'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

Childs Tam - Free Pattern

The Tam o’ Shanter is a Scottish bonnet  originally worn by men but, women have now adopted a form of this hat and it is  known as a “Tam” or a “Tammy.'' The hat is named after the Robbie Burns poem Tam o’ Shanter, written in 1790 which is often illustrated by a character wearing a hat in this style. The hat is usually made of wool and has a pompon ( known as a toorie) in the centre. It is quite a floppy type of hat with the crown sometimes twice the diameter of the head.  Originally they were dyed blue ( the famous “blue bonnets”), owing to the limitation of available dyes nowadays you can find them in every colour imaginable. This is a similar version suitable for a child, i made this in the same eyelash yarn as the poncho in yesterdays post as they are to be worn together by the same child.

Alice’s Tam

Size 5mm needles
Cast on 85 sts and work K1,P1 rib for 6 rows
( as the eyelash yarn is very soft i knit the rib in a double knit yarn in a similar shade)
Work 24 rows stocking stitch  (1 row knit, 1 row purl) and in the first knit row increase 12 sts evenly aross -96st
Decrease row1 *k10,k2tog, rep from *
Decrease row2 *p2tog,p9, rep from*
Decrease row3*k8, k2tog, rep from*
Decrease row4*p2tog,p7, rep from*

Continue to decrease every row, having a stitch less between dec’s until 16sts remain. Cut yarn leaving a long strand and pull through remaining stitches, tighten and sew seam.

Instead of adding a pompon in the centre i decided to add a flower at the side to make it a little more girlie.

The flower is made as follows:

Cast on 4 stitches.
Row 1. Knit front & back of 1st stitch, knit 3 (5sts)
Row 2. Knit front & back of 1st stitch, purl 4 (6sts)
Row 3. Knit front & back of 1st stitch, knit 5 (7sts)
Row 4. Knit front & back of 1st stitch purl 6  (8sts). Cut yarn leaving a 4’’ tail and leave on a spare needle.
Repeat 4 more times but do not cut yarn on last petal

Row 5. Join all petals by knitting across (40 sts)Row 6. Purl 2 together across row (20 sts)
Row 7. Knit 2 together across row (10sts)
Row 8. Purl 2 together, purl 3 together, prul 2 together, purl 3 together

Thread yarn through stitches and pull tight and sew into place. Secure all loose ends.

 Attach the flower to the hat and any little girl will love this Tam.

Childs Raspberry Poncho

Ponchos are like sweaters without arms. They cover the whole top of your body and the bottom is open so you can slip it on and off easily. Some patterns require no shaping at all as they are knitted in two pieces (although this pattern is four pieces), that are then stitched together, leaving a hole for the head. Ponchos are great spring and autumn accessories because they keep you warm but allow some air circulation through the bottom of the poncho. They're very stylish too! so why not whip this one up for a child. I’ve just finished this for my neice’s daughter. I chose a raspberry coloured eyelash type yarn which is lovely and warm without being heavy.

GAUGE:  11 sts + 18 rows = 4 inches [10 cm] in Stockinette st (k on RS, p on WS).

12 sts + 16 rows = 4 inches [10 cm] in Mock Granny st. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.

Size 8mm Needles

Abbreviations used in this pattern

k = knit                k2tog = knit 2 together

p = purl               p2tog = purl 2 together

RS = right side       WS = wrong side

st(s) = stitch(es)    tog = together    yo = yarn over

I used 3 x 100grms eyelash type yarn

PONCHO SECTION – Make 4 Size age 7-8yrs

Cast on  72 sts. Work 4 rows of Scalloped Edge Pattern  (multiple of 18 sts)

 Row 1 (WS) Knit.

Row 2 Knit.

Row 3 Purl.

Row 4 *[K2tog] 3 times, [yo, k 1] 6 times, [k2tog] 3 times; repeat from *.

Note There are 6 increases and 6 decreases per repeat; you will have the same number of sts at the end of this row that you did when you began.

Repeat this pattern 4 times.

 Carry on in Mock Granny Stitch Pattern,  (multiple of 4 sts + 2) as follows:

Row 1 (WS) K2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2tog – 2 sts decreased.

Note: For The first time Row 1 is worked, two extra decreases are needed to accommodate pattern. Work Row 1  first time only as follows: K2tog, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2tog.

Row 2 Repeat Row 1 – 2 sts decreased.

Row 3 P 1, *p2tog, yo, p2tog; repeat from * to last st, p 1 – 1 st decreased for each repeat.

Row 4 K 1, *k 1, (k 1, p 1) in yo, k 1; repeat from * to last st, k 1 – 1 st increased for each repeat.

Note It is important to keep track of your increases and decreases, which vary from row to row:

Repeat rows 1-4 untill 14 st remain (omitting k2tog begining  and end of row 1 after the first time worked)

 Knit 1 row.

Place remaining 14 sts on a st holder to work later for neck.

Work 4 sections the same

FINISHING: Sew sections together from bottom of Scalloped Edge to neck, leaving 1 of the 4 seams open. Slip all neck sts onto needle.  (56 sts)
Knit every row until neck edging measures 2 inches [5 cm], ending with a WS row. Bind off all sts loosely. Sew last seam.

This pattern is also available in chid sizes age3yrs and 5-6yrs and also adult medium.

Ponchos have been one of the coolest knitted and crocheted accessories for a couple of years now, and it doesn't seem like they are going away any time soon,they are the biggest trend for this autumn and were featured heavily in the New York Fashion week and are included in  atumn and winter collections in most high street store's

Happy Knitting!