The Plan

Update 2017. While we hoped we could revive this project it has not happened. If anyone is interested in taking over, please leave a comment.


Knit lots of hats and scarves for patients and survivors or breast and ovarian cancers to be donated to the Komen Foundation for the Cure, Philadelphia Affiliate. We fully support monetary fund raising efforts for the cure. But we also want to do something which will go directly to those who need to know there are people rooting for their health and survival. All skill levels are welcome!

Please join us! The 2011 project ends Sept. 15th.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Week 4: Pattern 3 Blocks and Triangles

Hello All! Here we go with pattern 3. Pattern 3 comes from this book:It is available from Amazon here. We recommend purchasing this book - it is a fantastic "dictionary" of new patterns. Also the authors will be rewarded for their genious as they should be, and if you don't want another book lying around after this project, you can always donate it to your local public library. They would be thrilled to have it!

Alright - moving on. This is pattern #32 called Blocks and Triangles. Its fun and not as difficult as one might think. Here are images of the first two rows.side one.
side two.

Note: you will need one double pointed needle the same size or smaller as the needles you are currently using. For those of you who are new to knitting, a double pointed needle is pointed at both ends. It's usually used for knitting socks, and so they come five in one package. A cable needle would be fine instead as long as it is smaller than the needles you are using to knit.

I am re-writing this pattern to make it conform to our requirements.

To start: This pattern is multiple of 5, so we will maintain five stitches of our border rather than four. The pattern is designed for 20 rows. The first 10 have pictures. The second ten are almost the same, just reversing the order of the increases.

abbreviations:
p= purl
k=knit
yo=yarn over
dpn= double pointed needles
sts=stitches

row 1: work 5 stitches of border, (p4, k1) repeat 6 times, 5stitches of border
for all remaining rows work first five and last five stitches in border pattern.
row2: p1, yo, k4, repeat 5 times for a total of six repeats
To make a yarn over, take the yarn from the back of the needle and wrap it around the top of your needle. Keeping that loop in place, continue knitting as normal. Disclaimer: (again) I knit continental style (yarn in left hand), and I make things up as I go along - as long as things look good I keep going. So if this is wrong - someone please correct me! :)
row3: p4, k2, repeat 5 times
To knit the yarn overs - be sure to close the hole. Make sure the loop criscrosses. See below:
The yarn over as you come to it in knitting.

Insert right needle to the left of the loop.

You can see the start of the criscross. Knit now.

Finished stitch on the right needle.

row4: p2, yo, k4, repeat 5 times
row5: p4, k3, repeat 5 times
row6: p3, yo, k4 repeat 5 times
row7: p4, k4, repeat 5 times
row8: same as row 7

You should now have something which looks similar to the above. 5 border stitches on each side, and 48 stitches in the middle. The next step is to knit the 48 middle stitches down to 24. Here we go:

row9: work 5 border stitches, [slip next 4 stitches (sts) to double pointed needle (dpn). Hold the dpn to the back of the work (behind the regular needle you are using). Knit two stitches together using one stitch from the front needle and one from the back (dpn). Repeat for the next three pairs of stitches.] you have now overlapped the knitted and purled stitches. Repeat the pattern between the [ ] five times. Work 5 border stitches as normal.

Some more images of what everything should look like:
slipping stitches to the double pointed needle. To "slip a stitch" insert the dpn to the loop of the stitch on the left needle and transfer it to the dpn.

For the second repeat you will hold the dpn to the front of the work - both needles in the left hand. Try to line them up so that the points are even. To hold the dpn to the back do the same and hold them together in the left hand.


Knitting through both stitches, one on each needle.

After knitting the two stitches together, you should have double layers on the purl side. These are the last four stitches on the right hand needle. You will have an entire row of doubled up purls.

The second "row" of boxes and triangles:
row 10: k4, yo, repeat 5 times.
row 11: k1, p4, repeat 5 times.
row 12: k4, yo,p1, repeat 5 times.
row 13: k2,p4, repeat 5 times.
row 14: k4, yo, p2, repeat 5 times.
row 15: k3, p4, repeat 5 times.
row 16: k4, yo, p3, repeat 5 times.
row 17: k4, p4, repeat 5 times.
row 18: same as row 17.
row 19: work 5 border stitches, [slip next 4 sts to dpn. Hold the dpn to the front of the work. Knit two stitches together using one stitch from the front needle and one from the back. Repeat for the next three pairs of stitches.] Repeat the pattern between the [ ] five times. Work 5 border stitches.

row 20: yo, k4, repeat 5 times.

At this point I recommend repeating rows 1 - 9 only, so that we have three rows of blocks and triangles. For my yarn that will give me a 4 inch swatch. However - nothing is set in stone, if you wish to do the full repeat - please do. However - you will want to finish with row 9 or 19.

Hope everything is clear - please be in touch if it's not! Happy knitting!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Week 4: The Seed Stitch -Lisa

Hi Knitters!
How is everyone doing? Ready for the next “sampler”?

After you have finished knitting 4 inches of the basket weave, you may start on the next stitch; the Seed Stitch. This stitch lays flat, is reversible and will look good from both sides of the scarf. The Seed Stitch is also known as the Moss Stitch.

Caution: It is easy to zone out while knitting this stitch but take care to follow the pattern. If you are off just one stitch, this pattern will quickly turn into a ribbing.

To separate this stitch from the Basketweave, we will knit one full row, purl the next; then begin the Seed Stitch.

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: K4, P32, K4

Row 3: K4, *K1, P1; repeat from ∗ until the last 4 stitches of the boarder, K4.


Row 4: K4, *P1, K1; repeat from ∗ until the last 4 stitches of the boarder, K4.


Repeat rows 3 and 4 for four inches.

You will notice in the photo below, that the shape of my scarf is a little wonky, that’s ok. When we finish, we will block the scarves. This means we will dampen them with water, lay them flat in the correct shape, pin them down and let them dry so that they keep their shape. No worries, being a little askew is normal and a good thing.



Monday, April 19, 2010

Week 3: notes about width guage etc...

This is a response to Rosanna's comment/question about the width. I meant to post something about this with my last post but good intentions and all that....
For the purposes of this project the important thing is to use 40 stitches. The width will not matter - it will be accurate for whatever yarn you decided to use. We figured since it's just a scarf - getting the gauge right is a moot point.
This makes perfect sense in my head... how about on the blog?

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Week 3: First pattern - basket weave

Greetings All -
So sorry for posting at the end of the weekend instead of the beginning. My excuse? My aunt and uncle were driving out from California to meet in Western Pennsylvania (among other stops for them). We went to see Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water. It was spectacular! However, in the preparations Friday morning for a clean bathroom for them, and trying to get out.the.door., I just didn't manage to post this week's pattern. I do apologize for this. In the future I plan to post on Fridays so there is the entire weekend to knit. I hope this pattern won't pose too much difficulty for anyone - but please be in touch, we are happy to help.
I'm knitting with Malabrigo Shocking Pink, and oh, I love it.
Above is the first repeat of this pattern. I will be writing the pattern for a garter stitch edge. If you chose something else maintain the pattern for the first four stitches.
Pattern:
rows 1 - 6: knit 4, *purl 4, knit 4, (repeat from * three times), knit 4.
row 7: knit all stitches
row 8: knit 4, purl 32, knit 4
rows 9 - 14: knit 4, *knit 4, purl 4, (repeat from * three times), knit 4.
row 15: knit all stithes (same as row 7)
row 16: knit 4, purl 32, knit 4
repeat rows 1 - 16 once more.
knit one more inch in garter stitch.
Ready for pattern two!
Below is 1 and 1/2 of the pattern, I will post the entire thing once I'm finished, most likely in the middle of the week.
One more hint: To have a nice edging for a scarf, don't knit or purl the first stitch of each row. Just lift it onto the right hand needle, then continue in the pattern. The "lifted" stitch is still the first stitch. Please feel free to comment with any questions, comments or concerns!
I also wanted to add my welcome to everyone. Lisa has been much better about this than I, so I wanted to officially say welcome to the project - we are thrilled you have committed to participate! Please feel free to pass this on to anyone who might be interested. Anyone can join at anytime. Thank you and happy knitting.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Week 2: Garter Stitch Boarder - Lisa

This week, we will begin with a garter stitch boarder – knit each row for approximately one inch to form the bottom of the scarf. I have cast on 40 stitches and plan to use 4 on each side to continue the garter stitch up the right and left side.

For new knitters, this is a “knit only” stitch that acts as a stable end & side to support the different patterns within the scarf. It will help to give the scarf a finished look.

Pic below.

Tara…you’re up!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

It's Happening!

We've been given the approval from the Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation for fighting breast cancer to officially use their name to donate to their cause. We hope you will join us this week to start knitting a scarf for Breast Cancer patients and survivors.

This week's assignment:
Purchase yarn of your choice. We encourage you to choose something luxurious, pure wool, cotton, or a silk blend - something you would like to wear yourself. (Acrylic - not so much - these ladies are sick - let's spoil them!)
During the next week we will post how to start - how many stitches to cast on etc. Therefore - please join our followers section! That way you will know the instant we post.

We encourage you to patronize your local yarn stores for recommendations:
(In Philadelphia) These are:

Loop

1914 South Street, Philadelphia PA
215 893 9939 | 877 893 9939 open 7 days from 11 to 6

Rosie's Yarn Cellar
2017 Locust St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.977.9276

Sophie's Yarns
739 S 4th St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 825-5648

Outside of Philadelphia? - we encourage you to patronize your local yarn store and discuss your options with them.
Please let us know you are committed to this project so that we can add you to our "committed participants" list at the top of the page.
Any other questions or comments? Submit a comment and we will be sure to answer.

Looking forward to "meeting" you!