Projects May Through December

For the rest of the year, I’ve decided to dedicate my knitting to a local charity. In doing this, I feel I’ll not only be completing my 43things goal but that, more importantly, I’ll be helping others in a truly altruistic and egalitarian manner.

I found out about this charity via a fellow volunteer at a gig I did a couple of weeks ago and my basic plan is simple. I’m going to knit as many scarves and hats as I can between now and 7 December. Once this time is complete, I’ll turn them in to the JVC Mitzvah Day people for handing them out to the people who need them as part of Winter Survival kits. My only hope is that what I knit is warm enough and nice enough for the people who’ll be using them.

If anyone is interested in participating, please send me an e-mail and I’ll reply with the contact information.

Each scarf must be 7” by 50” and each hat much be capable of fitting an adult with a folded rim. I’ve got a few patterns in mind once I finish this strip scarf I’m knitting right now using my 16” circs. According to the flyer though, any pattern will do as long as the specifications are met.

For right now, I’m ok for yarn but I just might be tapping into the supply reserve before too long. They do supply that as well when they have it.

Sewing Project – Mother’s Day Pillow

I made this, as previously stated in this blog, a while ago back in May. The problem was, I’d made it too well and couldn’t get it back from the intended recipient to take pictures. Instead, I managed to find these two pictures I’d taken and figured I might as well go with them since it’s not likely she’s letting go anytime soon.

Mother’s Day Pillow

As much as I’d love to show the pillow I sewed for my mother, I can’t seem to get her to let me hold it long enough to take the pictures.

Once ‘Mission Impossible’ is completed, I will have updated pictures on not just the pillow but also The February Project. Hopefully, I’ll also have March, and at least April up here as well.

Switching Gears

Up until now, this blog had a capitalist component. It was my intent to showcase the items I wanted to sell off.

I’m not comfortable with that and, in truth, I really never have been. It takes away from my enjoyment of things when I try to put an economic quota on the things I make. It also takes a way a great deal from the artistic integrity of the items in that my mind is more focused on what I think might appeal to others rather than what appeals to me and what would be enjoyable for me to make.

So, from here on, it’s not about the pricing, it’s about the progress. If I want to sell something, I’ll put it on Etsy, eBay, or something.

The January Project – Hat

I just finished this hat an hour and a half ago. It’s the same colors as the January Project scarf previously posted about only in different color ratios.

This hat is based on the pattern offered on The Art of Knitting DVD which I procured from the Library. I just put my own coloring to it.

The January Project – Scarf

I made this scarf as a gift for our Mail lady. She’s been such a great friend to my mother that I felt compelled to do something nice. Since this is what I do, I did it.

It’s also a part of a goal I’m maintaining to knit at least twelve items within the year 2009. Hence the title ‘The January Project’. In addition to this scarf, there will also be a matching hat and, if I can manage, mittens. If I cannot manage, fingerless gloves.

The Zoukplouf Scarf

After many eons, I finally have the scarf up. Made with Red Hearts Painted Desert, Black, and White, the condensed time it took me to make this scarf was no more than four hours. I just managed to finish it off on 1 January 2009 at four minutes past Midnight.

The Rooster Scarf Part Two

I was holding off on posting about this one until I got better lighting and/or better pictures. Since a webcam is quite out of the question right now due to finances, the lighting had to be the option. I made this scarf for a comedian I’m a fan of and, first thing tomorrow, I’m going down to the post office to send it off to him.

And a final picture to give you an idea of the pattern as well as the length of this thing. This is one of the older photos, so excuse the color.

This scarf was made using Red Heart’s Woodsy, Light Gray, and Hunter Green yarns.

The Pater Scarf

This scarf I made for my father. He actually wanted simple and so I made it. Believe me, I would have embellished had I the chance to.

The scarf was made using Red Hearts Light Gray. Thankfully, my father is around my height, so no extra long knitting was required.

The Unfinished Zoukplouf Scarf

It’s coming, albeit slowly. I am determined to get this scarf to him before the end of this month though. He’s my good friend and has been very generous to me in sending me his wonderful book, having great intellectually stimulating conversations with me, and inspiring me to follow my bliss and try to tap into my creativity.

This one is made with the following yarns. Red Heart’s Painted Desert [his choice], Red Heart’s White and Red Heart’s Black.

Thankfully, he’s closer to 6′ than 7′ so making this isn’t going to be as much of an epic beyond knitting it the long way. Even if it were, I wouldn’t mind because he’s my friend.