Not forgotten.

The refugee crisis is still on our minds and on our needles. A teacher from Ella's middle school invited me to assist her with an elective this semester entitled "Rows for Refugees." Yes, we are teaching knitting while talking about different forms of the refugee crisis and how to raise awareness through craftivism. Again, the items made by the girls will be sent to Iraq to a camp for refugees and internally displaced people.

Over the last months, an article I really enjoyed reading can be found here.

This household is still in shock over the recent presidential elections. Today, a line from the Avett Brothers helped to put things into perspective, "And your life doesn't change by the man's that's elected" (from Head Full of Doubt).

We wish you the very best for the upcoming months and hope to be back in the new year.

Gina and Ella

One hundred and twenty three long-distance hugs

A recent email from Jeff reads:

I think this is the first time I’m giving away to people I don’t know--and it feels good.  It’s pretty special when you’re making something with your hands and the thing that you’re making is going to be used to keep someone warm.  It’s like a long-distance hug. =)     

Kawergosk Camp, near Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, courtesy of G. Haney

One hundred and twenty three pieces ranging from a blanket to leg warmers. 

WOW, our hopes and expectations for this small effort were exceeded to say the least. 

These articles will be received by Syrian refugees and the internally displaced people in Iraqi Kurdistan. A colleague returning to Iraqi Kurdistan volunteered to transport most of the items. 

A timeline, below, estimates the date of arrival. 

A few pieces which came in later in the week, but are included in our final count, will travel with me to Iraqi Kurdistan in early March. They will be distributed to refugees and IDPs around Erbil.

Please feel free to email us if you have any questions. 

Through this initiative, the issues surrounding refugees across the world became personal. 

As we taught beginner's how to knit, introduced people to certain issues, continued to learn more together and connected with strangers across the Bay Area and beyond, the power of community resonated with us both. 

Knitters, crocheters, yarn lovers, old friends, new friends, and strangers thank you for taking this journey with us. The items we so carefully made by hand are now on a journey of their own. I look forward to updating you all through this blog as it continues throughout the next few weeks and, perhaps, begin the project again late summer/early fall of 2016.

January 19, 2016

Items sent vis UPS to Encinitas, California

January 24, 2016

Items travel via air to Istanbul, Turkey with a colleague from the American University in Iraq

January 25, 2016

Items land in Suleimani, Iraqi Kurdistan

January 31, 2016

Items transported to the American University in Iraq

First week of February , 2016

Items are transported by car to camps near Sinjar Mountains and Dohuk, Iraqi Kurdistan 

Final Count

Hello everyone, this is Ella.

This is the last blog post from me this season. I want to thank everyone who donated items and yarn, came to our knitting circles, or just looked at our blog and showed support. We had a great season.  Click on the link below to see a program showing the final count. Thanks again!!!!!

https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/94277785/#fullscreen

See their faces.

In the next few days Ella and I will be giving you the final counts of our collective efforts, mapping the route of our items to Iraq, and composing some final food for thought.

In the meantime, I wanted to share this interview with you. 

I just heard it while making lunch.

http://www.thetakeaway.org/story/ambassador-samantha-power/

Working with a deadline...

Finger have been flying here as we finish projects, sew in start and finishing yarn, and pack.

Your finger have been flying as well, the box outside has been filling up! 

Bev, Marielle, Margaret and Bella contributed the loving items on the left.

Anna (with help from yarn donors) and her network of friends in Portland, OR (thanks Stefee!) 

donated the items on the right.

The generosity shown by you all have shattered the goal Ella and I set for the project.

 More about later as Ella is working on a program to show the final counts.

We also held a last knitting circle and reminded Neeharika how to knit.

We sort, counted, and packed everything into two space cubes.

Information will be posted shortly on the route our items will take to the camp.

Hands and Hearts

Today, Jeff and Cindy (ROCK STAR KNITTERS) dropped off/mailed a total of 18 items. 

Yes, EIGHTEEN! 

Thirteen hats from Jeff (a sampling is below) and three hats and two scarves from Cindy.

Cindy labeled the type of yarn in Arabic and English.

A note from Cindy reads:

Everyone who knitted and crocheted for this project used their hands and their hearts. 

I made these with love, too.

Bits and Bobs

My sister-in-law is fond of speaking about bits and bobs--small things that make a difference.

The bits and bobs that have been donated have been put to good use holding slipped stitches and finishing off projects. 

Last night we held out last knitting circle before the item will be sent to Iraq next week. Ella and I completed some small work on four projects which had been started but not finished. She is busy preparing a program which will feature the final tally. We also hope to map the journey to Iraq.

So stay tuned!

Some finished items from Dana, a local 8th grader.