Subversive Knitting

Holiday Charity Knitting for New Orleans

Guest post from Dez Crawford. In case you haven't heard, Gail, the list-mom from Knit-U and Knit Design, passed away the other day after a short illness. Her death was a shock to everyone. This message was posted on Knit-U by Dez Crawford shortly after we heard the news:

Knitterati:

I am as thunderstruck as everyone else. I simply cannot believe Gail is gone.

Gail put her best into KnitU to make this a thriving online community. I know that I have made many real, solid friendships -- including Gail's -- over the many years I have corresponded on this list. I know that the daily work of monitoring and managing such a large list was a major task, but Gail took it in stride, and made it into a thriving network of real people, and not just another online Q&A group.

As a result, KnitU is not a virtual community. It is a REAL community.

Gail was one of the bright lights who stepped up after Hurricane Katrina to realize that there would be a great need in New Orleans the winter after the storm. Shortly after the storm, she said, "People tend to underestimatehow miserable a person can get in a place where winter is short, chilly and wet. I'm afraid that people in New Orleans won't get enough donations of WARM clothes when winter comes."

She was correct, and the need continues. Our winter is not long, and it is not severe -- but it's not tropical, either. And if you ask anyone in Seattle, if it's 35 or 40 degrees, and it's windy, and rainy -- you are cold! Especially if you are camping out in a gutted and unheated house undergoing repair, or if you are living in a drafty FEMA trailer.

And especially if you are homeless and out on the street. Covenant House in New Orleans serves homeless kids and teens. Gail's goal this year was to get at least a thousand garments shipped to Covenant House in time for the holiday season this year. Of particular need are hats and scarves, items that can be taken on and off as needed, and which are easily portable for kids who might be on the street with just the clothes on their back, a small backpack or tote bag, or just a plastic bag tohold their few belongings.

As for most homeless programs, garments needing to be handwashed are impractical. Think in terms of practical colors suitable for either boys or girls. Bright colors are great but avoid light colors that show dirt easily.

As for fiber choices, think in terms of:

Superwash wool
Washable wool blends
Acrylic

Also, please stick to the above-listed WARM fibers. I've seen people in the northern realms specualting on what they think might be better for New Orleans: "I should donate something that will get more year round wear," or "Maybe I should use cotton instead."

Please don't second-guess the guidelines. Covenant House knows what they need, and they have adequate donations of mild-weather wear. What they need in the winter are warm accessories and garments for kids who are living on the streets, and a cotton scarf is not warm, especially when it's damp.

Let's help Gail meet that goal of one thousand donations. Please do the following:

In order to assure arrival in time for the holidays, mail your donations within the US and Canada by DECEMBER 14. If you are late, that's fine -- Covenant House needs goods all year. But in order for your gift to arrive in time and for me to tally up the totals, mail your item by December 14.

Send your knitted donations to:

Covenant House New Orleans
611 N. Rampart St.
New Orleans, LA 70112

Also, there is an ongoing need for toothbrushes, travel size toiletries andfor clean underwear in teen sizes. If you are seriously strapped for time and you don't have time to knit a garment, consider sending those tiems. THEN, also by the 14th, send me a short email, listing what you donated. I will keep a tally and post the totals as soon as I can after the 14th. Send to: dezcrawford@hotmail.com

I likely will not have time to reply to each email right away but the results WILL be tallied.

Thanks to you all.

Love,

Dez Crawford

(Reposted with permission.)