Yarn Bowl Challenge ends...and we won!!!

Well, the results from the Yarn Bowl Challenge are in and the UT team won the challenge by knitting & crocheting 3,171 preemie caps! The Alabama team made 1,738 preemie caps for their area hospitals. Needless to say, we are excited and pleased to have so many folks join us in this challenge.

I wasn't able to put up on the internet a picture of our "Wall of Caps" before because I didn't want to give away how many caps we had made to the Bama Team. But now that the challenge is over, here's our famous "Wall of Caps". As you can see the caps overflowed even the portacrib we set up.

And we were very excited this week to have been both in the newspaper and on television! We were in the Shoppers News on Monday with an article. Then today, the Live at Five cameraman showed up to take some pictures of our "Wall of Caps". If you missed the newscast this afternoon, here's the video.

Thank you to everyone who made one of our preemie caps. I tell everyone all the time that I have the best customers in the world. You all are a giving group of people. Blessings to you all!

Show and Tell Saturday

Last night was so much fun as we gathered on our last Preemie Cap Day to have a final push on making preemie caps for our Yarn Bowl Challenge. Kori's son's girlfriend made us this darling cake to celebrate. The caps are still coming in today, so we should know by the end of the day whether UT fans or Alabama fans have won this challenge. Either way, it's been great to see so many people get involved in helping those little guys and gals that are coming into this world just a little bit smaller than most. They usually have a long road ahead of them. Hopefully our prayers and thoughts of them while we made the caps will sustain them as they start their journey.

I remembered to download my photos this week, so I have finished projects to show you. First of all, Leedra made a "Wonderful Wallaby" for herself and also two smaller ones. She used Plymouth Encore yarn. Great job, Leedra!

Melissa loves to make clothes for her Harry Potter dolls. Here is Professor Snake in a cape she made for him out of Brown Sheep Wildfoote sock yarn. It's amazing that she can make such small garments!

Phyllis made her Shapely Tank Top out of the wonderfully soft Malabrigo yarn. Very nice!

And Amanda finished her crocheted shrug in record time. She used Berroco Pure Merino to make this fabulous garment that I'm sure she has been wearing on these chilly days we've had lately.

Great work on your projects, everyone! Well, as soon as the results are in I'll let you know who won the Yarn Bowl Challenge and how many caps each team made for the NICUs at their local hospitals. GO VOLS!

Show and Tell Friday...

I'm enjoying this beautiful Fall weather we're having! I love a little crispness in the early morning. Many of you have asked recently about my back. I thought I would give you a little update today. I'm still in physical therapy 3 times a week. My upper and middle back are better, so we're mainly just dealing with my lower back at this point. It's taking a long time to get better and I do get discouraged a lot. But I appreciate all the well wishes I receive from you. You'll never know how much that little bit of kindness encourages me. Thank you!

I only have a couple of projects to share with you today because I have forgotten to download the other photos to my computer. I'll get those downloaded for next Friday's Show and Tell.

Judy brought in her Every Way Wrap from Interweave Knits magazine. She made it out of Malabrigo yarn.

She's also working on a scarf using Malabrigo yarn.

Thanks for sharing with us, Judy! Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!

Show and Tell Friday...

Today's Show and Tell items are...

Pam brought in her lacy kerchief scarf/shawl. This was an Interweave pattern she made out of Classic Elite Provence.

Esther brought in this adorable butterfly dress she made for her daughter. She used Berroco Comfort and Classic Elite Bella yarns.

Patti's wrap me up shawl by Knitting at KNoon was made out of the Malabrigo yarn.

And Jan brought in her vest made of Sirdar Baby Bamboo yarn. She used a pattern out of Creative Knitting magazine.

Thanks, everyone, for sharing your projects with us. Hope you enjoy this beautiful weekend we have ahead of us. My daughter and son-in-law will be coming to town for the weekend to celebrate 3 family birthdays. Melissa gave me Saturday off to spend time with them. And Kori will be helping her teach the Block of the Month class. Thanks, gals, for filling in for me. I appreciate you!

Show and Tell Friday...

Well, it's Friday again and I have some more wonderful finished projects to show you.

Kori made this hat for her son out of Cascade Heritage sock yarn. The pattern came from the "Not Just Socks" book. Very nice!

Amanda crocheted this clapochet (the crocheted version of the clapotis) out of Berroco Vintage Wool. This will keep her nice and warm this fall.

Daniel made this hat out of Cascade 220 yarn. Amanda so nicely modeled it for us.

And Leslie made Two Old Bags' Lucy bag. I love the cute pin she added.

Enjoy your weekend!

Show and Tell Friday

Have you ever met someone famous? Well, our Melissa went to Savannah last week to celebrate her 15th anniversary with her hubby. And guess who she met? Paula Deen!! Paula recently donated some hams to Second Harvest Food Bank, here in Knoxville. Melissa got to personally thank her for that donation. And speaking of thank yous, I want to thank everyone who donated can goods last week for the National Day of Service and Remembrance. We appreciate you!

Now on to our finished projects...

Kori made this cute bib out of Tahki Cotton Classic yarn. She even brought in one of her bears to display it...and made a preemie cap as well. The pattern is in the One Skein Knitting book which we have in the shop.

Then Wanda brought in this cute child's sweater she made with Plymouth Encore yarn. Very nice!

Melissa brought in a couple of items to share: a sock, a cowl and her clapotis. She's been one busy lady.

Thanks gals for sharing with us.

We have less than a month to go in our Yarn Bowl Challenge with the Alabama shop. If you'd like a quick project that will help out these little guys and gals, then make a preemie cap or two for us. Have a great weekend!

Show & Tell Friday...

Today's show and tell projects are:

Mary Beth's American Safari Hoodie she made with Cabin Fever Cotton Tweed

Jan's market bag

Leedra's Baby Surprise Jacket...out of our favorite colors...made with Dale of Norway Baby Ull

Another Leedra BSJ, also made with Dale of Norway Baby Ull

Moon's vest made with Fiesta La Boheme

And Kristina's Aeolian shawl made with Fiesta Ballerina

Great job, everyone!

Don't forget that today, September 11, is the National Day of Service & Remembrance. We will be collecting can goods for Second Harvest Food Bank today and tomorrow. President Obama has asked everyone to do some service for their community. This is just our way of helping out folks who are having trouble putting food on their tables. Thanks to everyone who has helped out in this community charity project. Blessings on your day!