Knit Your Bit

meet Tracey!

Hello fellow knitters!

My name is Tracey LeBlanc, and I just graduated from Clemson University in May. I am interning with Kristen this summer and am also learning how to knit. While going through the scarves to send to Veterans and realizing what a great project Knit Your Bit is, I thought it would be great to be able to knit and help out with the program even more. I was beyond excited when just a few days later Lauren said that I had the opportunity to learn to knit! I started to learn the basics like tying on and the garter stitch, and although there have been some dropped stitches here and there, I think I’m starting to get the hang of it. Even though I still need to pick up a stitch here and there, my scarf seems to be coming along. I am almost halfway through my scarf using the Year 1 pattern, and any time a problem arises, Lauren seems to be there to fix my mistakes.

As I learn more and more about knitting, I continue to learn about and see how big the world of knitting really is. I had one of my biggest discoveries here at the WWII Museum at World Wide Knit in Public Day. All the ladies knitting were talking about this website called Ravelry, which I had never heard of before. I decided to ask what this site was so that I could learn about their obsession . After the group of ladies recovered from their initial shock that I did not know about this site—they forgave me only because I am still new at knitting—they described Ravelry as a facebook for knitters except so much better. Being an avid facebook user all through college I realized I needed to check out Ravelry and see what it was all about. Once I checked out the website I was hooked. There is more stuff on that website than I could have ever imagined!There are places to put up your current projects, list what yarn you are using, and all other aspects of your knitting projects. It is such a great way for knitters to communicate with each other and learn more about the knitting community. If you are not yet a member of Ravelry I would definitely recommend joining today!

Until next post happy knitting!

I'm calling in reinforcements!

Wow! It’s been too long since I’ve updated the Knit Your Bit blog.  It’s that thing on my to-do list that never seems to get checked off.  So I’ve enlisted reinforcements.  I’d like to introduce you all to Lauren Tilton, Tracey LeBlanc and Kristen Jones.  This summer, as Knit Your Bit goes into planning mode, I’m teaching these wonderful women how to knit.  In exchange for yarn, needles and guidance, they have agreed to blog about their experiences knitting Knit Your Bit patterns.  All three have seen the amazing scarves and letters you all send in;  they have boxed up the scarves to go to veterans centers; they have participated at local knit-ins.  And I would like for them to share their voices.

 

First off, help me welcome Kristen Jones...

 

Hello “Knit Your Bit” Knitters!

My name is Kristen Jones. I am a rising senior at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN and working as an intern this summer in the Education department at the WWII Museum. I am a native New Orleanian and a history major at Rhodes, so I have arrived at the perfect place to spend my summer! Also as a scrap booker and a lover of all things creative, I am very excited to be taking on a new craft in knitting! Immediately upon hearing about the Museum’s “Knit Your Bit” program and seeing the beautiful and intricate scarves we graciously receive on a daily basis, I was intrigued and eager to learn how to knit! When Lauren came to us with the idea of chronicling our experiences as beginning knitters, I became even more excited to begin my newfound hobby!

I quickly realized that learning to knit involves a great deal of patience, diligence, and a desire to stay calm after you catch your first dropped stitch three rows after the fact (true story!). When I went home with my new pair of knitting needles and ball of yarn that Lauren provided us, I quickly turned my new challenge into an unexpected family affair. It turns out that my mom knew how to knit, something I never knew about her! Although she hasn’t taken up the hobby since about the 6^th grade, she was excited to teach me what she remembered and it was a great help to have an actual person helping me learn the basics rather than a book or website (although I have quickly learned that these are extremely helpful sources as well). I have found that beginning to knit is similar to riding a bike, although it seems very difficult and awkward at first, the more you practice the faster it becomes more natural and innate. I have started my quest to knit beginning with the garter stitch and the goal of creating my first project, a scarf based on the “Knit Your Bit” pattern from 2006.  Upon looking at the directions, I was faced with the challenge of deciphering what “MC”, “skein”, or “switch to CC and K6 rows” meant! With help from fellow intern and new knitter Tracey and our personal knitting guru Lauren, I now think of have it slightly under control and am excited to officially start the scarf.  My first challenge on the horizon is changing colors 15 rows into the scarf to create the complimentary stripes of the 2006 pattern. I will update how this goes and how I tackle other challenges that will arise such as fixing inevitable errors and the art of casting on and off!

I am so excited to be starting this journey with “Knit Your Bit” and love that our work is going to a great cause and will be used by deserving veterans! Working at the museum, I have met so many of our amazing veteran volunteers and I am very exciting to be doing my part to give back to a generation that gave so much!

Knitting Love,

Kristen 

 

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!