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 

 

Comments

[Hbreen]

I would like to thank you for getting the word out re
"knitting for our soldiers". Also thank you for the scarf patterns. Helga

[Hbreen]

Thank you to the staff at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, for your "Knit your Bit Campaign"
I will be coming to New Orleans at the end of this month and look forward to visiting the Museum and it's knitting workshop.

[HVAC contractors]

That's such a good idea to knit for soldiers. I've been to the middle east and was there for two years almost. It gets pretty lonesome, so getting a package full of homemade goodies about makes you want to cry. Keep supporting the troops please. It's appreciated more than you can ever know.

[maine dermatologist]

Been a long time, but your taste has never changed. Like your first post again.