I finished 2 scarves for the red scarf project (button on the side bar). I think they turned out nice. Decided to make a wrapper/label with the care instructions on the backside. That took a bit of doing, because the scarves ended up being a bit thick, but then my noodle turned out and I realized I could wrap just part of it, and still make a tight fold to get them into the box.
Here they are, ready for their journey to warm two people’s necks:
There has been some really good discussion online on blogs about knitting for charity. Of course, people are split on this topic – those that feel that one should knit for charity, those that do it because they want/like to do it, those that don’t because they feel strongly about it for their own reasons, etc.
I guess I want to get my 2 cents in. I knit for causes because I want to, because it pleases me, and because I can. I choose organizations that touch me. Yes I know that sometimes knitting vs. just sending money seems kind of silly. Sometimes I don’t have the money for a donation, but I do have lots of time, a lot of yarn and a desire to connect with the recipient. I try to make nice objects that will appeal to a wide range of people, or at least something that I would like. I think nice thoughts while I am knitting the items to infuse them with a bit of love energy, because I am working on compassionate action as part of my spiritual work. I hope the recipients feel the good vibe. But if they don’t that is okay too. It does make me feel good to do nice things and I think that feeling good about doing good is fine. Practicing love is always a good thing, and I cannot begin to want to judge other people’s intent in their own practice (life).
Loving my family members is easy (for the most part *grin*). Loving my Dad is especially easy because he is just one of those good guys. WT and I went over to Mom and Dad’s house (where Chaachi and Vim live too) to celebrate my Dad’s 81st birthday.
Just a bit of cake and ice cream and a few gifts. We are running out of ideas of what to get Dad and Mom, for that matter. Here he is opening up a great gift from Chaachi, a police-band/weather scanner.
WT and I gave him a gift certificate to Half Price Books. Dad reads a lot of books. Chaachi and I are always snooping around for free books that are placed in coffeehouses and such, ala Bookcrossing.com. It is just nice to take some time and choose a big pile to read and not have to be hemmed in by price.
WT and Dad really enjoy each other – which is such a blessing for me. No tense in-law moments in our home.
Vim is in the background trying to figure out the scanner. Before we went home Spencer got a chance to give Dad a birthday hug too.
He likes to wrap his paws around people’s legs/feet. It is usually very deliberate, and we believe that he knows what he is doing. He is a Reiki healing therapy dog and very bright.
More knitting! I finished my Foxy Lady scarf. Here is a funny self-portrait; trying to get a photo of the scarf in action:
At least it shows the color a bit more true. Here is another that shows more detail:
I am still in my February=Red mood. Working on that pair of pink socks for me. Using the stitch pattern from this sock pattern called Little Shell Socks. The sock yarn is Trekking XXL and is very regularly striped, which is unusual for Trekking. There are parts of the yarn that have a very shrimp or sushi look, and with the shell pattern I am going to call them my shrimp socks.
Peace!
ZenKnit 
Your Foxy Lady scarf is lovely!! I knit for the community because it helps me feel connected in a way that giving money doesn’t. I give money, too. 🙂
I love the shrimp socks, I always give my socks names too. I never seem to find Bookcrossing books but I’ve left a ton out and about.
Happy Birthday to your Dad *Go Wild*!
I like the sock pattern and the yarn. Very cute.
I’m with you on the charity knitting as well.
Hi,
I do not knit for charity as yet, as I am not that good (as in timely!!. But I may do some as I improve. I have donated money to my LYS to give yarn to some ladies who knit wool helmet liners for soldiers. I have always believed that everyone should give in some fashion, whether it be goods, services or money. But how/what you give should be determined by the needs that you see that you feel you can meet. If you have money, that is great, almost always will help! Beyond that.. I love to do behind the scenes, set up, clean up etc at events. I can work with kids, am good with crafts. Other people might not like to be around others too much, but might be fabulous at doing the accounting, etc. There is always a need, if we all do what we can, where we can, the world will be a much better place.
I feel the same as you. I like what Lee said, too.
Lotsa nice knitted stuff!
Love the picture of WT and your dad!
I share you ideas about knitting for charity. And Lee’s comments are right on the button. I give how I can but I always give.
Nice scarves and socks, too!
I mostly crochet but in the same spirit I crochet for charity. I had a daughter in the NICU for 10 weeks 9 years ago. It was traumatic for everyone involved. My best friend is a NICU nurse. SHe told me that the nurses like hand made blankets for the babies because they like to make the beds pretty pretty for the parents so they have some sense of peace in a very stressful enviroment. I teach crochet often and the first thing all my students make is a preemie blanket. The babies don’t care if the stitches are perfect or if the edges are even, they get tucked in anyhow. Then I teach them newborn caps. The NICU needs those because everyone makes preemie caps for them, but the full term but sick babies get over looked.
I read something once that said “anything decided in kindness is usually the right decision” I have never gone wrong w/ that in my mind.
An interesting post, I hadn’t realized that knitting for charity had made some people uncomfortable. I enjoy it for many of the reasons you mentioned–I like to imagine the person wearing it and think positive thoughts while I’m making it. I tend towards selfish knitting (knitting mainly for myself or my kids), so it feels good to make something for someone that you have no explicit connection to. Our knitting group at church did the ‘Caps for the Capital’ Save the Children project and we all really enjoyed it, it a great moment to see what everyone had produced.