A Sheep In Wools' Clothing

Amish Memory Project Cancelled

At long last, we have made the decision to cancel the Amish Lap robe Memory Project.  After more than a week of waiting for a response about the question of whether the Amish bishop would allow the families to accept the lap robes, I am assuming the silence indicates a negative response.

I have no regrets.  We reached out to offer emotional support for fellow human beings.  We were contacted by many, many wonderful spinners and knitters whom I may not have "met" otherwise, and we learned a tiny bit about Amish ways.  Most of all, I hope we learned a bit of tolerance of ways different than our own, and were respectful of those differences.  Thank you, each and every one!

This project may no have been meant to be, but there may be another need for our fiber talents in the future.  Here's hoping there will be no need, but accepting human nature is not always benevolent, there probably will be a similar need on a smaller or larger scale, in the future.  May we all be willing to pitch in again!  Thank you.

Still in Limbo

Shelley  and I are still putting the project in limbo.  I have received an intermediate response from Rita Rhodes, the nurse midwife who is connected with the Amish community struck by tragedy recently.  She is checking to see whether our lap robe idea would be accepted by the Amish victim's families, or be deemed unacceptable by the bishop.  Once she has gotten back to us with the information, we will be posting and notifying all of our wonderful volunteers.

As Shelley said in her earlier post, I have learned much while making the effort to do this project.  We researched the Amish, and I think improved our comprehension of their lifestyle and the plain people in general.  We have come to truly appreciate the generosity of spinners and knitters.  And we have come to realize that sometimes it is hard to put our own needs in a tragedy behind the needs of the victims and their families.  Regardless of the outcome of the idea for this project, we take away much in knowledge and understanding.  Thank you.  And I will keep you posted about the response from Rita Rhodes.

Not Meant To Be???

This morning, Shelley  and I were dealt a blow to our Amish Memory Project.   We received an E-mail that indicated another group had attempted to knit shawls for the Amish community too.  Their contact into the Amish community indicated that the Amish bishop had rejected the offer of the shawls.  It was his feeling that these shawls (and perhaps our lap robes as well) would serve to keep the wounds open, keep the recipients thinking of their loss, and delay the healing process by serving as a reminder.  We have sent inquiries about this issue to our contact in that Amish community.  We will pass along the answer as soon as received. 

Even if this is the end of the line for our project, it has solidified for me what a giving and generous group fiber people are.  It has been a wonderful experience so far to be involved with wonderful people like Shelley, and all the volunteers who have contacted us.  It has been a time to reflect on our society, unite as a community, and learn about the Amish with their humble, simple, plain way of life that brings them closer to God without the distractions our modern conveniences and inventions bring.  Like Shelley, if this is the end for our project, I will continue to spin my fiber, and it will become a shawl yet!  Just for another recipient...Let us hope we may continue with our project, but if not, let us respect the wishes of the Amish community and their ways.

Amish Memory Project Laprobe Suggestion

Today, we have received a number of E-mails from readers who have lived near or with various Amish sects.  While each regional group may have slightly different rules of dress and customs, they all share being "plain people" whose dress have no zippers, in some cases no buttons - just hooks and eyes, who live without electricity or motorized vehicles, TV, telephones, computers, etc.

This project to remember their dead and injured, as well as those families closely impacted by this tragedy, and to offer comfort to them, must be respectful of their customs.  While we as knitters and spinners frequently like to challenge ourselves with new and interesting techniques, and gift these beautiful pieces to others, like Shelley  says in her post tonight, we must rein in our creativity and abilities in this project and move forward with utmost simplicity and respect for the Amish to whom we are trying to offer our support and comfort without intruding.  Check out Shelley's blog for the suggestion we received tonight for the lap robes, in any weight yarn, any gauge knitting.  It has been suggested to us that even with the lap robe direction we are now taking, that we should not stray away from the plain and simple concept for the finished objects.  Thank you all for helping us move this project forward!

More Spinners Please

We have had a few spinners drop out of the project for various reasons - life has a way of happening, and there is only so much one's plate can hold.  So, if there are additional spinners out there who are interested in spinning a sufficient quantity of yarn to make a lap robe, please contact us!  We'd love your help!