Wrapping up the cancer fight

Published 8:00 am Saturday, May 14, 2005

Hutchin picked to design a scarf kit to benefit women’s health.

Kit Hutchin is one of six “influential” yarn store owners invited to design a scarf kit, with sales to benefit the fight against gynecological cancers.

“I was delighted and honored to be chosen,” Hutchin said. For her design, a soft angora scarf that knits out from the center to two ruffled ends, using a delicate pink “soft kid” mohair yarn, she chose “something that was soft and pretty, and simple and calm.”

Churchmouse Yarns and Teas will sponsor a weekend knitting benefit May 28-29 for the Knit For Her Cure organization, which distributes the kits to retail stores.

All profits from the kits benefit the Gynecological Cancer Foundation, which promotes public awareness and supports research on cancers that attack a woman’s reproductive system.

Kits, priced from $30-60, come in a distinctive, pink-ribboned tote bag with yarn and a pattern for a soft, cheerful scarf in shades of pink. People can also choose to knit yarn of their own for the event.

Knitters can donate scarves – which will be given to Kitsap Cancer Services to deliver to cancer patients to keep warm at treatment centers or cheer them up during a difficult time.

For cancer patients receiving the scarf, Hutchins hopes “that they feel cared for and (know) somebody’s in it with them.”

The finished scarf might also be given to a friend or worn by the knitter as a sign of solidarity.

The KFHC project, highlighted in this month’s Vogue Knitting, was started by cancer survivor Marta McGinniss Blodgett as a way to “give a hug” to women fighting with cancer. Blodgett partnered with yarn distributor Muench Yarns & Buttons, the exclusive yarn supplier, for the first big KFHC event in May 2003.

The kits will be previewed at the May 19 gathering of the Churchmouse Charity Knitters, who meet 1-3 p.m. every third Thursdays at the yarn store.

The project is one of many the group has taken on, including knitting warm balaclava helmet liners for soldiers enduring cold nights in Iraq and Afghanistan, and collecting 100 pounds of knitting yarn for women at Angeline’s Shelter last year.

Hutchin sees benefits of the movement for both knitter and recipients.

“So many people want to be involved (in causes) with their knitting,” Hutchin said, and “I find most knitters really appreciate getting something knit (for them).”

A sneak preview of eight Knit For Her Cure kits will be at the Churchmouse Charity Knitters Circle 1-3 p.m. May 19 at Churchmouse Yarns and Teas; a knitting benefit for KFHC will be 12-5 p.m. May 28-29 at the store.

For more information, contact Churchmouse’s community outreach coordinator Cynthia Pierce at 780-2686, email kit@churchmouseyarns.com or see www.knitforhercure.com.