Knit One, Save One

The season of giving is now among us, and while most of us will be hustling and bustling around the malls and stores finding gifts, there is one gift that you can give this season that you can't get through a catalog or at a department store: the gift of a chance at life. Nearly 4 millions babies die each year worldwide from preventable and treatable causes, from lack of immunization, antibiotics, and sometimes simply because they lack the knowledge of proper newborn treatment or ability to keep them warm. This is where one cap can save a life.



I learned about Knit One Save One a couple years ago and felt that if something so simple as making a cap could help save a life, I couldn't not do it. I remember taking all my leftover yarn on a trip to Texas to visit my sister and ended up crocheting about three caps just on the flight there. They really are super quick to make, and an easy enough pattern that it's a perfect way for novice knitters and crocheters to practice. I'm going to try and practice my knitting skill on a couple of caps myself.

You can learn more about the campaign here which also includes the patterns (you can find other patterns and techniques here), a place to include a note to the mother and baby, and where to send your caps to once they're done. If you aren't a knitter or crocheter, there are other ways you can help. You can donate, support and share. You can even read about how these caps, along with care packages, are helping new mothers, in El Salvador.

And since it is the season of giving, I want to give something back to you! Every person that commits to making at least one cap, or sharing the knit one, save one link on their twitter or blog will automatically be entered in a giveaway to get a special gift from yours truly! I will pick someone on December 13th, so you have until then to leave a comment saying you are going to make a cap or that you shared the link. (But you have until February 28, 2011 to complete and send in your caps)

I'm so happy to be able to participate in this again, and that I can share it with you guys. I know you are all creative and talented people with huge hearts, and knowing that something as small as knitting a baby cap can effect a life so greatly makes me feel like together we can make such a difference!