I am a cheerleader. I've always been one. I enjoy going to my kids activities and encouraging them, along with their teammates, in all the games they persue. From football, to baseball, to hockey, to rugby, to basketball and everything in between, I've always been there making plenty of noise and finding the good even when things mess up.
Cole and his hockey team are doing very well this season, coming out victorious with tight, low-scoring, nailbiter games! This season our regular games are very quiet. As this is a new team, I'm not sure if this is normal or not, but Cole has mentioned that things are too quiet on the ice. He and his teammates would like some noise. After being at a few Maple Leafs games lately, I know for sure that even a (traditionally) losing team has plenty of positive noise coming from the stands so why not our boys? After all, they're effort is incredible, that's something to cheer, right?
Cole and his team are off to the Bauer Tournament in Chicago a bit later today. I have to miss it, but I'll be there in spirit. How? The next best thing - I've sent along some cheer. If I can't be there, I can send along the means to make a lot of noise! At least my boy will know the team is being encouraged from the stands.
I placed an order and a box arrived:
In it were a bunch of tambourines, pompoms and cowbells (yes, cowbells):
In team colours: red, white and blue, of course. Cole's teammates were happy to receive their cheer packages and anxious to give to their fans! I had grand plans to send along some more gear, but I ran out of time. I did manage to make colourful no-sew scarf:
Start by choosing the colours:
Then gather all of your (minimal) materials:
9 pieces of felt (3 of each colour) mine measure 12" x 9" each
1 pair of very sharp scissors
1 ruler
1 marker
Measure out your cuts. In my case they are 2" cuts spaced 1/4" apart:
Cut all of your felt:
Tie your first knot:
Top over bottom, bottom over top - top to bottom, bottom to top, doesn't matter.
They all have to be the same:
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. And, after nine pieces are tied together, you get a spirit scarf:
This was done using cheap $0.49 felt pieces from Michael's. I'm sure a far more plush product would be created by going to a fabric store and getting a few pieces of polar fleece. I may do that next time around, after I'm finished with our spirit scarves for Caden's Hound Dog team and Claire and/or Cole's school teams:
This was a GREAT project. My kids enjoyed piecing together the fabric and loved the idea of showing team spirit by sporting the colours of the teams their sibs represent.
Lessons learned: my fingers are not as nimble as they once were, my eyes are not as sharp either, but I love the colourful result.
In the end, the scarf measures about 72" x 9". Even better? It cost a grand total of $4.98 in material plus taxes. Perfect for sporting at any (winter season) event!
I've given the scarf to Louis to wear - I will cheer our boys vicariously through him :)
Go RANGERS Go!
