In the Loop, March 2022
Craft Community Unites to Support Ukraine
by Claire Levesque
Margaret Mead wrote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
With this quotation in mind, I was inspired to share some of the creative ways knitters and crocheters are expressing support for the victims of war in Ukraine.
Knit One, Quilt Too, a local yarn store in Barrington, RI, recently raised $3200 for CARE’s Ukraine Crisis Fund by donating 25% of their proceeds for one day, combined with customer donations and an owner match.
Crafters in England are making teddies and clothes for refugees.
LoveCrafts, a popular online yarn retailer, raised money to help their employees in Ukraine stay or relocate and meet other needs.
And Interweave recently featured “Artists for Peace,” a collaborative auction coordinated by fiber artist Robin
Tome, that raised $15,813 in two days for the Ukrainian Red Cross.
Opportunities for US-based makers to contribute handmade items remain very limited, but using Ravelry, you can support Ukrainian designers, contribute to Ukrainian relief efforts with pattern purchases, or just show your support for Ukraine and Ukrainians.
Patterns from Ukrainian Designers:
Pelykh Natalie (feminine and family designs); Olena Tytarenko (warm classics); Anna Radchenko of WoollyWood Designs (socks, lace, modern colorwork); Natalia Erkhova (crochet toys and novelty decorations).
Designers Donating Pattern Proceeds to Ukrainian Relief:
Domes Around the World – Kharkiv by Hinterm Stein; Freedom Fields Shawl by Lyudmila Aksenik; Ukraine Support Sunflower Dog Snood by Spigana Spektore.
Free Patterns to Show Solidarity (and inspire donations to the charity of your choice):
Ripples Make Waves Hat by Casapinka; Ukraine Flag Pin by Jen Mitchell; Sunflower Hat by yellowcosmo; Heart of Ukraine (crochet) by Tatiana Kucherovska; Show Support Ukraine Headband by Muki Crafts; Sunflowers for Solidarity by JennyPenny.
If you are thinking of donating to Ukrainian war relief organizations, here are some reliable charities to consider:
International Committee of the Red Cross; Global Giving Foundation’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund; Nova Ukraine; United Help Ukraine; World Central Kitchen.
Spring Blooms in CKC’s Crowdsourced Collection
Heather Hernandez recently added this beautiful pansy doily from her personal collection to CKC’s Crowdsourced Collection. According to her notes, she researched pansy doilies on Ravelry and discovered the pattern that was used is likely the Pansy Doily #5911 from the American Thread Company, a pattern that was re-published in many needlework magazines.
We can enjoy this beautiful doily for its own sake, but wouldn’t it be great to know more about the person who made it, and why and for whom it was made? Don’t let your knitted and crocheted treasures lose their personal histories. Preserve them in CKC’s digital collections today, along with your name and your stories!
Membership Corner
Hello CKC Members! Just a few reminders!
- Don’t forget to volunteer! We need you! As a CKC Member you can volunteer on various committees. Not sure what you want to do but would like to help out? Contact mscott@centerforknitandcrochet.org for more information and to learn about opportunities.
- Need a gift idea for a birthday or upcoming holiday? A CKC Membership is a great gift! Click here to purchase a membership for a friend or loved one!
- Is your membership about to expire? Don’t forget to renew! Click here!
- Do you want to be featured in one of our upcoming newsletters? We will be spotlighting members so we can all get to know each other. If you are interested in being featured, click this link to fill out the form!
ATTENTION: If your membership has expired, the March Newsletter is the last newsletter you will receive! In April the CKC Newsletter will go out to current members and donors only. DON’T MISS OUT! Make sure your membership is up to date! Use your newsletter email to access your account and check your membership status — CLICK HERE!
Knitting & Crochet in the News:
The healing power of craft:
- Amazing technique! Survivor carries on after stroke; learns to crochet with one hand.
- Cat-igan’: Crocheted Top To Help Heal Cat’s Leg Delights the Internet. Not quite the cat’s pajamas, but pretty cool.
And speaking of the catwalk:
- How This Artful Knitting Technique Produces Some of Menswear’s Best Sweaters.
- Models Are Turning to a New Pastime: Knitting.
- In other trends… Record Sales of Icelandic Yarn in 2021.
The social fabric:
- This Is What The World’s Largest Crochet Canopy Looks Like.
- What is Plarn? The knitting practice helping the environment and the homeless.
- How to fête a monarch? With corgis, of course! Women’s Institute launches corgi knitting competition for Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Creative expressions:
- Fiber Arts at Mercer: Is it a craft or an art? Georgia university students seek answers to a perennial question.
- A love of flowers and trees saw crochet artist Yoko Imai move 9000km across the world to NZ.
The Newsletter Archive is LIVE!
You can now enjoy access to past editions of “In the Loop” — CKC’s monthly newsletter for members and donors — by visiting our Newsletter Archive here! Future newsletters will be archived after 3 months.
Your Voice Matters!
We encourage all CKC Members to contribute to CKC’s monthly newsletter. Please email your inquiries, ideas, and stories to newsletter@centerforknitandcrochet.org. We hope to hear from you!
March Newsletter Contributors:
Anne Lies, Claire Levesque, Jennifer Lindsay, Marina Scott, Kay Simmons
