Day 1... Peace, what is it?

Peace, starts here, with you, with me, with all of us, one stitch at a time...

Year's ago I attended a leadership conference and the speaker asked "who wants world peace?" We all raised our hands. Then, we were asked "how many of you choose peace each day?" No one raised their hand. It was one of those moments... a game-changer if you will.

Peace, it's my choice. It's your choice. Somehow, somewhere I think we've come to expect that world peace is created by people in powerful positions. There's foreign policy, diplomats, peace treaties, etc. It's at a level above us as individuals, right? Yes, that's one version of peace but not the only one. Maybe an additional consideration when it comes to world peace is that it's up to us...we are the drivers in this scenario. We need not wait for someone to do this for us.

We can be that voice of peace. Let's build this from the ground-up...it's a grass-roots effort or perhaps a knitted-roots effort on creating a culture of peace.

“All of us can work for peace. We can work right where we are, right within ourselves, because the more peace we have within our own lives, the more we can reflect into the outer situation. ”

— Peace Pilgrim

For the next 21 days, I'm asking you to choose peace. Choose you. That doesn't mean ignore others, no, not at all. It means make time for you. As each one of us chooses peace, it extends to reach others. Project Peace is about choosing peace and slowing down. Your peaceful actions will positively influence others. I know, we are busy but if we truly want a peaceful world, we need to make the time.

Here's what you can expect from me over the next 21 days.

A daily tip will arrive in your email inbox each day. These tips will come in the form of a reflection, activities, stories, music, quotes, readings, etc. There will be a few guest posts and at least two give-aways near the beginning and the end of PP17. There's a pattern I designed called "Project Peace 2017" available on Ravelry so you can knit along in peace through the month of December.

As I mentioned, peace has many definitions and multiple types. Peace is complicated. I find this graphic from The Peace Alliance to be quite insightful. The focus for the next 21 days is "cultivating personal peace." Don't worry, cultivating "inner peace" is not selfish... it will magnify and positively influence others. You never know, perhaps as a result, you'll find yourself getting more engaged in your community, teaching peace in schools, maybe teaching kids to knit, etc. If peace begins with each of us, it'll ripple.

And as you knit the shawl, you'll see this captured in the design. The shawl begins with a point (that's you) and then it extends outward ending with waves of ripples.

The 5 cornerstones of peacebuilding from The Peace Alliance

Day 1. Peaceful tip

Consider starting a journal or some other way to capture your thoughts for the next 21 days. I kept a little peace-log last year to keep track of thoughts, quotes, ideas, questions, reflections. Today, pour yourself a wee cuppa of something, ponder the following questions and perhaps jot down a few things that come to mind.

1. What does peace mean to me?
2. What simple little ritual can I establish each day to give myself some peaceful time?

I'll be providing some suggestions about how to create daily rituals to cultivate peace during the peace-along but let's see what great ideas all of you have. Please post any ideas; you never know what new insights might be generated that will be useful to others.

Peace...stitch by stitch, row by row.

Christina

It's almost here...

The curtain is about to go up! Will we pull this off? The pre-performance jitters....the excitement, the nerves, the doubts, but oh, the sheer determination that one feels right before the show. The music begins and it's show time. Once that curtain's moving there's no going back. There you are, on stage, exposed, vulnerable, yet committed to the experience. You move forward with every ounce of determination and even if there are mistakes, you finish off the performance with a smile...

Here we are on the eve of the kick-off of Project Peace 2017 (PP17) and I've got those pre-preformance jitters. I suppose it's because I want to make sure that everything is just right and that the entire 21 days runs without any hiccups. But, life is full of bumps in the road so I'm sure we'll encounter a few; even with the best plans created. But we can always fall back on "hey, this is what cultivating peace is all about." Acceptance of how things are regardless of whether or not it's all proceeding to plan.

Some great news. We are off to a fantastic start. Peace is spreading through our global knitting community. The more people we can make aware of this peaceful movement, the better. Earlier this fall, Vogue Knitting promoted Project Peace on Instagram, Facebook and their electronic newsletter. On Tuesday, there was an article on the Interweave website, learn more about the history of Project Peace here.

As we draw closer to the beginning of PP17, there are a few items that I wanted to share.

• Thank you to all that have purchased the pattern. If you haven't yet had a chance, please consider doing so. Every purchase helps to create a more sustainable healthier future for our world as a large portion of the profits are being donated (read more about this on the Ravelry pattern page details). You can purchase the pattern here.
• Just so everyone is clear, only the pattern details are available right now. So, you'll only get 2 pages when you purchase the pattern. There's been a bit of confusion about this.
• Tomorrow, 12/1, two versions of the pattern will be available in your Ravelry library. There will be a DK version (with 2 sizes) and a fingering weight version (1 size with instructions on how to modifty).
• I've heard a few comments that this looks like too big a project to tackle right now. Rest assured, the smaller size as shown in the photos is made out of DK. I'm affectionately referring to this size as the "finish me in December size." With that said, there's no rule that says you must finish this by 12/21. That would sort of be anti-peaceful. Knit this as you have the time, a little bit each day is best and soon, you'll have a beautiful knitted accessory representing  ripples of peace.
• Some have said they'd like to donate their shawl to someone in need. Suggestions on how to find that person? I have two ideas but others may have more. I often volunteer at our local food bank. I know the manager is very connected with the individuals that frequent the food bank and she knows their story. Reaching out to managers of food banks or shelters may help you find just the right person in need of a shawl. The other idea is to contact a local church/temple/mosque and ask them who might appreciate/need this shawl.
• I'll be sending an email each morning (approximately 7 am central time) so some of you will get this in the afternoon, the next day or in the middle of the night, depending on your location. In order to get this email, you need to subscribe to the blog. Otherwise, just check in each day on the blog to read the daily tip about peace.

Pin your location on the map. We've created a map and would love everyone to pin their location to document our global efforts to spread peace through knitting. Right now, there are over 20 countries represented with pattern purchases. Let's get all those countries pinned on the map. Here's a direct link to the map or you can access it through the Healthy Knitter Ravelry group.

I wanted to share with you another option for yarn ideas. KnitCircus, a wonderful shop in Madison, Wisconsin specializes in hand-dying gradient yarns. Jaala and her team were very involved and supportive of Project Peace last year and are doing so again this year. She has a limited number of kits (n=14) available (on Monday) which would make an extra special project. If you're interested, you can order the a kit here or if they run out and need to dye more, order here. There'll be a wonderful give-away at the end of the 21 days sponsored by KnitCircus. Thank you!

This is the "frog" kit.

This is the "easy peasy" version.

And in closing for today, might I remind us all that Project Peace isn't about the numbers or the finished project. It's about a platform to promote peace, to build community, to find light in a time of darkness, and to slow down to appreciate our surroundings, environment, family and friends. It's about finding the joy in the process. We are all busy but we only get less busy when we stop to pause, breathe and honor each stitch, each moment.

Until tomorrow...

Peace, stitch by stitch and row by row...

Here's the link to the pattern.

Say YES to peace...

In just 5 days, Project Peace 2017 begins. Oh my... I can't wait but I'm a little nervous as well. So many things to finish getting in place. I keep telling myself... peeeeaaacccce but I would be fibbing if I said I'm completely calm. Why is it that when we find ourselves a wee bit stressed or overwhelmed, we give up the things that help us cope with these emotions? I suppose that's what Project Peace is all about. Learning to say "yes" to peace. So, instead of cancelling my spot in tonight's yoga class, I won't. You'll find me on my mat.

Say YES to peace!

As we approach December 1, I'm calling on all of you to help. I need your assistance spreading the word. This year, I decided to support 3 non-profit organizations with a large portion of the proceeds from the pattern sales. I kept the cost of the pattern low (only $3) in the hopes that it would be that much more enticing to people. We need about 150 more people to say "yes to peace" by purchasing the pattern. That will bring us to 1000 people!

I picked the organizations because I feel strongly about developing long-term strategies to create a healthy future for the people of the world AND the place we call home. So, I picked a school, Camino de Paz, that teaches kids how to farm, a program, The Wilderness Awareness School, that connects people with nature, and an international organization, Every Mother Counts, that works to reduce maternal deaths during childbirth.

How can you help?

• This year's pattern name is "Project Peace 2017." You can find the pattern details on Ravelry.
• On the pattern page, you can "add to favorites," place in your queue, and start a project. All of these activities help with the Ravelry algorithms and bring the pattern to the top of the "what's hot" list.
• Let's say you don't have time to knit the pattern right now. I get that. Believe me I do. Consider purchasing the pattern to support these causes and knit it later. 
• Not interested in this specific pattern? Follow along this December on the blog and support our efforts to spread peace with just a simple $3 purchase, even if you knit something else.
• Want to do just a little more? Perhaps you might "gift" the pattern to someone. There's a button on the pattern page to do so.
• Some people have asked me how they can give more than $3, follow the links above for the specific organizations and donate more.
• Don't have $3 to spend, how about sharing the information with someone that does?

Just think, if each person receiving this email were to purchase the pattern and then gift the pattern think of the donation we'd be able to achieve! Click here to purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

Project Peace 2017 plans...

I'll be sending an email each day from December 1-21 with a link to the current blog post. There will be a few guest posts, some knitting and non-knitting related activities, a couple of gifts and special coupons for everyone, a give-away (or two) and some thought provoking prompts to provide an opportunity for reflection. You won't want to miss out on this opportunity to incorporate peaceful tips and strategies into your life.

And don't forget about December 21, Worldwide Knit-in for Peace Day. Start planning now...perhaps you want to knit for peace in solitude or with some dear friends, or host a knit-in at your local yarn store or library. Let's try to get global representation. I've already heard from Antarctica and they are IN! Here's the link to pin your location for this year's Worldwide Knit-in for Peace Day.

And several of you have asked about the availability of this year's limited edition Project Peace bags. I expect them to be ready to order about 12/7. More details on this to follow.

I can't tell you how excited I am to be on this journey with all of you.

Peace, stitch by stitch... Let's knit some peace this December!

Releasing Project Peace 2017...

It's been months in the works and today I sent Project Peace 2017 out into the world. I know that might sound a wee bit corny but really, this has been my focus and passion for the past year. I've spent hours planning ways to build on last year's success and reach more people. That's been my goal...to spread more peace in the hopes, that in this time wrought with fear, dispair, anxiety and concern, that Project Peace might offer a glimmer of light.

So, I set it free today at 10 am central time. Pattern details are now available on Ravelry. The full pattern will be released on December 1, the beginning of the knit-along and peace-along. Beginning December 1, knit peace and read daily tips about personal peace building right here on The Healthy Knitter blog.

What's a peace-along? Each day beginning 12/1 through 12/21, I'll post a tip on how to integrate peace into your life. They'll be simple things, some from me and a couple guests. There will be a few give-aways throughout the 21 days. I'll be sending a daily email to all blog subscribers with a link to the post. Last year I wrote and doodled in a little journal I called my "peace-log." I'd encourage you to do the same this year.

Pattern theme. The theme for this year is the "ripple effect." The pattern is affectionately referred to as "ripples of peace." When each one of us chooses peace, the effects extend or ripples to others.

The pattern story. The shawl pattern begins with a few stitches and slowly grows to symbolize how our own actions manifest to reach others. Garter ridges incrementally get farther apart similar to the effects of throwing a pebble in the water. Finally, a simple to knit lace border with a modified old shale pattern completes the ripples.

The ripple. This year, I am charging for the pattern so that as a "kindness of knitters" we can collectively pool our resources to reach out and impact others. Throughout this past year, many knitters have risen to the occasion to help those in need as a result of natural disasters and other dire situations. I'm grateful and in awe of what our community has accomplished. With PP17, I want to focus our attention on building long-term, sustainable futures for our world. I've chosen the following organizations to promote a connection with fiber, nature and family. More details on these organizations will be forthcoming. Let's gather and build a healthy future.

The three organizations are:
1. Camino de Paz, a middle school north of Santa Fe, New Mexico teaching children how to run a sustainable farm intertwined with an academic curriculum. Funds will be used to incorporate fiber knowledge in the curriculum.
2. The Wilderness Awareness School, connecting youth and adults with nature.
3. Every Mother Counts, a non-profit organization committed to reducing maternal deaths during childbirth in the US and globally.

Pattern modifications. I designed this pattern to be easily adaptable and accessible to most knitters. The photos show the "smaller" size in DK weight yarn. Yardage requirements are available on Ravelry for both a smaller and larger size. I refer to the "smaller" size as the "finish me in December" size. This pattern is extremely modifiable for any weight yarn. You can easily substitute worsted weight yarn (use a larger needle size and find a gauge of your liking) and follow the pattern as written to achieve a larger shawl. Yardage requirements for the worsted weight and fingering weight options are forthcoming.

Special yarn available for this project. Several indie dyers and/or shops are putting together kits or special yarn bundles for this years Project Peace. Several of them are also donating a portion of the yarn sales to an organization of their choosing. This list will be added to as we progress. For now, you can contact the following for special yarn options:

Yarn Scout for Malabrigo and hand-dyed kits.

Please join me to promote peace for self, our families, communities and the world. Knit peace this December, reflect and incorporate peaceful tips into your day. Spread peace by telling everyone you know about Project Peace. Take this information to your LYS, knitting groups, friends that knit, etc. Last year with Project Peace 2016, I threw a pebble in the water so to speak and the ripples were wide and far-reaching. Now, let's see how far we can take this.

Can you help me spread peace? Share this information as far and wide as you can. How many knitters can we get involved?

There are two active threads related Project Peace on the Healthy Knitter Ravelry group, join us.

December 21 is World-wide Knit-in for Peace Day. As a group last year, we created this day. When I recently told a friend's daughter (age 11 years) about PP and World-wide Knit-in for Peace Day she said "I hope in my lifetime I see December 21 officially recognized as "world-wide knit-in for peace day." I shook my head and replied "me too, Lauren, me too."  It's possible...we just have to come together and choose peace.

“Peace.. this we choose each day.”

— Anonymous

It is my hope that we'll have 1000's of knitters focused on peace this December. It's all about one stitch, one step, one peaceful thought and action at a time. Join me on a peaceful adventure.