Special Olympics Scarf Project 2017

I haven't posted in a while --- 6 weeks! It has been busy! I was blessed with a new job and the last few weeks have been hectic due to that and I haven't had much time to work on projects.

I do have information about the Scarf Project for the 2017 Special Olympics Games - YEY! We have states that are participating again and few new additions. If you crochet or knit and would like to contribute, details are posted below for the type of items being collected.

2017 Special Olympics Scarf Project

Scarf Guidelines
* 54-60 inches long (including fringe)
* 6-7 inches wide
* any design or pattern using ALL colors

Headband Guidelines
* 19-20 inches around the head
* 2-3 inches wide
* any design or pattern using ALL colors

Earwarmer Guidelines
* 19-21 inches around the head
* 3-5 inches wide
* any design or pattern using ALL colors

Hat Guidelines
* to fit sizes child to adult
* any design or pattern using ALL colors

Mitten Guidelines
* to fit sizes child to adult
* any design or pattern using ALL colors

Packing
* Please wash the items before packing in a ziploc bag, for sanitary reasons.

Gift Tags/Notes
* Gift tags and notes tot he athletes are appreciated, but are optional.
* Do NOT attach to the item.
* Insert the gift tag/note inside the ziploc bag.

===========================================

This is the current list of states who are participating in the 2017 Scarf Project.

If your state is not listed, then the state program is either not participating,

or has not provided their information yet.

I learned about this project in June last year. I was disappointed that my state, Kentucky, was not participating. So I made scarves for all the other states. I had so much fun looking up patterns that would look good with the colors chosen. I got to practice knitting and playing with stitches I wanted to try but felt unskilled to do before.

I brought my project bag everywhere. When people would ask what I was doing, I would explain that I was making a scarf for Special Olympics. Some wanted more information about how they too could participate and I was happy to share that with them.

This began as an outlet for me to indulge in my hobby while, hopefully, benefiting others. I was surprised one day when a card came in the mail from Special Olympics North Carolina soon after their deadline. It was a handwritten thank you card from one of the athletes who received a scarf and hat in Idaho (posted below). Other cards came in from Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas and Texas.

If you are looking for a way to use up your yarn stash, perhaps consider making a scarf or hat or earwarmer for one (or two, or more) of the athletes this year. And while you're at it, maybe even say a little prayer that the recipient does his/her best at their event and demonstrate sportsmanship at the games.


Yarn On!
~ maria
Colossians 3:12

Temperature Blanket

The start of a new year always brings fresh resolve for many people to either:
a) start something or
b) finish something

In one of my facebook groups for Crochet Addicts, the new year inspired conversation about Temperature Blankets. What is a Temperature Blanket? you ask. Basically it is a blanket one makes with the colors determined by the temperature of the day. You decide what year. You decide what stitch/es to use. You decide what colors you will use. You decide which temperature to use. You decide the temperature ranges for the colors you've chosen.


My Temperature Blanket
* Year: 2005 - the year I married my best friend and love of my life
* Stitch: Single Crochet Jacob's Ladder
* Colors: See image on right for my color palette and temperature ranges
* Temperature to Record: Day Average

Weather Temperature Archives
You can look up what the weather was like for a specific date and location (may not have it for ALL places).

Jacob's Ladder Stitch
This video shows how to make the Jacob's Ladder pattern using the Double Crochet Stitch but also provides instructions how to modify for other stitches that you may want to use.

Color Palette
For this project I am using Caron's Simpy Soft yarns. The temps noted are in Fahrenheit.

Options
* Depending on your location, you may not have a wide range of temperature changes where you live. You can adjust your color ranges to as little as one degree differences if that applies to you (folks who use Celsius likely).
* Some folks crochet or knit one row per day. Since my blanket is based on historical data, I plan to crochet multiple rows on the weekend.
* I have a color palette with 10 colors. You could use as few as 5 or as many as you'd like. I've seen samples with 7 colors - one for each color of the rainbow. Some folks have made monochromatic blankets using one basic color. It's your blanket, you make it however your heart desires!
* Some people make these blankets for the year their children were born.
* These could be gifted also to an expectant mother with only 9 months for the duration of their pregnancy until the baby is born.
* Many people use a single crochet stitch for their rows considering there will be 365 row when this project is finished ---- this could get really long.

For more information about Temperature Blankets, you can visit the Crochet Crowd's post.

After deciding how to proceed with this project, I got a great idea from someone to make a Temperature Scarf which is just a scarf using the same principle as the blanket. I will be using my birth year and linen stitch for the scarf. I will post pictures of my projects as they evolve in the next few months.


Be blessed!
~ maria
1 John 2: 1-2

Braided Infinity Scarf

We are in the middle of Snowmageddon here in central Kentucky and was homebound yesterday. I took a break from the Special Olympics crafting and made this Braided Infinity Scarf.

I follow posts on a Facebook community for crochet enthusiasts --- well addicts really. This Double Layered Braided Cowl pattern from My Hobby is Crochet was trending. I was not too keen at first because I prefer to have my neck covered being that I have short hair. More and more posts showed on the group page and the projects were quite pretty so I caved. I did modify my work to fit my needs and made n infinity scarf instead of just a cowl.

Braided Infinity Scarf

My modifications:
I used Lion Brand Vanna's Choice (Oatmeal) yarn.

Chain length per braid is 225 stitches (add two for the hdc starting stitch).

When joining the bands together, I layered two alternating strands together then used a single stitch across the length to keep the braids intact.

After finishing just 1 row of single crochet on both ends, those were joined together with a slip stitch across on the WRONG SIDE so the join will be on the inside of the infinity scarf.


Other Ideas
After taking photos of this scarf, I thought this would also make a pretty scarf with fringes at the ends. I am thinking of making another scarf with this pattern as a base just a tad wider with five braids in purple. Will post photos when that is finished.
It looks calm and pretty outside with all the clean snow that we got yesterday.


Stay warm.
~ maria
1 Peter 1:23

Houndstooth Pattern Scarf (2016 Special Olympics Scarf Project)

Houndstooth Scarf
The Wyoming Special Olympics colors for 2016 were Purple and Black. I thought the Houndstooth pattern would be a great way to show of the contrasting colors. As pretty as it looks, I thought it would be difficult, but it was actually quite easy and the rows stitched up quickly. All you really need to think is 1-2-1-2-1-2.....easy.

Houndstooth Pattern Scarf for

Special Olympics Scarf Project

(Wyoming 2016)

Materials
* To make a scarf using this pattern, it is best to use two contrasting colors to make the pattern pop, preferably one light and one dark.

Pattern
>> Starting Chain:
Chain stitch to desired length that is a multiple of 2 +1 with color A.

>> Row 1:
Sc in 2nd ch from hook, 
*Dc in next ch, Sc in next ch. 
Repeat from * to end. 
Change yarn to color B.

>> Row 2:
Using color B, Ch 2 (counts as Dc) then turn.
**Sc in next Dc, Dc in next Sc.
Repeat from ** to end.
Change yarn to color A.

>> Row 3:
Using color A, Ch 1 (counts as Sc) then turn.
*Dc in next ch, Sc in next ch. 
Repeat from * to end. 
Change yarn to color B.

>> Repeat rows 2 and 3 until desired width.
Weave in ends unless adding fringe.

Optional Fringe
Count number of rows of each color, multiply by 6 to determine total number of strands needed.

Cut 6 1/2" strands of yarn for total number of strands.

Take 3 strands of corresponding color to each row. Fold strands as a bundle in half.

Using crochet hook, draw bundle through the row end loop.

Pull ends through the loop to secure fringe.

Other Ideas
This pattern can be adapted to a lab blanket.
School colors make a nice combination for this pattern.
Fringe colors can be mixed or alternating.


I hope you enjoy this pattern as much as I do!
~ maria
Ephesians 1:14

Lacy Ripple Stitch (2016 Special Olympics Scarf Project)

Lacy Ripple Stitch Scarf for

Special Olympics Scarf Project (Maine 2016)

Lacy Ripple Stitch

I found this pattern on Meladora's Creations for Crochet. There are numerous videos that demonstrate how to create different stitches for both right-handed and left-handed crochet crafters. 

Video Tutorial links to the Lacy Ripple Stitch Pattern:
Right Handed
Left-Handed Tutorial


The written pattern can be found on the Meladora's Creations web site.

For this scarf, I crocheted rows 1 and 2 in Color A, then rows 3 and 4 in color B. Continuing the sequence until I obtained the desired width for the scarf. I imagine you can have additional colors in increments of two rows if you are making a bigger project with multiple colors such as a lap blanket or afghan.

I will be posting photos of the scarves that were sent to Delaware and Wyoming next time. I barely made the deadline for Arkansas and got those mailed yesterday. The scarves for Kansas are also in the mail. I am working on the Texas pair in navy blue and white now.

It is not too late to send scarves to Washington (February 26 - dark navy and lime green), South Dakota (March 1 - Light Blue and Beige) and Alaska (March 6 - Tan and Light Blue). Details are posted at the Colouring With Yarn web site.


~ maria
James 1:12

Vertical Stripe Scarf (2016 Special Olympics Scarf Project)

Vertical Stripe Scarf for Special Olympics
Scarf Project (Indiana 2016)

Crocheting and Knitting are among my favorite hobbies. Both allow me to work with my hands and feel creative. My problem is that I cannot have countless scarves and blankets if I continued to make yarn projects. So I conducted a search of organizations that accepted crocheted and knitted projects and found the Special Olympics Scarf Project.

I currently live in Kentucky but the state SO was not participating so I decided to make scarves for the Indiana chapter since that was where I lived prior to moving to Lexington. I looked for a pattern that would be nice for both a male or female athlete and found this Vertical Stripe Scarf.

I adjusted the color sequence and number of rows to comply with the 6-7 inch width requirement using the state colors (Red Heart Cherry Red #319 and Red Heart White #311). Here is the finished product.

My pattern modifications:
Size G
Starting chain of 160 for a 54" scarf
3" fringes on both ends to reach 60" if desired

Scarf A color sequence:
Color A: starting chain + 3 rows
Color B: 6 rows
Color A: 3 rows
Color B: 6 rows
Color 4: 4 rows

Scarf B color sequence:
Color A: starting chain + 7 rows
Color B: 3 rows
Color A: 3 rows
Color B: 3 rows
Color 4: 8 rows

If you would like to participate by donating a scarf or two, it is not too late. There are several states with deadlines that have not passed. I have finished scarves for North Carolina and Maine. I will be going to the post office to mail the Delaware and Wyoming scarves I finished this weekend. Still working on the Arkansas and Kansas sets. I will post all project information in the next few weeks.

Thank you for visiting and Happy New Year!
~ maria
John 3:3

New Year, New Blog

Blogging?
I actually started a crafting/card making blog a few years ago but did not think I was as accomplished as many of the artists whose blogs I followed. Many of the projects I posted were cute but not jaw-dropping "WOW!" cards. Then I thought about posting recipes that friends ask me about when I bring a dish to a potluck or whatever else event that involves food. It would end up with just links to the sites I got the recipes from. Played with the idea of journaling my weight-loss journey but I fall off the wagon so often that it would not be very inspiring.

I am not an expert on anything. I don't think I have a truly original, patent-worthy idea. My husband says that I am good at expanding on an idea and making it better. I have a few hobbies and enjoy a variety of activities. Just a "Jane-of-some-trades" person.

So.....I figured it would be better to have a blog on ANYTHING. This way I am not limiting myself to a specific craft or food type or topic. I can write about whatever I am working on at the time.

Figuring out what to name the blog
Since I would be posting about a variety of topics, I wanted the name of the blog to be versatile. I am not very creative with themes or titles so it just needed to be simple and straight-to-the-point.

I don't exactly have time to work on a project each day considering my work schedule but it would refer to the project that I am working on THAT day. I will not be able to post something on a daily basis. On days that I have a project, I will plan to share it on the blog when time allows.


Projects: Works-in-Progress
I will not call these resolutions. There are a lot of things I want to work on, not only this year, but also on a continuing basis. I will provide more information about each project in future posts.

This is just a short list of what is "on deck."
* Write the Bible
     - this will be a 3.5 year project at a chapter a day pace
* Scripture Verse memorization
     - one verse a week
* Special Olympics scarves for the Winter Games
     - currently working on this, several states collect scarves for their athletes
* "Dr. Who" (Tom Baker, #4) scarf
     - for Hubby and Stacie, yes that is two (2)!
* Finish all other yarn projects that have been in limbo for a few months (years even!)
* Organize, Organize Organize
     - I really don't think this will have an end date
* Hand-Made Cards and Ornaments for Christmas 2016
     - have to seriously decrease my stash of paper and other supplies


Thank you for checking out the blog and I hope that you are able to get some good ideas whenever you visit.
~ maria
John 3:30