Project Peace preparations...

Where to begin… a trip to 60 North in the busiest time of year; academia, family, and preparing for Project Peace. Sounds like a crazy idea, right? But sometimes stepping back from everything to pause and breathe is just what’s needed. I’ll share more on the trip later because there are many parts of this experience that have become part of Project Peace… although that wasn’t the reason for the trek. It was work-related.

I don’t think I’ve gotten much sleep since leaving Iowa with the time difference and some of the best coffee ever. It seems there’s always a reason to have a cuppa… with a friend, invited in to someone’s house, the need to get warm, a reason to use the internet…

But not sleeping much and having very few distractions for 5 days has provided me with the time to get many aspects of Project Peace in place. And we are off to a great start … in just a few days we have over 500 people!!! Plus, we’ve even spent a day or so on the front page of Ravelry.

Here’s a few things that will help gain more attention on Ravelry:

• make sure you click on “favorite” on the Project Peace 2018 pattern page

• place the pattern in your queue on Ravelry

• create a project page on Ravelry

• purchase the pattern or ebook here. Only the pattern information is available at this time. The full pattern instructions will be released on 12/1. The ebook patterns (4 accessories with the “seeds of peace” theme) will be released during and after Project Peace. Proceeds are supporting two organizations, Seeds of Peace and Gardens for Health in Rwanda.

If you are interested in ordering any of the solid color yarn (Brim Collection Breakfast) and would like to receive it before 12/1, please place your order before midnight tonight (11/20) central time zone. You will still be able to order it after 11/20 but you may not receive it by 12/1.

You can also order the speckled yarn (Hedgehog Fibres Sporty Merino) from YarnScout… one of my favorite shops. With your yarn purchase you’ll receive the cutest love and peace pin that Sharyn designed. The only way to get one of these pins right now is with the kit. I think she has plans to make them available in the new year.

To help document our efforts to spread peace through knitting, please make sure you place a pin (or leave a comment with your location and we’ll take care of it for you) on the global peace map. You can find it here.

Global Peace Map…. find it here.

Finally, mark your calendar for 12/21. During the 1st Project Peace, one of the knitters suggested we should have a day that is devoted to knitting for peace. Now, Project Peace is all about being peacefully mindful for 21 days but to have this one day makes a powerful statement. So, make a plan for the 21st. Spend it at home, light a candle, knit, enjoy your favorite beverage or invite a group of friends over, perhaps host a gathering at your LYS or with your knitting group or guild. So many ways to knit for peace on 12/21. Start sharing… we have “knit in public day” so why not “knit for peace day”?

There are so many aspects of Shetland that just make my heart sing… but the colors are definitely at the top of my list.

From the heather…

and the lichen…

to the deep browns of the rocks and buildings.

Thanks to all of you for being here and your interest in cultivating peace. Plant a seed, nurture it and watch it flourish. Peace is a choice…

Peace… one stitch, one step at a time.

Christina

Project Peace 2018 pattern information...

Just when you think you don’t have time to do one more thing… pack your bags and head to Shetland! I wasn’t sure how I would get the Project Peace 2018 pattern information published as scheduled while I traveled internationally on the 14th and 15th but with the help of a couple of friends it happened. Some of you have already found the pattern information but if you hadn’t yet heard, the pattern information for Project Peace 2018 is now on Ravelry. Please note the full pattern (aka the instructions) are released on 12/1.

On the Project Peace 2018 pattern page, you’ll find the option to purchase the pattern or an e-book. Last year, people asked for a way to donate beyond the single pattern so I developed the e-book. What you might want to know about the e-book… the main Project Peace 2018 pattern is included. There will be 4 additional patterns released throughout and after Project Peace. All the patterns are accessories and related to the theme, “seeds of peace.”

Project Peace 2018, seeds of peace, pattern information now available on Ravelry. This is the double loop version.

Over the past few months, I’ve been collaborating with my dear friend Amor of Crave Yarn. She has the most beautiful yarns… the yarn, Brim Collections Breakfast used in the solid color sample is now available to order on The Healthy Knitter website. The yarn is 100% “New Merino” which is a certification process for Australian merino wool and is designed to verify all attributes and elements of merino supply from farm to yarn.  The certification has an emphasis on traceability, sustainability, animal welfare, and land management.  

So you can feel good about knitting with Brim Breakfast knowing that the sheep it comes from are well taken care of along with the land they live on. The only place to get the Brim Collection Breakfast yarn is on The Healthy Knitter website. Your purchase of yarn will help raise money for this year’s chosen organizations (Seeds of Peace and Gardens for Health) that are working to create a peaceful world.

Please know that all yarn ordered by 11/20 will ship on 11/26.

LImited edition luxury kits now available on The Healthy Knitter website.

Over the past few months, my mum and I have been working on creating a very special project bag to be part of a luxury kit. We teamed up with Amor of Crave Yarn to make this an extra special treat. We only made 20 kits so if you are looking for a really nice gift for yourself or someone else, you might want to hop on over to the shop. Kits include the following:

• a project bag sewn by my mum, made of 100% linen, lined with cotton ticking, includes a “peace” patch embroidered by yours truly with a little “peace” button sewn on the outside;

• 2 skeins of Caravan yarn (70% SW Fine Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Camel, 10% Mulberry Silk; 354 yards/100 g) from Crave Yarn in one of 3 colors;

• a set of 5 custom peace-related stitch markers made by Katie from Katrinkles. (available separately in December);

• a small leather patch that says “knit peace;” and

• a handmade card.

Kits will be sold through 11/20 or until sold out, whichever comes first. Kits ordered by 11/20 will ship on 11/26.

I used Hedgehog Fibres Sporty Merino for the single loop sample. You can purchase this yarn from the YarnScout. Sharyn’s made the cutest love and peace pin that you can only get with the yarn during Project Peace… 20% of all sales are donated to Knitters 4 Peace.

Here’s a few things you can do right now to help other knitters learn about Project Peace…

• purchase the pattern or ebook on Ravelry… this helps raise money to support peace-related organizations;

• to help Project Peace garner attention on Ravelry, please do these easy things: click “favorite” on the pattern page, place pattern in your queue, create a project page;

• join the Healthy Knitter group on Ravelry

• on the Healthy Knitter group there’s a thread with a map for World wide knit for peace day… leave a note with your location and we’ll get you added to the map.

Let’s spread peace around the world… tell your friends, LYS, knitting groups, guilds… it’s up to us to be the peace-makers!

Now…. I must share that I stopped by the home of Jimmy Perez but no one was home.

If you haven’t watched the BBC series “Shetland” I highly recommend it…

May you all have a wonderful weekend filled with precious moments and time to pause… and breathe. With so many tragic events, extend a hand if need be and hug your loved ones.

The sun sets early at 60 North… feeling connected to my friends in Cordova at the same latitude. I suppose the short days urge one to find the beauty in the darkness.

I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to Project Peace 2018… I have been gathering ideas for posts all year… you might be interested in finding a notebook or journal to use during the 21 days. Every year, I create a page in my journal for each day… for words and doodles.

Sunset at Mavis Grind, Shetland, UK

Peace is a journey… one stitch, one step at a time.

Project Peace 2018...

“Peace... this we choose each day. ”

— Anonymous

Be a seed… nourish and grow! Pattern details release on 11/15 on Ravelry!

It’s hard to believe that Project Peace begins in 3 weeks. It’s no secret, this year has been a challenge for me and I’ve been quiet on the blog as a result. Each time I think I’m ready to reconnect with all of you with consistency I find myself needing more time alone. I’m grateful for your support, patience, kindness and understanding. This year, I’ve been reminded so many times of all the wonderful people there are in the world.

Some of you are new to the blog so let me briefly share some history about Project Peace. For a brief review, read this post published by Interweave or feel free to peruse posts from previous years.

Project Peace began as a simple idea over coffee with a friend in the fall of 2015. I mentioned “what if I could get 1000 knitters around the world to knit on the same pattern at the same time in the name of peace?” I chuckled and said “if I was successful, it would be my version of world peace.” Never did I imagine what would happen. By the end of December in 2016, there were over 20,000 downloads for the free Project Peace pattern. It was a challenging time for many and the focus on peace during those dark days provided a glimmer of hope. To create a larger impact, in 2017, I charged a nominal fee for the pattern and donated proceeds to non-profit organizations that are working towards a healthy, peaceful future.

Project Peace is about choosing peace in one’s daily life. Since those initial days of Project Peace, I’ve learned A LOT about peace, what it means and how much more I need to learn. I’ve a better understanding that it’s a loaded word with many preconceived ideas that may or may not be appropriate. We’ve used this word so casually over the years that for many the true meaning has been lost. BUT the impetus for Project Peace was to remind people that peace is a choice. It’s not something that will someday be given to us… for free, without work. Peace is built from the bottom-up and that’s us.

During the month of December, I provide suggestions on the blog that can be incorporated into your daily life that might help bring a little peace to your day. I do this through the act of knitting, using knitting as a metaphor, creating commu[k]nity, introducing you to others that represent some element of peace… the list goes on.

Project Peace is not focused on any specific religion, faith, political party or agenda. I intentionally work to make Project Peace inclusive to all people…. My goal is to create a global knitting commu[k]nity that is inclusive and without borders.

I’m so excited about this year’s project as I’ve worked over the past 4 months to create a pattern that promotes intentional and mindful knitting…. Oh gosh, I just can’t wait. The theme this year is “Seeds of Peace.” This idea came to me last year during Project Peace 2017 and I knew I wanted to design a cowl that would capture this concept. It is my hope that “seeds of peace” will remind each one of us to be seeds that with nourishment will grow to positively impact others. We’ll chat more on this later.

This year’s pattern proceeds will be used to support two non-profit organizations, Seeds of Peace, a summer camp in Maine that hosts kids from North America, Africa, and the Middle East to develop healthy communication skills. The other group is called Gardens for Health, three women teaching others in Rwanda how to cultivate food to prevent malnutrition. So, let’s help spread peace through our seeds….

Last year, people asked me how they could donate more. In addition to the Project Peace 2018 pattern there will also be an opportunity to purchase an ebook with forthcoming patterns. There will be 5 patterns in the ebook that are related to “seeds of peace” including patterns for fingerless mitts, a hat, and 2 other cowl patterns. There will also be an updated version of the Project Peace 2018 pattern for other weights of yarn; this will be released at the end of December. One pattern will be released during Project Peace and the others will be published on Ravelry in January/early February. Profits from the ebook will also be used to support this year’s organizations. It’s a win-win… more peaceful knits for you that extend into the New Year and more funds to help others working towards creating a peaceful world.

I need your help… please be a seed…

It’s up to us to spread peace around the world… peace begins with us. There are over 3000 people subscribed to this blog… if each one of us, encourages 1 other person to knit for peace, that would be 6000 people, and if that person asked one other person then that’s 12,000…that’s a lot of seeds being planted for peace. Just think… we have the power to engage others in cultivating peace in our world.

·        Can I ask that each one of you please encourage one other person to knit for peace?

·        To encourage one other person to subscribe to this blog?

·        Ask each one of those people to do the same thing?

An action you can do right now:

Now, here’s a really easy thing to do… go to the Healthy Knitter Ravelry group, join the group. Then, go to the thread for the global map. We’ve had some issues with the map this year, so we’ve created a solution that makes this very easy for you. All you have to do is leave a note with your location and we’ll get you added. How many people can we get to place a pin on the map? If you notice your location is already been pinned by someone else, please make sure you are added as well…

• What state in the US can have the most representation?

• What country outside of the US can have the most pins?

• Which continent can be covered?

Global map of knitters for peace… add your location! Let’s cover the world with peaceful knitters.

The pattern details for Project Peace 2018 will be published on November 15 on Ravelry. At that time, you can purchase the details for the single pattern. The pattern instructions will be released on December 1. You’ll also have the option to purchase the ebook (patterns to be released during December, January and February).

All of the following actions, help increase the visibility of Project Peace on Ravelry. On November 15, do the following:

• Like (or “fav”) the pattern on Ravelry

• Place the pattern in your queue on Ravelry

• Create a project page on Ravelry

Are you ready? Ready to focus on peace… yes, it’s a busy time but isn’t that the point? We have to make time for peace. If we wait for the right time, we may wait too long. It’s up to us to choose peace. Please continue to join me on this adventure… it’s become my mission… how about you?

In the coming days, I’ll be popping into your inbox with some additional opportunities. There will be bags again this year plus a few other new items. I’m excited to share.

Please share how you will actively work to engage other knitters in an opportunity to cultivate a culture of peace in our lives! I can’t wait to hear your ideas.

“Knit on with confidence and hope, through all crisis.”

— Elizabeth Zimmerman

The seasonal shift...

Hellooooooo... welcome back or is it I that has returned? 

I've been away.

I've been quiet.

I've been recovering. 

I've been surviving then thriving and then back to surviving. It's a long road...

In all honesty, I write a blog post in my head to all of you almost every day. While I walk, I think (and think and think and think) and it turns into what seems like a wonderful blog post. Then I return home and "poof" the urgency to write has vaporized. 

My father's unexpected passing in December uprooted my world and has caused such sadness. So many people have been over the top kind during this time and for that I'm truly grateful. But the pain is real as many of you know. Over the summer I allowed myself to focus on family and projects that felt right in the moment. There was lots of knitting and very little designing as I just wanted to knit, knit, and knit. I've traveled to remote places that may be of interest to you and I'll share more about these trips as we journey through the fall.... together. 

From the top, Ramona Cardigan by Elizabeth Smith, the Islands Cardigan by Carrie Bostick Hogue, and Tecumseh by Caitlin Boyd. 

And here we are in the last unofficial week of summer (in the US) marked by the upcoming  Labor Day weekend. Although the earth has almost another month of summer in the Northern Hemisphere with the first official day of fall on September 22, we are in the midst of a seasonal shift. The leaves in central Iowa have tinges of lighter green and yellow, the corn is drying, the acorns are falling from the sky, and the native grasses are growing taller and taller. Harvest is right around the corner, soccer in full swing, crisp apples and the need to wear warmer clothes... but not quite yet as it's 90 degrees outside, muggy, and a thunderstorm is brewing. 

Anaashah sweater by Jenn Steingass.

So for today, I only pop into your inbox to let you know that you are on my mind and to share a few key dates for the fall. I've been making plans for Project Peace 2018 for months and I'm eager to focus on cultivating peace for 21 days in December. There will be a few extra items to add to this calendar but I wanted to make sure you mark these dates.

I will return soon to tell you more about Project Peace 2018. I will share that I am over the moon excited about the design(s). Yes, you read that right... there's more than one option this year because we all know there's more than one road to peace. And please remember that the only way we continue to make this initiative grow is to tell everyone you know... your friends, family, knitting groups, guilds, local yarn stores.... we can spread peace, one stitch at a time. 

I know that I need to finish up a few loose ends from the spring. I need to announce a winner from our spring walk-along. It's on my list.

And finally, I want to share that if anyone is seeking a movie recommendation I found one that is a must. It's called "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" and can be watched on Netflix. Best movie I've seen in a long time... 

Until next time... and that will be soon.

Knit one, walk two, and peace always...