We’re back!

To all of my faithful Project Scarf followers and supporters:

KnitLit members lay hands on Project Scarf

THANK YOU for all of your contributions.  Although the blog has been quiet due to personal circumstances, the scarf has continued to grow, and we have continued to gain more followers online.  So, the personal:  I lost my job in June, and have been focusing on doing what I need to do to survive and find gainful employment.  I am happy to say that I am beginning to emerge from the other side of those difficult times, AND I would like to say that continuing to receive all of your beautiful scarf donations has given me solace and strength.  So thank you not only for your contribution to this charity, but also personally, from me, for your graciousness in supporting this endeavor.

As you may recall, we decided to scrap the Guinness Book of World Records goal, because the requirements were too restrictive.  I wanted to be able to take anything and everything that was sent my way.

Project Scarf on its way to the grand unveiling!

As of yesterday, the scarf was 156 feet, and 7 inches, and I still have a few more segments to attach.

I brought it to my KnitLit group and we had a grand unveiling, stretching it out to its full length on the third floor corridor of Haverstraw Middle School.  I am going to try to upload the video to our Project Scarf Facebook page, so you can check it out there.

KnitLit members with Project Scarf

So…I have come to a big decision.

Rather than having these beautiful scarves sitting around all summer until next season, I would like them to go out into the world and be of use to people who need them now, while we still have some winter left.

I have contacted People to People, which is a local organization that serves more than 1,200 families in need right here in Rockland County.  They provide food, clothing, and other essential services.   Their motto is “helping our neighbors through difficult times with dignity”, and they do just that.  They are a remarkable organization, and they have told me that they will be happy to take as many scarves as I would like to give them.

So I will finish attaching all the sections I have, in order for a final total length count and a photo, then I will dismantle them all and take them down to People to People.

I will also include information about the project, website, and contributors, so they will understand how many loving hands have graced this project.

Everyone's a star in KnitLit!

After that, I will be happy to keep going, and start all over again, so those of you who want to keep sending scarves, please do!

Thank you again, everyone – I am truly honored that you have wanted to participate in Project Scarf.

Stay warm, and keep on knitting!

Betsy

 

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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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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.

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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!

 

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