Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Welcome

Knit-along or Crochet-along or Sew-along or Fleece-tie-along
Healthy Ohio Challenge for LifeCare Alliance 2008 Donation
Hats, Mittens, Socks and Scarves


Once again the Office of Healthy Ohio donated items to LifeCare Alliance. I noticed that two items were hand knitted (a hat and a scarf). Every year I give myself a knitting challenge – this past year it was "a sock." This coming year I’m challenging myself on January 1, 2008 to knit 12 hats by December 1, 2008, for LifeCare Alliance. While watching the snow fall this past weekend I thought: Why do this by myself? I’m sure that there are other knitters, crocheters, sewers and people who tie fleece in the Office of Healthy Ohio who also would like to participate during their non-work time. Why not make it a Knit-along, Crochet-along, Sew-along or Fleece-tie-along?

What is a Knit-along?
A Knit-along is a group of people (men and women) working on the same project at the same time. It is a great opportunity to bring beginners and experts together. It gives everyone a chance to ask questions, discuss and have a fun time bonding with others in the textile community.

Knit-alongs were very popular during the WWI and WWII’s with wartime Red Cross sock drives. They have evolved into today’s meetings at locales as diverse as cafes, state fairs, and major league ballparks, as well as international online gatherings. In fact, at any given time, tens of thousands of people worldwide are involved in knitalongs, organized around a particular yarn, a favorite social cause, an intriguing project, a special event, or a myriad of other themes.

How do you get started?
I can give you a start and end date (January 1, 2008 – December 1, 2008). You choose your clothing item(s) - hats, mittens, socks, and scarves, a goal (number of items to be knitted), and then start knitting.