It’s easy to feel overwhelmed at the moment. However, study after study (and person after person) suggests that helping others is one way to boost your spirits–while also making the world a little kinder. But sometimes getting involved feels daunting, too; your budget is tight, you’re short on time, you don’t know where to start, and so on.
However, every “small” kind action matters, and one way you can help someone else directly is with your stitching. You may have seen that fibre space has teamed up with Knit the Rainbow and SMYAL to donate new handmade cold-weather accessories and garments to LGBTQ+ youth in need in the DMV.
Your stitching can directly help someone else in need! Make your project and drop it off at fibre space. Knit the Rainbow has a wonderful list of free knitting and crochet patterns donated by designers if you need some inspiration. (Scroll down until you see the Donated Patterns section.) You don’t have to use their patterns, but we do have a soft spot for this stylish, bright crocheted granny stitch scarf and these cushy knit socks from Knit the Rainbow’s list.
Some tips: Knit the Rainbow suggests using darker colors of yarn, as they appear cleaner for longer. There are no restrictions on fibres. Use yarn from your stash, or pick up a skein or two the next time you’re at fibre space–we have some recommendations below.
The Woodmother Scarf
Size
One size: 7” wide & 65” long (excluding fringe)
Yarn
600 – 660 yards total of worsted-weight yarn, or 200-220 yards per color, slightly less if you are not interested in adding the fringe.
We like the bright colors of Kelbourne Woolens Germantown (100% wool; 220 yards per 100-gram skein) or Kelbourne Woolens Keystone (70% deadstock acrylic, 30% wool; 190 yards per 100-gram skein
Gauge & suggested hook
5 clusters x 11 rows = 4” in the granny stitch, using a size US H/8 (5 mm) crochet hook.
Basketry Socks
Sizes
See notes in pattern on sizing
Small (Large)
Small: 9 ½” long and 7″ width, with 7″ cuff to beginning of heel flap
Large: 9 ½” long and 7 3/4″ width, with 7″ cuff to beginning of heel flap
Yarn
332 (498) yards of fingering weight yarn, preferably for socks. We love the deep hues of 1 (2) skeins of Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply (100% superwash Merino wool, 400 yards per 110-gram skein) or 1 (2) skeins of Manos del Uruguay Alegría (75% Merino wool, 25% polyamide/nylon; 445 yards per 100-gram skein.
Gauge & suggested needles
21 stitches and 35 rows = 4” on US#6 (4mm) needles, in stockinette stitch worked in the round, after wet blocking.
