FIRST AFTER WORK SOCIAL TONIGHT

We provide the yarn. You bring the knitting needles or crochet hooks.

The preemie cap and Christmas-at-Sea patterns use the following sizes:

Project Sunshine Simple Preemie Cap
Knitting Needles US4 and US5 double pointed needles or 2 circulars

Skein Attraction Preemie cap
Knitting Needle US 7
Crochet G Hook

Christmas-at-Sea Knitted helmet
Knitting Needle US8

Feel free to bring your own yarn if you prefer.

What: In the Loop After Work Social
When: Tuesday, October 30, 5pm - 8pm
Where: World Financial Center Winter Garden
Directions: Look to the left for link to directions and map

5 REASONS TO BE IN THE LOOP

You're invited to IN THE LOOP's First After Work Social.
Join us in the Winter Garden, Tuesday October 30, 5pm-8pm
while we knit and crochet for charity.

Feel the benefits of doing good for others.

1. Indulge your creative side.
Don't just manage a project. Make a project.
Shut down the computer and take up your needles and hooks.

2. Learn from our experience.
We're a mix of beginners and expert crafters.
Bring your questions. Share your talent.

3. Get great surfing tips.
Discover the best blogs and websites
for knitting and crocheting.
Learn where to find crafters podcasts
and free How-To video clips.

4. Shop the best yarn resources.
Get our list of places for the best yarn
and the best discounts, in Manhattan, outside New York,
or through the world wide web.

5. The best reason of all: Giving to others.
Two charities to benefit from our skills and time are
Project Sunshine's Project Knit and Christmas-at-Sea.
Make a cap for a preemie baby or for mariners far from home.


We provide the yarn and the patterns.
You bring your knitting needles and crochet hooks.
Swing by on your way to catching the bus or train.
Stay a few minutes. Stay a while.

SUCCESS

Our first In the Loop Brown Bag Social was a success!

We would like to pose a challenge, during the next Social finish a preemie cap or take yarn and make two for the next Social.

A reminder to bring your needles, we'll provide yarn for the projects.

For the knitted and crocheted preemie caps, we encourage you to improvise and embellish the patterns we've posted, they are just a guide. You can also bring your own preemie cap patterns. The only goal is to make lots of caps!

Send us comments, we'd love your feedback!

See you on October 30 for our first After Five Social!

CROCHETED PREEMIE CAP

THE SKEIN ATTRACTION’S CROCHETED PREEMIE CAP

We’ve included just the crocheted version here, but if you prefer to knit the cap, we have linked to the complete pattern on The Skein Attraction website.

YARN Valley Plymouth Yarns Encore wool/acrylic 100 yds
NEEDLE G hook
GUAGE
FINISHED SIZE TBD 4-7” tall

Chain 4 and join into ring with a slip stitch

ROUND 1 Work 6 sc into ring

ROUND 2 Work 2 dc into each sc from previous round (12 dc)

ROUND 3 (dc, 2 dc into next dc) rep to end of round (18 dc)

ROUND 4 (dc, dc, 2 dc into next dc) rep to end of round (24 dc)

ROUND 5 (dc, dc, dc, 2 dc into next dc) rep to end of round (30 dc)

ROUND 6 (dc, dc, dc, dc, 2dc into next dc) rep to end of round (36 dc)

For a bigger head, continue working the increase rounds. Otherwise, work dc around cap until piece measures 4-7” from beginning. Fasten off. Fold back brim.

PATTERN USE All patterns on the In the Loop blog are for charitable crafting only. Knitting or crocheting this item for resale is prohibited.

GLOSSARY dc=double chain sc=single chain rep=repeat

KNITTED PREEMIE CAP

The Knitted Preemie Cap from Project Sunshine's Project Knit is easy, quick (it only takes an hour!) and oh so cute . . . Happy Knitting!

YARN Valley Yarns Longmeadow 60% cotton/40% microfiber 117 yards
NEEDLES (circular needle method) US 4 and US 5 12" circular needles
GUAGE 6 stitches equals 1 inch using US 5 needles in stockinette
FINISHED SIZE 8" circumference 4" tall

Using size US 4 circular needles, cast on 48 stitches. Knit one row. Then, place marker and knit in the round. Knit 5 rows. Change to US 5 circular needles and continue until hat (unrolled) measures 3” inches.

Begin decrease . . .
ROW 1 *K6, k2tog. Rep from * 5 times, 42 sts remain
KNIT ALL EVEN ROWS
ROW 3 *K5, k2tog. Re from * 5 times, 36 sts remain
CHANGE TO DPN
ROW 5 *K4, k2tog. Rep from * 5 times, 30 sts remain
ROW 7 *K3, k2tog. Rep from * 5 times, 24 sts remain
ROW 9 *K2, k2tog. Rep from * 5 imes, 18 sts remain
ROW 11 *K1, k2tog. Rep from * 5 times, 12 sts remain
ROW 13 *K2tog. Rep from * 5 times, 6 sts remain

Begin i-cord . . . Knit 5 rows, pushing stitches to other side of needle after each row.

Break yarn and leaving about 8–10 inches for sewing, thread through remaining stitches. Pull to close i-cord and sew back seam. Weave in ends. Done!

PATTERN USE All patterns on In the Loop blog for charitable crafting only. Knitting or crocheting any item for resale is prohibited.

NOTE We recommend the circular needle method, but if dpn's are your preferred method, you can download the complete pattern from the Project Sunshine website. We will provide color copies of this and other project patterns at all Socials events.

AUTHOR NOTE Gauge is not so important, as preemie heads come in many sizes. However, if you knit very tight, it's better to knit with the next needle size up. The roll brim is good because it is adjustable. If you are worried about the roll moving too much (or not rolling at all), tack it into place in the back with a simple whip stitch when weaving in your cast-on end (Anne-Marie Brule).

GLOSSARY dpn=double pointed needles K=knit P=purl k2tog=knit two together rep=repeat sts=stitches RS=right side WS=wrong side

SOCIAL EVENTS OF THE SEASON!

Grab your needles and hooks, get out of the office and join us for our first BROWN BAG SOCIAL on Friday, October 19 in the Winter Garden.

Ina Braun, knitwear designer and teacher, will be on hand at all Brown Bag Socials to help you start—and finish—your hat project.

SOCIALS SCHEDULE FALL 07

Brown Bag Socials
12-2pm Winter Garden
FRIDAY 19 OCT 07
FRIDAY 9 NOV 07
FRIDAY 7 DEC 07

After Work Socials
5-8pm Winter Garden
TUES 30 OCT 07
WED 14 NOV 07
WED 28 NOV 07

IN THE LOOP IS HERE!

Welcome all crafters! After the success of The Big Draw events in September, arts>World Financial Center has created a forum for enthusiastic crafters to knit and crochet for charities. In our first season, October-December, we will collaborate with two organizations to contribute knitted and crocheted HATS, HATS AND MORE HATS to those in need within our own neighborhood.

Project Sunshine is an international organization that provides free social, educational and recreational programs to children and families living with medical challenges. Their PROJECT KNIT program creates opportunities for knitting/crocheting groups to connect with children in local hospitals. In the Loopers will create caps for babies born prematurely in neighborhood hospitals.

CHRISTMAS-AT-SEA of the Seamen’s Church Institute brings hospitality and love to deep-sea and river mariners with Christmas gifts of handmade scarves, caps, vests, helmets or socks. These items are knitted or crocheted by more than 3,500 volunteers across the country. Each year, more than 16,000 gifts are distributed. Joining this national effort, In the Loopers will knit and crochet warm hats for local seafarers.

All finished garments/gifts will be collected by arts>World Financial Center staff and distributed to each charity. Stay tuned for complete project descriptions, including patterns, dropoff deadlines, and finishing instructions.