Knit and Crochet Bible Study

Tag: Crochet

  • Gift Idea

    I am putting together a couple of gift bags I am donating to a local single mom’s ministry.

    A friend saw them and thought it was a great gift idea for a friend of hers. This made me want to share the idea with you.

    First, a disclaimer, there are links in the posts to which I am affiliated and may receive a small royalty.

    Now, on to the project.

    I have prepared one with a knit focus, and one focusing on crochet.

    Each started with a Knit and Crochet Bible Study tote I purchased from Zazzle.  I watch for sales and discounts, then order several for my use.

    To each, I added the two Knit and Crochet Bible Study Devotional/Journals I have posted to Amazon.  As a side note, if you purchase the paperback, you are eligible for a Kindle version at no cost – give the paperback, keep the digital version.

    Then I went to Hobby Lobby where I purchased a pattern booklet for each, and one skein of yarn and the proper sized needle/hook to complete one project in the book.

    Who will you encourage with a similar gift idea?

     

  • Stitched in Christ

    After much procrastination, prayer, hard work, editing, and more prayer, a second ‘Knit and Crochet Bible Study Devotional/Journal’ is now available in Kindle and paperback formats on Amazon.

     

    Books

     

    I have no big testimony. I live a simple life. I often wonder how God can use someone who enjoys yarn crafts and loves teddy bears. Then I found the verse in Matthew 18 about seeking Him ‘like a little child’. To me this means look for His love, mercies, and grace in the simple things.

     

    This is not intended as a deep study of Scripture. It is designed to encourage you to “be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10); to seek Him in the small things, even in the gift of knitting and crochet He has instilled in you. It is designed to encourage you to seek a deeper relationship to become ‘Stitched In Christ’.

     

     

    I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery.  Col 2:2 MSG

  • Felted in Jesus

    Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. Hebrews 10:36

    (download a copy of the lesson FELTED here)

    Project Suggestion: knit or crochet a square with wool and felt it, then cut out a shape to use as a reminder you are felted.

    Wool felts with water and agitation which causes the scales on the wool to swell, rub against each other and bind together. This process creates a denser, shrunken fabric. Felting is the name of the process that give us the finished product.

    Have you ever noticed in Bible stories that a person is often put in situations that can be described as felted, often rubbing against someone or something? In the end, they become stronger in the Lord.

    Think about King David. Before he slew Goliath, before he became king he was a shepherd boy. How did David know he could take down Goliath? By the many years he spent protecting the sheep from wolves, bears, and other torments. He had been in danger, in agitating situations, many times and had learned how to handle himself. (see 1 Samuel 17:12-30)

    What about Shadrach, Meshach and Abendnego? Imagine the agitation they felt standing in a fiery furnace. (see Daniel 3)

    Ruth went through the loss of her husband, leaving her family and hometown. She cared for her mother-in-law and moved to a country where she was an unwanted foreigner. She went on to be a part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. (Read the biblical book of Ruth for the full story)

    Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. He gained the confidence of the Pharoah and was promoted to being second in command. He was imprisoned when Pharoah’s wife falsely accused him of rape and still, years later, he was back in a position of authority again. Talk about being agitated.

    What other Bible persons can you name? How about persons in your life you have witnessed experience this felting in their life? Do you remember Martin and Gracia Burnham? They were missionaries from Kansas who serves as missionaries in the Phillippines. They were captured and held hostage for over a year by a militant group of Muslims in 2001. Martin was killed during their rescue. (You can read the story in Gracia’s book In the Presence of My Enemies. You can also read more about this on her website GraciaBurnham.org .) They endured because they were felted with the Lord.

    How have you been felted? Have people around you created the hot water and agitation in your life? God doesn’t give you the people you want, He gives you the people you NEED – To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person you were meant to be.

    Can these discouraging periods of our times remove us from God? Read Romans 8:35-39.

    Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? As it is written: For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

    Once a piece is felted it cannot be torn. It can be cut and shaped as desired. Once you are felted with God, nothing can rip you away from Him.

    Are you felted into Jesus?

  • My First Knit Crochet Bible Study Groups

    My First Knit Crochet Bible Study Groups
    I thought I’d use this month to share how I started my first groups. You could call it ‘the foundation row’. (for the story of how the Knit and Crochet Bible Studies started check out the about page on my website CLICK HERE)

    After compiling several ‘lessons’ I approached the Women’s Director of my church. She read the stories and really liked the idea. The church leaders agreed to try a semester to see if and how it would go over.
    We met in our church coffee shop where the ladies were allowed to sit in comfy chairs and on sofas instead of at a table like most other classes. This allowed for a very relaxed atmosphere.
    At our first meeting there were about 6 ladies and myself.  I gave a brief description of what the next few weeks would be like then launched into a knitting lesson. (The ladies had all been instructed to bring in a skein of yarn and set of needles.)  By the end of the evening, everyone had cast on and was working on the knit stitch. Over time, the purl stitch, increase, decrease, casting off and more were added as well as some crochet techniques.

    The routine after the first session was to have everyone working on their projects while I read the short lesson and then led a discussion.  During the first weeks there was a not a lot of discussion as many find it hard to knit/crochet and talk at the same time while in the early stages of learning. However, it wasn’t long before everyone could move their hands to the stitch and add their thoughts to the conversation without losing their place. Yes, we did learn to frog (rip it) during these episodes as well 🙂 
    By the next semester, getting started was a bit less hectic in my teaching of the craft as I now had some experienced knitters and crocheters. Instead of standing in the midst of several and trying to teach everyone, I could stand in the middle, demonstrate, and each new person would be alongside an experienced person who would help them one-on-one with what I was saying.

    Not all participants wanted to knit or crochet. We had one join our group who brought along a rug she was hooking and others brought in embroidery work.
    As in all groups, some excelled quickly into the craft; some had difficulty and lagged behind. The same applies to Bible Study and our individual relationship with Jesus Christ. We are all at various levels, no matter how long we have been involved.

    Have you hosted a Knit Crochet Bible Study?  What techniques worked for you? What didn’t?  I’d love to hear your stories.

  • Knit Crochet for Others

    I started this thread on my Facebook page. I thought I might extend it to the blog.

    Do you knit/crochet for charity, hospital, etc? I am curious. What do you make and who do you give to?
    I have just committed to completing 20 small bears/dolls for a church group to give to a local hospital. These are usually my favorite. I have a couple of go-to patterns that work up quickly, like this one.
    PinkLittleLady

    (click on the picture to go the pattern on the kandjdolls website.

    Your turn.

  • I am being “Felted”

    One of my favorite lessons in the first Knit and Crochet Bible Study books is “Felted in Jesus“.  Last night I had the honor of leading the devotional in our small group and I handed everyone a crocheted wool square to felt while I presented the lesson.

    Everyone enjoyed discussing how they are being felted in their lives. I am in the felting process too.

    Last week, while on the way to a prayer session at a local nursing home I had an accident. This is the first time I have ever caused an accident. No one was hurt seriously. I have lots of bruising on my body and especially my pride. I feel guilty and depressed; feelings definitely NOT from the Lord.

    On top of this, I have been overwhelmed by a situation of conflict with another person.

    During the presentation I heard God telling me to listen to my own words.

    God doesn’t give you the people you want, He gives you the people to NEED. To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person you were meant to be.

    Wool felts from the friction created by rubbing the fibers together. Once they are bonded the material will hold tight. You can cut a shape out of the fabric created and it will not unravel or tear.

    In the same manner, God can mold and cut out the person he is creating with the friction rubbing against me and felting me into Him.

    Are you being felted? Gather some wool, knit or crochet a square. Get it wet with water and a drop of dish soap. Now squeeze it, rub it together, squish it until it becomes a tightly woven material. Cut out a shape that you can place on a key ring or chain. Hang it somewhere you will see it daily. And be reminded that you felted into God’s love.

    SUGGESTION – if you are using this project with a group, after everyone has cut out their desired shape, go around the room asking the meaning of the shape they chose.

    Who can steal you away from Him? Read Romans 8:35-39 to find out.

    (spoiler alert: not death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing)

    You can purchase 1 or both studies on Amazon.

  • De-Stash Giveaway

    I am offering up a de-stash prize package via my other website. Enter now for your chance to win.

    A couple of weeks I won, not one  but two giveaways during the 31 Days of Giveaways by Corchet concupiscence.

    Overjoyed at my winning I grabbed a few items of stash and offered up some items myself.

    Go to the giveaway posted on her site RIGHT NOW and enter.  There are only a few hours left, so don’t delay.

    Click here to go to the giveaway.  Thank you Kathy for hosting this fantastic month of giveaways.

    Here is a sneak peak at the prize package.  Wouldn’t it be great to start the new year with some yarn and patterns and a tote bag to carry your latest project!

     

  • A Knitters Night Before Christmas

    When I read my sister-in-laws facebook post A Nurses Christmas Poem I was reminded of a poem I saved several years ago. With some searching I finally found it.  I have not found the author in any of the posts so I cannot give credit.  Sorry. So for a moment, while you try to get those last stitches in before the kids come in screaming in search of their Christmas treasure, please enjoy A Knitters Night Before Christmas. 

    P.S.  crocheters will enjoy this too Smile

    Knitters Night Before Christmas

    ‘Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
    There was unfinished knitting not under the tree,
    The stockings weren’t hung by the chimney with care
    ‘Cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.

    The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
    But I had not finished the caps for their heads.
    Dad was asleep—he was no help at all.
    And the sweater for him was 6″ too small.

    When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
    I put down my needles to see what was the matter.
    Away to the window I flew like a flash.
    Tripped over my yarn and fell down in my stash.

    The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
    Reminded me how far I still had to go.
    When out on the lawn I heard such a noise,
    I was sure it would wake up both Dad and the boys.

    And although I was tired–my brain a bit thick,
    I knew in a moment that it must be St Nick.
    Yet what I heard left me very perplex-ed
    For nothing I heard was what I expect-ed.

    “Move Rowan! Move Patons! Move Koigu and Clover!
    Move Shelridge! Move Starmore! Move Spinrite! Move over!
    Lopi, don’t circle around, just stand there in line.
    Pay attention you sheep and you’ll work out just fine!

    I know this is hard as it’s just your first year
    But I’d hate to go back to 8 tiny reindeer.”
    I peered over the sill. What I saw was amazing:
    Eight wooly sheep on my lawn all a-grazing!

    And then in a twinkle, I heard at the door
    Santa’s big boots stomping on the porch floor.
    I rose from my knees and got back on my feet.
    As I turned around, St Nick I did meet.

    He was dressed all in wool from his heat to his toe
    And his clothes were hand knit from above to below.
    A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back.
    And his toys were all stuffed in an Aran knit sack.

    His hat was a wonder of bobbles and lace
    A beautiful frame for his rosey red face.
    The scarf on his neck could have stretched for a mile,
    And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.

    On the back of his mitts was an intricate cable.
    And suddenly on one I spotted a small label:
    “S.C.” in duplicate on the cuff.
    So I asked, “Hey, Nick, did YOU knit all this stuff?”
    He proudly replied, “Ho, ho, ho, yes I did.
    I learned how to knit when I was just a kid.”

    He was chubby and plump, a well dressed old man,
    And I laughed to myself, for I’d thought up a plan.
    I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
    And the next thing he knew, he was tied to a chair.

    He spoke not a word, but looked down in his lap
    Where I had laid my needles and yarn for a cap.
    He began then to knit, first one cap then 2–
    For the first time I thought I might really get through.

    He put heels in the stockings and toes in some socks,
    While I sat back drinking a scotch on the rocks.
    Quickly like magic his needles they flew,
    Good Grief! He was finished by two!

    He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
    And over his shoulder he looked back at me.
    I heard him explain as he sailed past the moon,
    “Next year, start your knitting sometime around JUNE!”

                                 Author unknown

     

  • Knit/Crochet a block–Help Someone Keep Warm

    If you are an avid crafter, chances are you rushing to complete a number of Christmas gifts. As each day passes by, we are one day closer to Christmas and gift giving. One more day of crafting time is swept behind you.

    Once you are ready to take a breather, why not use some of your extra yarn and make 7 “x 9” squares for Warm Up America.

    Michaels Stores has teamed up with Warm Up America and many stores now have boxes to accept your 7″x9″ pieces.  The staff there will them make arrangements to sew these pieces together into blankets which will then be given to local charity.  This allows local craft talent to aid local needs.

    This is an excellent way to use up your scrap yarn and help someone keep warm. 

    Matt 25:34-36,40

    “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 

    For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.

    I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

    “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

     

  • Colors of Salvation: the ORANGE panel

    In our Colors of Salvation story we are making a project that will allow us to use panels of various colors to tell the Salvation story.

    Today we begin with the color orange. Orange in this story represents the fire of hell. Romans 3:23 tells us All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

    Born as sinners, we are condemned to life in hell. Not the physical death, but the spiritual second death life eternally separated from God.  It is  described in Revelation 21:8 But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is a second death.  Sin is not measured by how big a sin it is. Sin is sin. A lie is a sin as murder is.  Sin, no matter how big or how small, separates us from God. Romans 6:23 says For the wages of sin is death.

    The stitch pattern for this part of the story are fairly easy to do. Just as it is fairly easy to sin.

    The stitch pattern in crochet is called The Alternate Stitch.  The pattern is accomplished by making a single crochet and a double crochet stitch in the same stitch. Skip a stitch and do another single and double crochet in the next stitch.

    Click here to  view a video demonstration of this stitch pattern.

    The stitch pattern in knit is called Vertical Weave

    The vertical stitch is made in a 2 row pattern.  In the first row (right side) “ K2 *slip 1 as if to purl, k1, yo, psso, K2. Repeat from * across

    Row 2 (wrong side) Purl across.

    Click here to view a video demonstration of this stitch pattern.

    You may download a PDF version of the project at: http://www.knittingbiblestudy.com/patterns/ColorsOfSalvation_patternKC.pdf

    Join us on facebook to discuss your progress.

    Next month we will work on the GOLD color