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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Inspiration

Kim MacGregor organized this flash mob of 200 dancers to launch the “feel good” movement, “I Believe She’s Amazing” in honor of her friend Erika Heller who passed away May 28th, 2009 at 31 yrs. old…this is her living legacy. The amazing choreographers and dancers pulled this together in just one-6 hr rehearsal the day before the shoot.

(The song is I Believe by Yolanda Adams, from the soundtrack to the movie Honey starring Jessica Alba.)

Check out Kim’s website: http://www.IBelieveShesAmazing.com  You can also subscribe to her blog, and read more about her mission by clicking here.

Just for Fun

Here are a few other things I’ve come across over the past few days that I’d like to share with you.

My new friend Leila Cook works with Humanity Healing.  Here is how they describe themselves:

Humanity Healing is a Nondenominational Network committed to Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Healing and Growth through Education and Spiritual Activism.

Spiritual Activism is expressed by Compassion in Action.

We believe that when we help others through compassionate action, we Heal ourselves and through us, Humanity as a whole.

Humanity Healing logo

You can read about this beautiful logo by  clicking here.

Leila also writes for an online magazine called OM Times.  Their subtitle is: “Holistic Living – Spiritually Focused – Green Adventures”.  The layout is beautiful and easy to navigate – check out a sample issue by clicking here.

Some other fun random stuff:

A new blog I’m following, is called “Loom Dude“, which is a blog for guys who knit.  I’m always looking for info about grown men who knit, because I always get boys interested in joining my KnitLit Program at school, and I like to show them REAL examples of guys who knit.  (It is SO cool, by the way.)

Sense of Fashion is an online marketplace for independent fashion designers to sell their own stuff.  Here is what they have to say about themselves:

Sense of Fashion goody

The Sense of Fashion Vision
We are the marketplace for fashion.

And like any real marketplace, we are alive: upcoming designers meet trendsetter fashionistas, photographers and stylists exchange views and recommendations as fashion bloggers exchange concepts of personal style,  while shopping, selling and setting new trends.

For designers, Sense of Fashion provides an online shop with built-in marketing tools, a live clientele base and access to clear and open communication with buyers, fans and other designers.

For trendsetters and fashion fans we provide a stage to display original styles, favorite designers and shopping decisions.

To shoppers we offer a variety of unique fashion items from all over the world, and the opportunity to discover young talent just as it breaks through, as well as the chance to buy items which will one day be collector items, alongside one-of pieces, vintage and curated collections from boutique owners. 

TTFN!

And speaking of Length…

At last measure (which is NOT the most current), P.S.was up to SEVENTY SEVEN FEET AND ONE INCH!

That is the height of the Tsunami in Japan last March.

 

Phew!

Guinness

OK – I finally got an official response from Guinness.

The good news:

There IS a record for the world’s longest hand knit scarf.

RECORD 

The current record (current as at the date of this letter) is: 
The longest scarf knitted by a team measures 54.29 km (33.74 miles). It was knitted by the volunteers, friends and supporters of Ty Hafan – The Children’s Hospice in Wales. Work started in May 2002 and the scarf was measured at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, UK on 23 June 2005. 

The bad news:

The requirements and parameters for breaking the record are very specific, and as follows:

GUIDELINES FOR ‘LONGEST KNITTED SCARF – TEAM’

1. Needles must be 4 mm (No. 8 UK). Casting must be done in the conventional way using two needles.

2. Garter stitch must be used as this record is attempted by both beginners and accomplished knitters. (Scarves in rib stitch may be considered, but the number of stitches per row would need to be adjusted accordingly.)

3. Number of stitches per row – 66 (in garter stitch).

4. Width – 30.5 cm 12 in.

5. The knitted lengths must be firmly sewn together with wool using overstitching to complete the scarf. The scarf must not be stretched while measurements are being taken.

Problems with this:

1) I already have close to 100 feet of scarf which does not necessarily meet these requirements. Hence, officially breaking the Guinness Record would require starting all over again, and losing the wonderful momentum we are gaining daily (not to mention disappointing all the hard working contributors and supporters who have already sent contributions, or have them in progress.)

2) I hesitate to limit the requirements so much…personally I prefer the simple 5″ inch wide requirement – leaves the whole process much more inclusive and open to creativity.

So…as new friend, yarn therapist Leila Cook said to me: “Who needs Guinness when you have knitters?” (By the way, as long as you’re here, go check out Leila’s awesome blog, Peaceful Knits.)

I hope this does not slow us down, but I am content to try to break the length record unofficially…purely for the process, for the building of community, for the promotion of the art of knitting, and for the glory of being able to say “we did it!”, and then to know that all of those lovely scarves will go to help people in need.

So now, anyway, I have an actual length to strive for: Project Scarf must grow to more than 33.74 miles!  Holy cow, we’re going to need a huge team of people to lay it out and measure it when the time comes!

If anyone can do it, it’s knitters.

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!

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!

Twitter

OK – s0 being a total technological ignoramus, I have joined Twitter as Project Scarf, but can’t figure out how to add the link into my e-mail signature…tech geeks out there: advice?

 

😦

 

Errata

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

Guinness

Had an official e-mail recently from the folks at Guinness Book of World Records that they are backlogged due to technical problems, and I should expect to hear back from them within two weeks.

How Long IS It?

Luck o' the Scarf?

 

Meanwhile, as the scarf is now over 56 feet long, it means it:

 

* could stretch the length of a sperm whale (wonder how many times it could wrap around it?)

 

* could adorn the 50 Foot Woman, head to toe with extra length to wrap around her neck…

 

* is 17.0688 meters

 

* is about 18 yards

 

* is the length of the distance between high and low tides in the Bay of Fundy

 

* is the length of the Guinness Blob Jump Record

 

 

* the depth a snowplow needs to dig to open a road through the Japanese Alps in springtime – click here and scroll down for a cool photo!

 

Any other ideas for 56 feet?  Send ’em in!

 

Business-wise, Project Scarf moves forward.  I am looking into forming an LLC (and perhaps ultimately seeking non-profit status).  I am also working on developing school time programs and traveling educational programs for libraries, etc.

 

And, once again, a shout out to Jennifer Marsh of the International Fiber Collaborative and The Dream Rocket Project, who has been giving me some excellent guidance, and sharing her expertise. If you haven’t yet checked out her Dream Rocket Project, please do- it’s so cool!

 

Knit On, folks, and don’t forget to print and put up Project Scarf flyers!

 

Thanks!