knit ( nit )
v. To make (a fabric or
garment) by intertwining yarn or thread in a series of connected loops either
by hand, with knitting needles, or on a machine.
Why do you knit? Do you love making beautiful, useful, handmade items? Do you love the feel of working with fibers. Are you mesmerized by the plethora of yarn choices? Do you enjoy the process of knitting?
If you are like most knitters you'll probably answer yes to all of these question. I know I do! I will admit, however, that the it is the the doing, the pushing of needles through stitches to make new stitches ... the simple act of knitting that draws me in the most. It's cathartic.
Knitting is relaxing,
creative, rhythmic, therapeutic,
productive, enjoyable,
communal, thoughtful,
charitable.
Because I love the simple act of knitting, I'm always wanting a project on the go. But there are times when I don't know what I should knit ... I just want to knit. We all probably have a "go to" project when we are between projects. I often fill in those times trying different stitches in the form of dishcloths. This year I've started something new -- a way to keep my needles moving without filling my cupboards with washcloths!
After some investigation, I discovered our local hospitals and birthing clinics accept (covet!) donations of hand-knit or crocheted hats for newborns and preemies. Hand-knit hats are preferable to the knotted medical tubing they must often resort to. I'm thoroughly enjoying knitting little hats in the evening while I ponder my next big project. I can make one hat in 2-3 hours knitting at a leisurely pace while sipping tea and watching TV.
I use Bernat
Softee Baby yarn (classed as #3-Light weight). From one ball I can knit 7 hats. The yarn retails for $6.50 Cdn, so each hat costs only $0.93 to make. I chose this yarn because while it is incredibly soft, it launders wonderfully (machine wash and dry).
You can find my pattern
here.
Most hospitals do have a few guidelines for you to follow:
- no wool yarn (preferably washable acrylic or cotton)
- solid colours are preferred over stripes, patterns or variegated
- no nubbly, fuzzy or furry yarn
Check out your local hospitals and have some fun knitting these little hats to give to newborn babies. Or make it communal and get a group of knitters together to knit hats.
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March is also a month that is not spring
and is not winter. Those in-between days
of cold nights and warm days. Toques and
mittens are left in the closet as you run out the door. You hop in the car, put your hands on the
steering wheel and realize IT’S COLD!
This month’s project should help with
that! Fingerless mittens (or gauntlets)
to get your through the schizophrenic temperatures of
winter-becoming-spring. These MarchMadness Gauntlets are quick, easy and best of all … comfy! Using only about 100 yards of knitting
worsted, it’s a great way to use up
your stash scraps.
