Kayleigh's Krew - Donations? Prizes?

After posting about Kayleigh's Krew and my March of Dimes efforts, I was thinking of ways to increase donations.  I know times are tough (remember that part where I'm a sub and only work when needed?) and that people are not necessarily as able to just give for the joy of giving.  So I'm thinking of doing some donation incentives.

I was brainstorming yesterday while I was knitting and came up with some ideas.  Here's what I've got so far:

• project bags- I've been working on these so I can get my etsy shop opened asap
• stitch markers I've made
• needles I have doubles of
• yarn...who doesn't love this??
• maybe a knitting book from my stash

I'm also thinking of making some jewelry, and whoring myself out as a knitter/crocheter.  I want to include things not just for fiber arts so that any non-fiber-a-holics family and friends can join in the giveaways.

Where I'm stuck is how to determine the winners.  I can do a random number generator or each dollar is one entry (to encourage bigger donations).  Any ideas?  Especially from anyone who's done giveaways on their blogs before!  I want to have this hashed out by the end of the week so I can post, publicize and get some donations! 

If there's anything you'd like to donate as a prize, that works for me too :o)

Kayleigh's Krew

If you've been reading for a while, you may remember this post where I told everyone about Kayleigh, my friend's daughter who was born 14 weeks premature.  I'm very happy to say that Kayleigh and her mommy are doing very well these days.

A couple days ago Chelsea (mommy) invited me to join her March of Dimes team "Kayleigh's Krew."  Um, no brainer!  She's already almost halfway to her goal of $500 and I just set up my team page this morning.  I'm working to raise at least $100 for Kayleigh's Krew.  The money received from the Kayleigh Preemie Hat pattern sales will also be donated towards our goals.

I know times are tough for many, but any donation you are able to make would be much appreciated.  Little Kayleigh would likely not be here today had the money raised every year by March of Dimes not been there to help preemies.  Chelsea, Kayleigh, and all their family and friends are already so grateful for what others have donated to this organization.

Project 365

2011.03.01- Subway advertising gets political

2011.03.02- Geometry Blocking

2011.03.03- Stripes Alive Cuffs

2011.03.04- Sky Ceiling.  I painted this when I was in 9th grade.  It's still the same!

2011.03.05- Kiera

Project 365

2011.03.01- Subway Advertising gets Political

2011.03.02- Geometry Blocking

2011.03.03- Stripes Alive Cuffs

2011.03.04- Sky Ceiling

2011.03.05- Kiera Sleeping

Shawls Shawls Shawls

No, I haven't made another one.  Yet.

But I do have a question, especially for those who have made several shawls:  How do you store them?

In the winter, I have a basket that holds all my hats, gloves and scarves.  Since it's not warm enough to put those away, I don't know where to put my growing shawl collection.  There's not enough room in the basket right now, but there will be when spring gets here.

But what about the rest of you?  Where do you put them?

Project 365

2011.02.24- Peekaboo Dino

2011.02.25- Reciprocation Mitts

2011.02.26- Cutting Board Label:  Woo-hoo JOBS!

2011.02.27- Moody Hose Socks Finished!

2011.02.28- Wrist Flairs Finished!

Geometry Update

Since I posted this morning about my finished Geometry Shawl, Jen (of Knitting Like Crazy) commented:

I actually just edited the pattern so that if people wanted to add stitch markers, they would work! Some people were getting confused so I decided to make a small mod to the pattern. :)

What timing!  But just in case those with an RSS feed don't read the comments, I wanted to keep everyone updated :o)

Happy Knitting!

Another Finished Shawl

Here's another one!

Pattern:  Geometry by Jen Hansen of Knitting Like Crazy
Yarn:  Knit Picks Stroll Hand-Painted Sock Yarn in Playtime
Needles:  US 5/3.75 mm
Mods:  None
Project Page:  Geometry

I actually started this project before my Carefree Shawl but didn't expect to finish it so quickly because of all the KALs I'm participating in right now.  But I found a point where I was at a stopping point for all of them an handily had this waiting for me to finish.

It stall for a couple days because I couldn't find my second ball of yarn but it eventually appeared and I finished quick.

Once I got the hang of it, the lace portion wasn't so bad.  I messed up because I was using place markers and assumed that they would separate the lace repeats.  WRONG!  Note to self:  next time, make sure to count stitches at least through the first repeat.  Good thing I used a life line just in case.  Once that was fixed, and I knew which rows I needed to move my stitch markers, it was smooth sailing.

It is much bigger than Carefree.  I had to stand on the couch to get the whole thing in one picture.  I definitely need to use smaller needles for lace from now on.  Maybe size 3s or so.  Carefree came out pretty good on size 4s, but I think 3 is my magic number.  Just to show how loose I knit!  But because my stitches are so big, it makes it harder to see the actual lace pattern, which is a shame.

The yarn is sooooo soft.  I wasn't crazy about Stroll when I did the Moodiness Socks at first, though it did soften up.  I do have to say, the hand painted feel much softer.  Probably why it's more money.

As you can see, Dino enjoys my shawls.  He was very good and stayed away when they were blocking too.

Project 365

2011.02.19- Emma Feeding Kiera

2011.02.20- Geometry Unblocked, with Dino

2011.02.21- Best Restaurant Name Ever

2011.02.22- Reciprocation Mitts

2011.02.23- Icicle

Finished: Carefree Shawl

I'm being bad and doing everything BUT my homework.  So here's a finished project for your viewing pleasure!

I tried really hard to get the whole shawl in the picture but I couldn't without getting the doorknob in the way.

Pattern:  Carefree by Jen Hansen of Knitting Like Crazy

Yarn:  Knitting Like Crazy Insanity Sock in colorway Gentle Breeze

Needles:  US 4/3.5 mm

Mods:  None

Project Page:  Carefree

Jen was hosting a KAL on her blog...how could I say no??  The KAL was supposed end Friday, March 4th but I didn't finish until the 5th (more on that in a minute...).

This is an ideal first shawl/lace project.  The body is entirely garter stitch with yarn overs for increases.

The lace section is beyond easy- a great way for a beginner to learn.

I was doing pretty good with it...until I ran out of yarn with 3 rows to go in the lace edging.  Luckily, Jen is awesome and dyed more yarn for me.

Until it went missing.  Jen mailed it on February 20th.  I waited maybe a week or so before contacting her that it hadn't arrived.  She called the post office near her- nothing.  I went to my post office- also nothing.  The lady at the post office told me that Jen would have to file a lost claim.  So I told her this.  The next day she said she'd go to the post office the following day to file it.  The following day- something finally appeared on the tracking number!  It was about 15 miles from Jen's home.  Really?  Really now?!?

It arrived this past Saturday.  I finished knitting and blocking it by that evening and have been wearing it ever since.

As soon as I opened the package on Saturday, I knew the yarn was not the same as the original.  But, that's what you get when you use hand dyed!  Luckily, it really doesn't stand on since it's only those last 3 rows.  It actually is a nice highlight along the edge.

The second ball is much lighter than the original yarn.  I was going to make socks with leftovers, but the mint green is just screaming to be something baby.  I can't help it, I'm addicted to Baby Surprise Jackets (that story for another time).  I don't know how sock yarn would work out for that though.  I have to do a little more research on that one.

Project 365

2011.02.14- Wizard of Oz Collection

2011.02.15- Valentine's Cookies, made by Nicole

2011.02.16- Geometry in Progress

2011.02.17- Homemade Applesauce

2011.02.18- Today's Classroom

Winner!

The prize was given for my Center of Attention Socks.  My yarn was purchased at Infinite Yarns in Farmingdale, NY (there's an online shop so I encourage you to support!).