enlightened horsemanship through touch

Not really. Well, sort of. I used that title to get your attention. This really has zip to do with horses or horsemanship.

The past few weeks have been super slow here at EHTT. A few things explain this: I’ve been busy burning bridges; I’m preparing for a long trip to Virginia to help my daughter with the first of her hip replacements; I’ve been working on some new professional projects; and I’ve been trying to find a way to get to Haiti. I haven’t told anyone about this. Not even my best friend! I assumed my family and friends would tell me I was crazy for wanting to go, so mum was the word.

There are still a few possibilities for me after the hip surgeries, and I’m tracking them. In the meantime, I’m wondering if any of you feel as powerless in the face of the recent natural and man-made disasters as I do. I understand (intellectually that is) that we actually are powerless, and acceptance of this fact is essential. Yet action can accompany acceptance. It’s better than wringing your hands or being angry.

I have been thinking about what I can do while helping with the surgeries and waiting to track down these volunteering opportunities. It all comes down to knitting! I know. Sounds crazy, right?

My friend Donna has been knitting Comfort Dolls for charity for a long time. These cute little dolls can be made quickly with almost no skill, a little yarn and a lot of humor. It might give as much comfort to knit and send a doll as it would be to receive one. So many children who had little to begin with have lost everything. I know. You are going to say, “a lame little doll cannot provide what a child really needs. A child needs food, water, shelter, medical care, love.” And these things are being delivered, slowly. We can’t all go and help. But we can do little things with love.

comfort dolls

Before she began a large scale project organizing the knitting and delivery of these Comfort Dolls, Donna had not knitted a single stitch. If you knit, or even if you don’t know how to knit, you can do this. Learn to cast on, knit, purl, and bind off. These are the three essential knitting skills. A six-year-old child can master them in a half hour, and I can do them, so you know it’s easy. And it’s fun.

they are soft, sweet, light and nearly indestructible

So here’s what I propose. For all you knitters and non-knitters alike, I’d like to start a Horseman’s Comfort Doll Project for Haiti. I know it’s spring. The winter was hard, and this makes the spring even more appealing. Everyone wants to maximize time outdoors. We may think we don’t have time to sit around like grandma kitting. I’m willing to bet, however, that everyone spends at least a half hour each day sitting in front of the TV, reading a book, or parked on the porch with a glass of tea. This time can be used to knit. The tactile pleasure of handling delicious yarn, added to the knowledge that you are giving a gift, cannot be underestimated.

I’m hoping to collect a modest number of Comfort Dolls, or any similar hand-knitted toy by the end of the summer. Modest. I’d like to collect 50.

I’m going to make this easy. Below you will find links to basic instruction for knitting, purchase of necessary materials, Comfort Doll patterns, and more. I’ve also included a crochet pattern for those of you who have mastered this impossible skill. When you have finished a doll or the number of dolls you pledge, you can send them to me, postage paid. I will forward them on to Haiti.

If you even think you might like to try to knit a Comfort Doll, or know someone who can, please comment here. It would be comforting to me to get pledges for 50 dolls as soon as possible. I know there are equestrian knitters out there. I’d like to hear from you. If you don’t want to make a public pledge, contact me via my contact form. I can’t wait to hear from you.

THE FOLLOWING LINKS WILL GIVE YOU ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO COMPLETE YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROJECT

Comfort Doll Pattern

Crocheted Comfort Doll Pattern

Felted Crocheted Comfort Doll Pattern

Lion Brand Yarn will ship you appropriate yarn for the project.

Knit Picks sells exquisite, inexpensive knitting and crochet needles. You can also buy them at your local yarn store or big box or craft store.

RELATED LINKS
The Comfort Doll Project at Big Yarn Mama
Stashbusting for Charity
Knitting for Charity
NightMair Creative (Donna Mair’s MySpace page)
The Comfort Doll Project on Blogspot

TOMORROW’S POST: HOW-TO VIDEOS FOR THE NEEDLE NOVICE