Bea
The pattern for Bea is now available for purchase. Bea uses 1 skein of Twinkle Soft Chunky and I was able to knit 2 as written from just 1 skein. Knit in super bulky yarn on us17 needles, this hat flies off the needles. The hat has a large leaf motif that repeats 4 times around the head, because obviously I am not over knitting leaves yet.
I will be donating 50% of the proceeds from the sale of this pattern to the pancreatic cancer action network throughout 2009.(update:thanks so much everyone, i was able to donate just over $150 thanks to your purchases).
I had this whole plan for a post about pancreatic cancer, and how it has affected the people I love, but every time I tried to write it, it just made me overwhelmed with sadness. So here is an abbreviated version:
"B" was my grandmother. She was tough, crafty, and an amazing polish cook. She took care of everyone, even if it was sometimes a thankless job. She lived in the same neighborhood as me, and I saw her every day of my young life. Though she tried to hide it, one day she started feeling ill. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer soon after, and within 11 weeks, she was gone. Just like that. Stolen from me and my family, by stupid cancer. Although, at 12 years old, this wasn't the first time I had experienced the death of a loved one, it was the hardest. Her absence was just so obvious in my everyday life.
Her memory is very much alive though. Over 2 decades later, her sisters still talk about her all the time, stories both sad and silly, that I never had the chance to hear from her.
I cringe when pancreatic cancer is mentioned in the news, or conversations. It seems to be an especially cruel cancer, with symptoms rarely showing until it's in an advanced stage. And although it clearly can be hereditary, specific genetic markers have yet to be found.
A few months ago, another family member was given the same awful diagnosis. We are all sad, but hopeful. Although there's not much I can do to fix it, raising a little money for an organization that specifically deals with this cancer certainly can't hurt.
You can purchase the Bea hat pattern as a pdf download for $4.50 by clicking the link below.
If big leafy hats aren't your thing, but you still want to give, there's an online donation form on on their website.
I'll be making the donations every 2 months and then updating the total amount donated here.
Comments
How awful for you to lose your grandmother so young and so abruptly. It's wonderful that you're doing something like this in her memory. I don't like hats in general (although yours is beautiful), and appreciate the link for direct donations. A lovely post and a wonderful tribute to what sounds like a great woman.
Posted by: connie | April 16, 2009 11:10 AM
Ah- I'm crying!!! Grandparents are such an important part of our lives! I am SO blessed to still have two (my poor husband lost his last before he was even in school and has happily adopted mine.) I adore the picture of you two together and will be heading over to make a donation.
Posted by: Julie | April 16, 2009 11:35 AM
Thanks for sharing this pattern. So sorry about your grandmother. Keep your hope up, though. I do cancer research, specifically pancreatic, and we are working everyday on finding that gene(s). It's (hopefully) not that far away.
Posted by: amanda | April 16, 2009 11:35 AM
I bought the pattern for 3 reasons:
- It's rad
- I've got some chunky yarn without a cause
- your story touched me
Congrats on a great design. My thoughts and wishes for health go to your family!
Posted by: Nicole | April 16, 2009 12:23 PM
I think it's awesome that you're donating proceeds from your pattern. My dad is currently undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer. He was lucky; they caught it early. Even so, it's a scarily virulent cancer; I'm sorry to hear how it's affected your family. Beautiful pattern work.
Posted by: Elizabeth | April 16, 2009 06:04 PM
My aunt (whom I lived with until I was two as my biological mother died during childbirth) was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer 8 years ago. She died only 8 weeks later. She had various symptoms for a long time, but was diagnosed only when the cancer was too advanced. Hatefull disease. I hope your lovely hat somehow will help :o)
Posted by: Frau Putz | April 17, 2009 05:54 AM
i love that big leaf! i think it's perfect :)
Posted by: gleek | April 19, 2009 02:19 PM
I also lost my grandmother, who I also absolutely adored, to pancreatic cancer. I intend to buy your pattern in a couple of weeks when I have more spending money...In the meantime, I just wanted to thank you for giving money to an organization that is addressing this horrible disease.
Posted by: Mandy | April 19, 2009 02:43 PM
My grandma wore the same apron as yours is in the picture! She's gone now but I am visited by memories of her often. Sometimes the pain of losing her is fresh and the tears well up without any warning but more often than not the emotions are happy and comforting. She was a blessing to my family and I am fortunate to share several of her traits, namely her manner of laughter. She is dearly missed by her family as I know yours is. Thanks for the tribute and the darling pattern.
Posted by: Jolene | April 23, 2009 09:57 AM
my great-aunt, who helped raise me, died 10 years ago this april of pancreatic cancer. thanks for making this great pattern available as a way to help fight this terrible disease. i love the leaf thing you've been doing lately- the designs are really wonderful. really looking forward to your book!
Posted by: duni | May 8, 2009 11:50 AM