Hello
as a couple of viewers already know, I am a beginning knitter.....I was wondering what I should do with my knitted crafts....since my parents are already loaded with many scarves that my mother has recieved as gifts and my children (all teenagers) aren't into this type of clothing. Many of my friends who are knitters donate to Salvation Army what they have made....... but, since I am a beginner my crafts are small and often turn out as disasters.....I lately completed my first piece....a striped scarf and I am eager for ideas of where I could donate or make clothes for.....I live in the Boston Area so places around there would be awesome!
once again, thanks for all your support and giving your time to read and reply to my discussion.....I can not express enough how greatly it is appericated!
-allicat

Hi!

You might want to check with local churches or schools...
Our Church has a "mitten tree" in the winter, folks knit hats/mittens/scarves which are given to the town school to be distributed to the children who come in without warm clothes. The school knows which kids are needy, and our donations are always welcomed!

Linda

I've read of a group--Warm up America?--which accepts knitting squares which are sewn into blankets for the homeless. That would be a good way of finding a use for practice pieces which could become more complicated as you gain new skills. When you feel more confident you could knit little blankets for premature babies--there are a number of organizations that need clothing & blankets for premies.

Jude

Many animal shelters are happy to get blankets for cats and dogs to sleep on. The animals don't care how neat the knitting is -- as long as the blanket is soft and warm (and of course washable). Call your local shelter and ask what size they need.

If you ever do blankets, Project Linus is nationwide and always looking for handmade blankets. They donate the blankets to local hospitals for the sick children and they don't care what size you make them. The bigger ones go to the older children and the smaller ones go to the preemies and younger children. Check out their website: www.projectlinus.org.
Shari

I live in Boston and between projects I knit and mail squares to the the Red Cross (North Area Office in Peobody). They have has a group that meets once a week to knit/crochet and piece squares together and (I think) sends them off to Warm Up America. I called them and they sent me a packet with size guidelines, etc. I've never met any of the people, other than on the phone, I just keep sporadically mailing them the squares!

Hi all, I am beginner knitting as well. I am looking for great book for knitting. Any suggestions?. Thanks, Michelle

If you're looking for a very good book to get started, you can't go wrong with Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Without Tears, then follow with Katharina Buss's Big Book of Knitting, Montse Stanley's Reader's Digest Knitting Handbook, or Vogue Knitting.

Be cautious about some of the newer books that have appeared in the last couple of years. Some of the "hip" books cashing in on the "recent" popularity of knitting have some fun projects, but may not have the best instructions. Ask advice of a trusted knitter or LYS instructor or owner. Also be aware that like many fields, different authors, from differnet countries or knitting traditions, may use different names for the same or almost the same techniques. The "Tips and Techniques" section on this board will help you reach folks who can help sort these out.

Regarding project and patterns books, as I usually work out my own designs, I haven't looked carefully at lots of new books. Patterns aren't always written/edited in an easily understood manner, or even correctly. Some patterns use amazingly expensive yarns and may not be helpful for a new knitter who wishes to make good substitutes.

If you don't have an experienced teacher or find learning from books difficult, you may consider the TKGA's knitting course--click on "The Knitting Guild Association" at the bottom of the page. I had been knitting for years before I began the Master Knitting Program (which I think is wonderful) but would have benefited from the "Basics,Basics,Basics" course.

By starting off with good teachers, or respected books, you'll more quickly progress to being able to truely "do it yourself."

Knit on!
Jude

dear knittingqueen: give yourself a little more credit i knit for three hospitals,from the healthy new borns and infants to adults with cancer. it's very rewarding, uses up the odds and ends that you may have right now, plus knits quickly.each one i make becomes more cheerful and when i hand them to the men and women, the smile on their face is wonderful. so i will pass this simple pattern to you. (i also do scrafs and lap blankets)
if later those patterns interest you, i happily will share those with you.
pattern infant size: i use circular needles..
(sizes 3 to 6 16") us sport weight yarn, co 76 stitches..entire hat knitted (k2..p2 rib)
cont. ribbing for (5")primies (6") or desired length..then (k2tog..ptog) knit one row DECREASE
ONE ROUND using (k2tog)ONLY, knit one round then go to double pointed needles (i cap the end) decrease one more round you then will have (10) sts. left, cut a long tail, weave threaded needle over and under untill it's finished. weave in all tails, add a pompom if you wish.done!
for adults same pattern(co86sts.ladies)(96sts.for men) i hope this works for you. xxevelyn

Hi,
I'm from the Boston area, also. Have you tried the Pine Street Inn or Rosie's Place? With winter coming on, I'm sure they'd be grateful for anything you have on hand. Good luck with the knitting.

hello knittinqueen68: i was curious if you got my responce to your sept. 9th message. i sent you a pattern for ribbed hats (from infants to adults) to donate to hospitals etc., i saw it on the screen but did not know if you actually got the reply. still not always sure about this message site.
please let me know, so i at least know that i sent the reply correctly. thank you, evelyn

quote:

Originally posted by evronartists:
hello knittinqueen68: i was curious if you got my responce to your sept. 9th message...i saw it on the screen but did not know if you actually got the reply. still not always sure about this message site. please let me know, so i at least know that i sent the reply correctly. thank you, evelyn

Evelyn-- just a word on how the site works, since you seem to have some concerns. When you post a message and it appears on the screen, it's public. Even though you address it to a specific person, anybody who is registered can read it and respond. However, you can't really know if that specific person read it or not. Not everybody visits the site daily, and some only log on occasionally. Some people read posts but don't acknowledge them; others do. But you certainly don't have to worry about sending your posts correctly -- if they appear on the screen, you've accomplished that. By the way, if you want to send a PRIVATE message to someone, you can do so by clicking on New (at the top of the page), then on Private Message. Only that person will get to see what you're saying.
I hope you enjoy being part of this community, and continue to participate.