The 4th Annual KnitFit Community Knit-a-thon will be held at the McConnell and Baddeck Libraries again this year on Saturday, February 26th, 10 am to 5 pm. Hand knit and crocheted hats, mitts, socks, scarves, sweaters and blankets will be collected for the Every Women’s Centre Adopt-a-Family program, and the Victoria County Dept. of Community Services. Last year, hundreds of finished items were donated from all over the region, and $1400 was raised to help fund Children’s programs at CBRL branches.
To participate, come for all or part of the day to knit and crochet, drop off items, and to pick up more yarn to continue your efforts over the year. Beginners and experienced crafters are welcome. You can also participate by donating yarn or tools at any CBRL branch before or at the Knit-a-thon, or by sponsoring one of the participants.
Funds raised from the Knit-A-Thon will help fund Children’s literacy programs at the Cape Breton Regional Library. “We’re pretty frugal, but we are always in need of more resources for our children’s literacy programs at the Library, such as the Summer Reading Program, storytimes, special literacy events, and teen programs”, said Chris Thomson, a program coordinator with the Library. To support CBRL Children’s programs, just get a pledge sheet from your library branch or online at www.cbrl.ca. You can then collect pledges to sponsor your efforts, and bring your pledge sheet and money to the McConnell or Baddeck Library on Feb 26th.
Local grocers and restaurants generously donate food for lunches, and yarn stores from across the Maritimes donate lovely door prizes for our participants. There is a lot of conversation, merriment and help available, so come and spend the day. This year, organizers are issuing a “Chunky Challenge” to use up the many balls of chunky yarn we have collected so far, so bring your favorite pattern for chunky yarn, or use one of the patterns provided.
The KnitFit Knit-a-thon started in 2008 with an idea sparked by an act of charity. Local knitter, Carrice Suomu, received a gift of free yarn from an online community member of www.ravelry.com. “The blogger’s idea was for recipients to pay the kindness forward. I don’t think she had any idea it would blossom into a full-fledged knit-a-thon!” Community support of the Knit-a-thon has grown each year since. For pictures of previous year’s events, visit the KnitFit blog at knitfitknitathon.wordpress.com.
At both the McConnell and Baddeck Libraries, crafters meet regularly throughout the year for drop-in “High Fibre Lunches” where they can work on their own projects or on items for the Knit-a-thon. Some also produce chemo caps for women with breast cancer, and baby blankets and primie caps for the Neonatal unit at the hospital. New crafters are welcome to drop in at any time.
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