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For those of you who aren't knitters, allow me to explain.
There are a number of knitting groups who believe that receiving a knitted item makes a person feel cared for, because they appreciate the work that has gone into the item, and the item is useful or comforting.
I believe that this is true only if the item really is useful or comforting. More about the time commitment later.
Some problematic items:
***The chemo cap. People who have cancer lose their hair from chemo sometimes, so it's apparently vitally important to knit them some kind of head covering, because being embarrassed by baldness, or sunburned, is their #1 concern.
Problems: People want to use awful yarn, things they would never wear against their OWN bare skin. (It's not so much that people with cancer are so inhumanly sensitive-- it's that their heads are naked!) They want to use gaudy patterns and colors because it makes it fun for them to knit. This is especially prevalent in wanting to use the brightest possible colors for kids' caps (because, you know, kids with cancer don't feel singled out enough).
***The prayer shawl. People who are very sick, or terminally ill, are apparently in need of even more possessions. It's especially popular to knit these out of Lion Homespun, possibly because the short lifespan of the yarn symbolizes the shortness of the person's remaining time. Or because it's cheap and easily available, one.
***The hospice throw. This is a small lap-sized blanket, about 3-4' by 4-5' at the most. The ideas behind such a tiny blanket are:
a)Provides warmth for legs and feet; people who are very sick get cold.
b)Provides modesty by covering a thin sheet, hospital gown, or pajamas.
c)Provides a keepsake for the survivors, after the person passes away.
All three of these are, to some extent, stupid.
First, take my granddad. What's the point of giving him something to keep warm, when he's not likely to make it through the summer?
Second, it's too hot to use a blanket for anything, and even if it was cold, why would he want scratchy acrylic against his skin? And as far as modesty, when he is too sick or encumbered with wires and stuff (during hospital visits) to get a shirt on, it's only family and closest friends around, and we are all too busy to worry about what he's wearing or not wearing.
Third, my grandparents have lived in their house since the mid-50's. It's FULL of things to remind my grandmother of my grandfather. There's no reason she should need a generic "blanket for person with cancer" to remind her and collect dust.
So, knitters: Rather than spending the 10-15 hours knitting a worthless item for someone, why not find out more about someone in your community who is very sick and do something they actually need or want? Mow a lawn, take a dog to be groomed, bring dinner. If you must knit, for them or their family, make sure they WANT something knitted-- or barter it for something they DO want or need. (Knit socks for your friend who owns a lawnmower...)
There are a number of knitting groups who believe that receiving a knitted item makes a person feel cared for, because they appreciate the work that has gone into the item, and the item is useful or comforting.
I believe that this is true only if the item really is useful or comforting. More about the time commitment later.
Some problematic items:
***The chemo cap. People who have cancer lose their hair from chemo sometimes, so it's apparently vitally important to knit them some kind of head covering, because being embarrassed by baldness, or sunburned, is their #1 concern.
Problems: People want to use awful yarn, things they would never wear against their OWN bare skin. (It's not so much that people with cancer are so inhumanly sensitive-- it's that their heads are naked!) They want to use gaudy patterns and colors because it makes it fun for them to knit. This is especially prevalent in wanting to use the brightest possible colors for kids' caps (because, you know, kids with cancer don't feel singled out enough).
***The prayer shawl. People who are very sick, or terminally ill, are apparently in need of even more possessions. It's especially popular to knit these out of Lion Homespun, possibly because the short lifespan of the yarn symbolizes the shortness of the person's remaining time. Or because it's cheap and easily available, one.
***The hospice throw. This is a small lap-sized blanket, about 3-4' by 4-5' at the most. The ideas behind such a tiny blanket are:
a)Provides warmth for legs and feet; people who are very sick get cold.
b)Provides modesty by covering a thin sheet, hospital gown, or pajamas.
c)Provides a keepsake for the survivors, after the person passes away.
All three of these are, to some extent, stupid.
First, take my granddad. What's the point of giving him something to keep warm, when he's not likely to make it through the summer?
Second, it's too hot to use a blanket for anything, and even if it was cold, why would he want scratchy acrylic against his skin? And as far as modesty, when he is too sick or encumbered with wires and stuff (during hospital visits) to get a shirt on, it's only family and closest friends around, and we are all too busy to worry about what he's wearing or not wearing.
Third, my grandparents have lived in their house since the mid-50's. It's FULL of things to remind my grandmother of my grandfather. There's no reason she should need a generic "blanket for person with cancer" to remind her and collect dust.
So, knitters: Rather than spending the 10-15 hours knitting a worthless item for someone, why not find out more about someone in your community who is very sick and do something they actually need or want? Mow a lawn, take a dog to be groomed, bring dinner. If you must knit, for them or their family, make sure they WANT something knitted-- or barter it for something they DO want or need. (Knit socks for your friend who owns a lawnmower...)
