Keep Knitting Those Caps!

As I've mentioned on my blog before, for almost a year now, the Denver Public Library, through its Cultural Programming Department, has been running a project called "K4OT", Knit for Our Troops." The object of the program is to have local volunteers knit helmet liners for our troops in Iraq and especially Afghanistan, where winters can be pretty harsh. To date, the program has donated over 13,000 caps to the Rocky Mountain USO, who distributes the caps to families of soldiers deployed overseas.



I'd like to share with you a letter that Chris Loeffelmacher at the Library received recently from the wife of a deployed soldier:

"...My husband Mike is currently deployed to Afghanistan. I recently received caps for him, and 5 of his fellow marines from the Rocky Mountain USO. It is bitter cold in Afghanistan this time of year, and the one thing all of our Marines are asking for is something to help keep them warm. The caps I received will be a godsend to them, when they get them at just about Christmas time.

"I can't say thank you enough for the support and care that is being shown by the wonderful people who knitted the caps. Just know that the boys will appreciate them more than you will ever know! Thank you again for everything you've done, and God bless you!

"Warmly,

Betsy"

Chris would like you knitters out there to know that the program is still going on, and with even more troops being deployed to Afghanistan this winter, the need is growing! Chris said, "If you have an extra skein of washable wool and a free evening or two, we'd love to include your hat(s) in a shipment headed to our brave soldiers on overseas assignments. For a copy of the pattern or details about where to send/drop off caps, go to www.denverlibrary.org/capsproject."

Knitting for Troops Honored by Denver City Council

Hi fellows knitters....sorry to have been mum for so long, I have been a little under the weather, but I'm back and rarin' to get back to knitting!

I want to start off by telling you about a very exciting happening in our local knit world. Last Monday, July 20, at the Denver City Hall, in the City Council Chambers (a beautiful room), Councilwoman Carla Madison submitted Proposal #34 citing the Denver Public Library and its Director of Cultural Programming, Chris Loeffelmacher, for our fabulously successful "Knitting for the Troops" program.

This project began with a class at the library, as part of its Fresh City Life program in July 2008. We produced a goodly number of hats and the idea began to spread to other shops and knitting groups. So, in January of this year, Chris created a statewide marathon on a Saturday, as Knitting For the Troops Day. Most of our local shops, Showers of Flowers, Lambshoppe and Shuttles, Spindles and Skeins opened their doors for the day to all knitters who wanted to spend their day knitting hats. In addition, Whole Foods grocery chain opened up their meeting rooms in 11 branches to hat makers. There were snacks and good feelings shared by all. Down at the Denver Main Library they even had some great entertainment. We are still receiving hats from all over incuding a box from London, England wishing us well. So far, as the proclamation stated, 13,000 hats have been sent to the USO and still sending.

By the way...thanks to Meredith Gabow, a real Fresh City Life advocate, who got the City Council involved. And thanks to all the knitters who contributed their time and talents to make this possible!

If any of you would like the pattern for the hat, it is available on line at www.denverlibrary.org/capsproject.

I'm so glad to be back and I expect to be bringing some informative and interesting things to you as well as patterns for new yarns!

The Tenth of May is Mother’s Day

Whether you need a gift for your knitting Mom, or you are the knitting Mom, there is a wonderful choice of things to gift or be gifted with. Here are just a few ideas to help you make it a great Mother's Day this year.

Blue Denise Interchangeable Knitting Needles Set

One of the interchangable needle sets in the last posting is a gift that will last a lifetime. The picture is of a Denise set in blue; they now make a pink set that has some of the purchase price going to breast cancer research -- a bonus! Denise makes a middle-priced set; sets by Boye are less and sets from Skacel are more (see my gift shop for these options).



Swift Yarn Winder - Large
Another option that seldom wears out is a yarn winder. A two-piece set, it consists of a tall spindle-like object with spokes (left, usually wood) that expand or contract to accommodate the size of the hank or skein that needs winding.





Yarn Ball Winder
The swift's partner is a ball winder that winds your yarn into a ball as you turn the handle. This tool is especially appropriate for knitters who prefer the more natural fibers that are less processed and usually come in skeins (as opposed to balls). The two partners are purchased separately and come in different sizes.

The choice of gorgeous yarns and fabulous pattern books is endless; any one (or more) of which we knitters love to receive.

Also if the knitting Mom also likes to read when she isn’t knitting, there are always the novels that are centered around yarn shops. "Friday Night Knitting Club" by Kate Jacobs takes place in a yarn shop in Manhattan, has been on the NY Times best seller list for months, and is now coming to the screen with Julia Roberts.




Knit One, Kill Two (Knitting Mysteries, No. 1)

If mom prefers mysteries, the series by Maggie Sefton in paperback takes place in a yarn shop in Fort Conner, Colorado (really Lambspun in Fort Collins, Colorado) - fun to read and each comes with a different knitting pattern and a free recipe.




Of course, if all these choices are too overwhelming, there is always the handy-dandy gift certificate, which everyone enjoys receiving. Remember, sometimes the giver is hoping for a knitted gift in return! Most yarn stores have certificates available in person, on-line or by mail. So happy gifting!

Knit for Our Troops!

We are thrilled to have participated in the K4OT project! Chris at the Denver Public Library reports that over 10,000 hats were collected. THank you so much for all the knitters who contributed to this wonderful cause. Check this blog to get updates on upcoming projects.