taking the bus lately...) and provide incentive for folks to clean out their stash! It would be nice to honor our most prolific donatee by showing off the pink crochet/knit baby blanket Delores finished. We have lots of time to follow through on any suggestions folks may have so bring them with you!

Remember - the library is air conditioned - perfect for summer knitting!

A Batch of Blankets!

2009-05-22T11:22:00.007-05:00

The knitters have created another batch of blankets donated to the Madison Salvation Army Homeless Shelter at the end of May. Great Job Knitters and Crocheters!!!!!!! A special thanks to Sylvia and Delores for sewing together the blocks.

Donations to Date:
Hats: 22
Blankets: 7
Baby Socks: 3

Earth Day Event

2009-03-28T16:39:00.004-05:00

Saturday, April 18, 2009

We're All About Recycling!

We have been invited to participate as part of Pinney Library 's contribution to this celebration. The Restore is having some great exhibitors and refreshments from Noon to 4 PM. We will be setting up a space to show off our recent accomplishments in order to encourage donations and recruit members. Anyone interested in showing solidarity should bring a lawn chair, sunscreen, bottle of water and your knitting project. Hope to see you there!

Hats to Glendale

2009-02-07T12:03:00.002-06:00

10 Hats made their way to Glendale Elementary School a couple of weeks back. Received a a very nice thank you from the social worker! Also received a thank you from the Salvation Army for our blankets. The notes make their way to the "Black Binder" for those you want to see them.

Addendum:
Sorry I haven't attended during the last couple of months - severe rashes especially on my hands and face have kept me a bit low. Faithful slathering should enable me to attend on the 19th.

Item Dispersion

2008-11-13T17:34:00.005-06:00

This week has seen the dispersion of our hard-work to area agencies.

3 Blankets and 1 Adult Hat found new homes at the Salvation Army Homeless Center.
12 Baby/Child Hats and 2 pairs of Baby Socks were donated to the Division of Children, Youth, and Families of the Dane County Department of Human Services

We are working on the last of the elementary school hats to donate to Glendale. We hope to send them off in the next couple of weeks!

Come and See What We Have Made!

2008-10-13T14:12:00.003-05:00

During the month of October, Pinney Branch Library has graciously allowed us to display our accomplishments in the curio cabinet located near the magazine section. Great Job Knitters! We are especially proud of our blankets. They are blocks of knitting created by everyone from our fledgling knitters to the seasoned knitters. A special thanks to Sylvia and Delores for undertaking the challenge of putting all the squares together. These items will be donated to Madison's Salvation Army. Donations would be greatly appreciated. You may contact me at To.knit4peace@yahoo.com. Thank you, Sara.

Completed Projects To Date

2008-09-25T17:40:00.003-05:00

Hats: 22
Blankets: 7
Baby Socks: 3

The Mission Statement

2008-08-24T09:27:00.004-05:00

To provide through donations of yarn and supplies, hand knit and crochet items to existing community organizations regardless of religious or non-religious affiliations, who provide services to people in need. The group will foster all members in their pursuit of learning and mastering of those creative skills needed to accomplish this task.

Have Extra Yarn? - Unburden Your Load

2008-03-01T09:50:00.027-06:00

Anyone who knits has "extra" yarn - whether it be brand new had-to-own skein(s) waiting for the perfect pattern with the exact amount of yarn yardage required, those bits and pieces you hold on to "just in case" or even an abandoned project still on the needles. A knitter without a stash needs to be recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records!

When does a functional stash become unmanageable? When you start stuffing yarn in every possible free space; on a shelf in the food pantry, in your kid's or spouse's sock drawer or when those plastic totes just won't close. Been there - done that! Just a word of assurance - this situation is not hopeless.

There are a couple of feasible approaches to this dilemma:

Start Knitting!

hats, blankets, shawls, scarves, mittens, chemo caps, preemie caps, booties, receiving blankets, lap blankets, helmet liners, slippers, dog coats or catnip balls (for your local Humane Society Gift Shop).

There is a challenge in using up every small ball of yarn in your stash. Blending colors and fibers becomes a whole new experience. Try out some of those knitted patterns you may have seen but didn't have the right person to knit it for. All these options may benefit your future personal knitting projects. Acrylic or acrylic blend yarns work best for ease of washing. Check requirements when knitting for specific groups.

The internet is a great source for finding those groups in need such as Lion Brand (has a zip code searcher to find those closest to you), Interweave Knits, About.com: Knitting. Most websites provide patterns that work best for the recipients.

Let it go by Donating to:

Your local school(s). They may teach knitting as part of their after-school program or the classroom teachers or art teacher may have a need....

Local Hospital. The occupational therapy department or the volunteer director may be able to connect you with the folks knitting those preemie hats, cast covers or soft chemo caps.

Nearby Assisted Living facility, CBRF (Community Based Residential Center), Independent Living Group Homes, or Battered Women Shelters may have veracious knitters or crocheters with limited income.

Your local charity knitting group

Correctional Facilities

If you are in town and want to unload your yarn, email me. We can make arrangements for pick up. For those not in Madison, while our group hasn't an income, I can pay postage if needed.

Keep On Knitting! Sara

Prologue

2008-02-07T13:01:00.001-06:00

There is a need to be fill by knitting. There is something heartfelt about receiving something knit by hand. You may be a beginner or an expert - it doesn't matter. There is a head for every shaped hat, a neck or tired shoulders in need of a warm scarf or shawl, hands appreciative of warm mittens or cold toes sticking out from a new cast.

There are many organizations national and local accepting hand-knit donations. Interweave Knits provides an extensive list. Also, check with your local hospital, nursing home or hospice.

Knitting as a group activity is as old as dust and is in need of revitalization. Coffee shops, libraries, knitting shops, community centers are suggestions for places to meet. If you have a group, please send me an email providing your group name, city, and state along with your url or email address. I will post it here.

Keep on Knitting! Sara