A few weeks back, I visited a small and relatively new[april 2003] shop in a nearby Village of Long Grove. I'd rather be knitting has a fine collection and large variety of imported and hand-dyed yarns. It is nice to have a knit shop nearby, in this somewhat rural area.
I have only kntted a very tiny bit in the past, crochet was my preferred yarn adventure. I thought I would try knitting for a change, as winter months usually spur me into that hand crafting mode, when I find a bit of free time. I got yarn for a sweater[sidebar link, Model of the Month, Lana Grossa Yarns online, the October-November 2002 pattern]. Note: this is not the easiest project for near beginners. I believe the shop owner said something like, "rather ambitious?". Definitely, and she was right. She helped me pick out some yarns. After starting the sleeves a few times, which have some cables, decorative stitches, increases and decreases, I decided to take a short break from the sweater project and dive into something a bit quicker and easier. A yarn project, from the same shop, a Chemo Cap. Purchase a ball of yarn, make, then turn the hat in, and it will go to chemo therapy patients. When I turn it in, I can get my money back for the yarn or get more yarn to make another hat. The company donates the yarn, the knitter donates time.
It is a nice project and there are other chemo cap or hat projects found online[several have a variety of patterns, tips, or suggestions]: ChemoCaps: Hand Knit Caps for cancer patients, Cancer Caps for Kids, Knitting Pals by the Bay: The Chemo Cap Project, try a search on Google and use search terms or words like: donate chemo cap for cancer patients, or contact your own local area medical center or hospital to see where they may need these caps, if interested. I know I will turn the cap in Wednesday, and get a ball of yarn to do another.
[added on January 26]
While looking at some of the links at Bev's Country Cottage: caps for cancer page, I found some notable resources, worth a closer look.
HeadHuggers.org A variety of updated knit, crochet, and sewn patterns for chemo caps, as well as resources and information. The 'No-Hair-Day' Hairy Chemo Cap(pattern number 10) looks like fun and can be made from a ball of Crystal Palace Fizz or other fur or eyelash type yarns by various companies.
Grobanite Beanie Brigade Endorsed by Warner Brother Records and Josh Groban this project collects caps and donates them to the Ronald McDonald house for children with cancer or other medical conditions that cause loss of hair. In the Fall of 2003, they collected and distributed 1200 caps for premies and children in the U.S. and Canada. They have started their Easter 2004 hat drive, and maintain a members forum[Yahoo! Groups: beaniebrigade] since July 2002.
Kids 'n Camp an independent non-profit organization, devoted to the social, educational and emotional needs of children(and families of children) with cancer, located in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A. They would love teddy bears and blankets, see resources for these and others at the Bev's Country Cottage: caps for cancer page.
Posted by Holly at January 25, 2004 10:41 PM | TrackBack