Shelly's Finished Cowl!

The newspaper interview went well and great photo op with our regular staff Friday group.  Both Shelly and Trisha finished their cowls although with all the excitement, I didn't get a picture of Trisha's cowl, so send it Trisha, will you.

Here's Shelly's cowl and she's off to the next one.  We're all having so much fun.  Love it and really breaks up our day to take our lunch time to knit and cabitz!

THKP Breast Cancer Group

Woohoo!  Not only is it our Friday knitting group at the hospital, but the local reporter is coming to interview me about THKP Breast Cancer group!  This is a dream come true for me.  I've been wanting to start this group for what seems like a couple of years anyway.  I just hope we get a good response of people who are interested. 

Our Friday group continues to be a success with regular attendance.  We've got scarves and cowls done, will need to post pictures.  Interested to see what the ladies want to tackle next. 

I am encouraged as I continue my quest to Spread Happiness; Reduce Stress, one Ball of Yarn at a Time!

 

Very Exciting News!!

I'm happy to announce I will begin another Happiness Knitting Project weekly session very soon.  This will be a very special group for breast cancer patients only.  I feel so passionate about providing people with an activity that they can use to decrease stress and improve their happiness.  When ladies are going through cancer treatment, there's so many medical appointments to attend and having the ability to pull their beloved knitting from their bag to pass the time; providing even a small sense of calm.  During chemo, often vision is blurred, making reading difficult.  With two big sticks and some heavier yarn, knitting would be possible.

In a study by Kang et al. (2011) they found improvements in immune function during breast cancer treatment with relaxation.  Dr. Benson from the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Mass. General likened knitting to invoking the relaxation response (2001).  My hope is that sharing my love for knitting and it's ability to improve relaxation, can help breast cancer patients through this difficult time.

Forming this group has been a dream for over a year and I'm very excited it's coming to fruition, hopefully next  month.  It will be for Teller County ladies on Mondays at Pikes Peak Regional Hospital. Exact time will be determined by needs of those interested in participating.   If you know of anyone diagnosed in the last year that would benefit from this project,  please pass on the info.

Friday Knitting Group

Ok, ladies, keep each other going on Friday while I'm gone.  Will miss you all and hope the knitting emergencies were all handled today.  The cowls are coming along beautifully and I suspect one will be done very soon with the second to quickly follow.  Feel free to post pictures of your projects and even of the group on Friday so I can feel like I'm keeping up with your progress even while being out of town. 
And whatever you do, don't forget to laugh!  :)

Travel Knitting

I'm off on yet another trip.  This time to Phoenix where it's perfect knitting weather - in the 90's.  Yippee!  I'm still working on my socks, which is usually my go to travel project because it's so small and very portable and I don't have to think too much.  I used to read when traveling but I find knitting is much more enjoyable and with all the noise and people talking around me, it's easier to focus on my knitting than reading. 
During the conference, I'll pass the time with knitting.  Believe it or not, it actually helps me focus on the material being presented if my hands are busy.  At least, that's how I justify it to myself.  All the hurry up and waiting with travel these days is so much easier to tolerate with my knitting.  I'll finish the first sock and start on the second during this trip. 
I honestly don't know how people can stand to travel without keeping their hands busy.  Most read but I want to reach out and poke somebody in the eye if they're incessantly talking when I'm trying to read, so knitting is safer for others.  In addition, if I really don't want to hear anyone, I put my ear phones in which doesn't distract me from knitting, but definitely does if I'm trying to read.  So there!