Using Our Powers for Good

There are some days when I swear the world has gone completely bonkers. This time, when the unthinkable happened in a tiny little town that could have been home to any one of us, a band of crafters came together to try and help those affected by the tragedy. While there's never really anything you can do to truly comfort someone in this situation (I can't even bring myself to type it), we can't just sit by and watch them in pain, either. Enter 600 Monsters Strong and their campaign to bring cuddly stuffies to children all over the country who have been affected by gun violence.

There were a few guidelines for crafting, some of which I wouldn't even have thought of. For example, no x's for eyes. It totally makes sense when you think of it in context, but it's such a common crafting technique. Also, no red monsters. There were discounts offered by the pattern designers featured on the recommended patterns list, and the response to this has just been amazing. I used a couple patterns by Rebecca Danger who was offering 60% discounts on her patterns. It's been fun watching people all over the country knit monsters for these children and fun connecting with them on this level. This has really been an interesting learning experience for me. I'm very happy to have been a part of it!

I'm hoping the friendly little guys I made will make some children very happy and provide some comfort. Meet Hayworth (the blue guy) and Nora and Nola (the momma and baby monsters). I used a couple of the recommended patterns because I wanted to be safe on that front, but I added some little flairs that were all my own in the form of embroidered felt medallions. I've also been looking for any excuse to embroider so here it is.

We only have until January 31 to mail monsters, so crafters may not have time enough to make and mail, but there is a wish list on amazon that anyone is more than welcome to purchase from and have sent to the meet point.

So, on that note, may everyone stay safe, hug your children (nieces, nephews, grandkids, etc.) and say a prayer for a hurting community. Lots of love from the knitting community (well, at least me).