The Knitters Thread

Savvy_Sue

nursemaggie said:

I've just started a blanket to use up my scraps. I lost my knitting mojo when the lock down started, I'm over 70 and high risk so can't go out at all. Was going to use the squares near they end of my knitting magazine but having read them all I now find they are different thickness of yarn and all different sizes so I shall have to re write them to make them all the same size and for DK.

Sorry you lost your knitting mojo: hope you can find it and the rest of your mojo soon. 

I spotted this in this thread and thought some of you might be interested. 

prc758 said:

We have a fabric and yarn online business we also provide discount for NHS staff via the Bluelight Card. One of our Suppliers King Cole in now offering Free Super Hero Knitting patterns you can customise with colours of Keyworkers uniforms, the free pattern is downloadable and available till end of April 2020 but may be extended. King Cole Free Pattern .Also please don’t forget Hospitals are still accepting premature baby clothes, just contact your local hospital for guidance on delivery etc.  The pattern is available at www.misslavenders.co.uk Regards Donna @ Misslavenders

nursemaggie

I have about 100 little jackets I do wonder if they will ever be delivered to the hospital. I can't go out and the last place I want to go to is a hospital.  I don't even know where the SCBU is. I hope they can keep it separate from the rest of the hospital. I don't go to my local hospital I have to go to Manchester. I had not thought about getting the jackets to them. I shall have to call them and see if they have anyone who could pick them up.

Thank you  for the offer of patterns. I'm not short of yarn or pattern and frankly I'm fed up of knitting toys and decorations. I started last August and went right through to Christmas kitting things of my local hospice. I think I just need to do some bigger projects. 

Savvy_Sue

nursemaggie said:

I think I just need to do some bigger projects.  

There are still some online possibilities for ordering yarn, if you need to order some for a bigger project ... (Sorry I have friends who keep trying to lead me astray ...) My LYS has gone online, of course it's not the same as seeing and assessing yarn yourself. 

My current projects are a pair of socks for a friend and a cardigan for myself. I've put them on hold to do a few hearts for my local hospital, which I shall post if no-one can deliver. 

nursemaggie

I have yarn for three cardigans for me, sweater for DD and a hat and scarf for SiL. I just finished a fox hat and mittens and three penguins for  DGS. He won't need the hat an mittens now though it can be a bit cold where they live near the Scottish border. I also have enough wool for dozens of little animals and at least 50 Christmas knits. Still have enough left for hats and mittens which I also knit for our local hospice.

I have to go into town on the bus to post parcels. I can't do that until things improve. We could be still in lockdown in six months. No telling what will happen in that time. 

skogar

Hi Nurse Maggie, But even if those jackets don't get there immediately when they do they will still be useful and knitted things don't go off.

nursemaggie

Hi skogar - yes of course just concerned should I die hundreds of knitted things with no know purpose will be an added burden to my family.

Anyone who can afford it remember your local charities that rely on a large part of their income from charity shops and events, their income ceased the day lockdown started. signing up to give them a few pounds a month will help a great deal.

catherinekate

I have completed my toddler's tank top in self striping sock wool. Thank you for the advice to match up the stripe starting points in the yarn, I did this rather than trying to re-plan the pattern into the round. It worked beautifully and the stripes match on both sides. It even fits!

Then I finished off the leftover yarn into a little teddy bear comforter to match. There was exactly enough.

Next project is a pumpkin hat https://www.garnstudio.com/pattern.php?id=6365&cid=17 - I made one last year and baby grew out of it before I finished it (he has a very large head).

@nursemaggie very good point on the donations. A friend of mine who works in a hospice has said the same.

Could you put your knitted baby things in a bag with a label on, hopefully it will be unnecessary but it might give you peace of mind. All being well it will save you the job of parcelling up when you are able to get out again.

skogar

The pumpkin hat is very cute and with different colours could easily become another sort of fruit. I might be able to make one like that, and there is a good range of sizes too. Unfortunately my little nephew doesn't like wearing hats so I haven't made him any more.

Nurse Maggie - I think the idea to package up the knitted baby things is  good one as then if the opportunity presents itself - someone offers to drop them in or whatever they will be all ready to go.

nursemaggie

They are in a plastic bag and in a cardboard box. They are just under my spare toilet rolls, tissues, paper towels etc.

My new knitting magazine came today and lots of ideas I can pinch from the patterns to get more different textures in my blanket. Even Charities addresses to sent them too.

Savvy_Sue

nursemaggie said:

I have to go into town on the bus to post parcels. I can't do that until things improve. We could be still in lockdown in six months. No telling what will happen in that time.  

I wonder though if there isn't anyone local who might already be going into town who would post them for you? It can be a bit hit and miss tracking them down, but I know in this area there are several groups and organisations offering not only shopping deliveries but also running errands like going to the post.