2ND Annual Project Scarf

I am proud to announce that work has officially begun on the Second Annual Project Scarf for 2012-2013!

I have already made 2 sections myself, and have received my first bag of contributed knitted sections, from our faithful knitter, Audrey in S. Plainfield, NJ.

Please feel free to print and distribute this 1st annual PS flyer to help us spread the word.

Also, for those of you who have been following the Project Scarf blog, all stats have been updated on the website, so please visit us at http://www.projectscarf.org…and be sure to check all the pages, especially Knitters, Where in the World, The Buzz, and  How Long?

And special thanks to another Angel,  Jeffrey Denecke at Knitting Fever, Inc., who just donated two huge boxes of absolutely spectacular specialty yarns…next year’s scarf recipients will be dressing in STYLE!

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9/11/11

CELEBRATE!

My beautiful new niece Norah June Scheumann

Today seems an important day to resurface – a day of reflection, gratitude, and hope.  I watched one tribute video on YouTube with various slides and video from this fateful day 10 years ago in order to reflect and recall with purposeful intention.  And now I have an obligation to continue moving forward and live my life to the fullest, for those I have lost, and for those who are right here by my side.

Due to personal circumstances, Project Scarf has been quiet for a while, but rest assured we are percolating along, even if I am not blogging.

So, here I am, and I have LOTS of thank you’s and contributions to share.

I will go in order, so for those whose thanks are the longest overdue, you will get them first 🙂

Thank you to Audrey J., from South Plainfield, NJ, who sent 4 colorful sections totalling 45 inches:

Audrey J., South Plainfield, NJ

Next, received on August 31, 2011, from Natalie E. (also from  South Plainfield, NJ) 5 beautiful sections totalling 144 inches –  that’s 12 feet exactly, also know as 4 yards…Thank you Natalie!

Natalie E., South Plainfield, NJ

And in case you’re wondering about the South Plainfield theme, this is the hometown of my dear hubby.  I have his awesome mom Barbara Dalto (otherwise known as “Nonna”) for getting her church ladies knitting for Project Scarf.  Thanks Nonna, for your never ending support, patience, and tolerance for every scheme I come out with, regardless of how crazy it is.

Next, we have two internet followers whose submissions both arrived at my door on September 2, 2011.

Kathleen (Bode) S., from Elmhurst, IL. has been a faithful Facebook follower and supporter.  Kathleen sent a 15″ portion made with leftover yarn from a Dr. Who Scarf  (we could tell just by looking at the colors…my daughter is a huge Dr. Who fan.)

Kathleen Bode's Dr. Who "mini"!

Thank you Kathleen, not only for your contribution, but for all of your support and posts on Facebook.

And last but not least, Joanne V. from Schenectady, who read about us at timesunion.com, sent a gorgeous variegated green and white scarf totaling 51″ in length.

Joanne V's handiwork

Here is what Joanne had to say:

“A good idea.  My knitting slowed when the project didn’t fit the Book of Records requirements.  I like to knit scarves but use larger 15, 17, or 19 needles.”

Thank you Joanne, for submitting anyway.  We have decided that the Guinness Book of Records requirements were too limiting, and we want EVERYONE to be able to participate. So, although we may not be “official”,  we will still be having a great time, making something beautiful together, and warming up a lot of people in need when we’re done.

 

Joanne went on to say:

“Betsy, this is a wonderful project and I am happy to have been a part of it.”

 

I am happy you are, too, Joanne – thank you from Project Scarf!

 

Well – that’s it for now…keep on knitting everyone, and go give someone you love an extra hug today.

Peace,

Betsy

 

 

 

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Thanks!

And another knitter has joined the ranks of Project Scarf:

Ann M's fuzzy artwork

 

Thanks to Ann M., of Edison, NJ, for sending our first Project Scarf section of “fun fur”!  I think I may just need to knit up some more to go with it!

Ann had this to say about Project Scarf:

“I think it’s a great idea. Good luck!”

Ann will be added to our Project Scarf “Wall of Fame“, and will have the distinct honor of bringing Project Scarf over it’s 100 FOOT mark!  (Once I attach it, my family is demanding a 100 foot party…I’m all for it.  Sounds like a great reason for a party to me!

 

Thank you Ann!

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Update

Sorry it has been a while folks…life has been, shall we say, for lack of a better word “busy”.

Meanwhile, Project Scarf continues to grow, both in length and fellowship.  Gratitude is my word of the day, week, month, year, lifetime.  Scarves keep coming in, kind words keep coming in, and stay tuned for another article!  This one will be in OM Times, written by the fabulous and multi-talented Leila Cook.  I’ll post the link as soon as it’s up.

So, I have attached storyteller Kate Dudding’s gorgeous sections, pictured here:

Kate Dudding's P.S. submission

And then I laid out the entire scarf to measure.  First, I learned the hard way that it is best to roll it up backwards, rather than just unrolling the whole thing (which resulted in a twisted, tangled MESS.)

P.S. being unrolled for measurement

Next, I had to lay it out in sections, and actually used my husband’s work tape measure, rathy than my flimsy (TOO short!) knitting tape measure.

Measurement in progress

Next, I labeled every 10 feet, as another thing I have discovered is that my short term memory must be going.  I cannot tell you HOW many times I have lost count and had to start all over again!  And voila – we are up to…

93 feet and 9 inches!

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Lots of News…

P.S. on Day 38

OK, so I always like to start with the APPRECIATIONS.

On July 25, Project Scarf received 2 beautiful scarves totalling 127″ in length from a P.S. Facebook follower Elizabeth H. in Ypsilanti, Michigan. I’m telling you, these boxes arriving is like Christmas in July…each holds a unique and handmade treasure.

Here is Elizabeth’s  handiwork:

Elizabeth H’s handiwork

And a close-up of the gorgeous fuzzy greens and blues:

Elizabeth’s beautiful greens and blues

Elizabeth has been a contributor on our FB page, and had this to say: “Great project!”

A great big warm and fuzzy scarfy thank you to you Elizabeth!

Close on the heels of Elizabeth’s contribution, arrived a box from Kate Dudding, storyteller, from Clifton Park, NY.

Kate Dudding's creations

Each scarf is a different stitch and yarn – exquisite!  (But for those of you who are sticking to garter stitch, don’t be intimidated…here at P.S. we love fancy, simple, and everything in between!)

Here is a closeup of Kate’s scarves:

And here is a photo of Kate, no doubt modeling one of her spectacular creations:

Kate Dudding, storyteller

As I said, Kate, like most of us fiber artists, has many talents, and she is also a professional storyteller.  Please check her out at katedudding.com. She has had this story: My Mother’s Hands and another published in the KnitLit books. She is also a producer of Word Plays: Storytelling at Proctors.

In addition to three  scarves, Kate shared with Project Scarf a link to a free pattern she created for a cool four-pointed star knitted Christmas Ornament, along with the story that inspired it.  Looks like another fun xmas project – would make a great gift, and would also look pretty attached to the wrapping of a gift.

Kate’s comment: “What a nifty project!”

Thanks to you, Kate!!!

P.S. Kate found out about Project Scarf through an article that was written about us by Ellen Margulies in her Fiber Arts blog at Times Union.com  If you haven’t yet seen the article, check it out – it’s really nice.  Ellen also  just e-mailed me that she  sent a link to the Big Apple Knitter’s Guild about P.S.  Thanks again to Ellen for helping us get the word out!

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Personal Landmark

OK – so my awesome 10 year old son learned to knit yesterday while we were sitting at the pool and knit his first few rows for Project Scarf in a beautiful red.

Hard at work: a study in orange and red

first rows for P.S.!

I know I’m his mom, BUT…he was honestly one of the quickest newbies I have ever taught – not only picked it up right away, but his stitches are perfectly beautiful and even…not a hole or dropped stitch in sight.  He approached the task with great seriousness and concentration, and not an ounce of frustration.

This morning he came to me with an idea…wanted to know whether beads could be stranded along the yarn and then knit into the piece.  He thought it would be cool, and make his section different and recognizable…

He’s already talking about knitting a cap.

Oh well – he comes by it honestly!

And now, Beauty gets in on the action:

Beauty stole my chair!

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Errata

Apologies to Pam J., Project Scarf contributor from Oklahoma City, for listing her incorrectly as “Pam R.”….mistake has been corrected.

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And the beat goes on…

and so it grows

So I arrived home from the latest sojourn to be greeted by TWO more Project Scarf packages!

Special thanks to Pam J. from Oklahoma City, who sent 2 lovely scarf sections, totalling 64 inches in length.

Pam had this to say about Project Scarf:

“Love this idea – used up two old skeins of yarn for this – such an awesome project” 

Pam J., Oklahoma City

Thank YOU Pam, for joining Project Scarf!  You are now an official member of our Project Scarf Wall of Fame :-).

The second box was from Jennifer Marsh of Huntsville, Alabama, founder of the International Fiber Collaborative.  Please check out her Dream Rocket Project – it is SO cool, and very similar in spirit to Project Scarf.

Here’s what Jennifer had to say about Project Scarf:

Hey Betsy,

I just wanted to let you know that on my way out of Columbus, OH yesterday, I dropped a box off at the post office for ‘Project Scarf’ which I am inspired by. It is not much, but I hope something in the box helps. You will find some hand washed, carted, and spun wool in which I did during a sheep project of mine back in grad school. I have a whole bin of it that just sits unused, and thought some how it might come in handy. 

This is a picture of a performance I did after I created a ‘cozy’ type outfit out of the sheep wool to place back on the sheep after crocheted. It was a fun project, but I know that the farmer thought I was nuts. 🙂

Jennifer Marsh and her Sheep Project

(photo courtesy of Jennifer Marsh)

Jennifer sent a box filled with goodies from our wish list – it was like Christmas in July!  Inside was her gorgeous wool, an assortment of notecards and envelopes, quart size ziplocs, and some brand new crochet hooks (which I DO use for joining scarf sections).  Also, she enclosed brochures about her Dream Rocket Project, which I look forward to passing along.  Jennifer has now officially become a Project Scarf Angel.  Thank you Jennifer, and I look forward to a continued relationship!

Scarf Log

Here are the vitals since my last report:

Total Scarf Length: 56 feet and four inches!

Click here to see an updated list of the places Project Scarf has been recently!

Thanks everyone, and stay tuned…

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update

A few photos from Baltimore…actual convention pix to follow soon – technical glitch being worked on!

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Project Scarf accompanied daughter Kalliope and boyfriend Spencer to the Shore Leave Convention in Baltimore. Kalliope and Spencer dressed as “space hippies” from the original series Star trek episode “Way to Eden”

Space Hippies

I also saw dear friend Ann, and we sat in her garden and ate quiche made with fresh picked veggies from her own back yard…YUM.

Good people, good food, lots of knitting, and silliness!

the Stats:

(I had lots of time to knit this weekend!)

As of today,

Day 25

Mon. July 11

Length: 269.5″ (= 29 feet, 3.5 inches)  (up 82″, or 6′ 10″ from last measurement!)

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Project Scarf Log

So here are some highlights of the travels and progress of Project Scarf since last we met…

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I have been visiting my Dad in Harpswell, Maine for a few days, and as you can see, Project Scarf came right along!

Some excerpts from Project Scarf’s Journal:

Day 12

June 28, 2011

Project Scarf hits the road for Harpswell, Maine to visit Betsy’s Dad, Lin Rodman, with Phoenix and Beauty along for company. Today the scarf is 11’8″ long (up 6.5″ from yesterday.)

Day 13

June 29, 2011

Betsy and Peter’s 20th (gulp!) wedding anniversary…a rainy morning followed by beautiful sunshine…P.S. leads an anniversary parade to the ocean:

P.S. takes the stairs to the beach

Project Scarf watches Phoenix swim

Betsy comes up with the idea to label the scarf length as she goes (thus avoiding having to measure the entire length each day, which at some point will become quite a project in itself), but also realizes that there will be a stretch factor over time.  I also came up with the brilliant idea to mark where I start in the morning so I only have to measure that day’s progress (duh.)

Day’s progress: scarf is now 14’9″ (up 37″ from yesterday.)

Day 14

June 30, 2011

Got together with my oldest childhood friend Kate Greeley today, who blessed Project Scarf with a row.  Thanks Kate!  After that we went strawberry picking – P.S. stayed at home…

Betsy oldest friend adds a row to Project Scarf in Bowdoinham, Maine.

By the end of the day, P.S. is 15’11” long.

Day 15

July 1, 2011

Project Scarf accompanies us to the tennis courts at Fulle Field in Harpswell.

Phoenix at the tennis courts

Do you think P.S. bounces?

P.S. stretches out along the net...

Scarf is now 16’8″ long…

Day 16

July 2, 2011

By day’s end P.S. is 17′ 10″ long

Day 17

July 3, 2011

On the road…P.S. takes a rest for today.  Home sweet home!

Day 18

July 4, 2011

Project Scarf has it’s first public contribution attached – with many thanks to our Facebook follower Kathleen Ganster in Allison Park, PA.

P.S. is now 21' and 3" long!

by day’s end: we have a grand total of 21′ and 3″ for fireworks viewing!

Don’t forget to check our updated Wall of Fame, Where in the World, and How Long? pages!

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