Knit Your Bit

a neck-warming story

I got a neat email today and I thought I'd share.  I've gotten to know Terri through our Knit-ins here at the Museum. She often takes the time to stop by and knit a bit.  And I'm so glad when she does because she has great ideas about how to make Knit Your Bit better.  In fact, I've gotten to know a lot of really neat people locally through this Knit Your Bit experiment, and my life is richer for it.  But I digress...

Terri works for our local VA. Last week she called and asked if I could drop off what scarves I had on hand as they were having a Stand Down last weekend.  So I took some boxes over there - just a mile or so from the Museum.  I hadn't distributed scarves locally due to the uncertainty of VA operations here since the storm (the plans are to build a new state of the art facitlity and teaching hospital). So I'm glad Terri asked me for scarves, because Knit Your Bit has been successful all over the country, but it was extra special to see the scarves go over so well locally wiht vets in our community!

Here's what she had to say on Ravelry:

Hello fellow yarnies! I just wanted to take a moment to shower you with appreciation for all the great charity knitting you’ve been doing!!

I work at the VA hospital in New Orleans and had the distinct privilege of distributing your donated scarves to homeless veterans at an outreach event last weekend. It was an unseasonably cold weekend and I gave out about 100 scarves. Veteran after veteran remarked how much they appreciated the scarves and were in awe that someone they didn’t know would handknit something special to honor their service!

For me personally, it always feels good to do charity knitting but it was especially gratifying to see first hand the difference it makes. A special thanks to Lauren aka museumlady for starting and organizing the KYB program at the museum.

Keep up the good work … your efforts and good will extend far beyond that of your needles!

----

So keep those scarves coming.  You all are doing a great thing!

Year Four. Would this be senior year?!

Hi all, long time, no post, but I’m ready to jump into year four of Knit Your Bit!  Glad that you’re along for the ride!

I sent out the email about the new pattern to my list of knitters and crocheters.  I'm sure there will be questions.

Here are a couple that have already asked, that I anticipate:

GAUGE/YARN: I didn't specify a gauge or specific yarn.  Just make it an appropriate scarf width. and if the number of stitches cast on needs to be changed, do so, just remember that'll change the number you knit in the middle of the chevron-knit row and the number you purl on the backside.

As far as what kind of yarn, use what you have/what you like, be it acrylic or super bulky or cashmere.

M1: I did a bar increase that I learned how to do on knittinghelp.com.  It's not too hole-y and keeps the seed stitch on each side even.

KITCHENER: written instructions are confusing, I highly recommend going on youtube and then also following the advice I got...get rid of all distractions before you do it!

As always, knit other patterns if this one is just not for you.  Just keep it gender neutral and attach care instructions (via little yarn loop/safety pin if possible. please don't just send in the yarn packaging with care instructions, it's too hard to keep with the scarf when I send dozens in one box)

Like this:

 

(but don't feel like you need to type it up, your nice handwriting is fine too!)

North Dakota. Finally.

We’re getting towards the end of our third “season” of Knit Your Bit.  And guess what?  We finally received a box of scarves from North Dakota!  I know those Dakotans need scarves to keep themselves warm, so I appreciate the ladies from the Fargo Public Library for sending some our way.  Scarves are still coming in fairly regularly.  Lots of different styles and designs.  I really like the color varieties on the patterns.  Now, as the humidity creeps up here in New Orleans, it’s time to start thinking about next year’s design.  We still get so much interest and outpouring of kindness from knitters, as well as appreciation from the VA Centers throughout the country where we send the scarves, that I can’t imagine this project fading anytime soon.  I hope you all are enjoying the sounds of spring wherever you are.  And thanks again for your generosity towards our veterans and support of Knit Your Bit!

New project!

The National World War II Museum preserves Kitchen Memories
Grassroots program seeks to capture culinary history

NEW ORLEANS – Many of our strongest memories are centered on food: meals we have loved, meals we have hated, special gatherings or everyday routines with relatives and friends, triumphs and disasters in the kitchen.  Now add to the mix the emotions, fears, excitement, and challenges of the Home Front and you’ve got some of the strongest memories of the World War II generation.  The National WWII Museum in New Orleans is encouraging members of the Greatest Generation to share these stories as part of a national grassroots program called Kitchen Memories.

The Museum is seeking to gather a nation’s individual and collective memories of shopping, rationing, growing, cooking, serving, and eating during the war from those who experienced these things first hand. They are also encouraging people who did not experience the Home Front to gather stories from someone who did.  Talk to your mother, grandmother, a relative or friend in your community who has food stories to share.

The goal of the program is to produce a collection of stories, recipes and memories of World War II as a community kitchen project: a way to encourage oral history and talk across generations while these stories can still be collected first-hand.

For helpful guidelines on recording your Kitchen Memories or those of a loved one, visit www.nationalww2museum.org where you can also find information on submitting your oral history, photos and wartime recipes to The National World War II Museum’s archives.

For more information on this and other educational programs at The National World War II Museum, call 504-527-6012 x 229 or email lauren.handley@nationalww2museum.org.

I hope you consider participating!

1K

As I prepare to head off to Memphis in the morning to participate in the St Jude’s Memphis ½ marathon (that’s 21100 K) I’m happy to announce that we’ve received 1000 scarves since launching year 3 of Knit Your Bit.  The scarves are beautiful and I so appreciate you all keeping them gender neutral for me.  I wish I could wrap all thousand around me as I walk my 13 miles on Saturday (the windchill at race time is predicted to be in the 20s.  I live in New Orleans for a reason…I despise walking when it’s cold).  But alas, the scarves I’ve received so far are already warming veterans’ necks.  So, thanks for knitting and stay warm wherever you are!

Yay! Scarf season is in full swing!

Holy Cow! The scarves are starting to come in.  and I have to tell you, I like this pattern. I also get a little nostalgic when the “V” pattern and the first year’s 3-stripe pattern arrive.  What’s really cool about Knit Your Bit right now:  I’m starting to get some scarves from knitters who are reminding me that this is their third year participating.  I can’t believe it’s been so long.  I also love to get letters from “old friends.” 

I *just* opened a box from the Humboldt Iowa Knitters and Crocheters.  87 squares! Thanks Ms Betty for organizing the group.  They are just lovely!  This means it’s time to rally my volunteers to help me start connecting squares.  I’m tempted to put the knitters/crocheters who show up for the next Knit-in at the Museum (on Saturday, November 8 from 12-4 by the way) to work on this Knit Your Itty Bit project.

Also today I got a call from one of the VA Centers I recently sent a box of your scarves to.  They loved them!  In fact, they asked for more Veterans’ Day because they think the vets will really enjoy feeling thought of then. I agree!  So if you have started your scarves, think about sending them this way soon so I can get them out.  The holidays are also a great time so share, as all you generous crafters know, so keep on keeping on!  It’s nice to see the program pick up again after the summer slowdown.

Yay! It’s Fall!

I’ve been hearing from a lot of knitters lately, and I love it.  I also have to say that I am really loving the scarves coming in using the new pattern.  They look sharp!  I was a little worried that the circular needles might scare some people off, but hey, there’s always previous patterns.  In fact, yesterday I got a scarf that was the year one pattern and a little smile passed my face as I thought back to that first scarf I got two years ago know.  Knit Your Bitters (as I’ll call you) have become such a source of inspiration and encouragement for me.  My favorite part of my job, in fact.  So, I hope the weather is as beautiful where you are as it is here.  Finally, the oppressive humidity has lifted, and I find myself sitting on my porch with yarn and needles, enjoying the days. 

NEW URL

With progress comes new website addresses it seems.  Please bookmark the new Knit Your Bit website as http://www.nationalww2museum.org/education/for-general-public/knit-your-bit.html.

Don’t forget you can always email me and check this blog (http://ww2museum.typepad.com/knit_your_bit/) or you can visit me on facebook or ravelry (museumlady).  See, I haven’t disappeared and Knit Your Bit is ready to roll in year three!

Unexpected Road Trip

See, I knew that there was a reason that I gave myself that late August deadline.  I ended up on what we’re calling a “hurrication.”  I brought yarn and needles with me, but I ended up with my family and a new puppy and the yarn is still all wound up.  So, it’s a good thing that I finished that scarf and got the pattern out to you all when I did.  I don’t even think the museum lost power, and the mail may be delayed for another day or two, but I’m ready to keep knitting.  If you’re on the Gulf Coast, I am hosting another “Knit-In” on Saturday, September 13th.  Weather permitting.  It’s been an active season, for sure. There was a big discussion on ravelry about would you take your stash with you in the event of an evacuation?  I hope you’ll take your Knit Your Bit supplies, because I am too excited too receive the first scarf in this year’s pattern!  And squares too!

I’m Almost Ready and Knit Your Itty Bit

Well, I have the scarf knitted and binded off and have woven in the dangling yarn from my color switches.  But I want to add fringe.  Personally, I am in the middle of the move and I keep forgetting my yarn at one house, etc.  We’ve all moved, you know how it goes!  But I hope to get the scarf photographed and the pattern posted on the website in a mere matter of days.

This year we’re also going to offer a Knit Your Itty Bit part to our project. People can knit/crochet squares with any yarn and any pattern that they want, it just needs to measure 8x8. To launch the website, I need squares to show off.  Would yall be interested in knitting/crocheting an 8”x8” square so I can post it on the internet?  So if you would all just knit up some squares and email photos to lauren.handley@nationalww2museum.org, or send the squares in, they’ll be photographed and later sewn into the first blanket. Plus, you can use absolutely any yarn that you want. So look at it as a way to thin out your stash!