Calling all knitters and Code Pink supporters!

[snappyturtle]

I got an e-mail a couple days ago from Code Pink seeking knitters to knit 4" squares of pink or green yarn that will be arranged to spell out an anti-war message. Will be displayed in a 24 hour vigil at the White House Mothers' Day week. Here are the particulars:http://codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=4795

I know there are some here at DU who are upset with Code Pink tactics at hearings. Here is an opportunity for your voice to be part of a bigger message through Code Pink. I admire this group's tenacity and their unrelenting use of one of our greatest freedoms, that of free speech. Take a peek at the link to see what the deal is...it's easy! Time to get those needles clicking!

From the link above:

Calling all CODEPINK knitters! We are creating a beautiful, quilted cozy to cover the fence in front of the White House to honor Mother's Day. The message will be “We will not raise our children to kill another mother’s child”-inspired by Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day Proclamation. We’ll be piecing it together from individual squares knitted by YOU as part of the 24 hour Mother’s Day vigil for Women who live in War Zones. The best part is you don’t have to be an experienced knitter to help! This is perfect for knitters of all skill levels—and a great opportunity for those who want to learn! Celebrate the time honored tradition of the radical act of knitting. How-to-knit page here (just in case!)

[Ilsa]

1. Can I crochet them? I promise to use tight stitches. nt

[snappyturtle]

4. Why don't you e-mail them....or I will If you want me to. For some reason

I think they wanted just knitted squares....like what difference would it make? I'm certain they have been asked your question a lot!

[snappyturtle]

10. I just emailed Code Pink and asked if the squares can be

crocheted...hope so...I'm sure the response would be even greater!

[Hepburn]

48. I had the same question cuz I do crochet and not knitting.

If you get any info on this, pls post. TIA...:hi:

[snappyturtle]

57. See my response #56. I will post any response from CP.

:hi:

[snappyturtle]

56. Still no response from my e-mail to Code Pink....11:34 CST. nt

[snappyturtle]

69. Just sent another e-mail.....hopefully......nt

[EFerrari]

75. If they are tightly done, I don't see why that would be a problem?

Curious to see how they answer. Crocheting squares is a LOT faster for me. :)

[snappyturtle]

81. Well, I asked CP not to leave me hangin' for an answer but it

appears I have been. Will keep watching but for now, I'm off to knit!

[snappyturtle]

83. Hi Ilsa! Still nothing back from CP! I went back and read the instructions.

If you crochet tightly I think it would work fine! It says we can use ANY stitch pattern. Single crocheted rows are just as 'sturdy' as garter stitch in knitting...well, imho, but it is. I'd crochet some and send them. If I EVER to get a response I'll PM you. Sorry about this.

[snappyturtle]

90. WE GOT AN ANSWER FROM CODE PINK! CROCHET....YES!

Here's the reply I got this afternoon:

Hi Karen--
Thank you so much for helping to get the word out! So awesome! As long as the result is a tightly-woven, 4" square, we're happy--whether it's crocheted or knitted.
Thanks so much, and let me know how many you think you might be sending.
Thanks again--we are so grateful,
Janna

**************************

Don't forget to let Jenna know how many squares you're [e-mail]
If you didn't notice it's suggested including your name and home city/state on each square....they may be able then to tell you where your squares are on the quilt. I'm not going to do that...they can use them where ever but I will tell them where I'm from for their general knowledge and that I'm a DUer!

[MADem]

2. I'm not "upset" with them. I just think they are stupid.

These are serious issues, and their clownish protests have the appearance of being more about "them" than any cause they may espouse.

What they did during the Valerie Plame hearings was fucking dispicable. They behaved like asses--one idiot in particular.

Whatever floats their boat, though. I wonder how long the SS will let a quilt of any kind adorn a White House fence...or have they thought this through?

[snappyturtle]

5. I am just guessing that you won't be sending any squares. nt

[MADem]

6. Naaah.

This is a step up, though, from disrupting important testimony with moronic facial gestures and sign waving.

[G_j]

32. or distrubting a simple effort of some people do knit an anti-war message...

"...creating a beautiful, quilted cozy to cover the fence in front of the White House to honor Mother's Day."


how terrible!

[MADem]

34. Huh?

:shrug:

[G_j]

38. I'm sorry

I wish I hadn't responded
why should this thread be another argument about CP?
this is just a drive to get people to knit.
wrong place

[MADem]

40. No problem. Let the knitters knit, I say....

It will be interesting to see the finished product.

[arcadian]

9. The whole of government is a joke. This whole country is a joke.

Remember, it was the jesters who could mock the king with out fear of retribution during the Middle Ages.

[MADem]

37. Well gee, in the USA you don't even have to be funny to do that.

Or witty. Or clever. Free speech is only missed when you go to places where you don't have it.

If the country is such a joke, and the government is such a joke, why do you even bother? A social activity, is it?

[Matariki]

29. You're right, they are serious issues - but who's doing anything about the war?

you? me?

[snappyturtle]

35. It's as if the war doesn't exist anymore. At the very least this is an earnest

attempt to giving the war(s) some much needed attention.

[MADem]

36. Obama.

He's working on an orderly departure from Iraq. What do you want from him? A propitious withdrawal, which even the current Iraqi government doesn't want? Every day, the Iraqi military does more and more.

[Matariki]

42. He's sending more troops to Afghanistan

"The graveyard of empires"

[MADem]

44. Good lord, I thought only Republicans confused Iraq and Afghanistan.

They aren't the same conflict, you know. Stop convoluting the two. Way too many people are doing this. Both deployments have very different goals and purposes.

You apparently slept through Obama's policy speech last JULY...you know, the one where he said he was going to send more troops to a place called Afghanistan.

You had an opportunity to review his words (yes, he meant them) well before election day in November. The speech was rerun a number of times, and it was available on the net, and it was printed in every newspaper. It was not a surprise.

Why are so many poutraged faux-innnocents acting like this is a shock? The guy rented TV TIME to make this case. EIGHT FRIGGING MONTHS AGO. You might want to see what he has planned before you excoriate him, since you're just wrapping your head around the idea that we're going to be in Afghanistan for at least ten years--google will be your good friend in that effort. His proposed methodology is not your typical pacification and occupation paradigm.

[Matariki]

54. What the hell is your point?

Iraq / Afghanistan - two conflicts - NO KIDDING. Both WRONG.

I really don't get your point, what difference does it make that Obama was clear on his plans about Afghanistan? It doesn't make it a good move for the country or morally right.

And in context of Code Pink - who is protesting both wars, what IS your point?

Maybe you like the slaughter of innocent people?

[MADem]

71. Not everyone agrees with your take on that, though. No one in the administration does.

The women of Afghanistan, locked in their homes, denied the opportunity to work or be educated, beaten in the streets, beheaded in the public stadiums for minor infractions, why, I'm quite sure they don't agree with you one whit.

You, apparently, like the slaughter of innocent "WOMEN-people" just fine. You know, those poor souls, who were trapped in hellholes, forced to wear beekeeper suits, bullied by foreigners from Egypt and Saudi Arabia--not even Afghans-- with cattle switches who marched up and down in the streets berating them if they dared to go to the bazaar for food and exposed a toe or an ankle, who could be murdered simply for the crime of being female. The Afghan men had it a bit better--they couldn't shave their beards or listen to music (and Afghans are very musical and love to dance) but at least they weren't executed for showing a little skin. But all of them were under the yoke of fucking foreigners who were tossed out of Egypt, SA and other principalities and 'banished' to Taleb-land where it was thought they'd be out of their parent nations' hair, until Osama decided to make trouble.

You wouldn't be babbling about "slaughter" if you'd read Obama's policy speeches and had an iota of an understanding what his goals for the region are. You clearly don't know, though. You have a cartoonish, buffoonish image in your head, and you're proud of it, too, as evidenced by that stupid "slaughter" question you asked me.

[bicentennial_baby]

3. I hope to be able to contibute

I'm up to my neck in knitting...but it's on my mind, somewhere. :)

[snappyturtle]

7. Oh, great! I hope you can find the time to do some squares....I love

to knit and haven't in a long time so now I have a good reason to start again!

[bicentennial_baby]

8. If you need any help, send me a PM!

Happy to help out a fellow knitter! :)

I'm going to try to get to Webs when I'm home this week, and get the green and pink yarn. I don't have either!

[snappyturtle]

14. I had to laugh that you don't have pink or green yarn! I don't either &

I haven't got a clue as to the whereabouts of my knitting needle set! We moved two years ago, 'nuf said? So, I get to shop for yarn and needles....which is always fun for me! DO you think about a size 8 would be good?

[bicentennial_baby]

21. What's the gauge, again?

It's a 4" x 4" square, correct?

[snappyturtle]

23. All the 'instructions' say is 4x4 inches...so I'm guessing whatever

works the best individually to get there! I just don't want to do itty bitty stitches because I want to crank some out but sturdy...does that make any sense?

[bicentennial_baby]

24. I'd say a size 7 or 8 in a worsted weight would be ok

Just get your 4" by 4" size, and you're good to go. :)

[snappyturtle]

27. Yes,,,,that's my plan! Can't wait to find some yummy pink yarn! nt

[snappyturtle]

73. I just got a huge skein of pink and the gauge on the label

suggested size 8 needles to yield a 4"x4" square....23 rows of 17 stitches....perfect! I think the pink might be a bit bright but it was the best of the choices I had. I don't know how accurate my monitor is anyway. I'll be happy just knitting again!

[Marrah_G]

11. I wish I could still knit

I like some things code pink does and don't like others. This seems like a really cool thing and I wish I could participate. But alas...the nerve damage in my hands makes knitting incredibly painful after 5 minutes or so.

[snappyturtle]

15. Sorry.....I'll include your name on mine! I have one hand that just

started giving me fits....I think it's probably arthritis and it isn't fun but I can still knit. I think it's a cool thing too and something I CAN do....and I like the message that's being sent.

[Marrah_G]

17. Thanks Snappy

It's such a pain not being able to do the things I really enjoyed. I'll make a small donation in our names instead.

[snappyturtle]

20. Oh, how sweet! We're just getting on our feet again after a few

very dreary years so the donation is very kind. I'm sure it's a pain not be able to do stuff you enjoy....but I bet you did until you just couldn't anymore and that's my plan too. Then someone else, my daughter(?), will have to pick up the slack when I can't do things. I guess it's just life....but your spirit is great!

[stillcool]

12. thanks! I saved the page..

I can definitely handle a couple of 4" squares!

[snappyturtle]

16. Oh that's great! Every square counts! nt

[Starry Messenger]

13. k & r.

[snappyturtle]

22. Thank you! I hope we can keep this kicked so DUers will be

well represented in Code Pink's effort. It's a good message.

[dflprincess]

18. "I Didn't Raise My Boy To Be A Soldier"

Ed. Morton's Sensational Anti-War Song Hit
Words by Alfred Bryan, 1871-1958
Music by Al. Piantadosi, 1884-1955
Published 1915


Verse1:
Ten million soldiers to the war have gone,
Who may never return again.
Ten million mother’s hearts must break
For the ones who died in vain.
Head bowed down in sorrow
In her lonely years,
I heard a mother murmur thro’ her tears:

CHORUS
“I didn’t raise my boy to be a soldier,
I brought him up to be my pride and joy,
Who dares to place a musket on his shoulder,
To shoot some other mother’s darling boy?
Let nations arbitrate their future troubles,
It’s time to lay the sword and gun away,
There’d be no war today,
If mother’s all would say,
“I didn’t raise my boy to be a soldier.”

Verse 2:
What victory can cheer a mother’s heart,
When she looks at her blighted home?
What victory can bring her back
All she cared to call her own.
Let each mother answer
In the years to be,
Remember that my boy belongs to me!

[snappyturtle]

19. Very touching words and it is exactly the message Code Pink is

endeavoring to pass on with this giant 'quilt'. Thank you.

[dflprincess]

25. Sad that a song written nearly 95 years ago is still so pertinent

Just change "boy" to "child" and it fits today perfectly.

When this song was written the "war to end all war" was being fought.

[snappyturtle]

26. You're so right! Sad. I have a nephew on his second tour in

Iraq. He's only been back there for six weeks....so it's another long wait. I don't know how his mom stands it. I'm so thankful that we can keep in touch with him. Can you imagine what it was like having a son off on earlier wars when communication was so limited?

[dflprincess]

28. I have thought of that

My dad's mom could never talk about WWII and the time my dad was overseas without crying (and Pop got home safely).

[snappyturtle]

30. I really think I would have lost my mind. It would be a living horror. nt

[G_j]

39. wow, beautiful

[Raineyb]

31. Sounds cool.

As long as I don't have to use that scratchy Red Hearts yarn I'll try to squeeze some knitting in between reading for class. I've had my knitting on hold but a good cause is certainly a good excuse to pick them up again.

Regards

[snappyturtle]

33. Wonderful! It's an excellent excuse to pick up knitting again....

I'm doing that too! Thanks Raineyb for taking the time; I know it will be appreciated.

[snappyturtle]

41. Kicking for Code Pink!

:kick:

[G_j]

43. we love you, Code Pink!

:loveya:

[bananas]

45. k&r nt

[PuraVidaDreamin]

46. Thank you Code Pink!

I'm going to the knitting store today!

[snappyturtle]

47. Super! Me too! I'm so happy to be able to contribute something.

Thanks for your efforts. Go Code Pink!

[pipi_k]

49. OHO...knitting the squares will be the easy part...

as for making the afghan itself...


:scared:


I've made enough granny square afghans to sit in awe of the ladies who will be sewing hundreds or even thousands of those squares together.

Bless their hearts

You have to be either crazy, or very committed to your purpose to do that.



Anyway, I'm sure I've got lots of pink yarn around here to knit up...will look for it later.

:)

[snappyturtle]

51. It would be great if you can put that yarn to such a good use!

I've thought about the assembly too.....I would guess there are MANY committed individuals working to make this quilt cozy a success. I do not envy them....hope they can get it all together!

[surrealAmerican]

50. Why do they feel the need to call this a quilt?

Any knitter will tell you, "it's an afghan." A quilt is made of fabric pieces over stuffing or batting.

[snappyturtle]

52. I have thought about this terminology too. I wonder if the word quilt

will ring with the public with the other quilts done that have been on display e.g. the AIDS quilt. I also think that from a distance the patchwork appearance will look quilt-like. Bottom line I really don't know but I like the over all idea and the message the finished quilt will project.

[surrealAmerican]

53. I thought they may be trying to avoid the word "afghan" ...

... because of its association with Afghanistan.

[snappyturtle]

55. I thought about that too but only briefly since Afghanistan is a war front

and this 'quilt' is an anti-war message, I sort of doubt it. After I wrote back the last time I was thinking more about the size of the AIDS quilt and maybe if people think of it, size will pop into their minds that this is a really big project. I haven't found any explanation on the Code Pink site about why the term 'quilt' is being used to describe this project. :shrug:

[VenusRising]

58. Count me in!

I always welcome an excuse to go buy more yarn. :D

[bicentennial_baby]

59. Yarn Ho!

Not that that's a bad thing, mind you. :D

[VenusRising]

60. Ummm...

takes one to know one? :shrug:

:hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

61. Pfft!

I only have yarn stashed in, like, 4 different places. Lots and lots and lots of it. :rofl:

Besides, it means I'm set for the apocalypse! :D

:hug:

[VenusRising]

62. I have mine organized in stacked milk crates.

Of course they are stuffed full.

We're going to be the least bored after the rapture. :rofl:

[bicentennial_baby]

63. And, we're sooo gonna 'rapture' the stashes

of those who have departed :evilgrin:

[VenusRising]

64. That's going to be the BEST part!

I'm not stingy, either. I'm more than happy to share yarn with all the Godless sinners left.

[snappyturtle]

65. Super! I'm going out this afternoon to get yarn. I've got a store room

torn apart looking for my knitting needle set. If I don't find them I'll just HAVE to pick up another pair when I get the yarn. The worst part is putting back all that I've scattered!

[earth mom]

66. This is a great idea! I wish that I could knit.

Maybe I could make some on a "Knifty Knitter"? :shrug:

[snappyturtle]

67. It's really not that hard. On the Code Pink link is a place to learn how to knit!

Very good pictures with instructions! Come on...you can do it!!!!

I'm not familiar with Knifty Knitter....If it's a gizmo that gives a knitted look I think it work work fine. Now you have my interest piqued....gotta go to Google!

[snappyturtle]

68. Just looked at it! Do you have one? From the looks of the finished projects I say...

YES! It will work. How many squares can we put you down for? HA!

[earth mom]

76. I looked at some videos on how to knit with a Knifty Knitter on You Tube after I last posted.

Looks fairly easy, so I think I can do it.

Just gotta go and get one of em and some pink yarn...sounds like a plan! :woohoo:

[snappyturtle]

88. Sorry I missed this reply of yours! Great for you and have fun/

I started yesterday and did a bit today but been busy for the last few hours....cat giving birth! We have four beautiful kittens. Now, back to the knitting! I think the Knifty Knitters look like a lot of fun. Saw one in a store not too long ago and I was really tempted!

[earth mom]

91. Well, I bought the Knifty Knitter yesterday afternoon & some bright pink fluffy yarn-

had to have some real fluffy wool in there along with the acrylic!

However, my first attempt didn't go so well last night. I guess I have to watch the You Tube video again. :blush:

p.s. Good luck with the kittens. I have some feral cats that I feed that might surprise me with kittens this spring. Last fall, we got 3 kittens, but the mom and 2 of the kittens died. The one that survived we named Sugar because he is a pale apricot colored tabby that looks like he was dipped in sugar with white toes and a white nose. He was pure white when he was born and had an almost ethereal look about him-until he decided to become the devil and tear the house up, LOL! Spring can't come soon enough so I can let him outside to play during the day, after he's fixed of course. O8)

[snappyturtle]

94. I have a "Sugar" too! She's ten and the grand dame! These kittens

are a big bore to her. The mamma was dumped here and preggers so....she's acclimated beautifully though! Of course she's getting the royal treatment. I've have three cats dumped here and two dogs. We had another dog show up last night. Found the owner this morning through its rabies tag number....thank goodness. This dog barked much of the night!

Sorry to hear your attempt didn't turn out as planned. I bet once you get the hang of it, you'll do fine! Thanks for making such a big effort to contribute to this cause.

[VenusRising]

70. Kick

:kick:

[snappyturtle]

72. Thanks for kicking! I had to run out and get the yarn and I took

eggs to the old couple next door. We have more than we can use but I couldn't get away from these folks...I wanted to knit a little this afternoon. Now I have chickens to feed and dinner to fix! Darn.

[bicentennial_baby]

74. Simple....cook something that allows you to knit at the same time

Someone said today "Cook once, eat all week, more time for knitting" :evilgrin:

[VenusRising]

78. Were you that someone?

It just sounds SO bi-baby. :rofl:

[snappyturtle]

80. I like that saying! I do try to cook with the next day or two in mind.

I like to cook but at times it'S tiresome to me and I can always think of other things I'd rather be doing.

Got a skein into a ball so I'm set to start. Just wanted to check back in here first.

[knitter4democracy]

77. I'm in, and I'll let my knitivist friends know.

We Zombie Prom Date Knitters are quite liberal as a whole, so this will fit right in.

[snappyturtle]

79. Thank you! The more that know the better! nt

[VenusRising]

82. Bought my yarn this morning!

Pink & Green. :woohoo:

(and some sock yarn :hide:)

[knitter4democracy]

84. Sock yarn doesn't count as stash, don't you know.

;)

[VenusRising]

85. Awesome!

:bounce:

[Mike 03]

86. I just want to know what their signs say at the Senate and Congressional Financial Crisis

Hearings.

They were great on Iraq, but what's doing, here?

Who do they want fired? And why?

The guys we are bringing in to solve the problem?

They hate...what... Banks? Automakers? Insurance Companies? Our counterparites in Europe?

They hate Liddy...why?

They hate Treasury, the Federal Reserve... Everybody? Or just someone in particular?

This is the Maxime Waters Conundrum, where people are pissed and making damned fools of themselves for the simple reason they are upset but don't have the slightest idea why or who merits their wrath.

Also, they do look folish, at least to me. But there's no law against making a goddamn fool of yourself, thank heavens. They are lively, unintentionally humorous and passionate; that is the one praise I can offer.

[Kool Kitty]

87. I'll definitely knit a few squares.

I could use a break from what I am knitting now. I am becoming the dropped-stitch queen of Aberdeen, I'm afraid. Some simple squares are just what I need.

[snappyturtle]

89. Super! I've dropped a stitch or two...I get into a good rythym and then....

dang..I drop a stitch. I've dropped enough of them in my lifetime that I've gotten really good at picking them up! I remember the first time it happened, eons ago, and I about had a heart attack! I thought I'd have to start all over. Dumb me. Thanks for your efforts. I know it's greatly appreciated. Here's a copy of a response I got from Code Pink this afternoon:

Hi Karen--
Thank you so much for helping to get the word out! So awesome! As long as the result is a tightly-woven, 4" square, we're happy--whether it's crocheted or knitted.
Thanks so much, and let me know how many you think you might be sending.
Thanks again--we are so grateful,
Janna

*************
Don't forget to include your name and city/state on your squares....I'm going to mention DU too!

[shanti]

92. subversive knitter here!

i'm in!

[snappyturtle]

93. Thanks so much! I've posted again to see if we can get a few

more people to join in the effort.