Charity Knitting and the Traveling Shawl
Learn how charity knitting can help cure breast cancer
Can charity knitting cure breast cancer? Well, not directly, but it can contribute to research and show care, love, and support along the way. That's exactly what women across America are doing with their knitting charity project called the 'Sisterhood of the Shawl'.
The 50-State knitting charity
Kay Meadors and Denise Bell had a great idea. Kay, the author of many knitting books, and Denise were talking about new project ideas when Denise suggested knitting a shawl to raise breast cancer awareness. Together they decided the shawl should travel to every state in the country and the idea spread like wildfire.
Emails quickly spread, and soon there was a complete lineup of willing participants excited to contribute their part to the shawl. Kay and Denise contacted the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, received their approval and the project began.
Starting in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the shawl began its journey across the United States. Kay Meadors contributed the pink yarn and pattern and completed the first two rows of the shawl. Each knitter contributed six to seven rows, kept the shawl for two to three days and then mailed it to the next recipient.
As the shawl traveled across the country, each knitter wrote in the journal that went along with the shawl. The knitters wrote their feelings and reasons for their interest in the project.
After the shawl was completed, the shawl was sent back to Kay Meadors in Arkansas where it all began. The knitted shawl was auctioned off on the Passionately Pink website and winner was Sherry of Northern Minnesota. All proceeds from the auction went to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to help find a cure for breast cancer.
Join the sisterhood of knitting charities
The Sisterhood of the Shawl is officially over, but it serves to remind us all of what can be accomplished when we put our minds, hearts, and knitting needles together. There's nothing quite as fulfilling as helping others and knitting for charity fills that need.
Get together with some knitting sisters. Throw around some ideas and see what you can come up with for knitting charities and knitting ideas. Who knows, maybe it will be the start of something big.
