I think almost a year ago I met with Carol Caparosa, who was starting a really cool non profit – Project Knitwell. I loved the concept, which is rooted in what I believe to be the biggest benefit of knitting – it is therapeutic. Her program started at Georgetown Hospital and has now spread to our local Alexandria Hospital. It’s mission is to bring knitting and its therapeutic benefits to folks facing particularly stressful situations (a baby in the NICU or a child suffering from cancer, for example). I was really excited about finding ways that fibre space™ could partner with this group. Here’s what we came up with:
Our new partnership is focused on bringing more resources to the work of Project Knitwell while offering fibre space™ customers an opportunity to use their craft for the benefit of the community. The fibre space™ community will support the work of Project Knitwell by contributing project kits and other supplies to the program, as well as hosting regular stitching and fundraising events to benefit the mission of the organization.
Sooo…..ready to be involved?
Here’s what you can do! This week we are hosting a stitching event in our lounge on Sunday from noon – 4 pm. We will be making hats for babies in the NICU that are fun and festive. While they have lots of donated baby hats, they have expressed a need for colorful and fun hats that are spring themed. You can even knit or crochet a quick flower to be added to the hats that they already have. Read more about how you can contribute, get project ideas and read the yarn guidelines here.
Starting this week, we will also be selling kits to donate to Project Knitwell’s efforts to bring the joy of knitting to those who need it most. They have requested larger gauge needles and yarn for their program with children recovering from serious illness. The children will learn to knit and be given all the materials that they need to get started on a simple yet fun project. We put together two fab kits that include yarn, needles and a copy of Carol’s patterns. You can purchase those at the shop (or by calling the shop). They are super discounted: $20 for 2 Chunky Merino Tweed, US#11 needles and a pattern or 3 Sirdar Big Bamboo, US#15 needles and a pattern.