I realize I am new here, but...

Paulaque · 01-08-2013, 01:27 AM

My Aunt Diane (https://www.facebook.com/dcamdengrammond?fref=ts), who bought me my first pair of knitting needles 4 years ago, has brain and colon cancer, she is going through radiation now, and chemo will begin soon. I am her namesake, my full name is Paula Diane Randolph, and she is my favorite aunt. I am trying to make her a hat so that her head won't get cold, but I also want to knit her a sweater, but am not good enough, nor fast enough for that. I was wondering if I could get help from all of you? I would not ask, but I am so very concerned, and do love her so very much.

salmonmac · 01-08-2013, 01:14 PM

Paula, I've very sorry to hear about your aunt and hope that her treatment goes well. The idea of a hat is a good one and so is the sweater. What about a shrug or a shawl that's easy to make? Here's one pattern for a shrug and a search on Ravelry (free to join) may bring up others. If you have yarn already you could try an advanced search specifying the yarn weight and needle size. Hope all goes well.

cheley · 01-08-2013, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by salmonmac

Paula, I've very sorry to hear about your aunt and hope that her treatment goes well. The idea of a hat is a good one and so is the sweater. What about a shrug or a shawl that's easy to make? Here's one pattern for a shrug and a search on Ravelry (free to join) may bring up others. If you have yarn already you could try an advanced search specifying the yarn weight and needle size. Hope all goes well.

Hi Paula, I too am very sorry to hear of your Aunt...yes, that "disease" strikes alot of people and can be a fight...What kind of "help" are you looking for? Would you like someone to "knit" for you? I would be more than happy to knit a hat, as I am pretty quick with those...Maybe all of us can do a KAL and get a sweater done for her too..or even a Prayer Shawl..Please let us know what you need...

mojo11 · 01-08-2013, 06:03 PM

There's a marvelous site called Head Huggers that has a HUGE selection of patterns for hats and is focused specifically on chemo patients. The patterns range from the incredibly simple to the ... not so simple. Whatever your skill level is, I'm sure you can find something there that matches it.

If you're shaky on the sweater idea, a shawl is another excellent suggestion. There are 3 very elegant but simple (and free!) patterns here. (As an aside, at least one of the patterns they show is one that has been around since the Stone Age, so you can probably find it in several places. It's so simple even I could do it.)

Ravelry is another excellent resource, as is Knitty.com and a lot of the patterns there are free too.

I hope your aunt's treatment goes well. And I'm sure that whatever you make, it will be a big help. Love's like that.

Paulaque · 01-09-2013, 02:06 AM

I don't know what a KAL is, but that was kind of what I was thinking, since I don't have enough yarn or talent for something like a sweater, yet.

Paulaque · 01-09-2013, 02:08 AM

I have noticed a lot of the patterns I have looked into use needles that I just don't own, and that is also a hurdle.

suzeeq · 01-09-2013, 02:40 AM

KAL is a Knit A Long where people all work on the same pattern. Sometimes they have definite start and end dates, but usually not and people can join in anytime. The purpose is to help each other if there's rough spots.

cheley · 01-09-2013, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by suzeeq

KAL is a Knit A Long where people all work on the same pattern. Sometimes they have definite start and end dates, but usually not and people can join in anytime. The purpose is to help each other if there's rough spots.

My original thought on a KAL was someone work on sleeves, someone on back, sides etc...then the last person would put it all together...like the Pet Snuggles project....same for a prayer shawl.........It was just a "thought", but I can commit to a hat

cheley · 01-09-2013, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Paulaque

I have noticed a lot of the patterns I have looked into use needles that I just don't own, and that is also a hurdle.

I am sure we can get some needles to you....just decide pattern and yarn....

WolfWalker · 01-09-2013, 04:09 PM

Holding a kal on a sweater?? What if everyone's gauge ends up a tad different? The resulting pieces aren't going to fit well together. Instead, why not have a kal on squares? Say....8 inch squares, or 12 inch squares......then they are all shipped to one person for joining, and voila, your aunt has a lapghan made by many.

Debra