Waffle Stitch Crochet Scarf

Zena told me that she didn’t receive the instructions, just page one, on the attachment for the crocheted scarf for the Armed Services project.  This is page two of the pattern.

I worked on the pattern this afternoon and found the 6” width recommended was too slim from my point of view so I “uncrocheted” a couple of times until I was comfortable with a wider scarf.  I started with 38 chains and then followed the instructions for the foundation row and rows 1 and 2.  The scarf will be about 10” wide.  I don’t know yet if more than two balls of yarn will be required.  However, you can follow the instructions as written.

Free Crochet Pattern from Lion Brand Yarn

Wool Yarn

Waffle Stitch Crochet Scarf

Pattern Number: 80986AD

SKILL LEVEL: Easy +

SIZE: One Size

6 x 57 in. (15 x 145 cm)

CORRECTIONS: None

MATERIALS

• Wool ® Yarn:

2 Balls

• Lion Brand Crochet Hook - Size I-9

• Lion Brand Crochet Hook - Size J-10

• Large-Eyed Blunt Needles

GAUGE:

16 sts + 9 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) over Waffle Pattern. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR

GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified

in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes

you less stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size

hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

STITCH EXPLANATION:

FPDC (front post double crochet) Yo, insert hook from front to back then to front, going

around the dc post, draw up a loop, (yo and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice. Skip st

behind the FPDC.

STITCH PATTERN

Waffle Pattern

Foundation Row: Dc in 4th ch from hook (beg ch counts as 1 dc), dc in each ch across.

Row 1 (WS): Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), turn. Skip first st, dc in next st,

*FPDC in each of next 2 sts, dc in next st; rep from * across, end dc in last st, dc in top of

turning ch.

Row 2 (RS): Ch 3, turn. Skip first st, *FPDC in next st, dc in each of next 2 sts; rep from *

across, end with FPDC in last dc, dc in top of turning ch.

Rep rows 1 and 2 for Waffle Pattern.

SCARF

With larger hook, ch 26.

Work Foundation Row of Waffle Pattern, then rep Rows 1 and 2 of Waffle Pattern until piece measures about

56 in. (142 cm) from beg, end with a Row 1 of Waffle Pattern.

Next Row (RS): Change to smaller hook. Ch 3, turn. Dc in each st to end.

Fasten off.

FINISHING

Weave in ends.

In The Parlor on August 26th

August 2009:  Another month of 2009 has raced by.  And another evening in The Parlor kept the crochet hooks and knitting needles flying while stories of summer were told and shared.  Belle Northcutt joined us again after a long absence.  We got to know Ann O. and Meredith J. better during their second meeting.  There were a total of 14 of us in attendance in The Parlor which makes for a lively evening.  If you haven’t been in a while, please join us. 

Two new Prayer Shawls and a chemo cap were turned in on Wednesday night.  And several others are well on the way to completion.  If you know of individuals who need the items we make, please let us know.

September Project:  Patterns were distributed for the helmet liners and scarves.  The wool yarn from our yarn bins in the appropriate colors is gone; however, we will have more for those who plan to participate in this project.  There are still several of the helmet liner and the scarf patterns left to make the dozen of each.

The helmet liner requires one skein of wool yarn of approximately 175 yards and the scarf requires two skeins of 220 yards each.  Please remember 100% wool yarn is required!  Acrylic yarn can melt if it comes near heat.  We will have washing instructions with the items.  Colors allowed by the military are black, charcoal, brown, tan, olive drab.  The scarf pattern is attached for crocheters.

Updates:  Three new members have joined us in August and several changes have been made in other member’s information so a new membership roster is attached. 

Food Co-Op:  Many of you remembered your can of food for the Food Co-Op – some of us forgot.  Please bring one this Wednesday also.

Care Notes:  If you haven’t noticed the revolving rack of Care Notes in the area by the rack for the Upper Room magazines, please look for it the next time you come out of the Sanctuary.  I picked up a couple of the booklets on a recent Sunday on topics that pertained to reasons we deliver Prayer Shawls.  The last paragraph in “Finding Hope When Times Are Tough” by Jim Auer says:

Humanity “never made any material as resilient as the human spirit” wrote British philosopher Bernard Williams.  A little thought will bring to mind multiple times when you have “leaped back” (the literal meaning of “resilient”) into the mainstream of life after a significant setback.  You still have that resilience.  Under the loving care of the God of your understanding, you will do so again.

We have all had situations like the author describes.  In the Prayer Shawl Ministry, God has given us an opportunity to be His hands and feet to help individuals find that resilience and give His love, comfort, and healing powers that He has put into the fibers of yarn we deliver.  God is so good.

Love and blessings,

Beverly

“Courage doesn’t always roar.  Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying ‘I will try again tomorrow’.” – Unknown

On Site Tech Support

After Wednesday evenings knitting lesson I returned home and pulled my newly learned knitting out of my yarn basket and begin to click away.

Y’all it wasn't pretty! The flames and smoke from my crashing failure could be seen for miles away.

I noticed that there was a weird loop hanging off of the back and in my naiveté I foolishly thought that I could simply remove the needles and pull the stitches out and back track past my boo boo and then begin again.

That was my first mistake.

After painstaking putting the needle back through all the loops only to discover that I had threaded the needle on the wrong way.

I then pulled it off again and tried to put the needle back on the right way.

Well it went down hill quickly after that.

Let’s just say that the more I tried to repair my error the worse it got and then finally I just thought that it would be easier to just pull it all back out and start again.

However I did to take into consideration my short term memory loss and the fact that even though I had been shown multiple times how to cast on onlt a few short hour befor …well sadly the intricacies of casting on had been completely removed from my memory bank.

At that point I apparently had also lost the capacity to read the English language as well.

I read through the written instruction on how to cast on and decide that although it was written in English, my brain was somehow translating it back into Arabic as it made no sense to me what so ever.

After lamenting my total failure I sent out an email in the hopes that someone would take pity on my and come to my rescue.

Y’all, I think we need to get some of those magnetic signs that will stick to the side of your car for emergency proposes:

A special thanks for my super hero member of The Chick with Stick Technical Support Task Force.

She braved the rain to make a special in home service call.

The problem was diagnosis as, technical difficulty is due to operator error namely me with a malfunctioning long term memory shortage due to old age of the operating system.

Thanks Ellen for the home tech support!

Blessings

Robin

Aug 23 – Completed Payer Shawl

 

Oh my stars I am finally finished!

Blessings

Robin

Knitted Helmet Liner

This is the helmet liner pattern noted in the weekly e-mail.

Materials:

Cascade 220 or any soft wool yarn that will knit to gauge. Approx. 175 yards. (5 hanks of 220 will make 6 hats). NOTE: PLEASE USE ONLY WOOL YARN. Helmet liners made of synthetic fibers cannot be worn by Marines in combat areas. Colors allowed by the military are black, charcoal, brown, tan, olive drab. Size 8 - 16” circular needle, or size to get gauge and same size double point needles. Size 6 -16” circular needles for the ribbings One stitch marker. Gauge: 4.5 st./in. in st. st.

Instructions:

Neck: With smaller circular needle, cast on 84 stitches loosely. Place marker. Join in round and knit in 2x2 rib for 6 inches. (Note: This used to read 4 inches but feedback from soldiers to Linda Swinford led to a revision. There should be 6 inches of neck ribbing. Thank you!)

To make hat portion: With larger circular needle, knit 32 stitches off smaller needle. Leave smaller circ.in rest of the stitches, cast on 59 additional stitches, place marker to mark beg of round, join in round, K even for 4”. 1st dec row: *K11, K2 tog,* repeat to end of round. Next row: Knit even. 2nd dec row: *K10, 2tog,* repeat to end. Next row: knit even. Change to DP needles when necessary. Continue decreases as established until K2, K2tog. After this, decrease every row until 7 stitches on needle. Cut yarn 8-9” long, feed through remaining stitches and weave in.

Ribbing around face: (This portion has been revised from original instructions, based upon feedback from soldiers. Please use these instructions entirely rather than any older instructions you may have. Thank you.). With smaller needle still in neck portion, PU stitches around face. Join in circle and K in 2x2 ribbing for 1 inch. On last row of ribbing, decrease in a total of 8 purl stitches by P2tog (4 sets on each side of face, i.e. 10:00, 2:00, 4:00 and 8:00). This will pull the ribbing in close to their face. BO in ribbing and work in tail. BO around face can be snug.

Don't forget to include a Washing Instruction Label and "Made For You By..." Label! It works best if you type the instructions on adhesive labels and stick and/or staple one on each completed helmet liner. Here's a sample:

WASHING INSTRUCTIONS -
WOOL. Do NOT put in washer or dryer; or it will shrink.
HAND WASH ONLY with mild soap in COLD water.
Lay flat to dry. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.  

This helmet liner was hand-knitted for you by: [put your name here, and optionally your address].

Welcome Back To The Parlor - August 19th

It was an awesome night in The Parlor.  God was with us as we honored Him by celebrating a return to Wednesday dinners, classes, and His work.  What a bounty He brought us.  More yarn was turned into scarves, afghans, and chemo caps than I’ve ever seen and all the seats in The Parlor were full!  There were enough new items for each of us to hold one while we prayed prior to taking them to the Prayer Shawl cabinet.  Ladies, if we keep this up, we may need a bigger room.

In addition, there are new projects in different stages of completion.  The Parlor is a blessed, happy place to be on Wednesday evening with lots of work, laughter, support, encouragement, and stories.   Barbara taught herself several new crochet stitches for her new project and still volunteered for the Granny Squares.  Jenny is making wonderful progress on the knitted scarf she’s making, especially with her longer knitting needles.  Ellen and Ann worked together so Ann could learn to knit.  Martha is working on a beautiful knitted white shawl.  Robin S. is back with a wonderful tan and working on a blue afghan.  Robin B. brought two completed afghans and a yarn donation – thank you, Robin.  Rebecca and Lisa came in to help with prayers – we’ve missed you both.  Susan has a new project going.  Robin L. is completing a bright shawl out of cotton yarn…is this going to be the yarn you warn us about?  Dana came in for as long as she could before she had to pack for the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk in Minneapolis (did you take a pink shawl with you?).  Dee has a couple of beautiful knitted projects going and still spoke up about working on Granny Squares!  Alida was with us in spirit.  She sent four completed shawls, four completed scarves, and at least four dozen Granny Squares! 

Me – I just went from one project to the next, forgot to mention several things I planned to talk about, and forgot to take pictures!  The Chicks With Sticks are such a joy to be with, even making notes about what I plan to do doesn’t work!  Please join us on the 26^th.

Welcome new members:  We’re so happy to have you in this Ministry. 

            Ann O. joined us and is learning to knit!  .

            Meredith J. came in for her first meeting, with knitting and crocheting skills! 

Back to Square One:  Alida is making more Granny Squares!  Barbara and Dee have stepped up to the plate to learn to make afghans out of the squares.  We started on the squares last night.  Alida asked for more yarn last week to make more squares so we’ll have fun putting several items together.  Alida is a great contributor.  We appreciate all you do for the Prayer Shawl Ministry.

September Project:  One of the items I forgot to talk about last night was a September project for those of you interested in participating.  In November, our church sends Care Packages to members of the Armed Services.  From the information I’ve received approximately 10 to 12 packages are sent out each year.  If we have any church members with family on active duty, we choose those individuals first.  We then go to a site called “Any Soldier” and, depending on how many boxes we can fill, we choose soldiers from that site to send the rest of the packages to. 

Ellen did some research as far as items we can make for the packages and found there are some restrictions for items going to members of the Armed Services overseas.  They are as follows: 

USE ONLY WOOL YARN. Helmet liners made of synthetic fibers cannot be worn by Marines in combat areas. Colors allowed by the military are black, charcoal, brown, tan, olive drab.

Given these restrictions, and the fact that we do not know where these packages will go until the last minute, those who choose to make helmet liners or scarves for these packages, should follow these guidelines to be on the safe side.  In addition, the seasons are quite different in the Middle East than here and it can be quite cold. The other thing Ellen discovered is the helmet liners that are knitted are more comfortable than the crocheted helmet liners. 

With that information, the recommendation is that helmet liners are knitted and scarves are crocheted in the wool yarn colors noted above.  We do have some wool yarn in the bins in The Parlor and will go through the bins next week.  I’m not sure how much there is, but we’ll check and use that first.  We will include washing instructions with the items so the recipients know how to care for them.

It would be nice if we can have a helmet liner and a scarf for each of the 10 to 12 care packages be sent out – can we make it an even dozen?  Please let me know if you are interested in participating in this project and if you think you can get one of these items completed by the end of September. 

October Fall Festival:  Just a reminder to save October 19^th on your calendar.  We’ll have a great time at the Fall Festival in our “Tent” from 2:00 to 5:00.  A schedule and organization sheet will go out in a couple of weeks. 

Thanks for all you do. 

Love and blessings,

Beverly

“Faithfulness to the little things will help us to grow in love.  We have all been given a lighted lamp and it is for us to keep it burning.  We can keep it burning only if we keep on pouring oil inside.  That oil comes from our acts of love.” – Mother Teresa

In The Parlor with The Chicks With Sticks on August 12th

God is so good to us.  So many wonderful things are going on and so many prayers are needed as usual.  Six beautiful new shawls were turned in and prayed over last night.  Thanks to everyone’s hard work, the Prayer Shawl cabinet is full again.

During the month of July, God revealed the names of over 30 recipients for items from the cabinet.  So far in August only six items have been distributed.  However, that’s the ebb and flow of things.  It doesn’t mean we should stop working.  Like the squirrels storing up acorns in the summer for the long winter, we never know when requests will come in and take the cabinet from full to empty.

Care Packages:

In November, our church sends Care Packages to members of the Armed Services.  From the information I’ve received approximately 10 to 12 packages are sent out each year.  If we have any church members with family on active duty, we choose those individuals first.  We then go to a site called “Any Soldier” and, depending on how many boxes we can fill, we choose soldiers from that site to send the rest of the packages to. 

At our meeting last night, we discussed the possibility of including an item from the Prayer Shawl Ministry.  Based on the number of packages sent out, we felt it would be possible for the Ministry to participate in this project by knitting or crocheting a scarf and/or a helmet liner.  Becky Moore has a pattern for knitting and for crocheting a helmet liner.  Dana S. through divine intervention, just purchased camouflage patterned yarn!  And we have multiple scarf patterns.

We’ll discuss this in more detail on the 19^th.  However, given the fact that it’s August, there are around 12 packages, and we have around 30 members, the task doesn’t sound too daunting.  If you have questions or comments before the 19^th, please let me know.

Calendar Update:     

For those of you who showed up for dinner last night because of my e-mail, I apologize!  In the bulletin on Sunday, there was a note saying dinners would begin the 19^th, not the 12^th – my error.  So let me try again and say that when you come for dinner and bring your youth to their activities, please stay for the Prayer Shawl Ministry meeting.  We would love to have you back!

Ministry Moment:

Dana S. spoke in our prayer time last night about the privilege of delivering a Prayer Shawl and the blessing you witness and receive during the delivery.  If you have not had an opportunity to deliver a Prayer Shawl, please volunteer.  God will be with you and bless you and the recipient.  Tears of joy and healing will flow for all involved – it’s a wonderful moment of love and bonding that you will remember for the rest of your life.  An example of a Prayer Shawl I was blessed to deliver is below.

Iola  was so gracious and sweet on July 7^th when I took the Prayer Shawl to her home.  I didn’t know Iola before then, but discovered she was a neighbor of mine thanks to Barbara M.  The Prayer Shawl was draped on her lap as she reclined in her chair and I knelt next to her.  We prayed a short prayer and held hands.  Then I explained to her how we made each item, praying while we made them, prayed over them when they were completed, and prayed with the person when we delivered them.

I explained, in her case, her Prayer Shawl was made from the Granny Squares crocheted by Alida S., who I thought Iola may know.  When I told her that, Iola said that she did know Alida and was pleased that she had made the squares.  Later I had an opportunity to tell Alida the story about who received the first afghan from the Granny Squares she had made, and Alida was pleased the afghan went to someone she knew.

God has given us a wonderful opportunity to spread his love, comfort, and healing power to those in need.  Share in it.  His glory is awesome!

Love and blessings,

Beverly

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.  Colossians 3:23

In The Parlor on August 5th

Blessings Flow:  The Prayer Shawl cabinet is comfortably full again. The Lord blessed the Prayer Shawl Ministry with 12 (really) shawls/afghans, a chemo cap, a preemie cap, and preemie sandals on Wednesday evening.  Due to the construction, the items didn’t make it to the cabinet until Thursday morning.  There’s a saying that says “you can’t get there from here” and it was true Wednesday evening, or at least I didn’t know the way.

Thanks to everyone who contributed Wednesday evening.  Each of the items was so beautiful.

The 60s Are Back:  The Lion Brand news letter said the 60s are back!  If you go to www.lionbrand.com and search for 60s patterns, you will see a myriad of patterns from the 1960s.  I know some of you won’t remember them unless you watched television reruns, but others of you, like me, will remember them very well.  While I don’t know if I’m ready to wear the styles again, they’re fun to look at.

 

Zip Codes:  Just a reminder to let me know if your zip code has changed on the mailing address you provided for your membership in the Prayer Shawl Ministry.  The Post Office sent out a notice for those addresses who will be effected by the change.

Grace Arbor Presentation:  Robin D. invited Ellen and me to make a presentation to the Grace Arbor group on August 3^rd.  What a delightful group of people!  We had an opportunity to tell what the Prayer Shawl Ministry does and why.  We passed around a few items and received a lot of questions.  They had a few stories of their own also – about projects they made in the past.

Birthdays: Please wish the following members a Happy Birthday this month!

            Robin S. – August 4^th

            Beverly S.– August 18^th

Patterns and Yarn: Attached are two new knit and two new crochet patterns in the event you need something new to do.  I don’t want anyone to get bored.  Remember to check in our yarn bins for yarn to knit or crochet with for your new projects.  Dana has offered to bring a yarn winder for those yarns that are still in hanks.

Calendar Reminders:

            August 12^th Meeting – Wednesday night dinners begin on August 12^th

Watch the bulletin and schedules on Sunday.  When you come for dinner and bring your youth to their activities, please stay for the Prayer Shawl Ministry meeting.  We would love to have you back!

Fall Festival Update – October 18^th, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Carleen has offered to be one of our front porch crocheters for the Fall Festivals.  She has an old fashioned dress and bonnet to wear while she’s sitting there crocheting.  Carleen’s mother is also going to display her embroidery work inside the “tent”.

Just For Fun:  Attached is a Yarn Lovers Puzzle – it’s a crossword puzzle based on terms used in our crafts.  Good luck on it if you try it.  The information with the puzzle said the answers will be out next week.

Blessings and love,

Beverly

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson