KnittingForCharity.org

I am pleased with the momentum we have gained since we began in September, 2009. Every now and then, I do a Google search for various terms that might include us. Today, I searched for "sharing our gifts" and found that we are in the #1 slot, as well as occupying places #8 and #9 on the same page.

I then searched for "sharing our gifts across America" and found a very nice article and review of our projects up to this current one (Project #3). It was written by Nellie on December 10, 2009. I love the thorough review and the inspirational tone of the article. It is entitled: Sharing Our Gifts Across America -- A Knitting Charity that Inspires.

It begins thus: "Learn about a knitting charity that crosses state lines to reach out to those in need." She goes on to discuss how knitting for charity really is a gift, and says that "When you knit for charity, you touch the lives of others in ways you didn't think possible." It is true! It may feel insignificant to you when you are making and sending off your one measly hat, or even a few items. I know it sometimes feels to me like it is just not enough.

But when combined with that one other hat from another knitter, and those two scarves from another knitter, and a crocheted pair of mittens or slippers from another individual, it adds up and makes a difference. These are gifts worth giving. I am inspired all over again when I see the items shared by others of this group project, or when I read encouraging articles like the one by Nellie.

She outlines each of our first three projects and shares links to our blog, as well as giving my email address for anybody who might wish to join us. Thank you, Nellie, for the recognition and sharing of our project.

Visit Nellie the Knittin' Nut at KnittingForCharity.org. She has many tips and links and information about how to begin knitting for charity. She has free patterns. She has instructions, supplies, techniques, and even a post about how to knit for charity if you cannot knit. Her focus is knitting because she is a knitter, but certainly crocheters are welcome and encouraged to create for charity also!

Giving across state lines...
I like it!

Have you heard of Bark 'n Knit? (barknknit)

Well, I had not heard of it until recently when we were featured on BarknKnit podcast #37.

It was all so very exciting!
Now, I am down with listening to each new podcast installment.
Gnat has even joined our Sharing Our Gifts Across America
project. Thanks, Gnat!

Episode 38 is out, entitled "Twilight Month Has Arrived."

There is even a contest going on right now, and the prize is a

set of Twilight inspired Batts from Mandalinn Knits & Spins.

To enter, you must take a quiz. Admittedly, I know nothing about

Twilight

so I scored a whopping 50%!

Gnat says on the podcast that there will be three quizzes...

So, go take a visit to BarknKnit, where you will find

podcasts, shopping, forums, patterns,

and lots of doggy antics.

Mittens from The Unique Sheep

(photo by The Unique Sheep)

I learned of The Unique Sheep when I began project #1, and Painty on Ravelry donated a pair of slippers. The Unique Sheep is a local yarn store in North Carolina, owned by partners Laura and Kelly. The shop specializes in handpainted yarn. One of my favorites is the Green Sheep Worsted superfine merino in worsted weight.

Laura has joined in for project #2 as well, and has knitted a beautiful pair of mittens out of Super Wool Gigante, which is carried in the shop. The mittens have been dyed a beautiful shade of red. She has even blogged about our project on the Unique Sheep blog. And she shared the free pattern for the mittens.

I would like to send a Thank You to Laura for joining in on our projects and for giving us the mention on her blog. You can thank her by checking out The Unique Sheep's site and blog, and spreading the word.

Thank you for Sharing!

A thank you goes out to Splendid Little Stars for sending this great hat donation to Project #1, and for sharing our projects on your blog. We need as many volunteers as we can find for all the upcoming projects, so it is very helpful when anyone is willing to share our information with readers.

With help from all participants by word of mouth and word of blog, we will keep growing and will be able to help that many more people. It would not be possible without giving and caring people like Margaret, and others who have volunteered and worked on this or other charity projects.

Thanks!

Our Project #2 shared

(photo by Kae1Crafts)

Kae of the Helmet Liners for Troops project has shared our Sharing Our Gifts Across America Project #2 on her blog today. Thanks, Kae! Click on the photo of the helmet liners above to be taken directly to her site.

Now, please take time to visit her...and maybe you have time to knit a helmet liner or two? If you are able to help with her project, or if you might be able to answer her reader's email question about any Canadian projects for providing helmet liners to Canadian troops, please read her informational post and requests by clicking here.

Another donation received for Project #1!

Kae of Kae1Creations is a very busy woman! She makes helmet liners for troops like there is no tomorrow, keeps a blog, maintains an Etsy shop, and still finds time to make and send a generous donation to the Veterans of Southern Oregon for our little project. Amazing!

All one has to donate for my project is one item, but Kae sent two hats and two pair of slippers - in matching sets!! If you are able to multitask and need another charity project to support, give the helmet liners page a look. I will be sending one her way for the current challenge.

Thanks, Kae!

Sharing Our Gifts was featured

Yesterday, I was very happy to stumble upon a post about us on On A Rainy Night. The post is by Paula, who is a member of the 50 Projects for 50 States group I created on Ravelry.

Thank you, Paula, for helping to spread the word. Thank you to all who are participating and sharing gifts, knowledge, tutorials, and time.

First Project #1 Donation Received!!

I received these slippers the other day from Painty (on Ravelry). They are perfectly sized for an adult male and they are a lovely shade of blue. The photo has washed out the color somewhat, so you cannot tell that they are actually a darker, truer shade than you see here. She also used fabric puff paint on the bottom to give them traction and make them less likely to slip.
Painty has a LYS (local yarn store) in North Carolina called The Unique Sheep. You can read all the yarny happenings, including the tale of her new sheep tattoo, on her blog. Thank you, Painty!

Thank you to all participants...keep spreading the word!

Sharing Our Gifts Across America is featured!

We are growing each day, and getting the word out there.

1. DinnerTime Chimes has featured us on the Etsy Team blog NCTriangle. September 8, 2009

2. Kae1Crafts has joined our project drive and has featured us in her blog post as well. September 8, 2009. She also has her own ongoing charity project donating knitted wool helmet liners to military troops. Specifics on her project and how you can help are found on her Squidoo page.

3. We were featured on Nutmeg Knitter on September 15,2009.

4. On A Rainy Night featured us on September 24,2009.

5. Kae1Crafts featured us again on October 30,2009.

6. Splendid Little Stars on October 31,2009.


7. Bark'nKnit podcasted us on Episode 37, November 1, 2009.

8. On The Unique Sheep, November 3, 2009.

9. On The Purple Moose Gazette, November 7, 2009.

10. On This Eclectic Life, November 13, 2009.

11. On KnittingForCharity, December 10, 2009.

12. On LenoxKnits, December 15, 2009.

13. On The Unique Sheep, March 23, 2010.

14. On Purple Moose Gazette, March 25, 2010.

Please visit and Stumble, Technorati fave, or Digg these posts! If you Twitter, tweet the projects for us. For Sharing Our Gifts, please add the hashtag #sharingourgifts to your tweets.

Thanks to all who have featured us!