Rugz4Kidz

cross posted and adpated from Rugz4Kidz blog

I had intended to knit a lace pattern in acrylic to lighten the weight, but the rug cried for a stranded colour pattern [in wool]!

Here's what I wrote in the book:

As you wrap this blanket around you
or snuggle under its comforting warmth
draw strength and courage from the love knitted into every stitch.

Eight knitters have worked on the rug so far and there are twelve to go.
Here's the rug spread out over two circular needles:



I'm still fairly new to this type of knitting and I'm pleased with the way the hearts turned out.

Southern Summer of Socks Ready? Set? No go??

The Southern Summer of Socks KAL started on Monday 1 October. How many pairs of socks do I have on the go?

None! That's right!! She who was sock obsessed just a month ago has no socks on the needles. Why?

Three distractions:

First, there was Rugz4Kidz. The rug arrived here last Thursday. In theory I have two weeks to knit 7cm and I was considering using acrylic [to lighten the overall weight] and doing a lace pattern. Because I was still undecided, I paid her little heed. On Monday, her cries for attention could not be ignored; and somehow I knitted a stranded colour pattern in wool! I got her finished more quickly than I expected and she's impatiently waiting to strut her stuff for the camera before heading off to Donni in Wollongong.

Once Rugz was finished, Clapotis started to whimper, then started in with those long heavy sighs, and I just had to cast on! Even if it was late at night and time for bed! She wasn't giving me any rest until I completed at least section #1. On Tuesday afternoon I finished section #2. But, at bedtime, she whispered: "Just a few rows of section #3, you know you want to see what happens when you drop those stitches! It's only eight rows!"

Despite the thickness of the yarn, the weight of the wrap and the unseasonably hot weather [it's never too hot to knit remember!!] - Clapotis keeps calling, she won't leave me alone! Maybe if I took her off the lounge and hid her... LOL
Anyway, I have a deadline to get it from Penrith to Newcastle by 15 October.

Yesterday, it was the lace wrap - "block me, block me" she screamed from the lounge. I succumbed - and she looks wonderful. She's ready for a second blocking but, since she's quiet, it can wait till tomorrow.

Block more than once, I hear you ask. I'm told by a knitting guru [at the Guild] that blocking several times will teach the knitting what shape it's supposed to be so that it won't reduce to its unblocked size when the recipient washes it!

I'm off now, to cast on those socks. Online Supersocke Cotton is calling to be turned into a pair of toe up socks with short row shaped heels - challenges #1 and #2! Bring it on!!!!

Be quiet, Clapotis, or I'll put you in a cupboard!

Come on, Aussie Knitter, Come On

I have joined another charity knitting KAL Rugz 4 Kidz.

This is for Australian knitters only. The idea is that each knitter will knit a section of a child's blanket using machine wash 8 ply yarn (wool, acrylic or a blend) then send it on to another knitter to add their bit and so on until it is finished.

Each rug requires 20 knitters and so far we have only sixteen so if you live in Australia and want to be part of this check out the link.

Oh, each knitter also sends a small gift to the next knitter as a way of thank you so it's like a knitters' treat as well as a KAL and a way to bless someone in worse circumstances than our own! And possibly make new knitting friends along the way! So, come on fellow Aussie knitters, have a go!

If you live in United States, Rugz 4 Kidz is based on a similar idea happening there: the Oddball Charity Blanket KAL