Let the knitting (and crocheting) begin . . . Again

Posted on November 1, 2013

I had so much fun last August coordinating a cyber-charity knit-along that I’m doing it again this month.  In August, a group of knitters produced 25 handmade hats for the Hatbox Foundation, a group that provides free hats to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.  This November I would like to beat that number.

22hats

If you want to knit (or crochet) along, here are the deets:

  • The Hatbox Foundation has some specifications for their hats.  The hats have to be either crocheted or knitted and made by hand.  Follow this link for more information about the circumference measurements for adult and kid sizes.  And remember that the Hatbox Foundation distributes hats to men and boys as well as women.  So some masculine hats would be really welcome.
  • We are only accepting donations of hand-made hats, not money or yarn.  If you want to make a monetary donation to the Hatbox Foundation, follow this link.  I’m asking knitters to buy their own yarn (or use up that leftover stash) for this project.
  • Our knit along will continue all of November.  I’ll be posting regular blogs about my progress as well as instructions and hat patterns.
  • The hats need to reach me by December 6 because that’s the day I plan to ship them off to the Foundation.  Hats should be sent to:

Last Chance Knit Along
c/o Alliance Management Group
1901 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Suite 804
Washington, DC 20006

  • Anyone who sends me a hat will get a cute tape measure that’s small enough to carry in your purse, or keep in your knitting bag.
  • On December 6, I will also pick 5 knitters for free copies of Last Chance Knit & Stitch, my new book out this month, which just happens to have a group of ladies who knit hats for chemo patients.  There may be other random prizes, so stay tuned.

Last Chance Knit & Stitch_hi res

Are you a beginning knitter?  Someone who has only knit flat objects like scarves and blankets?  No worries.  Hat knitting is the next step on your journey.  To knit a hat you need to learn two new skills – knitting in the round and shaping a garment by making decreases.  Stay tuned… on Monday I plan to have some detailed instructions on how to do these two things.

One last plea.  If you are a knitter and plan to participate, please leave a message to let me know.  And also, it would be terrific if you could let your friends know about this effort by sharing it on Facebook or tweeting about it.  I really would love to get a group together to make 50 hats this month, which is the maximum number that the Hatbox Foundation will accept in one shipment.