Knitting for a Cause

A couple weeks ago, Martie over at Taos Sunflower (her blog is still MIA in cyberspace) shared this note she had received from Carol Anderson (creator of the Cottage Creations knitting pattern booklets that many of you knitters are familiar with). Carol lives in Iowa, which has been devastated by flooding this spring, and has come up with another way for knitters (and crocheters too) to help our people who have lost just about everything. Please read Carol's note below for more information

Tonight on the news we learned that 69 of Iowa’s 99 counties have been declared “disaster” counties. The tornado that hit Parkersburg (Iowa) is less than 50 miles south of us.

While our county is not one of the devastated ones, we too had problems at our house. Deer Creek flows through our property and six miles downstream it flows into the Cedar River, which of course empties into the Mississippi. On Sunday, June 8th, we woke up to well over a foot of water in our basement, Deer Creek swollen to within 100 yards of our house. All is under control, though today, two weeks later, the creek is still high and our sump pump continues to work. Our basement is just that, a basement and I’m glad we’ve not entertained the idea of finishing it—and of course my yarn is stored upstairs! In the big scheme of things our problems don’t even register.

Eleven years ago, Cottage Creations collected hundreds of items for the Red River flood that inundated Grand Forks, ND. Working with the Salvation Army, Paul and I and our friends, the Morrow’s, delivered hand-knit items there. The event was heart-wrenching—people were so appreciative. I’m sure many recipients were comforted simply by knowing someone else cared. I’d like to repeat the drive, this time distributing hand-knits to communities along the Cedar River (35,000 displaced in Cedar Rapids alone) and nearby tornado-ravaged Parkersburg. I will work though proper channels.

After talking with Red Cross or Salvation Army people I’m sending out a plea to my fellow knitters for the following items: mittens, caps, scarves, afghans, prayer shawls, baby blankets, dishcloths, socks, infants, children’s and adult sweaters. If you’d like to participate—one or two articles is quite sufficient, mail or UPS any items to me before November 1st. I will enlist the help of my local knitters group to sort and re-box items and because my husband and I are Lions members I know that I can enlist the help of that group too. We’ll store and sort in my hubby’s workshop! If you include your e-mail address or phone number I will acknowledge receipt of packages, but I won’t be sending letters again at $.42—I’m sure you understand.

Please attach a card to items with the following information:
1) Name of item
2) Size, if applicable
3) Fiber content (most items should be machine washable and dryable)
4) If desired: your name and address and any word of encouragement.

Send to: Post office address: Cottage Creations, At the Farm on Deer Creek, Carpenter, Iowa 50462

OR

UPS or Fed Ex address: Carol Anderson, 4562 Zinnia Ave., St. Ansgar, IA 50472

Questions? 641.324.1280 or cotcreat at rconnect dot com or address above. Thanks….Carol Anderson


So, knitters and crocheters are you with me? I've got only 1 more hat to knit (for my pledge of 10 hats) for Kristy who's planning to deliver 300 hand-knitted hats to Ukrainian orphanages this fall. I think I can keep on knitting hats, but as Carol says in her note above, there are all sorts of things we could whip up between now and November 1st. And I also think that even though we can't physically go to Iowa and help clean up from this disaster, creating something handmade for people affected by this disaster will still let them know we care enough to help in our own special way.