Donations Needed for the Dallas Stand Down

Published: October 9, 2023 ~ 0

Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! The Dallas Stand Down is fast approaching on November 1 and we’re going to need more hats, scarves, and gaiters to meet the demand. The underprivileged veterans and their dependents really need your support! If you need some inspiration on what pattern to use if you’d like to knit your donation, here are some suggestions to get you crafting:

For a solid, veteran-approved hat, the Red Heart Ribbed Knit Beanie is a popular pattern:

Red Heart Ribbed Knit Beanie

If you’re interested in knitting a scarf, a Garter stitch scarf is a no-nonsense, dependable garment that is sure to be a hit. Many knitters tend to overlook the Garter stitch scarf as a pattern, most likely because it is every knitter’s very first project. But don’t discount just how quick, simple, and effective straight knitting can be! Just make sure to cast on as many stitches as it takes for your scarf to be at least 6 inches wide and ensure that your scarf ends up measuring at least 60 inches in length.

If you’d like to knit a gaiter, the Essential 1 x 1 Gaiter is a go-to pattern that is both functional and fashionable for our veterans and/or their dependents:

The Essential 1 x 1 Gaiter (Knit)

Donations Needed for September Stand Down!

Published: August 14, 2023 ~ 0

Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! This month’s Stand Down package to Alaska has left us needing your help! We’re going to need more hats, scarves, and gaiters to meet the demand for the next Stand Down in September. With just one month until then, time is of the essence and our underprivileged veterans and their dependents really need your support! If you need some inspiration on what pattern to use to craft your donation, here are some suggestions to get you knitting:

For a solid, veteran-approved hat, the Red Heart Ribbed Knit Beanie is a popular pattern:

Red Heart Ribbed Knit Beanie

If you’d like to knit a gaiter, the Essential 1 x 1 Gaiter is a go-to pattern that is both functional and fashionable for our veterans and/or their dependents:

The Essential 1 x 1 Gaiter (Knit)

Cast On Q & A

Published: June 26, 2023 ~ 0

Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! One question that our staff frequently get asked is how many stitches would need to be cast on for a scarf (garter, rib, etc.) that would meet T.H.R.I.V.E. Association’s scarf dimension requirements (6 in. x 60 in. [15 cm. x 152 cm.]) Unfortunately there is no hard number, as something like this is heavily reliant on the individual crafter’s tension, their chosen knitting needles/crochet hook size, and the chosen pattern.

The most important part of the success of any handcrafted garment is the individual crafter. You might choose a pattern for a garment that you are absolutely in love with, put in the hours of hard work, use the same yarn and the same size needles/crochet hooks, etc. that the pattern calls for, but still end up not having a garment that is the correct size or feel (i.e. the weave is too loose, or it is so tight that it stands up on it’s own). This is largely due to variations in crafter tension and a failure to account for those variations in your project. The pattern is going to be the same for each crafter that uses it, but the results won’t necessarily be the same unless you know your tension BEFORE you start and account for that difference. The only way to do this is to make a gauge swatch using the same tools/materials/etc. that you will be using for your chosen handcrafted garment. That swatch is your guide to figure out whether or not you are knitting/crocheting to gauge or if you need to change your crafting tool size to obtain the requisite gauge.

So, to return to the original question of how many stitches are needed for a 6 in. x 60 in. (15 cm. x 152 cm.) scarf, let’s approach this bit by bit. Choose your yarn and look at the label. Most modern yarn labels have a recommended gauge using a certain needle/hook size and number of stitches. In the photo above, the Red Heart Camouflage yarn suggests that knitting a stockinette swatch that is 17 stitches across for 25 rows when using a Size 8 US needle results in a 4 in. x 4 in. swatch. Once you have made a stockinette swatch using those numbers with this yarn, you can now adjust as needed. If your swatch measures smaller than the recommendation, then go up a needle size. If your swatch is larger, go down a needle size. The same is true when crocheting.

In summation, there is no hard and fast answer to this question. There are multiple variables to take into account. In the case of using the yarn and stockinette swatch from our example, to find how many stitches are required for a width of 6 inches (which is the minimum width requirement for all scarves donated to T.H.R.I.V.E. Association), we would divide 17 by 4 to find out how many stitches are in each inch. Once we have that answer, we would then multiply that number by 6. In other words:

17 / 4 = 4.25

4.25 x 6 = 25.5

Thus, if you were knitting a stockinette scarf you would cast on about 25-26 stitches with size 8 US needles if your stockinette swatch was knit true to gauge. It is important to emphasize that the main variable is the crafter.

Note: Another variable that needs to be considered is the stitch that you choose to use for the scarf that you want to donate. For example, a rib scarf will need more stitches to be cast on as it will stretch. This is why a gauge swatch using your chosen materials, needle size/crochet hook size, and pattern will ultimately lead you to getting the best results.

The Essential 1 x 1 Gaiter (Knit)

Published: May 22, 2023 ~ 0

Happy Monday dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We have one of our much anticipated patterns for you today.

As many of us know from personal experience, sometimes the additional material in a traditional scarf can either get in the way or create a working hazard, especially if you can’t tuck the ends into a jacket (e.g. working with power tools, etc). However, going without that extra layer of protection around your neck is unfeasible during the colder seasons and regions as it can be detrimental to our health (or in T.H.R.I.V.E. Association’s case, the health of our veteran community!). One way to get around this, while still having the warmth, comfort, and protection of a scarf is a gaiter. These are great garments! They work up quickly and are a lot of fun to make! Also, they are truly treasured by the veteran and/or the veteran dependent who receives them.

Since 2022, T.H.R.I.V.E. Association has been gradually integrating gaiters in our offered gifts to the Stand Downs that we serve. We have found that they are not only popular, but they are in great demand! This is especially true among the veterans and their dependents that are going to work in the trades, warehouses, etc.

This is an intermediate pattern, so there is no pressure if you don’t feel comfortable working out of your comfort zone. However, if you would like to create this garment as a gift for one of our veterans and/or a veteran dependent, please know that T.H.R.I.V.E. Association staff are here to answer any questions that you may have about this pattern. Please feel free to reach out to our office, and one of our dedicated staff will be glad to answer any questions or concerns that you may have.

Please read all notes and instructions BEFORE attempting this pattern.

Notes:

It is especially important to use the Italian Twisted Cast On (CO) for this garment as it provides both an invisible CO edge as well as the much needed stretch for the veteran or veteran dependent recipient to safely and comfortably fit the garment over their respective head.

It is equally important to use a sewn bind off for this garment for the same reason. It is essential for these gaiters to have a lot of stretch to accommodate the multiple sizes of the veteran community that we serve.

This garment is knit tighter than the average gauge. With that, it is crucial to knit a gauge swatch before starting and you should check your gauge while knitting this garment to ensure that you get optimal results.

Like any other patterns that are worked in the round, we do recommend casting on an additional stitch that will be passed over the initial CO stitch to ensure a jogless join.

Abbreviations:

CO= Cast On

BO= Bind Off

K= Knit

P= Purl

Sts= Stitches

PM= Place Marker

Rnd= Round

Rep= Repeat

Size: One size fits most

Materials:

Hiya Hiya Sharps Circular Needles Size 5.5 mm= US Size 7: Length 16 in (40 cm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Caron Simply Soft (Worsted Weight) Black

Darning needle

Stitch Marker

Gauge:

18 sts and 24 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in stocking stitch.

Pattern:

With circular needles, CO 91 stitches using the Italian Twisted CO.

Join in the round making sure not to twist. (Remember to pass the last stitch of the CO over the first stitch of the CO. 90 sts) PM for the beg of the rnd.

Rnd 1: *K1. P1. Rep from * around.

Rep Rnd 1 (K1. P1.) ribbing until the garment measures 8 inches (20.2 cm) from the CO edge.

Note: Since this garment is worked in the round, there is no “back” of the garment. You are only working the “front” (i.e. there is no turning). So, K the K sts, and P the P sts.

BO using a sewn BO.

A Tip for Tidy Edges

Published: May 1, 2023 ~ 0

Happy Monday/May Day, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We’ve noticed that some of the donated scarves that we have received have uneven edges due to accidental increases. But have no fear, we’ve got a very simple and effective tip that will give any knit scarf that you apply it to some wonderfully clean edges!

To accomplish this, simply add two additional stitches to whatever scarf pattern you are using. These two additional stitches are your “edge stitches” and are NOT part of the pattern; they are simply there to give you clean edges. So if your chosen pattern instructs you to cast on 30 stitches, you would cast on 32. At the beginning of every round, you slip the first stitch purl-wise instead of working it and then continue working in pattern as instructed. When you get to the last stitch of the row, knit the last stitch. It is important to note that the first of the two edge stitches (the one at the beginning of the row), is always slipped purl-wise and the second edge stitch (at the end of the row) is always knit. That’s it, no more uneven edges! Sometimes some of the simplest techniques net you the most consistent results! Happy crafting!

Red Heart Comfy Cocoon and Cap

Published: January 30, 2023 ~ 0

Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! Sometimes we have expectant mothers at Stand Downs and/or some of the veterans that we serve already have infants in their care. It is part of T.H.R.I.V.E. Association’s mission to provide not just for the veteran that needs our warm, hand-crafted goods, but also for their dependents. That being said, we have an upcoming Stand Down that will need goods for infants. During one of our last in-person knitting groups, we got a few requests from our wonderful crafters for a knit pattern for a baby bunting.

Today we’re reposting one of our favorite baby patterns compliments of Yarnspirations. It is the “Red Heart Comfy Cocoon and Cap”. To get your free copy of the pattern please follow the link below and click the “Download Free Pattern” button on the right side of the screen.

https://www.yarnspirations.com/red-heart-comfy-cocoon-cap/RHK0238-018236M.html

This is a very simple, easy-to-follow pattern that works up very quickly and produces an absolutely lovely set for baby. When we first knitted this beautiful baby cocoon and cap, the project felt like it finished as soon as we started! As an added bonus, because the majority of this pattern is a one row repeat, it is perfect for “relaxation knitting.”

Pro Tips:

As we have said before, the long tail cast on is an amazing cast on in any knitter’s arsenal. However, as we really need this garment to have a lot of stretch at the cast on edge for the baby to be able to move comfortably, and we need the parent/guardian to be able to get the infant in and out with ease. We found that using a combination of the long tail cast on for the knit stitches and the reverse long tail cast on for the purl stitches provides the best results. This combination cast on is very stretchy and almost (if not fully) invisible, which gives the garment a very professional look overall.
Always swatch! We cannot emphasize the importance of this step enough. Gauge is very important- especially here. If you are a tight knitter, consider moving up a needle size. If you are a loose knitter, move down a needle size. Remember, don’t change yourself, change your tools to obtain gauge.

Disclaimer: T.H.R.I.V.E. Association is not endorsed by the Walt Disney company. The Disney toys and comforter in the photograph were borrowed from our Chief Officer’s little ones.

Red Heart Ribbed Knit Beanie

Published: August 8, 2022 ~ 0

Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! The Red Heart Ribbed Knit Beanie is a favorite amongst our veterans and this pattern really makes our most popular color, camouflage, shine. Even though it is marked as intermediate, we feel this is a great pattern to practice your knit and purl stitches. If you are looking for a project to donate that will assuredly be a hit with the veterans and their dependents at one of our many upcoming stand downs, please follow the link below to get your free copy of this great pattern!

https://www.yarnspirations.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-master-catalog-spinrite/default/dwed08852f/PDF/RHK0416-027569M-1.pdf

The Red Heart Basketweave Knit Scarf

Published: July 25, 2022 ~ 0

Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! Last week we revisited our most requested donated crocheted scarf, the Red Heart Wavy Ridge Super Scarf. Today, we are highlighting one of the most beloved donated knitted scarves with our veterans and their dependents, the Red Heart Basketweave Knit Scarf. Seriously, our veterans and their dependents can’t get enough of ’em! The pattern is simpler than it may initially appear, so it makes for an easy garment that looks like a million bucks. If you are looking for a simple project to donate for our cause, you can’t go wrong with this extremely popular pattern!

https://www.yarnspirations.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-master-catalog-spinrite/default/dw59251b35/PDF/RHK0125-016609M.pdf

Knit Slippers

Published: February 11, 2022 ~ 0

Happy Friday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We’d like to thank you for all for your generous donations thus far! Please remember that there are still many Stand Downs coming up, so please keep sending in your hand crafted gifts so that we can continue to serve those who so admirably served our great nation.

We showcased a crochet slipper pattern a few weeks ago, but we haven’t forgotten about our knitters who also want to join in! As we said before, we get requests throughout the year from V.A.s for slippers/socks. They are most notably meant for veterans who suffer from nerve damage. Our Chief Officer can personally attest to the painful nature of this condition. There are many great and easy free patterns available compliments of our friends at Yarnspirations and Lion Brand. Today, we would like to share a wonderful free pattern, “Slippers for Him”, compliments of our friends at Yarnspirations. This is a great pattern for first-time slipper crafters, as it keeps the complexity to a minimum and also weaves up before you know it!

You can get your free copy of the pattern here: https://www.yarnspirations.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-master-catalog-spinrite/default/dw3403a8c2/PDF/RHK0427-021149M.pdf

Pro Tip: Making a swatch before tackling any knitting project is always important in order to figure out your gauge, and these slippers are no different! ”Slippers for Him” fit snugly to the wearer’s feet, so you will need to ensure that you have the proper gauge to make sure that they are sized correctly.

Pro Tip: If you are unfamiliar with SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit) and M1 (Make 1), or haven’t used them in a while and need a refresher, these Youtube videos will help you get up to speed:

SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit) Video Tutorial: https://youtube.com/watch?v=m-tqv1wrhM4

M1 (Make 1) Video Tutorial: https://youtube.com/watch?v=E31Il_LeKs4

If you would like to donate a hat, scarf, blanket, face mask or other handcrafted garment to our cause, please 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, crochet, or sew a garment in a brighter color, red or deep purple are always popular bright colors. We cannot emphasize this important point enough: please do not use sparkly or overly decorative yarns and fabrics. While they have their place, they are simply inappropriate for the veterans and their dependents (including children because of choking hazards).

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. Please remember you can support our cause by shopping on AmazonSmile. See the “Shop for Our Cause” blog post for additional information.

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 and cannot make it to one of our in-person knitting groups, 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).

It’s Getting Cold!

Published: January 21, 2022 ~ 0

Happy Friday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! Temperatures are below freezing in many of the areas that we send our lovingly handcrafted goods to this time of year. With that, please make sure that donated hats are long enough to cover the recipient’s ears and are preferably long enough to be folded up to create extra warmth. If you need inspiration and would like a pattern of one of our most popular hats, please visit https://thrivevets.org/index.php/2021/01/15/happy-national-hat-day/ to get a free pattern compliments of Yarnspirations. We have lots of Stand Downs coming up, so please keep sending in your donations so that we can continue to serve those who so admirably served this great nation! We’ve had a very special request for lap/twin size blankets and slippers (for those veterans who suffer from nerve damage) from one of our long-time Stand Down partners.