Knit Your Bit Campaign at the National WWII Museum | Guest Contributor Post
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I’m Marie Segares from Underground Crafter, and I’m thrilled to return to Oombawka Design for the fifth post in my charity spotlight series. Each month, I’m highlighting a charity that accepts crochet donations along with a free pattern, so read on for details.
October’s Featured Charity: Knit Your Bit Campaign at the National WWII Museum
November 11 is Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the US. One organization that keeps a spotlight on veterans year round in the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana.
In 2006, the Museum launched the Knit Your Bit Campaign, and since then they have collected over 30,000 crochet and knit scarves for distribution to Veterans Administration centers and programs throughout the United States. This campaign is an homage to the Knit Your Bit campaign during World War II, which was inspired by the Knit for Victory campaign in World War I. These campaigns kept people on the home front engaged in the war effort through knitting socks and other much needed accessories in olive drab or Navy blue to send to soldiers.
Tips for Making Great Scarves for Veterans
Although today’s Knit Your Bit campaign is not as restrictive, According to the Museum, the “overwhelming majority of scarves will go to male vets,” so while you can exercise creative freedom, muted and neutral colors with simple, unisex stitch patterns are likely to be preferred.
In addition to choosing neutral colors, crocheters are encouraged to include care instructions noting the type of yarn used and how it can be washed. You are welcome to include a personalized note marked “Dear Veteran.” In addition to today’s pattern, the Museum also has 8 free knit scarf patterns and 6 free crochet scarf patterns on their website.
You can find more details about Knit Your Bit, including frequently asked questions and mailing instructions here. The Museum encourages groups to get involved, and even includes PDF flier that you can distribute to your local stitching group. And, if you get started today, you’ll have a scarf on its way to a veteran in time for Remembrance Day.
Walking in the Sand Scarf
Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter
Finished Size
- Adult: 54” (137 cm) length x 8” (20 cm) width.
Materials
- Lion Brand Scarfie (5.3 oz/150 g/312 yds/285 m/100% acrylic) – 1 skein in 206 Cream/Taupe, or approximately 312 yds (285 m) in any bulky weight yarn.
- US Size K-10.5 (6.5 mm) crochet hook or any size needed to obtain gauge.
- Yarn needle.
Gauge
- 11 sts x 9 rows in pattern = 4” (10 cm). Exact gauge is not critical for this project.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- rep – repeat
- sc – single crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- * Rep after asterisk as indicated.
Pattern Instructions
Scarf
- Ch 24 (or any multiple of 2 sts, + 2 sts).
- Row 1: Turn, skip 1 ch, sc in next st, *dc in next ch, sc in next ch; rep from * across. (23 sts)
- Row 2: Turn, ch 3 (counts as dc, here and throughout), *sc in next st, dc in next st; rep from * across.
- Row 3: Turn, ch 1, sc in same st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * across.
- Rep Rows 2-3 until scarf measures approximately 54” (137 cm) or desired length, ending after Row 3. Fasten off.
Finishing
- With yarn needle, weave in ends.
If this project inspires you to make a coordinating unisex hat, check out my free Faux Mistake Rib Watchman’s Cap pattern in 8 sizes.
© 2015 Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). Published with permission on Oombawka Design.
Marie Segares is a crochet and knitting designer, teacher, and blogger, and the Proprietress of the Underground Crafter. Please visit her at one of the following links:
Facebook | Pinterest | Website
Or, check out her profile and additional Guest Posts on the Oombawka Design Contributor Page.
On behalf of the Oombawka Design readers, and myself, I would like to Thank Marie for sharing October’s Featured Charity: Knit Your Bit Campaign at the National WWII Museum and her free crochet pattern for the Walking in the Sand Scarf. Be sure to check out her coordinating Faux Mistake Rib Watchman’s Cap free crochet pattern too!
I love your patterns. Please keep them coming.