Knitting impacts the world around us.
If you have ever given a hand knit baby sweater to a first time mother you know what I mean.
Make a pair of mittens and deliver them to a homeless shelter in winter. You won’t just see the smiles on the faces of the recipients but those working there will be moved. Trust me on this. A scad of 8 to 10 year old girls and their mothers did this with me 10 years ago and my heart was overcome by the experience.
A sweater, mittens, prayer shawls… we can easily understand the joy these knitted gifts bring.
Now consider the joy, delight and happiness a hand knit washcloth can bring.
Wait? What?
w a s h c l o t h
You, Dear Reader have the power to help by simply knitting a square.
What I am saying is: I do not want an old towel to take an opportunity away from me to do something kind!
A Medical Team dedicated to helping local community centers in Haiti will be leaving my hometown in a few weeks. They sent out a request for washcloths: “You can grab an old towel and cut it in to small squares for washcloths” it was said. My heart hurt at this request. My community of knitting friends and I can make a washcloth, a clean, fresh washcloth and share something much, much better.
I am not saying an old towel ripped up wouldn’t serve a purpose. What I am saying is: I do not want an old towel to take an opportunity away from me to do something kind!
Why not use an old towel and cut it up?
Let me share with you quickly what this makeshift washcloth is for, or more appropriately, Who this is for…
Each person that comes to the clinic can receive a hygiene package. Things in that kit help meet very basic needs that people in this devastated area have. They receive soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, band-aids and a washcloth. Personal hygiene and malnutrition are areas these volunteers can help and do so quite easily. Simple acts of sharing food and showing how to clean and care for woulds make a difference. They DO make a difference.
So please consider the simple washcloth. A square. Knit it in garter with two strands of sturdy cotton held together and you can have it done over a cup of coffee.
A simple square. Simple for you to knit or crochet.
A toothbrush and toothpaste. Could you consider grabbing one of each from your local Mart?
The Medical Team has at present these needs: washcloth, toothbrush, tooth paste.
Can I challenge you towards one donation? Can I encourage you to share this opportunity with others?
The question earlier was: Why not use an old towel and cut it up?
Because I am a knitter! I do not settle for rags. And if it is in my power, others do not need to settle for rags.
I can share myself with these people in need. I can join in with my two hands.
Simply.
Effortlessly.
Imagine what I could do if I busted my ass a little? Really dug deep? Stopped knitting for myself during a tv show for just one day?
What could I do?
What difference could I make?
I am not sure. But I know I am about to find out.
Will you join with me?
If not in knitting or crocheting, perhaps in sharing this opportunity? Sharing it takes no effort at all. Click a share button a few times today and make a difference. Some of us really are too busy to knit or crochet at present, but we all have 5 second to repost, retweet, embed this….
#SimplySeptember can be a simple way for us to change somebody’s life.
I am so freaking excited right now I want to knit a ton of these things.
Knit now and HEAD HERE for info where to send them and the timeline.
{photos provided by Medical Team members with permission to share here}
WITH∞MEL 