Subscribe Now: standard

FeedBurner FeedCount

Anything Knitted and Crocheted Headline Animator

A Day in the Life of a Renal Patient Headline Animator

Friday, October 16, 2009

One knitters story...

Knit Your Bit
By: Michelle Edwards

November 10, 2006. When I started my morning walk, it had been a lovely fall day; sunny and warm. I knew it would be one of the last. Sign of winter were everywhere from scavenging deer to barren trees. Still the chilly rain and darkening sky came as a surprise. I hurried back home, to warm up and work. Later on in the afternoon, I had planned to participate in a local Veterans Day knitting event.

I had read about Knit Your Bit in our local paper, the Iowa City Press Citizen. It was started by Lauren Hadley at the World War II Museum. She had invited knitters to once again pick up their needles to provide scarves for World War II soldiers, now elderly veterans. The scarves would be distributed at Veteran Administration Centers. In support of this national knitting project, our local historical society was hosting a knitting circle. Knitters and crocheters of all ages were invited to attend. Museum Studies students from the University of Iowa would be there taking oral histories of those who had stitched away on the home front during World War II.

By the time I was ready to leave for the knitting circle, a heavy snow was falling. I shrugged into my warm winter coat, grabbed the knitting basket I had prepared and chugged over to our new historical center on the Iowa River. In the lobby of the building, a circle of comfortable chairs were set up around a gas fireplace. Nearby was a table with a coffee urn, a plate of home-baked cookies, and a stapled-together collection of Knit for Soldiers patterns in a neat pile. The students, bright and cheerful with knitting of their own, greeted me. The local TV news station set up cameras to film the occasion. A woman who knit during WWII was wheeled in by her husband. They had driven a great distance because she wanted to give her testimony. The students huddled around her.

Two women I knew from Iowa Fiber Alliance arrived, their knitting in big bags. One brought her mother-in-law, a prize-winning knitter, who remembered knitting in school for the war effort. We all buzzed back and forth about knitting and ideas. The room was very warm from the gas fire. Occasionally we looked out the large window, catching a glimpse of the gloomy weather. When it came time to go, no one was anxious to leave.
Michelle's father, Stanley Epstein
Michelle's Father, Stanley Epstein
Photo courtesy Michelle Edwards
Later that evening, knitting at home, I thought about my father who was a soldier in WWII. He died before I was able ask him the kind of questions I thought about now. What was it like to be at war, to be battle a fierce enemy far away from home? What was it like to witness death and destruction, and then, to receive a wooly gift from far away, from the safety of someone's classroom or the comfort of a family's living room. What did a piece of hand-knit warmth, a pair of warm socks, a scarf, or a sweater mean to soldier at war?

As I put my knitting down that evening, I looked over the Knit for Soldiers patterns. If he were alive, how would my father feel now, an old man with time to ruminate over his soldiering days? Would a hand-knit scarf bring comfort to him and his war memories? As a life-long knitter, that's the hope that keeps me stitching most days. The possibility that the wool and needles will make an object of comfort and warmth for both body and soul.


Knit Your Bit 2006 was a great success. Over 1600 scarves were collected and distributed to veterans all over the country. And although, it was intended to be a short term project, the founder Lauren Hadley has decided to keep it running.

Are you ready to knit your bit? It doesn't take a lot of wool, much time or even great knitting skill to make a scarf. You could try an easy pattern, say the Road Scarf.

Knit Your Bit asks that the scarves be made in male-friendly colors. This Veterans Day, I'm going to knit one in honor of my father's service. Wool-Ease® Blue Mist #620-115 -- a blue with subtle overtones of greens and grays. Three skeins. May the veteran, who receives it, wear it in good health.

Send your scarf to: The National World War II Museum
Knit Your Bit Campaign
945 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70130







Authored by Michelle Edwards

Michelle Edwards, a life long knitter, is the author/illustrator of many books for children including the 2006 Gryphon award winner, STINKY STERN FOREVER and CHICKEN MAN winner of National Jewish Book Award. Michelle lives in Iowa City, Iowa with her husband and three daughters. You can visit her at her website, www.michelledwards.com, her blog pens-and-needles.blogspot.com, or her illustrator's group blog oldsneakers.blogspot.com.

Knit your Bits Patterns...

2009 - Chevron Scarf Knitting Pattern











2009 - Chevron Scarf Crochet Pattern













2008 Lengthwise Striped Scarf Knitting Pattern










2008 Lengthwise Striped Scarf Crochet Pattern:


Friday, October 24, 2008

A new scarf pattern for the Knit your Bit


Meandering Rib Scarf

Bundle up in this wool scarf with a twist. The wavy pattern is a great alternative to a normal cable or ribbed scarf.



Sunday, March 2, 2008

Ellen Degeneress-A Tragedy That Should Never Have Happened

A Tragedy That Should Never Have Happened




Today Ellen talked about 15-year-old Larry King who was murdered by a classmate for being gay. If you would like to volunteer your services to help gay and lesbian kids who are being harassed and bullied or if you are having difficulties because of your sexual orientation, here are some wonderful services that can help.

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project operates the nations only 24/7 crisis & suicide prevention helpline for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. If you or a friend are feeling lost or alone call The Trevor Helpline. There is hope, there is help. The Trevor Helpline: 866-4-U-TREVOR.

PFLAG -­ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays

PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.

GLASS - Youth & Family Services
Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Services (GLASS) is a private, non-profit 501(c) (3) social service agency dedicated to providing a wide range of social and health care services to children and youth who are in foster care, on probation, or who are homeless. We provide these services in safe, loving, supportive, non-judgmental living environments, while providing full access to all of the educational and vocational opportunities to which these youth are entitled.

GLAAD - Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

GLSEN - Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network

GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established nationally in 1995, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. More than 3,800 Gay-Straight Alliance student clubs nationwide have registered with GLSEN. GLSEN also sponsors the National Day of Silence on April 25, which this year will be held in honor of Lawrence King.

Remembering Lawrence
Vigils in memory of Lawrence King, calling for an end to violence and harassment directed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in schools, are being organized in communities across the country. This website lists future and past vigils across the country and allows organizers to register vigils in their area. The more events we organize, the louder our collective voice. Please help make sure that what happened to Lawrence never happens again.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Lion Brand Yarns was asking for stories about Prayer Shawls.

I decided to enter the information for the group as it would be great to get more exposure for the cause that Lawrence was involved in. Please read it here: http://tinyurl.com/2x856z.

Cora

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Knitted Squares

On the Web:
  1. Heart-Fairisle-Modular
  2. Knit And Purl Hearts Cloth
  3. 4 Embossed Hearts Cloth
  4. Heart Dishcloth
  5. Knitted Heart Cloth
  6. Heart Lace Cloth
  7. Lattice Hearts
  8. Nine-o-Hearts Knitted Cloth
  9. Quilted Hearts Dishcloth
  10. Sweethearts, Version 1
  11. Sweethearts Version 2
  12. Sweethearts Version 3
  13. Sweethearts Version 4
  14. Topsy Turvy Hearts Knitted Cloth
  15. Valentine Dish cloth
  16. May You Find Peace In Your Heart Chart and Pattern

On Ravelry:
  1. Heart-Fairisle-Modular
  2. Valentine Hearts Cloth
  3. 4 Embossed Hearts Cloth
  4. Heart Dishcloth
  5. Knitted Heart Cloth
  6. Heart Lace Cloth
  7. Lattice Hearts
  8. Nine-o-Hearts Knitted Cloth
  9. Quilted Hearts Dishcloth
  10. Sweethearts, Version 1
  11. Sweethearts Version 2
  12. Sweethearts Version 3
  13. Sweethearts Version 4
  14. Topsy Turvy Hearts Knitted Cloth
  15. Valentine Dish cloth
  16. May You Find Peace In Your Heart Chart and Pattern

Crocheted Sqares

I found the following:

On the Web: Crochet:
  1. Cross My Heart
  2. Centre Heart Square
  3. Heart Afghan Square Note: chart is for the single heart only.
  4. Heart Sampler Square
  5. FILET HEART AFGHAN
  6. Cable Hearts
  7. Conversation Hearts Scarf (This would be great for edging the comfortghan)
  8. Four Hearts Granny
  9. Granny Heart Square
  10. Granny’s Heart Filet Motif
  11. HEART AFGHAN SQUARE 2
  12. Heart Patches Crochet Pattern
  13. You've Gotta Have Heart (Afghan Stitch)
  14. Hearts Around Doily
  15. Lacy Bullion Heart
  16. Valentine Heart Sampler Square

On Ravelry: Crochet:
  1. Cross My Heart
  2. Centre Heart Square
  3. Heart Afghan Square Note: chart is for the single heart only.
  4. Heart Sampler Square
  5. FILET HEART AFGHAN
  6. Cable Hearts
  7. Conversation Hearts Scarf (This would be great for edging the comfortghan)
  8. Four Hearts Granny
  9. Granny Heart Square
  10. Granny’s Heart Filet Motif
  11. HEART AFGHAN SQUARE 2
  12. Heart Patches Crochet Pattern
  13. You've Gotta Have Heart (Afghan Stitch)
  14. Hearts Around Doily
  15. Lacy Bullion Heart
  16. Valentine Heart Sampler Square
I will come up with some that are knit.

Cora