New on the block

Okay, so maybe 'new' isn't really true, since this has been done since (eek!) November 23 and I'm only now getting around to blocking it, but. . . I present to you, the Spring Shawl being blocked! It's still wet, so the color is darker than normal. As you can see, the blocking is a little crooked. I fixed it after I saw the picture, but didn't take time to shoot another shot. Ellie the cat is in charge, obviously, although she's now banned from that room while the shawl dries. Final measurements: 71"x35" which should be perfect for my friend! I sure hope she likes it.





I also decided to put the smal bag through another wash cycle and see if it felted a bit more. Noro yarn is wonderful, but sometimes a little reluctant to felt. It came out quite a bit smaller, but much more "together. I really like the colors, too.




I have found something I'm going to try and participate in. It's a project called Knitnowar:1000. The object is to have at least 100 knitters create 10 knitted origami cranes each by May 1, 2007. The finished cranes will be displayed as a public art installation for peace here in Portland, Oregon.


A Japanese legend says that anyone who folds a thousand paper cranes will be granted a wish. In 1955, a young Japanese girl, Sadako Sasaki was diagnosed with leukemia -- the result of exposure to the atomic fallout from the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945 when she was just 2 years old. When a friend told her of the legend of the paper cranes, she set about making them with the hope that her wish to be able to run again would be granted. She completed 1,000 cranes before she passed away and I like to think of her running free from pain and worry even today. A statue in her honor stands in Hiroshima's Peace Park with the inscription "This is our cry, This is our prayer, Peace in the world."


The paper crane is now an international symbol of peace. If you'd like to participate in the project, or just make a crane or two for yourself or others, you can find the pattern on Yarn Boy's Website or, if you're in Portland, Oregon, stop by Lint and ask for a copy. The pattern includes information on how to officially join the project. You can see a picture of a completed crane here.