March 8, 2005

Women's day

I mentioned that they were done, but I couldn't stand posting crappy pictures of them, so waited for sunshine. I'm glad I did. Here, (in several pictures, because I can't hardly contain the happiness on one blog), are the finished Mitaines Sans Frontières tricotez pour Tricoteuses Sans Frontières, comme collecteur de fonds pour Médecins Sans Frontières. (If I am very lucky...someone will now correct my crappy French).
If you prefer English, these are The Mittens Without Borders knit for Knitters without Borders, as a fundraiser for Doctors Without Borders.

Msfdoned

Msfbraids

Msfdone

I'm working up the gumption to give them away. Soon.

Today is International Women's day, and it is worth noting that the Knitters Without Borders are almost completely women. (In the interest of accuracy, I can tell you that to the best of my knowledge, of the 627 members, 5 are men.) I updated the total for you. Knitters without borders has raised more than $60 000. For scale, I can tell you that Willie Nelson's concert fundraiser brought in $75 000. Think about that for a minute. A hoard of knitters raised almost as much as Willie Freakin Nelson. Then dance. Feel powerful. Celebrate Women's Day. (Try, if you are like me, to give up the urge to raise *more* than Willie Nelson. Competition is not good for your soul).
Finally, if you can stand it, remember that not all women are as powerful and rich as you. Some of the money we sent to MSF will go Women in Darfur, where it will change lives in ways you can't even begin to imagine. I am forever grateful, both for your incredible generosity, and for the knowlege that no matter how sympathetic I may be, no matter how much I read, I will never fully understand their plight. I am very lucky.

In honour of you powerful women....Gifts!

Pam R. is continuing the karma wave by donating Mary Thomas's Book of Knitting Patterns. originally published in 1943, this book is a classic resource.

Marythomas

Shannon S. will be having a good time with this.

Mary H. sent this.

Quiviut

Take a deep breath my friends. Deep breath. It's handspun qiviut. (Qiviut is finer than cashmere and warmer than wool. It's the downy undercoat of the artic musk oxen. It doesn't felt and It. Does. Not. Itch.)
Annie J. , please take good care of it.

Jenny has this beautiful Koigu. Enough for a pair of socks.

Jenny'skoigu

I'm hoping that Jennifer D. is a Koigu Virgin, since I love watching people discover it.

Christie H is another one who can't something without giving something back (do you see how this is going to go on forever?)

Christiescarf

She's donated this beautiful scarf to the cause and it's going to warm the neck of Jill T.

Betty B. has a copy of Alice Starmore's Fishermen's Sweaters that will be going to Katherine L. Merci Betty!

Ann Budd wrote: " I’ll donate a copy of my book The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns (autographed, if whoever wins would like), along with The Knitter’s Handy Guide to Yarn Requirements. " Isn't she nice? Ann will be sending (and autographing) her books to Megan R.

As always, I have emailed the lucky ladies. Tune in tomorrow when I give away Emma's book and begin the Laurie's sock yarn spinning tutorial. Promise. Happy Women's Day.

Posted by Stephanie at March 8, 2005 12:12 PM