The response has been strong. Little Red Mitten knitters are working on helmet liners for our soldiers. There are already 4 new hats hanging on our Christmas tree, a fifth hat sitting inspiringly beside the free pattern, and several unfinished hats popping out of knitting bags everywhere ...or at least, within driving distance of The Mitten. 
Thanks to my daughter, Sara, for sending this great photo!Catherine S. is planning a quick trip from Woodstock on Friday to pick up our first batch of helmet liners. She will send them in a parcel to her brother so that he can share with other soldiers in Afghanistan. I imagine that the weather is pretty cold there already - it warms my heart to know we are sending a wee bit of comfort to our fellow Canadians.
Our next deadline will be Dec. 17. The season of giving just got busier :)
I agree with you, Joan. My ongoing beef just now is that it is almost impossible to buy something not made in China. Doing the Christmas shopping for our grandkids yesterday, I was encouraged to find some beautifully made wooden puzzles made in Canada, but the vast majority of toys are made in China. For some reason I have been getting the L.L. Bean catalogue lately and was surprised and alarmed to discover that, almost without exception, their clothes are marked 'Imported'. Even if one makes one's own clothes, the fabric is probably made in China or India. Some years ago I read a book called 'The Great Divide' by T. Davis Bunn which deals with the appalling labour practices in China. Quite an eye-opener.
ReplyDeleteDisa / Jill