CHARITY KNITTING & MACHINE KNIT CLASSES
Monday, June 6, 2016 – Charity Knitting & Machine Knit Classes
Attention Machine Knitters!! Please be sure to read to the end of this email,
as Janet has scheduled two of her BRAND NEW Machine Knitting Classes!
Today’s email is all about sharing – we all love our craft, whether it be knitting, crocheting, weaving, spinning, quilting, sewing, etc. How about taking the opportunity to share a bit of that ‘love’ with others by way of offering our time, by making finished projects to give, and/or donating the materials for others to use for charity knitting? Today, we share with you three Charities that, we here at London Yarns, are very pleased to be a part of and support. We hope you will share our objective – to bestow a little of ourselves to help and encourage others & to brighten their lives a little bit.
Please come & join us for a
Charity Group Session
Saturday, June 25/16 from 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Judy, our Host, will be on hand to answer any questions and offering assistance
& support to any who wish to come & work on their Charity Projects.
While there is no charge to come, we do request that you call in to register
with us ahead of time, so that we can accommodate everyone.
And now a little information on these Charities ...
First up –
Knitted Knockers are a special, soft, lightweight alternative to the standard gel filled prosthesis that many women find heavy and hot to wear. Made by volunteers, Knitted Knockers are very comfortable for women who have undergone mastectomies, lumpectomies and radiation, and/ or are undergoing reconstruction. They can be worn with any regular bra and take on the shape of a real breast and are machine washable. And the best part is ... Finished Knitted Knockers are available,
free of charge to anyone who requests them.
And this is where you, the knitters, Crocheters & Loom Knitters come in! Each Knitted Knocker takes only one skein of Cascade Ultra Pima. In fact, it is quite likely that you will get at least two, (maybe even three!) out of each skein. Now that’s a whole lot of good from just one skein of yarn!
London Yarns is proud to support this cause and to be a drop off centre for collecting unstuffed, knit or crocheted knockers. If you would like to participate, come in and pick up the free pattern and a skein of yarn to get started!
Pattern Instruction Choices are:
- knit flat on 2-needles
- knit in the round on double pointed needles
- knit in the round using Magic Loop
- crochet pattern
- Wood Loom Pattern
(scroll down the page of this link for the videos)
If you can’t download or print off a copy for yourself, we will have patterns available at the store. Just ask for your copy along with your yarn purchase.
Charity Group Session on Saturday, June 25/16 from 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Please come & join us in making some Knitted (or Crocheted) Knockers. If you can’t come in person, you may also contribute to the cause by buying a skein or two of Ultra Pima Cotton & donating that yarn for someone to use in making Knockers.
“Knitted Knockers” Local Drop off:
London Yarns, 1890 Hyde Park Road, Unit F, London, Ontario, Canada, N6H 5L9
Here are the colours we currently have available in the
Ultra Pima Cotton
ULTRA PIMA COTTON by Cascade
Yardage: 200 mtrs / 220 yds / 100 grams
Tension: 22 - 24 sts = 4" (10 cm)
Suggested Knitting Needle: 3.75 - 4 mm, US – 5 - 6
Fibre Content: 100% Mercerized Pima Cotton
Care: Machine Washable, Tumble Dry Low
Second Charity – “TWIDDLE MUFFS”
What are Twiddlemuffs, you ask? Good question! The idea is simple really, yet extremely effective. People suffering from Dementia and Alzheimer’s experience restlessness & agitation – their hands are always ‘busy’. Twiddlemuffs are designed to combat this by providing simple stimulation, for active hands, while promoting increased flexibility and brain stimulation. Many patients find them reassuring and comforting. The Twiddlemuff provides a wonderful source of visual, tactile and sensory stimulation, keeping their hands occupied and at the same time, warm & snug. The Muffs provide an engaging, entertaining way to occupy the hands, while reducing anxiety & promoting calm.
Each patient is given their own, individual Twiddlemuff (they can become very attached to it) and these can then be taken home.
As you can see from these sample pictures each muff is unique. So, please feel free to choose your favourite pattern from the following links. OR ... If you prefer, we will also have printed copies of ‘tested, tried & true’ Muff patterns available at the shop, free of charge, from our local Muff Rep who works with Dementia patients.
Ideally, Twiddlemuffs should be about 12” wide x 16” circumference when finished.
“Twiddlemuffs” Local Drop off:
London Yarns, 1890 Hyde Park Road, Unit F, London, Ontario, Canada, N6H 5L9
Free Twiddlemuff Crochet Pattern Download: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/twiddle-muff
Free Twiddlemuff PDF Knitting Pattern Downloads:
(ALL OF THE ABOVE ‘PDF’ FILES ARE VIRUS FREE & OK TO DOWNLOAD!)
Here is a bit more reading & info on Twiddlemuffs, if you’re interested:
https://www.midyorks.nhs.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n3407.pdf&ver=3787
http://www.su.nottingham.ac.uk/societies/society/knitsoc/projects/twiddlemuffs/
http://www.rbch.nhs.uk/our_services/support_services/communications/latest_news/2016/115022016.php
http://www.knittingparadise.com/t-327734-1.html
Charity Group Session on Saturday, June 25/16 from 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm: If you can’t do the knitting or crocheting yourself, would you still like to contribute? If so, bring in your left over or odd balls of
yarn (regular, textured or novelty, partial balls or full), stray
buttons, beads, pompoms, bobbles, ribbons, etc. & donate them. We will take up a collection to share with our current & soon to be Twiddle Muff Makers. Your donations will be put to good use!
If you are not a Knitter or Crocheter, but can use a needle & thread, please feel free to come in and decorate ready-made Twiddlemuffs that others have contributed, but still need embellishing.
Our Third Charity is ...
Quoted from the Project Linus website:
“Our Mission is two-fold:
First, to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need of a hug, through the gifts of new, handmade, washable blankets, quilts and afghans, lovingly crafted by volunteer "Blanketeers". Second, Blanketeers are part of our mission; to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.
Read more about us
How You Can Help
Make a blanket, and more: There's so many ways you can help. You can make a blanket and donate it - as every blanket that is donated to a child is theirs to keep, we are always in need of blankets. You can also donate stashes of fabric, notions, yarn, needles or gift cards to assist us in our program of making and supplying blankets.
Find out more
Become a Blanketeer!
Our volunteers, known as "blanketeers," provide new, handmade, washable blankets to be given as gifts to seriously ill and traumatized children, ages 0-17. It is Project Linus Canada's policy to accept blankets of all sizes, depending on local chapter needs. All blanket styles are welcome, including quilts, fleece blankets, crocheted or knitted afghans, and receiving blankets in child-friendly colors. Always remember that blankets must be homemade, washable, free of pins, and come from environments free from contaminates due to allergy reasons.
To help you get started, be sure to check our "
Blanket Guidelines" page. There you will find more information on the types of blankets we are looking for.
You can also find more information on our "
Blanket Making Tips" page. This goes into detail on the patterns specifically suited for toddlers and teens. We also go into detail on our policy with fabric softeners, mothballs and perfumes.
Finally, check our "
Blanket Sizes" page for detailed information on the sizes and shapes of blankets we are looking for, based on age - everything from preemies, newborns, toddlers and all the way up to teens.
To get started, please contact your nearest chapter to see what they are most in need of, as well as their own specifications and what they do and do not accept.”
Project Linus Local Chapter for LONDON-MIDDLESEX:
Serving London, Middlesex, Caradoc, Lambton counties
Contact: Ingrid Christensen
Phone: 519-666-3542
Email:
projectlinus@bell.net
Drop off: London Yarns, 1890 Hyde Park Road, Unit F, London, Ontario, Canada, N6H 5L9
Find Some Inspiration for That Special Project
If you are in need of a pattern, project or inspirational “push” to get you started on a Project Linus quilt, afghan, or blanket then you have come to the right place! We have organized several resources you can use to get started:
http://www.projectlinus.org/patterns/
And, now an exciting surprise for all our Machine Knitters ... two BRAND NEW Classes of Janet’s own designs!
LACEY FLORAL SEMI-CIRCLE ON THE LK-150
Two 4-hours Sessions
Cost: $125 (includes $20 yarn credit & pattern workshop notes)
Dates & Times:
(We are offering TWO separate dates for this workshop. Please choose one or the other)
Class A – Session 1: Friday, June 17/16 from 10 am – 2 pm
(bring a snack)
Class A – Session 2:
To be determined among students during Session 1
OR
Class B – Session 1: Saturday, June 18/16 from 10 am – 2 pm
(bring a snack)
Class B – Session 2:
A convenient date, to be determined among students during Session 1
Teacher: Janet
This lacey half circle is really fun to knit and a great project for all machine knitters. Use your lacey semi-circle as a “shawlette”, a baby shawl, a decorative curtain/valance, a wall hanging, a dresser or shelf scarf, or any way you wish! The semi-circular shape is achieved by using a “short row” technique that produces knitted wedges on the needlebed. The lace transfers create eyelet sections in each wedge that appear to swirl, giving the shawl the overall look of solid flower petals on a delicate lace background. Once familiar with the technique, this pattern can be used with any weight of yarn, and any even number of stitches on both sides of zero giving you UNLIMITED design and size possibilities.
Our store sample (photographed) shows one border option, a modified I-Cord Edging. During this workshop, students will learn and practice both of the border options. Choose between the I-Cord Edging or the elaborate “knit-as-you-attach-it” Lace Border.
Rated: Beginner to Advanced Machine Knitters. Students should be familiar with the use of the transfer tools.
Pre-Requisite: Owner of an LK150 Knitting Machine (to be brought to class)
MITTENS ON THE LK-150
Three 4-hour Sessions
Cost: $125 (includes $10 yarn credit & pattern workshop notes)
Dates & Times:
(We are offering TWO separate dates for this workshop; please choose one or the other.)
Class A – Session 1: Friday, June 24/16 from 10 am – 2 pm
(bring a snack)
Class A – Sessions 2 & 3:
Convenient dates, to be determined among students during Session 1
OR
Class B – Session 1: Saturday, June 25/16 from 10 am – 2 pm
(bring a snack)
Class B – Sessions 2 & 3:
Convenient dates, to be determined among students during Session 1
Teacher: Janet
The wait is over! We finally have a mitten pattern for the LK150! During this workshop we will be knitting a pair of adult size medium mittens. Now, you may think that June is an odd time of year to be knitting mittens, but think of how many pairs you could make over the next few months ready for gift-giving and the colder weather. June is also a great time of year for travelling for all of you loyal out-of-town machine knitters who don’t want to worry about road conditions! These mittens are knit entirely on the LK150 using a traditional thumb gusset that creates both a right and left hand mitten. They fit well and are comfortable, with nice detailing within the thumb and top-of-the-mitten shaping. Our store sample (photographed) shows one of the cuff options, traditional 1 x 1 ribbing. Students will also learn and practise 3 other cuff options including Cabled Rib, Twisted Rib, and the Ridged Cuff.
Rated: Beginner to Advanced Machine Knitters. Students should be familiar with the use of the transfer tools.
Pre-Requisite: Owner of an LK150 Knitting Machine (to be brought to class)
Exciting times to be a Knitter, Crocheter & Crafter! We hope you can join us in some Charity giving – it feels good to share!
Patti-Ann
LONDON YARNS
519-474-0403
Website -
http://www.londonyarns.com
Email -
info@londonyarns.com
View All Newsletters & Press Releases »
