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Random Acts of Knitting

Posted on February 17, 2009 by auburnchick

I want to start a new movement, and I want to call it Random Acts of Knitting.

What on earth, you may be wondering, has led me down this path?

Well, the reason, dear friends, has to do with the chemo cap I knit for my bank teller.

I had the privilege of gifting it today.

You must understand that I do not want any recognition for the knitting I do for others.  That is part of the fun of knitting the Oddball Blankets.  It was the fun of knitting for Knitting Guy’s mom, Ms. Jean.  Unless I knit a gift for Christmas or a birthday. I do not get to see the recipient’s face.

Not so today, although that was not my intention.

I took the hat, wrapped in a gift bag, as I ran errands.  My plan was to drop it off quickly and leave.  I didn’t even sign the card I had included.

When I walked into the branch, I was greeted, by name, by one of the customer service representatives…the advantage of living in a small town.  Since I wasn’t sure how to spell the teller’s name, I stopped and asked the representative.  He pointed to the teller’s counter, indicating that she was working today.

Uh oh…there went my carefully laid-out plan to remain anonymous.

I had, after all, nicknamed her the “Traveling Teller,” and she had gotten a laugh out of it.

God apparently had different plans.

Another gal is on maternity leave, so “my” teller is working in this branch for the next few weeks.

I shyly approached the counter, struck by her courage that led her to go capless today.  Her eyes still had the sparkle I’m familar with.

I’ve gotta tell you that I am not the most confident person around.  I’m very self-conscious and don’t want to come across as weird.

Anyhow, I kept putting one foot in front of the other until I reached her.

While handing her the bag, I told her that I had been touched a couple of weeks ago when I saw her, and I wanted to make something for her, having the perfect yarn in my stash.

She opened it, marveling at the softness of the chinchilla, but I grew concerned that perhaps the cap would be too large.

She quickly put it on.

A perfect fit.

I sincerely told her that I love her.

I meant it.

She is in a tough business where people are always in a hurry.  I’ve never seen her grow impatient, no matter how long or difficult a transaction might be.  A real sweetie.

Hence, my heart-felt words.

She told me that she loves me too.

I exited the bank as gracefully as I could, having never done anything like this before, and sat for a moment to collect myself.

Then I called my sister.  I had to share the experience with her.  I grew teary as I talked.

She understood.

Random Acts of Knitting.

Who can we touch today?  Whether it be a homeless person who needs a pair of mittens or a newborn in need of a blanket.  It doesn’t take much time, and it doesn’t take much money.  A little effort goes a long way.

I was reminded of that today as I saw the joy reflected in my teller’s eyes.

I am humbled that God would use my hands to bring such joy to someone.  I pray that I will continue to keep my eyes open to others who could use a Random Act of Knitting to bring a ray of sunshine to their day.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , | 2 Comments »

A Teller’s Hat

Posted on February 15, 2009 by auburnchick

You might remember my story about walking into my local bank and spying my favorite teller who, I discovered, is undergoing chemotherapy treatments.  She was wearing a cotton turban.

Instantly, I remembered purchasing this yarn:

Berroco Chinchilla Color #7524

Berroco Chinchilla Color #7524

After finishing my Hawaiian Leis Socks, which you saw a post or two ago, I immediately cast on for the “No-Hair-Day Hairy Chemo Cap.”  The free pattern is located here.

Now, if you’ll recall, I made two of these hats last summer, using eyelash yarn.  I was not happy with the results.

I was determined that this time would be different.

And it was.

Here is the finished project, which I cast on Friday night (2/13) and finished last night (2/14).  This was not constant knitting time but knitting in between “life.”

I made the small size, but the hat still turned out a little large.  I found that rolling up the brim made the hat fit better and adds a little character to an otherwise plain hat.

I hope she likes it!

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

A Tug of My Heart

Posted on February 2, 2009 by auburnchick

Isn’t it interesting how a seemingly routine errand can lead to something that pulls at your heart?

Today I didn’t have a subbing job, so I ran a couple of errands on my way to a friend’s house.  I was going over to work on her laptop, but I needed to stop at the bank first.

If you’re like me, you probably go to the same branch…the one closest to your house or place of employment.  Maybe you go during your lunch hour.  Perhaps you run by on your way home from the grocery store.

When you live in a small city like mine, you tend to form casual friendships with those you do business with.

Today, upon entering the bank, I spied my favorite teller.  A few months ago, I noticed that she hadn’t been there in a while, so I asked how she was.  There have been some staffing changes, and I was curious.  I was told that she now travels to different branches.  She’s so good that they use her to fill in whereever there’s a need.

Today was her day to be in “my” branch, and I called out to her.  She responded with a smile.  We identify with each other…both of us having teens.

There was something different about her today.  She was wearing one of those caps that chemotherapy patients wear.  I overheard her use the word chemotherapy to a co-worker.

My heart fell.

I immediately wanted to do something for my favorite “Traveling Teller.”

This is how charity works, I believe.  The tug of the heart that leads to action.

Do you remember the cap I made for Ms. Jean?  The pattern for the cap is here.  The cap that I made did not exactly turn out the way I wanted, but I know it was the thought that mattered.

I bought some Chinchilla yarn a few months ago, intending to make another cap — one that hopefully resembles the picture in the pattern:

After seeing my favorite teller today, I am thinking that I might just need to go ahead and cast on for the hat.  My intention is to offer it to the gal with a hug and prayers.  Please pray for her.  Said teller’s name is Jody.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

A Cap for Ms. Jean

Posted on May 29, 2008 by auburnchick

I love finishing projects!!! What a feeling of accomplishment, no matter the size.

This week found me knitting up a chemo cap for Knitting_Guy’s mom. He is a member of Knitting Help and Ravelry. He has two blogs…this one and this one.

He has contributed many posts on KH, and is simply adored by all. I remember when he first joined the site and started teaching himself to knit. His first scarf was full of mistakes, but he plugged on. Now he’s working on his first sweater. I’ve never even made a sweater. Wow!

What makes Knitting_Guy so endearing is that he is a trucker. He’s not afraid to knit wherever he stops. As a result, he has had some interesting experiences, which he has shared with his fellow KH’ers.

Anyhow, Knitting_Guy shared that his mom was going to be starting her second round of chemotherapy, so a bunch of us have joined forces to knit some goodies together for one big care package for her. Some of the knitters are working on squares that one member will seam up and another will crochet a border for. What a wonderful group of people. I’m honored to be counted among them.

When I went to KnitWitz in Jacksonville, I shopped with the main purpose of buying yarn for a hat. I wanted to make the No-Hair-Day Hairy Chemo Cap. My version does not look like the picture in the pattern due to the yarn I used. I used Rowan Calmer 482 (Powder Puff) stranded with Eyelash Trendsetter Yarns, color #12. The eyelash yarn is different from the FIZZ recommended in the pattern. However, I really like the yarn. It knit up well and is very soft.

I used magic loop because I didn’t have the right size dpns. It was a fast knit, and although I would have liked for it to turn out like the picture (I’m weird in that way), I still like it. It kind of reminds me of a Go-Go skirt.

I’m going to begin work on a pair of fingerless gloves to accompany the hat. This project is so addicting! It’s been a lot of fun thinking of items that will bring a smile to Ms. Jean’s face.

This is the best part of knitting.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , , | 3 Comments »

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