Craft-a-thon

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.

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time.

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring.

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn.

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row.

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves.

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body.

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy.

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn.

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]

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