'Thoughful Thursady' Knitting Winter Warmers for Orphans.

The number of children orphaned each day in the world is around 10,000. More than half of the orphans live in the streets where they face many threats and risks. Unfortunately, orphans are kidnapped every day in many parts of the world, they are abused by prostitution gangs, organ mafia, begging networks and missionary institutions. Every orphan who is taken care of means that we will have a brighter future.

A plea from 'Lily' Love In the Language of Yarn!

In September 2012 I will be visiting an orphanage in Kayseri, Turkey with a group of volunteers. The orphange is home to 115 children at the moment. I hope to take with me a parcel for each child. I am busy knitting a 'Lily' Bear for each child. Knitters and Crocheters I need your help! Age groups are 3-6yrs, 7-10yrs and 12-14yrs. Boys and Girls. Hat, scarf, glove sets for each child 
Can you help?
If you can we would need to recieve them by 12th september 2012.
For more information on 'LILY' to can find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LilyLoveInTheLanguageOfYarn

It is the children who are affected most by the troubles in regions hit by conflicts, hunger and wars.

Please Help If You Can!

Here's a free knitting pattern from Patons to help get you started.

MATERIALS:

• Patons® Astra (50 g/1.75 oz)

Boy’s Version (all sizes)

• Main Color (MC):
  • (Blue) 1 (1-1-3) ball(s)
• Contrast A: (Variegated) 1 (1-1-3) ball(s)
• Contrast B: (Orange) 1 (1-1-3) ball(s)

Girl’s Version (all sizes)

• Main Color (MC):
• (Red) 1 (1-1-3) ball(s)
• Contrast A: (Variegated) 1 (1-1-3) ball(s)
• Contrast B: (Yellow) 1 (1-1-3) ball(s)

Knitting Needles:

• Hat and Scarf: Size 4 mm (U.S. 6) knitting needles or size needed to obtain tension.
• Mittens: Set of size 4 mm (U.S. 6) double pointed knitting needles or size needed to obtain tension.

SIZES:

• Scarf: 6 x 46 ins [15 x 117 cm].
• Hat: To fit child 2/4 yrs (6/10 yrs).
• Mittens: To fit child 2/4 yrs (6/8 yrs - 10 yrs).

TENSION
22 sts and 28 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] in stocking st.

ABBREVIATIONS
Alt = Alternate.
Beg = Beginning.
Cont = Continue(ity).
Dec = Decrease.
Inc = Increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of next stitch.
K = Knit.
K2tog = Knit 2 stitches together.
M1 = make one st by picking up horizontal loop lying before next st and knitting into back of loop.
M1P = make one st by picking up horizontal loop lying before next st and purling into back of loop.
P = Purl.
Pat = Pattern.
Psso = Pass slipped stitch over.
Rep = Repeat.
Rem = Remaining.
Rnd(s) = Round(s).
RS = Right side.
Sl1 = Slip next stitch knitwise.
St(s) = Stitch(es).
Tog = Together.
WS = Wrong side.

INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger size(s) the instructions will be written thus ( ). Numbers for each size are shown in the same color throughout the pattern. When only one number is given in black, it applies to all sizes.

Stripe Pat
With MC work 4 rows.
With A work 4 rows.
With B work 2 rows.
With MC work 2 rows.
With A work 4 rows.
These 16 rows form Stripe Pat.

EARFLAP HAT
First Ear Flap
With MC and pair of needles, cast on 10 sts.
1st row: (RS). Knit.
2nd row: P1. M1P. Purl to last st. M1P. P1.
3rd row: K1. M1. Knit to last st. M1. K1.
Rep last 2 rows twice more, then 2nd row once. 24 sts.
Work 12 rows even in stocking st, ending with RS facing for next row. Break yarn. Leave sts on a spare needle.
Second Ear Flap
Work as given for First Ear Flap. Do not break yarn.

Body of Hat: (Joining row). With MC, cast on 8 (9) sts. Knit these 8 (9) sts. K24 across Second Ear Flap. Turn. Cast on 35 (39) sts. Turn. K24 across First Ear Flap. Turn. Cast on 8 (9) sts. 99 (105) sts.
Purl 1 row.
With A, proceed as follows:
1st row: (RS). Purl
2nd and 3rd rows: Knit.
4th row: Purl.
Last 4 rows form Texture Pat.
Beg with 9th row of Stripe Pat, cont in Stripe Pat and rep last 4 rows of Texture Pat 7 times more, dec 2 (0) sts evenly across last row. 97 (105) sts.

Shape top: Keeping cont of Stripe Pat, proceed as follows:
1st row: K1. *K2tog. K10 (11). Rep from * to end of row. 89 (97) sts.
2nd and alt rows: Purl.
3rd row: K1. *K2tog. K9 (10). Rep from * to end of row. 81 (89) sts.
5th row: K1. *K2tog. K8 (9). Rep from * to end of row. 73 (81) sts.
6th row: Purl.

Cont in same manner, dec 8 sts on next and every following alt row 5 (6) times more. 25 sts.
Next row: K1. *K2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 13 sts.
Break yarn leaving a long end. Draw end through rem sts and fasten securely. Sew back seam.

Braid: (make 3).
Cut A, 15 ins [38 cm] long. Take 12 strands tog, fold in half and knot into fringe at end of each earflap and at top of Hat as shown in picture. Braid each Fringe. Knot securely and trim ends evenly.

MITTENS


RIGHT MITTEN
**With MC and set of four knitting needles, cast on 28 (36-44) sts. Divide sts on 3 needles as follows: 12 (12-16) sts on 1st needle, 8 (12-16) sts on 2nd needle and 8 (12-12) sts on 3rd needle. Join in rnd. Place marker on first st.
Beg with 1st row of Stripe Pat.
Proceed as follows:
1st rnd: *K1. P1. Rep from * around. Rep last rnd of (K1. P1) ribbing for 11/2 (2-2) ins [4 (5-5) cm] and inc 4 sts evenly across last rnd. 32 (40-48) sts.
Keeping cont of Stripe Pat, knit 6 (8-10) rnds.**
Shape thumb gusset: Cont in Stripe Pat, proceed as follows:
1st rnd: K16 (20-24). Inc 1 st in each of next 2 sts. Knit to end of rnd.
2nd and alt rnds: Knit.
3rd rnd: K16 (20-24). Inc 1 st in next st. K2. Inc 1 st in next st. Knit to end of rnd.
5th rnd: K16 (20-24). Inc 1 st in next st. K4. Inc 1 st in next st. Knit to end of rnd.
7th rnd: K16 (20-24). Inc 1 st in next st. K6. Inc 1 st in next st. Knit to end of rnd.
9th rnd: K16 (20-24). Inc 1 st in next st. K8. Inc 1 st in next st. Knit to end of rnd. 42 (50-58) sts.
11th rnd: K28 (32-36). Slip last 12 sts onto a safety pin (thumb opening). Knit to end of rnd.
12th rnd: Knit, casting on 2 sts over slipped sts. 32 (40-48) sts.
***Cont in Stripe Pat, knit in rnds until work from beg measures 6 (7-8) ins [15 (18-20.5) cm].
Rearrange sts as follows: 16 (20-24) sts on 1st needle. 8 (10-12) sts on 2nd needle. 8 (10-12) sts on 3rd needle.

Shape Top: 1st rnd: 1st needle: Sl1. K1. psso. Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog. 2nd needle: Sl1. K1. psso. Knit to end of needle. 3rd needle: Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog.
Dec 4 sts on every rnd, as before, until there are 8 sts. Break yarn, leaving a long end.
Thread end through rem 8 sts. Draw up and fasten securely.
Thumb: With MC, K12 from safety pin.
Pick up and knit 2 sts at base of thumb.
Divide these 14 sts onto 3 needles.
With MC, knit 9 (11-15) rnds.
Next rnd: (K2tog) 7 times.
Next rnd: (K2tog) 3 times. K1.
Break MC leaving a long end. Thread end through rem 4 sts. Draw up and fasten securely.***

LEFT MITTEN
Work from ** to ** as given for Right Mitten.
Shape thumb gusset: Cont in Stripe Pat, proceed as follows:
1st rnd: K14 (18-22). Inc 1 st in each of next 2 sts. Knit to end of rnd.
2nd and alt rnds: Knit.
3rd rnd: K14 (18-22). Inc 1 st in next st. K2. Inc 1 st in next st. Knit to end of rnd.
5th rnd: K14 (18-22). Inc 1 st in next st. K4. Inc 1 st in next st. Knit to end of rnd.
7th rnd: K14 (18-22). Inc 1 st in next st. K6. Inc 1 st in next st. Knit to end of rnd.
9th rnd: K14 (18-22). Inc 1 st in next st. K8. Inc 1 st in next st. Knit to end of rnd. 42 (50-58) sts.
11th rnd: K26 (30-34) sts. Slip last 12 sts onto safety pin (thumb opening). Knit to end of rnd.
12th rnd: Knit, casting on 2 sts over slipped sts. 32 (40-48) sts.
Work from *** to *** as given for Right Mitten.

SCARF
With MC and pair of needles, cast on 33 sts.
1st row: (RS). Purl.
2nd and 3rd rows: Knit.
4th row: Purl.
Last 4 rows form Texture Pat.
First 4 rows of Stripe Pat are complete.
Keeping cont of Stripe Pat, rep last 4 rows of Texture Pat until work from beg measures 46 ins [117 cm], ending with RS facing for next row. Cast off knitwise.
Fringe: Cut A 10 ins [25.5 cm] long. Take 4 strands tog, fold in half and knot into fringe 3/4 inch [2 cm] apart across each end of scarf. Trim fringe evenly.

'Thoughful Thursday' - Strickpate- Knitting for Poor Children in Singen, Germany

Thoughtful Thursday contiues with 'Strickpate' - Knitting for poor children in Singen, Germany.

Silke Stockebrand had a dream and a love of knitting;

The dream was that all poor children in Germany could have nice warm clothing. Clothes, that any child would love.
So she started to knit the clothes she had been dreaming of. Unfortunately the whole of Germany is too big for 1 person to knit for, so she started knitting for the poor children on her own doorstep, in Singen, a small town in the south of Germany close to Lake Constance.
This was the start of a charity founded by Silke Stockebrand in 2010 Called 'Strickpate' which means 'Knitting Godmother' who like all Godparents wants to help with the care of the children.
A local wool store in Singen - 'Creative & Hobby' was so thrilled by the idea, that they jumped in by helping  right from the beginning and are still helping today. The first round of knitting went well, vey well, and the children were excited, thrilled,and very happy about the clothing given to them.

So much so Strickpate did it again in 2011, very successfully, and so are continuing this year in 2012.

“Strickpate – knitting for poor Children in Singen” will be established and become a local constant.

How can knitters help?

Are you’re looking for a way to use up your leftover yarn?

By knitting -Socks, Gloves, Hats, Scarves, Fingerless / arm warmers, Leg warmers
All sizes are needed from babies to teenagers and as children are all ages, size really doesn't matter as there are children of all ages who need warm clothing.

Another thing knitters can do is to donate yarn from their stash that they no longer want or enjoy, knitters tend to attract yarn (we get yarn that others no longer want or from family members) this yarn is great to give to 'Strickpate'.

 If you don’t knit, you can donate yarn and needles to help knit items for these children in need.

Please help 'Strickpate' they need your assistance and support for this project.
You can find them at : http://strickpate.wordpress.com/  and
www.facebook.com/strickpate

Help by spreading the word of “Strickpate”Tell everyone you know about the cause.Tell your friends, neighbors, relatives.

Donations
If you prefer to donate money which will go towards costs, purchasing of wool and other items, it will be greatly appreciated. All donations, however small or grandeur mean so much, as it allows the continuation of helping to keep a child warm.

Please send knitted items, supplies or donations to:
Strickpate
Nachbarschaftstreff Lillje
z.Hd. Silke Stockebrand
Berliner Straße 8
78224 Singen

Email: strickpate@yahoo.de

 Silke Stockebrand  had a dream, to be able to help children in Singen  you can help make that dream  a reality and maybe tomorrow this dream will  help children throughout the whole of Germany!

Here's a Knitting pattern for childs hat and scarf to get you started.

Materials:

• Yarn:  Chunky Type yarn (340 g/12 oz) 1 ball of #87630 (Tangerine Twist) for both Cap and Scarf.
• Knitting Needles: Sizes 4.5 mm (U.S. 7) and 5 mm (U.S. 8) knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge.

Gauge: 15 sts and 20 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] with larger needles in stocking st.
Sizes:
Cap: To fit child’s head circumference: 17 (19) ins [43 (48) cm].
Scarf: Approx 6 ins [15 cm] wide x 50 ins [127 cm] long.

Instructions:
The instructions are written for smaller size. If changes are necessary for larger size the instructions will be written thus ( ).
CAP
With smaller needles, cast on 62 (70) sts.
**1st row: (RS). *K2. P1. K1. Rep from * to last 2 sts. K2.
2nd row: *P2. K1. P1. Rep from * to last 2 sts. P2.**
Rep last 2 rows of Seed Rib Pat twice more.
Change to larger needles and cont in Seed Rib Pat until work from beg measures 5½ (6) ins [14 (15) cm], ending with 2nd row.
Shape top: 1st row: (RS). *K2. P1. K1. K2tog. P1. K1. Rep from * to last 6 sts. K2. P1. K3. 55 (62) sts.
2nd row: P2. *K2. P2tog. K1. P2. Rep from * to last 4 sts. K1. P3. 48 (54) sts.
3rd row: *K2. K2tog. K1. P1. Rep from * to last 6 sts. K2. K2tog. K2. 40 (45) sts.
4th row: P4. *P2tog. P3. Rep from * to last st. P1. 33 (37) sts.
5th row: (K2tog) 16 (18) times. K1. 17 (19) sts.
6th row: (P2tog) 8 (9) times. P1. 9 (10) sts.
Break yarn leaving a 12 ins [30.5 cm] long end. Draw end through rem sts and fasten securely. Sew back seam.
SCARF
With larger needles, cast on 26 sts.
Work from ** to ** as given for Cap.
Rep last 2 rows of Seed Rib Pat until work from beg measures 50 ins [127 sts], ending with 2nd row. Cast off in pat.
Fringe: Cut yarn 12 ins [30.5 cm] long. Take 3 strands tog, fold in half and knot into fringe ¾ inch [2 cm] apart across ends of scarf. Trim fringe evenly.

Please Help Strickpate if You Can

No Knit Knitted Soft Toys

I decided to do something a little different for this post. This is a knitted soft toy without any knitting!
There is a craft book I've had for sometime, but hadn't got around to attempting anything from it until this week when i decided to give it a go. The book is called Happy Gloves and is by Miyako Kanamori. She has created the most beautiful, cleanly designed and easy to follow instructions for making soft toys out of gloves. Although the book only has 21 items to make (actually, that's quite a lot really isn't it ?), it gives you the instructions in such a way that you can easily take off with the idea and make many more variations of your own.

Here is the Elephant that i made for my granddaughter, for this you actually need two gloves but there are many in the book that only require one glove these are ideal and fun projects to do when you've lost one glove, and are too attached to the other to throw it away.    

Happy Gloves is different from most of the other craft books out there. This book begins like a children's storybook with a photos of every project and a little story about a fat chipmunk.

After a short story that includes photos of the various projects, there's a sewing overview that explains the different stitches you'll need to know, what sort of gloves to use, how to stuff and knot, etc. The hand-drawn illustrations that accompany this section are adorable!

Next comes the step-by-step how-tos. There is a clear set of chronological photos on how to make the chipmunk. From then on, you use those basic steps to complete the other projects. There is a set of illustrated instructions that show you the pattern (where to cut the glove) and specific variations for each project. The diagrams and instructions are extremely easy to follow! The book ends with instructions on how to stitch on the faces.

I'm loving the simplicity of both the book and the projects. My favorite projects are the elephant, the tiger, the rabbit, and the banana (yes, I did say banana)! Oh, and the teapot and cup are pretty cute too. The photos and illustrations are lovely, making this a good coffee table book. Alternatively, the story-telling makes this book appealing for children. Speaking of children, I bet they'd enjoy making their own glove animals and the projects are simple enough that they could do it with a little help.

These softies are cute and sweet and cost nearly nothing to make! All the gloves used in the book are solid color, which works well in showing shapes and details such as fabric appliques and embroidery. And once you master the techniques, you can branch out and use all sorts of gloves. I can already picture old Fair Isle or other colorful gloves used in creative ways.

This is a great book Because who doesn't have a few odd gloves lying around-and who couldn't use another quietly cheerful little friend?