Make it in May Challenge
Let's put Make it in May into context!
Most of the blankets we now distribute include at least one, two or more squares, in between the ‘plain jane' (garter or plain crochet) squares that are creative, embroidered, striped, patterned, appliqued, initialed, sequined, beaded, buttoned, ribboned, multi-yarned, multi-coloured or just exquisitely made. It is incredible how these squares lift the whole blanket into a work of great beauty. Knit-a-square works on lots of levels, but importantly it is democratic because no one blanket is more beautiful than another. All our made by squares which are warm, cosy and have just that little bit of beauty and creativity to make the blanket unique and special to its owner. These squares are the best way to personalise the blankets for our
children.
Last year the challenge was to challenge yourself to try something new - a new stitch, learn to crochet if you knit and knit if you crochet, try dyeing your own yarn or search out new yarns (we are told you can buy from people’s stashs on Ravelry – bound to be some great yarns available)
You can go to Zina’s blog (http://anotherlongyarn.zinalee.net/?p=1426) and try some of the designer squares, especially designed for knit-a-square by Diana Troldahl, Lucy Neatby and Kristeen Griffen-Grimes. Also there are lots of ideas and patterns in both ravelry and in the forum. Don’t forget to share your patterns,
ideas for decorations and photographs with the rest of us and to let us know what you are challenging yourself to do this month.
Come on everyone, let’s Make it in May! Cheers! Kalai and Sandy
Most of the blankets we now distribute include at least one, two or more squares, in between the ‘plain jane' (garter or plain crochet) squares that are creative, embroidered, striped, patterned, appliqued, initialed, sequined, beaded, buttoned, ribboned, multi-yarned, multi-coloured or just exquisitely made. It is incredible how these squares lift the whole blanket into a work of great beauty. Knit-a-square works on lots of levels, but importantly it is democratic because no one blanket is more beautiful than another. All our made by squares which are warm, cosy and have just that little bit of beauty and creativity to make the blanket unique and special to its owner. These squares are the best way to personalise the blankets for our
children.
Last year the challenge was to challenge yourself to try something new - a new stitch, learn to crochet if you knit and knit if you crochet, try dyeing your own yarn or search out new yarns (we are told you can buy from people’s stashs on Ravelry – bound to be some great yarns available)
You can go to Zina’s blog (http://anotherlongyarn.zinalee.net/?p=1426) and try some of the designer squares, especially designed for knit-a-square by Diana Troldahl, Lucy Neatby and Kristeen Griffen-Grimes. Also there are lots of ideas and patterns in both ravelry and in the forum. Don’t forget to share your patterns,
ideas for decorations and photographs with the rest of us and to let us know what you are challenging yourself to do this month.
Come on everyone, let’s Make it in May! Cheers! Kalai and Sandy
Views: 268
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by P. Jeanne Haessler on
-
Oh wow I'm SO DENSE. I must dash back to Walmart today. I saw a big bag of leftover appliques/patches there yesterday...sew on badges, that sort of thing, for a really decent price. I remember looking at them and wondering what I could use them for--but I could sew one over the center of a plain square--they had butterflies and cars and all sorts of kid type patches in that bag...that's perfect for me, faster and more colorful and it wasn't hugely expensive either. :) I think I'll be learning how to sew them onto squares and maybe onto a hat or two, near the brim. That's what I'll be up to for May. I'm working on a deep purple very soft slip-over so maybe one applique on the shoulder strap, or near it would work too!
I must add that our local dollar store sells washable fun fur and eyelash yarn for $1. I could put a stripe of that into a square or crochet it on top of the square afterwards so it would outwardly show up but not be scratchy or anything. Gee, this will be fun! I didn't know what to do with those small balls of eyelash and fun fur yarn but now I do! -
-
Permalink Reply by Christine Johnson on
-
Jeanne, we're obviously members of the same club. My local woolshop closed yesterday and during the week there were some good bargains to be had. I found some blue and yellow 100% wool at 25p for 50g (that's less than $1 for 100g) and saw that they also had black. But I thought I can't make black squares so I left it. In the middle of that night I suddenly remembered a donation of off-white wool that I had wondered what to do with so, duh, zebras came to mind. I did manage to buy it the next day so I think my May squares will be variations on a theme of black and white. Wool is so lovely to knit with - I am enjoying this and have just finished number 5.
Also bought loads of buttons from the same place (I'm sure I'm not alone in also being a button-aholic) and some of those will no doubt find there way onto squares or hats or slipovers or .... I love bargains. -
-
-
I have a book on making jewellery with buttons, quite enjoyable. Some are crocheted on, others sewn, some beaded...I love buttons, find them fascinating. I find black yarn hard to see and I see they ask us to limit the use of black and red, representing death and blood respectively, so stripes are a great idea because often black is left over at yarn sales. I still grin everytime I think of those zebra striped squares with little braided tails on them!
I must say the bag of patches I bought has far exceeded my expectations and some will be sewn onto "plain" squares very soon. I can only say we have different sheep here than yours. Mind you I can't afford the more expensive wools but what I can afford is quite stiff, good for outerwear only and rather tiring to work with, it doesn't glide through any loops at all, you have to really pull it. I made a thick hat from it, great for outdoors, with tons of stretch, so I'm glad of that. I'm glad you got a good deal on "nice" wool, some of it sure has attitude, lol. (all hail bargain hunters!) -
-
Permalink Reply by Kalai McDonald on
-
Sounds fabulous Jeanne! Love the idea of the patches, can't wait to see what you come up with x x x
-
-
Permalink Reply by keli jean kaskie on
-
I think I will try to knit with some beads, I have crocheted with them, but never knit. I also would like to do some intarsia....wish me luck!
-
-
Permalink Reply by Dawne Smith-Sliming on
-
Intarsia is fun. I've just begun dabbling in it. Would be a cool way to do a square with the shape of Africa and S. Africa a different colour.
Hmmm.... -
-
-
Keli that would be lovely. Are you talking seed beads or pony beads that are threaded onto the yarn? I ask because I know anything we attach to the squares can't be removable in case a child swallows it accidentally. That being said, beadwork is very popular in Africa, quite the artform really. I'll be very happy to hear how your beading adventure turns out. :) And yes...good luck!
-
-
-
Love the enthusiasm everyone!
-
-
Permalink Reply by jacqueline sousa on
-
what is intarsia
never heard of it?? -
-
Permalink Reply by Enid Mary Shaw on
-
Hi Jacqueline,
intarsia is a form of adding colour to the work. Usually blocks of colour, such as the diamonds on golf sweaters. I am unable to type a description, suggest you do a search online. Or you could check in pattern books/ask at a yarn shop. There are probably several better qualified to help on this forum.
xx -
-
-
Then it's like when my mum knitted a Christmas vest for me which has a knitted in picture on the front of it? In her case she had lots of dangling tiny balls of different colors and threatened bodily harm if I ever asked her to do another, lol. I still have it and wear it happily even though mum left us 15 years ago now. :)
-
DONATE: KNIT-A-SQUARE
The Donate button provides 2 options:
- One time donation
- Monthly subscription [click the box]
Because of PayPal/banking fees, KAS asks that your donation be 5USD [or more]. Anything less, means your donation is eaten up with fees. Thank you!
KAS FINANCES
Our goal is to remove the monthly deficit that Ronda and her team have to deal with. You can:
1. Make a donation whenever you are able.
2. Sign up for an ongoing monthly donation (subscription).
3. Shop at the KasShop!
Please follow this discussion for monthly updates, current financial reports and ideas on what we can all do to help. Click link :
SHOP
SQUARES LIST
The APRIL 2023 Square List is available. Please see:
for the most recent lists.
For all other Square Lists, please visit our SQUARE LISTS page.
2023 THEMES
KAS PATTERN BOOK
MAY
Color Of The Month YELLOW
Free Patterns for
can be found in the KAS PatternBook
Click here to find more free patterns in
Members Patterns - Squares
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
CREATECARE GLOBAL
"CreateCare Global has set itself two tasks. The first is physical: to bring hope, support and comfort to children for whom poverty and loss are everyday tormentors. The second, and in our view equally important, is to spread the message to the world."
Our thanks to CreateCare Global for supporting the Square Circle Forum and helping to spread the wonderful work that KAS does.
Learn more about CCG here.
© 2023 Created by Sandy McDonald.
Powered by
