Stitching For the Seasons

Could we get some noise going?

2009-03-23T18:49:00.000-07:00

This group isn't very active, and I'm wondering if it's time we closed the blog? Not the group by any means, but because few of us post I'm thinking we can do the same things by email and it might be less intimidating.

Please email me at SFTS to give me your opinion. If, in about 10 days time, no input indicates we should leave the blog open I will close it down.

I've posted a new scarf pattern at SFTH called Steps. It's the first pattern after the link. I've used a stitch from the 365 Stitches per Year perpetual calendar, but started the scarf on a different row than the stitch pattern on the calendar.

Hope all is well with everyone and that your hooks and needles are keeping you busy and happy. Shelly

2009 Calendar

2009-01-22T14:50:00.000-08:00

Today I sent out an email with the calendar of due dates and themes for 2009. I'll put it here also so if you ever have a question you can go here for the info. However, I'll still send out email reminders also.

February 28th - Springing for Joy - Knit or crochet any scarf in a spring color that brings you joy. We'll all be looking forward to spring by the end of February!

May 31 - Mother May I - Knit in honor of your mother. If she was a knitter or crocheter, make something she would have made, or something she would enjoy.

August 31 - Fall is just around the corner - Think Autumn, I know it's still hot and not the kind of weather you want to be using wools, so you may want to make this ahead of time and send it to reach us by the deadline.

November 30 - Thankful - This deadline falls shortly after we celebrate Thanksgiving, so let's make as many scarves as we can, and be thankful that we are able to practice our craft.

In line with the November due date, I'd just like to take a moment to thank all of you for participating in Stitching For The Seasons. 2008 was a wonderful year for Scarves From The Heart. In December alone we gave out 210 scarves, plus some hats! So thank you to all who have participated and made Scarves From The Heart successful!

In the email I challenged each of you to find a friend who would join SFTS! Let's see if we can double our membership!

2009

2009-01-16T23:56:00.000-08:00

As is usually the case half the month has passed and I've let time get away. I hope 2009 has been good to all so far.

The holiday season was slow for Scarves From The Heart. A couple of you sent scarves for the winter season, but I know with the economy Christmas Knitting was a priority for many.

I've been enjoying working with a new yarn that has just become available to the public. It's Mini Mochi yarn from Crystal Palace Yarns and can be purchased at Jimmy Beans Wool and Yarn Market The price is very close at both sites, but I didn't check into the cost of shipping at either. I'm not sure if it has shipped out to stores yet. The color on this picture isn't real accurate, but it gives you an idea of the scarf I'm working on. I cast on 46 stitches using a cable cast on, making the scarf just over 4 inches wide. I pulled from the inside of the first ball and completed two rows, then tied on the second ball, pulling from the outside and doing the next two rows. The pattern is knit 1, purl 1 across, slipping the first stitch of every row purlwise. When changing balls of yarn, slip the first stitch and purl the second stitch using the ball from two rows below. You'll be surprised at how little the drawn up yarn shows. I'll be trying this same method with a variegated yarn and black yarn soon.

The portion at the center back of the chair, the part that looks tan is actually more green than it appears and the orangey section is more a coppery orange.

The yarn is very soft, it's 20% nylon and 80% merino and is not highly twisted. It's not a yarn you'll want to frog often so I wouldn't recommend it for a beginning knitter.

Hope you're all well and enjoying lots of fun knitting projects. For those of you who may live in the regions getting the bitter cold temperatures I hope you are all safe and warm.

Recurring Theme . . .

2008-12-05T14:58:00.001-08:00

My last post I was ruminating about where October had gone, and now I've allowed November to slip past as well as several days of December. Old habits die hard, obviously. I've never been one who found it easy to build habits, especially good ones. Oh, well, enough of that blither.

Thank you, Rena, for reminding me that I hadn't been here lately! What are you all knitting as Christmas gifts? I'm not knitting for Christmas, I'm struggling through a pair of fingerless gloves for myself. I started one pattern for a pair of long (nearly elbow length) ones, got to the thumb part and realized I couldn't make heads or tails of the directions so I tried to use the thumb portion of another pattern, but just managed to confuse myself further. In frustration I frogged them completely and started another pattern, but lengthened them some, so that my sleeve will come down over the cuff even when I'm knitting. I've just started the increases for the thumb.

Scarves . . . December scarves are due soon! I know that many of you are doing Christmas gifts and so if you've opted not to do December scarves there will be no repercussions . . . we don't kick you out!

I'm still working on a couple of scarves, but just feel like I'm knitting slower than ever these days. I'm not sure why . . . maybe fibro fog, but my mind just seems to wander more than usual and I'm finding it harder to concentrate.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, if you celebrated, and that you're about ready for the upcoming holidays however you celebrate.

Shelly

October is gone?

2008-11-03T14:19:00.000-08:00

The month of October just flew by me. At the end of September Jeanne, my sil Dawn, and I attended the 'Customer Appreciation Day' for Stockton Hematology Oncology and gave out about 40 scarves, then we left another 30 or more in the treatment area for patients to take. This event was much different than the "Gathering of Friends" event, in that other vendors were there too. Several of the vendors reps came over to find out what we are about, and I wish now we'd had some brochures or at least written info available to give out. All I had were business cards, so I hope they went to our web site to learn more about what we do.

While the gals handled the chores at S.H.O., hubby was nice enough to take a batch of scarves to St. Joseph's Regional Cancer Center for their annual We Can camping weekend. Jim told me afterward that the chaplain used our scarves as part of a message to address the concerns of many of the campers that people just don't seem to care about their plight. He gave them warm fuzzy proof that many people care about them, people who they've never even met. I'm awaiting pictures from Jim of the event so I can get them posted.

We received many more scarves than expected for the August deadline, and it looks like we will have enough to make a one time donation to the homeless shelter or the local mission which serves the local street people. We're still getting very temperate weather here though we've had rain off and on for the past four days.

Hope you all get out and Vote tomorrow - let your voice be heard.

Lots happening!

2008-09-09T15:38:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow evening is the "Gathering of Friends" event where Scarves From The Heart will pass out scarves. I'm guessing we'll go through 100 to 150 scarves! I'm hoping we'll get some good pictures to post.

On 9/30 we will be at Stockton Hematology-Oncology's "Customer Appreciation Day" where I expect we will pass out another 100 to 150 scarves.

Just a reminder, our fall scarves are due Sept. 22nd, so if you haven't finished yours the due date is right around the corner!

Our Winter theme will be "No Winter Doldrums"! That means you can make any scarf you choose that makes you happy! Preferrably in bright colors!

I hope you are all safe from the storms that have been talked about in the weather reports.

Shelly

362! We have 362 Scarves!

2008-09-01T00:28:00.000-07:00

If these old legs would let me climb a mountain I'd shout it from the highest peaks! You gals, and all those you've told about Stitching For The Seasons and Scarves From The Heart have been absolutely wonderful! You've done a wonderful job exceeding the goal we had set! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I wish each of you could come to the "Gathering of Friends" event to see the faces of the folks who receive your handiwork. Each is so thankful, and so appreciative! This year I'm asking a friend to come along just to man a camera so that you can see some of these folks with their scarves. Last year we were short handed for help just to give them out, and then ran out of scarves. This year I'm hoping we'll have plenty of help, and I know for sure we have plenty of scarves.

Again, thank you all so very much!
Hugs,
Shelly

2008-08-27T09:59:00.000-07:00

Men's Scarves!

The gray/green/gold/brown/blue striped scarf is the felted scarf, which I made remembering my father's hats! That one and the gray/white/blue striped scarf were both knitted the long way - and they were more uncomfortable for my hands and wrists than knitting across. Go figure. The third scarf is a simple garter stitch made with Lion Homespun (it still has some ends to be hidden.)

Keep an eye open for a large package

2008-07-23T06:37:00.001-07:00

Here are Barbara, Elaine, and Liz holding just a small sample of the scarves and shawls that are making their way to Scarves from the Heart.

I'll be going to the post office within the next hour to send the box on its way to Shelly. I hope it helps you reach your goal for collection this year.

P.S. Stand back when you cut the tape off the box cover. It took two people to hold it down long enough to tape it closed.

A Small Sample

2008-07-13T03:58:00.000-07:00

Hi Shelly! I'm happy to have been invited to contribute to your blog! Here is a sampling of some of the scarves "The Chicks" and I have been busy knitting for your group. I'll be packing up two large boxes very soon to send to you.

Stay well and keep those needles clicking!

Slipping cogs and frustrating yarn

2008-07-13T00:48:00.000-07:00

You've heard the saying "my mind has slipped a cog"? Well, I posted here, and sent out the emails, and didn't mention the due date for the Fall scarves . . . September 22, the first day of fall.

Frustrating comes from working on a scarf that I was so happy with, only to find a knot in the middle of the yarn. The yarn is Encore Colorspun, and I've not had this issue in the past. Not the kind you can untangle but the kind where a new run of yarn is tied on. Normally it wouldn't be a big deal, but the lengths of the color runs are considerably different in this second half and because there is a lot more of the salmon and reddish it looks all wrong, plus the colors now pool.
For now I'm going to set it aside and find another yarn for the fall scarf. No doubt it will get used eventually because I bought two skeins of it and the other has the longer runs of color too. Oh! An idea just came to me, I can do two rows of 1 end and two rows from the other end and that shouldn't allow it to pool and maybe it will still be masculine enough. I'll try to keep my tears off the yarn while I frog it. As I tell my hubby when he questions why I'm taking out a good bit of work . . . it's just practice!

2008-07-09T07:37:00.000-07:00

The Challenge of the Fall Scarf

I've been making some men's scarves since I knew that Shelly was concerned about them, but hadn't been thinking in terms of my dad (or grandfather, or big brother!) But last night I started thinking...my father wasn't big on wearing scarves, he was always warm. But, as a man in the 1950s I fondly remember my father's hats - they had to be creased just so, and the brim had to be just so, and much as I loved to touch those "felted" garments, I had to be careful. So, you've probably figured out that "felted" was the word that came to mind. And I looked on line, and found some simple instructions for felted scarves - so, using some "male" colors, I'm going to make a felted scarf for my fall scarf.

Where does the time go?

2008-07-05T20:06:00.000-07:00

At this house, it was not spent knitting much. My mother in law was very ill for most of June, and on the 25th she lost her battle with a failing body. She had a good long life, she would have been 90 this coming September, and she had a devoted husband for nearly 62 years, until his passing last December 9. She's in a better place, still it has left all of her family saddened by our loss.

She would not want us to dwell on the sadness, and to honor her we go on with life, certainly not as before, but we do go on.

Summer has barely arrived and I need to assign the theme for fall scarves . . .
this time I'm going to ask you all to make men's scarves . . . so our theme is "Remembering our roots". You can base it on colors you remember your father wearing, or colors that remind you of your grandfather . . . it's a pretty broad theme, but let's do stay to colors the men in the family would wear, as well as the yarns and patterns.

I've just started a scarf using the 'mistake rib stitch' in autumn colors because my father loved to hunt in the fall, and this yarn has all the colors of the leaves I remember from my childhood.

Tell us, what does this theme make you think of?

It's June already!

2008-06-03T23:26:00.000-07:00

It doesn't seem possible, but June is already here, in just days the kids will be out of school and the peace and quiet of a lot of homes will erupt into a raucous noise of happy children.

I have several scarves in the works currently. Branching Out, in Cinnamon color Silky Wool by Elsebeth Lavold is a bit less than half done. This one, a simple diagonal scarf is in the Pogo colorway of Red Heart "Strata". It has a long way to go yet. Then there is the scarf I started for my good friend Sue, the Lacy V scarf . . . it's llama and wool and it's just too warm to work on it. But I did finish this one . . . It is 100% bamboo, a yarn called Vivace, by

Yarn Place. It's a very silky yarn to work with. I almost hated that it was finished (though shown here in progress - I'll photograph it when blocked). Being so silky, I'm not sure it will hold the blocking, if not, I like it well enough as is, but I won't do lace with the skein of this yarn I have left. Meanwhile I'm actively looking for another pattern to make with it. Then there is a scarf I started on a whim one day . . . in a neutral beige(y) color . . . it was going to be a sampler scarf, but it hasn't gotten far and I think it will be in the frog pond before long. It's a fingering weight yarn and I think it wants to be something lacy, maybe a feather and fan scarf which is a stitch I haven't yet learned, but now that I've gained a bit of confidence with lace from this pattern (sorry, I know it doesn't look lacy) I think I can handle it.

The bewitching hour is nearly here, so I'm off to try to catch a few hours of sleep.

Welcome

2008-05-17T18:25:00.000-07:00

Hi Irma, Thanks for joining us, it's time to start thinking about getting the summer scarves mailed as our due to arrive date is June 15th. Hopefully everyone has had time to make a scarf, if not there may still be time depending on how your spring is going!

Shelly

Thanks for having me!

2008-04-26T22:12:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your group! I hope to help in any way I can. I would like suggestions and/or advice for making scarves using the Round Knitting looms.
Good luck to all and God bless.

Hugs, Irma

New pattern on SFTH

2008-04-26T19:36:00.000-07:00

Today I received an email from Bev Q of Bev's Country Cottage telling me that she has listed Scarves From The Heart on her page of charities, which is quite extensive. She also gave me permission to link to her free scarf patterns page, and even gave me a special pattern to share! She also mentioned SFTH on her Yahoo group and we've already had one person ask to join this group!

Today was the "Saturday" I was looking forward to because I had plans to meet a lady, Dorrie E. and her daughter Carol who have made many scarves for SFTH and so we met for lunch at 11:am and had a wonderful visit, as well as a great lunch. The lunch was topped off by them delivering about 20 scarves for SFTH's campaign to get 125 scarves by then end of August!

2008-04-19T04:39:00.000-07:00

Summer Scarf

During the winter, I got some Brown Sheep Cotton Fine at a closeout in a beautiful shade of pink, knowing that a summer scarf was in my future! I've startedusing it to make the Backyard Leaves pattern in Scarf Style - I've made it in merino and really enjoy the pattern (especially since I translated the chart into language so I can easily follow it!) It is interesting to see it working up so differently, but it makes a great summer scarf. Since we are on school break this week, hopefully I'll get it done quickly, because I want to make the Intarsia scarf from Knitting New Scarves for a man for a summer scarf - it intrigues me!

Happy Passover to all who are celebrating - I have to go see if my brisket has thawed yet! Marcie

Email list

2008-04-17T21:54:00.000-07:00

If you would like to be contacted when we start each new season, or when we need scarves for a special event would you please email me and put "Email List" in the subject line. I want to start a group emailing to make it easier to let everyone know what the theme is. I promise not to overload you with emails!

Hoping to hear from you all soon!

Meanwhile, what's on your needles. Today I tied on the 4th and final ball of Teseo di've for the multi-directional scarf I've been working on. I can't wait for it to be finished so I can start something new!

~Shelly~

Generous Donation!

2008-04-16T19:20:00.000-07:00

It is with great pleasure that I share with you all that Susan, owner of Crystal Palace Yarns has donated two patterns which are now posted on the Scarves From The Heart pattern page. These are scarf patterns that are also currently on the CPY website, but she may be removing them (I'm not sure as this happened very quickly through a designer I've met on line). Susan is also donating enough yarn to make two of each of these scarves! Go check out the patterns;

http://www.scarvesfromtheheart.com/patterns.html

Scarves From The Heart is hoping to make it's own generous donation in September. The Regional Cancer Center at St. Joseph's in Stockton invites all it's cancer survivors (including those currently in treatment) to an event held at a small park adjacent to their facility each September and they've asked us to join them again this year and to pass out free scarves to each cancer survivor. We gave away about 65 or 75 scarves last year and ran out, so I'm hoping to have 125 scarves to start with this year. I know you all signed up to make 1 each season, but if you can find the time I would really appreciate your help in meeting this goal. Here's a picture from last year's event (terrible of me, but as you can see I knitted even through the event) the board shows some of the scarves that had previously been donated, along with a short bit about who we are. Those scarves and so many more were all donated and each and every person who received one was very gracious and appreciative.

Spring has Sprung!

2008-03-24T14:32:00.000-07:00

Here in California Spring has definitely sprung. There are flowers everywhere, the blossoming trees are nearly all green now and the weather is fit for all! Unless you suffer from allergies of course! Our back yard looks like we're farming dandelions! I wish I'd taken a picture before hubby mowed a few minutes ago . . . yep, we're already having to mow lawns here in Northern California.

The spring scarves will be delivered this week I hope. I think this delivery will go to the Stockton Hematology Oncology office as I just learned last week that my good friend and neighbor, Bernice, has been diagnosed with 3rd stage lung cancer (even though she nor her hubby have ever smoked or worked around asbestos) and that is where she will take her chemo treatments. I took her a beautiful blue lacy scarf that had been sent to me, and because she's been a knitter for Scarves From The Heart it was an especially poignant moment when she caressed it along the side of her face and said "Now I'm a cancer survivor". It breaks my heart that so many of my friends are being diagnosed with cancer these days.

Summer is just around the corner, and it's going to be more difficult to figure out men's scarves for summer, I'm thinking Blue Skies might be a good theme for a mans scarf. I need ideas . . . so speak up friends! What are you all thinking of for summer scarves?

Shelly

2008-03-15T07:12:00.001-07:00

My Spring Scarf!

While I'm still holding hope for a good Spring snowstorm here in the suburbs of NY, the Spring scarf was sent out last week! I bought some wonderful pink cotton yarn in a closeout a few months ago, and I'm thinking of doing Backyard Leaves in cotton for the summer scarf!

Missing in action no more!

2008-03-10T16:48:00.000-07:00

Hi Gals, It's good to see you all posting. I apologize for my absence here. I'm just finally, after three weeks, getting over this terrible flu bug I've had. It's only the past two days I've felt well enough that I can do what needs to be done. Even still, my energy level isn't back to normal.

Here is my March Scarf, I call it the Camellia Basket, because the color is the same color as the Camellias in our front yard and it has a stitch pattern that looks a lot like basket weave, though it's called the Lizard Lattice in the 365 stitches a year perpetual calendar where I found it. It's made with a 55% Cotton 45% Acrylic yarn called Kim and the color is not as red as it appears on my monitor.

Hope you all are well and beginning to see some signs of spring like we are enjoying here in California. It has been in the low 70's the past few days, and trees are blooming, and leaves are budding out. People are planting flowers, and bulbs are in bloom. I was late getting my potted tulips out into the sun so they've just peeked about an inch or so out of the soil! I love this time of year, with everything growing, blooming and the sun shining. I'm sorry for those of you who are still struggling through winter storms, but by time you are enjoying spring like weather here in California we'll most likely be using air conditioning.

Shelly

Here's my scarf...

2008-02-27T17:23:00.000-08:00

Hello all -

I finished my scarf today. It's a bit on the wild side. I call it "Easter Basket". My own design - a windowpane crochet in a wonderful imported cotton yarn (absolutely awful to work with) that is fun to look at! Yellow with colorful slubs. Then I added a hot pink eyelash off-center. The pictures don't show its pretty colors very well. It looks kind of mustard yellow in the pics.

It's really very cheerful.

Rena

sending a just completed scarf

2008-02-26T13:48:00.000-08:00

This is a fishtail lace pattern that was modified for scarf size and yarn/needle size. I wanted a soft cloud like feeling using a soft sport weight yarn and US size 10 needles. The color is sort of a periwinkle blue.

Finished last week and ready to send out.

Jan H

2008-02-16T19:16:00.000-08:00

I'm Still Here Too!

Well, the groundhog said that we would have 6 more weeks of winter, but I'm still waiting for it to start here in the suburbs of NYC! We have had a pathetic winter - tons of rain that would have made for beautiful white landscapes (and snow days...can you tell I'm a teacher with grown children?) and only a few really cold days. I've been told that I might have to move to another part of the country if I want to experience winters like I did as a child. sigh.

At any rate, I've been plodding away on my spring scarf - it is in a pale yellow wool and I am doing the basketweave scarf from Knitting Daily. http://www.knittingdaily.com/freepatterns/scarves_belts/Basketweave_Scarf_by_Ann_Budd30-1.html
Since I'll be logging in some airplane time I'm bringing it on the plane since the other project I am bringing entails a cable needle, which I don't want to have look for in the plane (am I the only person who is forever dropping their cable needle? I've taken to poking it through my pattern so I can find it!)

If I can get this scarf done I got some pinky purply lace weight yarn in a closeout at KnitPicks and figured that would make another spring scarf...if time allows.

Happy Knitting! Marcie

I'm still here!

2008-02-14T12:48:00.000-08:00

I'm still here. I ordered and received some new yarn - silk, bamboo, cotton, and soy silk for the spring and summer. And it's in some nice colors, too!

Now I just have to decide how I want my scarf to look for March.

The weather here in Yuma has been warm, then cold, then warm again. A weird winter so far. But we certainly won't complain compared to what the rest of the country has had to put up with...

I hope everyone is well and warm.

Rena

Where is all the action?

2008-02-06T18:34:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

It's been far too quiet around here! I hope we haven't been deserted!

I've removed the off color from that scarf in the last picture I posted and found the correct color of yarn and I'm off knitting again.

I'm also working on one made in tapestry yarn, knit lengthwise, a different color each row! It's coming along nicely in a k2, p2 pattern.

Have you all started your spring scarves? What colors are you using?

Please pop in and say hello. If you need help with anything please feel free to email me at scarvesfromtheheart at comcast dot net.

Shelly

Happy New Year to you all!

2007-12-31T22:26:00.000-08:00

2008 is here for those on the east coast, but here in California we have just over another hour and a half! I'm excited about where we can take Stitching for the Seasons in 2008, and I'd like some suggestions from all of you on how to get more members. So, put on your thinking caps and don't be shy, no idea is a bad one!

I did finally finish my scarf for the December 15th deadline, though I'll be honest I've had such a difficult December, I was late! I know, shame on me. My health seems to have taken the brunt of the stress due to the loss of my dear father-in-law, and since the 13th I've gone from one symptom to another with hardly a day of feeling really well. I'm really not looking for sympathy here, just trying to tell you that there is a reason for my being late.

I ended up dumping the Candy Cane stripe scarf in favor of one called snow on ice made from a discontinued yarn called Minou by Pingouin in white, and because of the thick/thin texture and a kind of shiny thread running through the thin portion it looks like snow on top of ice.

Sadly, only now as I took photos of it I discovered one ball of the yarn is discolored and really shows in the photos, which means it will show in daylight too. I'll launder it and see if it washes out, it may just be dusty (I hope). Otherwise I'll either pull out the discolored portion and reknit it, or knit another as I have more of the yarn. In this next picture you can see the color difference. Well it's not the end of the world, only a bit of time wasted! No doubt we've all had worse disappointments.

So, I'll move on and start thinking about the next scarf I'll make after I repair this one!

Scarves and absence

2007-12-10T16:58:00.000-08:00

Hello all,

Several scarves have arrived recently, but to be honest this has all had to take a back seat because my father-in-law has been very ill. Yesterday, he passed away. I will make sure the p.o. box gets checked, but that is the extent of what I can commit to at this time, as it's a very difficult time for our family who is all very close. He was the head and heart of our family and it's going to be an extremely difficult adjustment.

Hugs,
Shelly

I just sent my scarf, too.

2007-12-08T12:34:00.000-08:00

I mailed my scarf this past week, so it should arrive shortly.

Our weather has cooled down here somewhat, but we're so lucky not to have snow and ice. For us 60 degrees is cold.

Wishing everyone a happy holiday season!

Rena

2007-12-04T14:22:00.000-08:00

It is all up to the post office now!

The scarves were washed and dried. They were tagged with the type of yarn and washing instructions. I even noted that they were knitted with a dog in the house. And the tag has my name and a seasonal note. And I packaged them up and took them to the post office. It is all up to the post office now. Travel in peace scarves! Happy First night of Chanukah for those of us who celebrate.
Marcie

Mailing Address

2007-11-30T17:34:00.000-08:00

First my apologies, due to ill family members I've not been on much.

The mailing address is;

Scarves From The Heart
P.O. Box 78104
Stockton, CA 95267-1404

I'll try to add it to our information that is in the sidebar.

Shelly

I've finished my winter scarf!

2007-11-25T16:19:00.000-08:00

I've finished my winter scarf and I'm ready to mail it. I guess someone will need to send me the new mailing address. I was going to take a picture and post it, but I think I'll let it be a surprise. I'll just say it's very colorful!

It has finally gotten cooler here in Yuma - just in the past few days, actually - and I'm happy with that. I need a little change of seasons, even if it's just to the 70's.

I hope everyone has had a lovely Thanksgiving.

Best Wishes, Rena

It's too quiet here . . .

2007-11-17T01:34:00.000-08:00

With the holidays just around the corner and the first one less than a week away I expect you are all busy with preparations.

I've finally settled on the look for my winter scarf. Several ideas didn't pan out because of my lack of expertise, especially in changing colors. I'm not particularly happy with my increase side, but here's the start of it;

I should be working on a baby dress for charity, but tonight when I looked for this already started project, I couldn't find it. Ummmm, too many project bags? Shhhh, don't let hubby hear that. I've since bought a book with a pattern for a baby dress that I like much better, so maybe I'll just start fresh as I already have some yarn I can use for it.

If you're inclined toward prayer, please say a prayer for my Father-in-law and Mother-in-law. DFIL, Eino, was hospitalized on Wednesday afternoon with an intestinal blockage caused by his intestines twisting. They've been pumping his stomach and it seems to have helped some. Tomorrow they're planning to give him some type of contrast med and then do an x-ray to see if the problem is likely to resolve itself once the intestine is empty or if surgery will be necessary. On top of this he also has a bacterial pneumonia. They are keeping him comfortable with morphine because of the extreme pain from the blockage, and treating the pneumonia with both antibiotics and oxygen.

DMIL, Evelyn, suffered a broken hip on 10/14 as well as yet another stroke, she seems to have the strokes rather frequently even though they aren't severe. Hip replacement surgery was performed on the 17th after blood thinners had cleared her system enough to make it safe to operate. Healing has been particularly slow and she suffered an infection, and the re-opening of the wound about a week or two after surgery. When we visited on Thursday we discovered her wound was open once again and she was rushed to her surgeon for treatment. He suggested taking her back into surgery but the family has decided to use that as a last resort because at the age of 89 this surgery was extremely difficult on her. So treatment at this point is that the wound has been packed and will be kept clean and dry. She also suffers advanced dementia which seems to be exacerbated by all these changes.

Your prayers will be greatly appreciated.

Shelly

2007-11-07T12:21:00.000-08:00

Hello all,
Tis a good time for knitting warm items here in MA! We had quite a big storm this last weekend (just barely a hurricane) and it caused a lot of damage. Had hail on the drive home yesterday and ice on the mailbox this morning which makes it a great time to knit a scarf. I finished one this weekend with a great Patons boucle I found (very soft).

We're Back from Southern California

2007-11-05T20:36:00.000-08:00

These trips are always way too short! We went to So. CA to meet up with my youngest daughter who recently moved to N. Central PA from Austin, TX. We had a great visit with her and even managed to talk her into going to Disneyland with us one day. She had never been to Disney's California Adventure park and she had a good time there. We got drenched on the River Rapids ride, but the weather was warm and we dried quickly.

Finally I've been able to upload a picture of Jeanne's winter scarf. These colors aren't accurate, it's much prettier in real life.

I've got the concept of my scarf figured out after trying a couple of things which didn't turn out to my liking. I've decided to do a stockinette stitch scarf and change the colors so that they make diagonal stripes. I finished the baby snowsuit I was working on so a lot of the pressure I put on myself is now off, even though I still have several UFOs. I'll likely start the scarf in the next day or two.

Please feel free to invite other stitchers to join "Stitchers for the Seasons". We'd love to have a larger group to knit and crochet for SFTH.

Shelly

Hello...

2007-10-26T15:07:00.000-07:00

I'm new to blogging. Just want to say hello. I'm Rena and I live in Yuma, AZ. I like to knit and crochet, and just committed to making 4 scarves per year for this project. I love the idea!

Winter Scarf!

2007-10-26T13:06:00.000-07:00

There all sorts of knitting projects looming for me (there are 2 babies due next weekend for people who will be getting sweaters) so I decided to make a winter scarf quickly. I found a great buy on Lion Boucle and thought these colors were holidayish. I did a simple 2 x 2 rib (since I wanted to knit in the movies!) and I like the way it turned out.

The woman who teaches with me is having a birthday in a week and a half and I wanted to knit her some dish cloths - not something I've ever done before, but something that should make her chuckle - we've gone "green" in our preschool classroom, trying not to waste paper products, and she said that she has done so much at home, but can't quite give up on her paper towels. Ergo, dish cloths.

I have a sweater for me that I would dearly like to get done (moss stitch so I can't do it in the movies) and a friend who is waiting for a new kippah or two to be crocheted (why did I ever admit that I can make them!)

Winter scarf

2007-10-26T05:30:00.001-07:00

I all ready started my scarf. I'm doing it in a short row pattern in shades of blue. I think it will be nice for either a man or woman. I'm also knitting some jelly bean dolls for my granddaughter. I made one of these for her a few weeks ago and she never seemed interested in it. Now that I've started my scarf, she wants a jelly bean in every color that I have. LOL Luckily that don't take long to make, so I can work on both projects. As long as she sees progress, she is happy. LOL (Do you think I'm spoiling her. LOL)

Hugs
Sandy

A shared message

2007-10-26T00:18:00.000-07:00

Today I received an email from Jim Linderman who was in charge of the We Can Weekend which we just provided scarves for. At the camping weekend he shared my story of dealing with my daughter and my sister having cancer and the beginnings of Scarves From The Heart, and then they passed out scarves to each and every cancer survivor present - ladies you are some of those people who made this possible so take a bow! Back to the subject, the message from Jim was an email Jim passed on from one of the campers, and I'd like to share it with you . . .

Dear Jim,

Cathi, Levi, Darian, Louis and I just want to say thank you for a wonderful weekend. We came back feeling tired but spiritually renewed. There were so many great things that it is hard to choose just one but we all agreed it was the meeting where the scarfs were handed out. It was such a warm and safe feeling among so many new friends that felt as we had known each other for ages. Cancer can take so much away from us. It is so nice to know that there are so many hidden and beautiful gifts to be found during the journey. Our love to all the people that make this event possible. We can't wait for next year and as much as we want to go we pray for your desk to overflow with applications so many more may experience the healing and love found among friends who know and care.

Smiles and Hugs,
Diane L.

It feels good to know that this little bit we all do is appreciated and means so much to the people who are fighting this "monster".

Jeanne is far too modest, and I don't mean to embarrass her, but I just want you all to know who she is. Jeanne is the Associate Director of Scarves From The Heart, and we live in the same town. We met at a local stitching group and even though neither of us are active in the group on a regular basis these days we've stayed in touch. When I learned that if SFTH is to get the 501(c) non-profit status we are required to have at least two officers. I knew I didn't want the second person to be a family member because I didn't want there to ever be any reason to question the honesty of what we do. So I thought about several people as candidates, and Jeanne is someone I have a lot of respect for, I like her, she's easy to get along with, and we both have a similar philosophy regarding knitting for charities. So it just seemed that she was the right person, and when I asked her if she would consider being the associate director for SFTH she didn't hesitate.

Yesterday Jeanne came over so we could do some computer things and brought with her a scarf which has become the first "Winter" scarf! I tried, unsuccessfully to upload a picture of it. It's really pretty, she made it from sock yarn, and made it in a tube. Pictures later.

I've decided what my winter scarf will look like, though it isn't started yet. It will be knit on the diagonal and will be reminiscent of a candy cane. It will be a fairly simple stitch, something that won't curl, but will be equally appropriate for a man or woman.

Has anyone else decided what they will make?

Hi Gals

2007-10-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

Nice to read your intros - Hello! My name is Jan (Janet) I live in MA 5 minutes from where I was born and in the other direction 5 minutes from where I grew up. I am 51 and married for 24 years. Never was able to bear children, so alas no grandkids. I have a 1 year old dog named Ayla (yes after the Clan of the Cave Bear). I am an artist who spent most of my life as a technical writer. Fortunately about 10 years ago I was jobless due to the co. moving to FL. I decided to start my own business (stained glass/Art glass, fusing, etc.). Then I discovered oil painting and I paint like crazy and am a multi-media artist who loves creating ATCs (Artist Trading Cards). I LOVE to knit. Like glass and paint - yarn makes me drool - all those colors!!! We just scrape by because DH agreed that accepting an unpaid position with American Baptist Women's Ministries as Mission & Service Coordinator was a good thing to do. My three year term is up July 2008 - then we'll see... Hope I didn't put anyone to sleep (blah, blah, blah). :-) Jan

Getting acquainted.

2007-10-24T18:19:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies! I'm Jeanne, living in Northern California. Knitting is my passion, and it's also my favorite form of meditation. Does 50 years of experience make me something more than a novice? Five things about me: amateur archivist, do charity knitting, enjoy my feline room-mates (3), can't believe I've been retired for over six years, have great friends who have become my family. Thank you for inviting me to join you!

Hi All:

2007-10-22T05:30:00.000-07:00

I'm Sandy and I'm so glad to be part of this group. We are all knitting for a good cause. Now, I have to come up with 5 things about me. LOL

I'm 65 years old, married for almost 44 years. I have 2 married daughters and 4 grandchildren, they range in age for 8 to 14. One of my daughters lives right across the street and the other one lives 4 blocks away. To keep control of when the grands come over, we use a flag system. If the flag is out, they can come over, no flag, they stay home. Of course, lots of times I get a phone call with a young voice asking, when are you going to put the flag out? LOL
I also am a care-giver for my 87 year old mother. She lives by herself with my support. She doesn't drive anymore, so that means I take her where ever she needs or wants to go. She fell in March and broke her hip, as a result she doesn't walk very good, but she tries.

I started knitting when I was very young. I remember knitting a sweater when I was in high school, so I must have started knitting before then, but what age I was, is lost in time. I've knitted on and off most of the time since then. But in the last few years when I saw all the beautiful yarns that are out now, I really got back into it . I don't do very complex patterns anymore.
Now, I enjoy the soothing almost hypnotic easy patterns. I'm very much into short row knitting at the present time. It fascinates me, when I use variegated yarns. I love doing scarfs which is how I got into this group. I saw a post on another board and decided to send Shelly some of my scarfs. And here I am LOL

Is that 5 things about me? Oh, I love to read, (almost forgot that one) I could live in the library. Lock me in the library and feed me with a tube, I'd be in heaven LOL

It's so nice to be part of this group and I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone.

Hugs
Sandy

2007-10-21T04:03:00.000-07:00

Introducing Marcie

Shelly is the "Mom" of this group, and I am, by default, the administrator of the blog. So it is a good thing I looked at Shelly's profile, to realize I actually had to write mine (otherwise it said I was an accountant from Afghanistan!)

Unlike Shelly, I've been knitting most of my life. My mom tried to teach me when I was about 9 but when I was 11 I came home from sleepaway camp with a slipper on a pencil and enough yarn to finish it, and I've been knitting ever since. At 56, that means I've been knitting for more years than I want to figure out (remember, I'm not an accountant!) I knitted through my college classes before anyone knew what ADHD was, and what to do to make sitting through classes bearable. I may not be able to wear those sweaters anymore, but I still have them as a fond memory.

My daughters are 25 and 28 - one in graduate school in the pursuit of joint Masters Degrees in Jewish Communal Service and Jewish Education, and the other working as a producer for a private company. Husband is a lawyer. When our younger daughter was studying in Israel she adopted a puppy, flew him back to NY and then drove him cross country to live with her in LA while she continued school. Among other things, he figured out how to get out of the apartment, so he was evicted and flew back to NY to live with us, which he did for a year. Now he and his "mommy" live with us, as dd has moved back to study in NY.

Knitting scarves has always been one of my least favorite things, but when Shelly posted on a list about needing scarves by a certain date it struck a chord for me. Too many people close to me have been affected by cancer and she offered me some small way of helping others. That's why I am in this group. Some scarves will be a means of de-stashing, some will be the result of an incredible bargain (there would have been a photo here, but the batteries have died) and some will be yarns that rounded out an order from Knitpicks (why pay postage?) Living in the NY area, I also have access to some of the most incredible yarn stores, so these scarves give me an excuse to shop for yarn, the only thing I like to shop for.

Have I already told you 5 things about me?

By way of introduction . . .

2007-10-20T18:58:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies (and gents if any join us)

I'm Shelly, a wife, mother, and grandmother living in the San Joaquin Valley of Northern California. I'm also the founder of "Scarves From The Heart", our parent organization. I won't go into that here because you can read about why I began SFTH on the home website.

In addition to knitting and crocheting I love to read, Debbie Macomber books at the moment. I'm fairly new to knitting as I began in March 2005, but as my friend who taught me says I'm an adventurous knitter and seldom knit a pattern exactly as written. She also says she unleashed a monster, because after about 50 years of crocheting I had always kept only a few skeins of yarn on hand, but once I learned to knit, well, I just kind of went crazy buying yarn and tote bags and needles and . . . get the picture? Fortunately it all resides in my computer room and visits the area around my easy chair so it stays fairly well corralled.

We have seven children, 3 sons and 4 daughters, in our blended family of his and hers, and we just welcomed our eighth grandchild, an adorable healthy little girl, into the world. We have 3 grandsons and 5 granddaughters. Our family is scattered throughout 4 of the western states, save for one daughter who just moved to North-Central PA for her work. We have two cats, Max (a little girl that we thought was a boy when we picked the name) and SweetPea, that I love to spoil.

As my hubby says, I've never met a stranger and I love to talk, so before I talk your ear off I'll close by starting a game of "5 things about me".

1) I have a stong faith in God, but don't consider myself religious.

2) I'm often more of an idea person than one who carries things through.

3) If I could change one thing about myself in an instant it would be to lose weight.

4) The one thing in life I'm most thankful for today is my extended family (hubby's family).

5) One thing in life I'd find hardest to give up would be sweets (the one thing I should definitely give up).

If you've read this far, I hope you'll follow suit and introduce yourself so that we can get to know one another a bit. Please share only what you feel comfortable sharing.

Currently there are no guidelines here, nothing we can't talk about . . . so we'll build the guidelines as they become necessary. The one thing I ask is that you not post anything here that would hurt or embarrass another member or be a copyright infringement.

Who's next?

Welcome to "Stitching For The Seasons"

2007-10-20T18:17:00.000-07:00

We're an off-shoot of Scarves From The Heart. In a way we are the heart and soul of the group as we have each agreed to knit and/or crochet scarves on an on-going basis.

Each member of Stitching For the Seasons has commited to make a minimum of one scarf each "season", or every three months. That's not a lot to ask, and everyone is welcome to make as many as they want, there are no limits.

Our goal is to get a balance of feminine and gender neutral colors and designs each season. To achieve this perhaps each member can post their ideas of what they would like to, or what they are making.

Season 1:

Holiday Scarves: Bright cheery scarves in colors to banish the winter blues made to keep the recipients warm. When we think of holiday colors it doesn't mean just red and green, but any bright color that makes one think of the holidays of Chanukka, Christmas, Kwanza, Junkanoo, Las Posadas, New Years, Chinese New Years, Valentines Day and more.

Warmth can be accomplished by using bulky yarns, larger sizes, desnser fabrics as well wools and other natural fibers, so use your imaginations and have fun with it!

Winter scarves should arrive at our new mailing address no later than December 15, 2007. Because of Christmas packages, that may mean mailing as early as December 1 if you don't want to pay for priority shipping.

Mailing address:

Scarves From The Heart
P.O. Box 78104
Stockton, CA 95267-1404