Web-Letter, Issue 11 – Breast Cancer Awareness Scarf October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to a list of breast cancer facts posted on komen.org: one woman in eight is at risk for breast cancer; every three minutes a woman learns that she has breast cancer; and every 13 minutes, a woman in the U.S. dies from the disease. Few of us haven’t been touched by it. If we haven’t been diagnosed with it ourselves, we have a mother, sister, cousin, daughter, or friend who has. In recognition of the ongoing need for research, access to early screenings, and support for women who have breast cancer, we’ve worked up this week’s project—a soft, lace-bordered scarf—in pink.
The Story: Knitters are notorious givers—especially when there’s a connection between gift and knitting. Check out the websites below for ways that knitters can put their talents to good use and for more information on breast cancer: tnna.org In 1997, The National NeedleArts Association launched Stitch to WIN Against Breast Cancer. Stitch to WIN is an ongoing fundraiser to benefit the organization Living Beyond Breast Cancer. marblehead.net/amy/knittyF04surp.pdf Amy Singer’s special printable issue of knitty offers patterns in pink—two scarves, a hat, and a pair of comfort socks, as well as the first hand account of one knitter/survivor’s story. titbits.ca After her mastectomy, Canadian woman Beryl Tsang knitted up a prosthesis for herself. She liked it so much she started a small business designing and making knitted breasts. You can order them ready-made or buy a kit to knit one up yourself.  knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTbits.html Beryl Tsang’s first-person account on the origins of her knitted breast and a pattern.  For more sites that offer information on breast cancer in general, steps for self-examinations, etc., visit: Komen.org Breastcancer.org offers steps on self-examinations. The Breast Cancer Site click daily to give free mammograms. Knitting for a Cure. Let us know of any current knitting-related efforts to promote breast cancer awareness or fundraising; we’d be happy to post them. As for our scarf, we made if short and breezy. It measures 36" from end to end and 7" across. To create the same pattern at each end, the scarf is worked in two pieces that begin at the ends and finish at the center back. When the pieces are complete, they are seamed, or grafted, together. The Yarn: Wool Bam Boo — 50% wool, 50% bamboo I like all of CEY yarns, but some I like more than others. I feel a little traitorous saying this—it’s like admitting to a favorite child. But yarns, like children, have endearing qualities, and in a given situation, some have more than others. One yarn that is, in my opinion, nearly perfect for scarves or any time you want a lovely, drapey yarn is Wool Bam Boo. I love it. It has softness, drape, and exquisite stitch definition. It’s not too heavy and not too thin. At 5½ sts to the inch on a size 6 needle, it’s just right. The wool component adds elasticity, bounce, and a bit of halo to the yarn. The bamboo adds drape and a subtle sheen.	more photos The Pattern: Here's the free downloadable Breast Cancer Awareness Scarf pattern. The Stitches: The scarf begins with two repeats of a lace horseshoe pattern. One of the surprises of many lace patterns is that they create a scalloped or pointed edge. In this case, the little points formed by the stacked decreases above them are highlighted with small bobbles. The body of the scarf is worked in stockinette panels interspersed with columns of stacked yarnovers. Here is some more info on yarnovers.
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