Winter is approaching and some of our knitting board knitters have really jumped in with their knitted squares.  We have 2 new blankets.  The first one was knit by Laura Carlos of Neptune, NJ.  Some really pretty designs, stitches, and unusual yarns.  Thank you so much, Laura, for your time, caring and thoughtfulness.  Also thank you, Sue Kreitzer, for all your time and dedication of  sewing these blankets together for us.  We will let you all know where these blankets will be sent. 

The center crocheted square was donated by Nancy DeWitt.  The pretty Teal square was knit by Linda Pagel.  3 squares were knit and donated by Laura Carlos and the other squares were knit by Sue Kreitzer.  Thank you all for contributing and sharing in this project.  The squares were sent to Sue Kreitzer who is doing the arrangement and sewing for completing the blankets.  We appreciate all efforts from everyone.  Let’s keep lots of needy folks warm this winter.  Keep them coming and we’ll keep finding unique homes for them.

Dora says she is working on a ‘mrs santa hat’ to go with this one.  I haven’t heard how she came up with this cute design, but the info will be coming.  Lots of sharing of our Christmas ideas will really keep us all busy. This was posted last year, but it’s time to give some thought to the Holidays 2007.

What’s a Toggle?  I say, its my ’saving grace’, when I neglect to make a buttonhole and now my sweater needs a button, or my bag needs a strap that is secured with a button.

So, we make toggles.  They are also a great accent for certain styles of knitwear or closures.  Make them by braiding 3 strands of yarn or crocheting a chain.  You can do the crochet chain with a single strand of fine yarn for a delicate look or use a double strand of thicker yarn for a very thick Toggle.  We can also use longer Toggles for drawstrings and hat straps.

Make the toggle just long enough to slip over the button with ends long enough to be tucked into the knitting.  So, if you are using a button that is 1″ wide, your toggle will be about 3″ long. Place the ends into the knitting with a stitch between.  Pull the tails out together at the same place on back of knitting.  Tie the tail ends and trim.  Now pull the  toggle into the knitting so the ends are not exposed.  Sew several stitches so that the toggle is secure in the knit and the button loop does not slip. 

Another effect with toggles is to make the toggle longer.  Sew into the knitting.  After sewing the toggle in place, sew the loop together leaving just enough open to slip over the button.  Lay the toggle onto the knitting and stitch down making a ’stripe’ effect with the toggle.  You can do this with different color yarn so that the toggle is a contrast to the knitted piece. 

Sue Kreitzer in Sanger TX has really stepped up and knit 3 complete afghans for our homeless and cold families in North Dakota.  She also did all the sewing of the pieces.  2 of them were knit in squares using many beautiful stitches and detail, and the red, white, and blue one is a one piece design.  Great work shows a lot of caring for less fortunate women and children. Thank you, Sue!                             

 I have completed a new rug and this I would have to say is the jazziest one. I am quite happy with the way the fringe turned out - it just makes me smile. We will post the instuctions up for free if anyone would like to give it a try. I used Lion Brand, Wool Ease, only 5 skeins to complete whole rug and that is including fringe. The complete size is 20″x40″.