Share a Square ~ Afghans for Kids with Cancer

Do you have a big heart for children in need? I recently came across a blog called This Eclectic Life, and the owner, Shelly Tucker, is collecting crocheted granny squares to make blankets for children with cancer. Here is an exerpt from her blog:

"I have an idea, and I need some people with big hearts to help me make it happen. I’m hoping that it’s you, whether you are a blogger or not. Last week, I was reading Phara’s blog, your mirror or mine. She posted a picture of a lovely quilt that was given to her son at cancer camp made by the hands of a volunteer. Over the years that he has gone to camps, he’s been given several quilts that comfort him in difficult times. I loved the idea of giving a quilt for such a charity, but I don’t quilt. “Hey,” I thought. “I could crochet a granny afghan with all those bits of fancy yarns I have stuck in a drawer.” Then, I got a package from a friend with knitted tea towels. As I smoothed out the lovely knitted squares, a lightbulb went on in my brain. How cool would it be to give a sick child an afghan made by many different hands; ALL of them hands that cared about that child? Can you imagine the feeling of being loved that the child would have? Can you imagine the joy of giving that to a child? You don’t have to imagine. WE CAN.

I’ve contacted a cancer camp for kids that is in Fort Worth, Texas; it’s called Camp Sanguinity. Though they have already had the summer camp for this year, we can shoot for next summer. By then, perhaps we can have afghans made for all of the children at the camp (140 kids in 2003, but I don’t know how many now. I’m waiting on a call-back). It takes more than one of us to make this happen. Will you help?" Here's an update as of Sept. 5:

6720 SQUARES NEEDED! 3661 Squares down 3059 Squares TO GO!

"So, you are asking, “What in the world is Share A Square?” We are working together to create 140 crocheted “granny” afghans for the children at Camp Sanguinity Cancer Camp (Texas) in July 2008. Each afghan is made of 48 crocheted or knitted squares; each square is from a different person. When a child receives an afghan, they will know that 48 different people care."

Here is the blog address so you can read for yourself the details of Shelly's ministry.

http://thiseclecticlife.com/2007/06/14/searching-for-people-with-big-hearts/

Even if you don't crochet, would you please pass this email on to everyone you know, so they can pass it on and so forth. It's a worthwhile ministry, and the more who help, the sooner the children get their blankets.

Thanks for reading this, for caring, and for sharing.

Hooded Baby Wrap ~ Free Pattern from Lion Brand Yarn

http://www.lionbrand.com/ has hundreds of free patterns. This little baby wrap is only one of many that would be welcomed at many children's charities. Here is the pattern, which you can find in full at http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/70090A.html?noImages.

Hooded Baby Wrap

GAUGE: 12 stitches = 4 in. (10 cm) in Garter stitch (knit every row). BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you less stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

BLANKET Blanket is knit diagonally. Beginning at one corner, stitches are increased, then decreased to make opposite corner. Wrapping the yarn over the needle creates a decorative edge on the Blanket.

Cast on 3 stitches.Row 1: Knit 2, yarn over needle (wrap yarn counter-clockwise around needle, making a loop on right hand needle), knit to end of row.Repeat Row 1 until piece measures 20 in. (51 cm) along one side.Next Row: Knit 2, yarn over needle, knit next 2 stitches together twice, knit to end of row.Repeat last row until 3 stitches remain.Bind off.

HOOD Cast on 3 stitches and work same as Wrap until straight edge of Hood measures about 10 in. (25.5 cm). Knit 2 more rows, then bind off.

FINISHING Sew Hood to one corner of Blanket. Weave in ends.

Reprinted from the Lion Brand website.

Prayer Cloth Ministry / Pocket Prayer Cloths

I came across this very interesting website today. The title of the site is Prayerfully Yours/Sending Troops Prayers ~ Prayer Cloth and Shawl Ministries: "Prayers you hold onto", http://www.prayerclothministry.com/. I had never heard of prayer cloths or pocket prayer cloths. Here is the history of this particular ministry:

"Prayer cloths originated as an old practice of spreading prayers that can be found throughout Christian history and in the Bible. Traditionally, prayer cloths were taken from the clothing of the saints and apostles, even Jesus Christ Himself. These prayer cloths or "handkerchiefs" were believed to have the power of Jesus flowing through them. In other scriptural beliefs, Jesus healed a multitude of sick and diseased people by simply allowing them to touch a piece of his clothes. One well-known Biblical story in Luke 8:40-48 tells of a sick lady who approaches Jesus, thinking "But if I touch the hem of His garment I shall be cured." And that's exactly what happened as Jesus felt His miraculous power flow through the garment to cure the woman. However, it is not the cloth that is responsible for the healing. Prayer cloths themselves are powerless. It is the faith of the Believer who receives the cloth that brings healing and comfort. That faith is in the power of prayer and ultimately in the healing power of God, symbolized by the cloth. Many prayer groups offer and sell prayer cloths as a simple cloth with holy oil applied to it. However, the Prayer Cloth Ministry is more similar to the prayer shawl ministries around the country. Given free of cost; prayer cloths, like prayer shawls, are made in the same manner with a prayer in every stitch, not bought or sold. Inspired by Acts 19:11-12, prayer cloths can be knitted, crocheted, loomed, or sewn.

Prayer cloths can be used in many different ways. You can place the prayer cloth on a special table and place prayer requests or pictures of those who are in need of prayers on the cloth. The prayer cloths may also be placed directly on the sick person or held while praying. Prayer cloths can be used to comfort the dying, the ill, those recovering from sickness, the aged, and the lonely and fearful. People needing spiritual comfort, going through depression , family difficulties, trials or tribulations can find comfort from receiving prayer cloths. They can even be given to mark special occasions, such as birthdays and anniversaries. Pocket prayer cloths are used in the same way but are made small enough to be tucked away into such places as wallets, purses, backpacks, pockets, and in the case of the military, in their helmets. I have even been told of patients facing surgery tucking a small prayer cloth in their hospital gown to be able to carry the prayers into surgery!" Source: Prayer Cloth & Shawl Ministries.

You might like to browse this website. There are patterns and stories, and nine other categories, all of which offer a clear insight into this blessed ministry.

Praying and purling; how women are turning knitting into a ministry to the needy

From the current issue of Today's Christian Woman Newsletter,

In the fall of 2005, Shirley Meisinger of Wilton, Iowa, was diagnosed with breast cancer. When this 70something grandmother began chemotherapy, a group of women from Shirley's church gave her a hand-knitted "prayer shawl." The simple rectangular shawl "got her through that time," says her daughter, Laura Rose, 48. "After her treatments, Mom lay on her recliner covered up with it and felt comforted." The shawl was fashioned by members of a knitting group at the United Methodist Church of Wilton. Unlike traditional Jewish prayer shawls—tassel-edged garments worn during synagogue prayer services—these shawls are prayed over as they're knitted and are meant to wrap the recipient in love.

For the rest of this inspiring article, please go to http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/2007/sepoct/2.26.html

A Prayer Shawl in Progress

Here's a prayer shawl in progress. This shawl is being made by one of our Knit Witt friends in South Bend, IN. She added the fringe to the beginning row when she started the second skein of yarn so she could see how it would look. The recipient of this shawl has not yet been selected.

This particular shawl will take 3 skeins of Lion Brand Homespun yarn in Quartz, and size 13 knitting needles.

Pattern: Cast on 63 stitches. First row - Knit (k) one, Purl (p) one, to the end of the row. Turn and knit the purl and purl the knit. You will begin every row with knit. As in the pattern given below, knit about 2 2/3 skeins in the pattern, and then cast off. Use the rest of the yarn for fringe for the cast-off row. This particular shawl has a fringe made from a 16" length of yarn folded in half and pulled through a stitch and knotted.