Knit and Crochet Bible Study

Author: TerryAnn

  • Jesus is Better than Santa

    With Christmas here, REMEMBER:
    Jesus is Better than Santa   (author unknown)
    Santa lives at the North Pole.
    JESUS is everywhere.

    Santa rides in a sleigh
    JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

    Santa comes but once a year
    JESUS is an ever present help.

    Santa fills your stockings with goodies
    JESUS supplies all your needs.

    Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
    JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.

    You have to stand in line to see Santa
    JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

    Santa lets you sit on his lap
    JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

    Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is “Hi little boy or girl, What’s your name?”
    JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

    Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
    JESUS has a heart full of love.

    All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
    JESUS offers health, help and hope.

    Santa says “You better not cry”
    JESUS says “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.

    Santa’s little helpers make toys
    JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

    Santa may make you chuckle but
    JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

    While Santa puts gifts under your tree
    JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

    It’s obvious there is really no comparison.  We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about — Jesus is still the reason for the season.

    May the Lord Bless and Watch over you and your loved ones this Christmas 2009
    And may He bless the work of your hands in the New Year 2010

  • Happy Birthday Jesus

    I am editing the post for this month’s panel in the Salvation Colors afghan.  How are you doing? Are you keeping up? 

    I ran across a post today I want to share with you, it’s along the lines of what we are doing with the afghan.  It’s a Happy Birthday Jesus cake with colors to represent Salvation. 

    You can find the post by clicking here.

    The chocolate layer reminds us that we are sinful.
    The red layer reminds us that Jesus shed his blood for our sins.
    The white frosting reminds us that Jesus has given us a clean heart.
    The green layer reminds us to grow in Christ.
    The yellow decorations remind us of heaven.
    The candles remind us Jesus is the Light of the World.

    Wishing you a very, Merry Christmas and praying you will be blessed with the abundance of God’s love in 2010.

  • Salvation Colors Afghan – PURPLE

    Purple in the Salvation Colors represents royalty.

    Christ was born to be King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The disciples expected him to set up a kingdom here on earth and were bewildered at the events that led to his death.  But God had a plan that they could not understand.

    Jesus did not wear the robes of royalty here on earth, He did not adorn his hands with diamonds and other jewels. But He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and preparing a place for us in his heavenly kingdom.

    The stitch pattern for knit and for crochet is called diamonds. I thought it appropriate for this color.  Diamonds are used to represent commitment in a marriage vow. Jesus has committed His life life for ours.

    The patterns chosen here are a bit more difficult than the others. At least for me, they required more concentration than the previous ones. Take your time and watch the diamonds appear in the panel.

    Download the pattern for knit and crochet here. (A PDF reader is required)

     

  • How To: Weave in ends

    Last week I posted about the importance of weaving in ends when completing a knit or crochet project.  I also looked at how we need to weave God’s word securely into our hearts.

    Today I received this interesting post by Knitting Daily with tips and ideas on weaving in those ends that I thought I’d pass along to you.  (click here for article)

    The tips come from the book Fearless Knitting by Jennifer Seiffert.

  • Weave In Ends

    I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 NIV

    Every knit and crochet pattern includes the direction  “weave in ends”.

    No project is complete without getting the stitches off the hook or needle and then weaving in the ends. You cannot work a project without having loose ends.

    It is important that the ends are finished off in a manner that secures them and hides them in the work. If the ends come loose they may unravel the project. You’ve seen those cartoons where the woman is sitting in a rocking chair, knitting away, when her husband, child, or pet unknowingly snags the yarn and takes off running. ripping apart the work in progress row after row after row.

    God’s word must be securely woven into our hearts so that our lives will not become unraveled.

    I am God’s workmanship, his masterpiece, according to Ephesians 2:10.God is putting the finishing touches on the work he has begun (see Romans 13:12)

    Do you have Scripture memorized and readily able to quote when needed?  I must confess, I have fallen behind in memorization with the technology that offers up the Bible on my phone or PC with just a few clicks. If I don’t recall the verse, I just type a few words in the search box and viola the words are right in front of me.

    I am starting to see that as a bad habit, like leaving yarn ends hanging out. The words are not woven securely into my heart.

    Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.  Psalm 27:3  That confidence and peace that comes from God’s Word must first be there in order to be effective.

    God’s Word, not just His general idea needs to be woven into my heart, securing the work in process that I am.

    Now, I am challenging myself to memorize a verse for every yarn end I weave in.  How about you? Is God’s Word woven deep in your heart, holding you securely through each day?

  • Christmas crafting

    I have been busy crocheting Christmas stockings for my younger nieces and nephews. I am using this pattern from Lion Brand.

    Here are a pictures of one I have completed.

    What are you making? 

  • The Right Tools

    To complete a knit or crochet project you must first gather the necessary tools. This includes the obvious needles or hook, yarn and pattern. Other tools may be needed as well: measuring tape, scissors, tapestry needle.

    It would be hard to crochet a pair of mittens or knit a hat without these basic essentials.

    Similarly, Bible Study has a tools list. First and foremost, you need a Bible.  There are a number of versions. For myself I like to do my study from the NIV (New International Version) but if I want to read in modern language, using more commonly used words, I will read the MSG (Message). 

    Like comparing two different patterns to create the same scarf, I read both versions to see how the word usage completes the thought in my mind, bring more understanding of God’s Word to my heart.

    Other tools useful for both knit/crochet and bible study would include highlighters.  Mark pertinent text that you may not understand so you can further explore its direction.  An ink pen to write notes about the passage and comments of your thoughts.  Extra paper on which to journal your progress through the pattern or through the biblical passage.

    Just as a carpenter would not begin to build a house without a hammer, a surgeon would not begin without a scalpel, you must be equipped with the proper tools.

    There are free online resources for knit and crochet patterns. Some include:

    free-crochet dot com

    free-knitpatterns dot com

    lion brand yarn dot com

    There are also a number of Bibles and commentaries online.

    Blue Letter Bible dot org

    Bible Gateway dot com

    It is easy to skim through to pick and choose only what you want, but that limits your knowledge.  Pick a pattern you haven’t tried before, stretch your comfort level and learn a new stitch. 

    In Bible Study don’t just pick a verse here and there, read the context. What was happening at the time of the event? What were the people looking for? What did they find? What can you learn from their experience?

    Time is always a factor.  I could certainly get a lot more projects completed if I didn’t have to do things like laundry, cooking, dishes.  But I always find the time each day to sit with my yarn and knit or crochet.   By the same token I must plan on time to spend in God’s Word. 

    When my children were younger they joked, if mom puts it in her Outlook calendar you know we get to go.  So, make the time to knit, to crochet, to read the Bible.  Even if you have to put it on the calendar.

    Now gather your tools and get started !

     

  • Salvation Colors Afghan – Part 4 GOLD

    Hell offers complete separation from God. This comes from rejecting him as Lord and Savior. We used ORANGE to represent the Gates of Hell in the previous panel.

    Heaven, however, is eternity spent with God. Gold is used in this next panel to represent heaven as described in Revelation 21:18 and the city was pure gold.

    Jesus is preparing a home for you and me. He promises to take us to that home in John 14:2,3 In my Father’s house are many mansions..I am going to prepare a place for you I will come back and take you to be with me.

    Your heavenly home is under construction right now.

    I love the stitch pattern names for this color.  In crochet we have a stitch pattern called Crosses.  What better representation of the love our Father in Heaven has for us than that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)

    The knit pattern is called Trinity because you knit/purl 3 stitches in one stitch. Like Father, Son, Holy Ghost, 3 in 1.

    Download the pattern for both knit and crochet (click here). (PDF reader is required) 

    I will be posting video of stitch demonstration for each version. Check back for the tutorial.

    How did you like this stitch?  Leave a comment below.

  • Orange: video demo of stitches

    I have hesitated posting the videos on the patterns.  I have edited, re-edited; deleted and started over a number of times.

    My husband finally grabbed both hands in his and told me to stop, get it edited and post. Quit trying to make it perfect.  So I am going to offer what I have and hopefully improve as I go along.

    For the knitted project, the Vertical Weave is a 2 row pattern repeat.  Here I take you through each step. I hope this helps you understand and become more comfortable with the pattern.

    For the crochet project, the pattern is called Alternate Stitch. At first it looks difficult and deceiving, but once you work a few rows you will easily slip right into it.

    How is your project coming along?  Did the video help?  Leave a comment and share your thoughts with others.

  • Name that Newsletter

    ****EDITED 10/18/09:  I am adding several pattern books, yarn and miscellaneous accessories from my stash to the prize package. ****

    I have been publishing the newsletter under the name Knit In Prayer.  Several crocheters have commented to me this leaves them out. So, I need a new name for the newsletter.

    So, how about a contest! Starting today and running through October 20th.

    As a comment below, enter your idea for a new name. Be sure to enter your email address so I can contact you.  The email address will not be visible to others.

    If I choose your name idea you will receive a PDF version of the “Knitting and Crochet Bible Study Book 2: the Proverbs 31 Woman scheduled to be released mid-November. **and the items listed above**

    CLICK HERE to see previous issues.