Take a look at this:

Below is a 4 year homeless student count comparison taken during the same time frame:

Homeless Count 9/23/2011:       535 McKinney-Vento students

Homeless Count 9/24/2010:       405 McKinney-Vento students

Homeless Count 9/23/2009:       424 McKinney-Vento students

Homeless Count 9/24/2008:       233 McKinney-Vento students

You might be thinking. Okay, doesn’t seem like that many homeless students.

What you need to know is that this is how many students that are enrolled the first few weeks of school.

This is the lowest number of kids that will be enrolled and classified as homeless during the school year.

During the school year 2009-2010 the count was 424 homeless students on 9/23/2009. At the end of that school year the count was 1,617.

Typically, the number of students right around the first couple of weeks of December, is about half of what we’ll see by the end of the school year. In the 2009-2010 school year that was right around 800+students – and accordingly, the final count for that year was 1,617 students who were classified as homeless.

Are these numbers making sense to you?

Do you see where we were in 2008? Compared to where we are now? That’s nearly DOUBLED in four years.

So- YES. There really are still so many homeless students in the Beaverton School District.

YES. There is still a need. A very SIGNIFICANT need.

Yes. We can do something. We can make a difference.

But only if we all work together.

I can’t do a whole lot on my own. Particularly since I just learned I’m heading into a pretty major surgery in just shy of 3 weeks. I’m gonna need you all to have my back.

So – would you start thinking about what you’re willing to commit to?

Can you make a hat every couple of weeks between now and when it starts getting cold?

Or maybe a scarf or two?

Maybe some fingerless gloves or mittens?

Maybe some socks or slippers?

Find something that makes YOU happy to craft – something that you will enjoy completing.

Keep an eye to what the current styles are. Check out Ravelry and Knitty – two GREAT spots for free patterns and keeping an eye on what’s considered fashionable.

Okay?

Start thinking!

I’ve been eyeing this hat pattern – and I’ve got some lovely superwash wool in Navy that is just crying to be cast-on.

How about you? What are you planning to start with?

Kids and parents alike are anticipating what the start of school means.

For some kids there’s a sense of dread – back to bedtimes, early wake-up times, and the structure and routine that the summer months had freed them of. Their primary concern is what kind of impression they’ll make at the beginning of the school year, which new outfit to pick to wear, and wondering whether the cool new backpack they’ve got packed and waiting will cut the mustard in the social stratosphere.

There’s an entirely different group of kids who are looking forward to the first day of school tomorrow for another reason. While they may have enjoyed some of the freedoms that summer afforded – going back to school will mean for them:

• A climate controlled environment to spend a good portion of their day.
• A guarantee of two meals to eat each day.
• A place where – hopefully – a child will not have to focus so much on the crisis that is surviving day-to-day life, and where people will – with any luck – simply just look at them as a kid with potential.

Can you imagine getting your kid ready to head off to school if you and your family were homeless?

I can try – but honestly – I don’t think I have the first glimmer of a clue.

At the end of the 2010-2011 school year there were 1,605 homeless students in the Beaverton School District.

Last year we found ourselves wondering HOW?! In Beaverton? Really? Can that be real?

I can assure you – Yes, in Beaverton. Yes, really. Yes, it is real.

So – last year we knit and crocheted.

Who is “we”?

• Those of us who live and/or work in the Beaverton School District boundaries.
• And a bit beyond those boundaries.
• And as far away as New York, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, California, Idaho, Missouri, Nebraska, Michigan, Colorado, New Mexico, Washington, etc….

Local yarn stores and national yarn companies gifted our effort with more than – brace yourself – $26,000 in yarn, knitting needles and crochet hooks, and supplies of all kinds. (I know – go ahead, grab your tissue, it still chokes me up, too!)

We managed to knit and/or crochet at least one item for each of last year’s 1,620 homeless students in the Beaverton School District.

We’d originally just made the goal to do that and end. But at the conclusion the undeniable, resonating plea from nearly all involved was: “We can’t stop. Not while there are still homeless students in the Beaverton School District.”

So – we won’t.

We’re going to do it again.

We’re going to try and knit and/or crochet small, portable, beautiful, stylish, amazing items for those homeless students – only this time we’re gonna throw in a twist. We are going to include the students in the Continuing Education for Young Parents (CEYP) program in the Beaverton School District.

CEYP offers high school, parenting, and practical day-to-day life curriculum to young women who find themselves facing a pregnancy as a student of the BSD. Not only that, this program provides childcare to the children of the young women – allowing them the freedom to focus on their education, while still being allowed to spend time with their babies.

SO – the big twist being – we will gladly take small items – for children ages infant through adult sized. We’ve got students in every grade in need – and so – we’ve got a lot of creative license!

Admit it – you have wanted to knit or crochet some baby booties, haven’t you? Okay – I can admit it – I found the cutest baby hat pattern and I have been looking forward to casting on for it! And I have it on good authority that any and all layette items would be enthusiastically accepted.

So – to revisit some of the dynamics from last year.

• Items should be small. One to two skein items are probably best. Some of the homeless students must be able to carry all of their belongings in a medium sized duffle bag. It’s all the space they have. So respect that, please.
• We would prefer that items be crafted in natural fiber. (Baby items, of course, the important factors are SOFT and easy to care for.)
• Ideally – we’d like to get items into the hands of kids before it gets really cold. Hard to imagine really cold right now when it’s still in the low 80′s at night! But time will fly – and I want to leave you enough time to craft for the holidays. So – the sooner the better.

Here’s a link to last year’s outline for the BSD Project – feel free to take a peek at that and refresh your memory if you’d like to.

Bottom line: there are still children in need in our midst. In our neighborhoods. In our schools. How can we not respond?

Today’s Theme: Skill + 1 Up

Look back over your last year of projects and compare where you are in terms of skill and knowledge of your craft to this time last year. Have you learned any new skills or forms of knitting/crochet (can you crochet cable stitches now where you didn’t even know such things existed last year? Have you recently put a foot in the tiled world of entrelac? Had you even picked up a pair of needles or crochet hook this time last year?

Tips: Don’t be abashed at admitting your own skill and progress. If possible, include pictures of projects that you gained new skills from.

Ummm…. wracking my brain trying to remember – did I learn anything new in the knitting/crocheting skill set this year? Gosh….

Oh yeah! I did!

Some months ago I came across a pattern for a super cute crocheted beret called Phannie.

What’d I tell you? Adorable, huh?

Okay – so – I have this bias. I just feel like there aren’t as many cute hat patterns for crochet as there are for knitting. Am I the only one?

I mean – I was a crocheter decades before I was ever a knitter. This isn’t a one skill versus the other kind of thing. It just seems like the lion’s share of adorable accessories are being designed for knitwear. Hence, my excitement over Phannie.

I happily pointed crocheters to this pattern – and was thrilled to see them come in for the BSD Project.

Then, someone asked me I could help them with a problem with the pattern, and I said, “No problem!”

Yeah – I’d skimmed over the pattern, but I had not actually worked it yet. Nothing really stood out as scary or difficult about it.

Then I tried to figure out the challenge this crocheter was having.

Wait a minute.

Whoa Nellie!

FPDC?

What the heck?

Front post double crochet.

That one was news to me. A couple of us at the gathering where the request for help first was made went to work trying to figure it out. We tried swatching – to no avail. We all eventually just set in and worked the pattern.

I’m not going to lie – there are times when You Tube videos just make me want to weep for joy.

This was one such occasion.

OH! So THAT’s what they meant.

Okay – and there was a Ravelry group that was pretty helpful, too.

Thank goodness for community!

‘Cause you know what? It really wasn’t that hard a pattern. It just explained how to do some things way differently than I was used to, and had a technique that I was unfamiliar with. I’m glad for having grown a little in my skill set as a result.

How about you?

Did you know that it’s the 2nd Annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week?

It’s true.

Today’s theme? A Tale of Two Yarns.

The suggestion is to highlight a yarn you love and one – not so much.

Know what?

Didn’t even have to think a second before I knew exactly what those fibers would be!

My love affair? Berroco Ultra Alpaca.

I would have never known if not for the very generous donation by Berroco for the BSD Project. Such nice people. I got to knit up quite a few items in this lovely fiber for the Project and it delights my heart no small amount to know some homeless student out there is wearing those hats and fingerless gloves knit up in it.

Hands down – without a doubt – total pleasure to knit with. Got a gift certificate for my birthday in December to The Knitting Bee. Yeah. Probably not much of a guess what I bought with that $20! Two skeins of Ultra Alpaca! One in navy blue, one in charcoal. :sigh: Love, I tell you.

Why? Well – for one – it just feels fabulous on your hands. If you’ve never worked with alpaca – drop everything and go buy yourself some of this stuff.

The stitch definition is stellar with Ultra Alpaca, as well. I love doing complex stitch patterns with it – but to be completely honest – it’s just as lovely in straight stockinette.

I won’t lie – given a chunk of change that I could blow on anything – you’d probably find me trying to decide just exactly what color I’d want to knit myself a sweater up out of Ultra Alpaca. It’s pretty much a toss up between…

Turquoise Mix
Royal
Ultramarine
(…detect any theme here? Me? Love blue? What are you talking about?)
Admiral Mix
Blue Violet
Rose Spice
Cyclamen
Fuscia, and
Iris

[And just because I'm a little bit of a rebel, I'll add one more fiber love here.... Kertzer's Super 10 Cotton. OH. MY. WORD. I, for the most part, hate working with cotton. Not this stuff. It's almost satiny - it just flies when you work with it. The colors - stunning. I mean, hello?! They have more than 100 colors! My firm conviction is that everyone ought to have a little bit of this in their stash - just because!]

The fiber I don’t love so much?

I feel kinda bad saying it – because it really is pretty – it’s just that I pretty much have hated knitting with it every single time I’ve cast on with it. Like – detested. Not just kind of hated.

Malabrigo Single Ply Merino Worsted.

Hated.

I knit it up in a number of applications – I mean they were sweet enough to donate to the BSD Project. Sweethearts. Total and complete dolls.

Why did I hate it?

Well – maybe because I chose pretty complicated patterns – I don’t know. But you know how single ply felts to itself – like immediately? Well – yeah – you don’t want to have to tink or frog anything when using this fiber. And normally that’s not a real big problem for me – but with every single time I cast this stuff on? Yeah – you guessed it – had to – at best – tink a good chunk, or at worst – frog. UGH!

Don’t get me wrong – finished projects were beautiful – maybe even stunning. The coloration of the fiber – drop dead gorgeous. The soft factor? Luscious. Would I want to wear any of the items I knit up for the BSD Project in this fiber? Absolutely – lovely end result. Will I ever rush right out and buy myself some? Ummm…. yeah, I don’t think so.

I would however LOVE to give some Rios a run through these hands! Have you seen the colors? Jaw dropping, drool-inducing in nature. If I had to choose? Hmmm….

Lettuce
Azul Profundo
Purple Mystery
Azules
Primavera
Playa
Aguas

…and, I’m not a red kinda gal – but how can you not love that Ravelry Red? YUM!

Yeah – some Rios – I would decidedly run right out and buy a bunch, given the opportunity!

So how about you? What are your loves and not-so-loves?

What a winter!

Did you get that sore-throat-scratchy-cough-ears-hurt-really-bad thing in December?

I did.

Did you get that horrible upper-respiratory-cough-stuffed-up-nose-sinus-headache-wretched-cold thing in January?

I did.

Did you end up getting Influenza A in February?

I did.

Yeah.

I’ve been a bad blogger.

I’ve been knitting.

A bit.

Not as much as I wished I’d knit since the last time I posted here – but as much as I’ve been able.

Besides all of that – life has continued to be life. My daughter came home from college in Boston for Christmas (hooray!), both of the boys ended up getting sick a couple of times each, basketball season was in high gear, I’ve been trying to find some ways to make some extra money with some of my jewelry making (haven’t been many hours from work for months now), been doing some winter-time canning, trying to plan out the garden, and I’ve got baby chicks in the coop.

In the midst of all of that, I was interviewed in December for a Dateline episode – about a part of my life that is filled with all sorts of heartache. The episode aired February 4th. I always dread these things. It’s the kind of stuff that makes you just want to weep – all over again – every time it comes to the forefront of the media. I will invariably get an email (or five) from someone who will lay blame for the entire thing at my feet. We could talk about that for a while – but suffice it to say that long ago I came to a point in time where I had to lay it all down at the feet of Jesus and ask for His forgiveness, grace, and mercy. So – as the airing of the episode wrapped on the East Coast I started getting Facebook, Ravelry, Blog, and email inquiries from people.

Know what they wanted to know?

Where did I get the pattern for the blue wrap I’m wearing in the segment?

How can you not love knitters?

Thank you for making what was a difficult thing something studded with all sorts of beauty – lovely people taking the time to voice their support.

What resulted was a whole slew (like over a couple hundred) of conversations with some really lovely people – who wanted to know if they could have the pattern for my wrap.

Well – um… see, that’s the wrap I made with the yarn I won from Lion Brand in 2009, and then I was so sick for the rest of 2009 and a good portion of 2010 – and I just started knitting during one of my hospitalizations – and well – that’s how the wrap came about.

So – I immediately went back to my notes (thank you Lord for notes!) and I re-created the pattern, and just when I was picking up steam on getting it all put together – I got sick – again.

To all of you who have been waiting.

Sorry!

I’ve nearly got it ready.

Gotta connect with my lovely model once I get the new piece finished, soaked, and blocked – and then get it all typed up the rest of the way, photos taken, and THEN I’ll get it posted.

AND – YES the BSD Project continues on! People are continuing to turn items in – some great squares, and hats, and scarves, and some adorable socks came clear across the country (thank you!) from someone who saw the Dateline piece.

In between illnesses I’ve had the distinct pleasure of visiting several Beaverton Schools to knit and crochet with kids – some who are learning for the first time, some who are trying to solidify their skills, and others who have had a thing or two to teach me! Honestly – this part – the time with the kids – oh, it floats my boat in so many ways. There is nothing quite so precious as that sudden look of victory on a kid’s face as they realize “I get it! Wait! I really get it!” It just makes my heart soar! Special thanks to Bryn at Aloha-Huber, and the ever-precious, amazing, fabulous, and all around wonderful Rose – who has faithfully arrived at the Knitting Club at Aloha-Huber to patiently, lovingly assist kids with homework and their knitting at least weekly – oftentimes twice weekly.

So – I’m going to do better.

I’ve heard from several folks that I really need to get my act together and get some more square patterns posted.

I shall.

Really. I will!

Thanks for your patience, everyone!

I think I’m back.

And I’m determined to be sick no more! (Oh, please Lord! Gosh, I miss my spleen!)

Expect another post soon!

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 9,200 times in 2010. That’s about 22 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 71 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 101 posts. There were 493 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 441mb. That’s about 1 pictures per day.

The busiest day of the year was September 23rd with 235 views. The most popular post that day was BSD Project: The Plan.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were ravelry.com, networkedblogs.com, facebook.com, beavertonvalleytimes.com, and blog.oregonlive.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for yarnfest, purl stitch, mobius cowl, yarnfest.wordpress.com, and knit illustration.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

BSD Project: The Plan August 2010
39 comments

Rose’s Mobius Cowl October 2010
2 comments

Dina’s Patterns October 2010

Free Patterns! March 2009
2 comments

In Beaverton?! August 2010
10 comments

Thanks guys, for making 2010 a great year at the YarnFest blog!  I’m really looking forward to what we can do together in 2011!

‘Cause – honestly – if you think about it – once you lose that tentative, little bit scared you’re gonna make a mess, really don’t feel confident edge – you kinda forget how daunting it can feel to learn a new thing as a knitter (or crocheter).

It thrills my heart to get to sit next to a learner and see that “aha” moment – when it all clicks, and everything makes sense.

I probably get more out of teaching someone how to knit or crochet than the newbie knitter or crocheter does!

NOTHING like it!

The other day I had an excellent question from Heidi. She’s an amazing young woman with young children who wanted to learn how to knit and help us out with the BSD Project. I like her so much! She’s got a very full plate – she’s wife, mother, manager of a busy household, and she’s preparing to bring another precious baby into the world. Yet she’s taking a few precious moments to learn to knit! I love her heart!

Heidi is knitting her very first anything. A hat, knit in the round, with a rolled brim. A great first-time out project. She saw Kari’s hat a number of weeks ago – knit with the first 20 rows in stockinette, then a seed stitch pattern for 10 rows – super cute! Heidi decided she’d like to try that, as well.

On Monday I got to sit with Heidi as she learned to purl so that she could execute the seed stitch patterning. She picked it up right away and was off to the races!

Yesterday I got an email from Heidi with a question. She wanted to know how to remember which stitch she was supposed to do next on the seed stitch.

For those who aren’t familiar with seed stitch – here’s a little refresher:

(You can click on the picture to take you to the link on the Walker Treasury Project blog.)

In essence, it’s simply this:

Row 1: knit 1, purl 1 to the end.

Row 2: purl 1, knit 1 to the end.

So – when you reach row 47 and you’re thinking – “Um… what was the last row? Knit 1 first? Or purl 1 first?”

The easiest way to know what to do is to look at the stitch in the row last worked.

If the prior row stitch was a knit 1, then this row it’s a purl 1. You’re doing the opposite of what you did the prior row.

This little chart may help.

Really – the bottom line here is learning how to recognize what is a knit stitch and what is a purled stitch, right? (And it helps when you’re in the middle of your work trying to figure it out to hold your yarn to the rear of your work (as if you’re about to knit the next stitch) so that you can see more clearly what was last worked.)

The knit stitch looks a little like a “V” and the purl stitch looks like a “bump” or ridge. Which seems reasonable enough if there’s a veritable sea of one or the other together. It’s when you mix it up a bit and have one right next to the other where it can become a bit fuzzy on the whole recognition thing.

(line drawing of seed stitch)

There will be those who will cringe at this suggestion – but honestly – it’s a valuable thing to do:

Guess and go for it.

What’s the worst thing that can happen?

You might end up with the wrong one and your pattern won’t be true.

But – if that helps you to learn to be able to recognize what the pattern ought to look like – huge victory there, right?

Part of the reason I know my way around Southern Spain so well is because I’ve gotten lost there a LOT. Funny how figuring out how to do things the wrong way helps you recognize the right way a little better, huh?

Same thing with knitting. Go for it – try it – if it looks wrong, tink back a bit and re-try. Or if it’s just too far gone, frog it and start over. Life will go on. You will have learned something, and will be a better knitter for it.

And – if you’re just not sure and afraid to go forward – give me a call, we’ll meet up at Starbucks and knit a bit, okay?

You can find it in a bunch of old publications – and in the last year or so lots of designs have it popping up again, as well.

Really – it’s very versatile. It looks great in a vine gauge fabric, as well as a chunky. In fact, the reverse side of dot stitch is known as the sand stitch. So – it really can pass for a double-sided fabric.

And it’s great for some nice texture for a square.

Here are the basics.

Dot Stitch Square

This is worked in multiples of two. It is a four row repeat of pattern.

I cast on 30 stitches on size 8 needles with the Ella Rae Superwash Classic.

Row 1 (Right Side): Knit

Row 2: Knit 1, Purl 1, repeat to the end.

Row 3: Knit.

Row 4: Purl 1, Knit 1, repeat to the end.

You simply repeat those 4 rows.

It doesn’t look all that impressive after this much work.

But just a little further on…

Lovely, right?

And just 38 rows to finish a nice 6″ square.

Give it a try!

Get a load of these!

Yes, that says 10 cents. (This one is from 1944.)

Great stuff in these things!

Anyway – in one of the 1948 editions of Smart Crochet I found this “motif” pattern (not at all unlike the Spring Breeze Afghan Square found here – although not identical – there are some minor differences between the two).

I think the thing that caught my eye with the 1948 version of the pattern when I first came across it as a child was the fact that it was so squared and rounded all at the same time. I love the fact that it’s got a timeless look to it. It really is lovely, isn’t it?

Nine simple rounds.

Great results.

Wanna make one?

Okay – here we go.

1948 Motif Square

Foundation row: Chain 4, join with a slip stitch in the first chain to form a ring.

Round 1: Chain 4 (equivalent to 1 double crochet and chain 1). Working into ring, double crochet, chain 1, 7 times. Join with a slip stitch into the 3rd chain of the beginning chain 4.

(Row 1, completed.)

Round 2: Slip stitch to the first chain 1 space. Chain 4 (equivalent to 1 double crochet and chain 1). Double crochet, chain 1 in the same chain 1 space, 3 times. (Makes first corner of 4 double crochet chain 1 repeats.) In the next chain 1 space, double crochet, chain 1. (Bridge made.) In the following chain 1 space, double crochet, chain 1, 4 times. (Second corner made.) Repeat second corner and bridge twice more. After the 4th bridge has been made, join with a slip stitch in the 3rd chain of the beginning chain 4.

(First corner made.)

(Second round complete.)

Round 3: Slip stitch to the center chain 1 space of the 1st corner of the previous round. Chain 3 (equivalent to first double crochet), 5 double crochet into center space.

Chain 1, double crochet, chain 1, double crochet, chain 1 in center double crochet. (Bridge made.) 6 double crochet in next center corner space. (2nd corner made.)

Work bridge once again. Repeat 2nd corner and bridge twice more. At completion of round, join with slip stitch into the top of the beginning chain 3.

(Completed 3rd round.)

Round 4: Chain 3, then double crochet in same location (i.e. in the join slip stitch); work 2 double crochet in each of the next 5 double crochet. (First corner made.) Skip next chain 1 space, then single crochet, chain 2, single crochet in the next chain 1 space. Skip the next chain 1 space. (Bridge made.) Work 2 double crochet in each of the next 6 double crochet of the prior row. (Second corner made.)

Work bridge once again. Repeat 2nd corner and bridge twice more. At completion of round, join with slip stitch into the top of the beginning chain 3.

Round 5: Chain 4 (equivalent to double crochet, chain 1). Double crochet, chain 1, 10 times. (First corner made.) Double crochet in the next double crochet, single crochet in the next chain 2 space. (Bridge made.) Double crochet in the next double crochet, chain 1, repeat 11 times. (Second corner made.)

Repeat bridge. Repeat second corner and bridge twice more. After the 4th bridge has been made, join with a slip stitch in the 3rd chain of the beginning chain 4.

(Completed 5th round.)

Round 6: Chain 1. Single crochet in the next chain 1 space, chain 2. Repeat around the entire row. Join with a slip stitch in the first single crochet.

(Completed 6th round.)

Round 7: *Slip stitch to the next chain two space, Single crochet, chain 2, work 9 times total. Single crochet in the next chain two space, chain 3, skip next chain two space.* Repeat from * to * three times. Join with a slip stitch in the first single crochet.

(Completed 7th round.)s

Round 8: Slip stitch to next chain 2 space. *Two single crochet in the next two chain 2 spaces. Work 2 half double crochet in the next chain 2 space, 2 double crochet in the next chain 2 space, and 5 treble crochet in the next chain 2 space. Two double crochet in the next chain 2 space, 2 half double crochet in the next chain two space, and two single crochet in the next two chain 2 spaces. (First corner made.) Single crochet in the next chain 3 space. (Bridge made.)*

(First corner of the 8th round.)

Repeat from * to *. Join round with a slip stitch into the first single crochet of the round.

(Completed 8th round.)

Round 9: Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch around, working 3 single crochet in the 3rd stitch of the 5-treble crochet corner of each corner. Fasten off.

And that’s it.

Honestly – I pretty much hate doing treble crochet – but when it gives as lovely a corner as here – it’s pretty easy to forget my bad feelings about them! And there really is nothing like a lovely little single crochet border to tidy everything up.

If you need a tutorial on how to do a treble crochet – see here.

Have fun!