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.

Sweater knitted for recent Youth Campaign

I brought this yarn back to Texas from Black Sheep, Ltd, a wonderful yarn shop in Aylsham, UK. Nice to think it is now keeping an Afghan child warmer.

A peek of the basement

Another Spring, another Spring campaign winding down. Here is a peek of two very packing sessions that took place a few days ago in the AFSC basement. Packages were opened, knitwear was admired and sorted, and finally, boxes were filled to the brim, taped shut and stacked up, ready for shipment. All in all, Ann estimates that about 40 big cartons will be sent to Afghanistan this time around.


Volunteers are happier when there are lots of knits to fill those boxes! From left to right, Ann, Amy, Teresa and Emily.



Measurements and guidelines matter! When Amy is not volunteering in the basement, she works for the costume department of the San Francisco Opera.



Among other duties, Annette is in charge of sending notes to those who write with questions.



Laura and Antje take a break from packing to admire two pretty items, a raglan pullover and a ripple afghan both in gorgeous shades of green.



The end result: neat towers of cartons, each holding enough to keep quite a few children and teens warmer next winter. Thank you to all who contribute!

sweaters on their way to the basement

One mistake, two successes

Here are two mittens out of variegated yarn. They make a nice, colorful effect without actually changing yarns.





However, another skein took me by surprise and turned out to make a camouflage effect! Not appropriate for this purpose (in fact, prohibited by the guidelines). I'm not sure if it will end up as a cat toy or finished for some other purpose.

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.

Gorgeous Faces/Gorgeous Sweaters

Daisy, Judith, Susan, Candace, and I had a good time together opening packages and packing up on Thursday. We've known each other for years now. A fairly mellow afternoon for us (until I made the crazy, nervous dash for my car before the 4 pm tow-truck attack on Mission Street). Not that many packages have arrived yet, but the email notices have been increasing. So, we're expecting more knit gifts as we approach the May 13 due date for NGO Help the Afghan Children. As you can see, these pullovers are spectacular! Thank you so much! The Afghan children are going to be thoroughly delighted and much warmer wearing these garments when winter arrives.

One sweater on its way

I took a week off in February - pretty random timing in my schedule - and my main objective was to knit a sweater for A4a. I have missed a couple campaigns by not planning ahead. My supply of this yarn is finally depleted (Patons Classic Wool Merino, Bonne Terre). I tried to cut the psychedelic effect when I found this very nicely matched blue (Lamb's Pride) in my stash. I like the trim on the wrists and neck. I hope its (edit:) Afghan recipient wears it in good health!

a4A in GreenStitch podcast

How cool is this? a4A contributer Anne Kenlon also does a podcast, GreenStitch, from her sewing room in Corning, New York, on all things related to eco-friendly sewing and crafting. A recent episode focuses on crafting projects that help other people, and the first such project she mentions is afghans for Afghans! You can listen to that episode here -- the discussion on a4A is in the first few minutes. (Click the little icon that says "POD") Thanks, Anne!

A spring-y sweater

I haven't posted here in awhile and I'm glad to have another item to show now. This will go in the mail once I get it blocked. It's bulky weight, knit top down starting with the collar. I added the kelly green to a yellow/green/brown stripe Wisdom Skye yarn I'd gotten way on sale. On it's own, the Wisdom Skye seem a bit too camo for an A for A campaign, but I think the addition of the bright green really changes the whole look. It's a wonderful lofty, smooshy yarn that will keep someone very warm. The sweater is relatively longer than it looks in the picture

And they're off

I managed to finish two more items for this campaign.  Yay for all of us!  I knitted with double strands and did the size "4" of the Berroco Polly sweater, without the puzzle pieces.  I also knitted with 10.5s so, it's much bigger than a 4.  I'm 5'6", and it hit my waist, with the sleeves ending like 3/4 length sleeves on me.  It should fit a young someone.

I initially thought I was going to make a sweater, but decided a vest will have to do.  I wanted to send it off before we left on a trip.  I used the "What's in My pocket vest" pattern and made a size 10, also using double strands.

I sent these both on Saturday so they should be in by Monday/Tuesday the latest.  Keep it up!

Sweater ready to send

Here is the sweater I have just completed.  I used a wool/alpaca yarn and a top down pattern I have used often for my nine year old granddaughter with a little extra added to length.