knitters for newtown
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 5:44PM
I don't even have words to talk about what's happened.
Nothing I can say will take it back, will lessen the cruel sting of daylight for 26 families this holiday season.
I can't fix it. I can't undo it.
But I can't do nothing.
And I know that knitters, demonstrably some of the best people in the world, can't do nothing either.
We're helpers.
Today, I'm starting Knitters for Newtown.
Knitters for Newtown is our way -- and by our, I mean every knitter in the world who wants to help -- our way of showing these families that we love them.
That we grieve with them. That their children, sisters, brothers, moms, aunts, and friends are not forgotten.
That even though the night is dark, they are not alone in the darkness.
This is for Charlotte Bacon.
This is for Daniel Barden.
For Olivia Engel.
For Josephine Gay.
This is for Ana Marquez-Greene.
For Dylan Hockley.
And Madeleine Hsu.
This is for Catherine Hubbard.
This for Chase Kowalski.
This is for Jesse Lewis.
For James Mattioli.
This is for Grace McDonell.
For Emilie Parker.
For Jack Pinto.
And Noah Posner.
This is for Caroline Previdi.
And Jessica Rekos.
This is for Avielle Richman.
For Benjamin Wheeler.
This is for Allison Wyatt.
And for Rachel Davino, Dawn Hochsprung, Nancy Lanza, Victoria Soto, Anne Marie Murphy, Lauren Rousseau, and Mary Sherlach. They will forever be their mother's babies.
I can't do everything.
But Knitters for Newtown is going to show the world what knitters can do. I haven't just seen it, I've experienced it.
Knitters for Newtown is going to raise at least $10,000 for the families of the victims, and for the community of Newtown. And we're going to knit at least 26 blankets, one for each mother's child who died.
It's not everything. But it's something.
I made this colorway. It's the tiniest candle in a vast ocean of darkness.
I made this one too.
For the next six weeks, you can order these on our site, and I will donate 20% of the sales price directly to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund, and other charities set up to help the victims' families.
That's not 20% of the proceeds, that's 20% of the sales price.
These colorways were difficult to make, but I'm glad I did it. Doing something helps. I think you'll find that doing something -- even a small thing -- helps you too.
Love Wins is a gentle rainbow. A reminder of the innocence of childhood. A declarative statement that evil doesn't get to win, love does.
The Giving Tree was inspired by Sandy Hook Elementary's mascot and school colors. Their mascot, an eagle, is subtly represented by the browns, blacks, grays, and golds. And their school colors, green and white, are there too.
You can also make a donation here, and we'll add it to our efforts to donate $10,000. Every penny we collect will go directly to the charities -- we are not keeping any of it. Even $5 makes a difference.
Soon, we're going to need help knitting squares for 26 blankets. The squares can be knit from your stash, or from one of these colorways. We'll have more details on that, including where to send the squares, very shortly.
So how can you help?
1. You can pray for these families. If you don't believe in praying, send them love and healing.
2. You can like our Knitters for Newtown Facebook page, where you'll be kept up to date on our fundraising and blanket making efforts.
3. You can post about this on your own blog, Facebook page, or Twitter feed.
4. You can tell all your friends.
5. You can join our Ravelry group.
6. You can make a donation or purchase yarn, which will help us reach our $10,000 fundraising goal.
7. You can knit a square. (More on that soon.)
8. You can hug your own family members. You can tell them you love them. You can spread as much joy and kindness into the world as humanly possible.
Darkness doesn't drive out darkness. Only light can do that.
Knitters: let's do this.
Knitters for Newtown Facebook page.
If you prefer to mail us a check, contact us, and we'll give you our mailing address.
Questions? knittersfornewtown@gmail.com
Yarnista
More information on knitted squares:
Q: Do the squares need to be a certain size?
A: Yes, 8”x8”, please.
Q: Do they need to be from a certain colorway or yarn?
A: No, definitely not. Feel free to use your stash. What matters is the love put into them.
Q: Would you prefer a certain fiber?
A: Washable wools and acrylics, please. We don’t want anything ruined in the wash. Cottons tend to stretch out too much in large objects.
Q: Do they need to be in a certain stitch?
A: Garter stitch makes it easy for seaming. If you’d like to knit a design into the center, that’s great. Please put garter stitch around the edges, if you can.
Q: Can I crochet the squares?
A: Yes! Just please make sure they’re 8x8.
Q: Where shall I send the squares?
A: Here’s the address:
Three Irish Girls
Attn: Knitters for Newtown
PO Box 161165
Duluth, MN 55816
Q: How many blankets are you making?
A: At least 26. If we collect enough squares, we’ll make more. There are lots of siblings and grandparents who would love a memorial blanket, too.
Q: Do I need to sign up to participate, or can I just send them to you?
A: Just send them our way. The more, the better.
Q: Do I need to put anything else in the package?
A: Please include your name and email address in case we need to contact you.
Q: Should I block the squares and weave in the ends?
A: Yes, please. That will make seaming much easier.
Q: What is the deadline?
A: March 31, 2013. That means we have time to do this right. Families will appreciate the gesture down the road, after the media attention has died down. It will let them know they’re not forgotten.
Q: Should I wait and send you the squares in March?
A: Send us the squares anytime. We have a 15,000 square foot studio and have already designated a special spot for them here where they won’t be lost or forgotten.
Q: Will you post pictures of the squares and blankets?
A: Absolutely.
Q: What weight yarn should I use to knit/crochet the squares?
A: It doesn't matter, as long as the squares measure 8"x8".
Reader Comments (17)
I love your heart Sharon.
I will continue to pray for these families, and will help by buying the colorways. I will help with blanket squares as well.
I have been sick to my stomach, stunned and horrified - but this post here was the first thing that made me cry. The list of names did it. I will do anything to help - and thank you Sharon for giving us all this outlet!
Oh, Sharon. What a beautiful post...your generous spirit makes the world a better place.
I'm in!
I am in. What a wonderful and kind gesture.
I've been crying for days, crying again reading this, but for the first time I feel like I can do something to help. I love the idea of lighting even a tiny candle, rather than just cursing the darkness. And I hope the families will see that others want to bear their burden in any way we can. Thanks for giving us this chance.
Blessings to you and your family, Sharon. ♥
Sharon, this is beautiful. My heart aches, along with so many others. Your words and actions say it beautifully. Praying.....
I've been in tears over this since Friday. I am so in! I hope the squares can be crocheted because I am much faster (and better) making squares that way but if they have to be knit, I can. I'll join the groups and find/wait for the details. Sharon, you've always been one of my heroes and a constant source of inspiration - today just proves again as to why.
Thank you for this tribute and for allowing us to participate. I've placed my order and will be knitting socks and mini-shawls. I'm going to print your blog message and include it when I give the socks and shawls as gifts. Love does win.
And for the adults who were killed. Please don't forget. They will also always be their babies' mothers. Anne Marie Murphy was the mother of my niece's best friend. She was found wrapped around one of her students -- another of her babies.
Hi Sharon - I'm new to your blog (but love what I see). I wanted to let you know that I love your enthusiasm, and will happily buy yarn to support it. :) Twist my arm... Also, the mom of one of victims is a friend of mine. I'm organizing my local knitting group to make a blanket for Benjamin. Of course one can never have too many expressions of love and support in a time like this. But if the 26 blankets project becomes too much, I'd be happy to communicate (and send a picture of the finished collective project) and assume responsibility for that one. Totally up to you. I love that the yarn community is rising up in so many amazing ways. It just shows what great people fiber folks are.
What charity is the $10,000 going to? And if we donate directly to the charity and email you to let you know, would that count towards your goal?
Thanks!
Katherine, we're sending the money to the Sandy Hook Family Fund. Yes, just take a screen cap of your donation, and send it to us! We will count it. Thank you so much!!!
I can't stop crying. I am new to your blog and your yarn; the info was forwarded to me by a friend. Thank you for giving those of us who love yarn an outlet to express our love to these grieving families! I eagerly await my new Love Wins yarn.
I just ordered the yarn. Please post on the blanket squares as I am on board with that. I live in CT and really need to do something to help.
I'm pleased you are doing this, pleased to participate and I've started the work.
I suppose if Newtown dosen't want the blankets they could be auctioned on eBay and the proceeds donated to one of the Newtown funds that have been set up.