Today is the official start of Knit Unto Others 2008. That’s right, Margene and I are back for the third year in a row to ask you to spend some time knitting for charity these next two weeks. In order to simplify things we are suggesting that you knit for one of these charities:

Lucy at Mind’s Eye Yarn in Cambridge, MA is collecting mittens for the Somerville Family Network. This group works through Somerville Public Schools to make sure lower income kids have all the warm things they need for the winter. The mitten tree goes up the day after Thanksgiving and comes down New Year’s Day. For more information contact Lucy at: lucyATmindseyeyarnsDOTcom

The Soaring Eagles Project is collecting hand knit mittens this year. The purpose of this project is to knit items for elementary school-aged children in Oklahoma. As Jane says on the Soaring Eagles blog, “The idea was born out of a child asking me about my knitting one day. I told her I was making a sweater for my daughter. She replied, ‘I wish someone loved me enough to make me something.’ The very next day Project Soaring Eagles was born. If you choose to knit for this charity you should send an email to theprocrastiknitterATyahooDOTcom when you are ready to mail your items.

Finally, Birdsong has asked for completed blankets in worsted or bulky weight washable yarn with a finished size of 30 inches square to 40 inches square, or a rectangle that is similar, for the Kare Crisis Nursery in her area. If you’re owant more information, send an email to Birdsong at burrobirdATgmailDOTcom.

Our purpose in promoting Knit Unto Others is for you to knit something that will make a difference in someone’s life. We encourage you to participate in whatever way you are comfortable, whether it’s through one of these charities or one of your own choosing. At the end of November we’ll ask you to send an email to knituntoothersATgmailDOTcom and tell us what you knit and where you donated it. We will then randomly select two participants to win something special from each of us.

Now, please, go forth and knit unto others! And thank you.

Yo! Bloglines! WTF?!?!

So. Charity Knitting. Norma and I were discussing the other day how it used to be that when she talked about charity knitting the silence was so deafening all she could hear was crickets chirping. And I’ve been trying to figure out why that would be the case.

Basically, I think charity knitting is like any other charity donation and people react the same way as if you’re asking for money. And asking for money, well, that can evoke all kinds of emotions and responses in people. One theory I have is that thinking about charities and people in need can make those of us with so much feel a bit guilty. So we say nothing and pretend that people don’t really need our help. But another theory I have is that maybe people already have charities they support and they just don’t want to support another one. And they don’t feel like they want to tell you that because it will just sound like an excuse so they say nothing. I know I feel guilty when I see commercials on television for St. Jude’s or other charitable causes. I want to contribute to everyone! But, the truth is that I only have so much I can give away and I have a few key charities that I support. I’ve researched them and believe in their causes and that’s where my money goes.

And I’m thinking that maybe the same thing is true for charity knitting. I know there are some people who knit for charity all year long. And I know there are some who will never knit for charity but they’re generous in other ways. I guess the point of all of this (you knew I’d get to the point eventually, right?) is that it really doesn’t matter whether you do or don’t knit for charity. And it really doesn’t matter whether you give money away or not. What matters is how you find your way through the world. For me, I need to give back. See, I grew up in a family that struggled financially. I remember running out of oil for the furnace. I remember seeing our name in the paper for nonpayment of property taxes. I remember food stamps. And now I have much. I have a home with heat and plenty of food. I pay my bills and buy gifts for my children. I have yarn and fiber and multiple spinning wheels. I can afford to give some money away. And I can afford to spend some time knitting for people who will be comforted by my handknits.

I know that many of you feel the same way. I know for sure that Norma does. There are 3 days left for Knit Unto Others if you want to join us. Or not. Do what’s right for you. Find your place in the world. And, please, tell me what you think. I can’t abide the sound of crickets chirping.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, hands down. I love the food, of course, but it’s more than that. I love the graciousness of this holiday and the fact that it’s simply about being with the people you love and being thankful. No gifts, no hype, no hoopla.

When I stop and think of all I have to be thankful for it really amazes me. I have so much. My life is full and rewarding with family and friends and work. And I have knitting and spinning and all you people who read my blog.

I don’t want to get too preachy but you all know that there are loads of people who don’t have the full lives that many of us do. Many people don’t even have the basic things they need. There are hurricane victims and tornado victims and people who live in poverty. And you know what? A lot of those people are cold. They’re cold right now and we all knit. That means that we can make them warm!

I’m telling you all this because Margene came up with a brilliant idea to create a charity Knit Along for the last two weeks in November. She dubbed it “Knit Unto Others” and then she asked me to make a button and co-host it with her. So, here’s your button and here’s your chance to do something for someone else during this time of Thanksgiving.

You all know how much I love Oprah, right? And last week she aired a fantastic episode which was all about doing things for others. I stole this directly from her website:

What Oprah knows for sure, she says, is that your proudest moments are almost always about what you can do for someone else. “When you give, it creates a circle,” Oprah says. “And it comes back to you, and you get even more in return.”

I believe Oprah’s right. I know I always feel great when I do something for someone else. So, I’ve got a freakin’ long ride to Gettysburg coming up this weekend and I won’t be knitting socks for myself like I usually do when I’m in the car. I’ll be knitting mittens and hats for someone who is cold and needs to get warm.

Won’t you join Margene and I and Knit Unto Others?