2021 Pottstown Knit “In” Mystery Knit-A-Long

Posted on December 11, 2020 by BetsyM

Hello Knitters!

As you know, we are unable to have our annual in-person Knit Out in January of 2021. In its place, we are having a Mystery Knit-A-Long (MKAL) that will run for 6-8 weeks starting January 16, 2021. Each week a clue will be released for a scarf/wrap in 2 sizes called “Stretch the Ride”, designed by Joy Jannotti in collaboration with other Brookside knitters. The minimum donation to participate in this MKAL is $20.00 with all the proceeds going to our charity, Stretch the Ride. For more information about Stretch the Ride, visit their webpage http://strpottstown.com/.
In addition to access to the the MKAL pattern, you will also receive an entry to our Basket Raffle.

To register, please email info@pottstownknitout.com for additional information.

After we receive your check, you will receive a confirmation that includes the links and codes you will need in order to make this beautiful Stretch the Ride shawl/wrap. The unique code will give you access to the pattern on Ravelry.com. You do not need to have a Ravelry account in order to use these links and codes. However, if you do have a Ravelry account, you can download the pattern into your library (if you log into Ravelry.com before you download it). Also if you have the pattern in your Ravelry library, you will get notifications when each clue is dropped. Members of Ravelry will also be able to participate on the group page where we can share our progress and ask questions. There is no charge to join Ravelry.

If you do not want to participate in the MKAL but would like to donate to our charity, simply make out a check to “Brookside Knits” for $20.00, or any amount, and send it to the same address below. Also, pass this information along to anyone who you think might be interested in participating and helping us raise money for Stretch the Ride.

Please include your name, address and email address along with the check. The pattern will be available as a PDF document; there will not be any paper copies distributed.

New Baby Hat Patterns for Knit Out 2020

Posted on September 19, 2019 by Sandi

We are introducing four new patterns this year. Each is designed and regularly knitted by a Brookside Knitter. Each fits the needs of the hospital where we donate hats.

The first pattern is designed for worsted-weight yarns (#4). Worsted yarn is especially good for winter hats. A specific needle size, gauge*, and number of cast-on stitches are listed. When knit to gauge, this hat will be 4-1/2” wide (9” around) as shown in the photo. Click 2020 Worsted Knit Out Hat for f this pattern.

The second pattern is specifically designed for DK yarns (#3). DK yarn is thinner than worsted. There are some nice DK cotton yarns for summer hats. The needle size, gauge*, and cast-on stitches differ from the hat above; the finished hat should be just under 5” wide. Click 2020 DK Knit Out Hat for this pattern.

The third pattern is designed for sport-weight yarns (#2). There is a wide selection of pastel colors and patterns available in sport-weight yarn you can use baby hats. This hat should be just over 4” wide. Click 2020 Sport Knit Out Hat for a copy of this pattern.

The fourth pattern is designed for fingering-weight yarns (#1). This weight yarn is especially suitable for preemie hats. Because the yarn is fine, there is leeway in the sizing. The width should be about 4”. Click 2020 Fingering Knit Out Hat for this pattern.

Measuring *gauge is often forgotten by knitters of charity items. Here is an easy way to get around knitting a separate gauge swatch. Knit one hat. Lay the hat flat. Use a gauge ruler to measure the number of stitches you knit in the middle of the hat. If it matches the gauge on the pattern, you are knitting to gauge. If you have fewer stitches than recommended gauge, your hat will be larger than recommended. Use a smaller needle if needed to obtain correct gauge.

Choose a yarn that is soft and washable. Check yarn labels for weight. Do not use a heavier yarn in a pattern designed for a lighter yarn. Add stripes, change the color or interchange cuffs. Add NO loose things like buttons or pom poms.

Glimpses of Your Knitting

Posted on February 9, 2018 by Sandi

: Fair Isle yoke

: Fair Isle yoke sweater

: Fox Paws Shawl

: Self-striping pieced blanket

: Unicorn stripes

: Earthtone stripes

: Self-striping lace shawl

: Lace capelet

: Purple & yellow stripes

: Crocheted butterfly blanket

: Flecked mittens & neckpiece

: Baby hat with stripes

: Punching kit with tools

: I’ll Pack a Cowl for Rhinebeck

: Beads in progress

: Beaded work

: Beaded lace shawl

: Lace shawl

: Lacey sweater

: Red, black & white stripes

: Cable cowl class project

: Cable poncho

: Cabled cape

: Cable cowl class project

: Shawl pin from Nature Buttons

: Alpaca coat

: Changing Light Shawl

: Changing Light shawl

: Orange sweater with Irish motif

: Lace & stripes

: Sweater of thick & thin yarn

: Garter stitch shawl

: Variegated garter stripes

: Bulky gradient yarn

: Ribbed fingerless mitts

: Crocheted purple and white baby blanket

: Milky Way shawl

: Pink raglan sweater

: Garter stitch

: Magenta lace

: Spring green lace

: Corcheted lace

: Cowl in cross stitch crochet

: Crocheted blue and white striped baby blanket

: Patriotic hat with pompon

: Christmas Stocking

: Quilted Jacket

: Fade sweater

: Modular fan shawl at A2Z Fibers

: Brightly colored mitered blanket

: Lace shawl with teal

: Blue & white shawl

: Drachenfels

: Lace & garter stitch

: Variegated shawl

: Red & green garter stitch

2018 Charity Hats

Posted on October 30, 2017 by Sandi

As we do each year at the Pottstown Knit Out, this year we will be collecting knitted and crocheted items. Chemo caps, Knitted Knockers, and newborn baby hats we collect are donated to the Pottstown Hospital. Hospital personnel are always pleased to receive these donations. You can find patterns on our website. However, you can choose any pattern you like that suits the category. Chemo caps should use soft yarns like the Caron yarns in the patterns, much the same as you would use to make baby hats. When the 2018 Knit Out registration forms come out, you’ll find links to instructions for Knitted Knockers. Baby hats should be sized for newborns (10″ – 12″ round) and should be washable. Cottons and soft acrylics are best. Pom poms, buttons and other attachments are not allowed by the hospital.

Charity Baby Hat with duplicate numbers (2018)

2018 Charity Baby Hat

Some people are curious about the hats we post each year with the year date on them. So here is how this year’s 2018 hat was made. The “lettering” was the first step. Charts are available on Ravelry to show you how to create numbers or letters. What you want to stitch on the hat should be planned out first on paper, being sure the width of the numbers does not exceed the width of the hat.

Lettering Chart

The hat was knit from the base until just before the decreases, about 4.5 in. The stitches, still live, were left on the needles and the needles were capped to keep the stitches from slipping off. Here you can see a basted line used as a guide for placing the numbers. It’s all about stitching the numbers on straight the first time!

2018 baby hat knitted the length of the body, still on the needles, with basted guidelines to aid in placement of duplicate stitching

Ready for Duplicate Stitching

The numbers 2-0-1-8 were added using duplicate stitching. If you are right-handed, you may want to start with the 8 so your stitching hand does not block your work. There are several videos on YouTube that teach duplicate stitch. After the stitching is complete, decrease, weave in your ends, and block your work.

Spring Knit Along Ideas

Posted on February 3, 2017 by BetsyM

We once again invite you to join with Brookside Knits members in a spring 2017 knit-along. We hope you will join us not only in knitting now but also in sharing at next year’s Knit Out.

Our members have made three suggestions for knit-along projects this year. Each will fit the tastes, needs, or skills of some.

Changing Light

by Jennifer Weissman is “a fully reversible scarf or wrap featuring stripes, lace and elegant pointed tips.” It uses three colors of fingering yarn, and has instructions for sizes Small and Large. Check out the Projects link for color ideas and plenty of pictures. There is a small, reasonable charge for the pattern, and, if you like, a kit is available at Craftsy.

Ravelry/Changing Lights: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/changing-light
Craftsy/Changing Lights: https://www.craftsy.com/knitting/kits/changing-light-dyed-by-lorna-s-laces-scarf-knitting-kit/470545

Baa-ble Hat

by Donna Smith is “a quick knit and it makes an ideal introduction to Fair Isle colour work knitting.” It is designed for Aran/worsted weight yarns and is knit in the round. Smith also designed the Baa-ble Mittens and Cowl. There is a charge for each pattern. The designer reminds us that the gauge is quite tight so a gauge square is especially important. A clever Ravelry surfer will find an assortment of spinoffs of these patterns.

Ravelry/Baa-ble Hat: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baa-ble-hat
Ravelry/Baa-ble Mittens and Cowl: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baa-ble-mittens-and-cowl

Pivot Cowl

by Purl Soho is a free pattern available on its website. A Danish term, “hygge,” stresses the cozy and content feeling you get knitting and snuggling up during the winter months: the Pivot Cowl is “hygge.” Simple garter stitch uses short rows that create the “pivot.” Purl Soho suggests their cashmere merino yarn in DK weight, but the many Projects listed on Ravelry offer other soft yarn suggestions.

Ravelry/Pivot Cowl: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pivot-cowl
Purl Soho/Pivot Cowl: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2017/01/06/pivot-cowl/

Happy Knitting!

2015 Knit Out—Charity Baby Hats

Posted on October 18, 2014 by BetsyM

Brookside Knits donates handmade hats to the Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. We welcome all knitters to offer a helping hand.

Baby Hats

2014 Charity Baby Hat

About forty baby hats go to Labor and Delivery each month. Last year, Knit Out attendees dropped over 100 baby hats—about one quarter of all those donated to the hospital—into the collection basket.

Free patterns for baby hats of all kinds are available on Ravelry and other sites on the Internet. Check here for links to A Few of Our Favorite Things.
The hospital, the parents, and the babies are always grateful for your donations.

Knitting a hat is not a requirement of the Knit Out. Donate if you can. We appreciate it.

Summer Knit-Along

Posted on July 25, 2014 by BetsyM

At last year’s Knit Out and Crochet Too!, some of you asked us to let you know what we planned for our next summer knit-along.

We found this easy-to-knit pattern in the newsletter from Knitter’s Edge in Bethlehem, PA and followed it to its source on Ravelry and the Knit Cafe. It is called 504 King West after a streetcar route in Toronto.

The pattern is free. The stitches are simple. The recommended yarn is Koigu KPM, a fingering yarn, but other yarns that suit the gauge may be substituted. They use two main contrasting colors, with a trim using small amounts of three other colors.

We know Brookside knitters will find many ways to create unique “asymmetrical neck wrappers.” Join us and show yours off at next year’s Knit Out.

UPDATE:

Here are just some of the fabulous scarves made for the Knit-Along: