Public Knitting: the walking cure « A TikkunKnitter’s Miscellany

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Public Knitting: the walking cure

January 9, 2008 by tikkunknitter

Public knitting doesn’t half describe my knitting. In my neighborhood, I’m known as the “walking knitter”…. most days I get about town with a set of dpns in hand, sock, bootie, hat or sleeve in progress. I’d always thought that was why I have peripheral vision - to finish the row as I cross the street. Most of these travelling projects are for others, part of living as a tikkunknitter. One late summer day I walked an entire city block trailing a length of fluff that dropped from my tote bag as I walked and “looped”, hoping to finish a favorite niece-let’s knitted tutu.

So when this traveller recently crossed my electronic path I found another intersection of value, craft and community:

This woman is walking the World for Breast Cancer. Please pass her on so that she can reach her destination. Say a prayer for all those who are affected by this terrible disease. She’s walking around the world — via e-mail!! Pass it on so she can get there (source here)

October may be Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but the disease causes suffering around the clock and calendar, which coincides with my knitting regimen. So where are the recent knitting projects for breast cancer patients? Previous projects include The Think Pink Challenge, Breast Cancer Knitting Charity and Knit for the Cure. A pink ribbon scarf is an obvious starting place, but Knitty’s 2004 breast-cancer mini-issue would be another place to start to look for ideas. Etsy took on the challenge as well, providing examples, information, and its Knitting for Knockers collection site. Knitting-related purchases from The Breast Cancer Site would also support the cure, especially their pink Pyrex glass knitting needles. Using a pink set of Denise interchangeable needles would also speak to a commitment to breast cancer awareness (though I already have a couple of other sets to support my numerous wips). Using set of pink ribbon stitch markers would work as well. Beginners could start with Lion Brand’s Knit for Life kit. Philadelphia-are knitters might join me in a project to benefitLiving Beyond Breast Cancer a Philadelphia based, national organization offering direct support, information, and education for breast cancer survivors and their families. Until then, I’ll plan to contribute to Knitting for Knockers.