Blankets of Friendship

This is the logo I designed over the weekend for the blankets for Victorian bushfire victims project.

We have a blog and Yahoo group now, as well as the Ravelry group. Anyone from anywhere is welcome to join in, even a single square is a help. Visit the Yahoo group's file area for web graphics, an information pack, posters, and flyers (also by yours truly).

Some knitting content *gasp* - these are Mitt Envy fingerless gloves ... they're knit in 4 ply, and a very quick knit. With cables (doesn't get any better!). These are in Patonyle hand-dyed by Dotter. They're a gift for someone, so I won't reveal who just yet.

The only modification I'd make next time around is to make the ribbed cuff longer - they're fairly short.

I haven't bought any online knitting stuff for an age - it was time for a treat. These are Harmony Cable Needles by Knit Picks (from Morris & Sons aka Tapestry Craft) ... so pretty, and the notches in them should help 'hold onto' stitches. Can't wait to use them (they arrived after I'd finished the cabled mitts above). Clearly an excuse to cast on a new project with cables!


My uncle is back in hospital, the leukaemia has returned. He starts chemotherapy again today :( Dotter is going all the way for the World's Greatest Shave - yes, she's going to shave all her hair off next month if she meets her target! If you'd like to help her reach her goal, and see her bald, head on over to her page.

Comfort Packs

There are so many creative and thoughtful support programs coming into being in the past few days, to support those who have lost so much in the Victorian bushfires (and let's not forget those who have been through horrendous flooding in Queensland!). Coles (one of the 2 major grocery chains in Australia) is even donating all profits from this Friday's sales to the cause.

Most charities are overwhelmed with material donations, and are requesting just $$$.

On the crafting front there are blankies being knit, pouches being made for orphaned joeys and other wildlife, and a vast array more. To join in the Friendship Blankets Project check out this Yahoo group. They need 12" / 30 cm square knitted or crocheted squares, which will be sewn into blankets. Machine washable wool (8 or 10 ply) is the preference.

The one that has really touched my heart is Rainbow Comfort Packs for kids - thousands of children have lost their homes, and many lost family, friends and/or pets. Too much for a little person to have to bear. I'll be making some of these.

No words

Words can't describe the horror of the Victorian bushfires in the past days. Over 100 130 160 deaths, hundreds and hundreds of homes lost, thousands of injured and homeless, thousands of acres of bushland destroyed ... and more.

It also brings back dreadful memories of the Canberra bushfires, which roared overhead and around us (literally) 6 years ago. Our heartfelt wishes go out to everyone and anyone affected by this tragedy.

There are satellite images of the fires on the MODIS web site ... select "Next" to see images after yesterday's ones. MODIS Terra gives good land images. Select 2 km or 1 km resolution, then once that page has loaded, click on Change Vector Options - select "fires + coast + borders" and click on "Submit".

There is news coverage here (for non-Australians who'd like to read more).

ETA : for those who'd like to do something from afar, you can make a donation by credit card to the Australian Red Cross.