Late July update - News, 50th knitter, and Donations

For several weeks The Traveling Shawl was on hiatus while one of our knitters dealt with unforeseen circumstances in her life.

The shawl is now on it's way to our 50th knitter! This week as I traded emails with our 50th knitter, Lynda in Wisconsin, I learned that she is a perfect person to put the final rows on the shawl. I'm sure that Lynda will soon have a post sharing her experience.

When the shawl was again on it's way this week we also learned that The Traveling Shawl was highlighted in the News section of the Fall Issue of Vogue Knitting (page 18) in a lovely article titled Sister Stitchers. We hope that everyone who is following the shawl's progress will take the opportunity to read this wonderful tribute to our project. A big thank you to the people at Vogue!

On the Donation front - we've surpassed our goal of $1000! Originally Kay and I had discussed and set a goal of $5000. Yes, it was quite an enthusiastic goal. As financial problems began to have a devastating affect on many citizens we realized that the economic struggle would impact donations to charitable contributions as people lost jobs and homes and we lowered our goal. As we all know though, cancer happens regardless of what the financial state is of the nation. Men and women are still being diagnosed, seeking treatment, recovering and dying of breast cancer. Because our goal of $1000 dollars has been achieved we hope that you will continue to donate and purchase the pattern of The Traveling Shawl in an effort to contribute to the research that will some day find a cure for this disease.

Thank you

#49 MINNESOTA

Name: Meg
Ravelry Name: Peaceknits
Location: Duluth, MN
In honor of Nana.

In the News in Lincoln, Nebraska

Here is an article about Kim in Lincoln, Nebraska and the shawl.

#48 IOWA

Name: Wendy
Ravelry Name: Maerchen
Location: Des Moines, IA

#47 Lincoln, NE

The shawl arrived at my home on June 26. I knew as soon as I saw the box, it was my turn. One of 50 knitters who would share a project, that could make a difference---that could help find a cure. When I first saw the project on Ravelry, I thought it was an amazing idea. I have knit prayer shawls for several years, but to have one shawl created by so many hands, whose story is spread across the country seemed pretty powerful.

Over the past few years, I have known several women who have fought battles with cancer. One lost her battle, another is fighting the disease for a second time. Several have gone through surgery, chemo and radiation---they are probably the bravest people I know.

Article in the Aberdeen American News

Here is an article on the South Dakota leg of the journey.