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 (Crochet)

Published: August 28, 2023  ~   0

Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! August is already coming to a close and we need your help to meet the needs of our nation’s underprivileged military veterans and their dependents! We’re going to need more hats, scarves, and gaiters for the Stand Down in September. If you’re a crocheter and you need some inspiration on what pattern to use to craft your donation, here are some suggestions to get you crocheting:

If you’re interested in crafting a simple, elegant, and dependable crochet hat, Lion Brand’s Easy Crochet Hat is a perfect pattern for your next project.

Lion Brand Adult’s Easy Crochet Hat & Upcoming Stand Downs

Red Heart’s Wavy Ridge Super Scarf is easier to crochet than it initially appears, weaving up quickly and looking good in any yarn colors. If you need a scarf pattern that is sure to please our veterans and their dependents, the Wavy Ridge Super Scarf is a time-tested hit at all of the previous Stand Downs that we’ve served for years!

The Wavy Ridge Super Scarf

Gaiters are a great way to craft a warm garment that warms like a scarf, but uses much less material and weaves up faster than most other options. T.H.R.I.V.E. Association’s own Worsted Weight Crochet Gaiter is a great gaiter pattern that is both solid and quick to complete. It folds in half as a double-layered neck warmer, or can be unfolded to cover the mouth and lower face for additional coverage and protection from the elements.
The Worsted Weight Crochet Gaiter

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’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)

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.

The Worsted Weight Crochet Gaiter

Published: April 17, 2023  ~   0

Happy Monday, T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! This is the Worsted Weight Crochet Gaiter, compliments of our staff at T.H.R.I.V.E. HQ! This gaiter is quick to craft, quite economical in the yarn needed, and comfortably fits under a jacket for our underprivileged veterans and their dependents. It can be as warm as a scarf, but less of the bulk. Here is how to make it:

The Worsted Weight Crochet Gaiter

Abbreviations:

Ch = Chain(s)

Sl st = Slip stitch

Hdc = Half double crochet

St(s) = Stitch(es)

Fphdc = Front post half double crochet

Bphdc = Back post half double crochet

Gauge: Chain 11, hdc into second chain from hook, 1 hdc in each ch to the remaining 9 sts. It should measure 3 inches in length. Adjust the amount of chains and/or hook size accordingly to meet 3 inches. If adjustments were needed, use those same adjustments to augment the pattern.

Ch 71. Join first ch with sl st, making sure not to twist the ch when joining the ends.

Foundation row: Ch 1, place stitch marker, 1 hdc in each st around (70), sl st into first st.

Row 1: Ch 1, fphdc around the first hdc from the foundational row. *Bphdc around the next. Fphdc around next.* Rep *…* to marker (70), sl st into first st.

Row 2-25: Ch 1, fphdc around the previous row’s first post. *Bphdc around the next. Fphdc around the next. Rep *…* to marker (70), sl st into first st. At the end of Row 25, fasten off after the sl st and weave in the ends.

Tips: If you have never tried Front post half double crochets (fphdc) and Back post half double crochets (bphdc), don’t worry – they are much easier than they sound! Here is a picture of what going through the front post looks like:

And here is a picture of what going through the back post looks like (note that the work is being tilted toward the camera to show the back post, thus effectively is a top down view):

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: 

  1. 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. 
  2. 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

Red Heart Wavy Ridge Super Scarf

Published: July 18, 2022  ~   0

Yarnspirations Crochet 3 in 1 Hand Warmer

Published: June 6, 2022  ~   0

Happy Monday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! Today we would love to share an awesome free crochet mitten pattern compliments of Yarnspirations! The Crochet 3 in 1 Hand Warmer is a very versatile pattern, as it has three different variations that you can choose to craft: full, fingerless, and convertible mittens. One of the best parts is that it is easier than it appears, thanks to the included video tutorials!

The veterans and their dependents always love receiving our mittens at the Stand Downs and this pattern weaves up rather quickly, so it is a great project to tackle! The convertible variation is a really useful feature for our vets and their dependents to have dexterity with their fingers! The 3 part video tutorial clears up any difficulties that you’re sure to have, so you won’t get in over your head. Just make sure to remember to keep your split single crochets loose so that you won’t find yourself having trouble getting your hook into them on the next rounds. To get your free copy of the pattern, please follow the link below and click “Download Free Pattern”:

https://www.yarnspirations.com/red-heart-3-in-1-crochet-hand-warmers/RHC0115-030077M.html

The 3 part video tutorial series:

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTFygJ-MCRo

Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZSVoOOmJh8

Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65fBhipFG6c

Go forth and craft away for our wonderful veterans and their dependents!