Round table style charity blanket

[cinnamonamon]

This is sort of a spin off from a swap we're discussing on the tp. I got to thinking that it might be neat if we did a sort of charity blanket where we make a blanket a square at a time in strips, then one person finishes it.

It would work something like this:

We have 5 or so starting people each knit 1 square, and then send to the next person on the list, who picks up the stitches (or they aren't bound off at all & just put on waste yarn) and knit their squares. We could order the round table so that they are sent to each person in the same order -- that way, when they are sewn together the blocks each person knit in each strip are in a diagonal line.

Then they could be donated to a charity of our choice, or saved for the mdc holiday helpers.

Anyone interested?

[xanandali]

I love this idea! My only question is I wonder what it'll look like. It would definately be a lesson in guage! I think it would be fun because you could get beginners in on it too, they can do a very simple square all in garter or moss stitch or something, right? How would we ensure everyone uses the right/same yarn? That might also be an issue.

If you can figure out the details I'll help coordinate with you!

[cinnamonamon]

I was thinking that we could do one of two things with the yarn. Either we could all paypal one person to buy the yarn, or we could choose something readily available at any big box store. A third option would be to choose an online retailer & each of the starters could buy the appropriate amount, then mail it on with their squares.

Now that I write it all out, I think it would be simplest to go the readily available (patons or something) route. We could choose a gauge & if someone has a different one they could just go up or down in needle size. Anyone experienced enough to do a block with cables or another pattern that changes the size would know enough to alter the number of stitches to keep the piece square, I think.

Anywho, we could decide on colors, then each person could buy the color they want to use...

[greenegirl]

oooooooooooooooooh. I Looooooooooooooove this idea!

[mamasthree]

great idea and sounds fun!

[Millie Ivy]

Ooh, me too, I want in! And correct me if I am wrong but if we make sure the finished dimensions of our squares are the same , differences in gauge aren't going to be terribly detrimental, right?
I mean, picking up stitches and continuing on I guess you would need similar gauge.....

Maybe we can all do blocks and find one of us that ***really*** likes seaming...

[greenegirl]

Originally Posted by Bella Babe

Maybe we can all do blocks and find one of us that ***really*** likes seaming...

In MDK, they tell about a KAL they did of squares for Afghans for Afghans. They had parties to seam all the blocks together. They did like 5 regional parties and the knitters who came to seam had never met each other in person before -- only knew each other through the message boards on MDK! We could set up something like that with volunteers from here who already know other knitters in their area, even if those helping to seam weren't MDC mamas.

[Millie Ivy]

I could get my knitting group in on that....

Granted I think they hate seaming, but hey it's for charity.

[cinnamonamon]

Yea, that's why I thought we'd try to just add on -- saying I HATE seaming is an understatement! Plus it would be a novel way to watch the blanket grow & keep the blocks in order...

I think that if we all use the same brand/weight yarn and start with the same needle size (going up or down depending on knitting style, we should be fine. If you choose to do a block that makes a very tight fabric you would increase an appropriate # of stitches in the first row or two, then decrease on your last row or two...

I do think it would be really neat to have local knitting groups get in on this, though! We could make it a nice big blanket then. Let me think how best to organize it...

[greenegirl]

The big problem I see with the knitting on to the existing block method is that the blanket will get heavier and larger so therefore more expensive and difficult to ship as the project progresses. An individual block can probably be shipped for one or two stamps.

In addition, if people are knitting blocks, they can all be done at one time, so this project takes less time. I am one of the participants in the Journal Swap going on right now. This swap started back in January and is just about to finish. There are 3 different groups and mine is the only one close to finishing. We are really the only group that hasn't had major disruptions or problems in getting the journals around the circle. I have loved the swap, and am going to do it again, but it was a lesson in how life happens and you need to be flexible in accomodating people.

I don't know what your final vision is for this project, but if it was to make blankets for Holiday Helpers, I'd be surprised if we could be finished in time with the pass the whole project around method.

[monkaha]

We did this for our expecting mamas in our playgroup. One of our ladies is a crocheter, so we had them all crocheted together, and that helped fill in gaps when some were bigger than others.

[cinnamonamon]

Good point about shipping getting heavier. I had planned to have vertical strips passed around at the same time, so it wouldn't be a one at a time thing, but more of a 5-8 at a time thing (depending on block & blanket dimensions), so I don't think time would be quite the issue it would be with a single block being done at a time. I'm willing to give that up if that's the general concensious (sp??? ) though.

Love the crocheting idea -- I've heard it before & recall that it's supposed to be easier & nice looking... kids calling! gtg

[cinnamonamon]

okay; i'm going to reluctantly drop the add on as we go idea. it would be a waste of money to make everyone mail 5-8 packages of increasing weight... we can decide whose lys/snb group will do the seaming later, lol.


so lets decide on blanket size, block size & fiber content. oh, and if we're going to regulate stitch patterns, number of blocks that are the same, etc.. or just leave it random.

[cinnamonamon]

Oh, and wrt the charity, I was thinking the first one would go to the holiday helpers... Perhaps the next could be for Afghans for Afghans -- there are restrictions that will be a bit limiting there, so I thought we'd do a less fussy one first.

[flapjack]

If it's for HH, I'll donate the shipping from seaming to final recipient for as many blankets as you make.

[cinnamonamon]

thx flapjack!

[greenegirl]

Yeah for Holiday Helpers Knitting!!!! (see my sig!)

Random Thoughts:

We could do one with animal fibers and one without for those who are allergic or vegan. Either way, it is probably best if it is washable.

I would like to suggest doing a blanket for a teenager. Last year it seemed it was hard to fill the teenagers needs. Babies are easier. Lots of mamas on here have young ones that have grown out of stuff and can be passed on. And baby items are easier to knit quickly and at the last minute since they are smaller. Teenagers are a bigger project, but with many hands working on this, and doing it in blocks, it'll be quicker and easier.

I think we should set a size for blocks, a fiber type, and decide what size the finished project is. We should probably decide on a general color scheme, so everything will go together! But I think we should leave stitch patterns up to the mamas knitting/crocheting the block.

[cinnamonamon]

Sounds great -- I'll visit Michaels & Joann's this weekend & check out what the selection is, then give ya'll some options (opinions welcome!). A teen blanket would be cool! Maybe a "throw" size for carting off to college/1st apt. later?

[timneh_mom]

Hey Carolynn!!

You know I haven't been able to do much knitting lately but please get me the details... just email me!

[momtwoboys]

I will definately help. Sounds great so far ladies.