Summer Challenges - 2009!

Lou · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:41 pm

Thought I would give you these early as a thank you for all the brilliant totals from Spring Challenge :0)

OK - It is that time again - I know you have all been waiting for the announcement of the Summer challenges for 2009. These will run from 12th April right through to 18th July and we will then announce the Autumn challenges on the 19th July. :0)

This time we are looking for four sections again with items to suit all of your talents whether you knit, crochet or sew for us I am sure you will all find something to get you working like fury - if not then by all means feel free to continue with your favourite items from our wish lists - as you all know already we can always find places for everything we receive at HQ :0)

First off we would like you to help our furry friends - we are looking for Dog Coats, Pet beds and Animal Blankets - these can be knitted, crocheted or stitched - we need all sizes from pussy cats and puppies right up to Great Danes - we would love to get 200 of these if possible xx

We have been approached by SANDS the UK charity that supports bereaved parents - they have launched an appeal for blankets for their precious memory boxes - these blankets need to be made in white (they will also accept cream) DK yarn and 4mm (size

pins. Here is the pattern to use:-

200gm of Double Knit Wool and size 8 (UK) needles

BASIC BLANKET

Cast on 1 stitch
Next row :- Make the one stitch into two stitches.
Next row :- Knit 1, into the next stitch make another,3 stitches on needle.
Continue to knit, ALWAYS knit the first stitch and into the 2nd stitch make another.
Only increase this way at the BEGINNING of a row
Continue until you have almost come to the end of the 100gm ball. Knit 1 row plain.
Next row:- Knit 1, Knit 2 together, Knit to end of row. Continue this way, always knit the 1st stitch then decrease into the next stitch by knitting 2 together until 1 stitch remains. You should now have a neat square.

LACE EDGING

Using Double Knit and size 8 (UK) needles Cast on 8 stitches
Row 1 ( Wrong side) Slip 1, Knit 1,(Yarn fwd knit 2 tog)twice, Yarn fwd Knit 2 (9sts)
Rows 2, 4, and 6. Slip 1 Knit to the end.
Row 3. Slip 1, knit 2 (yarn fwd knit 2 tog) twice. Yarn fwd Knit 2 (10sts)
Row 5. Slip 1, knit 3 (yarn fwd knit 2 tog) twice. Yarn fwd Knit 2 (11sts)
Row 7. Slip 1, knit 4 (yarn fwd knit 2 tog)twice . Yarn fwd Knit 2 (12sts)
Row 8. Slip 1, Knit 11 sts
Row 9. Slip 1 Knit 11 sts Row 10 cast off 4 Sts Knit to the end ( 8sts) These 10 rows form the pattern. Continue in pattern until it is long enough to fit one edge, or all around, as you wish. Sew onto the blanket

We are hoping to be abe to give them 200 to help out with such a very worthwhile cause which I know is very close to a lot of our members hearts :0)

Part 3 of our challenge is for summer items for children - for our knitters this could be cardigans, tank tops, summer tops, dresses etc. Our stitchers could make pretty dresses, shirts, shorts, trousers etc. These items will be divided equally between our two childrens charities - Linda MacDonald and Algerian Action so we would love to be able to send them 200 items each - that means we need 400 childrens summer items xx

and finally Part 4 - this one is the pet project of our lovely Suzanne and she has already had a trial run which is off to the charity for approval so she can then help any of our stitchers who want to take part - Algerian Action is looking for sanitary towels for girls in their catchement area who are desperately needing them. You can read all about it in the 'washables' section on the Algerian Action website. Apparently some of these poor girls have been reduced to using plastic bags as they do not have the money to buy towels - in this day and age this is appalling and easily remedied by providing each girl with a set of washable towels in a handy drawstring bag - there are instructions on Algerian Action for the wayh Lynne has been making them or Sizanne has devised a way to make alternatives. We will not put a set target on these but would like to help as many girls as we possibly can to have a bit of dignity and comfort back in their lives.

So there you have it folks - another challenge launched - I hope none of you are disappointed and that we have managed to give you something for everyone to get involved in again.

Good Luck (although I am sure you won't need it - you will hammer these targets as always xx)

Hope you all like the new format - thought it would be easier to find the challenge and the countdown if I gave them their own sections :0)

harrynorris · **Joined:** Wed Jan 07, 2009 3:30 pm **Posts:** 10

I'd love to have a go at knitting some dog coats, has anyone got a pattern? I'll do some children's clothing too though. I've got some lovely cotton thread a friend gave me so that'll make nice summer weight cardies.

Jill

winterknitter · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2009 6:42 am

Great challenges again Lou! Knitting for the cats and dogs sounds like fun, will make a nice change!

I'd place a HUGE sum of money on you receiving more than the 200 Sands blankets you requested though :wink:

I think LMF and Algerian Action could benefit too.

That said, I'm off to start a blanket

PS - do you know the exact measurements of the blankets? I'm not very good at judging the amount of wool I need to finish a project!

Roamin in the Gloamin · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:19 am

Good Morning Everybody
You can find patterns for dog coats at this site bellow

www.jessica-tromp.nl/dogsweatersforpets ... nsdogs.htm

as well as a gazillion others - all for free. I first used the site for the knitting machine - which I am still fighting to learn!
Good luck with the challenge
Jean in France
xxxxxx

Wolfy14 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:40 am

Fantastic challenges Lou - i'm really pleased to see one for the animal charities

I can't wait to get stuck in.

If anyone would like a pattern for very quick and easy puppy jumpers, pm me your email address and i'll send you one. I had put a link to it in this message but when i tried it the website is currently out of action.

Lou · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:50 am

The Sands blankets are done using 200gr DK yarn and the plain centre piece measures around 24 inches square.

Alanas puppy coats look really sweet - she has just sent one in with her last box and we just had to go 'aaaaaah' when we saw it :0)

There are just so many free dog coat patterns out there and in all sorts of designs so everyone should find something nice to do xx

Molly Lawton · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2009 12:13 pm

Hi Lou

Great challenges once again for everyone and they should keep us all occupied for quite some time.

Molly

Jacqui · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2009 2:46 pm

Sorry if this is a silly question but with regard to the sanitary pads, what should the outer pocket be made from? Is it used with the inner pad in it and therefore needs to be nice and absorbant or is it just something to keep the inner pad in until needed?

sue · **Joined:** Wed Dec 12, 2007 6:44 pm **Posts:** 154

The outer pockets also need to be absorbent but I use Ipiece nice sheeeting and an inner layer of either flannel or very thin towelling. hope you understand what I mean.

Mairead · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2009 2:57 pm

Thanks for the new challenges Lou - and I do like your new format - we'll be able to track things all along this time.
Jacqui, that's a good question, I'd like to know too.

Aunt Rhona · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2009 3:28 pm

Haven't we done well with our totals. Great new challenge and already I'm looking through all my patterns and sorting out what I'll do. We're going to be a busy team.

Rhona

sue · **Joined:** Wed Dec 12, 2007 6:44 pm **Posts:** 154

I use anything absorbent, usually 1 layer cotton sheeting (well used as it's softer) and 1 layer flannel or thin towelling.
hope this helps

Jacqui · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2009 3:49 pm

Have just rescued some of hubby's old pyjamas that he was throwing away - in t-shirt type material. Is that suitable for outer pocket?

sue · **Joined:** Wed Dec 12, 2007 6:44 pm **Posts:** 154

if it's absorbent it's fine.

harrynorris · **Joined:** Wed Jan 07, 2009 3:30 pm **Posts:** 10

Love the dog patterns, thanks

Jill

lovinghands

Summer Challenges - 2009!

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