The love of 'strangers'

Knitters are an incredible bunch. This past week, I have been completely amazed by the total outpouring of love for one of my knitting friends Kat. We have never met, although I hope we do one day. But knitting is a strange world, and through blogging and chatting on Ravelry, it's very easy to become good friends with people. You feel that you know them, yet would pass them by on the street as strangers. Kat is one of the moderators in the Fall in Full Color clubhouse, and is such a vibrant and kind person. Her presence in the clubhouse helps make it the friendliest group on Ravelry. She has been missing from the group for the last 10 days or so, as her husband is ill. We wanted to do something to show her just how much we care about her, so I searched on Ravelry and came up with the perfect pattern - a 'Mystery' blanket. This was particularly appropriate since Kat is a mystery writer herself and all 16 squares in the blanket are named after mystery writers. A sign up thread was started, and within 48 hours there were almost 130 knitters from around the world volunteering to knit a square for Kat! Knitters can do anything, I have decided. Maybe we should rule the world?! I was in charge of allocating the squares! My Ravelry inbox has never been so busy! Anyhow, my job is almost done, as most of the squares have been knit and posted off to two extremely kind people who volunteered to do all the finishing. Yarn was donated by Anne Hanson and Chris at Briar Rose to knit the edging too. Another sign of the generosity of this community. We are making two blankets with 64 squares in each and hope that they will bring much comfort to Kat and her husband over the coming months. Each square has been knit with so much love and hope. My square was the Benjamin Wallace square, and was pretty straightforward, thank goodness. I don't think I would have had time for anything complicated! Poor Mr JK has had to do without my company for much of this week, as I have been sat at the computer sending messages and updating lists!!

 

I have also been on the receiving end of some kindness this week. Yesterday I received a squishy parcel in the post (Mr JK answered the door to the postman, and was greeted with the comment ' I think it's more yarn'!) I sent another blogging friend, Melissa, a donation for her walk against breast cancer and she entered my name into a yarn winning raffle. And guess what? I won!!! A skein of Melissa's beautiful handspun yarn, 75% BFL and 25% Tussah silk. Mmmmmmmmmmm. I think it wants to become a cosy cowl! Thank you Melissa, and good luck with the walk!

 

I probably won't be blogging next week, as I shall be spending the weekend in Bath with my old Uni friends - it's 25 years since we graduated! I still have a pair of socks to finish off before I go! Yikes! Have a good week and I'll catch up with you again soon! xx