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January meeting and announcing 24 in '24 challenge


 Hi knitters! Our next meeting is this Wednesday, January 10 from 3:00 to 4:30 at the Meadows branch of the Boulder Public Library. In January we will be knitting the hat pictured here. The pattern is below (click on it to enlarge), and you will need 50 g or 1.5 oz worsted weight yarn and US 8 (5 mm) 16 inch circulars and DPNs. 

I'd also like to announce a fun challenge for the year: 24 in '24! 

A while back, we worked on a project to make blankets for the local police to distribute to comfort people (especially children) involved in difficult and traumatic situations. A great group of people kept this going, and the Lafayette police are still receiving blankets to distribute. They said they can always use more blankets, so let's make that happen.

The challenge is this: knit 24 squares in 2024. Each month, I'll share two stitch patterns, ranging from very simple and to more challenging. The patterns are just to keep you interested. You can knit them all, knit just the ones you like, or knit them all in garter stitch, but the goal is to make two squares a month.

This is in addition to our usual projects and is of course optional. Join in if you like, knit 24 squares for the challenge or just knit one when you feel like it. 

I'm saying squares, but they don't need to be square, just rectangles! As before, we'll keep the pieces the same size in one dimension so that they can easily be put together into strips and then into blankets. Just cast on any number of stitches that fits the stitch pattern, work to ten inches long, and cast off. 

Gauge isn't super important, but big differences in yarn weight can be tricky to seam, so try to stick to something close to worsted or aran weight on US 6 to 9 (4 - 5.5 mm) needles; avoid super bulky yarns, and if you have thinner yarns, hold them double or triple. Please also make sure to use only machine washable yarns. 

We'll collect the squares and volunteers will join them into strips and then into blankets to give to the police to distribute. 

January squares: starting simple!

SQUARE 1: GARTER STITCH

Cast on any number of stitches, and knit all stitches back in forth until piece measures 10 inches and bind off all stitches. That's it!

SQUARE 2: SEED STITCH

Cast on an odd number of stitches. K1, *(P1, K1), repeat from * to end. Repeat this row until piece measures 10 inches and bind off all stitches. 

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