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Knit for a Cause: Knotty Knitters for Autism Calendar

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knotty knitters calendarI recently told you about the new Calendar of Hope, which is full of original knitting patterns and raises money for cancer research.

I just head about another knitting-related calendar of a cause, the Knotty Knitters for Autism calendar. Instead of featuring patterns, this calendar features models wearing knit objects — and nothing else. One model wears a knit dress, while another hides behind a knit tree. There are ladies in nothing but hats and shawls, others under a throw.

It’s certainly attention-grabbing, anyway. Calendars are $20 plus $5 for shipping. The proceeds go specifically to helping the producer of the calendar’s two grandchildren who are on the autism spectrum, and a donation will also be made to Family for Effective Autism Treatment.

[Photo by Knotty Knitters.]

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Knit a Sweet Striped Vest for Kids

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]