Craft-a-thon – Knitting

Friday, February 8, 2007
8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
Pappajohn Pavillion Lobby (near Elevator “I”)

Day Long Marathon Crafting for PreemiesJoin us in support of critically ill infants at the UIHC! Bring your favorite preemie project or purchase supplies at the event. See our exciting schedule of events below, including visits from former NICU families, NICU nurses and special guest Betty ChristiansenDrop-In Knitting LessonsVolunteers will be on hand to give knitting lessons throughout the day (Starter kits will be available for $5).Clothing and Diaper DriveWe will be accepting donations of newborn sized clothing and diapers for donation to the UIHC NICU social services program.Special Crafting Technique SessionsCrazy Girl Yarn Shop and other local craft stores will be teaching special classes during the day. Click here for session and registration information.

Crafting for Preemies ContestBe sure to enter the Crafting for Preemies Contest for a chance to win one of the wonderful prizes donated by our generous sponsors. Click here for contest guidelines and the official entry form.

Book Sale Sponsored by Wild Rose Books!Wild Rose Books will be selling craft books. Wild Rose Books has generously offered to donate 10% of all craft book sales on February 8th to The Preemie Project (TPP). This means that 10% of sales at the Craft-a-thon and 10% of all craft book sales in Wild Rose Books on Feb. 8th will be donated to TPP. Thank you Wild Rose Books!

Special Guest Betty ChristiansenWe are thrilled to announce that Betty Christiansen, author of Knitting for Peace, will be attending our event. We hope you will attend her trunk show, talk and book signing. Wild Rose Books will be providing copies of Knitting for Peace for sale! Again, 10% of the proceeds from the sales of Knitting for Peace will be donated to The Preemie Project.

I’m trying to include more knits for kids in my posts because I know a lot of people do a lot of their knitting for the little ones in their lives.

This child’s striped vest from Lion Brand Yarn is not only cute and great for kids who might find a full sweater too hot, it’s also an easy project if you’ve never knit a garment before.

Lion Brand rates it as level 2 easy/beginner +, probably just because there’s a little shaping and seaming invovled, but it’s nothing you can’t handle.

The pattern comes in three sizes that are meant to be for ages 6, 8 and 10. The finished chest measurement is 30, 31.5 or 33 inches, which is 76, 80 and 84 cm respectively. This makes the vest a little roomy and makes it easy to slip on over a T-shirt or other top.

It’s worked in two pieces from the bottom up, with the neckband and armhole bands worked in the round after the body pieces are sewn together. One benefit of knitting stripes on a project like this is that it’s easier to make sure your pieces are the same length because you can just count the stripes (it’s also a little easier to seam because you’re always lining up the stripes).

If you’re knitting the smallest size, you only need one skein each of the two colors you choose, and for the larger sizes you will only need two, making this project a pretty good value. The suggested yarn is Color Theory, a worsted weight acrylic yarn that comes in 18 relatively muted colors. Of course you can use any worsted weight yarn you like. Keep it acrylic for easy washing or use wool to make this a warmer garment for kids who live in cooler climates.

You can grab the pattern for free from the Lion Brand website, or get a kit that includes the yarn you need (and needles if you don’t have them already). I think this would be a great basic to knit a kid for back to school in their school colors, or make it holiday with red and green, or whatever colors the child likes.

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]

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