Now that all can change! Introducing….

Knit A Neuron.
This is based in the UK but face it, since the invention of the inter-webs, it’s really just next door. Knit A Neuron is asking for knitters to knit these up and donate them to be sewn together for a display to raise money for head trauma….. well, they say it better than I can, here: http://www.ooh.com/uk/craft-creative/other/bristol/bristol/knit-a-neuron-3_1901.html

Sarah makes these dolls, and she says “My mission is to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, especially orphaned children around the world ……. to provide them with a source of comfort …… to send them love, one dolly at a time! “

This little cutie is Victor, but with a little imagination he could easily become a Victoria. Go here for info on the Dolly Donations, and the free pattern for Victor! http://dollydonations.blogspot.com/2010/01/victor-victoria-dolly-free-pattern.html

Warm the hearts and fuel the spirit of the Special Olympics athletes competing in the 2010 Idaho State Winter Games!

In 2009, the Special Olympics World Winter Games invited knitters and crocheters from around the USA and the world to create a special gift for the athletes of the World Games. The response was overwhelming with more than 55,000 hand knit scarves, and in the end created an incredible sense of welcome and well-wishes for the Special Olympics athletes, where the response and generosity is still spoken about today.
With the 2010 Special Olympics Idaho Winter Games approaching in just five weeks, we are hoping to welcome the athletes here in our great state with a personal gift that inspires them to strive for their best in competition while sharing the spirit, kindness and respect of all communities.
Let’s bring the scarves back! Our goal is to provide the gift of a hand knit or crochet scarf to each of the 650 athletes competing in the Idaho Winter Games as they arrive during the Opening Ceremony on March 12, 2010.
Anyone is welcome to knit or crochet a scarf for the 2010 Special Olympics Idaho Winter Games, we just ask that you follow a few simple guidelines to help maintain consistency and uniformity across these gifts for the athletes.

Design:  Any design or pattern is welcome.
Colors:  Red Heart Super Saver Cherry Red and Red Heart Grey Heather
Length:  Approximately 55 inches long
Width:  Approximately 5 inches long

All scarves must arrive by Tuesday, March 9, 2010.

Please deliver or ship to:
Special Olympics Idaho
Attn: Scarf Project
199 East 52nd Street
Garden City, ID  83714

Questions? Please contact Heather Hill at HeatherHill33@mac.com or 208.860.5353.

Updates and details on the 2010 Special Olympics Idaho Scarf Project can also be found here:

Facebook – Scarves For Special Olympics
Twitter.com/OlympicScarves
http://scarvesforspecialolympics.wordpress.com/

Knitted prosthetic breasts for mastectomy patients. Sounds silly, doesn’t it? Yet, when placed in a bra, these knitted breasts take the shape and feel of a real breast. They are lighter and more comfortable than silicone prosthetic breasts. The knitted fabric breathes and prevents the heat rash experienced by many women wearing the silicone ones.

Did you know that just one silicone prosthetic breast costs between $300 and $500?! Without health insurance, they are out of the reach of most breast cancer survivors. Even those with insurance are limited to a new prosthetic breast every two years. If it springs a leak that is not covered by the warranty, you are out of luck.

With a knitted breast, you can have a different one for every day of the week. Perhaps add a little embroidery for that tattoo you always wanted!

It is our goal to get knitting knocker groups started in as many places as possible to  reach as many women as possible.

If you’ve started a group, let them know! We’ll post your information so that knitters and survivors can find each other. From The Knitting Experience Cafe.

http://www.patternworks.com/

The crochet version is here: http://yarnheaven.com/crochetedhelmetliner.html

It’s a wonderful way to express your appreciation for our troops who are enduring cold, cold weather overseas.

From Coordinated Colors

The Close-Knit Gators, a new charity-based knitting club on campus, held their second weekly meeting Tuesday night.

When finished, about 40 pumpkin hats will be donated to the Shands Children’s Hospital at the UF for Halloween.

Read the rest here: http://www.alligator.org/news/local/article_76441cb5-3b5d-5384-9381-c7af11182578.html

Sep 17, 2009 – The home shopping clothing specialist has teamed up with the Sailors’ Society and is aiming to provide hundreds of knitted hats for the merchant seafarer charity’s Woolly Hat Campaign 2010.

The retailer has put together a free ‘knit-a-hat’ kit; providing customers with everything they need to create wonderful woolly hats. The new hats will warm the cockles of merchant sailors’ hearts – as well as their heads – as they battle the elements to ship our consumer goods around the world.

The kit contains Lands’ End’s exciting new feelgood yarn – a specially sourced blend that knits into wonderfully warm and cosy clothing. Enough of the feelgood yarn has been put aside to enable the business and its loyal customers to hit their target of 1,500 hats to be distributed to sailors during Woolly Hat Week – February 7-13th 2010.

Lands’ End UK Managing Director Tim Curtis said: “We’re proud to pledge our support to the Sailors’ Society as it works to enrich the quality of seafarers’ lives in the UK and around the world and we’re sure our customers have all the necessary skills to get knitting and make a difference.

“Sailors and sailing is close to our hearts at Lands’ End – our US founder Gary Comer was a world-class sailor and our business grew out of its roots as a yachting equipment retailer into the global clothing brand it is today.”

Jan Webber, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at the Sailors’ Society, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Lands’ End. Many people forget that without the seafarer, everyday essentials that we take for granted would not reach our shores. These people often spend many months at sea in harsh conditions, sometimes not even speaking the same language as their colleagues.

“A simple act of gratitude can mean the world to someone far from home and family; by knitting a woolly hat you are spreading the work of the Sailors’ Society and directly benefiting the seafarer at the same time.”

For more details, contact Rachel in the Lands’ End Press Office on 0870 600 3870

www.sailors-society.org or visit www.landsend.co.uk/feelgood

The owner, Ellen Johnson, challenges other nearby Yarn Shops to knit and crochet caps for infants. So far this program has netted 3,284 caps for babies.

Read more about this fun idea, here: http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20090531/NEWS/905309947/1005?Title=Yarn-Bowl-Challenge-uses-college-rivalries-to-help-infants and… why not start your own!

We Wear Red Knit Along
Sweater:  February Ladies Sweater
Yarn:  Tanis Fiber Arts Aran Weight in We Wear Red colorway
Includes:  Sufficient yarn for size chosen, Red Dress pin, pattern and shipping.
Starts:  July 1st
Finishes:  July 29th

Pre order today so Tanis can get right to work on the yarn.  Kits must be ordered by June 15th at the latest to guarantee July 1st delivery.

Never tried Tanis Fiber Arts – now is definitely the time!  If you love Dream in Color – you will love this yarn too!  I promise!

25% of all sales will be donated to the Heart Truth.  Link is posted on the store location page at www.pickupsticks.ca

Here’s where you can find all the kits in the various sizes:
http://pickupsticks.ca/index.php?cPath=420

Thank you so much!  Let’s all Wear Red this Summer!

Pick up Blue Sky Alpacas’ Knit Chickens Pattern and some fabulous Knitch yarn* and let your imagination go free range. Submit as many wacky chickens as you like by the June 15, 2009 deadline.

Go here for more details, this one sounds like fun! http://knitchknitting.blogspot.com:80/

Go here for more info: http://sheepshots.blogspot.com/2009/04/mittnz-again-its-time.html