Category Archives: StreetKnit

STREETKNIT Mittens

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Streetknit Mittens

I finished my first pair of mittens for Streetknit from last month’s meeting! I was using up some leftover Berroco Vintage Chunky so my mittens are a little less on the matchy-matchy side, but they’re still complementary, and definitely warm. I’m going to try to make one pair a month leading up to the winter so there will be a few more people with warm hands this coming winter.

I used the World’s Simplest Mittens pattern from Tin Can Knits (its an awesome pattern: it covers all sizes and 4 tensions of yarn). I made the second largest size, which fits adult women, but I made the cuffs 2.5″ (shorter than the pattern’s recommended 4″) … my bad, I’ve since learned that when making mittens for the homeless its best to make the cuffs longer. I’ve already cast on my next pair and made the cuffs longer. My finished mitts weight 85g, so one skein of Berroco Vintage Chunky should definitely be enough for one pair of women’s mittens.

I like using Berroco Vintage Chunky for mittens because it’s soft, easy to work with, dense enough to keep out the cold, works up reasonably quickly, is machine washable, and it’s affordable.

Materials

FYI: The next Streetknit meetup is Tuesday May 14, 2024: 6 to 9 pm – see below for details!

Mitten Making Resources

As a project mittens tick a lot of boxes, since are much needed by the homeless, and they’re also a quick little project that don’t use a ton of yarn. Skill-wise, I think mitts are in the intermediate-beginner to advanced beginner level (after hats). If you’re feeling inspired to make mittens for the homeless or needly in your community, you can find some resources below for different kinds of patterns and video tutorials.

What is Streetknit?

Streetknit is a grass-roots group of people who have been working for more years than I can count (since at least 2011?) to make, collect and distribute hand knitted items to the homeless. They currently meet once a month at St. Stephens in the Fields Church in Toronto (see the Streetknit Facebook Page for details).

At Knit-O-Matic, we accept donations of hand knitted goods as well as yarn for Streetknit, or you can bring your donations directly to a meeting (or contact Streetknit directly to confirm other drop-off locations). We also host a Yarn Swap a few times a year, and the leftovers go to Streetknit.

Streetknit Meetup Details

  • NEXT MEETING: Tuesday May 14, 2024: 6 to 9 pm
  • FREE, all are welcome
  • St. Stephens in the Fields Church, 103 Bellevue Ave, Toronto ON (use the ramp door)
  • In consideration of people with chronic health conditions all attending must wear a mask at this event. If you don’t have a mask one will be provided.
  • See all details on the Streetknit Facebook Page
  • Note: You do not need to make mittens to attend this meet-up: mitten making is optional, you can donate any kind of outerwear

STREETKNIT (Mitten) Meet-Up April 9

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Mighty Mittens by Emily Kintigh

Streetknit (Mitten) Meet-Up

It was a warm winter in Toronto this year, but Streetknit found themselves clamouring for mittens, and the demand is expected to be even higher next winter. In attempt to get ahead of the curve they are going to start stockpiling mitts this spring and summer, and I’m going to be teaching the not-so-fine art of mitten making at the next meeting!

What is Streetknit?

Streetknit is a grass-roots group of people who have been working for more years than I can count (since at least 2011?) to make, collect and distribute hand knitted items to the homeless. They currently meet once a month at St. Stephens in the Fields Church in Toronto (see the Streetknit Facebook Page for details).

At Knit-O-Matic, we accept donations of hand knitted goods as well as yarn for Streetknit, or you can bring your donations directly to a meeting (or contact Streetknit directly to confirm other drop-off locations). We also host a Yarn Swap (next April 20, 2024) a few times a year, the leftovers of which go to Streetknit.

What to Bring to Make Mittens

  • 5mm/US8 needles (double pointed or single pointed)
  • 4mm/US6 needles (double pointed or single pointed)
  • Small stitch holder (if you have one)
  • 3 stitch markers (if you have them)

We will be working with Aran/Chunky weight yarn and using the World’s Simplest Mittens pattern for mitts worked in the round and the Easy Knit Mittens pattern for mitts worked flat and seamed – you can work in the round or flat, whichever you prefer. If you have yarn or a pattern you prefer please bring it! If you don’t have single-pointed needles there should be some donations available. I will be casting on with Berroco Vintage Chunky, but you can use the yarn of your choice, or pick up some suitable donated yarn at the event.

NOTE: The pattern for the mittens in the picture above is Mighty Mittens by Emily Kintigh. We will be making basic, single coloured mittens together at Streetknit, not the fancy colourwork.

Details

  • FREE, all are welcome
  • Note: You do not need to make mittens to attend this meet-up: mitten making is optional!
  • Tuesday April 9, 2024 – 6:30-9:30pm
  • St. Stephens in the Fields Church, 103 Bellevue Ave, Toronto ON (use the ramp door)
  • In consideration of people with chronic health conditions all attending must wear a mask at this event. If you don’t have a mask one will be provided.
  • See all details on the Streetknit Facebook Page

PROJECTS Knit/Crochet for Charity

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Letters written by the children at Lamberton Public School thanking Streetknit for the donatations of hand knits.

Despite the warm weather, it’s still cold and the need for warm accessories for the homeless is high this year. If you’d like to knit for the homeless you can drop your knits & crochets off at the store and we will donate them to Streetknit, or if you aren’t in our neighbourhood you can contact shelters in your community (you can also look into organizations that collect donations for refugees, or who are sending outerwear to the Ukraine).

FYI: Catherine from Streetknit says there is extra need of mittens right now!

Events

If you like knitting for the homeless and need some yarn donations please contact Streetknit or you can pick some up at their next event:

Considerations when knitting/crocheting for the homeless:

  1. The yarn MUST be machine washable. Machine washable wool, wool blends, or synthetics are best.
  2. The knit should be warm – a loose, holey tension doesn’t serve.
  3. Keep it simple … fancy isn’t important
  4. Preferred accessories include hats, neck-warmers, and mittens.

To make thing easy, many the patterns below recommend Berroco Vintage Chunky – it’s machine washable, warm, a little bit thicker (so it goes a bit faster and makes a knit that’s a bit warmer), and relatively affordable. You don’t have to use this particular yarn, it’s just a guideline that’s works for me.

Yarn Combining

If you want to use up your stash you can hold a few strands together. Here are some general guidelines. A project like SNAP (above) is great for using up stash yarn. :

  • 2 strands of sock-weight yarn = light worsted weight (4.5mm/US7 needles)
  • 2 strands of DK weight yarn = worsted to aran weight (5mm/US8 to 5.5mm/US9 needles)
  • 2 strands of worsted weight = chunky/bulky weight (6mm/US10 to 6.5mm/US10.5 needles)

Neckwarmers/Gaiters/Cowls

Whatever way you want to refer to it, a neckwarmer is a great way to stay warm! It stays on your body, and there are no long ends to flop around, get wet, trail in the snow – just snuggle down into it and stay warm.

1. The Cowl

This pattern calls for 3 different sized needles, but for you purposes we don’t need to get fancy, one pair is fine. It also holds a couple of strands of yarn together, and we can skip that – you only need the single strand of Berroco Vintage Chunky.

2. Clara’s Sorbet Cowl

This pattern is good for newer knitters, especially if you’ve learned how to knit and purl, but you haven’t got the knack of doing them in the same row. If you don’t know how to knit in the round you can find a good video tutorial on our Knitting Skills Page under “Working in the Round”. If you’re still not up to working in the round, you can cast on and knit the neckwarmer on regular old single pointed needles and them seam it up the back (see “Seaming & Sewing” on the Skills Page).

Stash Dive Scarf

This is a VERY big scarf, and if you’re knitting for charity it would probably be better made shorter and joined as a cowl, but I love an artful stash-busting and it’s so inspiring!

Hats

1. Jason’s Tweed Hat

A basic watch cap is a great solution for cold weather.

2. Barnes

A simple 1×1 rib makes for a warm watch cap or slouchy hat – whichever way its worn works!

3. Northward

Don’t be intimidated by basic cables – they only look hard, they’re really very easy – check out some good videos under “Cables” on our Knitting Skills Page.

1. Easy Ribbed Crochet Beanie

This free pattern features 7 sizes and works up a little faster with a bulky weight yarn.

2. Easy Everyday Crochet Beanie

This free pattern features 7 sizes, video tutorial and photo tutorials.

Mittens

World’s Simplest Mitts

These mitts are knit in the round on double pointed needles, and the pattern is written for 3 thicknesses of yarn and a full range of sizes.

Rita’s Family Mitts

These mitts are knitted flat on singe-pointed needles and then seamed.

Wassail Crochet Mittens

This pattern is free when signing up for the Creative Crochet Corner newsletter.

FYI SteetKnit In-Person Meet-up March 14

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Just passing this along for the very lovely charity knitters & organizers Catherine and Carol …

Get together in person with kind, like-minded charity knitters & crocheters in a COVID safe, mobility-accessible space in downtown Toronto!

Toronto Streetknit (and crochet) has resumed in-person meetings and the next one is coming up this Tuesday March 14, from 6 pm to 8pm at St Stephens in the Fields Church (103 Bellevue Ave, near College St & Spadina, just north of Kensington Market).

The space is Covid safe (they have filters and CO2 monitoring, but masks are also required inside the building), and there is a ramp at the entrance and accessible washrooms.

There will be donated yarn and needles available if you need some for your StreetKnitting (if you’re in need please don’t feel shy about taking, there is lots to go around). If you have stash that you wish to contribute/divest yourself of), please bring it along and you can drop it off (machine washable is ideal, but they haven’t found a use for Phentex yet, so maybe leave that behind).

If you want to donate yarn, needles, or finished garments but can’t make it to a StreetKnit meet-up feel free to drop your donation off in a sealed plastic bag at the store any time we are open, and we will pass it along.