"READY...SET...KNIT!"

The 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee is looking to outfit our 8,000 volunteers with hand knitted* scarves, and we want your help!

• Knitting a scarf is an easy way to get into the excitement of Super Bowl XLVI and support our community
• Knitting is a hobby that you can take anywhere
• Knitting provides a break from technology
  

Thank you for your interest in Super Scarves. We encourage you to participate by visiting a local knitting store. The cost to make the scarf may range from $8.00 - $12.00. It will take two total skeins of yarn to complete a scarf (approximately 400yds of worsted weight yarn at 5 stitches per/inch and knit on US 8). Thank you for your support.

IN FEBRUARY, 2012, INDIANAPOLIS WILL WELCOME THE WORLD AS IT HOSTS NFL SUPER BOWL XLVI AT LUCAS OIL STADIUM. Staging this game – and dozens of related community events – will require the efforts of nearly 8,000 energetic volunteers. In an effort to show appreciation for each volunteer's good work, the Indianapolis Host Committee is asking the community to hand knit a scarf for each of them. This personalized memento, aside from being part of the Official Volunteer Uniform, will serve as a warm "Thank You" for their service, and provide an instant connection between the scarf makers and volunteers. Indianapolis has a rich tradition of volunteerism so let's continue that history with the Super Scarves Project!

The following are knitting stores** participating in the Super Scarves program:

• * Broad Ripple Knits: 6367 Guilford Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220
  (317) 255-0540 www.broadrippleknits.com
• Always In Stitches: 1808 E. Conner St., Noblesville, IN 46060
  (317) 776-4227 www.alwaysinstitches1.com
• Cottage Knits: 1702 Pennsylvania St., Columbus, IN 47201
  (812) 376-4009 www.cottageknits.com
• The Fiber Closet: 301 W. Ohio St., Rockville, IN 47872
  (765) 569-2953 www.fibercloset.net
• In A Yarn Basket: 2480 S. Walnut, Bloomington, IN 47401
  (812) 330-5394 www.inayarnbasket.com
• Joann Fabrics: 1260 U.S. 31 North, Greenwood, IN 46142
  (317) 883-1798 www.joann.com
• Knit Stop: 3941 E. 82nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46240
  (317) 595-5648 www.knit-stop.com
• Knitting Off Broadway:  1309 Broadway, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
  (260) 422-YARN www.knittingoffbroadway.com
• Knitwitts Yarn Shoppe: 5040 Bellemeade Ave., Evansville, IN 47715
  (812)471-8540 www.knitwittsyarnshoppe.com
• Mass Ave Knits Shop: 863 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
  (317) 638-1833 www.massaveknitshoponline.com
• Riverwools... A knitting place: 671 Wabash Ave., Terre Haute, IN 47807
  (866) 889-6657 www.riverwools.com
• Sheep Street Fibers: 6535 State Road 252, Martinsville, IN 46151
  (812) 597-5648 www.sheepstreet.com
• Stitches and Scones: 120 North Union Street, Westfield, Indiana 46074
  (317)-896-4411 www.stitchesnscones.com
• The Trading Post for Fiber Arts: 8833 S 50W, Pendleton, IN 46064
  (765) 778-3331 www.tradingpostfiber.com
• Village Yarn Shop: 40 N. Main Street, Zionsville, Indiana 46077
  (317) 873-0004 www.villageyarnshop.net
• Willowe's Basketry & Yarn Shop: 226 W. Main St., Greenfield IN 46140
  (317) 462-2026 www.willowes.com
• The Yarnery: 119 W Maumee St., Suite A, Angola, IN 46703
  (260) 316-6139 or (260) 316-5551
• Yarns Unlimited: Fountain Square Mall, 101 W. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN 47401 (812) 334-2464 www.yarnsunlimited.com

(*) This store sells yarn for this project at cost.

Please feel free to incorporate generic designs like a football shape into your scarf but avoid using any team logos or imagery associated with a specific team as the scarves need to be team-neutral.

Because your scarf will become part of the official volunteer uniform, please use one of the following approved colors and types of yarn:

• Yarn available at local knitting stores listed above includes Cascade 220 - Color 8505 White and Color 9457 Blue.
• Yarn available at Wal-Mart, Michael's, and other large retail stores: Red Heart Super Saver E300 – Color 0311 White and Color 0385 Royal
• New Alpaca with a Twist Touchdown Blue and Touchdown White! Alpaca with a Twist is an Indiana-based yarn company.

For beginners, many of the local stores participating in Super Scarves offer knitting classes to get you started. Also, the website www.knittinghelp.com has lots of information to help you get started.

Although there is no specific pattern, all scarves must be knitted in the pre-selected blue and white colors. For example, footballs as part of your design are welcomed…just not knitted in brown yarn.

Knitting your own original design in the approved blue and white colors is encouraged. Please make sure the pattern is male and female appropriate. If you plan to knit free form, please ensure the scarf is at least 6"-8" inches wide and 76" - 100" inches long.

For those looking for pattern suggestions, two basic stitch suggestions include the basket weave scarf (requires paying a bit more attention because you change stitches in each row) and the garter ridge scarf.

• Basket Weave Scarf - Dimensions 6" x 96" and needles US 8 Pattern Stitch Repeat - Rows 1-4: K3, P3…repeat across the row. Rows 5-8: P3, K3…repeat across the row. Cast on 30 stitches and knit 4 rows. Work pattern stitch repeat until 94" from cast on. Knit 4 rows. Bind off loosely.
• Garter Ridge ScarfDimensions 8" x 76" and needles US 8 Pattern - Rows 1-4: Knit, Rows 5-8: Purl Cast on 36 Stitches and work these 8 rows until 76". Bind off loosely.

NOTE: The width of the scarf is easily adjusted. To make an 8 inch scarf cast on 36 stitches. For a 6 inch scarf cast on 30 stitches. For the checkerboard scarf in particular, adjust width by multiples of 6 stitches to keep pattern correct. Keep in mind the wider the scarf is, the shorter it will be.

Crochet scarves are also welcome. Please make sure the pattern is male and female appropriate. Here are some crochet suggestions:

• When changing colors, cut yarn and leave at least a 6 to 10 inch tail to weave.
• With main color and crochet hook I (or size you prefer) chain 30.
• Beginning row: half double chain in second chain from hook and in each chain for a total of 29 half double chain stitches. Turn.
• Row 1 chain 2, count chain 2 as first half double chain, half double chain in each stitch across, for 29 stitches. Turn.
• Repeat row 1 until changing color. Whenever you want to change color, follow the next row.
• Change color row: Repeat row 1, but change colors in last half double chain.
• Keep repeating as much as you need to until it reaches at least 70 inches.
• Finish by weaving the ends.

Once your scarf is completed, please click here to print out and fill in the Volunteer Note Card. Your note card will be distributed to the volunteer receiving your hand knitted scarf.

Please return your completed scarf or scarves and note card to any Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library location, local knitting store listed above, or send it/drop it off at the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee offices, 425 W. South Street, Indianapolis, IN 46225 (located on the corner of West and South Streets).

A 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee logo patch will be attached by the committee prior to the scarf being distributed to a volunteer.

All scarves must be received by November 30, 2011.

Lastly and most importantly, THANK YOU for your participation!

** If you are a local knitting store not listed and would like to participate in Super Scarves, please click here to email us about being added to the Web site.