A new year

Happy 2014, everybody, and so many thanks for everything you did in 2013. Right now epically cold weather is bearing down on the northern middle states in the U.S., and my own part of Pennsylvania is also in line for historically cold temperatures. While I fret about tomorrow's forecast of freezing rain and how it may spoil plans I had to do something fun, I am forced to think about the people we knit and crochet for in Afghanistan. I have heat, and food, and warm winter clothes, and a sturdy house, and I have no reason to expect that won't see me through this spell of rough weather. Many of them do not have those luxuries. 

Even though we don't currently have an official campaign going on, I am going to cast on a pair of mittens right now for the Afghanistan box, and I invite you all to join me in that . . . 

after the fact

Here are the mittens I sent in, just under the wire, for the recently completed campaign:

Left to right: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride worsted (not the superwash, the one with the mohair); the late lamented Mission Falls 1824; Paton's Classic Wool, and Paton's Classic Wool with mystery mulberry color trim at the wrist. The 2 pairs on the right fit me, making them suitable for the biggest kids.

Mittens are quick and portable, and don't sit on your lap, so they're good for summer knitting. I plan to toss 3 balls of yarn in my bag each time we head out and see what I come up with. The mittens will be happy in a box until the next call comes in.

Headed your way

Hi, basement buddies! Here are my mittens and socks...nice and warm, with 100% Lion Brand Wool. I am still going to try to get my hat done...and I'll ship it fast next week. These go in the mail tomorrow.

It continues to be so nutritious to my heart and soul to do this work...thank you for your work, which allows me do do mine. Best.

On their way tomorrow

These things go in the mail tomorrow:

Mittens, from left to right: Peace Fleece, made by my sister; Lamb's Pride, by me (they are gray, not white -- late afternoon sun); Lamb's Pride, by Pat, Knitpicks Shamrock, by me. And blue socks from Pat.

Three of the four panels of my blanket are knitted; can I do 576 more square inches of garter stitch this week?

mittens

One quick word on mittens -- they should be sizes to fit kids anywhere from age 7 to about 16. In other words, knit some adult sizes, too, and forego the infants and toddlers. At least this time.

I've been knitting mittens for the last month, kind of thinking of sending them to a group in Maine but hoping that there'd be a way to get them to Afghanistan, so I was holding off. And it worked! I will still knit mittens for Maine, enough to match the number of pairs I send to Afghanistan. But -- to get them to Maine, I just head over to the post office, hand the nice ladies a small sum of money, and they're there in 2 or 3 days. Getting them to Afghanistan is a whole lot trickier, and I can't do it any day I feel like it -- so this is a great opportunity.

Pictures before I send them. I've heard the sun should be out by Friday. . .

Ready to go

Hello: Here are three things I am getting ready to send to a4A...my first (and second!) pair of mittens from some very cool washable wool. I am finding great charm in doing mittens and have started a third pair, but I want to get these to you guys asap. (I haven't yet mailed them because I haven't managed to get to the post office yet...but I will! I hope, tomorrow!)

I am a new poster...so I am told that I should introduce myself! I started knitting right after 9/11 and find it soothing in the face of my very stressful life and job. I love producing something. I love knitting for a4A because there is purpose to my production. I don't do anything fancy, but they are good, servicable things that I hope will bring pleasure to an older boy or girl...I say that because I wonder if a4A tends to get lots of little people things.

The spirit and joy of a4A also charms me...I love who you all (and now, I hope, me) seem to be. I look forward to following your journey.

Mittens...

Here are seven pairs of mittens for the current campaign -- I was going to wait until the end of February and send one big box, but if things are slow in the basement, I can contribute these now!

Honeycomb mittens for youth campaign

I forgot how easy and fast mittens go, it's been a long time since I knit any (not much need for them in North Carolina). This pattern is by Jean Newsted, found in Homespun Handknit: Caps, Socks, Mittens, & Gloves. I used dark gray Reynolds Danskyarn I've had forever, and Shelridge Farm assorted colors from a kit I never finished. I knit the small women's size, to fit a larger child. I'll be mailing them to S.F. today.

Mittens!

Four pairs!

The smallest size will fit a kid around 7 years old; the ragg pair with red trim is about right for a 12- to 14-year-old.
The blue pairs used up some Peace Fleece that you will soon see in blanket form. The green pair were finished too late for the last mitten campaign, and by some miracle, I found them this time. The ragg pair with red trim were started for the last campaign; I ran across them in a bag. One mitten was finished except for the thumb, and the other was up past the ribbing. They'll go in the mail tomorrow.

Now to start sewing squares together. . .and work on my photo skills! And maybe reblock the checkerboard pair. . .