A Dozen Wraps!

Back in January, I wrote a blog post about the projects I would make for my 2012 holiday fundraising sales. One of the projects is the Shaw Hill infinity wrap, and I set a goal of making a dozen of these wraps. While I knew meeting this goal would entail many, many hours of knitting, I was motivated! I’m confident that these wraps will be popular items and that their sales will contribute greatly to my charitable fundraising for this year.

Well, I am happy to report that I am working on wrap #12! Yes, eleven beautiful wraps are completed, and one more is in the works. I’ll achieve my goal within a week!

Friends often ask me how long something takes me to knit. I never keep track of the hours I put into a project, primarily because it’s not important to me. I do, however, like to calculate how many I can make in a week or in a month. One year, I made 30 pairs of wrist warmers for my fundraising, and each pair took me about a week to knit. Given I started making them early in the year, I had plenty of time to make so many before the holidays. And, knowing how many I could finish before my fundraiser helped me calculate how much yarn I should buy, without being concerned about buying too much.

Interestingly, I’m averaging about two infinity wraps per month. At this rate, I could conceivably knit twelve more before my holiday fundraiser. Should I go for it?

Salon Sales

I am always looking for opportunities to sell my hand-knits to raise money for charitable causes. Recently, my hair stylist offered to sell my Desert Meets Sea necklaces at her salon. (Thank you, Gina!) By doing so, not only is she helping me with my fundraising; she is also helping to spread the word about the charity that will receive the profits: the Homeless Prenatal Program in San Francisco.

To accompany the necklaces, I created a small sign describing the Homeless Prenatal Program (HPP). It says, “By seizing the opportunity created by pregnancy and parenthood, HPP partners with families to break the cycle of childhood poverty in San Francisco.” Gina created a nice display on her counter, and I am hopeful that many of her clients are reading the sign and reflecting on how they might help others who are less fortunate than themselves.

I asked Gina to sell the necklaces for $40 each, and she sold one within just a few days. I am crossing my fingers that she will sell all four of the necklaces I made!

I will donate 100% of my profits to the HPP. Given that my cost to make each necklace is about $10, I will donate $30 per necklace sold. Granted, my sales will result in a modest donation, but I know the HPP welcomes every donation they receive, regardless of size.

Keep Calm and Knit Neon

Clearly, neon is the “in” color for the spring of 2012. I’m seeing neon clothing and accessories everywhere. I especially like the collection that Nina Garcia, Marie Claire Fashion Director and Project Runway judge, has curated on her Pinterest board titled Spring 2012 trend: Neon. How fun!

Unfortunately, I know I can’t wear neon next to my face. The bright colors wash me out. Perhaps you feel the same way? Fear not…we can all be neon fashionistas by accessorizing. Think neon skinny belts, purses, and shoes. Or, neon knitted jewelry!

My free Knitted Bracelet pattern can be made easily with neon beads. I love this one, which I knit with transparent green peridot seed beads mixed with frosted white and lime green beads.

Have you used neon beads or yarn to make a bright accessory? If so, I would love to hear from you!