Happy Friday, T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! In continuing with our Question and Answer series, we have been asked numerous times about scarf patterns for beginner knitters who want to help our cause. After some thought and deliberation, the answer came to us; The Garter Stitch Scarf! For many knitters, a Garter Stitch scarf is their first project. This is not to downplay the Garter Stitch, though. It can work up very quickly and makes a lovely fluffy garment that everyone will love.
Tips and tricks:
1) Remember to watch your gauge. In our experience, uneven tension does show up, especially when using acrylic yarns.
2) Always cast on 2 extra stitches. These do not count as pattern stitches. They are your edge stitches. These two stitches ensure a nice tidy edge. When you are working your edge stitches, remember to always slip the first stitch on all new rows, knit to the end of the row, knit the last stitch, turn the work, and repeat until the garment reaches the desired length.
If you would like to donate a hat, scarf, 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).