The Knit Before Christmas

This Sunday, SCI Chaplain Deacon Jacques Girard visited St. John’s Episcopal Church in Cornwall, New York. Knitters from the parish brought their Christmas at Sea knitted contributions to be blessed before sending them to SCI.

A special thank you to St. John’s and Chaplain Girard for sharing these photos.

Why not hold a similar event at your parish? 

Have a happy halloween knitters! And don’t forget about our sock contest! Any knitters submitting socks before November 15 are eligible to win a skein of Socks that Rock.

I am thrilled that Christmas at Sea has been chosen as a service projects for In the Loop, a knitting and crocheting group based in lower Manhattan.  They  "welcome all craftsters with a passion for giving."

Here’s a blurb from their blog:

In the Loop is a knitting and crocheting club composed of crafters from the World Financial Center’s corporate community, residential and working communities of Battery Park City and Manhattan, and the world beyond.

We’ll focus our time, energy and creativity on projects with a purpose, knitting and crocheting garments and gifts to benefit those in need. Free patterns will be posted here each season.

Get out of the office, join our lunchtime and evening socials, and enjoy giving to great causes!

Their first Brown Bag Social will be Friday, October 19 from 12-2pm in the Winter Garden, the World Financial Center’s public atrium.  I’ll be attending. If you’re in the area and would like to join me, please leave a message in the comments and let me know.  More details are available on In the Loop.

I hope to see you there.

I think 2007 is the year of the sock in the knitting universe.   So far, Christmas-at-Sea has collected nearly 300 pairs of socks, more  socks than ever before.  But seeing as its the year of the sock,  I think we can double that number by December 1, and I would like to challenge all of the CAS volunteer knitters to help me meet this goal. I certainly can’t knit them all myself!

As an incentive, any Christmas at Sea sock knitters who contribute socks by November 15 will be entered into a drawing to win this beautiful skein of Socks that Rock, generously donated by Blue Moon Fiber Arts.

 This post is inspired by Socktoberfest! a month-long celebration of sock knitting hosted by  Lolly Knitting Around.  Lolly posted this sock knitting questionaire on her blog. I’d love to see your answers, feel free to leave them in the comments or send them by email.

Good luck and happy knitting!

When did you start making socks?

2002

Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?

I "taught myself," meaning that I read a lot of tutorials and instructions thoughtfully prepared by other knitters.

What was your first pair? How have they “held up” over time?

My first pair was a basic sock with a ribbed cuff made from Trekking. They were a gift to someone I rarely see anymore. I have no idea how they’ve held up.

What would you have done differently?

I did a sloppy job with the toe. It was too pointy!  I wish I would have ripped it back an inch and re-grafted it.

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?

Socks that Rock, Opal, Regia, Koigu, Tofutsies,

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?

Magic Loop! I love knitting socks this way. I used to use 5 DPNs but I often broke them. This year I’ve knit all of my socks on a circular needle and I have been much more prolific.

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)

Heel flap.

How many pairs have you made?

More than 10, fewer than 20.