Crochet A Sleep Sack Scarf

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While obsessively knitting, the homeless kept coming to my mind. I thought I’d knit a scarf because it could cover the head  and even the hands in a pinch. Then I thought, I would like to make it big, so it could do double duty as an individual blanket. My clever daughter, (Maggie Binzley), suggested I make it tubular and it could be a sleep sack.

So I did. Here’s my second sleep sack scarf. This one is crochet.

To make it, I used 100% wool, 1 1/2 pounds..

Size K hook

Chain 122 stitches.

*Double crochet into the fourth chain from the hook. (The 4 chains count as a turning double crochet plus one skipped chain.)

Skip the next chain.

Alternate double crochet and skipping a chain until the end of the row.*

At the end of the row, slip stitch into the beginning to make a circle. Continue working around and around to make a tube.

Repeat the * area until you finish a few inches.

Change color after a few rows for edging and do the same at the other end of the scarf for the last few rows.

Continue for as long as you want the scarf.

Alternately, you can make the scarf all in one color

Sew together one end for the bottom of the sack. The scarf is 20″ wide, (double layer) and 60″ long. Make it longer for an adult and wider if you like.

See a knit version here.

© 2011 Jeanne Litt All rights reserved.

 

Make A Sleep Sack Scarf

Kyla at knitting for charity sends a weekly newsletter. A few weeks ago it mentioned Streetknit.

Here’s what they say about themselves

Every year people in Toronto freeze to death because they have nowhere to come in from the cold. We can’t knit shelter, but we can do the next best thing. We’re asking you to put your needles together and spend some time this summer knitting some warmth into a sweater, a hat, mittens, socks, or a scarf to keep someone warm this winter.

While obsessively knitting, the homeless kept coming to my mind. I thought I’d knit a scarf because it could cover the head and even the hands in a pinch. Then I thought, I would like to make it big, so it could do double duty as an individual blanket. My clever daughter, (Maggie Binzley), suggested I make it tubular and it could be a sleep sack.

So I did. Here’s my first sleep sack scarf.

sleep sack scarf

To make it, I used 100% Merino wool, 300 Gm.

Size 15 circular needle

Cast on 90 stitches. I purled the first 8 rows at each end of the scarf. All other rows are knit. Because of knitting in a circle, it makes a stockinette stitch. Sew together one end for the bottom of the sack.. The scarf is 15″ wide, (double layer) and 42″ long. Make it longer for an adult and wider if you like.

You could knit ribbing at each end if you prefer.

My next one will be crochet because I can do that faster. See here.

© 2011 Jeanne Litt

 

MY EXPERIENCES WITH CREATING ABUNDANCE — You Don’t Have To Do Anything .

Do you sometimes feel pressured by others’ upset? Especially when it is my loved ones and they are being challenged, I find myself wanting to make everything all right.

What a relief to remember that I don’t have to do anything. They are capable of handling their own lives.

When I step back and hold, things turn out better than I expected AND there is the added benefit of avoiding getting caught in their upset. This works best when done with an attitude of loving and I like to start praying for whatever is best for them.

Heavens knows I don’t know what is best  for them. I get to sit back and watch it unfold.

© 2011 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

MY EXPERIENCES WITH CREATING ABUNDANCE — This I Know.

I posted about last week and Here I elaborate.

I believe that underneath EVERYTHING is good. Furthermore, I believe that even the ugliest appearing thing, when examined closely is beautiful.

These observations come from my experiences. I haven’t had experience with the most heinous of crimes.

Once I was waiting in line at a bank. When it was finally my turn, the teller pointed out a desk and said I had to see that person. I went to the desk and handled my business. As I turned to leave, I saw a woman sitting with a stricken look. I think she had been waiting there and I cut in. I gasped at the thought of my lack of awareness and wondered if this is how wars start. One person is just doing what they do and another takes offense because of what they think.

Another time a neighbor of mine refused to allow a friend to stay at her house. Her friend took offense. I happened to know that the neighbor’s husband was a peeping tom and she was protecting her friend.

I believe that any misunderstanding has goodness at its core. What appears to be mean and spiteful is what has become twisted.

I believe that IF we can work on keeping ourselves untwisted and supporting that in others; if we love it all and assume the best about people, THEN we would come closer to the truth.

Once in a workshop they sent us out to examine ugliness.  It was in a city and I walked around looking for something ugly. Not finding anything, I looked in the gutters at some glop. As I observed it, the colors and arrangement of it started to look beautiful. Everything I looked at, I discovered was beautiful when examined without judgment. I think beauty is in the eye of the non-judgmental beholder.

I am not saying to accept all that comes your way. Live a life of your preferences, knowing it is all good and you get to choose what works for you.

© 2011 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

MY EXPERIENCES WITH CREATING ABUNDANCE — It’s All Good.

 

It’s all good. Underneath everything, is goodness. If only I could remember that when I am in my stuff.

And other people mirror this to me. Once a friend was angry because another friend wouldn’t let her stay at her house. Turns out the hostess was protecting her friend from her husband, but was embarrassed to say why.

It seems to me that we wouldn’t go wrong if we assume there is a good reason why people do what they do. We may not like it, but it is all good. Yes I think even the worst of things happen out of misunderstanding. Even if someone is being deliberately obnoxious, they are hurting and trying to get back to loving.

Now if I could just remember when I am reacting.

© 2011 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

MY EXPERIENCES WITH CREATING ABUNDANCE — Give Of The Overflow.

Plumeria

I have heard it said to give of the overflow. My experience has been that this is an excellent way to avoid some problems.

When you give of the overflow, you don’t deplete yourself. You give from your excess, after your own needs have been taken care of.

This doesn’t mean you don’t put yourself out and give a lot. It does mean you keep an awareness of your needs and take care of yourself first. By doing this you are able to be at the ready to help take care of others. By depleting yourself, you are much less use to anyone.

It’s like on airplanes, if you are with someone who needs assistance, take care of yourself, ( put on your own oxygen mask first.)

It is also useful as a criteria for saying no. I’m envisioning a world where it is as acceptable to say, ‘self first’ as it is to say ‘family first.’

© 2011 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

MY EXPERIENCES WITH CREATING ABUNDANCE — Pretend ‘as if’.

Plumeria

Pretending ‘as if’ goes like this. When you want something, you pretend you have the wherewithal to get it. Then you go to wherever you would get it, if you could. For example if you want a new dress, you go to a dress store and try some on.

I’m not saying go out of your budget and buy it, I’m just sayin’ – pretend.

A woman I know went and tried on wedding dresses even though she was not in a relationship. She is married now, years later.

My experience has been,  that the item is often on sale and sometimes I CAN get it. One of the first times I did this, I took my niece to get a leotard for gymnastics. I decided to pretend as if. I watched as she went to the cheapest leotards. I had taught her to do this.

I told her we were going to pretend to get the one she liked the best in all the store. She picked out one with swoops of color on it. It was very beautiful and it was on sale 50% off and we got it.

My experience has been when I’ve done this that the item is often on sale and sometimes I can get it. At the very least, you get the experience of treating yourself well.

I’d love to hear about any experiences you have with this. As with everything I share, check it out and see if it works for you.

© 2011 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

MY EXPERIENCES WITH CREATING ABUNDANCE — Wanting Things.

Plumeria

When you want things, ask for them for your highest good. What I mean is, that you want things that will be good for you, not the things that you are sorry you asked for, once you get them.

You can also add that you would like this thing or better. Once I did this when I was going to a writer’s workshop. I asked to get a publishing contract out of it, for my highest good of course, and I added, this or better please,  Address this to the universe or god or whatever is your source.

I came away from the workshop with an editor’s words in my ears that my story was the best thing she read that weekend and that it needed to be a book. I realized getting spurred on to write a book was better than having a story published. I did go on to write that book.

It is so comforting to think that something better is coming when you don’t get something. Perhaps the whole thing is a psychological trick to play on yourself. Whatever! It works and when you go looking for the better — you are likely to find it.

Also, consider adding for your own highest good and also that of all concerned. I find they are really the same thing.

© 2011 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

MY EXPERIENCES WITH CREATING ABUNDANCE — Saying No.

Plumeria

It occurred to me some years back that to have wealth, I needed to be able to say no to people. My experience has been the ‘takers’ out there are happy to relieve you of your wealth.

At that time, I consciously started practicing saying no. It became fun and felt empowering. I have said no to people who stopped talking to me and stopped interacting with me. That was my biggest fear, that I would lose them as friends. My biggest learning was that they never were friends really and this left me free to move on to truer friends.

The courage to say no and risk what happened next, came out of being tired of the way things were going and feeling determined to grow in healthy ways.

I think it happens naturally as a byproduct of listening to yourself and taking care of yourself.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

© 2011 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

Feel Good Friday

The Girl Next Door Grows Up started this Feel Good Friday meme. See lia sophia’s blog, ( the current hostess) for the Mclinky.

My happy day included receiving size 50 knitting needles in the mail. I won them in an auction on eBay. I love using e-snipe to minimize bidding wars.

In two hours I got 1/3 of a baby blanket finished —

And in 20 minutes I can make an eyelash lei —

I am having fun and it gets better. Soon I’ll be getting my first circular knitting needles.

Have your best day ever!

© 2011 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.