Red Scarf 2010: Care Tags & Wraps

Finally getting these uploaded & live again.

Red Scarf Care tags:

• all on one page
• gentle only
• hand-wash only
• machine-wash only

Wrap (2 per page):

• letter-size paper
• legal-size paper (not sure about the quality of this one - if it's bad, I'll fix it tonight)

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Updates - Red Scarf Project and House Hunt

First, the pretty. Last night, I passed the 2/3 mark by joining the third skein of 1824 Wool (Mission Falls). This has turned into a delightful, squishy scarf that, unlike the cashmere blends, will hopefully not pill. Squishy = good, pilly = ick. I need to take another picture in better light!

Pattern: Mistake Rib. I love these 1-row patterns. If you cast on the right number, there is no guesswork as to which row you're on. For Mistake Rib, you cast on a multiple of 4 stitches, minus 1 (I cast on 27 stitches for this scarf), and work a 2x2 ribbing, always starting with 2 knit stitches, ending with 1 purl.

Another cool 1-row pattern is the Yarn Harlot's One Row Handspun Scarf (obviously, handspun yarn is optional). This looks fabulous with yarn that is heathered or has multiple colors.

My So-called Scarf is a two-row pattern that results in a cool stitch.

Just a reminder: You can start mailing scarves any time, starting Saturday or thereabouts (they shouldn't arrive before the 2nd). Scarves that arrive after Oct. 31st will be sent to other worthy charities. I plan on mailing as soon as I finish washing the scarf and getting some gift cards together.

House Hunt Update
We decided to give the house another go, but this time with representation. The agent who handled the sale of my dad's house agreed to represent us, even though he doesn't usually work in that area. It would be a quick commission for him, and we do trust him. However, the listing agents flat-out refused to work with him. I guess once you go in w/o an agent, you're not allowed to add one partway in?

We got tons of advice, from him, my brother-the-CPA and his coworker-the-lawyer, and told the listing agent that they have one chance to get this right. We gave them a list of requirements for things that had to be on the offer papers AND lowered the offer. (Not a lot, just enough to make a point.) Suddenly, they're behaving professionally. We told them that if they screw this up, we're walking.

They don't know this yet, but we will not be using them as a buyer's agent for any other viewings. The other realtor is going to get us someone from his company in the area.

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Signage

I worked up these signs ages ago, but finally got around to printing them. (I have to reprint the cupcake flags one, b/c they have five flags (six wouldn't fit).) Please ignore the terrible lighting! I also made up a few for Jen's items, and a couple signs for things I'm not sure I'll get done in time.

I picked up a baby onesie at the dollar store yesterday. I'm going to fake a stain via Photoshop, then add a little apple appliqué.

I think I'm going to reprint these as well, and make the caution verbiage even stronger. Otherwise, I think they're really cute.

I cast on for my red scarf project scarf over the weekend, but have since frogged it. The stitch pattern was easy (1 row 1x1 rib, 1 row knit), but it was curling too much for my taste. I'm trying something else now... will post pics and updates later.

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Knitting Update; iPod Lost & Found

A Knitting Update
My (in-progress) green sock and I had a fight yesterday. I started decreasing for the toes, and at some point during the weekend, a needle came out of the stitches and one of the decreases got rippped out. I have to tink* about four rows, and I just don't feel like it.

Yesterday afternoon, I grabbed several balls of Bazic from my stash, in sufficiently girly colors, and started on a striped ribbed scarf. I'd wanted to start on a Red Scarf, but don't have enough of the right colors. I think niece K will like it. I worked on it by lamplight, but I'm pretty sure I have seven colors: red, several pinks, orange, lavender and a tiny bit of green. I'm doing a random stripe pattern, and adding a large button hole for a different look (pull one end through). I've lost track of how many items I've made with this yarn! It's 100% wool, but washable. It's about time to find a few more balls of it; I like having some one hand at all times.

As long as she thinks it's cool to get handmade gifts from her favorite (coughonlycough) auntie, I'm happy to make things for her. Her mom didn't know if she'd want a hat this year, but she always wants scarves, so I'm risking it.

As for the Red Scarf Project, I'm going to put myself in the place of a college student and track down some machine-washable yarn. I've had more than one person just rave about how pretty the yarn was that I used to knit the hats for Jen's boys. It was just Jiffy, from Lion Brand! I want to find something with some wool in it, maybe some 1820 Wool or even some Bazic, but am going to keep it simple.

*tink is "knit" spelled backwards. It's what you do when you "unknit" as opposed to rip out - or frog - stitches.

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Lost and Found
Olivia (my iPod) went missing over the weekend. I woke up earlier than planned on Sunday and, wanting some music while I read, frantically dug through my purse and tote bag, looking for her (eventually waking John in the process), but she was nowhere to be found; even though I specifically remembered disconnecting her and putting her in my purse. When I stepped out of the car later that morning, there she was: sitting in the driveway. Thank goodness we hadn't had any rain! I've been toying with the idea of saving up for a newer model (one with video capabilities), but losing or destroying my existing one wasn't part of the plan! Luckily, she works just fine.

I'm still kind of in shock that she sat there all of Saturday afternoon, through the evening and into Sunday morning! Just on Friday, there was someone going door-to-door in our neighborhood, trying to open doors. I'm not sure they caught the guy! Our neighbors (to the north - the not crazy ones) are in their yard a lot, and mere feet from our driveway on a regular basis.

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Red Scarf Project: 2009

You read the title correctly: It's time to start working on Red Scarf 2009. Why so early? Well, first, the scarves are due to OFA by October 31 at the latest. People need time to find some yummy yarn and turn it into a yummy scarf (knit, crochet, weave, etc.). OFA has received so many scarves that they need extra time to organize and sort in time for the Valentine's packages mailed in early February 2009. (edited to correct the deadline)

People were so generous in the past, sending in huge quantities of scarves, that OFA has asked us to limit ourselves to a smaller number. I think the official maximum is five, but I strongly encourage people to make a smaller quantity, and donate $ to the cost of the shipping, etc. instead, and/or purchase some gift cards to go along with the one or two scarves they send. Idea: if you're not a knitter or crocheter (etc.), you can team up with one. They can provide the scarf and you can provide some goodies to go along with it.

Why I do it: A dear friend of mine spent some time in foster care. While we roomed together in college, I don't remember her ever getting a piece of mail or a care package. My recollection could be fuzzy (it was a long time ago), but I do remember getting mail and care packages myself and loving it. When I heard about this project, I just wanted to have a part in some kids getting mail at school.

Other specs:

• Unisex and soft. Machine washability is preferred, but hand-washable is fine, too. No Fun Fur. (Emphasis mine. Remember unisex is key.)
• 5 to 8 inches wide, with a soft drape, approximately 60 inches long
• Shades of red are preferred, but other unisex colors are fine, too.
• Fringe or no fringe; either way is cool!
  
• Notes of encouragement or personal messages attached to your scarves are encouraged.
  
• Please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope (for thank you notes and/or acknowledgments)
• Gift cards from national chain bookstores, fast-food places, stores like Target, etc., are strongly wished for

Resources

• The direct source for info: The Orphan Foundation's Red Scarf Project Page


• A must-see video
  


• Red Scarf Blog


• Free Scarf Pattern List (please feel free to recommend other pattern links!)
  


• My Downloads:
  
  • Scarf Care Tags & Wraps
• Free Eucalan Samples - to include with a handwash-only scarf

Past items:

• My 2007 Pics
• 2007 Resource List
• 2008 Resource List

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Time for a New Calendar

Some of these things are for me, some of them are for you (FYI).

Right now: Start thinking about the Red Scarf project (link to the blog on the subject). The response has been so overwhelming (yay!) that they don't need as many scarves from each person, so I'm limiting my fiber contribution to one (1) scarf, and then donating $ instead of multiple scarves. I'm also talking with a friend - who was in foster care as a child - about doing the non-Valentine's Day care packages. Later today, I'll update my resource list from the old blog and post it on this site.

Friday, August 1: Signups open for Dish Rag Tag 2. US only, sign-ups close on 8/8 or 3oo participants, whichever comes first. I did such an awful job w/ my dish rag last time that I'm not going to play, but it's something that a lot of people have fun with.

Friday, August 8: IH Contest drawing; my birthday

Saturday, August 23: Craft Show @ Holly Library 9:30 - ?

September 1: Start mailing Red Scarves to OFA. You have until mid-October

September: Viva Pinata 2

Saturday, September 13: Knitterpalooza 2008 (I'm not sure I'll be able to make it, but wanted to "get it out there" for everyone else!)

October 15: Deadline for Red Scarves' arrival at OFA

October 31: My favorite holiday. I've already ordered some items for the nephews' and nieces' goody bags.

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From previous calendars:
Saucy's Wedding Party on 6/26 was a hoot, as was A Fanciful Twist's Mad Tea Party (of the costume variety) on the 28th. The July 4 BBQ in Ohio was more fun than anticipated, plus I finished my first socks. Psych season 2 was released on DVD on 7/8, but I didn't get it until the weekend. Yes indeedy, I watched it all by the season 3 premiere on the 18th. Anita, John and I all enjoyed Hellboy II very much. It didn't make it onto the calendar, but John and I also saw The Dark Knight, and thought it was excellent.

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Red Scarf Project: Scarf Patterns

I'm backdating this a little, since it's a reference and not meant to be a new post.

Criteria for this list: Knitted (that's all I'd be qualified to comment on), Beginner/Easy, Unisex (too many scarf patterns call for Fun Fur (not unisex) or are decidedly feminine*). Honestly, all you have to do is pick out your yarn (for the love of whatever diety you worship, please leave the Fun Fur in the drawer), get the right size needles, cast on enough to get 5-8" width and knit and knit until it's long enough. The following list is for those who'd like to try something different, but don't know where to start.

*We all know that unisex means "stuff guys would consider wearing." If the words fuzzy, lacey, loopy, frilly, etc. could apply, then it's definitely not unisex. If your brother, husband, son might wear it, then it's probably safe. Let's make it easy on the folks putting the packages together by sticking to materials and patterns that either gender could wear comfortably.

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• Start here, at Martha Stewart's Basic Scarves
  
• Mistake Rib Scarf - how perfect that I finally found a good overview of this stitch in an entry about the ('06) Red Scarf project! This is a wonderful stitch for any gender, and shows off both plain and self-striping yarns beautifully! (A pic from another source.)
  
• Sideways Garter Stitch Scarf & Simple Ribbed Scarf - Basic beginner's scarves, with the guesswork (math) taken out of it. I've done a few of the Sideways scarves, not necessarily following the pattern, but maybe if I had followed it, I wouldn't have a 7-foot long scarf and be out of yarn before I cast off.
  
• Orange Bliss - If you aren't going to use Cashmerino Superchunky, the simple ribbed scarf at the link above would be all you need.
  
• Bulky Sideways Scarf. Calls for Noro Iro (very pretty!), but would work with any bulky yarn that would knit up on size 11s.
  
• Big Wool Scarf
  
• Misti Bulky Scarf - Seed stitch with BIG needles. You'd just need to make it a little longer.
  
• Another sideways-knit scarf: Brother-in-law Racing Stripe Scarf, for a stripe pattern idea. (formatting is messed up, but it's still legible)
• Misti Alpaca Diagonal Rib Scarf (PDF)
  
• Super-Long Ribbed Scarf (from the book Knitting Pretty. Another cool scarf - Ribbed for His Pleasure - is in the book Stitch and Bitch.)
  
• Seeded Rib Scarf -- similar to the mistake rib with wider ribbing
  
• One-hour scarf (3 or 4 yarns together, knit sideways) - would recommend either adding fringe all along the edges or skipping the tassels.
  
• Organic Cotton Man Scarf (substitute a slubby worsted-weight wool)
  
• Yarn Harlot's One Row Scarf

A couple cool advanced patterns:

• Ripe with Indecision - A little zig-zag, but not at all girly (I don't think so, anyway).
  
• Irish Hiking Scarf - people that can cable (not me) love this scarf.
  
• Jute Rope Scarf (whew! Not made from rope!) PDF
  
• Manly Cable scarf
  
• Rainy Day Scarf

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