Loving Hands challenge

The new challenge is in!! This is the challenge as written by Lou (founder) on the site....

OK - It is that time again - I know you have all been waiting for the announcement of the Summer challenges for 2009. These will run from 12th April right through to 18th July and we will then announce the Autumn challenges on the 19th July. :0)

This time we are looking for four sections again with items to suit all of your talents whether you knit, crochet or sew for us I am sure you will all find something to get you working like fury - if not then by all means feel free to continue with your favourite items from our wish lists - as you all know already we can always find places for everything we receive at HQ :0)

First off we would like you to help our furry friends - we are looking for Dog Coats, Pet beds and Animal Blankets - these can be knitted, crocheted or stitched - we need all sizes from pussy cats and puppies right up to Great Danes - we would love to get 200 of these if possible xx

We have been approached by SANDS the UK charity that supports bereaved parents - they have launched an appeal for blankets for their precious memory boxes - these blankets need to be made in white (they will also accept cream) DK yarn and 4mm (size pins. Here is the pattern to use:-

200gm of Double Knit Wool and size 8 (UK) needles
BASIC BLANKET
Cast on 1 stitch
Next row :- Make the one stitch into two stitches.
Next row :- Knit 1, into the next stitch make another,3 stitches on needle.
Continue to knit, ALWAYS knit the first stitch and into the 2nd stitch make another. Only increase this way at the BEGINNING of a row
Continue until you have almost come to the end of the 100gm ball.
Knit 1 row plain.
Next row:- Knit 1, Knit 2 together, Knit to end of row.
Continue this way, always knit the 1st stitch then decrease into the next stitch by knitting 2 together until 1 stitch remains.
You should now have a neat square.

LACE EDGING Using Double Knit and size 8 (UK) needles
Cast on 8 stitches
Row 1 ( Wrong side) Slip 1, Knit 1,(Yarn fwd knit 2 tog)twice, Yarn fwd Knit 2 (9sts)
Rows 2, 4, and 6. Slip 1 Knit to the end.
Row 3. Slip 1, knit 2 (yarn fwd knit 2 tog) twice. Yarn fwd Knit 2 (10sts)
Row 5. Slip 1, knit 3 (yarn fwd knit 2 tog) twice. Yarn fwd Knit 2 (11sts)
Row 7. Slip 1, knit 4 (yarn fwd knit 2 tog)twice . Yarn fwd Knit 2 (12sts)
Row 8. Slip 1, Knit 11 sts
Row 9. Slip 1 Knit 11 sts
Row 10 cast off 4 Sts Knit to the end ( 8sts)
These 10 rows form the pattern.

Continue in pattern until it is long enough to fit one edge, or all around, as you wish. Sew onto the blanket We are hoping to be abe to give them 200 to help out with such a very worthwhile cause which I know is very close to a lot of our members hearts :0)

Part 3 of our challenge is for summer items for children - for our knitters this could be cardigans, tank tops, summer tops, dresses etc. Our stitchers could make pretty dresses, shirts, shorts, trousers etc. These items will be divided equally between our two childrens charities - Linda MacDonald and Algerian Action so we would love to be able to send them 200 items each - that means we need 400 childrens summer items xx

and finally Part 4 - this one is the pet project of our lovely Suzanne and she has already had a trial run which is off to the charity for approval so she can then help any of our stitchers who want to take part - Algerian Action is looking for sanitary towels for girls in their catchement area who are desperately needing them. You can read all about it in the 'washables' section on the Algerian Action website. Apparently some of these poor girls have been reduced to using plastic bags as they do not have the money to buy towels - in this day and age this is appalling and easily remedied by providing each girl with a set of washable towels in a handy drawstring bag - there are instructions on Algerian Action for the way Lynne has been making them or Sizanne has devised a way to make alternatives. We will not put a set target on these but would like to help as many girls as we possibly can to have a bit of dignity and comfort back in their lives.

So there you have it folks - another challenge launched - I hope none of you are disappointed and that we have managed to give you something for everyone to get involved in again.