knitting project for kids

Love crafts sent an e-mail during the March Pandemic 2020 that had a great article about teaching kids to knit.  What makes this article better than articles I have read before is that there are at least three very easy projects that Kya, Mia, and Norah were excited about.  So here is the link to the article:

https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-us/c/article/pass-it-on-teaching-children-to-knit?om_campaign=omme_6657f2b4-ad0_14840_14168&om_send=be7e57002eab48b8b25e2f7841f1336c&omhide=true&utm_campaign=240320_na_pbclose_35_upto_broadcast_daily&utm_content=LC_NA&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Loveknitting

I decided to make kits for each of the children to make the first project in the list:  the bracelet.

I thought the suggestion to have the stitches already cast on ready to knit to be a good one.  I also knitted the first row to make sure that the cast on stitches were not too tight.

First step in making the kits was to choose yarn that I already had on hand.  I found the perfect yarn and colors, but there was no indication of what size needles I might use.  So I found the following information on the Fiber Gypsy site:

Start by measuring the yarn by wrapping it around a ruler firmly, but not stretching it or packing the wraps. Find the number of wraps in the left column, then start knitting with the suggested needle size. Of course, this chart is only a guide -- your personal knitting tension may create a different gauge from that shown.

and second method on that site:

Method 2

This method originated in an article by Ginny Norris that appeared in a 1995 issue of Spin Off magazine, published by Interweave Press.

• Wrap yarn around 2" of a ruler to *feel* what you're after, based on the density of the finished piece. Crowd the yarn for a more dense knitted fabric, wrap loosely for a soft fabric.
• Then count the number of wraps in the 2", which gives an approximate number of stitches in a 4" swatch.
• Divide the number of wraps by 4 to get the number of stitches per inch.
• Choose a knitting needle that approximates the diameter of the yarn to start.
• Then measure 3" of yarn and wrap the yarn around the needle. Count the number of full wraps plus any partials.
• The number of full and partial wraps should match the number of stitches per inch calculated above. Change needle sizes until you get this match.
• Sample after this to double check and make sure the fabric is what you want.

And here are my kits ready to use:  

I found that I had 13 wraps on 2 inches of the ruler....so I knew that I could use a size 10 or larger needle.  Lucky for me, I had three very short circular needles in these big sizes.

I found that the rhyme helps the kids keep the order of how to do the stitch;

In through the front door
Around to the back
Out through the window
Off jumps Jack.

Your slip is showing by Casapinka

I have been telling my knitting buddies that I need a wrap or two for my daughter's wedding in June.  And Carla kept saying....wait until I bring my shawl for you to see.  And she is right!  It looks like a wrap to wear at a beach event!



So I am starting this project tonight!  Something fun in the midst of craziness and uncertainty!

And now it is July and I have just finished my project.  I really love this one.  However, the yarn that I chose makes it a bit heavier and a bit less drape than that of Carla's.  I just took it off the blocking table in time to wear it for our zoom knitting group:

tassels

Kristine, Betsy, and Joyce have all made very different versions of a shawl called Downtown line.  Gayle has now started it as well.  I hope to make it.  I had thought that I might make it with my beautiful Panda Pearl yarn.  The colors are wonderful for it.  But the yarn is too heavy to use the pattern as it is written and I worry that I will have trouble figuring the short rows if I try to change the gauge.  But I wanted to put a few ideas in place for when the time comes that I do make this shawl.
The first is Joyce's wonderful tassels.  They are such a pretty finishing touch.  Done in the fingering weight yarn and made long, they really finish the shawl and make it hang prettier.


  



The shawl Joyce is wearing is not Downtown line.  I was thinking it was Cosmo Girl, but I can't find that pattern anywhere.  So I'll put the name at a later date.  Joyce said she made it with fingering weight yarn and size 5 needles.  The day that Joyce wore it, I was thinking I might use some of my linen yarn to make this shawl.  But then I liked the colors of my Panda Pearl yarn so much for the shawl, that I might change my mind.

Weighing yarn

Another one of those times when our knitting group has inspired me!  Dar had talked about the fact that she uses her kitchen scale to check to see when she has used half the yarn...and for other things as well.  So I found myself buying a kitchen scale at Walmart last year just before the Christmas Party at the Wild Ramp.  I was making a small knitted bowl and wasn't sure that I would get it finished in time.  So I figured if I didn't get it finished, I would wrap the scale....and if I did get it finished I would keep the scale for myself.  It is quite sleek and works great.



I was getting to the end of the ball of yarn for the Fallen Cloud Shaw that I made out of Araucana Lujosa.  I could not find another ball of the yarn, but I wasn't sure that there wasn't one hiding somewhere.  I looked and looked....and then thought of the scale.  I looked on my slide show and found that I had bought four skeins.  Then I found the label and saw that each skein was 3.52 oz.  And thought of my scale.  When I weighed the pile, it was 14.5 oz.  Too much for just 3 skeins.  I have used all of the yarn that I have on hand.  Thank you, Dar!

Cowls

I have  become particularly interested in the idea of knitting cowls this holiday season.  So I am going to add some Cowls that illustrate ideas....the first is the size of the cowl.  I only need one or two that a
tight to wear when it is really cold....the rest are just for looks.  I think this one below is a nice length.


I also like the length of the one that I wear a lot that is store bought.  I should measure it to see what size it is.

I have made several that are too thin.  Two of them are made of Noro.  I have plans to knit a third and wear all three of them together so they will look a less skinny in a group.  I am thinking longer than the short one and shorter than the long one....but in similar colors....I am almost sure that I already have appropriate yarn on hand.



And in February I am adding a Cowl that Stitch Fix sent to me.  I would never have bought it in a store....but I absolutely LOVE the look of this cowl on me.  I may have to copy this!

The Shift

This past summer I bought yarn at ReBelle in Lexington on my way home from the Blaine Bettinger Conference in Frankfort.  I have been curious about the nightshift pattern that has been so popular, but found it hard to just jump into the project.  I didn't quite "get it".....But the shop had an easier, quicker version called the Shift....and it was very pretty....they had exactly the same yarns for sale as were in the project....and I bought the "kit".  I am starting this project today.  Here are the yarns:




Specific Heat





Isotope




Flash Point


After you wind them into balls, it is almost impossible to figure out which is which....so I am doing the best that I can and then putting them in ziplock bags and labelling them color A, color B, and color C.

I am starting with color A:  Isotope.
Almost immediately the pattern calls for using color A and color B.  I am going with Flash Point as color B.  That leaves Specific Heat to be C.

Here is the version that I viewed in ReBelle




I'll compare what I end up when I finish.

South Hills cowl by Steven Hicks for Rodeo Knits

I needed a mindless knitting project for the plane to Peru this November.  I started an Infinity Scarf in  some really pretty yarn that I had bought from Collinette when I thought this company was going out of business.  I followed the directions for the Worsted Weight yarn cowl.