That's what I've decided to call the knitalong. And I've come up with a more cohesive definition of the thing, thankyouverymuch.
What I have in mind is: From March 1 to April 9, more than half of my knitting will be for others. For me it will be to benefit the outreach my church does with immigrants, refugees through the St. Louis International Institute and for the elderly and homebound in our urban parish. If you want to participate, choose your own charity or send your knitting to me and I'll give it to the Institute and Sr. Paulette (our St. Pius liaison). I'll knit mostly kids stuff -- booties, hats, mittens, blankets -- but there are elderly needy too, so knit what you want. The dates aren't arbitrary -- they coincide with Lent -- this year I'm not "giving up" for Lent. I'm doing extra. Knitting that is. (for the long story see my Feb. 15th post) But you don't have to be observing Lent to participate -- you just have to want to give some of your spring knitting to others less fortunate. Participants are listed in the side bar.
Here is a
feeble button-attempt. I'm not so facile with the photo software we installed...And we'll be way past crocus and daffodil
time when we're done, maybe dogwood?
Edited to add: I realized that, technically, 40 days ends April 9th -- Palm Sunday -- which is the end of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week. I've changed the dates accordingly. I'll give the items to the charity by Easter. How about that?
Edited again to add: Sheesh. I'm a bad Catholic. Really bad with liturgical stuff. I just don't keep it in my head. For good reason -- there's too much of it. Case in point: for Catholics Lent runs from Ash Wednesday until some murky point during Holy Week because, get this, we get Sundays off...So, again, I say, I'll give my items to the various charities sometime before Easter and call it a day. For Protestant religions, I believe the count is different -- let me know...Who knew counting 40 days could be so cumbersome?!
What a fantastic idea, Ann! I'm in. I'll probably choose Dulaan -- does that count, or does it have to be a recognized charity here in the US?
Your church sounds great. Can a semi-lapsed pagan become a Catholic?
Posted by: Lucia | February 16, 2006 at 09:21 AM
It is a very nice button and a fabulous idea!
Posted by: margene | February 16, 2006 at 03:10 PM
I do like the button. And I'll probably send you hats, or whatever. Out here with as warm as it is, someone in the midwest will probably get more use of them.
Posted by: Pat K | February 16, 2006 at 07:55 PM
I'll join you ... I've fallen behind on my Dulaan knitting, and this would be a great way to get a jump start.
Posted by: Ruth | February 16, 2006 at 09:15 PM
I'm in with ya Ann and I love the button - very pretty. I'll figure out what to knit and will be sending it to you. Thanks for encouraging us to donate to whatever charity we want to!
Posted by: Laura | February 17, 2006 at 08:35 AM
Put me down for St. Pius - what are the dates now? I can't find them. :)
Posted by: Laura | February 18, 2006 at 07:53 AM
I'll send you stuff for St. Pius as well. I added the button last night. Hopefully it will help. For some reason my hit count has taken a significant jump. Are there any specific things that you want or need? Otherwise, I think I'll make a few hats/scarves.
Posted by: Jocele | February 18, 2006 at 11:26 AM
Hi Annie, I just found your blog from a link on Margene's blog (Zeneedle). It was a nice way to discovery a fellow Missouri knit-blogger. I am going to join your knitalong too. I've been a very selfish knitter lately (do I really need more socks?) so it sounds great. I think I'm going to focus on making baby stuff, since it will probably start getting warm by the time Easter hits St. Louis.
Posted by: Zarah | February 18, 2006 at 12:09 PM
I saw Margene's write-up and think this is a great way to look at Lent... I'm not sure I will be able to keep an accurate measure as far as more than half going to charity, but will certainly make several small items, probably hats, and spread the word.
Posted by: Birdsong | February 18, 2006 at 12:33 PM
This is a super idea and I love the button! I'm a Catholic mom down here in Springfield, MO. I need to get some Dulaan knitting done. Margene always knows the best blogs to visit:D
Posted by: Lana | February 19, 2006 at 06:49 PM
Hi Ann,
Yes it IS fun to find others in our great state who knit and do kind things! I have been wishing the same thing about a button. I think the arch and dogwood should definitely be a part of the look. Thanks for the nice comment about the hats. they're a quick knit and are soooo appreciated. Feel free to put me in the sidebar. I hope you get a few more joiners too, it's a super idea!
Lana
Posted by: Lana | February 20, 2006 at 11:31 AM
Ann --
Wonderful idea! Count me in! My items will go to the North Park Friendship Center in Chicago, IL -- a food pantry-clothing depository that serves the neediest of the needy on the northwest side of Chicago. And all of my knitting during this time will be for the Friendship Center!
Peace,
Rev. Chris Pokorny
Posted by: Chris Pokorny | February 20, 2006 at 12:59 PM
I'll knit for Dulaan like I usually do, but I'm adding CIC courtesy of Marguerite. What a thoughtful, caring thing for you to do, Ann. Thanks! - DebbieB
Posted by: DebbieB | February 21, 2006 at 05:58 AM
Great idea! I'm in, and my knitting will be for my church knitting group - Grace Church Knit-Wits. We knit and sell items, profits funding scholarships for Camden, NJ high school graduates who are continuing their education. We also provide hats, mittens and assorted warm stuff to the students at a Camden elementary school.
I enjoyed your post on your faith. My impression is that (in general, which I know is a dangerous thing) the knit-blog community is non-religous. Kind, generous, spiritual - but not religious. As I get older I find my faith growing in importance, and being part of a faith community is enriching in so many ways.
Posted by: Beth | February 22, 2006 at 08:05 PM
Hi Annie-
I am currently trying to make 23 blankets before the years end for my choosen charity Warm the World and would love to participate in your KAL.
Amanda :)
Posted by: Amanda | February 23, 2006 at 05:23 PM
I'll be knitting along with you. After the Knitting Olympics I told myself "no more deadlines," but I can do 40 days of self-giving. I will give away everything I knit during Lent.
Posted by: shelley | February 28, 2006 at 09:08 AM
Annie - what a wonderful idea! I have a bunch of people helping me with something special for a sick brother, so I would like to participate in this KAL. I would like to contribute to the Dulaan Project. Please add me to the list.........
Posted by: christine | March 01, 2006 at 11:27 AM
May I add myself to the list? My dates are a bit different--I'm an Orthodox Christian, so Lent for me runs from March 6 to April 16, plus Holy Week, so I plan to finish around April 23 (Orthodox Easter). I'll be knitting for Dulaan.
Posted by: Kirsten | March 01, 2006 at 03:59 PM
I'm in. I just got an email from Afghans for Afghans saying they need 100 newborn hats and booties for a midwife project, so I'll be knitting a few of those in the next few weeks. Also, I need the Yarma! xox Kay
Posted by: Kay | March 02, 2006 at 10:07 AM
Oops - I replied to the wrong post!
If anyone is looking for an outlet, I'm actually having a contest to support the knitting project at Interim House, over on my blog. Not so much knitting for others, but giving them the tools to learn and do it themselves.
http://crazycatladymel.livejournal.com/209696.html
I'm knitting for Dulaan and Ocoze Huyaku*, in addition to sending Interim House periodic packages.
*http://www.kneedeepinfibers.blog-city.com/warm_hearts_on_the_pine_ridge_reservation.htm
Posted by: Mel | March 03, 2006 at 08:23 AM
What a great idea. I am also an Orthodox Christian observing Lent this year and this is a perfect way to spend this period. Please add me! =) Thanks
Posted by: Katie | March 04, 2006 at 05:16 PM
Annie ~ I happened upon your blog for the first time today (and have since bookmarked it to visit more often :-) ). I know it’s late in the game perhaps, but I would like to join you in your knit along for charity for this Lenten season. I am Catholic, as well (actually a convert to the Church just a few years ago), and this is a great opportunity for me to give something back. Thanks for being so open to sharing your joy for knitting and giving to others. Many blessings!
Posted by: Sue | March 06, 2006 at 08:28 AM
Thank you for giving me time to get over myself about joining this KAL - I'm now actively admitting that I'm part of this group (Hi, my name is Tracy and I joined a KAL....).
Here's the 'out-of-the-closet' post on my blog:
http://fiberbabble.blogspot.com/2006/03/hats-hats-hats.html
Let the good times roll!
Posted by: Tracy | March 07, 2006 at 01:19 PM
What a fantastic idea. I belong to St. Pius Parish (in North Vancouver, Canada) and I'm sure there is somewhere here that would welcome hand knitted socks, guantlets or hats. Count me in.
Posted by: Maureen | March 08, 2006 at 02:40 PM