October challenge---Member's Choice and teeny toys....

[P. Jeanne Haessler]

Hi everyone!  October kinda snuck up and pounced on us! Wow time is zipping past.  Our KAS calendar suggests "Member's Choice" as the October challenge. :)   So we are suggesting you pick your favorite item, be it square, hat, vest, blanket or cuddle, or toy, and go for it, in your favorite color(s).  There has also been talk around the boards of making tiny toys, like pocket pals, so the kids can easily carry them with them, to go along with the items we send.  So if you would like to make a teeny toy, like a teddy or doll, or even if you see a deal, then buy a few of course, they can be included along with October's offerings.  Depending on where you live and how your postage goes, they might arrive in time for Christmas! :)  I am using that tiny teddy pattern that's here on KAS, it's got a flat body and lightly stuffed head, only 5 inches tall maximum, have two done already.  Here's the link to the main toy patterns page and you can choose from there:  http://square-circle-forum.ning.com/forum/categories/patterns-toys-dolls-and/listForCategory

It's been suggested we do a running tally, per post.  So feel free to start with what you've made and will send and the next person can add to that total in their post and so on.  How's that?

My own October challenge will be UFO's.  (unfinished objects)  I have been cleaning up and have found a bin full of them. (out of sight out of mind!)

[P. Jeanne Haessler]

That's funny Christine. Alpaca seems to be beautiful stuff to use, I've got a blend of it somewhere in my stash, so soft and nice.

Well I finished off the October challenge with a "bang", spending $49 on postage for a box containing a sweater, 6 hats, 3 or 4 balls of yarn, a cute pink "angel" bear with wings and a bunch of slip-ins so this is kinda a "end of October challenge, start of November challenge" package that went off! What weighed it down was including some packs of educational cards, for mathematics-addition, division and so forth. Paper always weighs so much! Bah. Well at least I'm out of them so only lighter weight parcels from now on!

I'm already thinking of finding my "Victorian yarn colors" to make up some squares for November in Victorian dusty rose, slate blue, ivory and gold. Those were my mother's favorite seasonal decoration colors (see Nov. challenge) and I think I'll do some in memory of her and her Victorian decorated tree with all the old style ornaments and lace fans on it. Wow, that takes me down memory lane!

[peggy Sack]

what are popins were on the nov. challenge .

[P. Jeanne Haessler]

These refer to usually small items that just "somehow" seem to "fall into" our packages when we send them, wink wink ;). Usually these aren't declared on the customs forms...to avoid duties at the other end. They are items like the yarn needles and odd balls of yarn for the gogo's, and sometimes handmade sticker books for the children...sometimes spare knitting needles or crochet hooks...it varies. Lately a lot of "pop-ins" have been small knitted or stuffed toys for the kids. So...a pop-in is anything other than a knitted hat, vest, square or Go-Over or Cuddle. You'll see the items needed mentioned in the Revised 2010 Wish List on the Discussions page. They just "seem" to sneak their way into the packages...can't imagine how it happens! ;)

[peggy Sack]

how much did your box weigh?? So you send balls of yarn what do they use them for I may have some to donate. Your colors sound so pretty and will go so good together. I must admit the squares are still my favorite. Am thinking about joining the square a day group. I am getting size 15 needles just ordered them today I am hoping maybe they will knit things quicker with two strands of like hobby lobby yarn. If I make squares and don't get them mailed till after the first of the year can I still count them as my total for this year. I still have a box to mail I think I will mail it when it 4 lbs worth of squares and my three hats. I haven't mailed anything since last Aug. and now that my son is gone I actually have to mail it . Is there anything we have to do different when we send it to South America??
How do you find out if it got there. I am not sure they will do a confirmation over the computer for foriegn packages but i will check.

[P. Jeanne Haessler]

Look at Val's brilliant idea for a KAS Cuddle!

http://square-circle-forum.ning.com/photo/dsc01392-1?context=latest

(sorry you'll have to copy and paste, it's over in Photos, latest page) It's crocheted Granny Squares on the outside but has a fleece lining. This could be an option if you have sewing/crafty friends who don't knit or crochet but could whip you up some liners in a flash. Now these wouldn't be as stretchy as a knit Cuddle but if they were made a tad larger to begin with? What do you think?

[jen phillips]

This might be a way to make warmer cuddles for those of us who cannot use wool. I am allergic to wool so always stick to acrylics and this is why I haven't attempted a cuddle tho' I usually try any new idea I see in the forums and challenges. I used a single fleece blanket the whole of winter, it kept really snug but do have to admit that our winters are very mild here on the coast of South Africa.
(woollen yarns are almost unattainable here, anyway)

[P. Jeanne Haessler]

Very true. Supposing one felt intimidated by the fancier crochet stitches and preferred to just do Granny Squares but still wanted to do a Cuddle? This would be a warm way to do it I think. I can't use that lovely lanolin hand cream the local sheepshop sells, I really react to it. I'm okay with some wool yarn (not to wear but to crochet with) but it can make my hands itch. Thankfully there's some lovely soft and warm acrylic yarns out now. Can you use the fancier yarns Jen, like Alpaca? I just can't afford them but I often wonder if Alpaca or Mohair would make me react like some of the wools do.

[Dawson]

I used arcrylic yarn for my KasCuddle, but used 2 strands at once, isn't it okay?

[P. Jeanne Haessler]

Oh yes that's fine. I do it when the yarn is abit thin or I want to do a bulkier sweater, hat or square. Whatever feels right to you, go for it. As long as it isn't too "gappy" and keeps the kids warm that's awesome. The KAS Cuddles can seem a bit stiff if done with two strands but it depends on the stitch used. Knitting is usually okay regardless and if crochet is done in the back loops only it should still have tons of stretch to it for them to kick their little feet and to grow a bit within it. :)

[Dawson]

I crocheted it in both loops. But it looks fine. Thanks!