Mercy Children's Clinic Donation

Bethany is shown with the donations that she dropped by Mercy Children's Clinic last week. They were thrilled with the baby blankets and hats as well as the hat/scarf/gloves sets!

Star Project Completed

Thanks everyone for the beautiful hats, scarves and gloves that you made to support the Star Project. Dozens of items have been donated to Safe Haven Shelter, Mercy Children's Clinic and The Salvation Army. New moms in the Edgehill Community have received baby blankets and hats for their new ones through United Neighborhood Health Services thanks to your generous work!

We have already started collecting items for the Warm Up Nashville campaign. Please let me know if you need yarn!

Hat Distributions Continue!

Angie from Cottage Cove enjoyed picking out some hats for her after care students! Additionally, hats have been donated to The Bethlehem Center and The Oasis Shelter.

Hat Distribution

Several organizations have chosen hats (from our over 3000 made!) to distribute to those who need them. Last week, Adonis Phillips from the support-service organization Parent's Reaching Out, Inc chose several infant hats that will be given to Vanderbilt University NICU, Centennial Medical Center, Baptist Hospital and Maury Regional Hospital.

Teaching at the Library

For the past several weeks we have taught knitting and crocheting to students at the downtown Nashville Public Library. Thanks to all of you who volunteered your time!

Towers Tipped -- Hats Sorted!

Save The Date!

We are so excited that The Nashville Predators contacted us about organizing this event! Tell everyone you know! Friends, husbands, boyfriends and children are all invited too!

Big Stitch 4 -- What a GREAT Day!

Whew! Still catching my breath from Saturday. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came (and battled the Flea Market traffic), everyone who donated hats (2448 and counting -- hats have been given to me all week from those who couldn't make it through the traffic on Saturday!) donated door prizes, goody bag items and helped to coordinate the day! We still need hats to meet our goal! Please contact me when you have some to add to the count.

Check out these great pics of my daughter Bethany pouring hats into the tower!

1 Make a Difference Day

Everyone should be proud of themselves. The hats you have made will make such a difference in the lives of so many people! See you tomorrow!

2. GOODY BAG - soap sample

Yes! We all get a sample of Kacy Ellis's handmade vegetable-based soap from her company "Gather a Leather"! Check out her blog at gatheralather.blogspot.com.

3. DOOR PRIZE: Cabot Cheese Gift

Cabot Cheese of Vermont has sent us yummy cheese to snack on during the day to support our efforts. They have also sent a small insulated cooler filled with goodies -- visor, t-shirt, frisbee and coupons!

4. COUPON

$5.00 off $10.00 or more purchase from Stitchin' Post!

5. DOOR PRIZE - Debbie Macomber bags!

Check out this site!

A new friend to Knit and Crochet TN, Sarah Smith, sent me this link -- lots of new stuff! http://www.appliancepartspros.com/socks-patterns-sewing-tips-kitting-techniques-and-more.aspx

TOP TEN REASONS to attend The Big Stitch!

10. Six hours of knitting and crocheting ... HEAVEN!

9. DOOR PRIZE: Tote Bag and 10 skeins of yarn donated by Haus of Yarn!

8. $1 yarn and .25 cent pattern boutique!

7. GOODY BAGS! Filled with coupons, patterns and, of course, GOODIES!

6. COUPON from Imagiknit Yarns & More for 2 FREE balls of Katia Marathon.

Big Stitch Seminars

The following seminars will be conducted at The Big Stitch on Oct 24:

• Understanding Patterns (Knitting and Crochet)

• Crochet - Ribbing (front/back post stitch, front/back loops stitching)

• Knitting - Purling and Ribbing (developing ribbing with knitting and purling)

New Crochet Hat Pattern

Uses Hometown USA yarn.

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90290AD.html?noImages=0

New Knitted Hat Pattern

Here is a pattern using Hometown USA.

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90076AD.html?noImages=0

New Yarn!

I promise, I do not work for Lion Brand Yarn, but I just received an email about their new yarn -- Hometown USA. The colors are named after towns across the United States. Check out info about the yarn here: http://cache.lionbrand.com/yarns/hometownUSA.html?utm_source=20091009_Oct09&utm_medium=Emails&utm_campaign=Weeklynewsletter.

Happi-Hooker Hat

Check out this hat made by Jessica of Happi-Hooker fame modeled by my baby, Bethany.

Bunny Slope Hat

Cute, cute hat with a free pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. If you are not a member, consider signing up! Here is the link:

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90040AD.html?noImages=0&utm_source=&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=&utm_campaign=305

And here is the pattern:




Lion Brand^® Alpine Wool

GAUGE:

13 sts = 4 in. (10 cm) in St st worked in the rnd (k every rnd). BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

STITCH EXPLANATION:

K2, p2, Rib (worked in the rnd) Rnd 1: *K2, p2; rep from * around. Rep Rnd 1 for K2, p2 Rib

STRIPE SEQUENCE
*With A work 4 rnds, with B work 2 rnds, with A work 1 rnd, with C work 4 rnds, with A work 1 rnd, with B work 4 rnds, with C work 2 rnds; rep from * for Stripe Sequence.

HAT
With circular needle and A, cast on 60 sts. Join, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beg of rnd.
Work in K2, p2 Rib, following Stripe Sequence, until piece measures about 5 1/2 in. (14 cm) from beg.
Next Rnd: Change to St st worked in the rnd (k every rnd) until piece measures about 8 1/2 in. (21.5 cm) from beg.
Shape Crown
Note: Change to double pointed needles when sts have been sufficiently decreased.
Next Rnd: *K8, place marker, k2tog, rep from * around – 54 sts rem at end of rnd.
Knit 1 rnd.
Next Rnd: *K to marker, k2tog, rep from * around – 48 sts.
Knit 1 rnd.
Next Rnds: Rep last 2 rnds, 6 times – 12 sts.
Next Rnd: (K2tog) around – 6 sts.
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through rem sts and gather tightly together. Fasten off.

FINISHING
With A and following package directions, make a pompom. Tie pompom to Hat. Weave in ends.

More Hats!

NEW HAT COUNT!

Thanks to some recent donations, we are now up to 823 hats! Thank you to Gail Camplair from the Brentwood Library Chicks with Sticks group, Marilyn at Knit Happy and the H.A.N.D.S. group from Good Shepherd United Methodist Church for adding to our total. Additionally, the ladies of Trinity Lutheran Church Knit and Crochet for Jesus group donated 64! Keep ‘em coming so we can reach our goal of 3033!

A hat pattern written by one of the Happi-Hookers!

Here is the ball cap pattern that you saw at the July 17th Big Stitch. I made this with Bernat "Baby Jacquards" yarn (which is a light weight yarn; weight 3) and a G hook (size 6:4.25MM). I have since made a hat with a cotton yarn and an H hook. I did make some changes to the pattern...you know how I am =).

Here is the link to find the original pattern:

http://www.headhuggers.org/patterns/cpatt14.htm

The original pattern has been moved, and brings me to this link:

http://web.archive.org/web/20060521003056/http://groups.msn.com/HappyHookeraCrochetersParadise/memberpatterns.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=13704&LastModified=4675481976218776363

*I’m not sure which of the above links you would need to use as I now have it bookmarked*

Here are the changes I made:

Beginning chain: I only chain 3, it makes the whole at the top smaller. Or you can use a "magic ring" if you know how.

Rows 1 thru 33: As is. **You can repeat row 33 for desired length if needed**

Row 34: I ended row 33 with 84 sts and had to increase the number of sts before and after the Back Loops Only. Changes: Sc in both loops of the next 24, sc in the Back Loops Only of the next 37 sc, sc in both loop of the last 23 sc, ch 1.

Row 35: As is.

Brim: the only thing I changed is: SC in the first sc of every row. Then skip 1sc and continue the pattern as is. Just don’t forget to add one sc in the very first sc of every row for both layers of the brim.

**When I got finished with my second hat I realized I did row 11 of the brims as "Repeat row 8" instead of repeating row 9. I never noticed a difference. So, you can put your own twist on this pattern and it still looks rockin!

Also, I didn’t use the plastic canvas. This part is entirely up to you.

As always, let us know if you have any questions and we will do our best to answer them. Keep on hookin! =) =)

Thanks ~ LiL HooKeR

Chemo Hats

There is such a need for chemo hats! Here is some helpful information regarding chemo hats from the site www.knots-of-love.org

Yarns to Use:
Caron Simply Soft
Lion Cotton Ease
Lion Microspun
Naturally Caron Spa
Moon & Stars Red Heart
Plymouth Jeannee
TLC Baby Amore
TLC Cotton Plus
Carefree Cotton Red Heart

Ideas for Chemo Caps:
Thinner, seamless, non-lumpy caps are good for sleeping and increased comfort.
Hats made with thinner yarn would be better for summer weather use.
Cotton blend yarns are great for summer hats and warmer climates as it is coooler than other types of yarn.
Seamless caps are more comfortable and better for sleeping in.

Cabot Creamery of Cabot, Vermont has contacted me about supporting our efforts on Make a Difference Day by sending us some of their cheese to enjoy and providing us with door prizes and coupons! Thank you Cabot Creamery!

Thank you to everyone who has been donating hats for the October 24th Big Stitch.

Chicks with Sticks from the Brentwood Library donated 79 more and the Ladies at Hillsboro Church of Christ donated 67.

Our new total is TA DA - 712 !!!!!

If anyone needs any yarn to continue making hats, please let me know.
I have had some recent donations!

Cute, cute FREE earflap hat pattern shared with me by Pat Embree of Stichin' Post. Thanks Pat!

http://heyjulie.wordpress.com/2007/03/20/babykids-earflap-hat/

Make a Difference Day

The next Big Stitch takes place on October 24, 2009, 31 days away. We chose this date to coincide with the National Make a Difference Day. That is also how we came up with the number of hats we wanted to make: 1024 + 2009 = 3033 (Oct 24, 2009). Here is some information about Make A Difference Day, and why it is so important for us to keep our needles and hooks flying to make our goal.

What is Make A Difference Day?

Make A Difference Day is the most encompassing national day of helping others -- a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Everyone can participate. Created by USA WEEKEND Magazine, Make A Difference Day is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. The next event is Saturday, October 24, 2009.

Millions have participated. In 2008, 3 million people cared enough about their communities to volunteer on that day, accomplishing thousands of projects in hundreds of towns. For additional information visit USA Weekend.

Cupcake hat!

Check out this cute hat made for the hat project by Mary-Beth Heine!

Article

Loved seeing this recent article about the work that our dear friend and sponsor Phyllis Hildreth, owner of Falcon Feather Fibers, is doing! Please go by and see Phyllis and her beautiful shop and make sure you have time for lunch at her restaurant -- Stillwater Cafe -- where there is knitting and crocheting every Tuesday night!

Focus: The Happi Hookers

The Happi Hookers
supporters of Knit and Crochet TN
and The Big Stitch

We are known as the Happi Hookers; grandmother (Patty), mother (Janice), and daughter (Jessica). We’ve been crocheting for generations. Patty was taught by her mother-in-law Aili Mahn at about 18 years of age, and she’s been crocheting and knitting for over 50 years. Janice was taught by a good friend and neighbor Jocelyn Berry, when they both had babies about the same age. She’s been crocheting for about 25 years. Jessica can’t remember a time when she wasn’t crocheting, as her mother and grandmothers (Patty and Jeannie Chryn) were always crocheting and had a great influence in teaching her. All of the women folk in the families are very crafty. From sewing, macramé, needlepoint, knitting – there isn’t a trade with string that we haven’t tied a knot into.

We all started out just making things for family and friends. People started liking what they saw and wanting one just like it. “Craft-a creative community” is a group we’ve been involved with that has helped us expand in the Nashville area. We’ve now grown to selling our creations at a variety of places, including the Nashville Farmer’s Market, the Flea Market at the TN State Fairgrounds, a monthly show in East Nashville, local church events, and by word of mouth. We’ve heard great things about Etsy and E-Bay, and will be looking into putting our creations on those sites as well. Patty is retired, while Janice and Jessica still work full time jobs. This is simply a hobby for all of us.

Each of us has a preference of yarn type and hook sizes that allows us to create a diverse amount of products and styles. Patty prefers the smallest to middle size of the hooks, specializing in beautiful Barbie doll clothes, doilies, holiday ornaments, and other items made in the smaller threads. Jessica utilizes mid-range hooks. She is fabulous when it comes to making clothing, such as halter tops, swimsuit cover-ups pullovers, ponchos and purses. She has recently finished three sweaters she got special orders for when they saw her wearing hers. Janice uses more of the middle and larger size hooks and makes afghans and rugs, some from fabrics and some from plastic bags as well. We have all of the above items, plus hats, scarves, table runners, dish towels/scrubbies, bottle holders/covers, scrunchies, market bags, tissue covers, etc… the list goes on and on. Customers give us ideas, or we see something we want to do, and put it on a list. We have a large list. To see our completed works visit our MySpace. You can also contact us via email at Happi-Hookers@hotmail.com.

We are looking forward to the next Big Stitch on October 24th. It is a great opportunity for us to meet fellow crafters and create new patterns, all while providing warmth and comfort to people in our community.

We’re hooked, yarned, and dangerous!!

New Group in Watertown!

There is a new group forming in Watertown – Chicks with Sticks. Next meetup will be at 5:30 on Tuesday, Sept 29 at Lulu’s Coffeehouse at 120 E. Main (http://luluscoffeehouse.com) Everyone in the area come by!

Nashville General Hospital at Meharry Blanket Update!

As of today, the blanket count is at 1413 -- only 87 more to go! Even though our current focus is the Hat Project, baby blankets will continue to be collected and are an ongoing need.

Threadfest

On Friday, September 25th from 8 am to 12 pm, the Knowles Center at 174 Rains Avenue is having their biannual Threadfest. Come get some trim, fabric, quilt scraps, yarn, notions, craft projects, vintage buttons, quilt blocks and more! For more information, see this pdf.

Instructors Needed

We have been asked to teach knitting and crochet at an after school program at the Nashville Downtown Library. The students come from Hume Fogg Magnet School as well as some others in the area. The schedule will be Thursday Oct. 1, 8, 5, 22 for knitting and Thursday Oct. 22, 29 and Nov 5, 12 for crochet. Time would be 4:00 – 5:30. There is a parking garage attached to the library and parking is free (the library will stamp your ticket). Please let me know if you can help and I will give you additional details.

Ribbons won at the Williamson County Fair!

Congratulations to Carolann Laird and Gwen Greene who won ribbons for their knitted and crocheted items at the recent Williamson County Fair!

Carolyn knitted a beautiful baby afghan and earned a 3rd place ribbon for her work! Here are some details: The yarn I used on the baby blanket was called Encore Colorspun. It is a knitting worsted weight, 75% acrylic and 25% wool. I used double strands throughout and a size 13 circular needle. I bought the yarn at Patternworks, a shop in Center Harbor, New Hampshire.


Gwen crocheted an afghan, a christening set and a framed bouquet.

Afghan
Free pattern from Lion Brand using Red Heart Super Saver and an H hook.


Christening Set
Open Crescent Set from Christening Sets for Crochet by Leisure Arts, Designer Kay Meadors. Used size 10 thread with Boye size 7 steel hook.



Framed Bouquet
Spring Bouquet from MyPicot.com. Used size 10 thread with Boye size 8 steel hook.

Free Class!

FREE KNITTING AND CROCHET LESSONS AT HOBBY LOBBY

Knit and Crochet TN is offering FREE knitting and crochet lessons at the Franklin Hobby Lobby on Saturday, September 19 from 10 – noon. For information on supplies, contact Deborah Stillwell at 615/579-1857 or deb@knitandcrochettn.com. Hobby Lobby is located at 1113 Murfreesboro Road (Hwy 96) in the Williamson Square Shopping Center.

Emily's hats

Last year I had the pleasure of meeting Emily Grant, a local teenager. We met to talk about the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. Emily’s project plan was to teach Middle School students how to knit. This past summer she held her classes and had a total of 22 students in her classes as well as eight who had private lessons. She also committed to making 100 hats that will be donated to area hospitals. Last week she completed her hats. They are beautiful! Way to go Emily! I know your efforts will go a long way towards earning the Gold Award.

Knitting Moments

Are you all familiar with the Lion Brand website? (www.lionbrand.com) They send out a weekly email that always contains interesting information, patterns and great stories. Here is one from a recent newsletter. It is one of several stories by Michelle Edwards titled "Knitting Moments".



Railroad crossings. I moved from the Twin Cities to the quiet university town, Iowa City, Iowa. No long red lights or traffic jams to tempt this knitter. But like many Midwestern towns we do have railroad crossings. Here's the layout: my house and knitting store are on one side of the crossing, and the shopping mall and good coffee on the other. Railroad crossings are great knitting opportunities, just pay attention to the lights and bells and put your knitting away when the train crossing is over. You're not allowed to ask the conductor to wait until you finish your row.

Area knitters and crocheters have embraced the Hat Project! Thanks to Haus of Yarn who donated over 100 hats and are making more and to the local knitting groups at Panera and the Brentwood Library who hand me a bag of hats every time we knit together! We have received calls from several of the beneficiaries who are anxiously awaiting our hat donations and additional groups are beginning to request hats. Currently we have 407 hats! This is placing us so close to our original goal of 1024 that we have decided to raise our goal to 3033 (1024 + 2009). Who ever heard of having a raise a goal less than a month into a new project? You guys are wonderful!

Hands on Nashville

A great yarn donation was recently given to us by Hands on Nashville. Thanks, guys!!

A very cute pattern

This pattern was sent by Carole Barenys. Click here to download the PDF.

Going to the Williamson County Fair August 7-15!

Yes, Knit and Crochet TN will be at the Fair! (http://www.williamsoncountyfair.org) We will have a table in the Creative Arts Building with brochures, posters and some knit and crochet samples of hats and afghans. When offered this opportunity, we jumped at the chance to spread the word about our group and what we do! We need you! If you can help – and love to talk with people about knitting and crocheting – please contact me. I would like to have someone at the table during Fair hours (which can be found on the Fair site.) Entrance fee to the Fair is $5 in advance and $6 at the door.

Meharry Project Update

Wanted to update everyone on the baby blanket project for the babies born at Nashville General Hospital at Meharry. After receiving almost 200 blankets at the Big Stitch in July, our total is 1337 – only 163 still needed for this year. If you enjoy making the baby blankets, please continue to do so – after all, this is an ongoing need. You can turn them in at the October 24 Big Stitch, area knitting shops, FiftyForward Knowles or simply contact me at deb@knitandcrochet.com and I’ll be happy to meet you.

New yarn

Have you heard of Caron Yarn’s new “Simply Soft Eco”? It is a yarn that is made from recycled plastic bottles. My good friend KK told me about it. To check out the colors and other details, visit their website.

Here is the information from the wrapper:

Thank you, everyone!

Great seeing everyone yesterday at The Big Stitch! Hope the large group of students learning how to knit and crochet at “The Big Stitch University” are still practicing and having fun! Remember if you need some help, check the website www.knitandcrochettn.com under the groups button to see where fellow knitters and crocheters are meeting near you.

We are all very excited about the new project for the October 24th Big Stitch – The Hat Project. Details are on the site. Contact us if you have any questions!

Share Your Stash

SHARE YOUR STASH! Our boutique was so popular at the last Stitch that we are once again offering yarn at $1 a skein and $0.25 original patterns written especially for The Big Stitch! So, bring some of your stash to donate and go home with new yarn for only $1!

Another donation from Haus of Yarn!

Another donation from Haus of Yarn. This time it is Plymouth Yarn “Jeannee”
Chunky Cotton and Acrylic Yarn:


... as well as some beautiful silk and cotton yarn:


Once again, yarn will be given to anyone at The Big Stitch who will use these yarns to make items for our next project!