Episode 49 - Time to knit some good!

I woke up this morning feeling fine, but by the time we recorded, I could feel a sore throat coming on. As I write this, I am hoping, hoping, hoping, that it doesn't get any worse and doesn't turn into a full blown cold. Or worse. Keep fingers and toes crossed for me.

As we gear up for the coming holiday season we introduce a holiday KAL with a short simple theme. Knit some good. Or crochet some good. Make something to donate. A hat, a scarf, a cowl, something else wonderful? There are many ways and many local charities that can benefit from hand-crafted items this time of year. Shelters may distribute items to people who need them, consider donating to an auction or charity store where the proceeds will go towards "good." You know the drill. If you can't find a local need, there are many national groups that will accept donations. We'll have some chat in our Ravelry group if you need more ideas.

If extra knitting doesn't fit into your busy schedule, consider purchasing patterns that send proceeds to a charity. Gayle and I recently heard Cat Bordhi speak about her latest project The Art of Felfs: Felted Footwear for Families. The proceeds from this e-book  are going directly to the cancer research lab of Dr. David Krag at the University of Vermont Medical School.

We will start a thread for the short KAL in our Ravelry group and hope you will join in to Knit or Crochet some good! Happy knitting everyone.
- Sharlene

What are we wearing?
Fuse by Veronik Avery
Sharlene's Fuse
Lipstick by Joji Locatelli
Gayle's Lipstick
Ondulation by Becky Herrick
Gayle's Ondulation

What are we stalking?
Hitofude Cardigan by Hiroko Fukatsu
Dragonflies Jumper by Joji Locatelli
Deep Breath Sweater by Kirstin Hipsky

What are we knitting?
Ease by Alicia Plummer
Barley hat by tincanknits
Imagine When by Joji Locatelli
Ritzy by Katya Frankel

What have we finished?
5200K by Suvi Simola
Sharlene's 5200K

Barry hat by Lee Meredith
Sharlene's Barry
Note: When I talk about knitting this hat, I mention that there is one seam to "knit" when you finish the hat. Of course, I meant one seam to "sew together." Oops!

Renfrew by Jane Richmond
Sharlene's second Renfrew
22 Little Clouds by Martina Behm
Sharlene's Little Clouds

Thrummed Booties by Katie Startzman
Gayle's Booties
Gnome is where the ♥ is by Susan Claudino
 Gayle's Gnome
Knotted Pine by Alicia Plummer

We review two books from Cooperative Press:
Hitch: Patterns Inspired by the Films of Alfred Hitchcock 
Cascadia
Both books contain patterns that would make wonderful gift items and both books themselves make wonderful gift items for a lucky knitter on your list.

We review two yarns from The Knitting Boutique:
Severn and Susquehanna
Both of these yarns would make wonderful gift items.

We review a new knitting row counter from Grellow & Gray Inc.
called the Sirka Counter.
If you are a knitter who likes gadgets and tools, are a knitter  who counts rows and pattern repeats or you know a knitter who fits either of these categories this is fun new gift item.