Knitch Magazine

One of our friends, Jackie Awerman, submitted this article to Knitch Magazine to garner support for her efforts to raise the spirits of victims of the recent tornado in Florida. We hope you'll join her cause.

I don’t care much for those “what would you do?” games. You know the ones: each person draws a card, reads out-loud the situation described, and then says what he or she would do. Everyone always says things that are ethical, of course; honest, of course; fair, of course.

BUT. Suppose I lost everything. Suppose I was not only homeless, and penniless, but yarnless. Suppose I were driven to the edge of my sensibilities by an accident of nature, by fate. It could happen. And it DID happen in Central Florida few weeks ago. I could have been one of the victims. Would I rob a yarn store? I don’t think so, but I do wonder if anyone would know that in rebuilding my life and restoring my spirit, I would want some yarn?

Not to worry, knitting sisters and brothers of Lady Lake, Fl and beyond. We hear you. There are Knitting Rescue Angels. Two banks have agreed to accept and distribute knitting and crochet supplies (kitted only) to our knitting brothers and sisters in the area: Wachovia Bank and United Southern Bank. And I didn’t have to ask them twice! What’s more, a precious supplier of mine has stepped in with generosity and kindness beyond measure: Pisgah-Elmore, the creators of Peaches & Crème yarn. You know. The DISHCLOTH YARN! Flo! Beth! These ladies didn’t hesitate a moment to say, “We’ll help.” That’s community, that’s 100-plus years of customer care and that’s knitting.

So, in honor of the knitters and crocheters in Central Florida who are missing the sustenance for their fiber spirits, I redesigned one of my little change purse patterns. This version is in Peaches & Crème, of course! Hopefully the revision reflects my heartfelt appreciation of the people who have come forward to care about restoring the fiber heart of Central Florida. If you make one (or more!) of the change purses and want to send the purse(s) to our knitting rescue angels, here’s how:

There's Strength in Knitting Change Purse

Materials:

About 40 yards of fur type yarn which you will use DOUBLE (that means you will need lengths of approximately 20 yards)

One Ball Pisgah Elmore Peaches & Crème, worsted weight

7/8” to 1-inch diameter button

Embroidery floss or button thread to sew on button Embroidery needle

Size 7 knitting needles (or size needles to obtain gauge)

Yarn needle to weave in ends and sew side seams

A little note or card to write your wishes and thoughts for the recipient

Scissors, ruler.

Gauge:

Approximately 16 sts =4 inches

Exact gauge is not important to this project.

Finished Size:

(not critical to this project.)

Width: approximately 3. 50 inches

Height: approximately 3. 75 inches including Fuzzy Flap

Note: The Model was made with Peaches & Crème and Lion Brand Fun Fur yarns. Button from Jackie’s personal collection.

Instructions:

With the Peaches & Creme, cast on 17 stitches. Knit every row (garter stitch) for 6 inches. Change to fur type yarn. (Remember, you are using this double). Knit 6 rows.

ROW 5: Knit 8 stitches, bind off the 9^th stitch and knit the remaining 8 stitches in the row.

ROW 6. Knit 8 stitches, cast on ONE STITCH over the bound off stitch and then knit the remaining 8 stitches.

Knit 5 rows.

Bind off.

Weave in ends. Fold so that the fur portion is a “flap” for the little purse. Sew or weave side seams. Attach button with embroidery thread or button thread.

You can send your donation to one of these volunteers:

“There’s Strength in Knitting” Change Purse is for a special someone who is facing one of life’s uh-oh’s or for acknowledging a Knitting Rescue Angel.

This is a chance to give a little of your skills and a LOT of your loving support, encouragement and APPLAUSE.

Write a little note of Applause for Survivorship or for Knitting Angel Rescue. Hmmmm…how about both!

Write Jackie @ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it