50!!!

50!

That is the number of baby hats I sent off to New York last week for the Infant Hats for India Project. Actually there were 48 turned in by the deadline, but I just had to make it an even 50 before I dropped them in the mail and, because it's faster, I FINALLY figured out how to crochet! Gasp! Yes, it took a project like this, and several youtube tutorials for lefties to teach myself.

The interest was so high (some even learned to knit for the very first time just for this project!!!) I think I'll do another mailing sometime in March, but before you send them my way, I need to ask Jes if it would be better to have people send the hats directly to her in India or to just keep sending them to me...I'll keep you posted.

Thanks everyone for helping out! Knitters and crocheters truly have giving hearts.

attention knitters and crocheters!

I'm jumping in the holiday knitting season with an idea that's been brewing since Spring...

I have a friend, Jes.

Jes and her friend, Michelle, are midwives headed to India.

They will be joining up with a monumental project.

A Maternal and Infant Health Care Project in Bihar.

Bihar has the highest maternal mortality rate in the world.

Jes, Michelle, and their team will be providing holistic pregnancy, birth & post-partum care, and education in 40 rule villages throughout Bihar.

I'm not a midwife.

I don't have hundreds or thousands of dollars to give to this cause.

I am a friend who knits and has some extra yarn lying around.

I have several friends that knit.

I have an idea.

Last year I had been doing some knitting for the Knit One Save One project for Save the Children, which sounds a bit similar to what Jes will be involved with in regards to reducing the infant mortality rate around the world through basic care and education. I really enjoyed being able to use my talent and give in this way, but kept wondering if there was some other organization or ministry I could do this for--one I had a personal connection to. Then in May, I received a newsletter from Jes and without really thinking I quickly sent her an email asking if the donation of handmade knitted/crocheted infant hats would be something useful and worth the effort. She quickly replied with an excited YES! This is a great idea and that her and Michelle had prayed specifically that God would give people creative, out of the box ways to parter up with them.

As of today, Jes is still in New York awaiting her visa (pray it comes through quickly!), but just emailed me saying she'd like to get the ball rolling on this anyway, and that she has a New York contact that will be meeting up with them in India mid-January and will be happy to take hats in their luggage.

All that to say, if you'd like to knit up or crochet a few infant hats with me, let me know and I'll arrange to gather them up and mail them off to New York! My goal is to send them out the last week of December.

Here are some basic guidelines:

-Use any infant pattern you want (there are LOTS of free patterns out there - google it)

-Use a soft, washable yarn

-Pray for the mother and baby and their family

-You may include a personal note to them as well

You can read more about Jes and Michelle and their India project at their website:

http://ashakadwar.blogspot.com/

afghans for Afghans tea party project

Had to blog about this as I eat my lunch, pardon the sloppiness and briefness!

I just read on the Mason Dixon Knitting blog about this amazing project by Afghans for Afghans:

Copied from the MDK blog:

"...Afghans for Afghans is going to be hosting a very special tea party in Kabul, for the 91 brave women who are members of Afghanistan's National Assembly, their parliament. Each member will receive a handknit shawl and also delicious tea. A4A director Ann Rubin explains:
'The purpose of the gift of shawl and tea party is to express our admiration for these courageous women, encourage their strength, and warm their hearts. We wish to do something kind and personal for these women leaders working hard -- and under tremendous hardship and obstacles -- to serve their constituents so that the people of Afghanistan can rebuild their war-torn country. These women lawmakers are powerful role models to many Afghan women and girls. These women need TLC, too, so they can continue taking care of their citizens.'"

I just love the fiber art community! So giving and thoughtful.

Here's a video about it.

Here's the link to the MDK blog to read more.

Oh and get this fact: Afghan government 25% female. US Congress 17% female. (What the??!!)

on the needles

It's been forever since I've been bloggy about fiber. If you've been wondering, yes indeed I have been knitting. Current projects:


1. A pencil case for HELPSudan. (still need to add the drawstring closure)




Which inspired the following conversation, last night...


James: Whatcha knitting now?

Me: A pencil case.

James: For?

Me: Sudan.

(Insert brief pause.)


James: Like Africa Sudan?

Me: Yup.

James: Oh.

(Insert brief pause.)


James: What's for dinner?

As you can see, he's curiosity only goes so far when it comes to my knitting.


Anyway, I've decided to use a different pattern than the one I originally thought I was going to use. The original one calls for 2 circular needles and I didn't want to have to go buy them. So, I'm using Pencil Case for Darfur by Kieran Foley. I think it's only available via Ravelry. If you're a member click here for the pattern.


2. More monkeys!

I'm using Koigu superwash wool. Superwash is wonderful. It still holds the warmth of wool but you can actually wash it in the machine. (on the gentle setting of course). I believe they treat the wool with chemicals for it to have this great quality. Although I'm not entirely sure and don't want to do the research because I'm willing to bet I'll discover it's harmful for the environment and guilty knitting is just not something I want to deal with. Being an SUV owner and all.

charity knitting

I've been wanting to do some charity knitting for a long time now so, thanks to Halen's prompting, I've knit up my first infant hat for Save the Children's Knit One, Save One campaign. In short, they are trying to reduce the infant mortality rate in developing countries. 4 million babies die each year in the first month of life in these countries! By educating the mothers and providing them with a newborn care kit, which includes a knitted hat, they hope to give these babies a better chance at life.

All knitters should do this! It's easy. Just go to their website. Download the action kit that includes way easy patterns, knit up a hat, write a little note to the new mom to go with it, write a letter to our president elect asking him to consider helping prevent the death of millions of newborn in developing countries, package it up, then send it by December 31st to the address listed. They do ask for a $10 donation for the kit they make up to give to new mothers, but hey, $10 is nothing for the sake of starting out a new little one in this big world.

I've been checking into some other charities, including local ones, and this seems to be a good place to start. I'll post any others I find.

Here's the hat being sent off today-- made with much love, prayers and many blessings for both babe and mother.