State-Wide Knitting for Charity Effort Comforts Cancer Patients
Knit Michigan helps local cancer organizations with knitting for charity
It certainly seems apropos that the state that looks like a mitten would launch a grassroots knitting for charity effort. Knit Michigan was started in 2007 using knitting and other fiber arts to help out cancer organizations through out the state and bring comfort to cancer patients. It also aims to promote a love of the fiber arts to new recruits.
A day-long knitting event
Knit Michigan is an independent organization that raises most of its money through an annual event, also called Knit Michigan, held in February. The one-day marathon conference features classes, sponsors, and merchants, all having to do something with knitting or other fiber arts (i.e. spinning, making lace, weaving). Classes in 2009 included learning the Moebius Cast-On Technique, Crochet for Knitters, and Sock Dying.
Attendees pay to participate in the Marathon, which includes two classes (materials cost extra), "Learn to" events, a knitting help room, dinner, and a goody bag. Attendees must also donate at least one comfort item, or pay a small fee in lieu of the item. Comfort items are chemo caps, fleece blankets, or teddy bears -- all patterns are available on the Knit Michigan website. The event is limited to the first 100 registrants.
People are also welcome to come to just part of the event, if they're unable to attend the whole Marathon.
For a small fee, knitters and spinners can come and work on projects with fellow fiber art enthusiastic. Or for another little fee, they can also have access to the Knitting Help Area, which is staffed by experts from local yarn shops around Michigan. Children are introduced to the fiber arts with both a 'Tween fiber area and a Children's Craft area. There is also a silent auction, featuring donations from local businesses, completed knitting projects, and hand-dyed yarn.
In 2007, Knit Michigan raised $20,000 and distributed nearly 200 chemo caps to four area hospitals. In 2008, the event raised $30,000 and collected more than 2,500 comfort items to distribute to hospitals in ten cities. Although they fell short of their goal of $50,000 in 2009, the organization still collected an impressive $30,000 to help out cancer patients and their families, and organizations such as the Metro Detroit chapter of Gilda's Club.
Knit Michigan is a state-wide collaborative effort between yarn shops and vendors, crafters, knitting guilds, community organizers, fiber art designers and school instructors. Whether knitting for charity or learning to tat, shopping for yarn or learning to spin, Knit Michigan supporters help make the lives of local cancer patients more comfortable.