June 2012 Update

Hi everyone --It's Kristie checking in with a long overdue update. All the knitters and crocheters have been busy bees! As of June 2012, the tally for items we have sent out is 2530 hats, 12 children's blankets, 35 adult blankets, 16 prayer shawls, and 27 pairs of slippers. Wow! In addition to people knitting and crocheting, we have several folks who donate yarn, supplies, or money to the effort, and we certainly appreciate that as well. The items collected are regularly being sent out to 4 regional treatment centers and hospitals: Butler Regional Cancer Center, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (where they get spread amongst the neonatal ICU, the pediatric ICU, and the children's oncology floor), Armstrong Memorial Hospital Cancer Center, and UPMC Cancer Center in Natrona Heights. The response from both clinic staffers and patients alike has been amazing. We are really making a difference in people's lives, and I am so proud to be part of this group! I've had some folks ask about new patterns, so I wanted to share this website with lots of great free patterns: http://www.dailyknitter.com/patternsdetail.php?type=HA Also, in honor of the summer gardening season, check out this adorable Fruit Orchard Hat pattern! It is TOOO darling! http://gatheringstitches.webs.com/-%20Free%20Patterns/Premie%20Knitted%20Fruit%20Hat%20-%20Charity.pdf Thanks to all -- stay crafty :)