“The Perfect COVER-UP
…The number of women taking up knitting has doubled in the past few years, spurred not just by the desire to make something snuggly for their family, but for others too. Programs like Warm Up America—where volunteers nationwide knit sections that are joined into afghans for the homeless—give us the chance to create something both practical and priceless. They also remind us that the best blanket, from the thinnest throw to the downiest comforter, gives off no real heat of its own, but magnifies the radiance of these wrapped in it, nurturing a warmth that comes from within. To learn more about Warm Up America, visit, www.warmupamerica.org or call 800-662-9999.”
—Better Homes and Gardens
January, 2004
“America Knits
Evie Rosen never imagined that knitting needles could be a tool for change. When customers at her Wausau, WI, yarn store asked what to do with extra yarn, she gave them an assignment: knit or crochet 7-by-9-inch squares. The swatches were then combined to make afghans for a local homeless shelter. The project caught on and soon the charity Warm Up America! was born. Today, the organization delivers thousands of the colorful blankets around the country. WarmUpAmerica.org”
—Erica Ackerberg
House and Garden
November, 2003
“All in a woman’s day…
The Perfect Hobby
…All this is prelude to the knitting and crocheting piece we have in this
issue, which is tied in to the national Knit-Outs that will be taking place at
month’s end. I haven’t been to one yet, but I hear they’re
wonderful. And I also encourage you to participate in our Warm Up America program
(details on page 108). We’ll be making one of those blankets here, too!”
—Jane Chesnutt, Editor-in-Chief
Woman’s Day, Sept. 16, 2003
“Warm Up America!
Under the wing of the Craft yarn Council of America. Warm Up America! has existed since the early ‘90s as an outlet for volunteers to put their skills to work making blankets to donate—following a pattern provided on the website. The organization collects knit or crocheted squares to create quilts that, once completed, are donated to Red Cross chapters, battered women’s shelters, AIDs facilities, and communities around the country.”
—Lucky magazine
December, 2001
“Change the World
WD Warms Up America
Have you been wondering lately how you can help victims
not only of the September 11 tragedy, but of everyday fires and other
disasters? Put your knitting needles together and get your crochet hooks
out to stitch adult booties or blankets for WD Warms
Up America. We’ve
partnered with the Craft Yarn Council of America to donate booties and
blankets for the relief efforts of the American Red Cross. We’ll accept
booties, afghans or even just 7" x 9" squares, which we’ll stitch together
later— whatever you have time for. So gather your coworkers and stitch
during lunch, get your daughter’s Girl Scout Troop involved or designate
your next book club meeting to a “knit out.” Send booties, afghans or
afghan squares to: WD Warms Up America, c/o Craft Yarn Council of America,
2500 Lowell Road, Gastonia, NC 28054.
WD is starting the campaign with this afghan, from out October 9
issue.”
—Woman’s Day
December 18, 2001