Knit and Be Knit Together at General Convention 2

Knitting Group Sends Over 100 Items 3

Preparing for Christmas in July 3–4

Using Scraps� 5

Dear Stitching Friends 6

Calendar 6

Founded in 1834, The

Institute is a voluntary,

ecumenical agency

affiliated with the

Episcopal Church that

provides pastoral care,

maritime education, and

legal and advocacy

services for mariners.

The newsletter of The

Seamen’s Church Institute

Christmas at Sea Program

In this Issue

Non-ProfitU.S Postage

PAIDNewtown, CT

Permit No. 100

SPRING 2009 VOLUME 3/NUMBER 1

The Seamen’s Church Institute www.seamenschurch.org

A Picture is Worth a Thousand WordsSCI Invites Knitters to Snap Photos

Each year, SCI sends out thousands of knitted garments to mariners working on the world’s oceans and inland waterways. Jeanette DeVita,

Director of the volunteer knitting program at the Institute, says, “The mariners who receive the gifts, which have obviously taken hours to make, hold in their hands an act of love.” Imagining who might have cared so much to spend the time making a scarf or a hat, according to DeVita, just got a little easier this year. “We’d love knitters to include a photograph with their knitted items.”

In its gift boxes containing knitted garments for mariners, the Christmas at Sea knitting program has in the past also enclosed notes that knitters have included with their donations. These notes, DeVita maintains, are extraordinary additions to the knitting, adding an individual touch. “What’s really wonderful is to connect the person who did the work of knitting with the mariner who receives it.”

For a precise way of fostering the connection, DeVita recommends that those who may want to add a note or special communication may also want to include a photo. She says, “Be creative. I see so many proud knitters posting pics of their work online. I know that we’re a photographing bunch.”

Some ideas DeVita gives are to include a close-up photo of the hands knitting the garment, a Christmas greeting card with a family photo, or even a photo of a pet with the scarf or cap. The Program Director says, “What I like about this ‘extra’ thing included in the package is that it is a picture of the garment in one place, namely the shore, before it’s sent to another place, perhaps around the world!”

“What’s the saying?” says DeVita. “A picture’s worth a thousand words. A photo is a record of a real event. It connects a human being with another experience.” This connection is at the heart of the knitting program, according to DeVita.

If you’d like to include a photo with your knitting, enclose it with your submission. So that the photo stays with the garment, DeVita recom-mends that you attach it. Using a hole-punch, make a hole in one corner of the paper and with extra yarn thread through the garment, securing the photo to it. You may also wish to write a brief note on the reverse side of the photo.

Of course, you can share your photos of knitting electronically. Email them to cas@seamenschurch.org. If you use flickr, please provide a link to your pictures.

Here is a creative example of showcasing your knitted garments. CAS knitter, Brenda, snapped this photo of a mariner’s cap with adorable model, Joe.

Photo: Anne-Marie Kavulla

Christmas At SeaJeanette DeVita Program Director212-349-9090cas@seamenschurch.orghttp://blogs.seamenschurch.org

Spring 2009, Published by The Seamen’s Church Institute of New York & New Jersey241 Water StreetNew York, NY 10038www.seamenschurch.orgThe Rev. David M. RiderExecutive Director

Editor, Oliver BrewerAssistant Editor, Margaret LeeDesign & Production by BlissDesignThis newsletter is printed on recycled paper.

Need...Patterns?

Yarn?

Ready to mail?

2� •� The�Seamen’s�Church�Institute� The Knit Before Christmas Spring 2009

Knit and Be Knit Together at General ConventionCelebrate Knitting at Episcopal Church’s Conference

Held once every three years, the General Convention of the United States’ Episcopal Church meets this year in July in Anaheim, CA. Many people will gather at this meeting where voting occurs on legislation for the governance of the Episcopal Church, a Christian denomination with which SCI has been affiliated since its founding. At the Convention, the Institute will host two events that will be of special interest to knitters: a “Knitting Safe Zone” and an afternoon celebration of the craft of knitting.

The Episcopal Church, whose membership was recently estimated at over 2 million, is made up of various parish communities from across the States. These churches are joined together by a system of dioceses presided over by bishops—from which the church gets its name, meaning “governed by bishops.” Along with lay leaders, these bishops meet at a triennial Convention to connect ministries and work together. Although each diocese has a certain amount of autonomy, they share a common mission and association as part of the wider Church.

Like the Episcopal Church itself, the Seamen’s Church Institute connects various churches, too, with its volunteer knitting program. Knitting groups associated with churches craft scarves and hats (sending them in from around the US) for the men and women whom SCI serves. This year’s General Convention will serve to unite these many knitting ministries of the Church.

At SCI’s booth in the exhibitors’ hall, the Institute will host a “Knitting Safe Zone” in which people can take a break from the busy Convention and put some needles to yarn. “We’re offering a place,” says Program Director Jeanette DeVita, “for peaceful ‘knitting prayer’ right in the center of the hustle and bustle of the Convention.”

In addition to the daily “Knitting Safe Zone” at SCI’s booth, the Institute will also sponsor a celebrating of knitting at the Convention. (Be sure to check the Convention schedule for the date, time, and meeting place.) The atmosphere at this event, according to DeVita,

will be a little more boisterous than the Institute’s Convention booth. DeVita says, “It will be a chance for us to celebrate knitting and share that passion with each other.” At the event, knitters can share patterns, swap secrets, and even teach some newcomers, as DeVita anticipates that some curious people might stop by the hotel conference room where SCI hosts its event.

“No matter what function or purpose your presence serves at the Convention,” says DeVita, “you are welcome to join us.” She adds, “We knitters will do our part to stitch together all kinds of people and provide a symbol of our common calling.”

Knitter Angela Zachary (pictured at right) is ready for General Convention in sunny California. She’s got a stylish knitted sleeveless top and packed her bag with yarn—the only thing she thinks she will need.

Does someone you know want to learn how to knit? Why not invite them to join you in knitting for SCI? Share your love of knitting with others and introduce them to the practice. Many of SCI’s patterns are perfect for beginners, including the two included with this newsletter. Pass them on!

Stop by SCI’s General Convention booth and say hello; and, of course, you are welcome to knit in our “Knitting Safe Zone.”

Ever wonder what to do with balls of leftover yarn? How about a scrappy lengthwise scarf? You can use 2 colors, 3 colors, or even more. Just make sure each scrap is enough to complete 2 rows, or�about�15�yards.��Jeanette�has�written the instructions for 3 colors—but it is very simple to stripe with whatever you have on hand.

Throughout the month of July, SCI hopes that churches and church groups will collect items to include in the gift boxes for mariners distributed at Christmastime. So that we can tally up toward our goal, please send the items to SCI in New York (241 Water Street, New York, NY 10038) by Wednesday, August�5,�2009.

www.seamenschurch.org The Knit Before Christmas� Spring�2009 �• �3

Knitting Group Sends Over 100 Itemsknitting program for the visually impaired

S everal times during the year, SCI receives a shipment from a community center on West 23rd Street in

Manhattan. VISIONS at Selis Manor, an adapted learning environment and meeting place for persons who are blind or visually impaired, hosts a knitting class where knitters stitch together handcrafted garments. Several of their yarn creations are given to the Seamen’s Church Institute to distribute to mariners working on oceans and rivers at Christmastime. Over the past year, SCI has received over 100 items constructed by this group of generous donors.

Betsy Fabricant, Director of Recreation and Residential Programs at VISIONS, spoke with SCI recently about the programs offered at Selis Manor. She told of the various classes, counseling, and volunteer programs that the community

center coordinates for the blind. Fabricant recalls when she first started working at VISIONS. “I was blown away,” she said, noting the way people at VISIONS worked together to help each other.

The people—the organizers, staff, and teachers—at VISIONS are both sighted and without

sight, Fabricant points out. The teacher of the knitting class at Selis Manor is a blind woman named Domenica Diodati. Diodati says that the class typically has 14-18 people, but the size is limited by the number of volunteers they can get to help. Diodati urges people to consider getting involved.

Betsy Fabricant says that, like a good community center, people come together to support one another. Those with certain abilities or skills assist others, she says. When asked about the same offering of ability and skill offered by the knitters in the VISIONS knitting class, she replied, “It completes the circle, doesn’t it?”

Jeanette DeVita, SCI’s Director of the Christmas at Sea volunteer knitting program, says, “The box from VISIONS puts a smile on my face each year.” DeVita notes the high quality of craftsmanship. “People who see the scarves and hats we send out may not know exactly who made them, but they can always tell when someone has put their heart into it. These garments are noticeably full of care and thought. I look forward to seeing the next batch of knitting from these skillful artists.”

Preparing for Christmas in JulyCalling Knitters and Non-Knitters to Coordinate Gift Collection“Now, I know,” says Chaplain Ann Mills for SCI’s Ministry on the River (MOR), “Christmas seems a long way off. I’m certainly not doing much of my own Christmas shopping in July, but we at SCI are working on Christmas year-round.” Mills, along with other chaplains, coordinates the donation of items for SCI’s program of providing gifts for those working on America’s inland rivers during the holiday.

SCI’s Christmas gifts for mariners include knitted garments along with useful items for the mariner—items that land-dwellers can obtain at the local supermarket but are difficult to come by when working long stretches on the water. The complete

package makes a practical, homespun gift for mariners.

Last year, SCI began asking for donations of these items. Jeanette DeVita, Program Director of SCI’s volunteer knitting program, says, “I knew that the best way to get the word out about this was through our faithful community of knitters.” DeVita urged knitters across the US to help SCI collect these gifts. Through their motivation, SCI was able to amass several hundred valuable items in 2008.

DeVita says, “Imagine if your Christmas list were 17,000 names long!” The Institute distributes that many gifts each year, which means that building on the success of

VISIONS at Selis Manor is looking for a volunteer to assist knitters with reading patterns, identifying needles, and sorting colors. The class meets Mondays from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. If you would be interested in volunteering, contact Melissa Phipps, Volunteer Coordinator/Social Caseworker, at (646) 486-4444. Other volunteer opportunities are available at VISIONS. For more information, check out their website at http://www.visionsvcb.org/selis_manor.html.

At Selis Manor, a unique community center knits together all kinds of people to help each other. Photo: Carrie Farley

4� •� The�Seamen’s�Church�Institute� The Knit Before Christmas Spring 2009

Crocheted Scrappy Scarfby Bea Morisson edited by Norma Agastein

Materials needed:

Worsted weight yarn, 2 ounces each in 3 colors (sample uses red, brown and green)

Tools needed:

Crochet hook: G

Completed Scarf will measure 6.5" x 60"

Row 1: Chain 200 with color A. Chain 2, turn.

Row 2: Double crochet into 3rd chain. DC in each stitch until end of row. Cut yarn with 5" tail

Row 3: Using color B, pull the new yarn through the top loop of the last DC. Chain 2. DC into 3 stitch and in each stitch until end of row. Cut yarn with 5" tail.

Row 4: Repeat as for row 3 but with color C.

Row 5: Repeat as for row 3 but with A

Continue in this manner until scarf measures 6.5–7" wide.

Secure yarn ends of all rows.

Enjoy!

Note: When fastening ends, be sure to tighten the turning stitches.

last year, SCI has to manage to collect even more of the useful items included alongside knitted scarves and hats for Christmas.

Ann Mills believes that she knows a community connection that can help, too. “Many of our knitters are associated with churches or church groups (although that’s not a requirement to participate in the knitting program). By involving other, non-knitting groups from their churches to participate—like youth, older adults, and Sunday School classes—we’ll increase our network of collectors.” Particularly, this summer, Mills envisions this as the perfect project to coordinate with a church’s Vacation Bible School.

“The other chaplains and I are available to speak about SCI in person,” says Mills, “and we’ll help get your church or church group set up with the materials needed to get people motivated and start collecting.” Mills continues, “This is a wonderful volunteer service project that is easy to coordinate and will make a special impact in the lives of others.”

SCI’s mile marker for this year’s collection will be a little over halfway toward Christmas when the Institute hopes to have collected enough items for 9,000 gift boxes. To receive materials on helping SCI prepare for Christmas in July, contact Jeanette DeVita, Program Director of the Christmas at Sea volunteer knitting program at jdevita@seamenschurch.org.

Shopping for Christmas gifts in July? It may seem like an early start, but with over 17,000 gifts to buy, SCI has to be gathering items all year. Can you help fill our gift boxes with items useful to mariners?

Here’s the list of useful items included with SCI’s gifts to mariners. Can your group or organization help collect?l Unscented, hypoallergenic

hand lotion

l Unscented, colorless lip balm

l Individual packets of facial tissue

l Sealed packages of holiday sweets

l Books or activities like Sudoku, word searches, and playing cards

l Microwave popcorn

l Chewing gum

All items must be in new and un-used condition and in their original packaging. We cannot accept items that are used or unsealed.

www.seamenschurch.org The Knit Before Christmas� Spring�2009 �• �5

Knitted Lengthwise Scrappy ScarfMaterials needed:

Worsted weight yarn, 350–500 yards in assorted colors. I used scraps of 3 colors: blue, red and yellow

Tools needed:

US 8 needles (or size needed to get gauge)

You will want to use a long circular needle for this scarf, as you will be casting on lengthwise.

Gauge: 4 stitches per inch in garter stitch

Completed Scarf will measure 6.5" x 60"

Loosely cast on 240 stitches with color A. Knit one row. Drop A and knit 2 rows with B carrying A up the side. Knit 2 rows with C. Knit 2 rows with A. Continue in this manner until scarf is 6.5–7" wide. Bind off loosely. Weave in ends.

Tip #1: If you’d like to knit a shorter scarf, cast on fewer stitches; a 50" scarf will require 200 cast-on stitches.

Tip #2: When you carry the yarns for more than 2 stripes twist the colors when alternating for an attractive edge.

Enjoy!

Knitting TipUsing “Scraps”

At the end of a knitting project, one has to marvel at the final creation. Through knitting, one transforms single strands of yarn into a three-dimensional work of art. The yarn’s fiber, its texture, its color and pattern all go into making the completed project, giving it unique character.

Inevitably, there is leftover yarn—yarn that will be forever linked in your memory to the scarf, sweater, or the cap it became. This newsletter contains patterns which encourage you to think differently about those leftover bits of yarn.

Knitted in a separate project (perhaps with another stitch, or combined with other leftovers) these memorable bits of yarn can become new creations. What is more, like an heirloom patchwork quilt, the new creation will carry the memory of the original, tying it to the new one. For knitters like us who enjoy giving away the fruits of our labor, it is a wonderful image of interconnection.

—Jeanette

Are you on Ravelry?Join us at www.ravelry.com and visit the Director of SCI’s Christmas at Sea volunteer knitting program, Jeanette DeVita.

Jeanette's Ravelry user name: devittles

Join the SCI group on Ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/groups/christmas-at-sea

Non-ProfitU.S Postage

PAIDNewtown, CT

Permit No. 100

Dear Stitching Friends,If you’re like me, you have lots of little balls of yarn lying around the house waiting for some special purpose. With trade and industry cuts and tough times through most of America, I thought it was a great time to distribute some Christmas at Sea “economy-friendly” patterns that will help you use up those leftovers.

Lengthwise scrappy scarves are very attractive, and I think you’ll be using these scarves for more than just our program. I love the knitted version so much, I knit one for myself—just in time for spring. But as Christmas at Sea has taught me, it’s never

too early to stock up on winter knits. Our Christmas room has already begun to fill up with our 2009 gifts. As of April 15, we have received more than 3,000 handmade items.

I hope the crochet pattern is a welcome addition for you crochet lovers out there—it was written by one of SCI’s “Tuesday Ladies,” Bea Morrisson, and edited by another of our “Tuesday Ladies,” Norma Agastein. The “Tuesday Ladies” volunteer each week at CAS headquarters opening boxes, writing thank you notes, packing gifts, and making cards for our Christmas packages. My work would be impossible without them and my weeks would be a lot quieter. If you do come to visit the Christmas room, I recommend coming on a Tuesday. There’s nothing like the buzz and hum of activity on that day at SCI.

I’d like to thank those of you who have written or called expressing your concern for seafarers while the piracy attacks have been in the news. SCI has been working on issues of piracy since the 1990s and we continue to do so today. You may be wondering what you can do to help—and my recommendation is: knit and crochet. We have always made our gifts as symbols of love and warmth for those who work on the water. Now—more than ever—mariners need to know that those who are on land and enjoying prosperity and comfort because of their labor and risk are thinking of them. Pray for mariners while you knit these items and know that your work is warming their heads (or necks or feet) and their hearts.

If you’d like to learn more about SCI’s work on piracy, please visit our website: seamenschurch.org. While there, read the Open Letter written by SCI to support mariners who are victims of piracy. You can sign the petition at www.gopetition.com/online/26978.html.

Yours sincerely,

Jeanette DeVita

2009 CAS CalendarWednesday, August 5Deadline for “Christmas Shopping in July”(See article in this issue of The Knit Before Christmas.)

July 8 — July 17General Convention of the Episcopal Church Anaheim, CA

Friday, July 1012:45�p.m.A Celebration of KnittingGeneral Convention, Anaheim, CA

October 1CAS Packing Season Officially Commences

3rd Wednesday of Every MonthSit n Knit nyc6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. Sign up on meetup.com

“ Now, let us all take a deep breath and forge on into the future; knitting at the ready.”

– Elizabeth Zimmerman, The Opinionated Knitter