I am so very excited to be sharing my newest “adventure” with everyone today!! Today is the official launch of the “Everyday Warmth Scarf ” project! I will tell the whole story of how the idea got started under the photos… but essentially, I’m knitting these beautiful warm chunky scarves, and for every one that I make and sell, I’m donating one to someone in need through my church!! I’m so excited!! I will happily take custom orders for specific colors, and you can see the scarves that are currently for sale in my ETSY shop as well as seeing the scarves that have already been donated HERE on my Donated Scarf page. More will be added as soon as I get them knitted!! I am just starting the project, but I made 6 scarves last week… I hope I can get as many done this week! I wish I had thought of this sooner!!

The pattern is a fairly simple one that makes a wonderful scrunchy scarf that is perfect for the upcoming winter. The broken rib pattern is reversible and soft. It’s so warm and cozy, perfect for men or women, and not too long so it’s not too bulky… Here’s a couple of photos of the scarves that I’ve made so far!!

Here’s the first 7 that I made…

These are the first 3 donation scarves…

As of right now, I have 10 scarves made (with another about 3 rows from being finished!! The first 2 for sale are in my ETSY shop, and their matching donation scarves are packed up and ready to go!! That’s 5 scarves that are packed up and will be sent to the Church tomorrow!!

Here’s a close up of my favorite color!! The pumpkin/apricot color.

So, here’s the {long version} story of how the idea came to be…

This fall, at church, we lost one of the Brothers… Brother John had been at our church for 20+ years, and was a fixture of the community. He lost his battle with brain cancer this fall. I was thinking about the upcoming holiday season, with Thanksgiving coming up, and then of course Christmas. I was thinking that I really wanted to do something for the priests at the friary because I imagine that this season will be very difficult for them… I lost my own father when I was 10, on Christmas Eve. This time of year is particularly difficult for me, and my loss isn’t recent like theirs… Kathryn and I headed out to the craft store, and picked out some really nice chunky yarn and I decided that I would make each of them a warm and cozy scarf, kind of like a  “warm hug” for them during the winter… As I looked at the yarns, I thought to myself “why don’t I make a matching scarf for each of them and donate it locally.” I didn’t want them to feel awkward in accepting a gift, so thought I would couple it with a donation… Win-Win :)

Of course, my idea didn’t stop there!! I contacted my friend that runs the “helping hands” ministry at the church to see if she would be able to find a home for my scarves, and she was thrilled!! So, I decided that I’d make a bunch of scarves (in my free time :) and for every scarf I gift or sell, I will donate one as well!!! So, the launch of this project is the fruition of the idea!! I’m hoping that I can get MANY scarves made and donated this fall through word of mouth and my blog and ETSY shop, then I can knit all summer and take them to craft fairs next fall!!  I am so very excited about this project!!  My Gram always said “idle hands do the devil’s work” well, I’ll be very busy the next couple of months keeping him at bay!!!

{I also have to add… As I walked out of the house last week, I was thinking about this project, and how happy I was to be starting it.  I had just decided on the name, and was thinking it over when I looked up, and what do I see?? Our Owl was back!! I don’t actually know if it’s the same owl from the spring, we haven’t seen him in a couple months, but I’m taking it as a sign that this is a “wise” decision!! }