Questions and Answers Part 2: The Camouflage Brioche Scarf

Published: April 30, 2021 ~ 0

As we have said many times in previous blog posts, camouflage is one of the veterans’ favorite colors in our knitted goods. Many of our community partners, volunteers, and staff members can attest to this fact. Camouflage goods fly off our booths at Stand Downs!

The problem is what pattern(s) work with camouflage yarns- especially when it comes to scarves. For the purposes of this blog we’ll focus on knitting patterns that work well with camouflage yarns and in a later post we will address the best crochet patterns to use with this yarn. Our crafters love to flex their creative muscles when knitting garments for our wonderful veterans and their dependents- a quality which T.H.R.I.V.E. Association fully supports. However, in many instances, camouflage lives up to it name, and therefore a lot of patterns don’t necessarily work as well with camouflage as they do with other yarn colors. As a result, several of our crafters find themselves a little disheartened and pretty intimidated by this particular yarn. This is completely understandable. We’re here to help.

After a lot of thought, and some experimentation, we have found that three patterns work especially well with camouflage yarn: the double stockinette stitch, a rib, and our absolute favorite (and the subject of this blog post) the brioche stitch. Brioche knitting does get a bit of a bad wrap amongst the knitting community as being kind of a teeth-pulling experience. Let us reassure our wonderful community of crafters who might be eager to give this awesome stitch a try for the sake of the veterans and their dependents- the brioche stitch is really not that bad. It does take a bit more concentration to achieve and is not necessarily “turn-your-brain-off knitting.” That does not mean that you can’t have some nice relaxing music playing in the background while you’re knitting a garment in brioche; quite the opposite actually. The brioche stitch is excellent, and by that we mean without peer, when it comes to really showcasing your yarn. This is especially true when it comes to camouflage yarn. The brioche stitch rather than getting lost in the yarn, tends to go hand-in-glove with it. Neither the stitch pattern nor the yarn detracts from the other- rather they tend to show off the best qualities of each other.

As you can see from the pictures, the brioche stitch scarf is wider and fluffier than many other scarves with the same amount of cast on stitches. This is because brioche is a kind of “false rib” stitch that is not as stretchy as a traditional rib stitch. However, it makes for a very soft, luxurious, and pillowy garment. This stitch creates a beautiful double sided scarf that is reversible, so there is no right or wrong side. Garments knitted in brioche also lay flat so the knitter doesn’t have to account for curling edges. An added bonus of brioche is that scarves knitted using this stitch have very tidy edges due to the first stitch being slipped on every round. As a disclaimer, it takes two rounds of knitting to make a row to achieve this stitch pattern. It is a little more work, but in our humble opinions, the results are second-to-none!

For those who would like instruction from one of our dedicated staff, we will be posting a how-to video on this and other stitches at a later date. Please stay tuned.

COVID-19 Update

Published: April 23, 2021 ~ 0

Happy Friday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We understand that many members of our fantastic T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family have “Covid fatigue”. We are all really missing in-person interaction with fellow crafters, veterans, and friends. However, we must ask for your continued patience. Many of our community partners, as well as those who T.H.R.I.V.E. Association answers to, have time and again asked us to please continue to observe COVID-19 safety protocols.

For those who want in-person crafting groups, we would be willing to have OUTDOOR weekly, or bi-weekly, morning meetings. Crafters would be required to bring their own lawn chairs, have a mask if personal crafting instruction is needed, and observe the “6 foot Rule”. Alternatively, and we highly recommend this option, we would be open to hosting virtual meetings which would ensure maximum safety for everyone involved.

Please understand, we are not being arbitrary, as this is not an easy decision. We are just as eager as our fellow T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family members to return to “normal”. However, at this stage that is simply not an option. We need to continue to do our part in stopping the spread of this deadly virus. Please also keep in mind that the wonderful community that we serve is a very vulnerable population- many of whom may not have yet had their vaccines. Observing the so-called “Hands, Face, Space” guidelines are truly an act of love and are just as much for others as they are for you. With all of this said, we here at T.H.R.I.V.E. Association will still continue to enforce and observe the recommended COVID-19 safety measures to do our part in stopping the spread. We ask that our wonderful community continue to support us in this. We are so close now. Please stay strong!

As a disclaimer, as with most other Organizations that we partner with, two of our Board/Staff Members are fully vaccinated now, but some of our other Members are not. We respect that they have not yet had their turn for the jab and want to limit their exposure to potential threats. Just because some of us have been fortunate to have had the vaccine, that does not mean that we are immune from contracting COVID-19.

“It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity (protection against the virus that causes COVID-19) after vaccination. That means it’s possible a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and still get sick.”¹

Further, according to the CDC, there is currently no definitive answer one way or the other to say whether or not a vaccinated person can transmit the virus.² Stay strong, stay safe, and don’t be afraid to reach out; we are always here for you.

¹“Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15 Apr. 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html

²“When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 Apr. 2021, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html.

Camouflage Scarves

Published: April 16, 2021 ~ 0

Stay tuned for part two of our question and answer series. In the second installment of this series we’ll answer one of our most frequently asked questions- “what patterns work best for camouflage scarves?” We’ll also discuss one of our all-time favorite scarf patterns to use with this particular yarn.

Questions Answered

Published: April 9, 2021 ~ 0

A lot of our wonderful crafters have been asking questions about the best pattern(s) to use for items to donate to support our cause. We understand that finding just the right pattern can be tricky. There are so many great patterns out there. The problem, as with any gift, is to know what the recipient will like. Although we do want our crafters to have the freedom to chose what they make, we do understand the desire to have a bit of help to know what the veterans prefer. After all, our brave veterans and their dependents deserve the very best that we can possibly give them.

In a previous blog post, “The Ever Popular Scarf”, we pictured a scarf made using a Red Heart Pattern. We are posting another scarf made using the same pattern to show just how beautiful it is in any color! The pattern is called the Red Heart Basketweave Knit Scarf. If you would like to download your free copy of the pattern, please click the link below:

https://www.yarnspirations.com/red-heart-basketweave-knit-scarf/RHK0125-016609M.html

This beautiful scarf is very popular among our veterans and their dependents. In fact, many of our volunteers who distribute our goods at Stand Downs have found that they are some of the first to be chosen by our veterans! If you would like to knit this scarf (or any scarf) to donate to our cause, please remember to make sure that it is at least 60 inches (152.4 cm) in length so that the wearer can wrap it around themselves comfortably. Also, remember that the dear veterans and their dependents prefer dark colors, e.g. blue, black, green, grey, and all-time favorite, camouflage. If you would like to knit this scarf in a brighter color, red is always a popular bright color. We cannot emphasize this important point enough: please do not use sparkly or overly decorative yarns. While they have their place, they are simply inappropriate for the veterans and their dependents (including children because of choking hazards).

Shop for Our Cause

If you need yarn, or other supplies, please contact us through email at thriveassociation@thrivevets.org or by phone at (469) 427-9654. Please be aware that any communications are recorded. If you have donations, we are still continuing our policy of curbside pickup. Please contact us to schedule a pickup if you are in the DFW area. If you reside outside the DFW area and would like to make an in-kind donation, please contact us to make arrangements. Remember, even one lovingly handcrafted hat or scarf can make a huge difference in the life of an underprivileged veteran or their dependent(s).

There is Light at the End of the Tunnel!

Published: April 2, 2021 ~ 0

We are one step closer to beating Covid-19 and getting back to normal! Yesterday, two of our board members received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine!

The Ever Popular Scarf

Published: March 26, 2021 ~ 0

Happy Friday T.H.R.I.V.E. Association Family! Scarves are a very popular item among our veterans and their dependents and we never seem to have enough to go around. If you are looking for an item to donate to support our cause, please consider making a scarf. There are lots of free patterns, such as the one in the photo on the Yarnspirations website. Please click the link below to find inspiration for your next project to aid our brave heroes and their dependents as they continue their recoveries from homelessness.

https://www.yarnspirations.com/patterns

https://thrivevets.org/index.php/2021/03/19/shop-for-our-cause/

If you need yarn, or other supplies, please contact us through email at thriveassociation@thrivevets.org or by phone at (469) 427-9654. If you have donations, we are still continuing our policy of curbside pickup. Please contact us to schedule a pickup if you are in the DFW area. If you reside outside the DFW area and would like to make an in-kind donation, please contact us to make arrangements. Remember, even one lovingly handcrafted hat or scarf can make a huge difference in the life of an underprivileged veteran or their dependent.

The Double Moss Stitch Scarf

Published: March 5, 2021 ~ 0

Happy Friday to our T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family!

The scarf in this photo was made using one of our all-time favorite stitch patterns: the Double Moss stitch. The Double Moss stitch provides a beautiful texture, and the best part of all is that it is reversible! It is a relatively simple pattern, but it does take some concentration not only to the pattern but also to ensure that your tension remains consistent. The pattern for the stitch can be found below:

Materials:

Yarn: We use worsted weight, but any weight will work for this pattern

Knitting Needles: Appropriate for the weight of yarn for your project (can be found on the yarn sleeve)

Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends

Abbreviations:

CO: Cast On

Sts: Stitches

K: Knit

P: Purl

BO: Bind Off

Scarf Pattern:

Cast On in Multiples of 4 plus 2, and 2 extra for the edge stitches. In our case, it would have been 42 stitches for the pattern, plus 2 stitches for the edges, which gives us a total of 44 stitches.

CO: 44 Sts

Row 1 (Right Side): Slip the first stitch purl wise. *K2, P2, repeat from * to the last 3 sts. K3

Row 2: (Wrong Side) Slip the first stitch purl wise. *P2, K2, repeat from * to the last 3 sts. P2, K1

Row 3 (Right Side): Slip the first stitch purl wise. *P2, K2, repeat from * to the last 3 sts. P2, K1

Row 4 (Wrong Side): Slip the first stitch purl wise. *K2, P2, repeat from * to the last 3 sts. K3

Repeat rows 1 through 4 until the garment reaches the desired length; 60 inches (152.4 cm).

BO and cut yarn leaving a six inch tail. Weave in ends.

For our scarf, we used 5 mm, U.S. size 8, needles and Lion Brand Pound of Love. To ensure that the scarf would be wide enough to be used to cover both the neck and mouth of a veteran (or dependent) living in cold climates, we cast on a total of 44 stitches and worked until the piece measured 60 inches (152.4 cm).

Pro Tip: To ensure neat edges on scarves, remember to cast on two extra stitches for the edges. For patterns such as the Double Moss Stitch, slip the first stitch purl wise and knit in pattern until the last stitch. Knit the last stitch and then turn your work. Do this for every row until you reach the desired length.

Please make sure that any donated scarves are at least 60 inches (152.4 cm) in length so that the wearer can wrap it around themselves comfortably. Also, remember that the dear veterans and their dependents prefer dark colors, e.g. blue, black, green, grey, and all-time favorite, camouflage. We cannot emphasize this important point enough; please do not use sparkly or overly decorative yarns. While they have their place, they are simply inappropriate for the veterans and their dependents (including children because of choking hazards).

Although several of the Stand Downs that we support have been postponed or have had to be altered to keep our communities safe in this current pandemic, we are still collecting goods that will be sent to the various V.A.s throughout the year so please, please keep crafting! If you are not a crafter, but would like to help, there are still many ways to support our cause! Please consider donating materials and/or making a monetary donation to help us cover the costs of materials, shipping, and overhead. If you need yarn, or other supplies, please contact us through email at thriveassociation@thrivevets.org or by phone at (469) 427-9654. If you have donations, we are still continuing our policy of curbside pickup. Please contact us to schedule a pickup if you are in the DFW area. If you reside outside the DFW area and would like to make an in-kind donation, please contact us to make arrangements. Remember, even one lovingly handcrafted hat can make a huge difference in the life of an underprivileged veteran or their dependent.

A Thanks to Red Cross

Published: February 5, 2021 ~ 0

Happy Friday! We would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to the DFW Chapter of the American Red Cross. We are so grateful for their continued support of our mission to provide handcrafted goods to our nation’s homeless veterans and their dependents. Their lovely handcrafted hats and scarves are sure to be a big hit at the upcoming Stand Downs.

The knitted garments used for this photo were a few of the donated items from the Red Cross’ recent donation.

Memories and Rules on Color

Published: January 23, 2021 ~ 0

As T.H.R.I.V.E. Association is preparing to send our annual parcels of donated handcrafted goods to the various Stand Downs across our great nation, we find ourselves remembering all of the wonderful veterans and their dependents that we have served in the previous years. Casting our minds back to a time when we were able to attend Stand Downs in person, we remember the many faces of the noble men and women whom we serve. They were all such wonderful people.

Please remember that many of these individuals are veterans (many of whom have served in theaters of war) who are keen to preserve their dignity – which they are wholly entitled to. Although pink and sparkly yarn might be fun to work with, it is not the preference of either the male or female veterans or their dependents whom we serve. We ask our volunteers and donors to please keep that in mind as they are crafting for our cause. Many of our brave veterans and their dependents prefer darker colors (e.g. black, blue, green, grey, brown, camouflage). The only exceptions that we have found to that rule are the deeper reds and sports teams colors.

Scarves Needed & Curbside Pickup

Published: June 26, 2020 ~ 0

Happy Friday to all of our wonderful crafters, supporters, veterans, et al! Thank you all so much for your awesome support during these difficult times. We are working tirelessly with our Community Partners to find the best way forward through the crisis at hand. T.H.R.I.V.E. Association remains vigilant in its mission to ensure that our veterans and their dependents receive our essential hand-crafted goods.

Our organization is currently gearing up to serve several upcoming Stand Downs and we greatly appreciate all of the generous donations that we have received. However, there is still a ways to go to meet the anticipated demand. Our goal for the upcoming Stand Downs is to have as many scarves as there are hats. It is important to us that each veteran and dependent is provided a complete set rather than having to chose between the two much-needed items. As the numbers stand currently, there is a need for more scarves. There are several amazing free scarf patterns available on yarnspirations .com, ravelry.com, and garnstudio.com if you would like inspiration.

For our volunteers who live in the Metroplex, T.H.R.I.V.E. Association will continue our policy of residential curbside pickup of donations until the danger of Covid-19 has passed. If you have donations that you would like to turn in, please contact our office by phone at (469) 427-9654, or send an email to thriveassociation@thrivevets.org to arrange for a pickup time and date. Mr. Torrey Mirow is normally in charge of those pickups and he will call/text you to keep you updated about arrival time, etc. Additionally, please let us know if you need any yarn or other materials to complete projects for our veterans and their dependents. These materials will be put in a sealed bag with a “check out” slip enclosed and exchanged at the residential curbside location.

Our staff is continuing to monitor the situation across the United States very closely. We know that these are trying times for everyone – especially the homeless veteran population that we serve, who were already incredibly vulnerable prior to the pandemic. We will continue to strictly observe the guidelines provided by the Center for Disease Control as well as those issued by the numerous municipalities that we aid.