The First Pattern

Welcome Everyone to the First Pattern for Pinkknit-a-thon 2011.

This pattern is extremely easy since all you need to know how to do is knit! I'm just going to post the pattern tonight. And over the next few days add helpful posts for the first time knitters. 

Materials:

yarn of your choice, ask for help to be sure you purchase enough. Usually one or two skeins should do it.

16” or 20” circular needles, the size indicated on the label of the yarn chosen.

tapestry needles

scissors

tape measure

Prep: (don't skip this step - its not possible to knit the pattern without this step).

Knit swatch of chosen yarn as directed on the label. Block it.

Count the number of stitches per inch.

Measure your head.

Multiply the number of stitches per inch times the number of inches around your head.

This is how many stitches you will cast onto your circular needles.

Note: round down. Remember that the woman wearing this hat will probably not have much hair to fill in the hat.  

Start the hat:

Knit Garter stitch edge – this is knitted without forming the circle.

Cast on established number of stitches

*Row1 knit all stitches. Turn work.

*Row 2 knit all stitches. Turn work. 

*Continue this way for 1 inch. Do not turn work. Make sure none of the work is twisted over the needles. It should all hang straight down from the needle.

 *Connect knitting to continue knitting in the round:  Leave working yarn on the right hand needle. Bring the knitting on left hand needle to the tip of the left needle. Starting knitting the first stitch on the left needle. Continue knitting around the needles.

*Knitting the Stockinette hat: Knit minimum 8 inches of hat. 9 inches is better. If there is only a bit of yarn left in the ball you purchased, knit to finish, leaving a 12” tail.  If there is a lot of yarn left, finish somewhere between 8 – 9” leaving a 12” tale. Save the rest of the yarn for another project. 

 Finishing: Thread the tail with a tapestry needle. Carefully lift all stitches from left needle onto the tapestry needle – so that the thread tail pulls through each stitch. 

 

Thanks again for joining us! We are very excited to see what you make!

Welcome to Pinkknit-a-thon 2011

Greetings All!

Last year's pilot was a great success! We completed almost two dozen sampler scarves and donated them to the Susan B. Komen Foundation for the Cure, Philadelphia affiliate, to be given directly to patients and survivors. This year we will be knitting hats ranging from very easy to more challenging and everything in between. We will also be launching a group project yarn-exchange scarf in June. For those of you who participated last year, the blog was migrated to a book to be published by blurb.com. You can find a direct link to the book here should you wish to purchase a copy for yourself.

Please send an email with a "yes! please add me to the blog as an author!" to pinkknitathon@mail.com, and we will send you an invitation through the blog.
 

Knitters of all levels are welcome. Our first project will be a very easy "knit-only" hat. No need to know what purling, yarn over, or ssk means. Just basic knitting. 

New patterns will be posted every two to three weeks. Work at your own pace. Not finished with the current hat? No worries! Finish it up and then move on to the next project whenever you are ready. 

For more information about the project please browse through the pages on the sidebar. Still can't find an answer to your question? Feel free to email us anytime for clarification.   

What you will need to get started:

1. Yarn - we recommend soft natural fibers such as cotton, baby alpaca, or marino superwash. Choose whatever color and size you want to knit with. Talk with your local knitting shops to make sure you have enough yards of whatever you purchase. 

2. Circular Knitting needles 16" or 20" long in the size indicated on the label. 

3. scissors, measuring tape or ruler, straight pins, large needle for sewing ends in.  

Note to experienced knitters:  All patterns will are written to accommodate any weight of yarn. 

The first pattern will be posted this evening.

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!