Towards the end of last November, I sent a parcel to Knit for Nowt. This is an organisation that supplies knitted and crocheted items to people in Hull and East Yorkshire. I was impressed at how quickly the organiser contacted me and even more impressed when she asked me for more hats and scarves in adult sizes. I do like a good communicator and I am happiest when I know that what I am knitting is actually needed.
I finished the toddler size hat that was already on my needles and then started on the adult hats. I had some aran in grey and some in a sparkly beige colour. Neither of them looked appealing to start with, but both knitted up beautifully. I don't remember where it came from, but I think it must have been filling a space in a job lot. The grey is Sirdar Supersoft and definitely lives up to its name. The beige was missing its label but measured as aran. The sparkle is just enough to make the boring beige more interesting. Both colours were perfect for adult hats.
I used up all the beige on two hats and then most of the grey on another two. I still have enough grey left for another hat. But I was knitting so fast that I actually wore out the circular needle! I had several near disasters with the last hat when the stitches flew off the end of the collapsed cable. Luckily, it is fairly easy to pick up aran stitches if you stay calm. I wonder if there is a poster that says "Keep calm and pick up stitches". Maybe I will design one.
I wasn't too upset about the cable. I have used it for several years without problems. I always knit hats "in the round" to avoid seams. I have another cable on order. But the parcel is going off tomorrow with the five hats I managed to finish. I want them to reach Yorkshire while the weather is still cold.
A good deed for the new year Una. well done you. I am trying to knit a fair isle hat but I think I have unpicked more than I have actually gained. It is a thinking womans pattern and I am not sure I am her! Jo x
ReplyDeleteI love your consistent effort to knit for charity causes. Will these hats go to folks closer to where you live (I am in the US and don't know the area you are in.) If so, do you ever see any of your work in the community. That would be the icing on the cake if you saw your efforts first hand helping someone else. Not a requirement, however, but it might privately give you a really good feeling. Happy New Year Una.
ReplyDeleteWell, Yorkshire is about 200 miles from where I live. However, I usually visit every year as I like the area and feel really at home there....maybe in a former life! I recently saw a tv programme about premature babies and one was wearing a hat that looked very like one I knitted. It was a good feeling.
DeleteGreat hats Una what a shame that your cable broke that just goes to show how much work you have been doing you wore it out! Thats why I like sending stuff to knit for nowt Clare is always so thankful for what you send as you say it's great to know that the things that you are making are needed and will be used. :) x
ReplyDeleteThey will be well received with the colder temperatures they are predicting, a great collection.
ReplyDeleteThe hats you knitted look great I like the colors! It is nice that you found someone that communicates what they want you to knit for them. I would love to be able to donate that way sometime too. There should be a poster that says that! I would have it hanging up in my apartment for sure. Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteLisa
I love the hats, Una, they look very cozy. I'm sending my first parcel to Claire today; thank you for reminding me that Knit for Nowt are there and take the sort of items I enjoy making!
ReplyDeleteYou are so wonderful Una, those hats are going to be loved. So sorry about the needle issue, glad you stayed calm.
ReplyDeleteYour hats that you made are wonderful Una! You are so sweet nice and generous to donate your creations.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a happy new year.
Julie
With all of the great knitting you do, I am not surprised that your circular finally gave out :). The hats are lovely. You do such good work!
ReplyDeleteKeep calm and pick up stitches! That would make a great poster, Una! Your hats are wonderful and will make several someones very happy to receive. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so fast!! I've never heard of anybody wearing out a pair of needles :) It's good to know your work is needed and wanted.
ReplyDeletecould you please share your patterns that are knitted in the round. I keep finding these patterns knitted flat with bulky seams and I refuse to knit them. they have to be uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteI use various hat patterns including https://www.pyrrhadesigns.com/2014/05/17/crafting-thursdays-on-saturday-all-about-hats/ and another one called "Be Loving" which is available free on the Ravelry website.
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