[EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the promotion for the first time that we did Share A Square. The Share A Square Project is an ongoing one! You can see posts about what we did in 2010-2011 at this category link. Join us at Facebook or Ravelry. We would love to have your help. Visit the FAQ for more information. ]
I have an idea, and I need some people with big hearts to help me make it happen. I’m hoping that it’s you, whether you are a blogger or not. Some of you people dropping in from the Garden Web and other sites might be interested. You can help, too.
Last week, I was reading Phara’s blog, your mirror or mine. She posted a picture of a lovely quilt that was given to her son at cancer camp made by the hands of a volunteer. Over the years that he has gone to camps, he’s been given several quilts that comfort him in difficult times. I loved the idea of giving a quilt for such a charity, but I don’t quilt.
“Hey,” I thought. “I could crochet a granny afghan with all those bits of fancy yarns I have stuck in a drawer.”
Then, I got a package from my friend Teamouse at TeaTime Ramblings with knitted tea towels (I’ll show you the pictures later. Thank you Tea!). As I smoothed out the lovely knitted squares, a lightbulb went on in my brain. How cool would it be to give a sick child an afghan made by many different hands; ALL of them hands that cared about that child? Can you imagine the feeling of being loved that the child would have? Can you imagine the joy of giving that to a child? You don’t have to imagine. WE CAN.
I’ve contacted a cancer camp for kids that is in Fort Worth, Texas; it’s called Camp Sanguinity. Though they have already had the summer camp for this year, we can shoot for next summer. By then, perhaps I WE can have afghans made for all of the children at the camp (140 kids in 2003, but I don’t know how many now. I’m waiting on a call-back). It takes more than one of us to make this happen. Will you help?
Here’s my idea. I’ve found a granny afghan pattern that is very simple. It requires 24 small squares and 6 large squares, but it could work with just 48 small squares. If I can get people to send me the crocheted squares, then I’ll ask folks in my community to put them together; I’m not shy. With every square you send, attach a signed “best wishes” card (you can give an e-mail address to the child if you want). Each afghan will be put together with squares and good wishes from at least thirty different people.
You say you don’t know how to crochet? Help me find some people who can. Tell folks on your blog about it, and send them here. If people tell me they want to help, I’ll build a new page and a button for the sidebars [or you can volunteer to make a button for me!]. I will link every blogger who helps with this project.
You don’t have a blog and you can’t crochet? Find someone who can crochet, and give them some yarn. And, get a blog :lol:!
Does it matter what yarn you use? No. I used fancy schmancy yarn, because that’s what I had (and I thought kids might like it). You can go buy fancy yarn or use what you have. It’s the love you put into it that counts.
Does it matter what color? No. All of the squares will be rimmed in black, which will tie them together and make them look like a stained glass window.
How big should the squares be? The pattern calls for 6 “rounds” of crochet. Crochet 5 rounds and have the square measure 5 1/2 inches. 6 inches I’ll have volunteers crochet a round of black, so that every square on one quilt has the same black yarn. [I had to use a much smaller hook to get the gauge]
What do I do with them when I have them made? Contact me to tell me they are on the way (otherwise, I won’t remember to drive to the post office). Put a signed card with each square and put them in an envelope. If it’s a small envelope, send it to:
P.O. Box 2241
Denton, TX 76202
If you got ambitious, and it’s a large box (I can dream, can’t I?), tell me and I’ll give you my home address.
Is Shelly out of her mind? Probably. To make 140 afghans with all small squares, we will need 6720 squares! If you really help, my mail carrier is going to go postal!
NOW. Tell me, will you help? And, tell me: WHAT DO WE CALL THIS CAMPAIGN? Is it Crochet for Cancer Children? Someone give me something better.
[UPDATE: WHAT'S THE "DEADLINE?" The sooner the better! If I can get them before the end of August, I can get these afghans made!]
[UPDATE 2: Use a small card (such as comes with a gift bag) or a piece of cardboard and tie it to the center of each square. That way it won't get lost in the shuffle!]
Jessica the Rock Chick at Life is RANTastic has already jumped forward to start the publicity with Hip To Be Square
Teamouse at Tea Time Ramblings is on the ball! She created a button, and a banner to use for this campaign. You may use them on your site to link back to the contest! Thanks Sweet Tea! She also posted publicity called Love To Share? Share a Square. Afghans for Kids with Cancer Her first attempt called for Happy Hookers! But she chickened out and changed the title.
Comedy Plus has posted to help spread the word, but I can’t link to that specific post, so I’ll just give you her url.
Life in Westcliffe has added instructions to her site for adding the button to Blogger. Check out her post A Heart the size of Texas
Tumbled Words has a post titled Charity begins in your heart, then moves.
You Can’t Reason With Crazy posted a button to help spread the word.
Running On Empty posted A Quilt of Many Colors
Crocheting for A Cause was posted by my buddy Jen at J’s Thoughts And Musings.
Inside Mo’s Mind wrote Hookers Wanted! That ought to get Mo some Google traffic!
Running on Empty wrote A Quilt of Many Colors.
Phara, at Your Mirror or Mine, was the inspiration for this project. She posted Share A Square.
Yellow Rose’s Garden added a post about the project.
My Brown House added a button to her site.
Teebopop added a button to her site.
Imaginif posted Hang Child Cancer on the Hook
Schmutzie’s Milkmoney or Not, Here I Come has posted with a selection of images you may prefer to use on your site. I’ll have them posted on this site as well this week. Thank you, Schmutzie!
Mixed with sugar added a button that Schmutzie made!
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE HELP!
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