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The first Knitzvah Stitchup was a fun night! We had enough knit squares to finish 1 blanket, and a crochet one was in the process of being finished while we were there. Two knitters found their squares were complementary and those will go into blanket 3. We have about 1/2 a blanket worth of squares left over for the next one. The first finished blanket has been sent to the Smart Museum of Art in Chicago, which has created a digital catalogue of the blankets. You can scroll through images and other details about the blankets they have received – see if you can spot ours! 
We are holding another Stitchup on Wednesday, September 27 at 7 pm, again at Congregation Bonai Shalom, 1527 Cherryvale, Boulder. We will finish at least 1 blanket that night, possibly more – if you have been knitting or crocheting, bring your squares with you! Light refreshments will be available. Can’t knit or crochet but want to help? Please come and help us create the designs, help with adding tags, photography and packaging. This is open to the community, membership is not required.
Please RSVP either on Facebook or through the Welcome Blanket site.
Can’t come that night but want to contribute knitted squares? Get them to us before the 27th.
Next Project: Knitted Knockers
I recently returned from a whirlwind trip to New York. While on the plane I was knitting another square for the Welcome Blanket project. Lucky for me, another knitter sat next to me! About an hour into the flight she took out her knitting, a small project which she kept in a cute pencil box with a “Knitted Knockers” sticker.
Of course I struck up a conversation! I had heard of Knitted Knockers but didn’t know much about the project. Christine filled me in on the story of this organization and her mother-in-law Barbara. You knew I’d be “hooked” right? Please take a few minutes to watch the video on their site for her story and to see samples. Though “knitted knockers” had been around, Barbara established this nonprofit organization to connect knitters and people who need the knockers. Christine explained that people send knockers to the organization flat (unstuffed), and a group of volunteers meets weekly to stuff them and fill requests. Thousands of requests. Let that sink in for a minute.
Like the Welcome Blanket project, this is a quick knit-for-a-cause project. Christine started and finished one on the plane; I’d say it takes under 3 hours to make 1 knocker start-to-finish. She’s made hundreds and keeps track of how many stitches for each one in a little notebook (helpful for making pairs that match).
Every year during “pink-tober” we are deluged with ribbons, breast cancer awareness posts, events and opportunities. There’s a reason she and I were sitting next to each other on the flight. This October I’ll be knitting knockers for “pink-tober” and I invite you to join me in this knitzvah project. The October stitchup will be to collect the knockers and ship them together from Boulder. We’ll also talk about whether there’s interest in providing knockers locally on an ongoing basis. In Colorado, there are groups organized in Centennial, Arvada, Fort Collins and Montrose.
Here are the links for resources:
- How to make a knocker – patterns and helpful videos for using double-points, straight-knitting, crochet, etc
- List of Approved Yarns – unlike Welcome Blankets, this one has a list of yarns that are “approved” for the project. Most of these are 100% cotton, so they are soft and washable. Several of these are carried at Shuttles, Spindles & Skeins in Boulder and likely available at the other local yarn shops as well (Gypsy Wools, Mew Mews and FingerPlay Studio) (Shuttles for sure will order anything for you). Afternoon Cotton by Premier Yarns is available at Joanns and Paton’s Grace is available at Michaels. Please keep the label with the knocker so we can send it in together.
- Knitted Knockers Facebook Page
- Knitted Knockers on Pinterest – lots of pins and other boards for breast cancer info
- Knitted Knockers on Instagram and here’s #knittedknockers
I ordered a few kits from Craftsy and will bring them to the September 27 stitch-up. That night (9/27) we’ll finish up Welcome Blankets, and if people want help starting knockers we can do that too. Note the kits do not include needles. For DK weight yarn (#3 on the label) please bring your own set of size 5 double-point needles if you’re going to knit in the round, or straight needles size 5 if you are going to knit flat. For the crochet version, bring size G hook. It’s likely that 1 skein or ball of yarn can make multiple knockers, maybe we can share yarns/share colors/etc. The needles usually cost between $5 and $10.
And a gentle reminder: if you haven’t already had your mammogram in 2017 what are you waiting for? Call to schedule it today, here’s the number for Boulder Community/Foothills Hospital 303-415-5170.
I love both knitting and crocheting, though I'm better at crocheting. I'd be glad to make part of “Knitted Knockers” since it is a great chance to share your experience asnd ideas with other knitting lovers.