Hello Everyone,

My name's Faye and I live in Christchurch, New Zealand. I taught myself to knit (from a library book) two weeks ago so I could knit some baby items for the baby dolls I make and collect.

I have made four pairs of bootees, two hats, a shawl and a scarf so far.

I came across the idea of knitting for charity a few days ago when I was surfing the net looking for knitting patterns. I thought it was a great idea, but got very confused after a few hours of surfing as there's so many good charities to knit for. When I discovered lovinghands, and saw that you knit for a variety of wonderful charities, I decided to join.

I hope I can be of help, even though I can't knit very fast at present, so can only provide you with a few items at the moment! I've really enjoyed knitting booties and hats (both preemie and newborn size) for my dolls, so would love to knit some extras for the charities. I can only do simple knitting, but so far there's been no unexpected holes in my knitted items and they've all turned out looking like what they're meant to be .

I have a couple of questions to ask you:

1. I use 8 ply acrylic yarn for my dolls' knitting. Would this be OK to knit items for babies? It is machine washable, but doesn't feel as soft as proper baby yarn that I've felt in the shops.

2. I like bright colours. Are these OK for baby items I make for the charities, or do you prefer softer baby colours?

Well, I look forward to meeting you all through this message board.

Blessings,

Faye

Im sure Lou will answer your questions but I know that sometimes the brighter colours used the better for Africa or children in Eastern Europe. I think the premmie clothes are the ones done in pastel shades for the Uk palate

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Hello Faye and welcome . I learnt to crochet from a book but we were taught to knit at school (showing my age now) What sort of temperature do you have at the moment over there are you entering your Autumn period We have been lucky in Scotland with our weather just recently and the garden is coming on a treat (except for the rabbits who are a bit of a pain) It's great that we are getting more members in other countries, long may it continue Dot

Hello Faye.

Great to have you join us. What a lovely country you live in! I've been to the north island but hear the south one is just as wonderful.

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Ange

Thank you all for your warm welcome. It was the first day of winter here in NZ on Sunday. So I have been sitting in front of the heater as I knit.

I started knitting my first item for lovinghands yesterday... a red baby hat for the Paul O'Grady Save The Children appeal. I should finish it tonight. I do hope it will be big enough as it does look kind of small to me. But I got the pattern from Paul O'Grady's website (after searching for him on Google. I didn't know who he was, but I see from his website that he has a talk show in the UK).

The instructions say to cast on 48 stitches, which didn't seem like enough to me, but I'm just a beginner, so I did what I was told! I found doing the K1, P1 ribbing very confusing so it took me a long time to do that part, but I'm happy with how it looks. I'm just worried that it won't be big enough, but I'll have to see how it looks once I've finished it .

Hello Faye, welcome to the group and the forum, I'm sure you will enjoy being with us.
Do not worry that the hats look small, they will fit, it's surprising how small these babies are.
Iam not a fast knitter either but every little helps, and no one minds how much you make or how little, it is all appreciated.
Bye the way I think you are so clever to teach yourself to knit in two weeks, it took me years!

Welcome Faye. I'm with Nita....you're so clever to be able to knit in 2 weeks....especially self-taught! Just send in anything you make....it always seems to fit someone. I'm sure mine do not always go to plan...but I send them anyway!

Welcome Faye

How exciting, another member from New Zealand. We went to Christchurch last year and thought it was a lovely place. You will find the group really friendly and helpful and always there if you have any problems.

Happy knitting

Molly

welcome Faye, so now we have one from the north and one from the south, great to not be here on my ownfrom this neck of the woods! I am sure you will get great fun and satisfaction from it all, I have

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knittings addictive!! I Love it