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October Reminds Me Of One Of My Most Beloved Knitting Experiences

10/24/2015

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Isn't she beautiful!?!?!?!  Please meet my beloved Annabelle, my critic teacher from student teaching and the woman who started it all.  October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a reminder of my most important knitting.  In 2010 Annabelle asked me if I would "knit something" for her Casting for Recovery retreat.  It was my Annabelle, so of course I said "yes."  I decided to knit something for all participants.  I designed and knit my Survivor Shawls which are pink shawls made out of multiple, beautiful pink yanks.  Every one is unique.  Every one is beautiful.  Every one is filled with love.  
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This was the first CFC group wearing their Survivor Shawls.  I made 17 shawls for this group.  I made 20 for the next group and found I couldn't stop making them.  I have made close to 60 and have given them to breast cancer survivors all over the country.  
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This is my dear friend Martha Melcher wearing her Survivor Shawl.  It just shows how different you can make pink shawls.  
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Survivor Shawls are my favorite project.  I love everything about them.  I love what they stand for and who they serve.  I love the gorgeous pink yarn.  I love the relaxing rhythm of the pattern.  I love putting different yarns together to make Magic Balls.  I loved the journey and the outcome.  I loved becoming a Pink Yarn Collector.  The fabulous Mary from yarn Quest in Traverse City said she will always remember me buying only the best, most beautiful pink yarn for something I was giving away.  Since I was only purchasing one skein, price was no object.  Beautiful, unique and the "I love it" factor were my only concerns.  

I share this pattern and sorry on my second and third posts back at the very start of Knitting: A Love Story, but I'd like to share in again to honor Breast Cancer Awareness month.  

You will need #15 circular needles and 10 to 15 of the most beautiful pink yarns you can find equaling about 400 yards.  Now let's make a Magic Ball

Cut your yarn into 5 yard to 25 yard lengths equal to 400 yards.  They don't have to be exact, they just have to be varied.  Wind your yarn into little balls.  Now comes the fun part.  Organize the yarn in a color blend that is beautiful.  It is so much fun to move the colors around, looking for the most beautiful combination.  All of a sudden you will realize;  THIS IS IT!  The combination will be perfect, yummy, beautiful.  Begin with a worsted weight which is your anchor yarn.  You will use this a couple more time in the blend and to bind off.  Now begin tying the pieces together using an overhand knot and leaving a tail for decoration.  The tail will become an embellishment on the right side of the shawl.  Wind the yarn into a ball.

The Survivor Shawl is knit end to end.

Cast on 120(ish) stitches using the cable cast on or another stretchy cast on.  Long tail cast on is too tight.  Now just knit every row until shawl the desired length.  If you run out of yarn, cut more pieces and add them on.  Cast off very loosely.

Steam/block using what ever method you prefer making sure to stretch a bit to give it a lacy look.

Finge.

That's it.  Isn't it the easiest project ever.
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This is the magnificent lady who started it all.  Annabelle provided me with the vision to create something important.  I encourage you to make something for a breast cancer survivor this month.  It will make you feel so good.
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    jan parson

    This blog is dedicated to Mary Helen Growt my first knitting teacher and the woman who changed my life.  The mission of Knitting: A Love Story is to preserve, share and promote the love of knitting.

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