Yes!! We with #KnitforFood collectively raised $270,660 for Meals on Wheels, Feeding America, World Central Kitchen, and No Kid Hungry. As someone who raised a child with help of a food bank, I am amazed by the generosity and accomplishment. 

It was one amazing day, and now as I return without injury to my full day of typing, I think the stretches I learned during the Knit-a-Thon from an athletic trainer Mara Smith (mara_knits_on in Instagram) who teaches knitters how to avoid injury, and the talk by Carson Demers on ergonomics really helped and will help me going forward in my work and knit life. Below are pics I took during the event, including walking on a beach at glorious low tide, chilly in the 40-degree range, which allowed me to master slow walk-knitting. I will be walk-knitting my yarn with backpack in the future for sure to keep the blood flowing. 

The Math: Over 12 hours, I completed 11, 520 stitches on my Pi Shawl, an inch on my linen stitch cowl, a thumb gusset on a fingerless mitt. I will be participating next year with a lot more lead time to fundraise. 

An amazing thing happened when a knitter offered to help another knitter in need. A group of us Fruity Knitting Patreon patrons from around the world gathered to help publish a beautiful pattern designed by a woman who has no desire to receive accolades or be a designer, only wanting to do what she could to thank the people who have given us so much incredible content over the years. If you are looking for a fingerless mitt design complete with video tutorials, charts, and written pattern, please take a look by clicking on the image above to access the pattern on Ravelry. 

It is inspired by Andrew and Andrea of the Fruity Knitting Podcast, and the Black Forest. Andrew was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor a few months ago and sadly recently we learned passed. He will be sorely missed by all whose lives he touched. Since the podcast was their only source of income, and we – patrons – have already received a goldmine’s-worth of knitting content carefully created by them, we want to support the family during these challenging times. Therefore, 100% of the revenues from this pattern will go to the family. Please do check out their podcast, consider becoming a Patreon patron or making a one-off donation.

For me personally, I am honored to be a store conduit for the pattern due to the synergy of healing provided by the Black Forest with my future intention to become a Nature and Forest Therapy guide, and my prior history as a cancer caregiver. May this pattern go far and wide in gratitude to Andrea and Andrew and may the forest be with them.