2019 Fiber Flux Charity Challenge CAL-Soap Sacks

Hello lovelies!  I have a fun and exciting project to share with you today!  Here at Fiber Flux headquarters, I'm launching several CALs to kick off 2019...this January we've launched the Temperature CAL, and coming soon will be the Stashdown CAL too!  BUT, I have one more to share with you today, a very special one that I've been wanting to do for a couple of years now...a Charity CAL!  

On my own, I normally do charity projects throughout the year...baby hats, shawls, etc. and send them off for donation.  I thought it would be fun and meaningful to share these types of projects by partnering up with a charity each year to make a community-wide effort to help those in need.

This year we're partnering up with S.A.C.K. (which stands for Supporting A Community With Kindness).  This is a wonderful organization that gives back to communities by providing a bar of soap in a beautiful, yet simple handmade little "sack" or pouch.  Soap and personal care items are always a high demand item and the pretty little pouch gives it a handmade touch to show that someone, somewhere cares.  Plus, they can be very useful too!

Check out my video for more info:

I recently caught up with the founder of the organization, Stacy, who started locally in her area and now the organization has exploded in growth and the sacks have been distributed world wide!  This is a great project because:

• It helps those in need, and there is an urgent need!
• You can knit OR crochet them (pattern links are below)
• Each one takes small amounts of inexpensive and readily available cotton dishcloth yarn.
• All you need is cotton yarn, "H" or "I" hook and a tapestry needle!
• The project is small so you can whip up a bunch.
• The project is very portable
• You can donate them to S.A.C.K. or distribute them locally on your own...your choice!
• Easily keep track of how many you've made with this free chart, mine is in the photo above.  (Get it HERE)

My favorite yarn for this project is Red Heart Scrubby Smoothie, get yarn for this project here:

Get yarn for this project here!

(Affiliate link)

So this year I am committing to making 100 of them in 2019 and I want to challenge you to get involved too!  Make as many as you like and send them to S.A.C K. or on a local level if you prefer.  I can't wait to see all of your efforts...the Fiber Flux community is the BEST!  As always with our year-long crochet alongs I will update in spring, summer, fall, and winter, culminating at the end of the year with a big wrap up!

For more information about donating, check out the site HERE.  It includes everything you need to get started!

Crochet pattern

Knit Pattern

Tags to attach to your donations

Not sure where to donate locally?  Try HERE and HERE

Please visit and join the Fiber Flux CAL group on Ravelry to get updates and see everyone's progress.  Also, get questions answered, help others, and show off your work.  

Click HERE to visit and join the group!

Use the hashtag #fiberfluxcal to share your work or tag @fiberflux on social media!

Extra special thanks to Stacy at S.A.C.K. for partnering up on this project!

Pin this project!

Let's connect!

© Jennifer Dickerson 2019

For more fun projects and pretty patterns, be sure to follow Fiber Flux on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for the latest updates!

2019 Temperature Blanket CAL: Part 2 Making The Squares & Joining Together

Welcome back to Part 2 of the 2019 Fiber Flux Temperature Blanket CAL!  If you're not familiar with the concept, a temperature project is where you create a motif or row on a project you're making based on your local temperature outside...fun!  It goes on for a year and at the end of the year, you'll have an interesting representation of the temperatures for an entire year!  

Here's my chart...you can adapt this to your climate and create your own palette of colors as well!

Queue up on Ravelry!
 


Check out the video below that walks you through the squares and joining step by step!

This year, I wanted to try doing a motif project...a gorgeous blanket!  We'll be doing a small daily square in just two rounds, they joining them together as we go with a common color (I'm using white) to frame them all in.  Round 1 will be the daily high, round two will be the daily low temperature.

Get yarn for this project here!

(Affiliate link)

Ok let's get started on those fabulous squares, shall we?  We're going to be covering a two color square, solid color square, and then learning how to join them as we go...no need to save that part till the end...your blanket will grow before your eyes!

Instructions for the square:

Working solid squares vs. multicolor squares:

• To begin a new round in the same color, simply slip stitch until you reach a ch1 at the corner and keep going.  
• To begin a new round in a new/different color, cut yarn, leaving a tail, and fasten it with a slip stitch. Join the new yarn at one of the corners as shown and tie securely.
• Did your yarn run out in the middle of your round?  Simply tie on the new yarn and keep going (weave in the ends into the corresponding color--blue tail into blue section of stitches for example).

Chain 4, join into a ring with a slip stitch.

 Round 1: Chain 4, work (3 dc into center of ring, chain 1) 3 times, then 2 dc into center of ring.  Join to close with a slip stitch.

Round 2: To work the corner of round 2, first chain 3, then 2 dc in same space, then chain 1, then 3 dc in the same space...first corner done!  Then chain 1, then work the next corner by working 3 dc in next space, chain 1, then 3 dc in same space, chain 1, repeat two more times to complete the round.  Join to close with a slip stitch.

How To Join Squares Together (JAYGO/Join As You Go):

Note: It really helps to keep everything flat as you work, I like to lay mine on a table or lap as I go. Also be sure the right side (side that faced up as you stitched up your squares) is facing upward.  I'll be making the JAYGO part in the white yarn, but you can use any color you like!

Part 1: The Very First Square (worked independently, nothing is joined to this one yet)

Tie on the round 3 color (white) into any corner space of a square you've previously made and ch 3. In the same space, work (2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc). In each side space (there will be six of these if you are also working round 9 of the pattern. If you made a different number of rounds, your side space counts will be different) work (3 dc, ch 1). Repeat for each side space until you reach the next corner. In the corner space work (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc). Continue around the square in this manner, working the side and corners the same way, then join with a slip stitch to close the round. Fasten off yarn.

Part 2: Joining The Second Square

Grab a second square and tie on the round 3 color into any corner space of a square you've previously made and ch 3. In the same space, work (2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc). In each side space work (3 dc, ch 1) You'll have 6 side spaces if you made the same number of rounds as mine. Repeat for each side space until you reach the next corner...this is where we'll make our first join. In the corner space work 3 dc. Instead of the ch 1, work a slip stitch into the other square' corner space, then work 3 dc back into the square. As you continue down the side of the square, work a slip stitch into the other square instead of a ch 1, and 3 dc into the side spaces of the square. When you get to the next corner, work 3 dc, slip stitch into the other square's corner space, then 3 dc into the corner to finish the joining. Work the rest of the square the way you normally would (3 dc, ch 1in each of the side spaces and 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in the corner). Join with a slip stitch to close round, fasten off yarn and you're ready to join another square!

Part 3: Joining Subsequent Squares

As you join the rest of your squares, you'll basically be repeating part 2 (see above), except the only difference being that sometimes there will be an area where you'll be joining into a corner that has two or three squares (instead of simply joining into another square). In this case make you slip stitch join in the spaces between the squares (not the corner space). Always go directly across in your join to avoid it being off center. To see this join inaction in greater detail, be sure to check out the video. In the video, I join two sqaures together, then three, then four squares, showing all possible joining scenarios that may arise as you work on your blanket. The rule of thumb is that when you are no joining, you or a ch 1. When you at a spot that requires a join, simply replace the ch 1 with a slip stitch into the other square.

*Important: If you have never tried the JAYGO technique, I highly recommend the video. 

Please visit and join the Fiber Flux CAL group on Ravelry to get updates, see everyone's progress (fun because we all live in different places in the world with a variety of temperatures!  Also, get questions answered, help others, and show off your work.  

Click HERE to visit and join the group!

So, that's all you need!  Just keep adding those squares and I'll see you at the beginning of spring for our first update!  

Use the hashtag #fiberfluxcal to share your work or tag @fiberflux on social media!

© Jennifer Dickerson 2019

For more fun projects and pretty patterns, be sure to follow Fiber Flux on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for the latest updates!

2019 Temperature Blanket CAL: Part 1 Intro, Supplies, & Getting Organized

Happy 2019 lovelies!  January is all about temperature projects!  I have absolutely adore these kind of projects, and I'm really excited about this one!  If you're not familiar with the concept, a temperature project is where you create a motif or row on a project you're making based on your local temperature outside...fun!  It goes on for a year and at the end of the year, you'll have an interesting representation of the temperatures for an entire year!  

Queue up on Ravelry!


Below is the video...check it out for a full introduction to the project, supplies, planning out the blanket, and getting organized:

Last year we did a temperature shawl:

This year, I wanted to try doing a motif project...a gorgeous blanket!  We'll be doing a small daily square in just two rounds, they joining them together as we go with a common color (I'm using white) to frame them all in.  Round 1 will be the daily high, round two will be the daily low temperature.  Tomorrow, we'll learn the crochet part, today we will learn how to get started.

Here's a brief summary of how we're going to do it in 2019:

• We're going to create a beautiful, colorful granny motif blanket.
• We will do one tiny granny motif per day, first round average high, second round average low.  Alternatively, you could do both rounds in one color for the average daily.
• Each square (using yarn and hook I'm using--all three rounds high round, low round, and JAYGO round) is roughly 4 inches wide and tall, so if you multiply that by 18 squares across and 21 squares down (give or take to account for personal tension), you get about 72 inches wide and 84 inches long (give or take).
• Even if you get a few weeks behind, you can easily catch up, as the squares are very small.  (Use the historical weather tool link HERE) 
• I will provide seasonal updates on the progress of the blanket throughout the year, there will be a spring, summer, fall, and winter update.  At the very end of the year, we'll recap the whole year and add a simple border if you like!
• Important to note: my chart is in degrees Fahrenheit.  However, you can adjust yours to Celsius if you prefer. 
• I did a wide range of temperatures because it gets very cold and very hot where I live.  Please adjust accordingly to your area of the world, if you live in a warmer region, your chart will have different ranges for example.

I have created lots of tools to help you keep everything straight and totally organized as you go.  One thing I really dislike doing is counting squares over and over again, so hopefully one or all of these tools will help you!!

Here's what you'll need to make the blanket:

• Red Heart Super Saver (or similar weight yarn) in cherry red, shocking pink, perfect pink, bright yellow, pumpkin, spring green, delft blue, turqua, lavender, orchid, and white)  This yarn has no dye lots, so great if you need to pick another skein of one of the colors later in the year...you don't need all of the yarn now!
• 5.5 mm "I" crochet hook
• Tapestry needle
• Ruler of Tape Measure
• Swatch Chart--I typed mine and printed it on a piece of card stock, punched holes next to each color, then added a bit of the corresponding yarn...easy peasy!  See swatch chart below (want to make one too?  Check out my video for the tutorial!) 

Get yarn for this project here!

(Affiliate link)

Let's talk about the temperature scale next, I created this little chart with some card stock and bits of yarn...as you can see below, I will be using similar ranges as last year, only difference is the JAYGO color will be white, and I added the "Pumpkin" color in too.

To get your average daily temperature, check out your local weather forecast or an app.  If you need past temperatures, you can easily look them up , by clicking HERE. 

Another tool I am using to keep organized is a calendar, you can customize and print one for yourself for free HERE.  This is SO helpful for recording daily temperatures and jotting in the color needed too:

For the layout of the motifs, we're going to do 18 squares across and 21 squares down.  This will include all 365 days of the year...but then there are 13 squares extra...no worries!!  We're going to create a "marker square" at the beginning of each month (12 total) + one extra to close off the year.  This will give us a beautiful rectangle shape.  Plus I kind of wanted to see a little bit of division in the months so visually you can see where you're at in the year...neat, right?!?

Below is an example of how I'll keep all of those grannies organized.  I made a CUSTOM grid on this site click Click HERE for Graph Paper Link.  It's simple, just enter 18 x 20 and it will generate it for you.  Then see below how I mark it as I go?  Easy peasy!

As I make a square I mark it in pen ("W" for white (the blank marker) or the day date (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc).  When I JAYGO it to the blanket, I then color it in.  This keeps it straight for me...it helps a lot!

Please visit and join the Fiber Flux CAL group on Ravelry to get updates, see everyone's progress (fun because we all live in different places in the world with a variety of temperatures!  Also, get questions answered, help others, and show off your work.  

Click HERE to visit and join the group!

Check out the written pattern tomorrow to learn about how to crochet the multi color square, solid color square, and the join as you go technique (JAYGO).

Use the hashtag #fiberfluxcal to share your work or tag @fiberflux on social media!

© Jennifer Dickerson 2019

For more fun projects and pretty patterns, be sure to follow Fiber Flux on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for the latest updates!

Joyful Jewels Button Scarf

The Joyful Jewels Infinity Scarf is a a fun and super duper easy project. Fabulous jewel tones crocheted in a fun and easy stitch and are finished of with gem buttons for the perfect jewel tone look!

Need a little extra help?  There's a full video tutorial too!

Click below to watch the full video tutorial:

Let's connect!

Click the button below to add this project to your Ravelry queue:

Joyful Jewels Button Scarf

By Jennifer Dickerson 

Materials:

• 1 Skein Red Heart With Love ("Parade" colorway shown). Note: If you'd like to substitute yarn, look for a yarn that recommends a 6.5 mm crochet hook on the yarn label.
• K ( 6.5 mm) crochet hook
• 3 buttons
• tapestry needle
• scissors

Sizing:

• 4.5 inches wide
• 60 inches long

Instructions:

Ch 18

Foundation Row: In the second ch from the hook, work a sc. *Ch 3, skip 3 ch, sc in next ch, rpt from * to end of row.

Row 1: Ch 3 and turn. *Work 3 dc, ch 1 in the ch 3 sp from the previous row. Rpt from * in each ch 3 sp across. 1 dc in the turning chain.

Row 2: Ch 1 and turn. In the first space, work a sc. *Ch 3 and work a sc in the ch 1 space (in between the groups of 3 dc from previous row), 1 sc in the turning chain.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until scarf is desired length.

Finishing: Weave in any ends that remain. With a piece of matching piece of yarn, sew the buttons to one edge of the scarf with a tapestry needle. To button the scarf, use the decorative holes as button holes.

© Jennifer Dickerson 2019

For more fun projects and pretty patterns, be sure to follow Fiber Flux on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for the latest updates!