Twisted Knitter

Last year, I started forming a vision for knitting for humanitarian purposes and sending my knitting out in the world. Knitting for Peace was on my wish list for several months and once I finally got my own copy, it became a guidebook for me while I explored some of the possibilities. It wasn't until I wrote a blog entry for Twisted Yarns that I chose the organization: The Mother Bear Project. The bear pattern published by the organization is included in the book. It specifies that the yarn be machine-washable and I already had Cascade 220 Superwash in my stash - including a lovely walnut heather for the bear.

Within each of the five sections, you'll find several charity knitting possibilities that touch your heart; you'll be overcome by the simplicity of some of the needs and, like me, you might want to cast on right away. Because I've seen how each of my own kids has adopted an item that gives them comfort, it was a natural decision to choose the bear. He's not fully assembled yet, because I wanted to attempt to photograph the steps in the process. What he looks like so far:

I'm a slow knitter and yet it took just a day and a half to knit him. I followed the book's pattern as written but might modify it for future bears to knit the extremities in the round. If you're interested in this project, there's an episode of Knitty Gritty on DIY Network that includes the pattern and screen shots, along with assembly instructions you can download and print.