Bertie’s Blankets 2013

In the perfect stillness of the night
Some artistic sense inspires me
And makes me think that one day I just might
Reach out from daily, dull monotony –
Achieve some lasting goal, some burning aim –
And then I wake and go to work again…

Tim Woodhouse ~ In The Perfect Stillness Of The Night

I had a dental appt this morning and decided to take the day to recuperate. An email on my Blackberry is a noisy reminder of an unwanted but necessary meeting I’ll have at work on Friday coming. But the click of needles, the “artistic sense” which inspires me and the achieving of “some lasting goal” helped me finish the square I started in the “perfect stillness of the night.” The thought of that lasting goal, the feeling of love and accomplishment for such a worthy cause was enough to quell that noisy reminder and fill my heart with hope and love. It was enough to provide some quiet healing.

If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you’d have heard before that my perspective of community has changed because of the wonderful connections I’ve made through crafting and blogging. One of these connections came by the way of Sam at Sticks, Strings & Crafty Things. I can’t tell you on what a wonderfully inspirational source she is.

Right now, Sam needs our help. She didn’t ask me to do this post but I want to. Sam (with the help of some other kind crafters) is currently making blankets for the patients at the hospice where her dad “Bertie” was taken care of before his passing. In her own words:

I started Bertie’s Blankets in honour of my Dad who was lovingly cared for at Trinity Hospice. One of the seemingly small details at the hospice were the handmade blankets in each of the rooms. These blankets are wholeheartedly appreciated and bring a touch of love, warmth and a feeling of home. But alas they are in short supply which is why I have been seeking your help.

This is an ongoing project but for the first set of blankets she needs some help. To finish this set, goal is to create 33 aran weight 9 in squares & 60 sock weight 9 inch squares. She’s set up a blog to track and report progress for this project and I’d love if you could help. This post has the square requirements. There’s also a Ravelry group: Bertie’s Blankets. See … lots of ways to see what we’re doing so you too can get involved! 😀

If 2013 was the year you planned to do some charity knitting, here’s one to consider!