knitting.

I like knitting, you like knitting, the world likes knitting.

baaaaa.

| Betsy

Today I found myself alone in a stable with 100 sheep.

At first I started giggling because all these little sheepy heads turned to watch me as I walked in the door. Then I looked to my immediate left and saw a group of ewes and newborn lambs. I knelt down and said hello as all these wee wobbly lambs came closer to investigate.

I’m visiting my aunt in upstate New York, and she took me to a local farm with sheep. I was hoping to talk to someone about organic wool production, but it had just snowed and there was no one around. Keep in mind, this farm was huge and had dairy goats as well, which is why there were newborn lambs teetering around in the hay, not really sure how to use all four limbs at the same time.

Mu aunt was walking her dog around the farm’s perimeter and suddenly peeked in to see what was taking me so long. And there I was kneeling and cooing and tearing up over these cuddly woolly wobbly lambs that were so new and excited about their surroundings.

I went down the length of the stable and turned back, only to catch out of the corner of my eye, a lamb that had just been born, still wet and slimy. (So slimy!) The tears that I was already holding back burst through as the lamb turned to me and tried to take her first step. (So wobbly!)

And it reminded me how my goal with my knitting is to eventually only use fiber that is produced ethically and by farmers who know their sheep by name and not by number. Eventually my aunt coaxed me out into a whole nother stable with several enclosures holding ten slightly older lambs each.

I could barely contain myself as I knelt down and suddenly 20 little eyes were right in my face, wiggling their wee tails, and anxious for some attention. Snow had just fallen outside, so there was no other sound other than the pitter patter of tiny little hooves on hay coming over to investigate this new human in a bright pink winter coat.

And kneeling there in that barn, I just wanted to breathe it all in, the history and the future of craft and farming with the little lambs and the big machines, it was like momentarily standing in both past history and the present moment. Perfect.

nice isn’t always alright.

| Betsy

One of the best things about crafts for me is that I can personalize them however I want. As I’m making something by hand, I can personalize it with whatever I choose. There’s a huge sense of liberty in this. And I’ve been taking notes from Deviant Goods’ Fuck Cancer hats and Planet Cancer’s wares.

Because all too often in this world we’re so worried about being nice and offending someone, when all you really want to do is scream and say, ‘this sucks!’ That’s what I feel like yelling everytime someone I love gets sick when all that comes out of my mouth is ‘I’m so sorry. I will be with you each step of the way.’ Suddenly I get angry and scared and just want to hug them and tell them everything will be okay.

But I want to be strong and supportive, so I just say the nice things. But cancer isn’t nice.

For Christmas, I made knitted my grandfather a hat in the hopes that if he’s feeling low, he will put it on and know that it was knitted with all my heart and wishes that he get better and stronger faster. He’s been through so much the past few months, I wanted to give him something that was something close to a hug even though I wasn’t always close by.

Someone I told about the hat asked, ‘can’t you buy one that’s storebought?’ I answered, ‘yes, but that’s missing the point. The point is that everything I make was crafted with my own two hands and on purpose and with emotion. Something storebought might be less time-consuming, but it’s not made with love and strength and hope.’

Sometimes the right way isn’t always the nice one.

yarn beats metal?

| Betsy

Lately I have been consumed by the conjunction of modernity and crafts, especially knitting. About how historically it was used to clothe and comfort, to protect against the elements. Now that we’ve moved comfortably (or kicking and screaming, depending) into the modern age, these items can be purchased. Whenever I wear handmade items around the city I feel like I am navigating the chaos somewhat strenghtened and soothed.

In some ways, craft seems like a perfect compliment to the urban. Providing a respite of comfort in a busy, metal, sometimes alien (and alienating) place.

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We wrap knitted items around loved ones to keep them warm. Lately I’ve been toying with the notion that if we wrap knitting around technology and the urban would we give them warmth and comfort?

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because my yarn stash needs to be tamed…

| Betsy

This week’s craftivist idea is a special one. In reading some literature about the project, I was especially touched because not only does it allow for people to either make blanket squares or donate supplies, but because some of the same kids benefitting from the project also contribute. It’s a project run by the Jewish Board of Family & Children’s Services, Division of Volunteer Services. When I read that some of the children knit and/or crochet squares for other’s kids blankets, I knew where some of my acrylic yarn that I don’t need will be heading!

The project involves making blanket squares (or sending some of you extra yarn and crochet hooks/knitting needles or both!) for children who are leaving a residential treatment center in New York. You can donate as many squares as you would like, and the blankets are stitched together using different donations, allowing for a greater multitude of colors and patterns.

From the Center’s literature:
“The children in our programs have had lives filled with trauma, violence, poverty and other stressors. The purpose of giving a Sanctuary blanket to each child who leaves our residential programs is to help them transition from one home to the next. We hope the blanket will remind them of the good things they experienced here, and to provide comfort in their new life. We need your help to make this possible!

If you are interested in making blanket squares by yourself, starting a group with friends or co-workers, or learning more about our project, please contact Shannon Hughes, LMSW, Volunteer Coordinator for JBFCS, shughes AT jbgcs DOT org. We will send you all the information about patterns and needle sizes.

The Sanctuary Blanket Project pieces together squares made from different individuals to make a whole blanket, rich in color and texture. Each square is symbolic of the different people who have come together to help the youngster heal from his or her traumas, and to guide them into a safe and healthy future. Hopefully, the blanket will also provide some warmth along the way!

The Division of Volunteer Services and the Sanctuary Project at JBFCS have begun a project to provide all children who leave the residential treatment programs with a hand-made blanket.”

one more project for the list…

| Betsy

Although I get emails from people with encouraging words about what I’m writing about, it’s rare that I hear what people are doing for charity. If you’re in the process of making something or even just thinking about it, I’d love to know.

At the moment, I’m working on those blankets and hats that will be donated to Olivia’s Angels in Georgia. There are also some chemo caps in the works. Today I’ve added another project to the list, using my scrap yarns from various other endeavours, and making blankets for Snuggles.

People ask me how and why I choose the charities I send things to. It usually starts by something pulling at the heartstrings whether I mean for it to or not. The preemie things are because I was a preemie and my mother a scared mother who needed a little comfort when I was 2lb and so small. The chemocaps for my grandfather because he is fighting prostate cancer that has metastatized and my grandmother who survived breast cancer. (In fact, it’s a rather long list, this one.) The Snuggles blanket in memory of my dog, Annie, who has been a part of my family since the spring of 1991. She was put down last night.

I make and donate things because of the kindness and compassion that has been shown to me and to those I love, and because I want to add a little bit of light to the lives of others. With every stitch I sew or knit or crochet or whathaveyou I am fighting against coldness and for more warmth.

While such a tiny act may not make a difference to loads of people/animals at once, it does make a difference for one. Or two. Or three. Or however many donations you choose to make. That’s the power behind such a small, simple act.

In giving things made with kindness and hope and love to others, I not only embolden and replenish their spirits but my own as well.