Cyrano's Creature Comforts Drive

During this last year, starting with Rebekah's (of Knit Knack) Basil and Abner Critter Charity Drive, and moving on to Save the Children’s Caps to the Capital, the Red Scarf Project, and Sheila’s Shawls, I have learned what a joyous process it can be to knit for charity drives. It allows me to feel not so darn selfish when I consider all the things I knit for myself. I also like the fact—especially in the case of infants, dogs, and cats—that the recipients aren’t going to complain that the colors aren’t just right or it isn’t the exact style/pattern/yarn material they wanted. Basically knitting for anonymous-others allows me to spend time doing what I love—knitting, of course—and sending a bit of love and hope to the recipient. What more could a knitter ask for? 

When my dear Cyrano passed away in October, I was consumed with the loss of my beloved cat. He was found abandoned as a kitty in some grape fields by my then-boyfriend’s father, and eventually became my dear kitty-cat after a play-date with my other cat, Zoe. Cyrano was a cat who insisted upon sitting upon my lap while I wrote papers or read blogs. The cat who—almost every night—laid his head upon my shoulder to go to sleep alongside me (except in the rare case he would sleep on my love-dove’s John’s side of the bed), the cat who—with never a complaint—allowed me to pretend he was a weight (17.5 lbs!) that I could bench press while I lay on my back on the floor. Cyrano was the cat who really thought his role in life was to simply be affectionate, and whom I loved so, so, so very much with every bit of my soul.  In honor of the ten wonderful years my beloved Cyrano shared with me, I am starting an animal shelter drive to support the local bay area animal shelters. Thus I announce:

Cyrano’s Creature Comforts Drive

• Similar to Rebekah's Basil & Abner's Critter Charity Drive, I will be looking for donations of cat/dog/rabbit handmade blankets in the following sizes: 14x14, 24x24, and 36X36 inches.  They can be knit, crocheted, quilted, or machine-sewn.  They just have to be machine washable and dryable and handmade (to earn points for prizes!).
• The creatures in the shelters would also appreciate some toys--in this case, I will accept both store bought and handmade toys.  (Of course, there is always more prize points for handmade items!)
• I will be donating to the following shelters that accept Snuggles Blankets: the Antioch Animal Shelter, Berkeley Animal Care Services, East Bay SPCA, and the Marin Humane Society.
• If you run out of ideas for blanket patterns, the Snuggles website has plenty.
• I will be donating as much as I can possibly afford of my own handpainted yarn and will also be culling beautiful, untouched yarn from my stash to supplement the prize list.  But, I am only one person and would love/appreciate for anyone who can to assist in building up the prize list by donating yarn (handpainted/dyed or store-bought), needles, stitch-markers, needle-cases, gift certificates, etc., really whatever you can that is related to knitting (or even sewing and quilting!)  {Edited to add: Lain--yes that Lain, star of the scrapbooking world--will be donating a hand-decorated knitting journal, handmade beaded stitch markers, and a few skeins of yarn.  You rock, Lain!}
•  Points for prizes will be as follows: 10 points for cat/dog beds, 7 points for cat/dog/rabbit mats, 2 points for toys.  Points equals the number of times your name goes into the drawing for prizes.
• Oh! and when you send something in to me, I will photograph it and place it in a weekly post on my blog with a link to your blog so people can come and visit you.
• When you are ready to send something in, email me and I will provide you the mailing address.  Please send by USPS as it is the best way for me to get packages.
• The drive begins today, Wednesday January 24th and ends on Friday, April 13th.  02/27/07-EDITED TO ADD: Cyrano's Creature Comforts Drive Deadline has been extended to June 2nd!!!
• And Please, please-oh-please, write about this on your blog, tell your friends, your knitting/quilting/sewing group, your grandma/pa, your neighbor, your barista, even your mailperson about this drive  so we can collect as many beds, blankets, and toys as possible to donate some love and hope to these animals who are in desperate need of homes. 

Comments

[SP9]

What a great idea!! You have to figure out who I am so I can brag on my blog (not that I get all that many hits...) Oh, want another hint? I was in the (first) warshrag swap.

[Dipsy D.]

What a fantastic idea this is - I'll definitely spread the word about it!

[Kate]

I posted a link on my blog - I'm no "Glampyre" but maybe a few people will see it & click on over here. I'm looking forward to buying some acrylic colors that are fun, but that I would NEVER wear. Yay. :)

[kelpkim]

i'll put a link up as well!
My poochie, Fanny, is going to help out too--she is a shelter doggy so i know she heartily approves this project! :o)ruff ruff!

[Chris]

Rebekah told me about this - I'll mention it on my blog tomorrow!

[Latoya]

What a great idea - passing on our talents!

Knit on!

[Karen]

Hey Holly, just posted about your drive in my blog. Like others have mentioned I'm not a hit monster like the Yarn Harlot but I do get a handful of readers. I'm going to check out the patterns, they sound simple enough.

Thanks for the compliment on my little boy's smile over at my blog. Smiles are so much fun.

[Debby]

Saw the post on Rebekah's blog and had to visit. My condolences to you on the loss of your dear kitty. We've had a rough week with ours and thought we might lose him. Thankfully he is turning the corner. I'll be happy to knit something for you, and post a note on my blog sometime this weekend. Do you have a charity button we can put up?

Have a good weekend!

[Karen]

I second the need for a button. Also what about having the drive listed on the 2007 Knit A Longs and Swap site.

http://knitalongs.xaviermusketeer.com/

Have a great weekend.

[Holly of HollYarns]

Okay, knitterly friends, so the embarrassing thing is...I DON'T KNOW how to make buttons! I am inept when it comes to buttons. Perhaps, I'll be able to convince Elaine of kimchicrafts.com to make one when I see her this Sunday or I'll work hard(er) to figure it out this weekend!

And I'll definitely post it on the "big" list that Karen has mentioned.

Thank you all for your comments, postings, and linkings!

[Carrie K]

Oh, I have to do this. Being local and all and a good cause and such a sweet thing in honor of Cyrano. I don't know how to make buttons either, but if someone does make one for you, I'll post it on my site.

[kelpkim]

okay i will definitely take some time this weekend to make a button! i'll try to incorporate a picture of Cyrano but the button might be too small for that. i'll keep you updated. thanks! :o)
happy friday!!!

[Chris]

I am FINALLY working on my critter comforter! Will you please send me the address I should send it to? Thanks!!