Charity Auction

Fibery folk are the most generous inthe world, and we're all trying to help Haiti.

Most of us are strapped for cash right now, with the economy the way it is.

But we have STUFF, stuff other people might want. And in that way, we can do our part.

The Fibery Co-op has set up an auction site similar to ebay, but there is NO seller’s fee.The listings are free. The only rule is, all proceeds from the sale will go to Doctors Without Borders,to help the people of Haiti. Shipping is refunded to the sellers.

You can donate anything, skeins of yarn, rovings, spinning items (we will donate a Rakestraw Spinnerwith 1/2 pound of roving and a pouch), books, even that vase you got from Great Aunt Sadie last Christmas. You might hate it, but someone else could love it!

We will set up the auctions for you using photos you send to us, then send you the info when the item sells. You can see the auction at http://fiberyco-op.com, with just one item up as yet,the Rakestraw Spinner and 1/2 pound of fiber.

We need more STUFF, so...C’mon, let’s get this thing started! Send me an email and I'll give you more information:
Jackie@downinthecountry.com

Jackie

http://fiberyco-op.com

"Where fibers are our common thread."

http://fibers.downinthecountry.com

The home of the Rakestraw Spinner

Another hat and also afghan square pattern.

I finished this hat on January 15, 2010. I finished the 12 inch square underneath the hat yesterday. The hat is going to the chemo cap project sponsored by the Minneapolis Women's Club for HCMC. The square is being donated to an afghan project for a new baby.

Pattern/method for afghan squares.

copyright Cathleen Bang Anderson 2010

ch 2

Rnd 1. sc 4x in back loop of 2nd chain from hook

Rnd 2. 2 sc in each sc from prior round (you should have 8 stitches.)(place st. marker in last st. of round)

Rnd 3. (3sc in one, sc,)3x, 3sc in one, sc sc (this will end rnd 3 and start rnd 4)

Rnd 4. (3sc in one, sc, sc, sc,) 3x, 3sc in one, sc, sc, sc, sc, (this will end rnd 4 and start rnd 5)

Rnd 5 (3sc in one, sc in next 5 st.) 3x, 3 sc in one, sc in next 6 st.

Rnd 6 (3 sc in one, sc in next 7 st.) 3x, 3 sc in one, sc in next 8 st.

Rnd 7 (3sc in one, sc in next 9 st) 3x, 3sc in one, sc in next 5 st, sl in 6th st and tie off to finish square.

join squares together either by crochet or sew them together.

My gauge for the one in the picture was a 2 in sq. I used sock yarn and a size d crochet hook.

Honoring my father

My father died last year as the result of a car accident. He and my brother were delivering toys to Toys for Tots when the accident happened. At the time, they did not realize how badly he had been hurt. So they did finish delivering those toys. He collapsed later that night and never woke up.

Toys for Tots is way behind in collections this year. One of the family friends, has been contacting family friends and asking them to each buy a toy and donate a toy to Toys for Tots in my dad's name as a way of honoring his life. If anyone wants to do that, or even donate money to that cause, and even $1.00 would help, my dad's name was Otto Bang.

The website for Toys for Tots is:

http://www.toysfortots.org/

My latest top down hat.

I finished the hat on the bottom on November 21st. I did the siding of this hat with a k2, p2 ribbing all the way down. I used a wool blend sock weight yarn stranded with mercerized cotton crochet thread size 10. I used a size b (U.S.) crochet hook for the crochet part. I used size 5 U.S. needles to knit the ribbing.

I made the hat on the top about two months ago for my son. That one is basic stockinette stitch from the edge/top down to about the ears and k2, p2 ribbing for the last couple of inches. I used Lyon Brand Homespun yarn. The crochet part was made with a size H (U.S.) crochet hook and size 7 U.S. knitting needles.

Both hats start with crochet. The method requires two measurements. The first is the width of the head. The second is the length of the hat.

Materials required:

1 crochet hook

1 pair of circular knitting needles

enough yarn to make the hat (less than one skein usually)

1 safety pin or other stitch marker

Crochet instructions

Ch 2.

Rnd 1 - sc 4 x in 2nd ch from hook. put marker or safety pin in 4th st., sl st in 1st st. (4 st)

Rnd 2 - ch 1, sc in same st., sc 2x in next st., sc, sc 2x in last st., place marker in last st, sl st in 1st st of rnd. (6 st)

Rnd 3 - ch 1, sc 2x in same st, sc 2x in next 5 sts. place marker in last st., sl st in 1st st. (12 st)

Rnd 4 - ch 1, sc in same st. sc 2x in next st., *sc, sc 2x* 5x, move marker, sl st in 1st st (18 st)

Rnd 5 - ch 1, sc in same st, sc, sc 2x in next st, *sc in next 2 st, sc 2x* 5 x, move marker, sl st in 1st st. (24 st).

keep adding one sc to each round for each of the 6 sides until the hat is the width you measured. You should end up with a diameter slightly longer than 3x the width.

If you want to follow a crochet pattern to finish the hat, this will be the foundation row for the pattern you choose to follow.

To start knitting with crochet hook pull loop through each st as if to sc. do not complete the stitch. Transfer the stitches to the circular knitting needles. (I typically transfer 5 stitches at a time from the hook to the needles.)

This will be the foundation row for the knit part of the hat. Follow whatever pattern you like to finish the hat up.

@ Cathleen Bang Anderson 2009

Adverse reactions to medications

I have had to help my sister get medical care to deal with adverse reactions to medications twice in less than a month.

The more medications a person is on, the more likely an adverse reaction involving the interactions will occur. There are several steps we can all take to make sure we can deal with them appropriately.

* REMEMBER, YOUR DOCTOR IS NOT GOD!

Never allow a doctor to make more than one change in medications at a time.

* YOUR PHARMACIST IS YOUR FRIEND!

Always ask the pharmacist about reactions to watch for and have the pharmacist check for warnings about interactions. Try to only use one pharmacy if you can. If you have to use more than one, try to keep the number as low as possible.

* KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Carefully read the prescribing information that comes with the new medication. Keep a list of all medications you are currently taking. Keep that list up to date. Make notes of adverse reactions for future reference.

* YOU ARE THE EXPERT ON YOUR BODY

Be aware of what is happening whenever you do make a medication change. If something is happening after a medication change, and that lessens or goes away when you undo the change, then it is a reaction to the drug, whether or not it is listed on the prescribing medication. If a doctor tells you otherwise, you need to assert to that doctor that he or she is wrong, remind him or her that he or she is not god, and that he or she is not the expert on your body, your are. The doctor knows medicine, the doctor does not know you as well as you know you.

If you let any doctor tell you otherwise, you place your own life at risk.

9-11 memories

This is the anniversary of the downing of the two World Trade towers.

One of the planes did not make the intended target because the brave passengers stopped them.

More than 3000 people died that day. Thousands more suffered permanent injuries and are still coping with those today. The economic, medical and emotional losses are still horrendous.

This is a good day to focus on how we can each take small steps to improve our own lives. Changes can be like ripples in a pond. Once change can influence others to make changes in their own lives.

Random acts of kindness can and often do make huge differences.

Fibery Co-Op

Fibery Co-Op members are talented, resourceful folk, and many have products and goods available that will make your world of fiber far, far more fun and productive.

So, The Fibery Co-Op will offer a selection of goodies, a different Fluff 'N' Stuff collection, perhaps 6 times a year. The Fluff 'N' Stuff menu link to the left will lead you to the current collection's page, and, when the box is for sale, there will be a link there to the shopping cart.

All proceeds from the sale of Fluff 'N' Stuff Collections will be sent in the name of The Fibery Co-Op to Heiffer International to help families around the world achieve self-reliance through the gift of livestock and training.

If you want to be included in the next collection, contact

jackie@fibers.downinthecountry.com