Everyone knows that knitting tends to lag in the summertime. It's just too hot to work on large projects. I should know! My red sweater is waiting to be steeked while two of my other knitting partners are still on vacation and/or finishing up their versions of the Saddle Shouldered Aran.
In the meantime, I've been doing some small projects for the Minnesota Knitters' Guild's Service Committee. This year, the committee has gone high tech and "virtual" in an effort to get more knitters across the state knitting for more groups in a larger service area - Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota.
The 11 service committee members across the state are meeting via email to plan collection drives for different groups that might not be on Twin Cities knitters' radar. This year, the project is for warm hats, mittens and gloves for adults and adolescents.
So far, we are collecting warm winter items for Changing Gaits (an organization that uses horses to help people with a variety of behavioral issues), the Red Lake Indian Reservation, Barrels of Hope in Waterville, MN, Lutheran Social Services, and two St. Paul schools - Como Park and Washington Senior High Schools.
Whew! That's a lot of hats and warm gloves.
I'll admit it - my own contributions have been minimal so far. Two hats and some mittens. However, the MKG is hoping that each of of our over 650 members will complete at least two items for this drive. That's going to keep a lot of people warm.
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| Pattern is "Everyone's favorite hat" by Evelyn A. Clark. |
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| My sampler hat for my EZ Saddle Shoulder Aran. |
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| 1/2 of my Instant Mittens - pattern by Mary Jane Mucklestone |
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| "Can I take this off now?" |
Next up, another Windschief by Stephen West and a Pup Tent Cap by Catherine Gamroth. I highly recommend these two patterns as fun and quick to complete.
Recently, the MKG posted their request on Ravelry.com.
"Bring your knitted items to the monthly Guild meetings. If you cannot attend the monthly meetings, you can mail your donations to the Textile Center of Minnesota at
3000 University Avenue SE,
Minneapolis, MN, 55414
Attention: Minnesota Knitter’s
Guild Service Committee.
If you would like yarn for yourself or your knitting group, please send your request to Betty Hanna at infomaster@knitters.org and some supplies will be mailed to you. We recently received several very generous donations and are well stocked with yarn!
Everyone who donates, whether a Guild member or not, will have his or her name entered into drawings for prizes. The drawings will take place at the August, 2014 and January, 2015 Guild meetings.
Start those needles clicking!"
So, if your sweaters or baby blankets are just too tedious right now - hats and mittens are quick, lightweight and could win you fabulous prizes!
